…of plummet, summit & drum it…

…”Loonie closes at lowest level in more than a decade”…

As the price of gold fell for its 10th consecutive day, the loonie continues to slide too.

Our Canadian economy is weakening along with commodity prices, consumer confidence, and amid speculation that interest rates are about to rise in the United States.

Uncertain times—throw in an election or two or three and behind-the-scenes European countries’ posturing and a roller-coaster ride may just be about to activate.

Vancouver’s prized convention centre, often home to ‘meeting-of-the-minds’ gatherings of folks from all over the world on topics conventional & unconventional, will go full circle today with the launch of the Circle Craft and Craft Council of BC annual Summer Craft Market. Check out Jack Poole Plaza today through Sunday to see the fine craftsmanship of artisans extraordinaire!

As the old saying goes–crafts & summer markets quip–great savings for those who flea (or should that be flee?…)

Tourists and locals alike, never skip a beat when it comes to finding a bargain or drumming up enthusiasm for a fine adventure amid the vast variety of landscape that is British Columbia!

Be it, in and around Vancouver, on the North Shore mountains or the Gulf Islands, or even venturing further into the Cariboo or the Okanagan & the Kootenays, there is much that can put a fine rhythm to a vacation or exploration day!

what will be the percussion in your today?!…

Wherever you may be & whatever’s your Thursday ‘song’— let the cadence swing!!!

…put a lilt in your kilt!

…a spring in your step!

…a flutter in your heart!

Thursdays are for thrilling!!!….Cheers to a fine day!

…of fruits, travels, & home sweet home…

As Vancouverites gear up for the final long weekend of summer–Labour Day weekend, there’s much of BC that beckons for getaways!

Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Tofino, Whistler, the Okanagan-wine country!, the Kootenays, the Cariboo, the Sunshine coast, even fly-in only resorts!

For others, a ‘staycation’ can mean a traditional Labour Day weekend visit to the PNE-Pacific National Exhibition or sharing Stanley Park with many others…

Local media today mentions that not only a small contingent of people, but cougars, coyotes, great blue herons, eastern grey squirrels, bald eagles & beavers, cougars & mute swans all call the park home!

What might you see this weekend, deciding it’s a ‘walk-in-the-park’ kinda day??!

Recently, I was startled by a huge wing-spanned owl to which a friend exclaimed “what a hoot!”…

Whatever your’re up to for this last gasp of summer 2014…enjoy some of the fruits of your labour, safe travels wherever you may go, & cheers in life’s routines at home sweet home!

Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest.
~Henry Van Dyke

…notable…

Campaigning continues in both Canada and the UK to keep at least one female historical figure on respective currencies.  In the UK, Jane Austen made the cut and will replace Elizabeth Fry as the only woman other than the Queen on their currency.  In Canada, other than the Queen, we have yet to have any female “notables” given that honour…..

Cheers to take note!…..

An interesting event happened over the weekend in the Kootenays area of British Columbia.

Victoria composer Paul Walde’s Requiem for a Glacier was performed by a choir & orchestra of about 50 people at Farnham Glacier.  An expression of grief about the melting of glaciers.

By all reports, “the complicated event was free of even the most minor glitches.” 

“Placing the “cultural artifact” of a choir and orchestra in a natural setting is Walde’s way of saying that nature is already part of culture, not separate from it, and “if we destroy these places, we are also destroying our culture.”

In addition to art and nature, it was an arduous afternoon dedicated to sunscreen, drinking water, feeding 100 people, and moving around safely in rough terrain. But when it was over, some said they didn’t want to leave.

“I feel like I’m at home here,” said one of the singers. “I’ve bonded with this place through the music.”

Cheers to heartwarming tales of giving attention to global warming!  Apparently a documentary on the topic was part of the experience–perhaps it will include some freeze-frames!?!…

This final Monday of July has one thinking that “summer” is about half over already.  How time flies!  British Columbians and visitors to the province have been blessed with unusually outstanding summer weather.  Almost a record breaking number of consecutive days without rain.  

I love summer and also this quote by William Carlos Williams—-“In summer, the song sings itself!”……

Cheers as the week rolls into August!…..

“What wondrous life is this I lead!
Ripe apples drop about my head;
The luscious clusters of the vine
Upon my mouth do crush their wine;
The nectarine and curious peach
Into my hands themselves do reach;
Stumbling on melons, as I pass,
Ensnared with flowers, I fall on grass.”
–  Andrew Marvell, Thoughts in a Garden