Sunny Side Up!

This post has nothing to do with eggs! But the forecast for this week is showing its sunny side ~ eggsactly!

I noticed more signs of sunshine in the garden today ~

So what to do in this spring-like weather? I could clean up more of the garden ~ but that sounds a little too much like 'work' at the moment, and I think the birds like it just the way it is for now ;) ...

I know, I could go on a short holiday ~ because I can!

That's what I've been planning today. I phoned a friend and we are off to Seattle for a few days. We'll be hopping on the Clipper on Thursday and staying a couple of nights just to have a change of place. While we are in Seattle, we'll check out the Pike Place Market among other venues.

This evening I decided to try out a crumpet recipe. They are heart-shaped because naturally ;) that's the shape of the pancake/crumpet/'whatever' forms I have on hand.

The handle shows as a shadow ~

Would you like to join me for tea...and crumpets?
They look like they are sunny side up, too. :)

With Glowing Hearts

'With Glowing Hearts' is the motto of our Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, the phrase originating from our national anthem, 'O Canada'.  Of course, glowing hearts are fitting for Valentine's Day as well! The Games are now underway after a tragic heartbreaking luge accident during a training session. The opening ceremonies were quite amazing and I can't even imagine how much organization went into the extravaganza.


I just heard on the weather report that we experienced our warmest January ever, and it's carrying on into February, while each state in the US has snow except for Hawaii!  Here we are with the winter games, and the snow has gone south!

After seeing my TV screen flare up when Wayne Gretsky lit the Olympic torch in rainy Vancouver, I shouldn't have been surprised to hear sirens this morning. They sounded awfully close, and when I looked outside, I realized two fire trucks had just pulled up next door. No obvious smoke or flames, so possibly it was a chimney fire. I'll find out more when I next speak with my neighbours.

Here is my little Glowing Heart candle ~

Happy Valentine's Day!

Laptop!

This is my first blog post on my new laptop.  I haven't uploaded my regular programs, so I have just edited a few recent photos through Photobucket. 

The one little crocus posted previously has aquired a few more buddies.



Also the purple crocuses have started showing their bright little faces.  There will be a lot of these!



Primroses enjoying the sun...

and a Hellebore plant survived the mild winter in one of the front windowboxes ~

Life is a beach! - Update

Edit to add:  Tues. 8:20 a.m. Laptop delivered and signed for!  Yahoo!

Yesterday was a happy beautiful spring-like day! It was a treat to see the sunshine.

Signs of spring: (clickable)

I walked to the beach and because the tide was going out, there was a strip of sand which always makes for easier walking.

The seagulls were busily dropping and cracking shells on the rocks.

There were other signs of bird activity as well.

A few other people were about, but for the most part it was just the sea and me. I thought the gulls were the only birds to photograph, when suddenly a shape appeared and I was able to take this shot of a large bald eagle.

As I headed off for home, I spied this red-head up on the utility pole.

Believe it or not, the continuing adventures re my new laptop ~

Monday morning ~ bright and early, I was ready! Shortly after 8 a.m., a delivery van pulls up across the street. I was so excited! 

A fellow lifts a cardboard box out of the back of the truck and heads .... NEXT DOOR!

"Hello," I say..."over here!"

He checks the address on the box and says,

"No, this isn't for you ~ it's for your neighbour."

"But, but," I say, "here's the 'missed delivery' notice that was left on the door on Friday."

He comes to look at it, still carrying the box (which, I notice is indeed addressed to the neighbour next door).

"Oh yes," says he, "I had a box for you but no one answered and I needed a signature."

"Where is it now?" says I.

"Well, it's not in the truck," says he. "It must be back at the warehouse ~ maybe it will come later today or tomorrow."

"Aarghh!" I said. 

Aarrgh!

The doorbell rang and rang with all its might!

It must have been the middle of the night.

I dove beneath the pillows, hid my head,

refusing to get up and out of bed.

At last I wandered down and looked outside,

and then I saw the note and simply cried …

“In transit” on the tracking site display

did not suggest delivery today!

My laptop had been right outside the door!

A signature was needed, nothing more,

but, no, I chose to lie there and ignore

the ringing of the bell! I said before

that things can sometimes go from bad to verse,

but this time I felt bad enough to curse!

I kicked myself repeatedly all day

and even now, experience dismay!

Of course, he’ll come again without much warning,

but not, alas, until it’s Monday morning.

PS Note to self: No matter how enthralling the book is that you are reading, put it down and go to bed at a decent hour so that you can be alert in the morning!

On a lighter note, the first and only crocus in the front garden must have seen the delivery man even if I didn't:

 

Extra info: The grass-like, ensiform leaf shows generally a white central stripe along the leaf axis.

Ensiform: having sharp edges and tapering to a slender point; having a sword-like shape

If you look closely, you may see a rainbow on the horizon towards the right side.

Two other photos from today ~ the waves were lumpy, the wind was gusting, and the gulls were enjoying the thermals along with the churned up morsels on the rocky part of the shore.

Bad to Verse -

It’s not that I’ve been idle, not a chance,

although retirement’s hardly song and dance!

Each time I start a project, things get worse,

so time to try and put it all to verse…

I took a desk apart to use the drawers

inside a cupboard opened by two doors.

Because the width was such a perfect fit,

I only had to fiddle just a bit,

or so I thought, but soon I grabbed my drill,

the jigsaw and some screws. I worked until

it came together. Now it’s done at last!

I spent two days on something I thought fast.

To tidy all the mess will take a while.

A stack of bits and bobs has formed a pile,

which waits for me tomorrow to diminish.

I read two novels through from start to finish

in two days straight – because the weather’s bleak -

Not good for taking photographs all week.

On Sunday for a teeny little minute,

the sun appeared and I sat out, and in it!

Some barking basking creatures joined right in;

their pleasure resonating – what a din!

I’ve fooled around with brushes – Photoshop –

and now that I’ve begun it’s hard to stop.

As you can see, the days have simply fled,

and now it's goodnight time from sleepyhead. - Whoops!