Remembering

Remembrance Day always makes me remember my father, Robert Rowan, who served in the Royal Canadian Navy, based out of Esquimalt, BC. He came back home in 1947 after serving 7 years.  He did not have a physical injury but I came to realize over time the toll those years took on his future life.  He mainly served in the Atlantic on a corvette escorting other ships back and forth across the Atlantic.  He was then moved to the Pacific Theatre after peace in Europe in May 1945 until discharged in 1947. Thank you Dad, I love you.

Remembrance brick for him in Victoria Harbour.

High School Friends Celebrating 50th

In the years following high school and university graduation, we were in the whirlwind of attending weddings of friends and siblings, one after the other throughout the spring and summer seasons. Now I am thrilled that so many of my friends are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversaries, having stayed together in spite of the divorce statistics.

Today is Janice and Jim's 50th and here are some pictures of that event from Janice's blog and my old album:

Janice and Jim, May 18 1968

Cec, Linda, Me (Donna), Kerry & Roger at the reception

Janice throwing the bouquet to her single girlfriends (don't remember who caught it)

Janice, Kerry and me a few years ago, still connecting!

Walk at Van Duesen Gardens

Susy and I spent about 75 minutes walking through parts of Van Duesen Gardens this morning to enjoy the gorgeous spring blossoms, like these:

Tulips:

Rhododendrons:

Indian Wedding Set Up

The ceremony and banquet tents were set up on the great lawn in preparation for an Indian wedding ceremony and reception later in the afternoon:

Absolutely Gorgeous Dogwood Trees:

Linda & Cec's 50th Wedding Anniversary

Spent a lovely Sunday afternoon at a party to celebrate the 50th "Golden" wedding anniversary of Linda and Cec, who were married on  November 4, 1967.  The party was held at the home of their daughter and son-in-law at their new home.  It was very well organized with a beautiful presentation of savoury and sweet foods, wine, and all the table settings such as napkins, place settings, cutlery having a "gold" theme. The TV had a rotating slide show of many happy occasions in the life of Linda and Cec, especially their many cruises.

I was happy to meet a few fellow classmates from high school at this event, where we shared memories of long ago and got caught up to date on the more recent years. I was a bridesmaid for Linda and enjoyed looking at the old wedding pictures and Linda's wedding dress which she can still get into!

Here I am in my bridesmaid dress which I made myself.  It is emerald green brocade.  I was so tiny then!

As one of the bridesmaids, I gave a bridal shower for Linda with the assistance of my mother, who was a close friends of Linda's mother, at our home.  It was a "Jobie" shower, with the girls from Bethel 23, South Burnaby.  Here is Linda with the traditional apron made with all the gift bows!

Spending my birthday with Neil

So I am another year older today, but much wiser after a year mainly spent taking care of Neil and his needs.  On September 2, 2016 he fell and broke his hip and was in hospital for four weeks.  He came out in a wheelchair, unable to walk.  Because the hospital discharge staff would not allow him to go into a rehab facility, Neil went into a care home.  He did not flourish there, so after five months there, I transferred him to the Weinberg Residence private care home. He is happy and content there and has wonderful companions, Emmy and Lanie. He partakes in the rehab exercise program nearly every day and enjoys the concerts and most of the meals.

I spent the afternoon with him, took chocolate cupcakes and he sang happy birthday to me. As usual he presented me with a box of Purdy's Chocolates, his favourites.

Our 45th Wedding Anniversary Today

Neil and I were married at Cecil Green Park at UBC on Monday, May 22, 1972.  Lots of changes since then. Here are a few memories:

Remembering Linda Today

Thinking of Linda, especially today on the third anniversary of her death. Many memories, both happy and sad.

Linda and I at University Golf Club

Linda with Mom and Dad - Graduation

from UBC Medical School 1976

Linda- high school graduation 1969

Panama Canal Cruise #3 - San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

Our third port of call was on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 to San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua.  Again, this port required tendering and because of rougher seas, it took a very long time and we were delayed over an hour meeting our tour bus on the dock.

Suzy and I chose to take a ship shore excursion called "Granada & Parque Central", which was  total of about 6.0 hours but four of those hours were spent driving two hours each way from the dock to Granada and back.  The drive was interesting - fairly lush landscapes, but Nicaragua is poorer than our other ports of call which was reflected in the buildings and roads.  The people are very nice and eager to please and are trying to encourage the tourist industry.

Our first stop was at Lake Nicaragua, a very large fresh water lake, and from its shores you can see the Mombacho volcano on the far shore.

Young boy playing

After that stop we headed to the city of Granada which has a rich colonial heritage, as can be seen in its architecture.

First stop was the San Francisco Covent in Granada which is now the City Museum.

San Francisco Convent - this is a façade only, the buildings behind do not match

Interior Museum behind the façade with paintings depicting the history of Nicaragua

Interior Courtyard of the Museum

Pre-Columbia stone statues part of the museum

Close up of one statue

Next we did a bit of a walk through the old city, looking at the old buildings, cathedrals,

Cathedral Granada - one of the most prominent buildings in the city

A worker is restoring the ceiling painting

Parque Central - town square with, the cultural hub, with local artisans

Part of Town Square Folkloric Dancing

"Old Lady Dance"

Panama Canal Cruise #2 - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Saturday, March 18, 2017, we arrived at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, which required tendering to shore, a process which took some time. Suzy and I did not book a ship shore excursion but decided to hire an official taxi after much negotiation.  We particularly wanted to see San Jose del Cabo located about 20 miles south of Cabo and we were fortunate to have a very polite taxi driver who gave us a two hour tour.  We drove south through beautiful townhouse developments, hotels and homes, all richly landscaped and green.

The city of San Jose del Cabo has lots of 18th century colourful architecture, and was an artistic hub with many stores featuring good quality porcelain, jewellery, sculpture and paintings, as well as lots of cafes and restaurants.

Cabo's famous rock formations

Beaches enroute to San Jose del Cabo

San Jose del Cabo Church

Cabo San Lucas marina