Photo: Susan Rybar / Canadian Tourism Commission

Every once in a while I google my name under "images" to see what comes up. As a stock photographer, I don't always know where my name and photos will appear. Like today! I just found out my image of Steveston, BC appeared on the Smarter Travel website this summer for an article on 10 Fantastic Fishing Villages. It's kinda like Christmas for me - just a little surprise present.

Pan Abode in Print

One of the highlights from my summer was learning and writing about Pan Abodes, a type of log cabin. Think Lincoln Logs, the toy cabin where you can stack the logs together one by one. I was fortunate enough to boat to Sidney Island just east of Vancouver Island and given a tour of the development and an inside glance into the Caza cottage as it was being finished. Sometimes being a writer gives you inside glances to beautiful worlds, and Sidney Island was one of those worlds I could live in for a while.

Well, the article just came out and I thought I would share a few shots. The first shot was featured in Cottage magazine along with the story.

Sunday Afternoon

And that is how we roll on a Sunday afternoon. Sleeping on chairs, cat in hand.

Under the Maple Leaf

Just as Kje got most of the way home from school yesterday, it started to rain. He arrived home a bit wet but proudly clutching a large green maple leaf above his head, as if it were an umbrella. As I let him into the house:

Me: You should bring your raincoat to school.

Him: Nah, I don't want to.

Me: Well then, how about we get you an umbrella?

Him: No thanks.

Me: So you're just going to get wet then when you walk home?

Him: Nope. I'm going to use maple leaf umbrellas. They are organic and eco-friendly!


I love that! He comes home wet and happy and ready to change the world. Go Kje go!

British Columbia Magazine Byline

Look! Look! Look! It's my first byline in British Columbia Magazine. So exciting! I thought that now the fall issue is out, I should finally post my news from the summer issue. Keep reading the mag . . . this is the first of more to come.

Lost and Found

I have always liked this quote. Thinking it's time to do some travelling.

"We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next, to find ourselves." Pico Iyer

Echoes

I just finished writing my first article for British Columbia Magazine for their Echoes department. And then I found this quote from Rudyard Kipling (yep, I watched the Jungle Book last night):

"If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten."

I must admit, I believe that to be true. But after all the research and effort for my article, I must admit, stories would be even less forgotten if everyone had to turn those stories into factually correct 1,500 word articles for publishing.

Just a thought.

1978 - Across Canada in 66 Days

In June, 1978 my family embarked on a cross Canada trip that lasted 66 days. We travelled and lived in an RV - one that would now be put in a museum as a flashback to the 70's. Flower fabric on the upholstery, lots of orange. Yep, I loved it! I know I have earlier memories as a child, but that trip hosted some my favourites.

I was looking through the old Photo Album and thought I would share of glimpse into road tripping back then.

Back then, you pet the wildlife and tents were triangular but small towns were still small towns and water looked just as inviting.

Into the Woods

After spending a few hours with the Wood family and their extended tribe, I wanted to sign up to be a member of the family. Such a nice bunch of people. I got asked to stay for breakfast (yummy omelettes!) and consider that my inauguration. I'm looking forward to the next reunion already. Costa Rica anyone?  :)

Between the three generations, there are too many photos to show all the good ones, but here are a few of my favourites.

Saturday Morning Family Time

I love taking photos of families just hanging out, doing their thing. For me, it is capturing those true moments of everyday life. Here are a few natural shots from across the table while I was spending a Saturday morning with my sister-in-law, neice and nephew. The morning sun created a nice lazy haze around everything and everyone.

And this little piggy went wee wee wee wee all the way to school

Kje went to school today. New school. New classroom. New friends. Looked outside the window from his new desk to see a little pig munching on the grass on the field. Seems the guy that mows the lawn brings his pet pig along with him to help him out.


Just another happy moment to help explain why I love living on the Saanich Peninsula.

Camping

Working on photos today. Kinda like this one from a camping trip at Cowichan Lake earlier this summer.

Word of the Day

From the Free Dictionary:

1.

gallivant - wander aimlessly in search of pleasure gad, jazz around rove, stray, roam, vagabond, wander, swan, ramble, range, drift, tramp, cast, roll - move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment.

But really, this is more than a word, is it not? It is an idea. A concept. A way of living. A path and a destination. An aspiration, perhaps? I kinda like it.

Everything You Need To Know

My younger son graduated from elementary school this year and part of the process was getting a published Yearbook. As I contributed photos to the yearbook (yay!) I was just as excited to flip through it as he was. But I have to admit, my favourite page is full of quotes from the Grade 5 class in response to "Any advice for next year's Grade 5's?"

In the spirit of Robert Fulgham, I thought you might enjoy reading their responses:

Listen in class.
Listen carefully and follow instructions.
Don't get stressed by homework, it'll only get you frustrated.
Bring your homework back to school.

Make good choices, use your manners, be awesome.
Be a role model.
Don't be a tattle tale.
Don't get into trouble.
All the kids look up to you so do good stuff and help when needed.

Stay on your toes.
Make memories, work hard, have fun.
Participate.
When in PE don't be afraid to go all out. Do your best!

Study.
Study Math.
Listen in Math.
Try to live through Math.

Don't be an idiot. Be Smart!
Be creative.
Believe in yourself.
Get some sleep. 

Hmmmm. Pretty good stuff. Pretty smart kids.

Summer

In the last 48 hours: ice cream, mini golf, ripe cherries, corn on the cob, bare feet, naps in the sun, reading a good book, hugs, sunshine, picking weeds from the garden, drawing cartoons, listening to gypsy music, bathing suits, bright towels, candles, sitting on the library floor flipping through books, making dinner together, playing the guitar, tea time, playing ping pong, movie night, playing cards after dinner, sleeping sans p.j.'s, bunnies and deer, drive down the country road,  good conversations, chocolate pudding, silly giggles, making travel plans, smiles.

Ah . . . good times.

Here and Now Quote

“Let this truth go as deep in you as possible: that life is already here, arrived. You are standing on the goal. Don’t ask about the path.”
- Osho, an Indian Philosopher.

I have been a very goal oriented person. While I was away this weekend I was guided away from my usual path of future goal setting to a spot of focusing on the here and now. I just saw this quote and needed to capture it for myself. Thought I would share it with you, too!

Man in Black Mini Concert

While exercising upstairs at the Commonwealth Community Centre yesterday, there was a water polo tournament going on in the pool below me. Headphones on, I was elliptical hiking (that's what I call it to make me feel better when I am inside the gym on a beautiful day) to the beat of  the Red Hot Chili Peppers trying my best to keep up with the game below.

The timer ticked down and the action stopped as the home team lost to the visitors. Both teams, one exuberant the other forlorn, exited the pool and toweled off as this Man in Black, head to toe, casually sauntered onto the pool deck with an electric guitar in hand.

He grabbed the microphone from the announcer, plugged into an amp and started to rock out, shuffling his feet with his moves like Jagger.

Lime green bikinis and fluorescent orange board shorts jumped from the diving boards behind him. Dads threw little boys into the air and let them splash back into the water. A family of folks were playing water volleyball in the shallow pool, oblivious to the concert just steps away. All the while this Man in Black kept rocking out, singing his heart out, strumming his guitar and shuffling away.

Now, I was listening to Californication, and there was a wall of glass and about a hundred feet between us, so I have no idea what he was playing, but I can only assume he was doing a good job as a few of the judges got up from their seats and started dancing, bumping hips and clapping hands and laughing between them.

There is truly nothing better in this world than watching people step out, and stand out, from the ordinary and do something extraordinary. Thank you Man in Black for the smiles you brought to all of us watching you.

Just thinking of trains going by

"Ever since childhood, when I lived within earshot of the Boston and Maine, I have seldom heard a train go by and not wished I was on it" - Paul Theroux, The Great Railway Bazaar

Laughing it up at the Lytton Pines Motel

Thank you Lytton Pines Motel for hosting our late night glow photo shoot last summer! Stumbled upon these tonight and thought I would share a few with you.

10,000 Views

Hey! I just noticed this blog has received over 10,000 views. Crazy! Thanks for all you readers out there!

Liking the Outlook

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Remind me later

Here's my Gemini outlook for 2012. I think I like it! And thanks to Ninette for pointing this bit of good news (hey, take it where you can get it).

"This really is your year. Not only does the once-in-a-lifetime Venus transit fall in your sign but Jupiter, planet of success and enlightenment, also begins a 13-month stay in Gemini. Their combined influence will help you to recognize without a shadow of doubt where your future lies – and chances are it will have little to do with material goals, acquisitions or accomplishments. Your worldview will alter dramatically, as will your priorities. By the time the last of the year’s four eclipses falls in your sign on Nov. 28, you will know how to make those changes work, not just for yourself but for the wider community too."

Dear Destiny

Dear Destiny,

2011 is over. My door is open for the new year. Gimme what you got 'cause I'm ready for it!

Yours Truly,
Susan