Fifty Fridays #5

It was very hard to choose a photo today.  There seemed to be so many stories and memories running through my head as I looked.  So for no particular reason, I chose this one. 

I have always liked to drive.  I think it's something that was born in me, don't you?  I am clearly taking my three-point turning quite seriously. 

The facts:  this is my brother and I in the first house that I actually remember.  It was in the deep country then.  A few years ago, my dad and I made a pilgrimage to all the old houses.  Of course, we couldn't find this one as it had become the site of townhouses.  The fields, the trees and the houses all gone. 

What I remember is having no idea that there was danger in the world.  I could ride that little tricycle anywhere I wanted to - as long as I, more or less, stayed on the path.  My brother was always with me.  It was my job to look after him even when I was three.  It was well known in the family that if there was trouble to get into, Geoff would find it.   What no one knew was that I was the leader and he was my willing accomplice.  If  trouble found us, I was probably responsible.  Funny what the grown-ups will persist in believing. 

He was, I think, an adorable and happy baby.  Everyone said it so it must have been true.  I know he could make the most amazing car, truck and tractor noises from a very early age.  He had a thing for vehicles - still does - and you can see that his truck is very much the focus of his attention.  For years he has driven big pick-up trucks and you can see the beginnings here. 

What makes me laugh a bit is our clothing.  We look as though we were on our way to church rather than just fooling around in the back forty.  But my mother always dressed us this way.  She made most of our clothes and I'm sure would have sewed the plaid skirt.  The sweaters may have been knit by her but more likely by her step-mother who enjoyed knitting baby things.  It looks like I'm not wearing shoes and that is a huge possibility.  I was always taking them off.

Those woods still look just as big as I remember them to be.  Endless fields, trees and very few houses.  Across the road was farmland and our closest neighbors.  But to get there was down a long driveway on our side and another on theirs.  Now that road is a busy highway.  Glad I've got the pictures or no one would believe the changes. . 

 

Woolgathering

Or rather food gathering.

The other day, I went to the grocery store.  Not for the first - or even the thousandth - time in my life.  But every time I go I am struck by how inefficient is this process.

Have you ever thought about the number of times you handle that stuff?  Picking it off the shelves to fill your cart.  Taking it from the cart to place it on the check-out conveyor belt.  If you're in one of those pared-to-the-bone stores, you get to place it in the bag to carry home, too. 

Once home, the items are carried into the house.  Then they need to be put away on shelves and in the fridge.  I used to wish I could just take the kids to the grocery store and let them graze the shelves.  It would have been much easier. And that's just your part in the process.  I'm imagining all the other hands in the long chain from producer through prep and packaging to the loading, shipping, off-loading and shelf-stacking. 

I think it kind of makes the case for on-line ordering and delivery.  Even though it would deprive me of the fun of shopping for the stuff.  You see,  I actually enjoy the process just not the incessant handling of each item.  I have considered being a volunteer grocery shopper for seniors.  It would tick all the boxes for me.  But not yet...I'm still in the middle of other commitments.

As I look at the veggie garden, I think that this system is the best of all: walk outside;  harvest whatever; prepare and put it on the table.  Way more direct and a whole lot fresher.  But not entirely practical.  And that's why we have grocery stores.  Back to the beginning.

Lunch mystery

Is it a girl thing?  Sometimes, there are interesting happenings and you just have to know why? how will it end?  
 There we were enjoying our lunch in Bruce's Kitchen.  Our dishes 'of the moment' as Bruce refers to his fresh creations made with what he has in the kitchen when you order.  I ordered a quiche which could have had zucchini in but came with leek because the zucchini was all gone.  That sort of fresh.  Just like your kitchen at home.  I loved it. 

The view was nice - not spectacular because it's not truly overlooking the boats in the marina.  But close enough.  And there was a delightful wind sculpture to watch as it twisted and twirled for us.

But soon there was another sight to attract our eyes.  A bride.  At least that was all we could think of given her white dress.  Not a traditional dress but pretty.  She reminded me of some sort of woodland fairy dressed in a white lace skirt.  Being curious, we watched the little knot of people as it ebbed and flowed.  Now, really, there were only ever four people in the group.  Some came and went.  Some went and never came back.  The bride was always there.  Getting ready.  Putting on a garter.  Adjusting her hair.  Changing her shoes.  Ah, we thought.  It's a photo shoot before the wedding.  But there were no cameras being brought out. Hmm...curiouser and curioser.

One of the returnees was a man with a carrier bag.  From this, the bride had taken out the garter and the hair fancy.  Now she took out what seemed to be a rabbit-sized bra.  She held it up to her face like a mask.  Mask?  We exchanged looks.  Now what would this be for?  The mystery deepened.  Then, the bra was tied over her eyes and, just like that, she was led away towards the parking lot.  What happened?

We were almost finished lunch but not quite ready to jump up from the table and run after them to see what was going on.  We speculated amongst ourselves - and with others at the next table.  The conclusion was: yes, it must be that she is being whisked away to a mystery location for her wedding.  Now, that's trust.

My daughter figured they were heading to the dock to get on a boat.  It was a lovely day, so it seemed a likely idea.  Pay the bill, quick!  Hurrying through the parking lot, we spied the honeymoon car all ready to go.  We had the story right, we figured.

 Then, we hung out by the Coast Guard station trying to see any boats that would fit the bill.  All I could see was this lovely old boat.  Fishing?  Tug?

Then, someone spots the tiki-boat way out on the water.  It's like a thatched beach hut on the water.  Yes, says my daughter, that would make sense.  They're probably headed for Chocolate Beach, she mused. 

Quick, get out the zoom lens.   You can, if you squint hard and use some imagination, see the bride in her white dress. 

This is a view of Chocolate Beach.  Would you be happy with this mystery destination?
 

Room with a view

I like to visit cemeteries.  Most of the time I have no idea who is buried there.  It's always interesting to read the grave markers and imagine the stories.

In this one, I don't have to imagine quite so hard.  Here on Salt Spring Island is where my parents and younger brother watch the world spin on.

This is their beautiful view.   Essentially  this cemetery is a mowed and fenced field .  It was donated to the church because the original cemetery was being outgrown. Now, almost forty years on, it is still a pretty sparsely populated place.  I'm sure no one could have predicted a slow-down of custom. 

But, being a less busy place and off the road more travelled isn't a bad thing at all.  Bees hum in the lavender which grows all around.

Deer munch their way through the field and the only thing that worried them that day was the dog barking at the farm down the road. This mother and faun were part of a larger family of five. 

No one had come to pick the blackberries in the hedgerow so we obliged.

Though, we had only travel mugs to fill, we managed to pick enough for two breakfasts. 

Mom, Dad and Howard do have a few neighbors to keep them company.  I love the decorations on this piece of cement.

And, if I have to have a stone, this would be the sort I would like to have.  It looks as though it was always there, doesn't it?