Granville Island Stroll

Let's get down to business now...shopping on Granville Island! Well, window shopping, at least, as the goods and goodies are a little bit pricey, being handmade and often one-of-a-kind.

Behold this gorgeous felted wrap.  

It would be even that much more amazing if the images reflected in the window were incorporated into the fabric (hmmm...must remember to try this idea if my own felting attempts ever reach a degree of actual wearability.)

Here's another sample of felting ingenuity. There is, in fact, a fabulous felted goods shop on Granville Island called Funk Shui  The price tags alone make me gasp, but the creations are glorious!

Along the same alleyway is an enchanting silk shop with every variety of shawl, scarf and wrap one could ever dream of wearing.  (Look at that crinoline.  Hands up, ladies--well, maybe a few men among you as well--who remember either wearing crinolines or putting them on your head and parading around like you were wearing a bride veil!  Um...okay...maybe it was just me...)

Moving right along...here's a guy with balls! 

There are several places where buskers put on shows throughout the day, at least during the summer. 

Never a dull moment!

I heard this guy singing when I emerged from a store and realized I'd recently been listening to him on YouTube, but now I can't remember his name or the song!  But I like his eclectic fashion sense.

If you feel moved to join in on the music making, chances are you could find something right up your tin pan alley in this musical instrument shop!

A large draw on Granville Island is the food and flower market, with a veritable rainbow of delectables.
I didn't try photographing the foodstuffs this visit...it's a little overwhelming, especially on a weekend when people are jostling around every stall, trying to get the vendors' attention. I suspect I have some photos from the food market on previous visits stashed away in my photo larder.  Maybe I'll dig some out for the next installation of our Granville Island mini-tour.

I hope you've all been having a gourd time so far! 

Contemplation

Sometimes it's necessary to slow down the mind, the connections, the obligations, even the imagination, and just stand centered in the contemplation of being.

Still the thoughts.  Dwell with your true self in this moment.

Perhaps the vision, the feelings, the awareness will shift; focus soften; breath deepen...

or impressions may take on a sharper focus, a different tone; reveal a slightly altered point of view.

Possibly, one's whole perspective will be turned on its head and new possibilities emerge.

Whatever happens, it is all good,

 if one can be at peace in the moment.

*

(Photos taken at Dr.Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver BC last year)

*

Linking to Nature Footstep's "Abstract Photo"   theme; visit the online gallery to see other participants.

One last look at Skagway

It's time to hustle back to the cruise ship as departure time is nearly upon us.

As we hurry past, a brash young temptress calls to us from an upstairs window of the town brothel  hotel.

Actually, this sweet young thing is probably earning money for college with a summer theatre job.  Actors roam the street between showings, staying in character and trying to drum up business for the play.

One last quick dash down a side street stops me in my tracks in front of this antique store window, combining a fascinating time-warping view of the past with the present.

(as well as providing a contribution to 

James' Weekend Reflections )

I wonder if that old license plate we saw in the window has travelled any of the roads leading to places suggested on this signpost...

if there are roads leading there. 

(note to self: must look at a road map of Alaska)

I think this rusted handle, beautifully showcased on an even rustier door, would make a fine addition to the collection in that antique shop.

All that sight-seeing has made me hungry.  What say we stop in the ship's Lido Restaurant for a little snack before supper?  For entertainment, we can watch a crew member wash the windows in the rain.

One last look at the fresh snow on the mountains above the rain-soaked deck as we say so long to Skagway.  

More mountains to come.  

Be sure to bundle up for our next stop, 

that's all I'm saying.

Doing The Gallery Hop

Every time I visit Vancouver I do the gallery hop along South Granville Street.

It looks something like this.  Sort of a combination of a hop and a Mick Jagger strut.

This is a favourite view of mine, looking down Granville towards downtown and the mountains.

In fact, I like it so much I did two different versions.  (Really, I did three, but I wouldn't want you to think that I obsess.)  Do you prefer the softer or the more contrasted version?  I couldn't decide.

As much as I enjoy looking at the art hanging on gallery walls, I almost prefer capturing glimpses of reflections in the gallery windows and mixing them into a new form of art.

The picture on the left catches a painting of trees by Chris Charleboix (seen in the window of the Kurbatoff Gallery) mingling with the reflection of real trees outside.  The picture on the right is my transformation of it into one painterly photographic image.

I wasn't the only one lingering on the sidewalk.  Oh, but wait...are those men real or only reflections of art seen through a window?  (I flipped the image horizontally to make it more confusing intriguing for you.)

Well, these women are clearly the real deal.

(take a detour to Ragzedge, my art blog, to see the posterized version of this and the Granville St. view, if you 're up to it)

But this is a horse of a different colour!

(painting by Andre Petterson, as seen in the Bau-xi Gallery)

Some people clearly get very excited about looking at art (no, that is not my reflection on the left!).

Well, I do hope you've enjoyed this gallery hop!

Thanks for stepping lively along with me.

*

Looks like I lost my signature. 

Never mind, you know the drill, say it along with me,

"ciao for now, louciao xo"

To see other reflections from around the blogging world, visit James' Weekend Reflections

by clicking image above

All At Sea

When returning home after a trip,

do you ever have the feeling that you're all at sea?

That you're not exactly sure which way is up?

Like maybe you're looking through a window into a world that's not really your own?

A vague sensation of not being able to focus on where you are

or where you've been: 

Neither here nor there.

Maybe you've been dazzled by the bright lights of a big city

and had to leave them all behind; 

and now, chasing after the tail end of your memories that twinkle and fade like stars,

you let your mind drift through what was and what  may be,

not quite able as yet to swim into the present moment of what is. 

Missing You In Action

I've been away from my post (blog post, that is) of late

due to the fact that my plate (glass window) has been unusually full.

But I've been gathering lots of images to reflect upon

when once I'm ensconced back in my east coast home.

Still lapping up the scenery in Vancouver, today on Gallery Row,

South Granville Street.
(By the way, that is NOT my reflection on the left!)

This is the street that is reflected in the window.
Do take note of the mountains!
They never fail to impress me on my visits home.
Especially when they're not hidden by rain clouds
(oops! did I say that out loud?)

To see other reflections from around the world, visit James' Newtown Area Photo where he hosts Weekend Reflections.

A Bicycle Built for Tea for Two

In much of Canada, people climb into their gas-guzzling cars, pick-up trucks, vans, SUVs, skidoos, etc. and head to the Tim Horton's drive-thru for a cup of nicotine-laced coffee. They order it by the amount of cream and sugar doses added to it, such as a double-double or a triple-triple. (no picture available for fear of legal procedures incurred by caffeine-hyped, sugar-hopped drivers of emissions-belching vehicles)

In Lotus Land (otherwise known as Vancouver), however,

things are done a little differently!  Here we see a charming urban couple pedalling their way to work with their morning teas in hand.

And I will have to push off and leave you for awhile, my sweeties,

as I'm heading off to Vancouver Island for a few days,

to take tea in Victoria.

Don't forget to keep your pinkies up!

Looking Out, Looking In

I've been riding the buses lately, dashing off to town in inclement weather.  In November in Vancouver, things can be grey and misty and cold and wet.  On my way to Chinatown the other day, I rubbed a clearing in the fogged up bus window to get my bearings.  It was like a glimpse into a steamy, magical world.

I remember we sometimes ate at the HoHo when I was a kid.  I always got a kick out of the name.  The food was good, too.  I liked the sweetly floral aroma of the steaming jasmine tea in small, thick, green china cups.  I inevitably burned the tip of my tongue with my first sip.

My bus rides this past week transported me to places where I could not only gaze out at the passing world but gaze in through windows to worlds of myriad possiblilities. 

Painting by Mark Lang at the Winsor Gallery, Vancouver BC

Peering in through the glass portals of art galleries transports one to almost entirely other worlds that speak of postmodern deconstructivism and the reimagining of times past writ large in future perfect, reflecting the overall feeling of my trip "home." (And if you understand what I just wrote, may I please have a sip of whatever steaming, magical brew you must be imbibing?)

Should you feel inspired to gaze upon other reflected worlds, take a little visit to James' Newton Area Photo blog.  It's a free ride with great scenery.

P.S. As I compose this, there is a windstorm banging things against the house and the threat of snow being bandied about in the cold night air.  Brrrrr!  It's perhaps a good thing that I'm leaving Monday to return to the east coast...

Ponderings

Out perambulating today, as is my wont, I passed by one of my favourite country road sights, an old barn just beginning to take on a glow in the light that was hovering behind the overcast skies. This particular barn sits beside a small duck pond 

and thus presented itself as a good specimen for the Weekend Reflections theme that James hosts. But guess what dear blog friends, I was out yet again sans camera. I can hear you, "Will she never learn?" The answer is, "apparently not." However, I hotfooted it home and returned to the reflecting pond in the car, with my camera, post haste (pardon the pun).

No, I did not stand on my head to get the second shot but flipped it in Photoshop when I got home. There are limits to what I will do to capture a scene.

I shot pretty much the same view almost a month ago so let's compare and contrast the difference a few weeks of spring can make in the floribunda of a geographical area.  You will notice that the trees were somewhat lacking in foliage at that point.  We can also note that the reflections themselves were quite different 4 short weeks ago, the pond chilled and disturbed (to say nothing of the picture-taker) by a persistent wind. (Yes, Photo Purists, I did manipulate the second image in Photoshop, but isn't it pretty?)

Thus ends today's lesson.  To sum up: When will I ever learn?