Yes, we’re getting out and hiking and rambling, but always just the two of us, with our masks and our sanitizer. And we stay within a near radius.
Category Archives: Society
Unpacking Folk Songs?
Salmonella Killing Pine Siskins – Please Remove Feeders
Yumi found this dead Pine Siskin yesterday. She picked it up using a plastic bag, and buried it.
She found it near the Green townhouse complex on Southridge Dr. in SE Burnaby, not far from Taylor Park Elementary School.
It exhibited the symptoms of salmonellosis — emaciated, discharge at mouth, etc. Do not touch birds with bare hands, this can spread to other species.
When Your Product Sells Itself
Our consummately professional and constantly bantering Toyota saleswoman contacted us to wish us a happy new year and let us know that she’d love to discuss new-car-smell options with us .
We have a RAV4 Hybrid, and it’s been a solid vehicle with a combo of AWD, phenomenal pep, super gas mileage particularly in town where the electric drive gets the most use, and perfect reliability.
Just out of curiosity we asked about the RAV4 Prime, a plug-in hybrid version that can run on electricity only for about 70km before the hybrid gas/electric system kicks in.
She laughed and said, “you can give me a deposit on a RAV4 Prime today, and you can expect delivery in two to three years.” She wasn’t kidding. . .
Cold, Rainy Day in Steveston, BC
It was a cold, rainy day in Steveston, BC. I don’t think we’ve ever seen it this deserted, though several restaurants were open.
I love the continuing work to preserve much of this heritage area. Kudos to the City of Richmond, eh?
Not a soul in sight
A lonely rose in Obachan’s Garden
The #16 Raygun ready to repel Martian attack 🙂
Green roof with free fertilizer
Paul Loaded for Action with Photo Gear
Running some backups tonight I ran across this photo.
Edmonds City Fair in #Burnaby in 2018. I was hired as the event photographer, and my friend Lori Geosits saw me and got this shot of moi loaded with gear.
A couple of Nikon DSLRs with short and long zoom lenses, and a belt pack full of flash units and extra batteries.
It will be great to have such events again some day. Stay safe, folks. . .
Photo credit Lori Geosits. Thanks!
Rights, Anti-Maskers, and Deniers
Some time ago I wrote about the increasing polarization in society between those who understand the need to hunker down and follow the recommendations of health authorities, and those who are getting increasingly irrational about imaginary abuses of their “rights.”
As I surmised back then, that polarization is increasing, and more people are acting out, threatening fellow citizens, and our entire health-care system.
I am not an expert in constitutional law, nor am I a scientist, or a doctor. But I respect people who have dedicated decades of their lives to education and research.
Conversely, I have decreasing patience for adults who refuse to listen, refuse to learn, and refuse to behave in ways respectful of the health and well-being of their fellow citizens.
There is overwhelming evidence that Covid is real, and that it kills. And that it kills and seriously sickens not only the elderly. Those who survive it carry scars both physical and emotional that could last their entire lives.
So how is wearing a mask in public spaces such a horrific imposition?
I am tired of folks testing, stretching, and bending the rules. When in doubt follow the precautionary principle, not “can I get away with this” childishness.
If your group activity, be it sports, be it religion, be it whatever, is not on a list, just assume the better choice would be to use caution and stay within your family, or your small bubble.
“Well, gee, we didn’t see dodgeball for 50-to-55-year-olds on the list, so we thought it was OK,” just doesn’t cut it, eh?
Don’t turn on Dr. Henry. I see more posts along the lines of loving her in March, but hating her now. How the heck is that logical? She has little control over where this is going, especially if we can’t follow the rules.
And give her, and all the scientists and health-care professionals working on this some space. I know it drives some people crazy that science and medicine is constantly shifting. That advice changes. That recommendations and regulations change.
But that’s how it works. You trial something, you see the results, you trial again. . .
Yes, we’re tired. Yes, we’re stir-crazy. Yes we miss family and friends.
I haven’t seen an 88-year-old aunt since March, though she lives a five-minute drive away. We talk at least every week on the phone. Sad, but that’s the current situation.
Can we please keep on keeping on, and stay safe?
UPDATE (Dec. 12, 2020): I submitted this to the Burnaby Now as an opinion piece and it was published today.
I Will Miss Longmire
It had right-wing pro-gun folks.
Emulate Your Grandmom’s Generation For a Few Weeks, Eh?
In these tough Covid times, let’s remember that our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents went through wars, destitution, starvation, and starting new lives literally living in holes in the ground in what is now western Canada.
Too many of us have no clue about the sacrifices made by so many to get us to where we are today.
There was no telephone, for most no radio, no TV, of course no Internet, no cell phones. . .
And no grocery stores or supermarkets. So what are we all bitching about?
Fireworks Irritate Neighbours, Freak Out Pets, Leave a Mess
Sigh. Fireworks aftermath in Ron McLean Park in south #Burnaby.
This disregard for the ‘hood has been going on for years every Halloween.
Not only do these inconsiderate folks irritate the neighbourhood for hours, freak out pets, and terrorize wildlife, they always leave a mess behind.
Enough.