Do I look cute????

Friends of the friends where I am staying came for a visit tonight and the chance to sit behind this wheel was too much of a temptation!!!

Ask me what I have been doing for the last three days????

 

Everyone helped even Jonah and Ben!

These photos answer that question!!!

Dodd’s Narrows, Nanaimo..

Just a view of this lovely stretch of water and the boats going through the gap…

 

GOLF>>>>>>

I was invited this morning to fill in for an absent player and I went and played my first round of golf in years.. you can tell I had trouble remembering how to hold the stick!!

Check out the stance and of course the highly developed left calf muscle!!!!

 

I was informed I need to work on my short game,  whatever that means!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have written here before about my friend Chris, he is the one that spends hours on my blog converting it into book and DVD form, after correcting all my mistakes, so he tells me all the time, anyway this is a photo of Chris, my golfing buddy, anyone recognize him??

It was a great morning which I really enjoyed and for my brother who is a golf nut, I want you to know I did par one hole!!!!!!!

Just another day..

Funny how things work out..today I had to go on an errand in Ramona and close by is this great farmer’s market store, where I stopped and bought some fruit and vegetables.  One item that I bought, I think for the first time, were some fresh peas in their shell.  Brought them home and sat out on the deck overlooking the ocean and shelled peas.  I have not done this since I was a young kid and I would sit on the stoop with my Grandma and shell the peas.

So after supper, the peas were great, I check my e mails and there I find this story below…small world.

 

 

 

 

Wanted to share this with you…

> > RED MARBLES
> >
> > I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes.
> >
> > I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged
> but clean hungrily apprizing a basket of freshly picked green peas.
> >
> > I paid for my potatoes, but was also drawn to the display of  fresh green peas.
> >
> > I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering  the  peas, I
> > couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller  (the store
> > owner) and the ragged boy next to me.
> >
> > 'Hello Barry, how are you today?'
> >
> > 'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas.
> They  sure look good.'
> >
> > 'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'
> > 
> > 'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
> >
> > 'Good. Anything I can help you with?'
> >
> > 'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'
> >
> > 'Would you like take some home?' asked Mr. Miller.
> >
> > 'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'
> >
> > 'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'
> >
> > 'All I got's my prize marble here.'
> >
> > 'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.
> >
> > 'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'
> >
> > 'I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for
> > red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked. 
> >
> > 'Not zackley but almost.'
> >
> > 'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next  trip this way
> > let me look at that red marble', Mr. Miller told the boy.
> >
> > 'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'
> >
> > Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help  me.
> >
> > With a smile said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain  with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.
> >
> > When they come back with their red marbles, and they always
> do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a  bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'
> >
> > I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man.
> >
> > A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot  the
> > story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles. 
> >
> > Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one.
> >
> > Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho
> > community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had  died. 
> >
> > They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my
> > friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them.
> >
> > Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the
> > relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
> >
> > Ahead of us in line were three young men.
> >
> > One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice
> haircuts,  dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. 
> >
> > They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by
> > her husband's casket.
> >
> > Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek,  spoke
> > brieflywith her and moved on to the casket.
> >
> > Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each  young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold  pale  hand in the casket.
> >
> > Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
> >
> > Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and  reminded her of
> > the story from those many years ago and what she had told me  about her
> > husband's bartering for marbles.
> >
> > With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the  casket.
> >
> > 'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you
> > about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded'  them.
> >
> > Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color
> or  size...theycame to pay their debt.'
> >
> > 'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,'  she  confided,
> > but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in  Idaho '.
> >
> > With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her  deceased> husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red  marbles.
> >
> > The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our  kind deeds.
> > Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the  moments  that take our breath.
> >
> > Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of  coffee you didn t make yourself.
> >
> > An unexpected phone call from an old friend.
> >
> > Green stoplights on your way to work.
> >
> > The fastest line at the grocery store.
> >
> > A good sing-along song on the radio.
> >
> > Your keys found right where you left them

Today..

I am house sitting this lovely home on the north end of town and the view from my bedroom window deck is of the ocean and the mountains in Vancouver, really beautiful and grounding. 

It has been a mixed long weekend with me attending a funeral on Saturday afternoon of a lovely lady who was a good customer from my days working at the restaurant.  Yesterday saw the passing of a very special friend’s Dad in Vancouver and my heart and prayers go out to the family.

Tonight I attended a free concert in the park on the waterfront.  The concert was given by a church group and their band.  There was about 200 people there and the proceeds of the donations was to help the homeless in Nanaimo.  I tip my heart to these young adults in giving their time and efforts for a great cause and the music was excellent.

The weather continues to be very hot and sunny, Mexico weather, blessings to all..

Monday 4th August…

Today is the celebration of my Mum’s birthday, she would have been 90 years old today, Happy birthday Mum!!!!!  This was taken in Bermuda around 1975.  I think this is on Mum’s honeymoon!!!

I love this photo of my Mum and her three sisters, Connie on the left, then Mum, Blanche and Winnie!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A special lady, Vicky who used to work for me for 7 years although Vicky would tell you that I was working for her and Mum, Smoky Lake Alberta around 1988.

ME AND MY MUM!!!!!

YOU WERE THE GREATEST MISS AND LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Sunday road trip..

Took Ramona on a short road trip about 25 miles north of Nanaimo to Qualicum Beach.  Had a restful day and the weather was fantastic.

Would your mother let you dress like this????

This is taken in Bermuda around 1972 I cannot believe that I would willingly wear jeans like this.  I remember this photo,  at the time I was doing some surveillance work.  Do you think I blended in??

I would like you to meet Major!!

I think I am the only person alive who after a rather nasty divorce settlement in 1984 was left with nothing but Major!!!  He was worth it…

Another trip down memory lane..

The Bermuda Police Soccer team on their way to play a game in Boston, 1975.

Do you need any hints to find me??

 

Back row, second from left!!!  We looked pretty smart when we left, different story after three days of celebrating!!!!!

Beautiful rainbow..

We had a great down pour last night while the sun was shining and my friend,   Mary,  took this photo and allowed me to post here…

Good job Federer and Nadal were not around in the 1970’s

Don’t like to boast BUT you are looking at the Bermuda Police tennis single’s champion…

Surprised I could move around the court at all with all that hair!!!

Don’t mess with the KID!!

I remember this punch like it was yesterday….sadly to say now,  I broke Dave Cart’s nose with this overhand right.

The year was 1973 at the Bermuda Police Annual fight night.  This was my first and last fight.  As you can tell from the spectators the evening was based on the English fight club, where the patrons had to wear tuxedos, could only drink champange and only smoke cigars. 

I had always wanted to fight, to experience the event and this was the year.  I remember being introduced into the ring, lacing up the gloves thinking what the heck am I doing here???

The fight was a blur I do remember getting hit hard in the face and that frightened me, but I had trained hard and was able to come away with the victory.  My hands and arms were so tired and heavy and my Mum never forgave me for doing this!!!!!!

The things you do when you are young and care free.

The Pearson BOYS!!!!

 

Would you marry this man???

My brother Malc on the left and yours truly on the right before the big wedding day, now over 41 years ago.  Check out the the pants and the shoes!!!

Dingy Dock Pub, Nanaimo

This afternoon I took two of my favourite ladies to the Dingy Dock Pub.  For those who do not know Nanaimo this is a small pub located on Protection Island which is just outside the down town harbour.  You take the little Protection Island ferry to and from the pub.

The sun was shining, the food was great and I really love these special ladies!!

 

Can you believe this???

Halloween 1997 and don’t I look cute????  My favourite night at the restaurant, I didn’t make much in tips but got lots of men’s telephone numbers!!!!

A blissful day…

Today I took my kayak, The Great One, (yes even the kayak has a name!!) out  for the first time in many months and I couldn’t have asked for a better day.  I was gone about 9 hours and paddled close to 10 miles and it was truly a lovely day.  I stopped at Newcastle Island for lunch and a siesta.  Hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.