Funny Face, Bonjour, Paris!

I miss Paris...  I want to go back.

141 years - Just a baby.

Today is Canada Day which only became known as Canada Day in 1982 - It was called Dominion Day for many years because it was the day Canada celebrated the Anniversary of the formation of the Dominion of Canada on the 1st of July, 1868.
I love Canadian History but I forget so much from when I studied it. It is actually quite interesting to hear how we became such a blended and still peaceful nation.
When I have travelled internationally I have learned that we have such a short history compared to other nations.
When I was in Peru - they have this rich ancient history of the Incas living and thriving as a people group - it is amazing to walk through the ruins and imagine what lives they would have led.

And when I spend time in Northern Africa I could only imagine the long standing history in these tribal villages dating back to the times of the pharohs perhaps? It is not far from Egypt so who knows who walked the same dusty roads as we did?

And France has such a rich history of monarchy and scandal not to mention the architecture to the likes of nothing here in Canada - Our oldest building doesn't even come close to the structures that pepper the streets in Paris amidst a modern world.

So amazing - so wonderful!

But we are so young as a nation and as much as I like to think I live in an old character home built in the 1950's - I guess it is very modern compared to the homes and buildings I have visited from the 1700's and before!!

So cool.

Corks, Culture, and Coins.

I just returned from a little mini-holiday in San Francisco, California.  It was lovely there!  The people were friendly, the weather was spectacular and the city felt like a long lost friend.  

I was in San Francisco a few years ago and I remember thinking this was a place I could spend a lot of time at and maybe even call home.  The culture and people were so warm and the great restaurants and wine bars reminded me of what I wish my city was like.  We have 2 maybe 3 great districts with great food and culture - it feels like San Francisco is designed with these great venues on every corner!  

One evening I was laughing to myself because my friend and I wanted to find a Starbucks - we were shocked - there are very few around and the one we found on Ghirardelli square was closed at 8pm!!!! 

 However, they have TONS of these great cafe's that spill onto the streets.  The tables are full of locals and visitors sipping on great local wines from Northern California while enjoying the mid day sunshine or the warm evening air. 

 They might be sharing a plate of freshly made tapas or some wonderful late night snacks.  Most of their food is from local markets because they don't have to ship it in...  it is home grown!!  And because it is California they have an environmental concern on keeping things green and organic.  Very different than the frozen, then deep fried snacks we get here in Canada... 

One part of any city that size is the homeless population and those in poverty.  I know - my city has many shelters that are forced to turn people away from their doors because there just aren't enough beds. In Canada, that is a big deal because of our harsh winters but in California their mild temperatures make those searching for a place to sleep less desperate.  The panhandlers come out in full force around the touristy areas, around Union Square because of all the shopping.  Their presence can be a bit overwhelming and awkward for people who don't know how to respond to the steady line up of sketchy characters standing around in certain areas asking for change.  Some of them develop little gimmicks that try to catch people's attention.  One guy was sitting under a box that he had designed to look like a monster.  He would talk from under the box to passers by and move the cut out lips of the cube shaped monster...  it caught my attention because he just starts talking in character.  There are so many of these various street people who have a little schtick they perform to get a few bucks from those who feel they need to respond with a donation.  I guess the one thing that makes the experience less assaulting is that they don't harass you for money - usually they just have an old MacDonald's cup with a few pennies or nickels in it that they shake at you as you walk by. 

I thought I heard somewhere that there is a bylaw in California that says they cannot panhandle or ask for money directly or they can get a ticket or put in jail.  

Not sure on exactly what the law says but I heard some people talking about it the first time I visited the city.

I also thought some of the panhandlers were funny because they had no gimmick...  one guy asked the couple walking near us for money to buy drugs.  I didn't know if I should laugh because I think he was serious.  Later I saw this guy and I had to take a picture.  I tried not to make it obvious so my friend is standing in the sight line but the focus is him and his sign.

 If you can't read it - it says "Why lie, I want beer" - And I saw a few people slip him some cash just for his honesty.  I didn't know what to think...

Honestly, such a great trip.  I loved it - and after this trip I truly feel like I could live there.  

So fun - if you haven't gone - GO!  it is amazing.... or you can come next year - I think it will become an annual trip...  so start saving your American $$$.   The more the merrier!

Question 3

Puppies- just how destructive can they be? Tell us your story.

I went away for a weekend and left my little puppy, Paris with my brother and is wife. They just moved into their newly built home and decided they would contain her to the linoleum area by the back door when she wasn't in the basement or outside. My dog had a few toys she liked to play with and they were all in her lino corner. My sister-in-law noticed Paris was being rather quiet for some time so she walked over to the the back door and saw little dog ears perk up. My sister-in-law saw a cloud of white batten stuffing from the toys strewn about on the floor, it was like Paris was sitting in a cloud of white but she is no angel! The fuzzy toy innards were everywhere and my sister-in-law just laughed at the sight before she had to bag up all the mess and throw away the prized toys that became limp hollow fabric shells now.

Holiday Monday and so on.

To bring you up to speed, the puncture holes in my foot still hurt but it seems to be healing. My mom made a joke about knowing how Jesus felt being nailed to the cross - but I think the nails they used were a little thicker - more like a stake! So, I am pretty much nothing like Jesus with two little 4 inch fencing nails. With some help from my dad, I finally was able to do some yard work. My lawn looks great thanks to my dad's skills at getting the lawn mower working and assisting me while I was a little gimped up. My friendly neighbour was digging up a bunch of her perennials and I replanted some of them into my yard. I have her raspberry canes, strawberry plants, irises, lilies and some other random plants we aren't sure what they are.

These are the Irises that I planted,

Here are the raspberries and one of the 8 strawberry plants in the sunshine!

I am excited to see how they will grow in my yard. I have this one bush that looks amazing right now - it's all flowering in these beautiful pink rose blossoms. It almost looks like a cherry tree but it doesn't produce any sort of fruit. The tight buds are amazing but they are almost all in full bloom now so it is entirely pink! Check it out.

After I came in from gardening, I remembered I forgot to put my Callingwood Farmer's Market purchase from Sunday in the fridge. I had bought a jar of homemade Kimchi from a lovely Korean family. The only problem is that when I looked in my purse it had opened and the juice had spilled everywhere! Thankfully it was still in a plastic bag but a little bit leaked out into the rest of my Oscar de la Renta hand bag! Now I have to throw it out because it stinks like kimchi! Gross!

As for some other exciting news, I am in the midst of planning a trip to Drumheller with some friends. I am not a dinosaur expert but I like the hoodoos and the trails down there so maybe we will be able to plan some good hikes! Everything is just in the planning stages yet.

So that is my long weekend and it's already Wednesday! Tomorrow is Mini-Friday and then the weekend! Wooo Hooo! I have to be honest this is the first year I have not attended YC and I am a little sad. I might have to explain that a little more - even so I can process it because it is a bit of a sore spot with me right now. Maybe another time.

Well that is all I have to say about that.