Today I'm writing about everybody's favourite topic: money! My mother used to say that money was the root of all evil. She had a million sayings and some of them were even funny. Later in life I found out that the real quotation goes something like this: The love of money is the root of all evil. I suppose the idea is that one should not be greedy. But, seriously, how would we survive without money? I guess we would all have to use the barter system.
What got me started on this topic was that this morning I put my coins into those paper coin holders and found that, omigosh, my coins added up to $20.00! Wow! Well, by this time of the month I need every penny I can scrounge, so off I went to the bank to turn in my coins for a crisp, new 20 dollar bill.
I don't know about you, but no matter how hard I try, my month always lasts longer than my money. I think astronomers ought to train the Hubble telescope on my bank account because I'm sure they would find the black hole of the galaxy for which they've been searching since telescopes were invented.
Oh, Prairie Crocus, you just have to sit yourself down and have a serious talk with yourself. Make a budget! And stick to it! Stop making those impulsive purchases! Like the food you bought yesterday. Did you really need the tomato, the apple, and the 6 eggs you bought at Extra Foods? (When did I start buying single pieces of fruit?)
There. Wasn't that easy. I feel so much better.
Anyhoo, I was at the bank handing over my hoard of pennies. Then I started searching through my wallet, muttering (mild) curses and rubbing my forehead. The very nice young man who was counting my treasure said to me: "Something wrong, ma'am?"
"Yes," I said with a sigh, "I left my bank card at a store I was at yesterday."
"You mean this one?" he inquired, holding up my bank card. We both laughed along with the teller beside him and the customer beside me.
"Just having a senior moment," I said with chagrin.
Smart-alec bank tellers. The thing to do if you are caught out by a younger person when you are having a senior moment is to get very ornery and try to pass the blame on to someone else. Play the curmudgeon. To the hilt. It's what he would have done.
Speaking of greed - tonight's 6/49 lottery is estimated at 15 million! Whoopee. Now, I agree with my brother-in-law who says that the odds of winning is almost the same whether you buy a ticket or not! He is right. Still, I happily plunk down my $3.00 for the privilege of imagining for a few minutes what great things I would do if I had 15 million dollars.
In reality, I watch my little nest egg shrinking with the recent drop in the equity markets. The bankers keep assuring me things will look up. Stay the course, they tell me. Yeah, it's not your life savings. Why is it that whether the economic times are good or bad, the banks still make money?
I have been asked by my niece and her fiance to perform their wedding next summer and I am completely honoured to do it. I am permitted to do it as long as there is a BC Marriage Commissioner at the ceremony. When I lived in Manitoba I was a Marriage Commissioner, but I am not qualified here. I would like to be an MC here, but at the moment there are no openings.
I know everybody is busy with their summer activities, but come on, everyone, do some blogging.
Tata and take care...and PEACE.
Foul cankering rust the hidden treasure frets,
But gold that's put to use more gold begets.
~William Shakespeare, Venus and Adonis, 1593
(Somebody forgot to tell RBC about that!)
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Queen Elizabeth, Estrogen, and Harry Potter
I went to Queen Elizabeth Park a few days ago. This is the highest point in the City of Vancouver. It was an old quarry that has been converted into a park. Isn't it beautiful? I think so. The first picture shows Mount Seymour. The second is a flower bed along a walkway. There is a restaurant called "Seasons," and a botanical garden which was not open the day I went because of the strike by civic workers. There were some children playing in the fountains near the botanical garden building. I took a lot of gorgeous pictures. I know he would have taken a whole pile of pictures and would have enjoyed the park.
I read in the paper that some scientists did some research and you'll be surprised to hear that a lack of estrogen in menopause causes women to gain weight! Any woman over 50 could have told them that. I suppose these scientists got a government grant to come up with that brilliant conclusion. What a waste of taxpayers money.
I just got the last book of the Harry Potter series. I'm going to take it with me to Victoria. I heard that some people go immediately to the last chapter and read so they can find out who dies. I'm not doing that. So if anybody out there has read the book, don't tell me how it ends...No, I'm covering my ears...La la la la...I can't hear you.
Well, time to say goodnight. Pleasant dreams, all.
Ron Weasley: Hermione, you are truly the most wonderful person I have ever met and if I'm ever rude to you... Hermione Granger: Then I'll know you've gone back to normal
(Lines from the movie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Acadians, Rush Hour, Funny Cigarettes, Hugging It Out
I have just spent the day in my pyjamas reading a book about my ancestors, the Acadians. I think one should do that sort of thing every once in a while. Then I hauled out the genealogy my aunt Evelyn produced in the 1980s. Fascinating stuff. My ancestors were deported from Nova Scotia in 1755. One of my ancestors returned to Nova Scotia after the furore had died down and re-established my family lineage. I am hoping to go to the Maritimes next fall with my daughter. We'll go looking for our roots. See how many relatives of my father we can find. Of course I have been there before and met some cousins of my father and saw some of the old places, but it was a while ago.
I went to see the movie, "Rush Hour 3," a few days ago. I like to go to movies by myself on a weekday afternoon when there are few people there. I can just sit there in the dark and enter the world on the screen. It's very therapeutic.
Anyway, the movie was amusing. It was definitely better than RH2. I think they must have hired some half-decent comedy writers this time around. There were some interesting minor characters including a French taxi driver who starts out as the stereotype of a French taxi driver and...well, I won't spoil it, but it is funny. The highlight for me was a "who's on first" type of exchange involving some Asian names. What a hoot.
The walk home was as interesting as the movie. And To Think That I Saw It on Davie Street... One feisty old lady with a walker was wearing a tee shirt that said: "No Smoking Near This T-Shirt." She was about as wide as she was tall and looked tough enough to take me two out of three in arm-wrestling. I wouldn't have messed with her for any amount of money.
A middle-aged man and woman sat side by side on a bus bench scratching matching lottery tickets. Now that's togetherness! I wonder if they would have shared their winnings equally?
As I walked past an outdoor bar I caught a whiff of some funny cigarettes. Not that I ever smoked anything like that! Oh, no, the Prairie Crocus would never do that. (You can't see my crossed fingers behind my back, can you?) Reminds me of the time I watched a man get on the bus with a lit joint. When the bus driver told him to put it out he said, "I have a license for medical use."
"I don't care if you have a signed note from the Prime Minister," the bus driver said. "Put it out while you're on my bus." So he did.
Anyway back to Mulberry Street, uh, I mean, Davie Street. I passed many professional recyclers. They make a heck of a noise trundling their shopping carts down the street. Most of the stores will only allow each customer to turn in a certain number of cans and bottles, so they need to make the rounds of grocery stores to earn their money.
I passed a man wearing a tee with "LET'S HUG IT OUT" printed on it. Sounds like a plan to me. Far superior in my estimation than fighting it out.
I missed the first part of the conversation, but as I passed two men on the sidewalk I heard one man say to another one who was carrying two large pizza boxes: "You're not faaaaaat!" Well, excuse me, but if you eat those two large pizzas by yourself there's every chance you will be. One article I read recently told BCers not to be too smug about the fact that BC has the lowest percentage of obese people. The writer was of the opinion that just meant BC people were not gaining weight as fast as other places.
Ah, Davie Street. 24 hour grocery store and drug store. This street never sleeps.
I notice none of my favourite bloggers have been blogging! Except for Gary. Come on people. I write for you. You could return the favour and let me know how things are in your little corner of the world.
Tomorrow I am having lunch with my friend, K. I am going to the North Shore on the Seabus for the first time. Should be fun!
Take care.
What is the city but the people? ~William Shakespeare
I went to see the movie, "Rush Hour 3," a few days ago. I like to go to movies by myself on a weekday afternoon when there are few people there. I can just sit there in the dark and enter the world on the screen. It's very therapeutic.
Anyway, the movie was amusing. It was definitely better than RH2. I think they must have hired some half-decent comedy writers this time around. There were some interesting minor characters including a French taxi driver who starts out as the stereotype of a French taxi driver and...well, I won't spoil it, but it is funny. The highlight for me was a "who's on first" type of exchange involving some Asian names. What a hoot.
The walk home was as interesting as the movie. And To Think That I Saw It on Davie Street... One feisty old lady with a walker was wearing a tee shirt that said: "No Smoking Near This T-Shirt." She was about as wide as she was tall and looked tough enough to take me two out of three in arm-wrestling. I wouldn't have messed with her for any amount of money.
A middle-aged man and woman sat side by side on a bus bench scratching matching lottery tickets. Now that's togetherness! I wonder if they would have shared their winnings equally?
As I walked past an outdoor bar I caught a whiff of some funny cigarettes. Not that I ever smoked anything like that! Oh, no, the Prairie Crocus would never do that. (You can't see my crossed fingers behind my back, can you?) Reminds me of the time I watched a man get on the bus with a lit joint. When the bus driver told him to put it out he said, "I have a license for medical use."
"I don't care if you have a signed note from the Prime Minister," the bus driver said. "Put it out while you're on my bus." So he did.
Anyway back to Mulberry Street, uh, I mean, Davie Street. I passed many professional recyclers. They make a heck of a noise trundling their shopping carts down the street. Most of the stores will only allow each customer to turn in a certain number of cans and bottles, so they need to make the rounds of grocery stores to earn their money.
I passed a man wearing a tee with "LET'S HUG IT OUT" printed on it. Sounds like a plan to me. Far superior in my estimation than fighting it out.
I missed the first part of the conversation, but as I passed two men on the sidewalk I heard one man say to another one who was carrying two large pizza boxes: "You're not faaaaaat!" Well, excuse me, but if you eat those two large pizzas by yourself there's every chance you will be. One article I read recently told BCers not to be too smug about the fact that BC has the lowest percentage of obese people. The writer was of the opinion that just meant BC people were not gaining weight as fast as other places.
Ah, Davie Street. 24 hour grocery store and drug store. This street never sleeps.
I notice none of my favourite bloggers have been blogging! Except for Gary. Come on people. I write for you. You could return the favour and let me know how things are in your little corner of the world.
Tomorrow I am having lunch with my friend, K. I am going to the North Shore on the Seabus for the first time. Should be fun!
Take care.
What is the city but the people? ~William Shakespeare
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Insalata, Ancient Roma, Griffin's, Printed Noise
Why is it that salad always tastes better away from home? I can't be that bad at making salad. Yet, even when I get the same ingredients, it's never as good as the salad at restaurants. The best place to go for a salad here in Vancouver is Insalata in the food court of the Pacific Centre. They have a great selection of fresh ingredients: veggies, meats, seafood, nuts, cheese and fruit. And about a dozen different dressings. You pay by weight and you can get a great salad for about $8.
Here's a little information for all you trivia buffs. The word "salad" comes from the Latin word for salt "sal" and the Romans (world's best Latin speakers) ate their fresh veggies with a salt dressing. Another little aside. The word "salary" also comes from the Latin word for salt because the Roman soldiers were sometimes partially paid in salt which was quite valuable in ancient times. Hence the expression someone is "worth his salt." Ain't education great? The Prairie Crocus learned about that in her other life when she taught thirteen-year-olds about ancient Rome.
Another good place to go for a salad and cold buffet is Griffin's in the Hotel Vancouver. Their selection is not as extensive but it includes cold crab, prawns, pasta salad, greens, veggies, soup and dessert for $27. A bit pricier, but also good.
I went out for lunch at Insalata the other day and I noticed on my way home how young people, especially Asians, like to wear t-shirts with words on them. Mostly the Caucasians like tour t-shirts from their favourite bands or funny sayings like, "I'm with stupid >>>>>>>" Or, "I'm more of a hands on guy." There are also some racier ones, but, hey, this is a family blog. I don't want to get an R rating.
But the Asian youth like to wear either brand name tees like Hollister or Abercrombie and Fitch. I see more of those than any other brands, so they must be the height of cool. Okay, I can understand why they want to wear the clothes that tell the world how cool they are. I wonder if they realize they are unconsciously providing free advertising for those companies. Maybe they don't care, Crocus!
But I really don't understand why they wear tees on which are printed meaningless English phrases. I've seen a few, but this day I saw one on the bus: IN BORN DAYS THE SURF. What does that mean? Is it just printed noise? Is it a bad translation from another language to English? Should it be: BORN TO SURF? Or is there some aspect of the Japanese, Korean or Chinese culture that I just don't get?
And speaking of clothes and shopping, I saw a rack of clothes in the mall with a sign that said: 4.99 and up. Out of curiosity I checked. Every piece of clothing on the rack was priced at 29.99! I suppose they could have put one item on the rack for 4.99 and it sold right away, but really, I don't think so. I guess truthful advertising really is an oxymoron.
And at Sears they have a shoe sale: CLEARANCE, BUY 2 PAIRS, GET 1 FREE. How can they call it clearance when the very same shoes are there every time I go and the sale has been there since I moved here in April! That's 4 months, people. Why haven't the shoes cleared out by now? Has no one bought any? Do the shoes magically reproduce at night when the stores are closed?
I see by Gary's blog that Crocus' niece, the lovely Noni, and her lovely man John have got themselves engaged. Congratulations to you both! Happy August to all.
As advertising blather becomes the nation's normal idiom, language becomes printed noise. ~George Will, quoted in Stephen Donadio, The New York Public Library: Book of Twentieth-Century American Quotations
What is the difference between unethical and ethical advertising? Unethical advertising uses falsehoods to deceive the public; ethical advertising uses truth to deceive the public. ~Vilhjalmur Stefansson, 1964
Here's a little information for all you trivia buffs. The word "salad" comes from the Latin word for salt "sal" and the Romans (world's best Latin speakers) ate their fresh veggies with a salt dressing. Another little aside. The word "salary" also comes from the Latin word for salt because the Roman soldiers were sometimes partially paid in salt which was quite valuable in ancient times. Hence the expression someone is "worth his salt." Ain't education great? The Prairie Crocus learned about that in her other life when she taught thirteen-year-olds about ancient Rome.
Another good place to go for a salad and cold buffet is Griffin's in the Hotel Vancouver. Their selection is not as extensive but it includes cold crab, prawns, pasta salad, greens, veggies, soup and dessert for $27. A bit pricier, but also good.
I went out for lunch at Insalata the other day and I noticed on my way home how young people, especially Asians, like to wear t-shirts with words on them. Mostly the Caucasians like tour t-shirts from their favourite bands or funny sayings like, "I'm with stupid >>>>>>>" Or, "I'm more of a hands on guy." There are also some racier ones, but, hey, this is a family blog. I don't want to get an R rating.
But the Asian youth like to wear either brand name tees like Hollister or Abercrombie and Fitch. I see more of those than any other brands, so they must be the height of cool. Okay, I can understand why they want to wear the clothes that tell the world how cool they are. I wonder if they realize they are unconsciously providing free advertising for those companies. Maybe they don't care, Crocus!
But I really don't understand why they wear tees on which are printed meaningless English phrases. I've seen a few, but this day I saw one on the bus: IN BORN DAYS THE SURF. What does that mean? Is it just printed noise? Is it a bad translation from another language to English? Should it be: BORN TO SURF? Or is there some aspect of the Japanese, Korean or Chinese culture that I just don't get?
And speaking of clothes and shopping, I saw a rack of clothes in the mall with a sign that said: 4.99 and up. Out of curiosity I checked. Every piece of clothing on the rack was priced at 29.99! I suppose they could have put one item on the rack for 4.99 and it sold right away, but really, I don't think so. I guess truthful advertising really is an oxymoron.
And at Sears they have a shoe sale: CLEARANCE, BUY 2 PAIRS, GET 1 FREE. How can they call it clearance when the very same shoes are there every time I go and the sale has been there since I moved here in April! That's 4 months, people. Why haven't the shoes cleared out by now? Has no one bought any? Do the shoes magically reproduce at night when the stores are closed?
I see by Gary's blog that Crocus' niece, the lovely Noni, and her lovely man John have got themselves engaged. Congratulations to you both! Happy August to all.
As advertising blather becomes the nation's normal idiom, language becomes printed noise. ~George Will, quoted in Stephen Donadio, The New York Public Library: Book of Twentieth-Century American Quotations
What is the difference between unethical and ethical advertising? Unethical advertising uses falsehoods to deceive the public; ethical advertising uses truth to deceive the public. ~Vilhjalmur Stefansson, 1964
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Birthdays, Children, Philosophy
Here are pictures of our birthday celelbration at the Sandbar. We celebrated birthdays of Margot and Diana, Joel's mother. We had a lovely time. Friends of Margot's and Joel's bought us a bottle of champagne and paid for much of our meal. Merci bien, vielen dank, gracias to J., T., and M. You know who you are. It was a tasty meal. And don't we all look happy?
Yesterday my beloved daughter and I spent the afternoon together, just chatting, having supper, watching some videos. It is great fun to have such a good relationship with an offspring. My friend, L., and I were just talking about this yesterday. Not everyone is fortunate to have such a great relationship with their children. My friend was telling me about how supportive her son and daughter were when her husband died. And now she lives in one half of a duplex and her son lives in the other half. Her daughter and grandson live close, too. She said she was grateful that her children wanted her so close.
As a parent one hopes that one's children will not suffer in their lives, but it is an impossible dream. Life happens to everyone and no one is immune to pain, loss or suffering. As the old prairie dog would say, "It's what you do with what life sends you that matters."
A little touch of philosophy.
Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see. ~John W. Whitehead, The Stealing of America, 1983
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Chatterbox, Snooty Cats, Cutesy Dogs, Hairspray
Here it is seven days into August already. Time sure flies when you are having fun. Hmmm. Something tells me that is not original.
I was in Victoria for a couple of days. Jack and the boys were there. We had a great time talking with them. Andrew - what a chatterbox! I wonder where he gets that from? Know anything about that, Jack? I heard a rumour that Jack was a real chatterbox as a kid. Played cribbage with Nana and got Gary to show me how to use my new portable drive.
I also had lunch with my friend, S. He's in Victoria to attend Camosun College in September. We ate at a great vegetarian/vegan restaurant called "Green Cuisine."
The ferry ride was uneventful. That's the way it should be. No bomb scares. This time.
As soon as I got back, I hopped on the Skytrain to Surrey. I don't know if "hopped" is really the right word. Weighed down with a large suitcase and a carryall full of books I did more dragging than hopping. I was pet-sitting for my sister.
The two little canine boys were happy to see me. Buster and Dusty, two fuzzy little cuties. But the whole weekend they kept going to the front door. Looking for their master and mistress, I should think. The cats just came and went as the mood took them. They have a pet door and once or twice they graced the house with their presence. Cats are such aristocrats. They look down their noses at the world and walk on their tippy toes. They're like the high fashion models of the pet world. I guess that's why they call it a "cat walk!"
While I was there I went to see the movie "Hairspray." Loads of fun, especially John "Revolta" in drag. He did a credible job with the part, but ooo, they should have gotten a better make-up artist. His face looked as if it were going to fall off any second. The audience clapped at the end. You don't hear that too often at movies.
I also went to my friends' place for dinner. Afterwards we all played a rousing game of "Probe." Did you know that game came out in 1968? At least that's the copyright date on the Rules folder.
Now I am back in the West End and glad to be home in my own comfortable bed. Today I worked out, did laundry, dusted and cleaned out my fridge. Quite the domestic. But I am looking forward to dinner tonight at the "Sandbar" on Granville Island. It is a celebration of my darling daughter's birthday. Another year goes by.
Must be on my way. Still having trouble with my new TV and DVD player, so it's another trip to London Drugs this afternoon.
Bye all.
As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat. ~Ellen Perry Berkeley
The problem with cats is that they get the exact same look on their face whether they see a moth or an axe-murderer. ~Paula Poundstone
I was in Victoria for a couple of days. Jack and the boys were there. We had a great time talking with them. Andrew - what a chatterbox! I wonder where he gets that from? Know anything about that, Jack? I heard a rumour that Jack was a real chatterbox as a kid. Played cribbage with Nana and got Gary to show me how to use my new portable drive.
I also had lunch with my friend, S. He's in Victoria to attend Camosun College in September. We ate at a great vegetarian/vegan restaurant called "Green Cuisine."
The ferry ride was uneventful. That's the way it should be. No bomb scares. This time.
As soon as I got back, I hopped on the Skytrain to Surrey. I don't know if "hopped" is really the right word. Weighed down with a large suitcase and a carryall full of books I did more dragging than hopping. I was pet-sitting for my sister.
The two little canine boys were happy to see me. Buster and Dusty, two fuzzy little cuties. But the whole weekend they kept going to the front door. Looking for their master and mistress, I should think. The cats just came and went as the mood took them. They have a pet door and once or twice they graced the house with their presence. Cats are such aristocrats. They look down their noses at the world and walk on their tippy toes. They're like the high fashion models of the pet world. I guess that's why they call it a "cat walk!"
While I was there I went to see the movie "Hairspray." Loads of fun, especially John "Revolta" in drag. He did a credible job with the part, but ooo, they should have gotten a better make-up artist. His face looked as if it were going to fall off any second. The audience clapped at the end. You don't hear that too often at movies.
I also went to my friends' place for dinner. Afterwards we all played a rousing game of "Probe." Did you know that game came out in 1968? At least that's the copyright date on the Rules folder.
Now I am back in the West End and glad to be home in my own comfortable bed. Today I worked out, did laundry, dusted and cleaned out my fridge. Quite the domestic. But I am looking forward to dinner tonight at the "Sandbar" on Granville Island. It is a celebration of my darling daughter's birthday. Another year goes by.
Must be on my way. Still having trouble with my new TV and DVD player, so it's another trip to London Drugs this afternoon.
Bye all.
As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat. ~Ellen Perry Berkeley
The problem with cats is that they get the exact same look on their face whether they see a moth or an axe-murderer. ~Paula Poundstone
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