Whale Watching, Victoria, B.C.

A group of four humpback whales were so close to our boat today that they were literally able to cover the staff and passengers with whale kisses.

We have officially been kissed, sprayed, by a whale!

Fortunately, humpback whales are by nature, mostly gentle and non-aggressive creatures.

This was a very comforting bit of knowledge for us to have as these four majestic being circled in and around and under our vessel.

Whales often like to observe the people who are observing them. Spyhopping, which is when a whale vertically pokes its head out of the water to check out those checking it.

This humpback did this for quite a while today, I think, enjoying us as much as we enjoyed it.

Humpback whales grow up to 60 feet long and can weigh 80,000 pounds.

We were sad to see them go, but so very happy for the time they spent with us!

We were also able to follow two pods of Orca Whales that were traveling quickly and soon outpaced us.

Thank you to Eagle Wing Tours for a most exilerating afternoon on the Pacific Ocean!

Fan Tan Alley

Fan Tan Alley, Canada’s narrowest commercial street, is located in Canada’s oldest China town in one of Canada’s most beautiful cities.

Fan Tan Alley. Less than three feet wide at it’s narrowest. .

Fan Tan Alley is less than three feet wide, at its narrowest section. It is home to many beautiful shops and a Chinese Canadian museum. It is not just a tourist stop but a historical and educational place to visit.

Candy symbolizes wishes for a sweet and rich life.

The Chinese Canadian Museum is a great place to discover Canada’s Chinese heritage.

Til next time!.

When you Love Words

When words leap from the pages…..our imagination……??????

Before you sit, read what has been written.

Please, anything. Hopeless, hungry, broke. Everything in life echoes in eternity, Micha lepage. God’s Grace Matters. Give peace a chance. Bless. Freedom. Please. Just be kind and courteous. Whatever you want in life, just imagine it, and it will come your way, be patient, be happy that you are alive.

When you love to read, you find words everywhere.

A sleeping dog fills a chair…..confidently knowing……there are books…..surrounding him everywhere.

A wonderful bookstore…is a wonderful bookstore……is a wonderful bookstore.

Galaxyland, West Edmonton Mall.

Best place to celebrate a ninth birthday….

Galaxyland, North America’s largest indoor amusement park, is located in the West Edmonton Mall, North America’s largest shopping mall.

The West Edmonton Mall, at 5.3 million square feet, is the size the size of a small city and is accredited as a zoo.

The swings were just one of those many amusement things.

Riding the roller coaster, one last time before the beginning of my seventh decade.

Eyes closed, loud screaming, lots of laughter!

And the painted horses go up and down, up and down.

Riding on a carousel!

Happy ninth birthday to my beautiful little granddaughter!

St. Albert’s Farmers Market

Enjoying lemonade, lemon/limeade, and lemon/orangeade on a sunny summer's afternoon.

St. Albert’s Farmers Market, the largest outdoor farmer’s market in Canada, is celebrating more than forty years. The colours, the smells, the freshness of the season filling the air.

A visit to Edmonton is not complete without Green Onion cake!!!! Warm, fresh, and delicious!

A little bit of wonderful!

Flowers, painted and real.

A market full of art, brought on purposefully, and by accident.

St. Albert’s Farmers Market is a great place to visit, see, and explore. The sights and sounds awakening all of your senses.

A little bit of Alberta wonderfulness!

Georgian Bay Festival

We stumbled upon this little gem today. Right in our own backyard yard, for an affordable entrance fee of ten dollars per person.

Nestled in the beautiful, rural setting of Geogian Bay Park, the Georgian Bay Festival was a day of music, food, and vendors, showcasing local agriculture, notice all the tractors, artists, and crafters.

Ariko Musique, fiddle music, traditional French-Canadian music, from LaFontaine, Ontario.

Next year, we will be better prepared, bringing a picnic basket, umbrella, and chairs.

Georgian Bay Park will be home to Grimm Grounds Halloween in October.

See BOO there!!!!!!!

Here on Earth, 2023

Raft……also known as my husband and his brother.

And the candy floss, that was not there
Has become stuck in my hair.

In an old hayfield, near Dundalk 
Guitar strings whisper
'Here on Earth'
'Here on Earth'
In the background, 
A flutist makes his music talk.

And the candy floss, that was not there 
Has become stuck in my hair.

Hoola hoops swinging
Little children singing
A tequila voice ringing
People cajoling
Musicians strolling.

Jamming for Juniors, is a program run by Here on Earth organizaters. A program making music available to children.

And the candy floss, that was not there
Has become stuck in my hair.

Goodbye to the Princesses

And the princesses came down, one by one, as I removed them from the wall.

Our beautiful, little, almost nine year old granddaughter has outgrown them. Even though she still loves them, she says,’ yes,’ it is time for them to come down.

Her little eyes, that at the age of two, we’re so excited to explore her princess room at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, now sparkle with the anticipation of what comes next.

So into a sleeve go the decals. Into the cedar chest goes her soft, warm, Anna and Elsa blanket.

Before her next visit, we will chat about how to transform her bedroom into something new.

This little princess will stay on the wall forever.

Fred, the Fly.

There was a little fly,

his name was Fred.

He flew into a car,

looking for some shade.

There, he saw a little girl

who decided to become his friend.

She allowed him to explore.

She allowed him to fly.

He sat on her orange juice lid,

and he looked her in the eye.

She shared with him

her bright orange,

orange juice.

He stayed close by her side.

He took a little sip.

He shook his little head.

He was a little tired,

so he went straight to his little bed.

She decided to let him stay.

She decided he could go.

It was his decision.

This she let him know.

Today, he is still

in the car.

Wondering

where you are.

Versions of Me

There are so many versions of me 
That I feel lost at sea.

There is me, and there is you,
There is myself, a little elf,
and a broken shoe.

They all try to surface 
They all are submerged. 
There are too many
I feel the need to purge.

Who needs to go 
Who needs to stay
Who needs to be kept 
For a rainy day?

All of you,
I think.
I'd want all of you,
in a blink.

You are my ink.
You are my pen.
You help me think.
To begin, again.