merganser parade

there's a parade

in the cove

today

led by red-headed

momma merganser

twelve chicks

three days old

follow behind

and climb on 

momma's back

Oystercatchers!

visitors 

on the island

this morning

four 

oystercatchers

orange beaks

loud shrieks

and then 

they flew 

away

Oystercatchers!

heron

there's a heron
  in the tree
    outside my window
I tiptoe around
   hoping he'll stay
he sits for awhile
I make coffee
    and watch him

        gaze at the world

Queen of the Olympics

Guess who had the most fun at the Olympics?

Most PotLuck Dinners +

Most Out-of-Town Guests in Condo +

Most People dropping by Quatchie House on Seymour Street +

Most Beer in Fridge +

Queen of the Olympics = Josie Cowan

Olympic Reflection

today
we who live
in Vancouver
are back at home
sitting still
realizing
how tired we are!!

looking back over
the blur that was the Olympics

17 fantastic days 

of celebration 

and partying 

and learning something new
about ourselves

I was in the river of people

on Granville Street Sunday 

after the hockey gold medal win

and it was something 

never seen

before on Vancouver streets

A throng of people

families with strollers

kids on their shoulders

A sea of red and white 

flags waving

People of all ages

teenagers

old folks (like me)

cheering

wahoo-ing

 pushed along

jostled to Robson
a tide of people
moving and swaying

we carved our way

out of the crush
and headed to
the Closing Ceremonies

feeling sad
does it really have to end?

The Olympics was so very 

very 

very much fun!

We Vancouverites 

have just had 

THE BEST party ever!

And looking forward 

to more ...

Olympic Family Photo

Kyle Colleen Scott Ian

bundle up early

 catch the Olympic bus 

see Scott on Ski Patrol at Cypress Mountain

watch Alex Bilodeau win the gold

what a start to the Olympics

Olympic Torch comes through Belcarra

This morning

we woke up 

just before our alarms

as often happens

when one is getting up early

and grabbed some toast

and coffee

donned our red mittens

and scarves

hopped in the car

and went to Belcarra Park

where the torch was lit 

way out on the pier

and one of our Villagers

George McRae

who looks quite like

Santa Claus

with a real beard

ran through the park

in the dark

calling out

Good Morning Everyone
What a Wonderful Village We Live In

and I ran after him

not wanting the good

feeling to end

and I see it didn't

as my friend emailed to tell me 

she caught it along 

Ioco Road

and then we all 

went back to bed

and got the rest of our sleep

and guess what

right now as I look out my window

I see

It is SNOWING ON THE MOUNTAINS!!!