Let's Blog ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome once again friends to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 (hosted by Annie at Cottage by the Sea) and how about talking about blogging this week since it's something we all do anyway. 

Get yourself a cuppa, come sit down at your computer and let's think about blogging for a bit. Blog is short for Weblog, a log or diary on the World Wide Web or internet.   Your journal or diary can hold personal stories, ideas, opinions of all kinds and can be private or public as you wish.  It is an excellant way to document your life or interests.

1. Why did you begin blogging?  

I started blogging many years ago when I was on an extended leave from work due to illness. The blog post archive says 2009 was the first year I blogged but I thought it was a year or so earlier. Anyway, I was looking for a way to do something creative and productive and I believe it was my youngest brother who told me about blogging.  Since I was sick I wanted to find a way to focus on the positive and uplifting things in life like nature's beauty and so on.  The blog seemed a good vehicle for expressing positivity.

2. What benefits does blogging offer you?

As mentioned, I started blogging as a way of focussing on positive things to encourage myself while I dealt with my own health issues and also the health challenges of a dear family member. Along the way, I expanded the blog topics to share about the missions in Kenya and document my creative and other daily activities so the blog became more or a journal of sorts.

3. Have you made friends from blogging?

Yes, I've made a few friends through blogging.  I've been fortunate to meet a few bloggers in person.  One in Canada who has since passed on and one in Kenya who now lives in South Africa.  There were plans to meet two other bloggers, one in Vancouver Island and one from Hong Kong but those plans didn't come to fruition.  I expect I'll get a chance to meet one or two other bloggers in due time.

4. Where do you get ideas for things you blog about? Do other bloggers influence you?

The last few years there have been a number of quirks and issues I've faced with the blogging platform, Blogger.  These problems resulted in fewer readers, followers and commenters.  Since I don't want to be talking to myself or blogging about things that are only of interest to me,  I've thought about giving up blogging altogether because it's discouraging when no one leaves comments or only one or two people seem to be reading.  However, I persevered and along the way, I've been encouraged by a few other bloggers.  Since I've been blogging, I noticed that so many others have started a blog and dropped by the way side.  Blogging no longer is the main social media tool for keeping in touch with others. Everyone seems to want instantaneous and new and have migrated to platforms like Instagram, Tik Tok and others.   

Sometimes I have many ideas for blogging and at other times I have no ideas. Blogging ideas can come in different ways: every day life, what I see on television, what I read and what I see around me.  Other bloggers influence me too especially when I read their uplifting posts, beautiful photos or heartfelt personal news.  I've also been inspired to try new recipes or crafts when I see what other bloggers are up to.

For some time now, I've been preoccupied with decluttering, household renos, condo business and old personal business so the blog has been in caretaking mode rather than robust activity and original content.  It's helped enormously to have a few memes to participate in to support my blogging efforts.  Once I've completed all old business, I'll be able to decide what direction to go with the blog.

A Beautiful Day ~ Skywatch Friday, September 12, 2025

Hello folks, A good friend and I have been trying unsuccessfully to get together for months to celebrate our birthdays.  It didn't work out because she's had to work so much overtime but we were finally able to get together last Friday.

Here is a photo of her wearing the cardigan I crocheted for her over the summer.  I was pleased that it fit her perfectly and she liked it a lot.

It was very hot and humid and the sky was full of smoke though the air didn't smell so bad. We took our time and had lunch at the Granville Island Public Market. I didn't take any photos of the market area or our lunch because it was so busy and hot that day and I was feeling pretty tired.

After a long chat, we took an aqua bus to the Vancouver Aquatic Centre and walked along the waterfront until we got to the intersection of Denman and Davie Streets.

 

The gift at the end of the day was this beautiful sunset.

After these photos we ended our night by going out to dinner at a Greek restaurant where I had a wonderful Moussaka dinner. I haven't had one for years.  Besides a nice visit with my friend, the thing I enjoyed most was the beautiful sunset.

Thank you for visiting my Skywatch Friday post. Enjoy your weekend.

A Beautiful Day at English Bay

Hi folks,

Today's post is photo heavy but at least there's not much to read, ha ha.

We've been having hot and humid weather this week after a few days of smoke filled, grey skies. 

My cousin came to visit.  I planned for us to visit the Museum of Anthropology and Granville Island Market but ultimately we decided to go to the public market on Granville Island and to the waterfront in the city's West End by taking an aqua bus from the market across to the West End.

These photos are from the ride on the small ferry boat, called an aqua bus.  The ride probably takes 5 minutes or less and has gone up a dollar since the last time I used the service.  It's still a fun little thing to do but I always the end wishing it was longer, lol.

This next set of photos are from the West End where we started our walk along the waterfront from Sunset Beach to English Bay Beach.

Things to Ponder ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome back to another of Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 memes hosted by Annie at Cottage by the Sea.

Across much of the USA autumn has arrived early.   

Annie writes that while she was enjoying her cuppa she was pondering a few things to do with her home and suggested we ponder a few questions.

Here are the questions she asked us to ponder:

1. If you could live in the world of any movie, which one would you choose and why?

When Harry Met Sally.  I chose the movie because of the wonderful fall scenery and because I love the vibe of New York City.

2. If you could have coffee or tea with a woman from history or from fiction come to life, who would that be and why?

Mary, the mother of Jesus.  I think she was such a courageous and strong woman to deal with being with child before being married and all the social stigma that must have arisen from that.  I'd love to talk with her about how she managed the stresses and responsibilities of becoming a mother in the way she did and also how she handled her married to Joseph.  I also think Joseph, the step-father of Jesus would be a wonderful person to speak with.  I've often thought what a wonderful man he must have been to support Mary in her condition and marvel at his obedience in following the message he received from the angels through his dreams. Surely he must have had many questions and most likely, even doubts about what he had to do. Another woman I'd like to speak with is Josephine Bonaparte. Her marriage to Napoleon only lasted for 6 years because she could not bear him a child. Even after their divorce they corresponded a lot and he continued to declare his love for her.

3. If you could create an autumn-themed festival, what unique events or foods would it feature?

I have no idea. I love festivals but I don't think I'd be good at planning them. Maybe some pumpkin carving, bobbing apples, face painting hay rides and warming drinks like hot chocolate and some good funnel cakes which we don't really get where I live. I think they now sell funnel cakes at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) an annual summer event. I went this summer (see my post here) but I didn't indulge in any sweet treats.

4. If autumn had a personality, how would you describe it, and what kind of friend would it be?

Warm, comforting, happy, peaceful yet invigorating.

Skywatch Friday, September 5, 2025

Welcome to September and welcome to another Skywatch Friday post.

Today I'm sharing a few photos taken on two different days.

Our sky has been a solid mass of gray and the air has been smoky since Wednesday. After a summer free of smoke in these parts, we are now having a week of bad air.  

Wildfires have also come closer to home with a fire jumping across the Coquihalla Highway which  remains closed since Wednesday.

Thank you for visiting and stay safe wherever you are.

Coffee or Tea? ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

The living cat on record, Creme puff,  lived to be 38 years old and was given coffee at breakfast all his life.  Breakfast for him was bacon, eggs, broccoli and coffee.

The previous owner of the record was Grandpa Rex Allen who lived to be 34 years old on the same diet.  Coffee reduces chances of Alzheimers, Parkinsons.  

Tea without adding milk can "tan" your bladder making for many problems .  Milk binds the tannic acid making it safe to drink.

Homemade food increases an animal's life span too.  Let's talk about it, okay?

1. Coffee increases a bee's memory and does the same for you.      Bees love caffeinated coffee  flowers.  What do you love about coffee or tea?

I love coffee for the smell and the taste.  The caffeine also perks me up enough to get going after a night's sleep.  I also love tea for the taste.

2. If you opened a tea or coffee shop in your neighborhood what would it be named?  How would you decorate it? Would pastry or cake be served?

Good question. I haven't landed on a name because I haven't thought much about opening such a shop.  How about "Perfect Potion" or "Chat and Brew", lol. As for decor, I envision a rustic interior with lots of wood and beams. The other option would be a shabby chic look. Cakes and pastries would definitely be on the menu because these sweet treats go well with tea and coffee.

3. Beethoven required 60 beans per cup of coffee.  How particular are you about your coffee or tea?

I am not that particular. I only require that the coffee or tea not be bitter.

4.  Italian clergy in 1600s  declared coffee the devil's brew and forbid it.  Pope Clement the VIII wanted to taste it, loved it and blessed it ... today, new research shows black coffee is drunk mainly by psychopaths.  Sweden banned coffee in 1746 as dangerous and Islam banned it for causing free thinking!  

How do you take your coffee you free thinking, radical and what's your favorite brand of devil's brew?

I take my coffee with cream, no sugar. My favourite canned brand is Maxwell House. My favourite beans if I buy at the coffee shop are Sumatra Java or Guatemala Antigua. I also like certain coffees from Ethiopia, Kenya and Columbia.  

I used to drink my caffeinated tea black or with lemon but these days I drink it with cream. If I drink herbal tea, I take it without cream or sugar.  My favourite at the moment is Rooibos from South Africa. I usually drink herbal tea at night when I'm relaxing before sleep.

Autumn is Near ~ Skywatch Friday

In a few days I'm sure I'll feel the distinct chill in air when nature lets me know that summer is over and autumn is here.  It happens each year, immediately after Labour Day.  Summer goes by very quickly and autumn even more so. I hardly caught my breath all summer as I was so busy catching up with decidedly 'unsummerlike' activities.  But I'm feeling good about it all and happy to see the backside of many small projects which never seemed to get done. Most of it was paperwork related and that kind of stuff is always good to get out of the way as soon as possible.

I'm enjoying the skies above me as always and I'm grateful for the surprises and gifts offered each day if we look up.

This summer I grew sunflowers in the patio garden. 

Normally I only plant them at the community garden but thought I'd do something differently. I noticed the leaves were turning black.  I think it was some kind of fungal disease. I just tried to pluck them off and add diatomaceous earth.

Sunflowers always make me happy with their big, yellow faces.

Thank you for visiting my Skywatch Friday post today. Enjoy your weekend.

The Northern Lights Visit the South ~ Skywatch Friday

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

I took the following photos on August 12th. I saw this glow in the sky which I'd not seen before so decided to take some photos. The next day I read that the city had experienced the aurora borealis or the northern lights but that was on August 8th.  I think what I captured was the tail end of it. I thought the sky looked pretty cool.

I actually grew up seeing the dancing northern lights during the winter months.  They look a lot different which is why I didn't know what I was looking at. I enjoyed seeing them because I missed them when they visited earlier.

Thank you for visiting my Skywatch blog post today. I hope you enjoyed.  I hope you will visit again soon.