…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!

…tweed…& yes!…

Today, Vancouver’s annual IDS West Interior Deisgn show  kicks off at the Convention Centre.  “A great marketting opportunity for emerging designers to integrate with buyers, manufacturers, and clients.”   Perhaps the change in weather was by design to encourage great attendance…

Cheers to see you at the show?!…..

Apparently yesterday, Vancouver was also home to the city’s first ever charity tweed ride.  Citizens sported their finest tweed duds as they biked around town in support of the Intersections Media Opportunities Society in support of film and visual arts workshops for at-risk youth.

“Vintage bikes, bowler hats, pleated skirts…..even a penny-farthing. Do you know what that is??—a bicycle with a very large front wheel and smaller rear wheel that was very popular in the 19th century.  Must confess, I don’t think I knew that…..penny for your thoughts Harris??!!….. tweedle-dee tweedle-dum….A barbershop quartet, the Squares, even serenaded at the pit stops!   Sounds like great fun on a busy day for Vancouver including the Terry Fox Run and a day of challenge benefitting the Canuck Place children’s hospice too….fun fundraisers!….

I met a man in Harris Tweed

As I walked down the Strand;

I turned and followed him like a dog

The breath of hill and sea and bog

That clung about that coat of brown,

And suddenly, in London Town,

I heard again the Gaelic speech,

The scrunch of keel on shingly beach;

The traffic’s never-ending roar

Come plangent from a shining shore;

I saw the little lochs where lie

The lilies, white as ivory;

And tumbling down the rocky hills

Came scores of little foaming rills,

I saw the crofter bait his line,

The children herding yellow kine,

The barefoot woman with her creel,

The washing-pot, the spinning wheel,

The mounds thrown up by patient toil,

To coax the corn from barren soil.

With buoyant step I went along

Whistling a Hebridean song

That Iain Og of Taransay

Sang one enchanted day.

I was a man renewed indeed

Because I smelt that Harris Tweed

As I went down the Strand.– Janet Hunter

Cheers to a day where conventional meets unconventional and shouts YES!!!….

 

 

…snap to it…

With the proliferation of smartphones, a growing obsession for some is to snap pictures or shoot video of everything they eat! 

The ability to just sit down and enjoy a meal is being lost as countless millions of diners feel compelled to take and share pictures.  Some restaurants say the whole issue is becoming a problem.  Not sure exactly why that might be but no doubt more issues and possible solutions are likely to be voiced.  One might say by word of mouth……

So much for the olden days habitual bow over the plate with thoughts of “I smell something funny” or “that smells fantastic.”   “For what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful it’s camera ready”……..

The World Money Show takes place for the next couple of days at the Vancouver Convention Centre. According to the media around it the global markets crisis is forcing investors and traders to take a closer look at conventional and unconventional approaches.  That seems to say……a word to the wise be careful what one buys.

Ever had that “without delay, just get started today” thought ringing through your thought processes but something just keeps you from a kick start to get on with what you know you must do or have been meaning to do or dreaming of for what seems like forever?!

I think it happens to all of us and can be an energy sapping source of stress and angst that can be reduced significantly or eliminated entirely if we can just take a “lights, camera, action” attitude or stance.

I’ve lived long enough to know it can be an all too typical thing and also that 9 times out of 10 when I’ve finally done something about the nagging feeling, I ask myself  “what was I waiting for?!”……..

Cheers for a snap to it kind of day!  Say cheese!