Pleased To Meet You, Mrs Shark.

Our friend, Ken Kiefer, http://www.kenkiefer.com, captured me at play last month with this Oceanic Whitetip Shark off Cat Island in the Bahamas. He has made this image into digital art with some post image processing voodoo.

R.I.P. Braun Coffee Bean Grinder.

R.I.P. Braun Coffee Bean Grinder. Why you chose to suddenly die in mid grind this morning after 20 years of faithful service... we will never truly know? That's the new kid standing in your shadow. B&D will likely only last 10 days the way it is built. But, it will just have to do until we can find another quality grinder. Sayanora!

Some People Call Sharks Monsters. Some, But Not All.

Our friend, Ken Kiefer (http://www.kenkiefer.com), shares his lifelong sentiments about sharks. Thoughts and feelings that so many of us share. 

Kathryn Britnell Knows How To Make A Picture!

So proud of my wife, Kathryn! At the B.C. Association of Travel Writers Symposium today they held an on the spot food photo contest wherein attendees who wished could photograph their lunch and enter. Kathryn's entry was one of 3 winners chosen. She won for "Best Plate" presentation. A friend Kathryn had invited won "Best Platter" shot and someone else won for "Best Shot from The Prop Table."

"By The Time I Get To Bellingham" - An Evening With Jimmy Webb.

Still feeling completely gobsmacked to have met famed songwriter, Jimmy Webb, following his performance at Bellingham's Mount Baker Theater last night. Built in 1927 and recently restored to its original splendor, this 1500 seat venue provided a rather intimate atmosphere for this legendary performer.

Songwriting has always held an interest for me. If it could be said there is such a thing as a songwriting super hero, then Mr Webb has always been that to me. In person, he truly comes across as being a kind, warm-hearted and gracious man. After he autographed his book, Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting (Yes, I brought my copy to the show. I can't explain it, but I just felt I should take it with me), I asked if he would be so kind as to pose for a picture? He immediately said, "Of course!", and swung his arm around me as if we were old friends. Like, I said, feeling gobsmacked to have met such a legendary songwriter whose work I have admired since I was 10 years old.

A Walk About Paris.

"A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life." 

 ~ Thomas Jefferson

Happy Mothers Day 2014!

My two dates for Mothers Day in Bellingham today. A round of golf at Avalon followed by a sumptuous dinner at Giuseppe's Al-Porto Italian Restaurant. Feeling grateful to have both in my life!

Behind Every Good Man, Stands An Even Greater Woman.

 "I've seen and met angels wearing the disguise of ordinary people living ordinary lives."  ~ Tracy Chapman.

It’s been said that behind every great man, stands a great woman. However, in my case, I feel I’m the one happily applauding the efforts of a great woman. Apart from her respected career in the insurance industry (trust me, she has the steel trap mind of a seasoned lawyer), Kathryn has a long and enviable history of doing volunteer work.

Kathryn’s volunteerism includes membership of a service club, food banks, international women’s’ education organizations & networking groups, family groups, scholarship committees, fundraising events & committees and representing road safety initiatives for pedestrians and cyclists. There has not been a time where Kathryn hasn’t been involved in helping others. Presently, she devotes some after hour time serving as President for the Families of Abuse Society (FOA). The FOA’s mandate is to assist woman and families of domestic violence and abuse in Metro Vancouver by providing basic necessities to support their transitions to safety.

A “transition” means a change from one situation to another. In the case of families of abuse, transition means fleeing an abusive environment to find a safe environment. Transition homes provide temporary safe shelter for women who may or may not have dependent children. While living in transition, basic necessities are provided, and programs and support are available to aid the family. After a 30-day transition period, the families take their next step towards independent living. The transition homes secure a new, safe home for them. The FOA provides furniture and basic household items to help set up the homes so the families can live comfortably. On an on going basis, the FOA collects and distributes donations of household furnishings, small appliances, household supplies, cleaning and paper products, and toiletries.

It’s both fascinating and heart-warming to witness the good work that goes on. Kathryn is not one who seeks the spotlight. The kick for her is simply knowing she has in some way made a difference for those who may need a helping hand during a difficult time in their lives. When she comes home and says that a corporate sponsor has donated hundreds of pillows, well, you just gotta know that this is making a vitally huge difference in someone’s life.

And so, I’m shining a spotlight tonight on my amazing wife’s noble and selfless efforts. This is not the kind of work where an audience spontaneously rises to their feet and gives a standing ovation. She and her colleagues may never meet the many people they have actually assisted. I don’t think this matters to any of them. They are not seeking fame, or glory. They are in it to win it for those who find themselves in dire need to make a transition in their lives.

Ohhh What A Feeling, What A Rush!

My friend, Ken Kiefer, posted this wonderful photo of his wife, Kimber, and I on his Facebook page today. Here we are in the water with an Oceanic Whitetip Shark off Cat Island in the Bahamas. Guess, if this underwater photography gig doesn't pan out, I could always find work as an underwater model. LOL!