I want yellow and blue wings

I am pulled into my back. Nubs of wings want to sprout.
It fucking hurts to grow wings out of this calcified chest cage.

Pushing, through flesh, wounded thin at the surface. Sap oozes, trickles down and pools, a little ocean, a salty bath for all the micro-organisms living in the small of my back.
The body absorbs.
The [...]

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Sneaky plans underway?

I heard from a couple of neighbours that they have “known” about the London Drugs expansion for a long time. The office of our MLA, Shane Simpson, says they’ve been aware of plans since 2007.
London Drugs corporate headquarters wouldn’t deny there were plans to expand, but emphasized there was nothing “in writing”.
There is no formal [...]

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London Drugs plans to swallow my neighbourhood

There is a London Drugs in my neighbourhood on E. Hastings St in the beautiful, crazily expensive, but ever more cash-strapped city (thanks Olympics!) of Vancouver, BC.
You can buy a vacuum there, a rubbermaid tote, toothpaste, contraceptives, drugs, computers, cameras, batteries, cosmetics, stationary, junk food, camping gear in summer, cookware, toasters, blenders, hallmark cards and [...]

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The View from Barcelona #1

This is a joint production of Harry and I, photos chosen by Harry. He also had final authority on the text.
We start the day at a cafe where Harry drinks his hot chocolate, usually from a bottle but sometimes in a glass. He is now a confirmed cacaolat maniac. Grammie and mom prefer cafe con [...]

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Ugh How I feel the spirit

Pure Hokum photo by arushmere, uploaded by me
Andrew sent along these photos from the turn-off near UBC Farm:  “I wanted to take some photos of the incredibly ironic signs that the developers just splashed all over 16th and Wesbrook that advertise the ’Pacific Spirit’ development (in the respected postmodern tradition of razing beautiful landscapes and then naming the [...]

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Save the UBC Farm

Update: Here’s a brochure that will help you craft your letters of support for the UBC farm. Another way to help the farm: come volunteer on a project or for the farmer’s market. I promise you’ll leave with a foolish grin on your face. It really is a joyful place to be even with [...]

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For my teacher Robin

Apple Blossoms by cwalker71
Robin Wheeler is coming to town to teach a full-day course for the Sustainable Living Arts School and Langara College Continuing Studies “Gardening for the Faint of Heart”. You should really come if you’re in the Vancouver area.
This course was designed for those who feel they are beginners in food gardening [...]

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Spring is nigh

I’ve been fighting against the urge to confess. I started this week mellow, tired, content. Folks appeared out of the ether for Northern Voice, embodied and making music in our living room. Such energy and excitement to be together! It was living in community while it lasted and that is a while when friends [...]

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Absurd agriculture

I love the blurb for this CBC podcast on urban agriculture:
12/02/2008: Diet For A Hungry Planet: Urban Agriculture
Growing your own food and raising your own livestock — in a city? It may strike some as absurd, but a growing movement to encourage agriculture in cities says it’s a useful way to improve our relationship with [...]

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Sustainable non-coercion

There is rising energy for a democratic, non-coercive, project-based educational model at Garibaldi school. I’m super excited about this. Granted I could get super-excited about a small school version of either French or Mandarin Immersion or a Fine arts program. Of course, Harry can’t see the point of school at all if it’s in English. [...]

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