Wednesday, September 30, 2009

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

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Friday, September 25, 2009

Thursday, September 24, 2009

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.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

ABC Wednesday - J is for Japanese Maple



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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The Bird Man's Bird



One of the attractions at the Fall Fair this year.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Sunday, September 20, 2009

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.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

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.

Friday, September 18, 2009

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).

Click here to see the other Skywatchers from around the world.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

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.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

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

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

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...

Monday, September 14, 2009

Blue Ethiopian Wheat

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

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Til Next Summer...

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

Friday, September 11, 2009

Skywatch Friday #39

 Skywatch HQ 

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

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

ABC Wednesday > H is for Hair



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Tuesday, September 8, 2009

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.

Monday, September 7, 2009

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, September 6, 2009

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.

Friday, September 4, 2009

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

Thursday, September 3, 2009

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.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

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.

The ABC Wednesday host page is here

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

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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