Perfect yard work weather combined with a little art work once again.
Photo Essay
“bears is sixpence extra”
Dedicated with thanks to the memory of Michael Bond who died yesterday aged 91 who brought, and continues to bring, so much pleasure to our family and to millions of families around the world with his stories of Paddington Bear whom he introduced to us in 1958 freshly arrived on Paddington Station from “darkest Peru”.
Enjoy the late Sir Michael Horden’s wonderful voice reading the first episode on BBC 1 in 1974
time to say goodbye
Those of you who follow thechangingpalette will remember my year of sundays last Thanksgiving Day and know how beloved our little Sunday was. Sadly, she will no longer be keeping me company in the studio anymore as we said goodbye to her today. We will miss her but are relieved she is suffering no longer. For those of you who didn’t know her visit my Thanksgiving Day post and see how very special she was.
another day like no other
A year ago on June 5th I posted about a day like no other after walking in support of those suffering from Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Walking again today in the annual fundraising Gutsy Walk was also a day like no other but for a very different reason and with the disease symbol itself seeming to take on a very different meaning.
As I walked around Trout Lake in the sunshine here in Vancouver this morning with all those suffering from these crippling diseases together with their loved ones and supporters my thoughts were not only with them but also a few thousand miles away in Bermondsey, London where I lived, studied, worked and taught fifty years ago. How many times have I walked across London Bridge and how well I remember its re-opening in March 1973, which I blogged about last year.
And now another night of terror, pain and despair for too many has visited on that same bridge and on those same streets that I knew so well. There are really no more words other than to express my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to families and friends who have lost loved ones, especially the family of Christine Archibald from here in British Columbia, Canada; and to wish all those recovering in those great London hospitals, a full recovery.
Oh how I wish I didn’t have to post this image again so soon after the attack in Manchester.
Dedicated to the memory of Jodi.
happy anniversary to an old friend
Homage to Sgt Pepper
When I read that today is Sgt Pepper Day, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of one of my favorite records of all time I remembered that the record that I bought fifty years ago lives in a box of vinyls in the basement of our house. Since it has been many years since I last took it out it seemed the perfect time to re-visit an old friend that was once so familiar to me. Like many of you I suspect, I knew all the words to all of the great songs, but one in particular left a lasting impression.
Listening to When I’m Sixty Four in 1967 it seemed to be so many years into the future that I couldn’t imagine ever being such an age. Now, fifty years later, I see sixty four in my rear view mirror by a few years. What happened? Well, I still have my Valentine and even my hair, but best of all beautiful “Grandchildren on my knee,” so “Who could ask for more.”
Enjoy John, Paul, George and Ringo from one of the greatest albums of all time…
…”They’re guaranteed to raise a smile“
Weekly Photo Challenge: Heritage
To complement Ben Huberman’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Heritage this week with his photo and description of the moving Reconciliation Pole on the University of British Columbia campus here in Vancouver these photos are also from the UBC Campus and the magnificent Museum of Anthropolgy. I have previously posted about the late great Haida artist Bill Reid’s The Raven and The First Men, which has pride of place in the Museum. Today’s images are a selection from that same visit, which I made on Remembrance Day, 2014.
“The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia is world-renowned for its collections, research, teaching, public programs, and community connections…MOA houses one of the world’s finest collections of Northwest Coast First People’s art in an award-winning building designed by Canadian architect Arthur Erickson. Opened in 1976, the concrete and glass structure is based on the post-and-beam structures of northern Northwest Coast First Nations. MOA’s Great Hall displays huge totem poles, feast dishes, and canoes from the Kwakwaka’wakw, Nisga’a, Gitxsan, Haida, and Coast Salish peoples, while smaller pieces in gold, silver, argillite, wood, and other materials are exhibited elsewhere in the galleries.”
From Yardwork to Artwork: The Photinia Story Part Four or How I Love my Schmutz Haken
It’s that time of year when as you can see yardwork has become a necessity once again with our photinia continuing to shed its leaves on a daily basis. You will recall how in Parts One, Two and Three last May the pruning and sweeping turned into an art project. A year later the story continues in Part Four today with a special shout out to my trusty Schmutz Haken…
…everyone should have one.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflecting
Perfect for this week’s Photo Challenge: Reflecting was this glorious sunrise last weekend reflected in the water lapping Rathtrevor Beach at the lovely Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Resort, Parksville, British Columbia where I was staying.
An early morning walk along the beach followed with equally stunning reflections seen in the tidal pools left by the receding water.
You can see why our Province is known as Super, Natural British Columbia. Enjoy the slideshow with a few more photos from the walk…
…and this presentation by Destination British Columbia entitled The Wild Within.
Have you booked your tickets yet? 🙂
snowy no longer
I think you all know that Kitsilano Beach here in Vancouver is my photographic muse having shared so many images with you at different times of the year. You may remember those snowy Kits days last December, which I featured in backdrop to a life, and the snowy willow painting that followed.
This morning the sun was back all too briefly as the rain will be returning tomorrow, but once again Kitsilano shone in the morning sunshine, and that snow-covered willow is snowy no longer. Here are a few more views from my morning walk today for you to enjoy.
and all that jazz
This week’s Photo Challenge is all about sharing “a photo of things that complement each other”
all that jazz 27.2.17
Two weeks ago we spent a memorable weekend in Seattle where of course we visited the famous Pike Place Market. At the entrance to the market we enjoyed the great jazz of Seattle’s Speakeasy Jazz Cats. If you have some time tap your feet for a few minutes as we did together with a very appreciative crowd.
I thought today’s painting and the jazz were a good match. I hope you agree.
thechangingpalette 