Saturday, November 27, 2010

Rithet's Bog

Today I went to Rithet's Bog which is a real wetland bog and not Mr Rithet's loo. I know you were thinking it. ;-)



"Rithet's Bog is the last of seven large bogs on the Saanich Peninsula. Many generations of the Tsawout people of Saanich traveled yearly to the bog to harvest bog cranberries, Labrador tea and Sphagnum moss, and to hunt ducks and game.

The 42-hectare Nature Sanctuary, named for R. P. Rithet who farmed this area, was donated to the people of Saanich by the Guinness family in 1994. It was previously drained for agricultural use, but is now being conserved and restored to optimize its biodiversity and recognize its heritage value for the benefit of present and future generations."
(from here)


Yes, that Guinness family.


It's just north of Victoria, in Saanich, which is in 'Greater Victoria' ... make sense? Anyways... it's not that far away but I have avoided the area because Shithead Psychologist's office is right across the road. I had a terrible experience with Shithead Psychologist in the summer of '09 and just didn't want to be reminded. I guess I got over it cos here are some piccies of Rithet's Bog!

Looking very bog-like, with a nice cloud.




Bullrushes taller than me.




Icy bog.




Like usual, whenever I go to conservation areas, I never see one wiggle of wildlife. Here's the only beast I saw...




Oooooo, one of those really rare Mallards.... and he lands outside of the park, in a ditch, along the road. lol! :-)




Some lingering snow.

Bog-woman feet.


Oh... and while I was leaving the area, I drove by the Shithead Psychologist's office and flipped 'em the bird and yelled many bad words. :D

Thursday, November 25, 2010

I love my popcorn ceiling!


It's the most beautiful ceiling in the world! It's like my own personal Sistine Chapel! I love, love, love it!

Ha! No I don't! I fecking HATE it but I'm trying to learn to love it or at least come to accept it because it's not going anywhere soon.

"We hate it too!"


Most people in North America will know what I mean about a popcorn ceiling and most will share their non-love for it. It's just so... not sure of the right word... yuck.

A few weeks ago, I was laying in bed one morning staring up at it and wondering if I should get rid of it and if so, how. After some research... nope, it's staying (asbestos). But during my Googling I found a great little vid about how to get rid of them (spray the ceiling with a water/vinegar mixture). Be sure to watch all the way... the 'exciting' bit happens at about 2mins.





Cool, eh?

Monday, November 22, 2010

Sweaty Sunday: Snowy Monday

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

It's snowing today in usually snow-free Victoria, BC! I love it! I love it! I love it! Everything is so quiet and pretty. Lovely.

It's also my 'running' day but no way in hell was I running it that! But I did go out for a nice wander with my wee point and shoot. Some piccies:

Here's Moss Street, not looking very mossy, but very pretty.




I thought the old heritage houses looked especially lovely.






The local solar powered parking metres... Looking at the mound of snow on the panel, I'm guessing parking is free today!



The local tattoo studio looks very quaint and jolly in the snow! lol...




There's always one, isn't there.




I just love how the snow brings out textures and shapes.




And colours.




The requisite shoe view:




And me, feeling happy in the snow:

Saturday, November 20, 2010

High on Music


I'm not sure that The Lawrence Welk Show ever went beyond Canada and the US, but it was a very popular musical variety show on TV in the 50s through to the early 80s. It was a show that your grandparents watched; very corny, very wholesome. Yet, with the passage of time, pretty much everyone now feels it's safe enough to admit that they watched it too. ;-)

I remember watching it, every Saturday night. My parents liked it and, well, we only had one TV channel, so...

Many years later, it now has a bit of a cult following and is repeated now and then on PBS (public broadcasting service) as there are some real gems. Like this modern spiritual about Sweet Mary and Jeebus:



=:-o

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Advice from a Tree

Some trees in Beacon Hill Park


Advice from a Tree

Dear Friend,
Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb

Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter

Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night.
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light

Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots

Enjoy the view!

- Ilan Shamir

Thursday, November 11, 2010