Home ::: Canada and BC
acknowledge the past
As most of you know, the Winter Olympics have been underway here in the Vancouver region. I haven't commented much on it for I'm one of the folks that's been against it mostly because of the extreme costs, commercialism... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 26, 2010
| Comments (7)
buds of spring
More wonderful signs of spring during the warmest winter in 114 years here in the Vancouver area... Two of the the first-to-green-out native shrubs in the park, the red huckleberry and oemleria or Indian plum (I... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 16, 2010
| Comments (5)
red hearts and lanterns
Red is for hearts and lovers and friends this weekend - Happy Valentine's Day! or Hauskaa Ystävänpäivää and Happy Friendship Day as the Finns celebrate it. Red is for the colour of the maple leaf on the Canadian... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 13, 2010
| Comments (11)
croci, snowdrops, orchid
Putting aside work at the computer for a lunch break, I just had to first go outside into the garden to enjoy some of today's sunshine and spring-like temperatures (12C or almost 54F). I... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 4, 2010
by the Fraser River estuary
Yesterday afternoon was one of sad goodbyes as we saw our daughter and granddaughters to the airport for their flight back home to London. Husband took the afternoon off work too, so we could do a little exploring... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 30, 2010
complaints
Just over a month ago, I wrote about how western media is taking notice of the phenomenon of complaints choirs. Just now I found another report, in Canada's Globe & Mail, BC edition about the number of choirs in... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 16, 2010
hellos and goodbyes
Much greeting and hugging and then goodbyes have been a large part of our holidays as our family swelled from seven for Christmas Eve to nine on the 27th, then twelve for just a day on the 28th and... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 30, 2009
in the woods
Today's walk in weak sunshine, to clear sugar-overload-cobwebs from my mind. Here, balmy almost spring-like air, while there's snow elsewhere. Vivid green moss on tree trunks, ferns decorating them and forest floor. Fallen trees from past storms quickly returning to... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 19, 2009
Lucia and lights
How lovely, on Lucia's Day to have our first real snowfall, light flakes slowly dancing down, the frozen ground now white and an icing-sugar-like dusting on evergreen branches. It set the right mood for finishing up the holiday letters... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 13, 2009
Canada in Copenhagen
Taking a break now and then from posting pretty frost pictures and writing Christmas letters, I've been checking into reality: the news on the Copenhagen Climate Summit. Others have been far more eloquent than I could ever be, so here... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 8, 2009
frost stars
tiny little silver stars in the hundreds, as if fallen from the night sky like pixie dust It amazes me how different frost patterns can be. It is now even colder and drier, down to -6C (21F) last night.... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 8, 2009
full moon, fog, frost
Oak Moon, Cold Moon, Frost Moon, Long Night's Moon, Moon Before Yule, 7:20 a.m., December 2nd fog and sunrise frost on the path... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 3, 2009
in the country
browsing through this year's photos these from a drive in the country one summer day loved the sight of these most beautiful cows and the nervous horse that was spooked by them can you tell... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 29, 2009
Hornby's driftwood
salt and sun bleached beached tree, roots like twisted tentacles squeezing blue green rocks in captivity ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 25, 2009
bursting
I slept deeply after the 'night scribblings' and woke up late and refreshed. The creative binge of ideas and energy continued all weekend. I wonder what I ate or drank or what phase of moon affected me so strongly... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 16, 2009
home fires burning
Thanks to Erika for posting my video onto her Flickr account! The past few days we've been without home heating, that is, a central heating system we take for granted in most homes in the developed world. Ours is... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 11, 2009
revisiting Hornby's petroglyphs
This year's mini-vacation to Hornby Island was a sort of pilgrimage for me as we revisited some favourite spots from past visits. It must be over 15 years ago when we first saw the petroglyphs made... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 9, 2009
new David Suzuki Foundation website
I'm claiming bragging rights and motherly pride in sharing news about what our daughter Erika has been working on for many months. Now launched, it's the new website for the David Suzuki Foundation! It's still a work in progress, she... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 7, 2009
more rock lace
...on the very photogenic Hornby Island, naturally!... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 2, 2009
more Hornby rocks
a few more photos of Hornby Island's rocks a busy week but in a good way, despite continuing insomnia fall gardening, housework and much art making a most heartwarming time with a friend here for dinner... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 23, 2009
autumn at home
surprise sunrise scene in the kitchen lovely blossoms still blooming madly but producing only plum sized squash babies from volunteers that appeared late in the summer and have grown like Jack-in-the-beanstalks in the new planting bed the best fall... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 8, 2009
Hornby: more wildlife
You saw the jellyfish. Here are some more sea creatures found in the tidal pools on Hornby Island. This handsome bald eagle had a prize salmon in his claws as he flew down... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 6, 2009
Hornby's jellyfish
On our recent visit to Hornby Island, we were amazed by how many jellyfish were on the beaches and rocks. They had beautiful and rich coloured patterns, were mostly around 15" across, though... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 24, 2009
exhibition on Bowen
detail: ARKEO 2, Marja-Leena Rathje (may or may not be in exhibition) You are invited to: An exhibition of prints by the Art Institute Printmakers of Capilano University at The Gallery at Artisan Square 589 Artisan Square, Bowen Island,... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 14, 2009
more ferry pics
Arriving at the Denman Island ferry terminal: On the ferry to Hornby Island: ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 13, 2009
on a ferry
The many photos from our week in Paris, way back in May, are still awaiting to be posted! And now I have all these photos of our recent island hopping mini-vacation that I'm eager to share. These were... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 10, 2009
Hornby Island photos
Still very busy, now preparing for a new schedule for this fall as I head back to the printmaking studio, but wanted to quickly post some photos of the amazing rocks on Hornby Island. More to... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 8, 2009
island hopping
Last weekend we finally, after many years since, revisited Hornby Island, one of our favourite places on BC's west coast. Creating our own five-day long weekend beginning Friday morning (August 28th) we caught the ferry from Horseshoe... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 6, 2009
this and that
This morning as I sat at my computer next to the window, some movement caught the corner of my eye - six big crows were strutting about the lawn, looking for grubs perhaps? I was too slow... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on August 25, 2009
'ecological footprint' author
I've been poking about the net looking for information on Bowen Island, just off the coast of Vancouver. In all these years that we've lived in the Vancouver area, we've never visited it. Now I'm eager to find out... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on August 20, 2009
meeting Miguel
Yesterday evening right here in Vancouver, my husband and I were very pleased and excited to meet Miguel Arboleda, author and photographer of the sublimely beautiful blog Laughing Knees. Miguel had arrived here from Japan a few... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on August 10, 2009
summer is...
fresh picked red currants sweetened by sunshine, precious last ones saved for granddaughters' picking pleasure a record heat wave sprinkler swirls sparkling water to delight garden and jumping children a new roof overheated workers start early, quit early... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 31, 2009
weather fireworks
We had the most spectacular thunderstorm Saturday evening lasting about three hours. We rarely get them and usually only briefly. Dark billowing clouds were moving in from the east and the north, and soon multiple forks of lightning crackled over... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 27, 2009
heat wave whine
too hot to plant my garden (I'm way behind because of the trip) too much weeding and watering to do too hot to sleep, too hot to think, too hot to write We've had only one partial day of... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 4, 2009
Film: Recipes for Disaster
If you live in the Vancouver area, you will want to see this important film: On April 16, view the third and final film of DOXA's Documentary Film Series in the lead-up to our May festival. Recipes for Disaster follows... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on April 14, 2009
cultural identity & CBC
This past weekend Vancouver hosted the Juno Awards, which inspired Miro Cernetig to write an interesting and eye-opening article for the Vancouver Sun. It may be tempting to see the Junos -- now this country's most successful entertainment event... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 31, 2009
SAVE the CBC
CBC is Canada's own publicly owned radio and TV broadcaster, a part of the very heart of Canada and its culture, connecting us all from coasts to coasts. It's currently being decimated by Harper and his government, after already many... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 27, 2009
English Bay: sky
This is the fourth and last of the series of photos that I took about a month ago in English Bay. The feeling of the immense sky overhead struck me powerfully. It made me realize... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 6, 2009
English Bay: reflections
Third of the English Bay series, this time of the mirror-like surface of the Second Beach Pool on the edge of the bay in Stanley Park. A lovely aerial view of it may be seen... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 21, 2009
visiting Victoria
We spent a lovely weekend staying with dear friends in Victoria on Vancouver Island. It was the first time I saw their recently completed beautiful new home on the seashore. Much talking, catching up with each other's and... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 16, 2009
English Bay: beach
More photos from that lovely day at English Bay.... Wishing all my readers a Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Friendship Day as celebrated in Finland. Addendum: The other photos in this series: English Bay: trees... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 14, 2009
English Bay: trees
One lovely and warm spring-like day last week, we went out for a walk in the late afternoon along Vancouver's famous English Bay at Stanley Park. Camera happy that day, I captured an amazing... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 7, 2009
foggy January
19 days of fog few sunny periods cold below, warm above an air inversion they say fog horns, monotonal musical nights black white and grey moody haunting magical inspiration for old English novels Added Jan.25th, 2009: Listen to... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 24, 2009
shape shifting
shrinking shapes of white shifting from all white to black-and-white to green-and-white ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 9, 2009
epiphany deluge
It's the 12th day of Christmas and Epiphany (or loppiainen, a national holiday in Finland). It's the day we try take down the Christmas tree and decorations and I'm making a slow start on that, leaving some of... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 6, 2009
Janus and Tammikuu
Janus - etching, 40 x 37.5 cm. As I crack open new calendars, I think about January and the Roman god Janus and about looking back and looking forward. I wonder about the Finnish name for this month, Tammikuu... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 3, 2009
thaw
yesterday: rain, melting snow, flooded streets this morning, sunshine; this afternoon, more rain? heavy clumps of snow falling off trees and roof edges still deep white yards, snowbanks, tracks on roads tilting snowmen, carrot noses pointed... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 28, 2008
feast of Stephen
Good King Wenceslas looked out On the feast of Stephen When the snow lay round about Deep and crisp and even The words to the carol "Good King Wenceslas" were written by John Mason Neale and published in 1853,... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 26, 2008
countdown to Xmas
It stopped snowing mid-morning yesterday, leaving us with a gloriously beautiful, magical world, especially when the sun comes out. This year we have many amazing huge icicles; I was surprised to see some black-capped chickadees taking a... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 23, 2008
white and bright
at 5:00 pm Sunday, December 21st, 2008 It's almost midnight on winter solstice day and it's been snowing almost steadily for 24 hours and it is still coming down. What an incredibly beautiful winter wonderland it is out there.... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 22, 2008
solstice time
At [10:04 a.m. Pacific Time] on Sunday Dec. 21, 2008, the northern hemisphere begins its tilt back toward the sun, marking the winter solstice in this part of the world and slowly leading to longer days. This may be... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 21, 2008
snow and ice
Well, more snow came down on Wednesday and it has stayed. Here, in the usually balmiest corner of Canada, we are experiencing zub-sero temperatures. Instead of the rain quickly washing it all away as usual there's lots more... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 19, 2008
weather report
Though many areas around Metro Vancouver received a lot of snow on the weekend, our little microclimate prevented us from getting more than a dusting and even that was blown away by the high winds. Funny how the... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 15, 2008
remember peace
It's Remembrance Day here, and the weather matches the sad occasion. Each year on this day, I reluctantly acknowledge this day, understanding the sacrifices made by so many soldiers in wars. I am sad for the millions of... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 11, 2008
if walls could speak
(from my photo series of the Britannia Shipyard in Steveston) ... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 2, 2008
Kekri and Samhain
It's the last day of October and Halloween tonight. With our children grown up and the grandchildren in England this year, I have made no effort to celebrate this occasion here at home. Erika, now living at home... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 31, 2008
walk in the park
Another glorious fall day today! A walk in the park was absolutely essential. It was amazing how many leaves were covering the paths and they were delightfully dry and rustling underfoot. So often they are soggy and... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 26, 2008
golden
Our October days have been alternating between warm and sunny with crisp nights or cool and rainy. Today was a golden day with a clear blue sky. As I was driving home from the studio, I felt... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 22, 2008
walls
worn out walls signs of the past portents of the future? (continuing photo series of the Britannia Shipyard in Steveston)... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 18, 2008
fair votes
I've mentioned before that Canada's electoral system desperately needs to be reformed to a far more democratic system of proportional representation. After another expensive wasted election with record low voter turnout and skewed results, I'm pleased to read that... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 16, 2008
moving on
Well, the elections are over, for better or worse, here in Canada. Harper and the Tories won, but thankfully only another minority government. What for, at such great expense, and for how long? And why such a record low voter turnout? So, more of the same old, same old.
Life goes on. This morning I was back in the studio...
[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 15, 2008
Thanksgiving and Nobel Peace Prize
The elections here in Canada and the US plus the world economy has taken far too much of our attention lately. Canadians vote on Tuesday, October 14th and that night will be an anxious one awaiting results that we... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 12, 2008
an 8th birthday!
I'm absolutely amazed that Mark Woods is still going strong with his blog Wood s Lot! He continues to produce almost daily posts, each full of very interesting and eclectic links on a wide variety of intelligent subjects from the artistic and literary to philosophical and political, frequently including his own wonderful photos of his home region in Ontario, Canada. Each of these posts would be the equivalent of five to ten of mine! Wood s Lot was one of my early finds and inspirations when I first began blogging four and a half years ago and continues to be a favourite daily read. Thank you, Mark and Happy 8th Birthday to Wood s Lot!
[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 6, 2008
Save the Planet: Stop Harper
I feel passionately that the current elections in Canada and USA are one of the most critical in our lifetime. Against previous promises to myself not to talk about politics on this blog, I have already posted one long piece... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 5, 2008
Arts funding cuts
UPDATE Oct.7th: Margaret Atwood answers questions on the election at Globe & Mail. Gotta love her!
[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 2, 2008
windows
Last Saturday we drove daughter Elisa, J, our granddaughters and piles of luggage to the airport. They are off to Europe to work and travel until Christmas. My, the house is quiet now with just the three of... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 10, 2008
locked doors
Yesterday at the old shipyards in Steveston, BC (more details to come later). Sept 10th update: see next post.... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 7, 2008
busy busy
This first week of August has been a busy one for me with three days spent in the printmaking studio. I signed up for two weeks of summer access in order to complete two editions, of which I'd... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on August 8, 2008
on the pier
Being in the area yesterday evening, my husband and I sauntered over to see the 700 foot long Burrard Dry Dock Pier, just east of Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. According to this History of the... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 21, 2008
Happy 141st!
It's Canada Day today. Despite all the hoopla, crowds and fireworks everywhere, we're just enjoying the holiday around home, puttering about and trying to keep cool in a heat wave. This thoughtful Canada Day meditation, written by a Canadian... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 1, 2008
June garden
Still working much too hard in the garden. Here are a few images of what's lovely today, a drizzly day and a relief after yesterday's heat. How does your garden grow? Addendum June 18th: Leslee... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 17, 2008
exhibit in Squamish
I'm pleased to announce that my friend Bonnie Jordan and I have a selection of our prints on exhibit in the new Artisan Gallery in the town of Squamish, north of Vancouver. Here's how the space is... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on June 7, 2008
'Centigrade' wins Leos
I'm thrilled to share the news that a certain special film has won five Leos just a few days ago here in Vancouver. The Leo Awards honor the best in British Columbian television and film production every year. Centigrade is... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on May 27, 2008
summer's here
Today is the Victoria Day holiday and what a busy long weekend it has been. My husband took Friday off work and we've been working hard in the garden for three days in a row. Three gorgeous sunny days, the... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on May 19, 2008
geologic journey
Spotting a seemingly insignificant looking rock like this one now sends me wondering about its history, its journey through millions of years. Thanks to the powerful series Geologic Journey, my view of our world, especially of Canada and... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on April 28, 2008
snow in April
We were shocked last night to receive hail and dry pellets of snow, then wet snow for about four or five hours. A few stunning flashes of lightning highlit the whiteness into a ghostlike eery world. Then it all... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on April 19, 2008
immigrants' journeys
A story of one Finnish family's immigrant experience.
UPDATE April 28, 2008: I just learned about this exhibition on the same theme: Free Spirit: Stories of You, Me and BC is a major feature exhibition at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, BC's capital. We'll have to see this the next time we go visit!
Posted by Marja-Leena on April 14, 2008
end of March
I was going to repeat the old cliché about March coming in like a lamb and going out like a lion (or vice-versa). The last two or three weeks have been unusually cold here, with locally variable and sometimes... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 31, 2008
BC's Finnish settlers
Addendum April 14, 2008: Please read about the story of one Finnish family's experience immigrating and settling here!
[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 25, 2008
Sunday afternoon in Burnaby
Yesterday we headed out to Burnaby (a city next to Vancouver) and the Scandinavian Centre where we enjoyed a recital of songs sung in Finnish, Swedish and Italian by a beautiful, rising talent, Finnish-American singer Maria Männistö. Here's the announcement... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on March 17, 2008
earthworks #4
Still remembering McKenzie Beach, near Pacific Rim National Park, BC....
[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 28, 2008
earthworks #3
on McKenzie Beach, near Pacific Rim National Park, BC, February 3rd, 2008... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 17, 2008
nature's sculpture
found sitting in a tidal pool on a beach in Pacific Rim National Park, BC how I wanted to take it home make a meditation pool for it in the garden but 'twas way too big and heavy... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 13, 2008
winter journeys
Husband and I have been planning a trip to our favourite place near the Pacific Rim National Forest Reserve, on the western edge of Vancouver Island near Tofino. We call it our 'treat and retreat'. I've written of past... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 8, 2008
earthworks #1
on McKenzie Beach, near Pacific Rim National Park, British Columbia, February 3rd, 2008... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on February 5, 2008
and more snow
snowing all night, snowing this morning schools and colleges closed, commuting chaos garden under heavy white blanket, tree branches weighed down silence punctuated with soft thuds, scrape of shovel glad I can stay home today, like the happy... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 29, 2008
ice and snow
a weekend of snow, rain, ice and snow again
so beautiful and bright
and more snow coming tonight!
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 28, 2008
winter afternoon
At the mouth of the Capilano River at Ambleside Park, West Vancouver, 4:00 pm Today seemed to be the first day this year without rain, though I haven't kept any notes on it. It's been incredibly wet, normal winter... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 13, 2008
lingering lazy days
My, have I been lazy this past week, not even blogging! The preparations and the holidays themselves seem to have tired me out a bit. I'm enjoying these quiet days to replenish body and soul. It's now Twelfth Night,... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 5, 2008
trees of my year
Many of us are looking back on the past year as it's nearing its end. Photography having become more and more a passion for me, I like to look through the year's photos. They may be observations of the little... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 29, 2007
Boxing Day walk
Reminisces...
two lovely days with dear friends
hours of chatting, eating, laughing
long walks in our neighbourhood
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 28, 2007
PISA tests
Pardon my bragging... I've written from time to time about how Finland's education system has been well-recognized for its excellence in many areas - reading, music, math and sciences. This has been confirmed by the international PISA tests such... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 4, 2007
a snowy weekend
The first and second days of December brought us the first major snowfall of this winter thanks to a cold front from the Yukon. The brightness and whiteness was lovely while it lasted, putting us into the Christmas... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 2, 2007
the morning after
Some areas of southwest British Columbia had their first snowfall of the season late yesterday! No snow in our area though, sadly....
[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 27, 2007
long weekend storm
The Remembrance Day long weekend in British Columbia turned into an unforgettable one, weather-wise. A large area of the province from the coast to the interior was hit by a powerful storm, from Sunday evening until Monday afternoon. Falling... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 13, 2007
PEACE
Remembrance Day makes me angry...
[Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on November 11, 2007
Seven years and Thanksgiving
The amazing wood s lot is 7 years old, and that's a lot in blog years! In addition to his ever rich cornucopia, for the past few months Mark has been posting his own beautiful photos of his home... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 6, 2007
away and back
We've been away for a few days' trip to the beautiful Saanich and Victoria areas of Vancouver Island, visiting friends and family. Most important for us was to spend some time with my elderly uncle and aunt. Because... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on October 1, 2007
forest in our backyard
About two weeks ago, I made a long overdue first visit with some of my family (who'd been there before) to the very popular, though awkwardly named Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve located in the North Shore mountains behind... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 25, 2007
rocks bearing fossils
Eight years ago, when I had an exhibition of my works in a gallery in Edmonton, Alberta, my husband and I decided to deliver my framed works by car and make this journey into a bit of a... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on September 21, 2007
oil spill
For over a week now, we've been appalled over an environmental disaster that occurred in the Greater Vancouver area. Last Tuesday, July 24th, there was a huge oil spill in Burnaby, a suburb just east of Vancouver, on the south... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on July 31, 2007
another storm
The west coast continues to have numerous windstorms, making for an unusual number this fall and winter. On Friday (January 5th) we had snow in some areas, including ours. That night a short but powerful windstorm caused another power outage,... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on January 7, 2007
The Big Storm
Our internet is finally back tonight after three days down, so now I can let you know what excitement we've had here! We've experienced the worst windstorm in the 30 plus years we've lived in the Vancouver area. Of three... [Continue Reading...]
Posted by Marja-Leena on December 17, 2006