Crabbing, Galleries...and coming to the end of Spring Break

True to our word we revisited the Jericho pier to attempt to catch some crabs.

Went down to Canadian Tire on Thursday only to find, to my dismay, the crab trap we had wanted (the one we saw everyone else using) was sold out! Not to be deterred we bought a slightly different one. It's small and cheap ($15). Got some crab line to go with it and returned home to get the kids ready for adventure. Of course it was pouring down. It's Spring and this is Vancouver, what more can one expect? But we were not going to let a little bit of rain prevent us from catching a crab..oh no! So we set out on our wet walk to Jericho beach. Nicky on his scooter...and Bronwyn, for a short while. River dragging along behind with his umbrella. And we got there, a little bedraggled, but ready to go.
Stopped off at the grocery store for some chicken drumsticks. I think most crab catchers use chicken neck or something like that...probably something that's gone a little off. Our crabs were going to get chicken drumsticks. It's all they had. So we bought a pack and made the rest up for dinner later on.
 

There were only a few fishers on the pier. Obviously some people had been put off by the persistent rain. We found a place to attach our line and, after considerable arguing among the kids...well, me as well (dammit...I wanted to cast off first. It was MY idea and I was the one who went to get it). Mike looked disapprovingly as I argued with the kids about why I should get the first go...and then sulked for a second because Nicky won the argument. I was still whining, "We should at least toss a coin!" as Mike (very maturely) handed the trap to Nicky and he cast it into the water (bloody kids...they get to do everything first!). My argument is that just because we are adults it does not mean we have forgone everything about being a kid. And it's good for kids to see that adults are not completely removed from the fray of competition. Well, that's my justification for childish behaviour...and, well, so there!

Of course there was a great deal of negotiation about who cast off and who got to pull the line...a few "it's not fairs"...and some reprimands...but it was fun AND we did catch a few small crabs. Pulled them up and then released them and watched them skittle sideways along the dock, a little stunned by their abrupt change in circumstance. Nicky and Bronwyn knew how to pick them up; we examined them closely, their pointed crab legs waving helplessy and little pissed-off hissing and clicking sounds coming from their mouths, feelers spinning around, then they gently put them back in the water. ("Back to be with their families" as Bronwyn liked to put it). In between casting out the trap and waiting, the kids played along the pier and dug holes in the sand. After all, the holes aren't just going to dig themselves.

Other fishers on the beach let the kids touch the big craps that they caught. The atmosphere in general is one of friendliness and fun.

It was a lot of fun, even in the rain. We only quit because we were feeling cold. It's something we'd definitely do again.

The following day, Friday, River had asked to go to daycare. I decided to take Bronwyn and Nicky downtown. Again, it was another day of pouring rain and, again, we refused to let that stop us from getting out and having fun. We got the bus downtown and headed for Pacific Centre Mall for a look around. Neither kids spend much time in malls (and, as I think I've mentioned before, they are my idea of hell on earth...after the zombie apocalypse), but it was fun to look around. We got Bronwyn a couple of things from H&M; so cheap that I question the point of going to Value Village (where I usually buy all the kid's clothes). Then we stopped off at the Apple store to play on the ipads and, finally (all part of my cunning plan), we went to the Vancouver Art Gallery. There is a great Lawren Harris exhibition on right now. As well as photography and a movie by Edward Burtynsky. The kids enjoyed themselves. They were especially transfixed by an video installation consisting of a guy digging his own grave (Derek Brunen's "Plot"). They sat for quite a while watching this video, asking all kinds of questions and speculating on the whys and wherefores of the project. Finally, they just lay down and watched for a while. I am always interested in kid respond to art. They don't have any of that self-consciousness of adults, worried that they don't 'get' it...or trying to sound knowledgeable. They just respond. And they seemed to like this one. Other stuff they had mixed feelings about.

This was a plain, "I don't get it"...though they did like it.

 

They spent most of their time watching a movie by Edward Burtynsky; a behind the scenes look at how he captured the photographs of the exhibition, "China", "Shipbreaking", and "Urban Mines". They sat quietly for more than half an hour watching images of large-scale manufacturing in China. The shipbreaking in Bangladesh; men wading up to their knees in oil as they pull apart oil tankers that have begun to fall apart on the shore. And children rummaging through vast poisonous garbage mountains looking for stuff to recycle. It was not lost on me that they paid more attention to anything that was represented on a screen. Having said that, Bronwyn was very interested in the Lawren Harris paintings. Going through at a children's pace (like butterflies, flitting from one thing to the next) made we want to perhaps revisit without kids and spend a little longer looking around.

We took the bus back home via the library (and the pet store; to look at fish) where the kids spent a long time looking for an old cartoon call 'The Point" by Harry Nilsson, from 1971. I remember watching this as a kid and we borrowed it one time. Not sure what they like about it so much because it seems so dated.

Nicky went back to his mum's and Bronwyn and River spent the weekend with Mark. A quiet, intimate weekend for Mike and I, which was very good and relaxing; time to catch up with each other, and our reading (and some Game of Thrones). Just what was needed before the 'back to work/school' rush that starts on Monday.

Spring..err..back again!?

Yesterday turned out to be a good day. I had limited my expectations, as my last post suggested...but those were surpassed and we had fun. It was a lot colder than we anticipated, with a strong wind westerly wind nipping at our ears and cheeks. Clear skies and bright sunshine. We made our way to Jericho; River trailing along, but appearing to be in much better spirits, a little tired perhaps. We stopped off at various 'playgrounds'. A pile of gravel and a temporarily abandoned digger. Muffin Break and the lure of carrot cake and muffins. Then on to the beach, spending time attempting to climb trees, scrambling along fallen branches over the duck pond. Adventures in 'killing cattails' (cattails are Nicky and Bronwyn's arch enemies - another story); they busied themselves trying to destroy the remnants of cattails that surrounded the Jericho duck pond.

We walked further down the beach towards Spanish Banks and spent some time on the crab-fishing pier (as we call it). Lots of people out there; swinging out their crab catchers, baited with pieces of raw chicken, into the receding tide. I always wonder where crabs develop the taste for chicken. It is curious when you think about it. Why would a meal of chicken lure a crab into a trap? I know there's a good explanation for this, but I don't know if I want to know it. Preferring instead to ponder the possibilities of how crabs come to develop a taste for chicken. It is questions like those that entertain me during those empty moments we all experience now and then.
 

budding photographer

Mike and I decided that we should buy a crab trap. How expensive can they be? We could then return to the pier and catch our own crabs. Of course we would throw them back. Even the biggest crabs; the ones that are wrapped up and taken to be eaten, are not particularly big.

I have never eaten crab. I have always been put off by the boiling alive method of killing. Also, there is something a little barbaric about how people look when they eat crab; cracking the bones and digging out the flesh, their lips shining while butter drips down their chin. And there is the undeniable fact that crabs look like big ugly spiders - and not very appetizing to me. There is not much meat on the crabs caught around here anyway, so rather than eat them, we'd just throw them back - but it might be fun to catch them, especially for the kids. Nicky reminded us today that we need to buy crab traps...tomorrow.

Get the party started...

Spring break 2014. After a fairly relaxing weekend for Mike and I, we are getting ready to fill up spring break with entertainment. Or should we just relax and let the kids do what they want; which we know would consist of staring at screens for most of the 2 weeks. Like every modern-day parent, we have to fight the lure of the ipad/itouch/computer for the attention of our kids.

Bronwyn has become something of a reader. Proud at the speed with which she gets through a book. Her suggestion of things to do during the break was read. OK! She spent last night at her best friend, Izzy's, birthday party. I will get her soon and quite possibly have to listen to which girl was exclusive and which girl was being rude etc. At this age it seems that girls are very highly competitive and judgmental about each other...does that change? (rhetorical question).

The problem is getting River unglued from his ipad and, in particular, from the game "Plants vs Zombies". If permitted, he will play this game  non-stop. He will also talk about it non-stop - to anyone who will listen. It takes quite an effort to pull him away and coerce him into playing something else like Lego.

The rained poured down on Saturday and Sunday...it is March and this is Vancouver, no surprises there. Of course this scuppered our plans for a long walk and so, instead, we watched the final couple of episodes of True Detective. It was okay. A bit of an anti-climax. I am skeptical of all the hype, anyway. The characters are interesting, particularly Rust - the sub-plot is the oh-so-familiar hunt for a serial killer who is torturing and killing/raping women and children (is there really nothing else??). Stereo-types of dubious evangelic extremists groups. Wonderful scenery and sets. But no intriguing women characters. Apparently in this ground-breaking series they kept to all the formulaic traditions of a serial killer-detective show. Perhaps it was considered just TOO ground-breaking (the audience just isn't ready for it!) to write a role for a woman that wasn't as a dead person (carefully crafted dialogue and images that lead us to picture a rape and torture scene), a prostitute, or a nagging wife/girlfriend. This gets tiresome for me. So I was entertained as long as I could push these glaring defects off to one side.

After a Saturday spent lazing together, we went over to Trini and Lorne's for dinner and drinks. This felt incredibly grown up. We had a good time and it was great to catch up. They live 5 minutes away and yet we don't get together very much. I'd like to alter that pattern. We chatted and talked about this and that, entertained ourselves with their 3 cats (one of who is very shy), and commented on photos as they came up on the TV/computer screen-saver. It was fun. Mike and I, even after a year of living together, still consider ourselves a new couple; emerging slowly into the world of a dinners and outings with other people. We are both relatively quiet homebodies too - it has to be said. Sunday was another lazy day. Reading. I am reading "The In-between World of Vikram Lall", and thoroughly enjoying it. Mark brought the kids back after they spent the weekend with him. And now we begin.

Long Winter

Stefan was doing a little better yesterday. Quite sedated, but looking at us. A smile radiating now and then from his sweet little face; relaxed and laying on his back. All going well, he should be able to move to Canuck Place soon. Much needed respite for him and for his mum and dad.

We have had a couple of gorgeous Spring days. Summer is just around the corner. And happy birthday to my sister (May 1st). I'm looking forward to sharing a couple of drinks tonight. I hope she likes her present...there was self-interest involved.

A poem for Spring.

Long Winter

So much I've forgotten
the grass

the birds
the close insects

the shoot—the drip—
the spray of the sprinkler

freckles—strawberries—
the heat of the Sun

the impossible
humidity

the flush of your face
so much

the high noon
the high grass

the patio ice cubes
the barbeque

the buzz of them—
the insects

the weeds—the dear
weeds—that grow

like alien life forms—
all Dr. Suessy and odd—

here we go again¬—
we are turning around

again—this will all
happen over again—

and again—it will—


"Long Winter" by Timothy J. Nolan.

Writer's Almanac, April 1, 2011.

Spring Break cont...

Bronwyn log-walking at Robert's Creek

 Some catching up, mostly pictures: Bronwyn and I went to visit Laurie, Dave and Odelia in Robert's Creek last weekend. We had a lovely weekend. It's great for me to spend time with Laurie, we go back quite a long way and always have such a good laugh. In a bit of 40-something spontaneity, I had my nose pierced. Laurie had hers done the last time I was over and I decided to get mine done too. It is something I have often thought about. It hurt like hell, no question about that...but the pain didn't last long and I really like it. It's very small. Perhaps when it is healed I'll get a bigger stud put in. I figure I've got a few years to wear it before I get reach old age and it looks stupid. Bronwyn seems to like it too.

Windy day at Robert's Creek beach

Laurie and Odelia

My wonderful friend!

On Tuesday I took Bronwyn and Nicky to Chinatown. We had a blast. Half the fun for me is just watching and listening to the kids. Chinatown is full of strange smells and unfamiliar sights (to us, anyway). Nicky had been to Chinatown before, but it was Bronwyn's first visit. She was taken back by the sights and smells that we encountered; lots of live seafood, odd-looking (and smelling) produce and medicines (dried octopus anyone?).

They're alive!!!

Take your medicine

 She said she felt like puking and would definitely not be eating anything while we were there. She went a curious shade of green and so we decided to poke around shops selling souvenirs and bits and bobs instead.

We visited Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden. it's a tranquil and beautiful place in the middle of the bustling urban centre. The kids loved the garden. In fact I was a little surprised at their appreciation of the classical Chinese structures and the plants and trees. But why should I be? The garden is built to harmonize the four elements of rock, water, plants and architecture. The result is peaceful, balanced and affecting. I often underestimate children. I think we should visit when the plum blossoms are in bloom. Bronwyn and Nicky picked out koi fish and said, "I'm that fish, no copy". This is a strange competitive little game that Bronwyn and her pals play. I don't get it. But, hey ho, their world just keeps on getting more and more mysterious as they move further away and I blend into the background.

Looking for koi

Under the bridge

Entrance to the garden

The rest of the week was relaxed and playful. My mood has been a bit low, but all in all I have enjoyed this Spring break. I even finished a couple of projects. I'll post pictures next time. It has been wonderful to spend days with Bronwyn. I miss her now that she is in school all day. Speaking of which, I have no idea how we're going to get to school on time on Monday morning. Well, we won't...I know that.

Perspective...

There are signs of an early Spring all around our neighbourhood...such a mild January. It is lovely to see.

The extended weekend is over and it's business as usual. I am feeling okay, although I am still a bit sore; worrying and telling myself not to worry. I am trying to maintain some perspective. I've been thinking a lot about the people of Haiti, but I don't want to sound preachy or noble. The disaster has surely been on everyones' minds. It is difficult to fathom how people find the strength to carry on. A testament to the power of the human heart.

When things seem chaotic, I need to exert some control over my environment. So we made some improvements to our bedroom. It was a cold and unwelcoming room. The worse "feature" was the ugly, bent, and discoloured venetian blinds hanging on the window and the patio doors. The sticks that you use to open and close them had disappeared and also we couldn't lift them properly...in fact they weren't even doing a proper job as ugly venetian blinds. What did the world ever do to the Venetians that they had to inflict these blinds on us? (I think they might actually be a French Invention, so why blame the Venetians?). We replaced the one at the window and put curtains at the sliding door. We added a couple of wall hangings that we had stored away and the room is now much warmer and more welcoming.

While I am writing this post the CBC Radio 2 is playing Saint Seans Symphony #3 (the Organ Symphony). It is my favourite symphony and they are playing a wonderful recording done by the the Montreal Metropolitan Orchestra. One day I would love to hear the symphony live....in a cathedral, or somewhere that has a massive organ so that I can feel the vibrations through every cell in my body.

Today was business as usual. The morning rush-around accompanied by my ever more nagging and frustrated requests. These usually begin in a pleasant, dare I say, "singsongy" voice, "It's time to get your shoes on", but then quickly descend into a hardly suppressed yell, "Get your shoes on....now! I don't want to be late....again!!!" Blah blah. Why do we do it to ourselves? What is the rush?