Dutch Master

The headline today read "Dutch Master Artist Paints Airport Mural."  As headlines go, I suppose it lacks a certain wow factor, but it does contain the words 'Dutch Master.'  To be compared alongside the likes of Dutch maritime masters Jan Porcellis, Simon de Vlieger, Jan van de Cappelle, Hendrick Dubbels and Abraham Storck might be embarrassing for my modest friend Cecile, but those of us who know her and have seen her work and how diligiently she works at her passion ... we know she's one of a kind.

To view her work progress on the Nanaimo International Airport, go here.

Happy birthday, Cecile.

Could it be ... ?

There have been some signs of Spring around the Neuman homestead.  First, the endless rain has occasionally stopped for a day or sometimes two at a time.  Gasp!  I know, I know .. I feel that way every time it happens .. like I need to get outside and have a picnic or something crazy.  A few days ago, I saw a fat robin sitting atop one of our pergolas. 

 
And this morning, I went outside to take a picture of the rain and was met with an overwhelming fragrance from the wee flowers outside my door.  No idea what they are and I don't care ... they are like lily of the valley in that they are small with a fragrance as big as the outdoors.  They make ringing my doorbell a real pleasure as you wait for me to answer it. 

I turned around to see if anything else was looking springlike and sure enough .. the Pieris is about to go nuts.  We have a hedge of these in the front .. makes for a rather intense display.

We took a trip to Vancouver yesterday ... Bruce was seeing someone for his ongoing (and hopefully resolved) back issues ... and saw further evidence of Spring .. and how oddly flowerlike vegetables can be.

 For those of you whose lot in life is not caught up like mine, I thought I'd give you a picture that is something Islanders see often enough that it's commonplace.  For me, however, I still get a prairie girl thrill waiting for the ferry.

And finally, another street sign.  I know I usually post these separate, but this is the street that the ferry terminal sits and it falls within the Nanaimo's unusual street names meme that I've got going on.  This is Zorkin Road.  Apparently, Mr. Zorkin was a developer here in the city.  How his name came to be emblazoned upon this particular road, I've no idea.

Oyyyy

I should never try to design a website when my stomach is in turmoil.  Its a new item for my list of "bad things that can happen to good websites."  When better health returns the mind to its usual  state and a critical look at the aforementioned website is made ... it cannot fare well.  In addition, I've been looking at the Oscar's "worst-dressed" list for 2011.  I think my previous March theme might have made that sort of list!

Here is it, cleaned up.  Hope you enjoy.

Talked to my dad today.  His surgery on Monday went well and feeling he's pretty excellent.  Said the outside has healed and although he's walking a bit gingerly still, I did catch him out and about at the grocery store.  Hernia surgery scheduled for the 17th, so he's a happy camper.

March . Surprise!

March has come in whimpering.  I think Bruce would probably say it's me and not the month.  In addition to catching me off-guard and flat-footed with regards to my website makeover, the first days of March see me with a unsettling case of stomach 'flu.  Weather-wise, we've been enjoying much better temps than those of you in Alberta.

I'm going to be adding a batch of links below .. some more web comics and one 'journal.' It's written from the perspective of a feudal Japanese woman.   I've been reading the back issues and I have no idea where the story is going, but its been an interesting read so far.  Just click on the picture below to go to the site.

In other news, Bruce's Huliguns are practicing now for a Crazy Eight Race around Protection and Newscastle Islands.  This is an outrigger race in our home harbour and yet  Bruce has not yet finished the race. The first time, his team came a bit too close to shore and waves washing back from the shoreline dumped his team over into the frigid waters.  Last year, his ongoing back troubles prevented him from competing so he's determined to get it done this year.  Timed runs are now underway .. this is srs bsns!