ABC Wednesday > K is for Kerplunk

At the ancient pond
A frog jumps into
The sound of water
                    --Matsuo Basho

Attempting to illustrate the most famous haiku ever written is a tad ambitious (read: silly) but I did it anyway. And speaking of this particular K word, there's also Gabriola's award-winning band, The Kerplunks

ABC HQ is here

Good Earth Carrots

MM > A Farmer's Coatrack

MM = Monochrome Maniacs

Sunday Signage > Street Art

Double Duty

Skywatch - #41

Hot Rod Squash

As promised, a photo from last Sunday's Fall Fair squash race. Here's how it's done: Contestants attach wheels to a squash (any variety) in any way they can. There's an inclined ramp with two lanes and the racers simply glide down with gravity providing the horsepower. Heats are run until an ultimate winner emerges. As you can see, a heavier squash is a real asset.

Now, I know some of you are thinking that we Canadians have too much time on our hands and that we lead a somewhat, how shall I say...less than exciting existence. Think what you will but just don't you forget about NSD. We have other uses for duct tape.

ABC Wednesday - J is for Japanese Maple

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The Bird Man's Bird

One of the attractions at the Fall Fair this year.

MM > Helping Hands

Making apple juice at The Commons

MM = Monochrome Monday

Sunday Signage > Fall Fair

Today is the annual Fall Fair at The Commons. With any luck at all, you can look forward to a photo of the Squash Race later this week.

Green Bikes

The Gabriola Green Bikes program puts free bicycles on the street for anyone that might need one. Donated bikes are refurbished by volunteers, painted bright green and made available to the public. A new batch of rides will be presented to the community tomorrow at the Fall Fair.

Skywatch Friday #40

A monochrome variation on Skywatch #36, taken with this film camera which was given to me by my neighbour (thanks again Hawk Owl).

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The Littlest Capon

The Capon family has been part of the fabric of Gabriola since at least the 1940's. Here's the newest member of the clan hitching a ride with grandma at the Saturday market.

Phyllis' Hands

She plays with the Gabriola Recorder Ensemble and she's one of the few islanders I know who wears a watch.

Number 29 in the Musician's Hands series. You may view them all here

2CV

You've seen one of these before, but here's a full body shot. It's a Citroen 2CV, one of my all-time favourite automobile designs. To the owner of this maroon and black beauty: If you ever want to sell, Stevie B has my number...

Blue Ethiopian Wheat

This grain is being grown in an experimental patch at The Commons

Sunday Signage > 2459

Til Next Summer...

Mosquito netting stowed away in a sleeping cabin at Dragon's Lodge.

Skywatch Friday #39

 Skywatch HQ 

No Photoshop here, this is just what it looked like from the deck of the Surf Lodge

Flower Box

 

ABC Wednesday > H is for Hair

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Big Ears

This curious doe was so interested in our cat that I thought she was going to come up onto the deck. She might've if I hadn't blocked her way with the camera.

MM > Contemplation Station #4

A fine way to pass the time: Looking out to sea from a big padded chair in the great room at Dragon's Lodge. Built in the 1950's and recently renovated, DL is an extraordinary (and very private) 5 acre property with 8 ocean view bedrooms and 11 rustic sleeping cabins. I can't imagine a better place for a conference, reunion, wedding or similar event.

MM = Monochrome Monday

Sunday Signage > Slow Down

To say that the pace of life here is slow would be an understatement. Think glacial. Or molasses in January. Or maybe Mayberry. It's pretty darn idyllic but there's one odd thing. A lot of Gabriolans drive like maniacs. There are plenty of good reasons to take it easy: Deer, kids, seniors out for a stroll, bicyclists...but still the racers race. The RCMP seems to take a laissez-faire approach to enforcing the speed limits so a number of residents have taken the matter into their own hands by erecting homemade signs like this one in my neighbourhood.

Shrine To An English Sports Car

Skywatch Friday #38

We saw Winged Migration at The Roxy last night and this evening, everyone's favourite venue is in concert mode so we'll be back there again. Thanks to Stevie B for creating the coolest place I know.

Global HQ for Skywatch is here

Fall

Temps are still mild but everyone knows fall is coming. The wood sellers are busy and so are the wood stackers. Just ask Mrs. Snapper - we filled our woodshed yesterday, several cords stacked to the rafters. Needless to say, sleep came easy last night.

ABC Wednesday > G is for Generations

This is the kind of photograph at which the Leica excels but I had the DSLR with me so digital it is . Taken on the fly at last month's theatre festival art fair.

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Global Theme Day > Big

Compared to my native Tennessee, there are very few bugs on Gabriola. This is the biggest one I've seen so here ya go.

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