have synchronized walks with other 43thingers and post pictures here

Everything I looked at today seemed to have been infused with the essence of autumn, in the best possible way. It was warm and sunny, but there was a definite feel.

I wore my green coat. I blew dandelions. I even found some premature leaf piles to crunch through while I was out.

I bought some spicy dark chocolate, unripe bananas, and 2 avocados (plus a steel ruler and some mechanical pencils for Wednesday’s class).

I looked at the books the street vendors of literature had put out along the bridge, but all the ones I would have wanted I already had.

It’s almost time to curl up with good books and hot chocolate and knitting. And maybe a few new goals. I’ve documented well over 100 walks here in the last half a year, and I still will from time to time.

I’ll stop in…

One thing that arises from a 9 week garbage strike (other than a multitude of different bugs and beasts) are strange, silent snapshots of your neighbors quirkiness as you walk past it all.

In my head I make up stories about rejected jellybeans, copious French ticklers and the guy who obviously lives solely on Boost and pizza.

And the wasps? The wasps found their heaven.

Markus got off work early today, so we drove out to New Westminster to wander, but the trails out there were closed, so we headed to town instead.

I was sad to see that the old pub that I used to go to with Jojo before (to study) or after (for a celebratory pint) one of our classes out there together has just been torn down. There are so many changes happening everywhere, not all of them welcome either. I’m quite fond of old pubs.

We walked up and down the main drag (on Columbia) & stuck our noses into various shops and thrift stores before stopping off for take out Chinese food & heading back home again.

I was a little horrified when I realized on the way home what I’d taken a photo of (the pink thing hanging on a wall, middle right). I don’t know which is worse – not recognizing it right away (I was thinking “a Barbie hairbrush?”), or the fact that I took a close macro shot of it. Ew.

We zig zagged around the main strip and Gastown, tucking walks into our time out between the skytrain, the pub and a movie. (more under comments)

I look forward to the smell… I love the way fall smells.

But they’re a little rarer now.

The pink was cheery – as was the fact that one of the flowers was wearing a feather boa. O’ such glamour!

Today I pummeled the sloth-monster that has thwarted my walking plans for the last few days. I gave it the remote and made a run for the door.

September. That time of year when summer flits in and out of view and it’s best to give chase. The skies were so blue today – not even thinking about clouds.

We took a good long walk around the park and neighbourhood.

Tonight, after a day full of many steps in many places, we had a wonderful family wander along Crescent Beach at sundown.

With barely a fingernail of a moon, the stars came out brightly as the water sounds massaged our minds with leisurely lappiness. Beautiful.

Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city,
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
How can you lose? The lights are much brighter there…

It was good to get out and stretch the old gams today.
I was in search of organic bananas and wasn’t disappointed. After storing a bunch of the magic yellow fruits under the stroller, we took a good long wander around the Drive, through several parks and playgrounds, and up and down newly discovered blocks.

Isak insisted on pushing the stroller a good deal of the way, which probably contributed to his lengthy nap.

I saw leaves turning.
Turning and falling.

I just remembered why it’s nice to take lots of flower pictures.