So, did I jinx Vancouver with my cheeky post of the beautiful weather we were having? Judge for yourself. On the left is the view from my office window on Sunday. On the right is the same corner taken from outside on January 31. (You can see the bend at the top of the evergreen tree … Continue reading Winter! (It’s Arrived…)
Vancouver
Winter? (Don’t Hate Me…)
I bought snow tires for the first time this year, after last year's roads were so treacherous. So, this season? So far, no snow. And definitely not the bitterly cold spell being experienced in so many places. We've been enjoying daytime temps of 7 C or 45 F and not even our usual rain! The … Continue reading Winter? (Don’t Hate Me…)
Enough, already!
Isn't it time for fire season to be over yet? I mean, come on! It's September! Truly, what affects me in the city are just minor annoyances (although see below for how they totally messed up my plans yesterday), but I feel for the people where the fires have been burning. 2018 is now the … Continue reading Enough, already!
2018 Vacation #3: Parksville, B.C.
Three vacations in a summer! I can't remember when I last had that much time away. I'm a little behind in recounting my adventures, so I think I'll start first with my most recent trip, a mini-escape, while it's still fresh in my mind. Thanks to my Air Miles collecting, my hubby and I were … Continue reading 2018 Vacation #3: Parksville, B.C.
It’s Not from the Birthday Candles!
Yes, it's birthday week in my household, as well as in Armitage-land. My husband's big day was on the weekend, and my younger son (much to his chagrin) shares a birthday with RA. But all of those many candles did not create the smoke that has been blanketing the province of British Columbia. The cause … Continue reading It’s Not from the Birthday Candles!
Coming Home
Yesterday, before my flight home to Vancouver, I woke up thinking of a song that hadn't entered my mind in many years. Even though I am not particularly religious, I love good country gospel music, where passionate belief has sparked such creative beauty. "When I Sing for Him" is a song by Porter Wagoner, sung … Continue reading Coming Home
This Flight Tonight
Last glimpse of the mountains on the flight out of Vancouver: The song I sang in my head during the turbulence, telling myself "Everything's Alright": https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ugYB3VxpivU The first glimpse of Toronto through the window: The song I sang in my head as we began our descent: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iTfB8Q6DpZ0
I Saw a Play and the RA Fan A to Z: F
At the end of June, I went to see Macbeth at Western Canada's largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare festival, Bard on the Beach. My younger son read the Scottish play in his high school English class this year, so I had wanted to take him to see a performance. I thought about the National Theatre Live … Continue reading I Saw a Play and the RA Fan A to Z: F
The Elusive “Balance”
I've been feeling really stressed lately and any sort of "balance" seems far out of reach. I used to joke that I don't have "work/life balance", I have "work/work balance"! But I don't even think that's really the problem. I precariously juggle work and life (defined for me as family obligations) without dropping too many … Continue reading The Elusive “Balance”
How I Spent My Christmas Vacation
Remember those "back-to-school" essays about "How I spent my _______ vacation?" Well, now that I'm back at work (did I ever really leave?), I'd like to share some photos from the holiday activities my younger son and I found around town. Vancouver is hosting a Chinese Lantern Festival for the first time this year, with 35 … Continue reading How I Spent My Christmas Vacation
I'm Feeling This 