A Thing of Beauty ~1

 (To see my Tuesday 4 post please click here.)

Thank you for stopping by! 

Have a great week. 💗💗💗

Hooray for Hollywood Part 2 ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory of Toni Taddeo it's first host and founder. How about the subject of Hollywood, it's 'stars', its products and it's affect on the world? 

1.  Which of the big movie stars of the past were your favorites? 

I have many favourite big movie stars of the past: Gregory Peck, Vivian Leigh, Maureen O'Hara, Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Ginger Rogers, Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Joan Crawford & Betty Davis and more.

2.  What movie is the funniest you've seen? How about the most romantic?

I have two movies I'd like to mention as the funniest movies I've ever seen.  The first movie my mom and I watched together at the movie theatre back in the 1984.  We laughed so hard and never forget the movie reliving it's funny moments that made us laugh so much over the years.   It's called Johnny Dangerously and stars Michael Keaton and Maureen Stapleton. The character Johnny is played by Keaton who acts like a good boy at home but is living a double life as a gangster in order to pay for his neurotic mother's medical bills.  The reason that the film appealed to us is that Johnny's mom was a hypochondriac and a lot of that things she complained about were things my latest mom would also complain about.  In mom's case the health issues were real but doctors sometimes had to be "convinced".  It's a shame when you have to convince doctors to listen to you and take things seriously rather than dismiss you outright but we found the movie very funny.

Click here for a little teaser.  The full movie can be watched on You Tube but don't watch if you have sensitive ears. There is no actual swearing in the movie but there are words you can decipher which are used in place of swear words. 

The other movie I saw on an airplane on trip back to Ontario with my boss at the time.  The movie is My Cousin Vinny starring Marissa Tomei and Joe Pesci. We laughed so hard and probably disturbed the other passengers.

Click here for a preview.  The character Vinny, played by Joe Pesci is a newly minted lawyer who gets a desperate call to defend his cousin. It's clear that Vinny doesn't know what he's doing but his girlfriend played by Marissa Tomei helps him out with her expert car knowledge and along the way, Vinny learns the ropes.

There are several contenders for the most romantic movie.  I'll pick Out of Africa with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.  Mostly because I love both actors and I love Kenya where the movie was filmed.  Here is a clip from the film showing the beauty of Kenya.

3.  Do you watch the Oscars or the Emmy Awards shows?  

I watch the Oscars most years but it seems like I've missed the last few years. These days I'm not enjoying the ultra rich celebs congratulate themselves so many times a year on various award shows.

4.  Some movies, plays had a big impact on people.  Orson Welles radio performance of War of the Worlds was broadcast on Halloween 1938 and people, causing panic and widespread hysteria especially in the Grover's Mill area of New Jersey where the "invasion" took place.

Is there a movie that you were greatly influenced or affected by hopefully in a good way?

It's a Wonderful Life. A movie starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed.  A feel good movie that illustrates that one life can make a huge difference in the lives of many.

Thanks for dropping by and thank you so much for participating and making this a lot of fun for everyone.

A Cloud 'Blob' ~ Skywatch Friday

I found this weird cloud (photos 1 & 3) in my neighbourhood the other day. I stopped to take a couple photos but they didn't turn out well. I've never seen such a cloud before. Does anyone know what it's called?

It was a beautiful, sunny day and still quite warm. I understand we're supposed to get rain on the weekend, possibly even Friday night.   I can't complain about our weather as it's been quite nice.

Thanks for stopping by my Skywatch Friday post. Have a wonderful weekend.

Autumnal Equinox ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4... are you ready for Autumn?

Monday,  September 22 is the Autumnal Equinox, the first day of the Autumn season.  

Autumn is the name of the season and fall is the term for the time of Autumn when leaves begin to fall from the trees.   Let's discuss it.....

1. Are there pumpkins or chrysanthemums on your porch or are you planning on putting some out?  

No. Most of us in Canada do not decorate for the seasons. We generally only decorate for the major holidays.

2. Are stores around you showing Autumn clothing and decor now?  Here in New Jersey, leaves on some trees are changing slowly and temperatures are way down. What is it like in your neck of the woods?

I haven't been in the stores for a long time other than grocery stores and pharmacies. A few days ago, I noticed that the pharmacy has their Hallowe'en items out on the shelves. It means that clothing stores and other retail shops likely have their autumn items out now. The leaves have only just started to turn colour but not much yet. 

3. Do you have plans for Thanksgiving yet?

I have thought about the Thanksgiving meal. We'll probably have chicken with stuffing and all the sides instead of a big turkey.           

4 . If we can arrange an autumn trip or get away for you, where will you choose to go and why?

I don't much feel like travelling with all the turmoil in the world. DH has been away in Kenya for some business related matters and to see family. I hope he'll get home before long. He didn't want to be away so long but dealing with the government business can sometimes take awhile.  

If I did take a journey I would only want to go up country a bit. It's fantastic weather and scenery at this time of year. We call the area the Thompson Okanagan, around Kamloops, Chase, Kelowna. I would also like to go even much farther north to Prince George and beyond into northern British Columbia around Dawson Creek and Alberta around Grande Prairie and Edmonton. Autumn is the best season to see the beauty of the area. 

Here is a map so you can have a look (Click on the map so you can read the names).

Also, if you click here you can see some posts and photos of the area I've made in previous postings. Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!

Sky in Mid- September - Skywatch Friday

I took these photos on a sunny day.  

The air is now cooler during the day and especially at night despite the sunshine. Sometimes our hot weather can last well into Fall but it's a bit too early to see how things will play out this year.  

Rain was expected for a day or two shortly after I took these photos.

Overcast skies and rain did, in fact arrive in time for Car Free Day. I didn't actually attend the festival so these photos were taken at the very end of the day when stalls were being taken down and many people had left for home.  There seems to have been a good turnout despite the weather.

I did a bit of food shopping then went to the J.J. Bean coffee shop to have a coffee and read. It was a good way to end the weekend.

Thank you for visiting my Skywatch Friday post.

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.