Anicet

FROM BACK OF THE HOME GARDEN I am back of the garden on a cosy June day; Cool shade, warm beyond, dancing sun rays; Low bushes and shrubs and a hang-drop pine, Take comfort beneath trees tall, young in time; Leaves, blushing green, trace a sky dozing white, And frame a picture from a scene of pure Spring delight. As I swing, touching toes on earth mixed in grass, I spy roses; their charm sends a thrill to my heart, Living art, gentle forms, dizzy colours at play, Some perky, some sprightly, others lithe and gay; Then, ever so often, a fresh breeze drifts my way, And caresses gardened nature, on clear, bright display. Come late day, early evening, the moon floats our way, For some time, when its presence will have quiet sway, And allow ... read more

CANADA ON THE RAILS, WEST THRU THE ROCKIES We woke up in Edmonton on Sunday morning, September 25, where our train was stopping for an hour to add another dome car for Rocky Mountain Viewing which was in our future today. While the various crews were getting this done, I did my constitutionals, at 6:30AM, walking fro and to, and to and fro, along our thirty car caravan, stationary for now outside the limits of the city airport strip. The new dome hitched in, we were on our way, settled for a ride into the Rockies. We floated along, taking breads, tea, coffee and yogurt, self-served. As we travelled west, intending to veer south for the Rockies when they would come, a few wild horses made their way parallel to us. We registered that the conifers, ... read more

SONOMA IN THE AFTERNOON The spell of Redwoods at Muir lingered as we wended our way into the Sonoma Valley. Its southern entrance, influenced by cool breezes from the Bay, provides a hospitable environment for grapes that yield Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. The fruit that bear Merlots, Cabernets and Sauvignons thrive further north in the Valley, away from the moderating effects of wind and water. We drove past lands Sir Francis Drake had claimed for England in 1579, our guide of sixties vintage regaling us with tidbits such that vineyards in this area were an endeavour of priests in the Spanish Missions, late seventeen hundreds; and that the right to produce wine for religious rites enjoyed legal protection during the Prohibition era of the nineteen twenties. Before long, we entered the Valley. Its contour traced half ... read more

A SAN FRANCISCO SUNDAY AFTERNOON Two stops from Union Station on the BART rail system, using one seventy-five from each of our trusty travel cards; and we emerged above ground in the Mission District, which immediately felt like a comfortable, well used living room, all be it out door. At the portals of the BART, a grizzled pavement vendor of art curios took in Penny’s wordless, questioning gaze, and replied that she was at Sixteenth where it meets Mission, “dear”, that she no doubt wanted to go to Valencia; and assured her that she would be well taken care of, anywhere on that street, indeed, anywhere in this District, provided she had the presence of mind to seek directions and assistance, promptly. “Welcome to the District”, he intoned. It seemed like we had been given a ... read more

THE NORTH BEACH: THEN AND NOW Breakfast on the eleventh December is of fruit, smoked salmon, and bagels; no sausages, no cream cheese, no hot chocolate, doubling down on my religious bets this Friday morning. Afterward, we drop a dollar fifty, total, for two seniors, into a cash box at the front of another cross town bus; and ride it along Stockton up to Columbus, where it tri-sects with Green, and where the Italian community has held sway since the late eighteen hundreds. Looking south east down Columbus, the pyramidal outline of the Trans-America building defines the cityscape, in its role as tallest of the tall, its wings and spire reaching above all else. About a mile away, we choose it as the beacon to which we would gravitate as we sample other sites today. In ... read more