Fog in Vancouver

For much of the past few weeks, the south coast has been dry, which is strange enough at this time of year. Stranger still is the enduring fog that has covered the region for days and days.


The fog has been heaviest especially in the early morning, and while we get an inkling of sun at midday, it seldom appears for long.









Years ago, possibly while in Grade 4, I read a poem in class that I remember to this day. It was not the first poem I had to read in school, but it was the first to appeal to me. It was different from the old, rhyming masters we had been reading and it opened a creative window of sorts for some of us: rules don't always apply, and images can be simple and powerful.



Fog

The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

During the past few weeks, the fog has come to our harbour and city, silently to be sure. It hasn't moved on. Yet.

Fog is by the American poet and writer, Carl Sandburg (1878 - 1967) and first appeared in his collection: Chicago Poems published in 1916. I'm not quite that old. 

Photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2013.

Jeem's United Way Adventure

So where in the world is Jeem these days? Apparently people are asking.









Since the end of August I have been seconded by my employer, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and my union, Local 704 of the BCGEU, to the workplace campaign of the United Way of the Lower Mainland.

I am one of a number of loaned representatives to the United Way, from a variety of organisations, like HSBC, UBC, Canadian Border Services, the City of Burnaby, and others, including KPU. My employer generously loans two people to the campaign for four months: one from faculty, and one from staff (that being me). In both instances, our respective unions are involved in the process. Because KPU pays us, the United Way gets the benefit of our work, at no cost, hence keeping their overall expenses down. In fact, among charities in Canada, the United Way has some of the lowest overhead costs, partly due to the loaned rep program.


And what in the world is Jeem doing these days?

Well, I call on a variety of "clients" and assist them with their workplace campaigns to raise money for the United Way. I have eleven accounts and most are with the Government of Canada: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Transport Canada, Statistics Canada, the Office of the Auditor General for Canada, etc. I have one agency outside the government, that being the City of North Vancouver, and I assist other loaned reps with their work at various locations throughout Metro Vancouver.

I work out of the United Way building in Burnaby, just across from BCIT on Canada Way. My work space is in an area called "the hive" and at times it buzzes with activity. At other times, many of us are out, calling on various work sites, and the hive is quiet.







On several occasions I have become Care-y, the mascot of the United Way. Care-y is a strange sort of costumed character and has been known to make some children laugh and others cry. It isn't easy being Care-y. I was Care-y for a City of Coquitlam event when the air temp was 28 degrees. Inside the costume it felt about 40 degrees. This was not a pleasant experience for Jeem.




I have difficulty wearing my glasses while inside Care-y, though that wouldn't help much as my eyes don't really line up with the "eye holes". Still, I get to meet other super heroes ... I get to shake hands with great kids, and ... I get to make automatic doors stay open ... all the time. It's one of the perks of being the mascot.





The United Way makes a world of difference throughout our region. Check out the website and take just a few moments to view our new video. We can make a difference. Change can happen.

Copyright 2013 by Jim Murray.

Forever Autumn

The summer sun is fading as the year grows old.
And darker days are drawing near.
The winter winds will be much colder,
Now you're not here.












I watch the birds fly south across the autumn sky.
And one by one they disappear.
I with that I was flying with them,
Now you're not here.





Like the sun through the trees you came to love me.
Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away.





Through autumn's golden gown we used to kick our way.
You always loved this time of year.
Those fallen leaves lie undisturbed now.
Because you're not here.














Like the sun through the trees you came to love me,
Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away.






A gentle rain falls softly on my weary eyes,

As if to hide a lonely tear.
My life will be forever autumn,
Because you're not here.








Words: from the song Forever Autumn by  Jeff Wayne, Gary Osborne and Paul Vigrass. The original song was sung by Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues, and it appeared on the album: Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. Released in 1978, it featured the voice of Richard Burton.

All photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2013.

Thanksgiving

One year ago, Sherry and I were having Thanksgiving dinner in Dawson City. Snow was in the forecast and it was already cold. An early winter, even for Dawson City, was at hand.















One year later and we are basking in the sun with temperatures reaching a balmy fifteen. It feels good to be here, and we are thankful.

Photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2012 and 2013.

Meinhardt ~ Vancouver Coffee Shops Part 8

At the busy corner of Granville and 14th Avenue, amidst upscale boutiques and restaurants, we find a rather fancy supermarket.





Meinhardt Fine Foods boasts some of the best olive oils in the city, a large take-out deli, along with all kinds of almost-unique items. Once a strong and thriving independent retailer, Meinhardt's is now a division of the Buy Low chain of stores, which in turn is a part of  The Jim Pattison Group, which also brings us Sun Rype juices, Price Smart Foods, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Save-On Foods, canned tuna and salmon by Gold Seal and Oceans, and much, much more.

Meinhardt's has a neighbourhood feel about it. People are friendly, especially the deli and coffee staff. It's not quite a Montreal deli, and the coffee shop seems an afterthought. Still, the coffee is good, though getting it served in a proper cup might be difficult. According to our barista, all the dishes, save a couple, have been broken, by her apparently.


The espresso is rich, foamy, and certainly adequate, and when it's served properly,in a cup, the cup has a German designation. What does that tell you?









There are better coffee shops, and possibly better delis, though I'm not sure where. But you're here now anyway looking for olive oil or balsamic something. So have a coffee already.

Photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2013.