Great neighbours

 This morning a pipe burst in the apartment above us. It was quite a mess - water 2 inches deep in our neighbour's kitchen - and then this happened ...

Yep, all that water settled into the space between the floors, then flowed through every opening until the weight of the water brought the ceiling down in our place.

 But this story is not about the mess in our apartment. It's about our neighbours who descended en masse with buckets, who moved furniture and precious items, took pictures, gave helpful advice, brought coffee and lunch, picked up my library book, and made dinner.  

We are so thankful to live in a building with such wonderful people. 

6 minutes of fame

My sister, Robbie, says the world still owes me 9 minutes.

All Points West with Jason D'Souza

Jan. 9, 2025: How the Cancer DriveLine Society helps local cancer patients in need of transportation

Glen Okrainetz, President of Cancer DriveLine Society, and volunteer Gwyn Thompson speaks with All Points West about how their organization serves local cancer patients, and how you can help.

Mum

November and December have been difficult months for our family.  Mum became quite ill in November and was admitted to hospital. It was sad watching her get weaker and more confused. She died peacefully on December 10th.  We are all relieved that she can now rest.  We love her and will miss her dearly.

June Rowley, 1931 - 2024

Anticipation

We had an early dinner tonight.

We laugh!  It reminds us of, "You can't open your Christmas presents until you finish your breakfast" or "No trick or treating until you have some dinner".  In our case, it's "No TV yet".  And what are we watching?  Well, the results of the US Presidential election, of course.

And I have hiccups from eating too fast. 

Postscript: Christmas and Halloween have better surprises.

Six degrees of separation

We had Thanksgiving dinner yesterday at Penny's.  Penny has bravely stepped into the breach and is now hosting the holiday dinners. (Thank you, Penny!)

Together with Penny, Bill, and Sarah were guests Arleen and Chris.  

Penny met Chris when they were both working for the City of Vancouver, and Tom and I met Arleen when we all worked for Family Services of Greater Vancouver, some 40+ years ago, and before Chris and Arleen even knew each other!

Great fun catching up!

 

Insider joke

Remember I said that Joe and I share a love of science fiction? 

Me to Joe: Know what this is?

Me to Joe:  It's a Klingon Bird of Prey tattoo!

Joe to me: I thought it was a Romulan Warbird.

Hahahahahaha ...

Walking for pleasure

I love to walk.

This morning I walked 5 1/2 km around Vancouver's West End.  I didn't have a destination in mind.  I didn't buy anything.  I didn't talk to anyone.  I didn't ponder world problems, or even problems on a more appropriate scale.  I just looked and watched and enjoyed the walk. 

I find walking to be ... meditative ... I guess. 

Maybe it's learned behaviour or genetics.  See, when I was a kid, my dad would often go for a walk after dinner, by himself.  Sometimes ... sometimes ... I went with him. 

I don't think he ever had a particular destination in mind either, and I don't remember that we even talked.  We just walked.  A long way.  And at his speed. 

I wondered then if he was pondering some weighty matter. 

Now I wonder if Dad just enjoyed the walk.