Happy New Year!!!

The day after Christmas was, as to be expected, quiet.  Stores were open, of course, but you know stores are the last place in the world I would be on the day after Christmas!.  I did go to the gym  (Christmas day is the only day that the gym  is closed), and by midday it was actually warm  enough to enjoy some pool time.  I've got to take advantage while I can; won't be here too much longer.

Tuesday and Wednesday were the by-now routine of gym, brunch and bridge, and, as always, visiting with friends.  And Thursday,  it was good bye Palm Springs

and hello rainy, wet, cold Pacific North West.
Friend Pellham  and his son Nick were at the Bellingham Airport to pick me up after a non-eventful flight, and we headed back up to Steveston for Chinese.  You know, I never eat seafood where I can't see the water, and never (or almost never) eat ethnic food outside of Vancouver, or maybe Seattle, and I was craving spicy crab!  It was a great meal, and a good time was had by all.

That was Thursday.  By Friday, I was in the office, doing what I came up here for - making money!  And yes, I did have to go in on Friday - I had forgotten my password, if you can believe it, and had to cath the Board's help desk before all the IT folks went off for the long weekend.  It was, of course, quiet in the office, so I did manage to get some work done.  And had a nap too.

For those of you who have never seen it, this is the infamous green sofa, which goes from work place to work place, and allows me to power nap!

I did duck out early, and tried to catch a movie with friend Donna.  We went to see Sherlock Holmes, but, I am sorry to say, walked out after 20 minutes and went for a drink instead.  It was just too silly!

I realize that I haven't said too much about what I've been reading.  (Yes, among all the other activities, there is reading!).  Of course, I read the New Yorker every week, as well as the National Standard, a right wing rag passed on to me by Art (In Vancouver, there is the Economist, passed on by friend John)  It is actually the rational right, and I enjoy reading it.  I'm also reading a few books about the desert, recommended by friend Bill, and just finished The Historian, a book about finding Dracula (of all things) which held me rapt.  On a more serious note, just finished a book called Sleeping with Enemy, about Coco Chanel and her Nazi exploits, and am about half way through the newest book about the Dreyfus affair.  Also on the go is Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged.  All in all, quite eclectic, wouldn't you say?  By the way, when I say "reading", I use the term loosely.  I read regular books, of course, but also listen to books on my I-Pad, while walking or at the gym or knitting.  And then there is my newest toy, the Kindle.  I love it, and don't feel the least bit guilty about all those book stores closing.  I still buy more books than most, and the convenience of downloading books the minute you read a review in a newspaper or magazine means I read more than ever.  I'm loving it!

So, that brings us to today, which was cold cold cold, but at least not raining.  A leader of a running group in Steveston died last week, and in her honour, we decided to go for a walk/run.

Friends Kelly, Donna and Kathleen.

Japanese Bunk Houses, associated with the fishery, on the boardwalk in Steveston

Notice the cause of the traffic stoppage

Doesn't it just look cold?

...but beautiful!

just a seagull, but I couldn't resist the view!

And, of course, the wildlife!

As you can see, I'm getting into the swing of things.  Since I'm here already, I might as well have a good time.

I leave you with my new year's resolutions.  I am trying to remember that every one has a back story, and that everything is not always about me.  I will try to listen to what has not been said, and to try to be as good a friend as I can be.  Play it forward is now a trite thing to say, but it is still a good concept; I really do believe that if one casts one's bread upon the waters, they shall come back as sandwiches.

So, once again, best wishes for the new year.  I know it is hard to make comments on this blog site, but please email me and let me know what you guys are doing.  And, either in Vancouver or Palm Springs, there is a spare room here with your name on it!