Total Eclipse of the Brain

Sherry had been given an idea from Susan to view the eclipse using binoculars. Something about the big end and little end and focusing and....

It sounded easier than it turned out to be.

Apparently it's not all that easy aligning the sun with the big end of the binoculars.





Oh wait a minute, something is appearing now... or not.











"Ya dragged me out here for this?" asked our lawyer friend, BT Mendlebaum (disbarred) to no one in particular.












Meanwhile, our dedicated photo-journalist was staring at the sun using spectacles provided by BT Mendlebaum. Something about back-engineering. "It's a prototype," offered Mendlebaum. "I don't necessarily vouch for their authenticity. Still. What's the worst that can happen?"

"This can't be a good idea" said G.G. Blynn.

And still, in the interests of science, Jeem continued to view the eclipse, giving full commentary to a bunch of golfers who had stopped on their way to their next tee.













The landscape continued to darken as we approached eighty-three percent.

Shadows were softer. Birds sought shelter in the trees. And golfers were confused and started heading towards the club house.














At the full impact of the eighty-three percent eclipse, Jeem was done too.

He plans to volunteer at the CNIB just as soon as he gets his special cane. "It'll be a prototype," says Mendlebaum.

Photos by Jeem and Sherry MacDonald.

 Copyright 2017 by Jim Murray.

Cornerstone Café in Victoria's Fernwood Neighbourhood

Not so long ago we had reason to visit Victoria and we stayed in a neighbourhood called Fernwood. It's a wonderful part of the city that is outside the normal tourist hustle and bustle.















In advance, Sherry discovered the Cornerstone Café, across from the Belfry Theatre, and we all went one bright, sunny morning.

This is not a regular coffee shop, though one might not know without asking. Sure it's about coffee and reading and socializing... it looks like a coffee shop. It's story is something else.

Cornerstone Café is a social enterprise, which means its profits go to the Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group, a non-profit society committed to creating a socially, environmentally and economically sustainable neighbourhood.




Prior to 2005 the building itself was a neglected eyesore, boarded up and unused. Local activists decided to revitalize the building and the area, and to provide space for a café, artists and locally owned and operated businesses. Within a year the Fernwood NRG had purchased the Cornerstone Building and in another year the heritage building was renovated, including affordable family apartments on the second floor. The renovation addressed environmental sustainability by installing, among other things, a geothermal heat pump and that energy, from the ground below the building, provides 70 percent of the building's heat and hot water.

The Cornerstone Café is working towards creating zero waste in all that it does, and maintains proper recycling and composting. Customers are encouraged to bring their own mugs, or those dining-in are given proper mugs and cutlery.  If someone wants a to-go cup, it will be one that is readily compostable.

And finally: the coffee is pretty good too, though the cappuccino was too milky for our traditional tastes.








This wonderful café is a place where you can relax, meet friends and neighbours, take in music and special events, and discover community.

We should do this kind of thing more often and in more places.

Photos by Jeem. Copyright 2017 by Jim Murray.

Butchart Gardens in the springtime

We were in Victoria during the tulip season and while that floral burst is long gone, BT Mendlebaum suggested this post, mainly because she didn't get to join the rest of the gang at Butchart Gardens. 

Technically Butchart Gardens are in Brentwood Bay but over a million visitors each year seem to be able to find the place.












The gardens grew out of a quarry on Tod Inlet where the Butchart family had established a mining operation at the end of the 19th century. The limestone was exhausted in 1909 and the business of the gardens began. Slowly.










To this day, ownership of Butchart Gardens remains with the family. Tulips were the focus during our visit, but the Gardens are a delight anytime of the year.

Photos by Jeem. 

Copyright 2017 by Jim Murray.