Saturday June 16, 2012

Saturday June 16/12 update

Bella was supposed to be visited by a neighborhood family to learn some English around 11:00. and Rosa, our cleaning lady, came to join in with her five-year-old precocious daughter Carolina.  Carolina was born in New York and therefore has a pretty decent command of the English language.   She sure enjoyed playing with the boys.  They laft about 11L25 as the other family hadn’t shown up and we didn’t think they would.

I was about to leave at 11:40 when 3 brothers from this family finally showed up so Bella helped them with their English lessons and had a few laughs over English indiosyncracies.

I left to go watch Mother Earth Festival celebrations at the Civic Plaza to watch some music, ethnic dancing, etc.   Bella joined me when she was done but she didn’t miss anything.  We did not see any dancing, just two sets of musicians, one Ecuadorian Spanish and one American gal named Sarah who sang in English (but also speaks Spanish) and was very well received.   There were several gringos walking the grounds during the afternoon and we did say Hi to a few.

Spanish singer               http://youtu.be/mdOicSGY2jA  http://youtu.be/ljGxc_-zsNc

Sarah                           http://youtu.be/4Gw7gKBHarU            http://youtu.be/kZtIKjlOqsc

Accordion player with a singer  http://youtu.be/dsBlp2LD9jI

We went home to change and then caught the #50 to go for supper at Joe’s Secret Garden (where Bella also plays bridge on Wednesdays) and I was under strict instructions from Joseph to bring my camera.  I am going to have to wangle some free meals for myself if I am going to do all this work for them.  It is one thing to take my own candids, because then I don’t really care if I miss a few faces or if I fluff a shot.   But to do it with expectations of full table shots, to do the processing, and then to have to send them full-resolution to Joseph, … well that becomes dreaded WORK.   I don’t mind his gushing over my pictures and saying that they have garnered lots of “Likes” on his Joe’s Secret Garden Facebook page, but I want a little tickle for my work.  Two freebie nights are enough.

The atmosphere at Joe’s is relaxed and friendly, exactly like being invited to a large supper at someone’s home and meeting their relatives and friends.  The food is always delicious and it is always a good night out.  We sat with Brian and Shelley from Calgary, Doug and Diana from Abbottsford, and Chris from Denver.   Garth and Orilla from Edmonton were at another table and Bella spotted another gal from Halifax.  The supper was Beef Wellington, a first for me, followed by key-lime pie, then another key-lime pie…  Bite me.

I had seen somewhere that Joe plays piano very well so I asked him to play a little and he acquiesced.  Here are 3 videos put together.   http://youtu.be/LJRDG5lBqH4

I will upload all the photos tomorrow as there are way too many.   I don’t have time tonight.

Enjoy the pics.    That was today’s excitement.    Hugs to all.