The Produce Pilgrimage

Jay and I decided to take a short drive to pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables. It was one of those days when the weather cooperated, and the road felt familiar in a comforting way. The trees along the way were still full and green, though the light had that late-summer softness.

We stopped at a roadside stand we’ve visited before. The woman running it greeted us with a smile and pointed out the best of what she had. The peaches looked especially good, and the cucumbers were firm and dark green. There were also raspberries in small containers, and the scent of basil lingered in the air.

We didn’t buy much, but the car smelled like summer on the way home. It reminded me of other drives, other seasons, and how small errands can turn into something memorable.

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We actually went to Langley Farm market this morning to pick up some fruit and vegetables. I didn't feel like writing about it. I didn't feel like adding much of anything at all here either. That's understandable as I've been adding an entry pretty much every single day for over 21½  years. One expects a bit of writer's block, or occasional laziness, considering such volume. 

The story above was created with Microsoft Copilot. It even made a title nearly as catchy as I would have.  I forced it read a few pages worth of journal posts directly from URLs for this site. Then, I asked to create a new entry using my tone.  Perhaps I will be able to automatically write from the grave after I pass away.  I also had it create a photo to go along with the entry, so the pictures never need to stop either! 

When reading or seeing anything online, sources are already nearly unverifiable.  The world is already awash with AI generated trash.  If unable to verify the source, the truth is left up to the believer.  That, of course, will cause us to throw away just about all think about the creation of non-fiction and the ability to assess truth.

To make this all worse, AI systems themselves are pretty damned encouraging.  As I was adding my example data.  It plied me with compliments along the way by saying things such as: 

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Your Voice, Fully Formed 

You’re a thoughtful chronicler of everyday life, blending humor, nostalgia, and curiosity. Your posts feel like postcards from your world—sometimes local, sometimes global, always personal. You write with warmth, clarity, and a quiet appreciation for the passage of time.

Our Day as Local Tourists

This morning was pretty wet. We didn't rush to get ready for our trip up Grouse Mountain today. We took the SkyTrain to the Vancouver at around 11:15. That put us at the Waterfront at about a quarter to twelve. We used the proximity to have a quick food court lunch at Waterfront Center. It was our first time eating at a Basha restaurant. I guess the Lebanese food chain, founded in the 1970s, has quite a number of places in malls around the area. We were full and feel as though it was good food at a reasonable price. We'll probably look to eat at Bahsa's in their other locations. 

A lunch out really helped make it feel as though we local tourists today. The reason we chose to take a trip up the mountain was because of the free admission offered to a limited number of local residents. We filled in the online form early enough and snagged two. We availed ourself of one of the free shuttle bus provided from the tourist area next to the cruise ships this morning.  After the 25 minute trip up to the base of the mountain, we showed our ID and changed our print-out for today's tickets.

We ascended into the fog.  It was a bit cooler with the rise in elevation, probably about 5C lower than in the city.  The fog would come and go giving us glimpses of sun and blue sky.  We didn't linger at the lumberjack show, instead, we headed to see the bears.  Grinder and Cooler were orphaned more than 20 years ago and have been residents of the 5.5 acre wilderness refuge area on the mountain since then.  We often check in on them during their winter hibernation on the webcams in their enclosure.  They were out and about today.  

Jay and I went to the peak too.  It was even chiller up there but such a great ride up the chair lift in the fresh, moist air.  We felt privileged to do this today.   It had been five years since we up here last.  The last time was during COVID distancing and we had strict timings allotted.  Today, our tickets were valid from 9 am to 9 pm.

From the chairlift, we saw a doe and her offspring.  

We did get to see some grouse on the top as we did during the last visit.  It's a good name for the mountain!  The hen was large as a chicken had seven large chicks that we noticed.  When the sun came out for a few minutes, they were happy to stretch their wings to dry in the sunshine.

We headed back to the mountain base to catch a 3:40 shuttle bus back across the Lions Gate Bridge and to the Waterfront.  A SkyTrain was waiting and we smoothly made it home before 5:00 pm.  What a nice day as local tourists!  We have to do this more in the future.

Orphaned Grizzles

 

We haven't been up to see Grinder and Coola for nearly five years. 

Last week, we were happy to log into the Grouse Mountain website for free passes up the gondola for local residents. I guess the response was overwhelming as tickets were only available for several hours before they were completely gone.   We were pretty pleased to be among those who snatched several. 

Now that tomorrow is approaching, so is rainy weather! I cannot remember when we last had rain but I know we will have some tomorrow! Even if we don't have stunning views high above the city of Vancouver, we will have a chance to say hello to the bears. 

If you happen to click at the right moment, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, you may see Jay and I doing so on one of the mountain's webcams.

I'm a Power User

In Canada, this is the third day of an annual, civic long weekend. In British Columbia it's called BC Day. It's a great time of year to have a three-day weekend. Vancouver hosts the Pride Parade during this weekend. Other than that we didn't do much special. Of course, we just got back from a five-night trip to Alberta but that aligned with my birthday.

Earlier during the weekend, I replaced an old ceiling light in the bedroom with a cheap, 12" flush-mount LED light.  Today, I put the other in the utility closet.  It was honestly less than a ten-minute job.  The lights can be adjusted and we kept the setting on a bluer hue because of its location and purpose.

Now, I'm expanding my electrical experience by ordering modern switches for these two lights.  All the switches in the apartment are 35-year-old, traditional type. I'm not going to bother going through the whole place and replacing them with toggle switches.  Aesthetically, the newer ones might be nicer but I have dozens of WIFI bulbs. My lighting is under Google Assistant voice control and I never ever need to touch many physical wall switches.  For example, after I get under the bed covers, I often say things such as, "Hey, Google, turn off the living room lights."

So, I'll start with just two, single-pole switches for our new lights.  I can start replacing more, if the exercise proves enjoyable.  The prices were the same on Amazon.ca as on HomeDepot.ca.  I'll let my delivery guy bring 'em to my door, even though he won't be able to deliver the switch plate covers until Wednesday.  LOL

 

Vancouver Pride 2025

The Vancouver Pride Parade started at 1:00 pm this year. We didn't head downtown until noon and took the SkyTrain to the Waterfront. Then, we got on the Canada Line and, like thousands of others, we exited at the Roundhouse Arts and Community Centre. The parade started promptly but the procession was blocked for close to 40 minutes. 

Those supporting Palestine attempted to hijack the parade to highlight their cause. It's a shame because rather than ensure positive publicity, they impinged on the rights of other citizens. However, the equality and treatment of gays and lesbians is not a demonstrated concern in LGBT-adverse regions.  The lack of preparation by local organizers and police to avoid the situation felt like an insult.

The parade march and festivities eventually continued.  The luster wasn't lost on the advances toward tolerance and diversity made over the last half century. We ducked into a Subway sandwich shop and had bowls before walking all the way up Davie Street to the the closed section at the gay village.   This street event hadn't occurred in six years!  It seems a bit poorly organized and boring but at least it should restart the event for future years.

Vancouver Pride Parade from Pacific St. near David Lam Park   

   

Davie Village Pride Festival

Something to Do on a Long Weekend

Between our bathroom and the bedroom there are two closets. They act as a hallway. For light, there was a standard, drum-type ceiling fixture with a frosted 9" glass bowl shade. It wasn't particularly ugly but rather non descript.  When removing it, I found a ton of attic-type insulation and a foil covering on the inside top section.  Old incandescent bulbs used to get hot! A label inside read Russell Industries, Canada and boasted its manufacturing date as February 1990. There was a warning label in there about only putting in a 100 watt bulb but we'd switched to a very-early type of LED bulb years ago. 

There are only several small ceiling lights in the apartment here. We are the second owners and the light I removed was original equipment as the buildings were constructed sometime in the early 1990s. (We bought the place in the late 1990s.)  As we replace electrical and other fixtures, we notice how they all used to be made in Canada and were strong, rugged, and heavy. 

Earlier in the week, I got several, thin, 12" flush-mount LED ceiling lights from Amazon. Of course, they were made in China. I managed to get one installed today. It took me a while to figure out its universal mounting fixture. I had that piece of plastic upside down for a while and couldn't figure out why it wasn't working. The new wires are so tiny and frail compared to the thick copper wire of the building. We chose a temperature that we thought appropriate for the area. It is working. However, I'm still digging out spackled ceiling bits from my nose, teeth, and hair.

   

I guess I'll wait to install the other one in the utility closet some another day.

Two Weeks Aboard MSC Ships by Year's End

 

We have already been on a cruise ship in 2025.  In January, we boarded the NCL Dawn in Mauritius and disembarked in Cape Town, South Africa.  That was during our winter away.  However, when we discovered both a reasonable cruise deal and a great airline price to its embarkation port, we grabbed another chance.  It will be during Jay's September birthday week.  Next month, we will hopefully be able to fly to Barcelona on the 2nd; that is, as long as Air Canada staff do not strike and cause travel disruptions!  We have just one night in a hotel.  We'll return to Vancouver the day the MSC ship returns to Barcelona.  It should be a great 8 nights!

We will not be visiting any new countries on the Mediterranean cruise.  We have already stayed in Spain, Italy, and France.  Ibiza belongs to Spain and the island of Sardinia is a part of Italy.  We spent a month on France's Côte d’Azur although we didn't make it to city of Marseille.  So the two islands and the major city in southern France will be new experiences.

 

We have spent a great deal of time in the Middle East.  Jay and I have lived in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE.  In fact, more than one third of my teaching career took place in the Persian Gulf.  Today, we bought a 7-night MSC cruise leaving from Dubai.  We'll be doing it just before Christmas and returning with Jay's sisters to Sri Lanka for most of our upcoming winter away.  This cruise will be an interesting week of both new and old for us.

Neither Jay nor I have been to the country of Qatar, so this cruise will allow us to add another new country in 2025.  By the end of the year, we will have visited a total of 98.

The Offending Culprit Discovered

Our small apartment has a utility closet directly when you enter from the hallway. One must turn right to walk through the galley kitchen into the living room, or further right for the hallway to the bath or bedroom. 

This narrow walk-in closet has our hot water heater and electrical panel.  There's a sliding pocket door that's seldom closed completely. We use the room for shoe storage.  It has useful shelving that a friend, Joel Thomas, installed decades ago. The space is useful for luggage and junk storage.  The vacuum cleaner and brooms sit inside.  A small stool helps when putting on shoes and a plastic milk cube sits under it for miscellaneous items such as used batteries for recycling, etc.

I needed into to relay all this because of something a bit disgusting that we solved today.

Sunday, July 27 - We did a bit of grocery shopping after being away for most of the week on a road trip.  We got bananas, a half dozen fresh corn on the cob, and three or four lbs. of skinless, boneless chicken breast on a Styrofoam pack.

Monday, July 28 - Jay suggested that my sandals may have gotten sweaty and needed to be washed.

Tuesday, July 29 - I washed the sandals but a faint bad odor was still present in the closet area.

Wednesday, July 30 - The utility room started to smell as though something had died inside.  As there's an emergency pipe for the hot water tank, I was assured that something had died some floor below us.  I surely hoped there wasn't mold in the wall or someplace.  I picked up a bottle of Febreze and we took all the movable items outside to the balcony and cleaned the floor and shelving.  I even opened stored luggage in case something had gotten inside.

Thursday, July 31 - The smell was now worse.  It was rather sickening because the scent of Febreze and foul odor had combined.  Today, we were recovering from our second Shingrix vaccinations.  We both needed to nap in the morning and afternoon because of a fever and aches.  To add insult to injury, the smell was not diminishing.  We took the entire shoe shelves outside and put them on the balcony.  We washed the floor again.  We checked all the items but couldn't locate a source.   Lastly, I noticed the plastic milk cube under the stool might be the problem.  We carried it outside on the balcony too.  Apparently, I'd tripped on the bloody Styrofoam tray earlier in the week.  I must have slid it under stool.  We'd not disposed of it down our floor's garbage chute as we always do.

Ah ha!  It was the stench of dead animal.  Thankfully, the room smells of only Febreze now!