What I like and what I don't like... about blogging

One of the reasons I started blogging was.... essentially... fear. It seemed the older I got the faster time was going by. I needed to be able to slow it down a bit, make a mark... a record of the passage and what I was doing in it. I do think this is the case for a lot of people.... I could be wrong ...

I am quite pleased when I see now that I am able to look back and see what was I doing this time last year? The year before that? It’s a really fantastic diary! Of course it doesn’t contain the personal stuff that diaries are made of, but I have hit the highlights and am able to fill in from there :)

The other huge benefit to me is I have effectively catalogued my photos. Quite a while back Sweetie bought me a coolmax external hard drive which I promptly transferred my gijillion photos to. Well this was okay but I needed a system! There’s that damn right/left brain war again. So I decided simple is a good start... I catalogued the everyday photos by month and any special moments like family celebrations (like my Grandparents 75th Anniversary !!) or our vacations in their own folders. It turns out simple works for me!

So it seems the only negative is the dry spells... There are definitely times when I really have nothing to say, even to myself. I just am. I’m not necessarily doing. That brings me to a wonderful writer/blogger whos’ coined the brilliant concept of BLOGGING WITHOUT OBLIGATION. A wonderful idea and one that I have to convince myself is okay!

If you feel the same check this out: blogging without obligation

Looking back to last years entries in March I found I was recovering from carpel tunnel surgery, taking a lot of photos and running away to Victoria!  Isn't that a kick!   As a retrospective I am sharing some photos today of the gorgeous flower arrangment my wonderful coworkers sent me as a get well and the amazing Abkhazi Gardens in Victoria.

Spring is just around the corner..... in Victoria !

  Mo:le Restaurant - a favorite for us!

Sweetie and I were feeling a little bit depressed (understatement really) with the blah winter blues that us Islanders’ often experience.....then you add in the world shattering events of recent weeks, really ...depressed doesn’t seem to cover it. I’m not complaining, how can I when you compare the blessed life we lead to the millions of people around the world who are suffering so much right now. It makes my heart hurt.

We decided a weekend away from the TV and housework and our rainy cold little chunk of Vancouver Island was in order. We always run away to Victoria. It really is such a lovely little city.

 The camelias are blooming in Victoria,  in March no less!

 Pretty banners at Market Square.

Sadly this place has seen better times.  We were lucky enough to catch a weekend with a Farmers Market setting up.  It was lovely to see people using this wonderful old space.

 Sweetie is obsessed with dragons.  What's with boys and dragons? 

The reason I return over and over to Mo:le Restaurant on Pandora Street!  The Simon Whitfield Yam Omelette... let me tantalize your taste buds for a minute: Sage Roasted Yams, Onions, Peppers and Fresh Basil Topped with Goat Cheese and Served with Hot Buttered Toast and Pesto Hash Browns.  Wasn't that mean of me :)

 Love Love Love the colors of these old buildings on Johnson Street.

 A Winter Marmalade stand at the Farmers Market.  Don't they look pretty!

A lofty view of Market Square.  Such potential!

the funniest sayings....

 Blogs are like sharks, they have to keep moving or they die!

Since I have no photos of sharks I had to resort to finding some copywright free ones on the internet.  I think it's interesting that the two that appealed to me the most were tattoos.  Hmmm... No. not for me. definitely don't like needles.

I can't remember where I heard this but I really found it funny and somewhat true so thought I would share.  And, yes, I have been feeling like mine is getting quite repetitive and dull.  I need some Art imersion inspiration and soon!

Let the melting begin....

 A quick walk about this morning reveals with an unexpected freeze overnight... the beauty of icicles.  We don't see them very often here.   I guess I really shouldn't stand underneath them very long.

 This poor plant is directly in the path of the snow melt coming off the roof.  Good thing it's a hardy specimen.

 Isn't this tangled twisted peice of ice amazing!!

 A sneak peak of the Vancouver Island mountain range... if we were able to trim some of those maple trees we would have a spectacular view.  But since they grow like weeds here, there's really no use!

 Icy gorgeousness!

Some snow damage.  I think this is fortuitous,  these branches always hit me in the head when I mow the lawn.  :)  Wow, we will be doing lots of cleanup after this winter.

so That's what those clouds were all about....

This is what we woke up to this morning.  Quite a surprise.... and I am wondering.... why aren't those weather people better at predicting ?

 The sun was starting to peak out and the snow covered trees in the distance were glowing white.  WOW

 There.... see what I mean....  Isn't that spectacular

This is serendipity.  My camera has been doing this weird thing... the last photo I take is often cut in half with one from a previous shoot.  So, here we have  today, with the gift that those amazing clouds gave us overnight merged with yesterday's sunrise.  Who needs a collage program...

my morning commute

 I'm not sure what made me run back into the house this morning to grab my camera, it's definitely a first, but am I ever grateful.  This is the spectacular view that I get every day on my morning commute. Why would I want to go anywhere else?  I'm not sure if I can answer that question today :)

 The little beach park that I stopped at was like an ice rink.  Very tricky to get to the waters edge for this shot.

 And further along the highway .... I just had to pull over again..... drat... I'm going to be late for work!

On my way home today I noticed that they have really pruned the flowering trees along main street.  This one looks quite sinister.