P for Play

Bill and I are happy to have time and energy for PLAY after 10 months of illness for him and stress for both of us.  Our interactions with the wildlife, pets and people we meet on our walks bring so many pleasures.  Here are a few of them.  I am linking up with ABC Wednesday and Wild Bird Wednesday.  Both are excellent memes and I thank the dedicated people who keep them running so successfully.

This is Tupper, so named because her tail feathers point upward.  If you are a regular reader, you know her pretty well by now.  

 She followed us from the David Lam steps..

 to the shore,

 back up to this roof over the lookout..

 and over..

 our heads..

 to the False Creek railing where she..

 ate (very healthy) treats from Bill's hand.

 Then, she flew off..

but I think she said "thanks" before she left.  We know we shouldn't feed the wildlife and we don't make a habit of it, but we have fallen in love with Tupper.  If you do feed wildlife (I don't recommend it), it would be best to give them healthy, sugar-free food.  Please, no bread.  It fills their stomach so that they lose their appetite for more nutritious fare and if fed regularly and in great quantities, eventually causes them to lose the ability to survive on their own.  

 We always look for this American Coot. S/he has been alone for a week or so now. 

 We hope the mate is hiding nearby.

 Yesterday, s/he seemed mightily pleased..

 after a bath that seemed to combine hygiene, play and fun in perfect proportions.

 This is Izzie, short for Elizabeth.

 We are just getting to know her.  She seems, to me, to have a peaceful spirit.

 Okay, this mallard was not feeling playful, but..

 watching him brought pleasure for sure.

 There was a female at stake here and the male at the right chased "our" fellow off..

in a plain-spoken manner that left no room for doubt.  The action took place behind a wire fence so I was lucky to get these photos.

 This dog personified play.

 I felt lucky to catch..

 a bit of the action as we stopped..

 to admire his physical prowess..

 and persistance.

 What focus!

What energy.

 On the way to..

 success!

 Yes!  

 This man had his bike, a crossword, a bench and a perfect day to enjoy all three.

 This should have gone into the Blue Monday meme, but perhaps you will enjoy it anyway.  Bill enjoyed the "guy" stuff just before we walked through..

 this tunnel.   This is not one of our preferred spots..

 but it did get us to..

 this sculpture.  I neglected to get the name of it, but Bill's playful pose made it a must-show.

 I know you have seen many photos of Black Jack in Bill's arms, but she makes me laugh..

and that feels playful..

 and she is just so protected..

and peaceful..

 and yet, so perky.

And, play followed by the pleasure of lattés and treats at Bean Around the World..

 served by Nike, makes it a good day indeed.

 Today is Nike's last day of work before she sets off for a trip across Canada.  She is an adventurer who understands the value of play.  We will miss her.  Have fun, Nike!  Thank you for your beautiful smile, kind spirit and passion for play.

 Thank you for stopping by, dear readers.  I hope you will find lots of play in your life today.  Perhaps, Wild Bird Wednesday and/or ABC Wednesday would be a good place to start.

Haircuts and city sights and memories

Bill and I went for haircuts yesterday.  We both think Elvis, of Zhape Studio, is way cool.

 Black Jack came too.  She lay on my knees for Bill's cut and then Bill's knees for mine.

It was about 14 years ago that Elvis was in my music class.  It was a complete and very happy coincidence to find him one day when I walked by his studio on Richards Street.  

 Lookin' good.  Finished step 1.  On the way for a second wet-down before the blow dry.

 I think the treats are under Bill's hat :)

 Elvis is a family man now with a beautiful little girl, a sweet wife..

 and lots of dreams for the future.

 He puts great care..

and heart..

in his work.  He loves to see..

happy people.  Warm fuzzy feelings here and all spiffied up.

We walked by Emery Barnes Park and it was time to pose.

 Flowers are everywhere we look in Vancouver these days.

Many stops are necessary.. 

 for closer looks.

 These are by the bicycle shop.

 Pansies for my sister.  She and I love the faces..

and they bring back a happy childhood memory of a favourite aunt who used to.. 

put her bread to rise on a radiator and kept pansies in her front garden. 

 Trying out my lens in very low light.  Bill reads aloud to me from Emily Carr's..

Hundreds and Thousands. You can't see her, but Black Jack is on his knee.  Almost time to say "good night" and we count it as a good day.  Here's a quote from that link: "Emily Carr’s journals from 1927 to 1941 portray the happy, productive period when she was able to resume painting after dismal years of raising dogs and renting out rooms to pay the bills. These revealing entries convey her passionate connection with nature, her struggle to find her voice as a writer, and her vision and philosophy as a painter."  There are so many things that I love about these journals.  Perhaps, most of all, it is that she puts words to pictures that were already in my mind but needed a little bringing out.  I'll come back to this thought again,

but in the mean time, perhaps you will check out Sunday in My City.  Thank you to Claudya for giving us a chance to share our cities. The weather in Vancouver is a bit dull but I'm feeling pretty bright.  I wish the same for each one of you who has taken time to stop by.