Vancouver and a wish for peace in your hearts

The photos in this post were taken yesterday (Saturday) but I am joining the meme Sundays in the City because I hear it is okay to show your photos on Sunday that were taken over the past week.  The main thing is to celebrate one's city and that requirement is easy for me.  Here are a few of the things I love about Vancouver:

Going to Sciué for lunches and lattés with Bill.  

The flowers beside our apartment building.

Colour everywhere we look.

Strangers will often stop and talk to you. This person decides to pet Black Jack and we have a conversation that reveals we have both lived in Montreal, we have both lived in Nova Scotia, her partner is a Montreal Symphony musician, and of course, we both love animals.  

We have wonderful neighbours.  As Bill and I are talking about the fun of our conversation with a stranger, this neighbour stops to give Black Jack a treat.  Black Jack chews happily, with adoration for our neighbour plain to see.

I take a minute to photograph Frankie, my neighbour's adorable little rescue dog.

Frankie's eyes become very focused as I search in my pocket for a reciprocal treat.

There is wildlife all about us.  Tupper appears out of nowhere..

and puts her right food out..

and her left foot out..

and dances all about for her treat.

Another neighbour appears and shares some laughter with Bill.  His dog Jimmy..   

checks the ground for possible dropped treats while Black Jack..

goes right to the source for hers.

Ah, I get it!  This is the guy to talk to.

I hope you haven't forgotten me.

We walk along Mainland Street and see it is lined..

with lush blossoms.

Harrison Galleries is our final stop.  We love the art..

and we love that they also serve great lattés and treats.  Added to that, they let us sit and do crosswords together for as long as we like.  If we ever complete the entire one, I will include a photo.  Most days we are happy to solve about half of the puzzle.  One last photo of Bill because his presence in the city makes it especially meaningful for me.

I am including a youtube where you can listen to me perform Chopin Nocturne Op.9 No.2.  It is far from perfect but represents an accomplishment as the first piece I have memorized for a very long time.  I am so grateful to Bill for encouraging me to do this.  I have felt helpless in the face of terrible pain about the world.  The MH370 disaster, the South Korean ferry disaster, the Calgary stabbings, the Sherpas killed in the Mount Everest avalanche, and I never forget sweet Lilee-Jean's family, grieving as they try to celebrate this Easter Sunday without her.  That last link takes you to a video of her enjoying an Easter egg hunt last year.  So many broken hearts.  So many beautiful spirits.  I think of all the sadness, but of all the beauty as well, and find a sense of peace in the music.  Thank you so much for stopping by, everyone.  May peace be in your hearts.