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Wildlife on the Doorstep

Our weekday home in the city has good fortune.

Our main floor unit faces South and is protected by a reasonably attractive fence. But what is most delightful – the variant species of animals that take in this environment as their own. They sense the protective and attractive foliage here. The bamboo, the red maple, the rhododendron in purple-flowered glory, the creeping vines and small shrubs……and especially all of the flowering annuals like the bright red-coat geraniums and the perennial grasses that my dear wife plants in the fresh loam laid down by a professional gardener.  This sunny venue brings a full range of creatures, on foot or on wing into our lives.

The small song birds come daily to sample the seeds in the feeder and to drink a little from the fountain, making sure to take a good bath in the cool fresh water. They flit back and forth from the trees, always alert to possible danger but enjoying this little oasis. Big birds, especially crows also drop by for a drink from the fountain on warm days. They, like their smaller winged cousins at times will linger on the top of the wooden fence, probably thinking “I need to remember this place, I will be back!”. One grey-brown squirrel hangs out here as well, also drinking occasionally. And, a beast often thought of as an awful urban pest, the racoon, stealthily enters the yard at night and even in the day.  Interestingly, a great big one was preening on our big mat on the stone patio this morning, and when I chased it away, within 15 minutes he returned, this time very specifically to have a drink from the bottom of the fountain.  He did so while starring me right in the face!  He clearly was thirsty beyond any half-hearted fear he might hold. But his drinking was just a start…..the next night, I heard a smash on the patio, and there was the racoon beside a tipped and broken owl, a wise planter now done.

Despite his mischief, the racoon cannot ruin the small pleasure……wildlife on the doorstep!

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Spring Rebirth and Older Ages

We are very fortunate that spring is fresh and damp and beautiful in Vancouver.

It is stunning to see mixture of rain clouds and sunny skies, the profusion of flowering plants from humble crocuses, to vibrant forsythia, to majestic dogwoods and magnolias, to the splendor of cherry blossoms and unfolding weeping willows and sturdy oaks.  The eyes and the nose are given the full melody of colours and aromas, while the ears wish they could hear better so the sounds of explosive blooms and unfurling leaves could be sensed!  Like the seasons of life for all living things, the face of nature in our communities is to be marveled about, to champion and to revere. The spawning of new life or new energy that comes every year is one of the true miracles of our experiences here and around the world. With this magical symphony of renewal, it is easy to forget about the beauty of ageing.

Today I wrote a poem for an old friend who will be celebrated by his family in early May upon the occasion of his 80th birthday.

I have had the privilege and pleasure of knowing this special person for about 52 years.  He has lived a very interesting life, full of classical philosophy, full of railroads, full of classical music, full of adventures and full of lovely family. He has come through the hallways of hospitals, the profound severity of coronary artery disease, and the near-death experience of arrhythmia. He has surprised everyone with a special kind of resilience and stamina.  He has shown the “springs” of these 80-odd years in all that he has pursued. He has brought renewal and freshness just like a Vancouver April. He is at the same time, larger than life itself. He has taught many what it means to be youthful in physical being and in soulfulness.

Thanks Richard for the many memories.  I trust that your 80th birthday will be one for the ages….. It is so appropriate that your birthday is in May, as you are part of what spring should be like.

 

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English Bay Today

Dear blog…I have been away from you for some time.  Just been so busy with so many things…..not enough time to reflect.  Today I had a little time…..

I had lost my poppy the other day, so needed a new one. Remembering all those soldiers who have sacrificed for our country is so important. It was a little amazing how sparse the sources of poppies was in our neighbourhood.  Finally found them at Shoppers Drug Mart! So I got two, one as a backup! One of them went immediately on my Canucks scarf, proudly out front for the world to see.

Then down to English Bay for a sit down and a walkabout. It is so beautiful today…..warm sunshine in open skies, light breezes and cool but gentle air. I sat for a while looking out towards the north shore mountains.  They are sitting too, calmly waiting for snow and the skiers and boarders that will bring. The Bay was filled with tankers, at least a dozen, in their little askew pattern. Nearby there were numerous small sail boats anchored in the beautiful backdrop of of Vancouver. And out toward Spanish Banks a good-sized regatta is underway. A few small clouds hover over the mountains and Point Grey. Seagulls rise and fall in the wind, they too enjoying this glorious fall day.

A little of everything is going on…….chatters, walkers, runners, cyclers, tennis enthusiasts, children and families at the swings, dogs prancing, waves rushing forward, kite surfer hurtling, and people paused by logs and benches to embrace the peace or two talk about life with friends.  Children running hither and thither on the beach always provide eruptions of energy and wild careening with little friends. Old tree stumps sit quietly, a mere shadow of a day when they would have been part of a majestic tree. They deserve attention too. A few 2-person volleyball matches are playfully underway, while on empty courts the occasional gull uses a post as a perch to find an off-chance meal.

Indeed, it is a wonderful place on a wonderful day.

English Bay mirrors the greatness of this coastal clime and the civil society in which we live. One cannot ignore how grateful and peaceful being in the milieu makes one feel. Sooner than later I must return…..

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Days of Summer

The weather in the Left Coast has been exceptional this spring and summer.

And, of course, here in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere of this earth, we enjoy long days of sunshine and light.  The sublime early sunrises and late sunsets are good for the energy and activities of recreation, hobbies and spiritual renewal. The days allow one to get a lot of work done but still have much time for favourite pastimes and creative journeys.

For us, it has been a summer of renovation.

Our home is in the late stages of revitalization. A complete gutting of the main floor, a literal raising of the ceiling into a great vault, a new kitchen with spacious island, shiny appliances, and new colours to make the heart arouse. The new book shelves in the den-living room will allow us to put out many fine volumes that are hidden in boxes or stuffed away out of sight until now. A new high resolution television screen will visualize the best of football, golf, hockey, nature, movies and special moments. My dragons are re-emerging from boxes to sit on guard of our home in a quiet, stately and elegant way. The new sense of space in the rooms makes breathing seem easier and the air more easily inhaled. These changes are complemented by new flooring throughout, bright hews of yellow, blue, orange, white and grey to lift the eyes and the soul.

The outside of the house will be painted soon too, a fresh white with grey trimmed.  An uplift!  And the doors all will have been replaced with tighter fitting, more attractive versions, from screen doors, to wood and glass. And the lower level will soon also have new flooring, a new bathroom and a general uplift too.

Meanwhile, it has been a big golfing summer.

I have golfed more holes than any previous year. It has been much fun with buddies from Beach Grove and elsewhere to pursue the good times of birdies, pars, bogies and double bogies. There are many jokes, many playful insults and a little praise here and there.  Golf is a super way to exercise the body, exorcise the soul, and connect with nature……..hawks, eagles, pines, poplars, flowers, grasses, cat tails, water, ducks, geese, herons, squirrels,  and one some courses, deer, coyotes, and occasional nutria can be seen.

We have had many dinners this summer with family and friends.  They just seem to keep coming.  These feasts are beyond our usual number. Celebratory in many ways, but mostly to celebrate life and good cheer.  All of these calories mean keeping up those early morning personal training sessions and walking four miles as many times per week as possible on the golf courses rather essential to homeostasis.

And, in amongst all of the recreative activities, there is the stimulation of science with my colleagues.

We are pushing hard on our biomarker development programs, and it seems that investors are noticing our quality and capabilities with a new level of enthusiasm and engagement.  I anticipate much progress as we head towards the late summer days.  More chances for innovation and help for patients and healthcare providers.  It is a passion, a calling, we must relentlessly seek.

Days of summer are fresh.  They are full in all wonderful ways.  Thanks.

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Canada days….and nights

Yesterday was Canada Day 2018.

It was a great day. Early golf with Janet at McCleery, a little rest and a sort of wild movie at the local theatre. The day became more and more fair as the hours went by. It was truly another gorgeous day by the sea.

Today is not officially Canada Day, but it is a day when Canadians take a little vacation. And the weather cooperated once again. (We have had many, many beautiful days this spring and early summer.) We got going slowly and then went to the driving range to sharpen up our games. And, then a stop-off at the nursery to find a few plants for Janet’s patio garden.  Quite an assortment came with us in the car, including a great tomato plant that may deliver a number juicy fruits in the weeks ahead.

With these Canada Day celebrations and pauses, it is good to think about all of Canada’s days….and nights. As history as evolved, we as Canadians have been fortunate to have a cultural make up that is largely sane, sensitive and kind. The world has had many twists and turns. There have been many moments of peace, and many, many wars and conflicts. The nature of human beings has fostered conflict.  It has fostered a number of brutal events.  Many people have died through these conflicts, both in the armies and in the civilian populations. We really do have trouble “learning” from the conflicts.  We allow megalomaniacs to gain power, to make decisions, to rule in such a way that sensibility and compassion are lost. After each major conflagration, we reset, but we never truly learn as a species.

Canada is a small bubble of humanity.

We are a people with bigger ears than mouths.  We are people with bigger hearts than testicles. We are people with bigger souls than muscles. We are leaders in understanding diversity, equity, equality, inclusiveness, and rectification. With all of the turmoil, the bad examples, the rapid-fire media, the “me” syndrome, and the desire for predominance by self-absorbed leaders in this world, we must stand on guard for Canada.  We must maintain our values.  We must love and respect each other and all of the other vulnerable peoples on this planet.  We must make all days…..and nights a reflection of the best of Canada.  Be engaged.  Push for what is right. Be civil. Hug your neighbours.  Hug your children.  Hug your spouse. Hug people who are strangers. Laugh out loud.

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Brock and Brooke and Bernstein and Bountiful

Hi blog!  It has been a little while since I lengthened you with a few thoughts.

I hope you have been fine in my absence. A few interesting things have transpired that make the heart fly.

Last week, Alan Bernstein visited our community as the 2017 Friesen Prize Laureate.  Among the activities Alan participated in, there were a couple of trainee roundtable sessions.  I organized the one at St Paul’s Hospital site. It included 14 trainees from all over the city, from a range of scientific disciplines, who were of a full spectrum of ethnic groups, states of health and genders. They gave glorious short presentations and provide great discussion with Alan in each instance.  It is the kind of session that makes one know that the world will go forward just fine when these young people have a chance to fully develop and lead.

The science trainees each have their own story – how they became a science trainee, what their life-journey has been, what their deepest aspirations, inspirations and anxieties might be. For sure they have learned, they have grown, they are on a bountiful path to excellence, one that will benefit them, science as a whole, and our society.

These trainees are not really different than two other young stars who were busily performing this week and weekend. Brooke Henderson was plying the brisk winds of the Bahamas at the first LPGA event of the year.  She pressed forward well, and was leading or tied fhe lead well into the final round.  A stumble here and there kept her from the winner’s circle, but not from another top 10 finish.  While she will not be happy with that finish, Brooke has so much to be thankful for and happy about.  She is a solid Canadian kid, just a kid because she is only 20 years of age. She has a great family, mother, father, sister! There is much love in that family.  There is much support.  Brooke has developed her natural talent on that backdrop. She has built a runway to excellence in golf and life based on the supports around her and her own growing depth of character. She will do well this year.  The year will be bountiful, and she will magnetize many young children to the game of golf, and especially to being grateful and decent.

Then there is Brock! This weekend, Brock Boeser came to the NHL All Star festivities as a rookie….another 20 year-old, a rookie in the best ice hockey league in the world. He came with his family from a little town in Minnesota to the glitz and glamour of Tampa Bay and Amalie Arena. He then proceeded to outshine many other stars.  He dramatically won the shooting accuracy competition, indeed breaking one of the electronic targets with his heavy wrist shot.  This win alone just blew observers away.  So much so, that stars like Sidney Crosby made a specific point of going over right away to introduce himself to Brock and have a chat.  This happened over and over throughout the two day event. When the semi-final games were played on Sunday, Brock continue to shine.  He scored the winning goal on a beautiful shot to the right upper corner of the net, and then provided a goal and assist in the final game. He did all of his with incredible humility and quiet presence. When the voting for the MVP of the event was finished, the winner was Brock Boeser by a large margin.  He humbly skated up to receive this recognition.  Apart from the financial bonuses and the car Brock receives because of these achievements, it is most exciting and fulfilling to know that his young man from rural Minnesota, who has lost several family members and friends in recent years can achieve what he does without fanfare and hubris.  He is bountiful, but also beautiful.

May we always reach for the beauty of trainees, of developing scientists and athletes, in a way that emphasizes the paramount importance of “goodness”, of humanity.