The Door is Open

This is no ordinary door. It is a place where they serve FREE hot breakfast, hot meals, sandwiches, coffee, juice and desserts to complete a full meal for the hungry, especially the homeless with mental health and addiction issues. They … Continue reading →

How to catch precious pets

As part of our assignment on precious pets, today,  I spent the better of the day at Downtown East Side where homeless people live. Even though they are homeless, some of them would prefer the company of their pets. One … Continue reading →

Where the wild things are

The Vancouver Stanley Park Zoo housed many animals such as black bear, polar bear, monkeys, goats, seals, whales, raccoons, wolves, emus, bison, kangaroos, penguins, beavers and much more.  Most of these animals were moved when the zoo was officially closed … Continue reading →

Discovery Days: On Binning and Giving

On the way to work, around 7:30 am, on board the 99 B-Line to UBC passing by 1400 block of Broadway, across the street I see a red wagon. On my breaks, sometimes I walk by the red cart still … Continue reading →

Meanwhile, in Vancouver – Four Seasons of Homeless

At the corner of Granville Street and West 10th Avenue is a location for high-end stores such as Restoration Hardware and Edward Chapman for Women. People could afford to purchase expensive furniture and clothing.  I would say this is a vibrant … Continue reading →

Between Mom and Dad

Between Mon and Dad is Abby.

Abby is a rabbit. In the eyes of these homeless couple coming from Toronto, Abby is their baby. Having Abby in their life brings out their humanity to extend their love to take care of an animal even though they are homeless.

I took this photo in between times on my way home carrying with me a Canon PowerShot SD1000.  It’s just an ordinary camera that helps me get out of my head and self.  Having a camera focuses my thoughts outward rather than inward. Photography is a beautiful technique to relieve mental illness.

Just for fun, I submitted it to National Geographic’s assignment “The Animals We Love” titled Mom, Dad and Baby Abby.

Yesterday, I received an e-mail stating “a National Geographic editor favorited your photo, Mom, Dad and Baby Abby, on Your Shot. Robin Schwartz added your photo Mom, Dad and Baby Abby as a favorite.”

Needless to say, I am elated.

Out of 14,953 submissions, this is one of her 1,401 favorites.  Thank you, Robin!

Caution – Foreshadow

Caution ~ a yellow tape wrapped around one part of the park greeted me.  This is not the first time I’ve seen it.  It comes on and off.  

 

This is a little bit disturbing for me because I work around here.  Every day, I pass by the park to get to work. 

What is happening here?  Does this  mean, KEEP OUT for: 

 

Sleepers on the park 

 

Someone who wants to move in 

 

Scavengers 

 

Slug 

 

Dog 

 

Cat 

 

Wild Ducks 

 

Wild Geese 

What could it be?  

 Aha!  A day in the park of fun 

  

And s-t-r-e-t-c-h: yoga

Genie in a bottle or 12 Steps program

Did you say major changes? Sure, I want to have a baby, let me go window shopping and buy one.  Sure, I will visit the a sperm bank to find good genes.  What a silly decision. 

I made a 360 degree turn yesterday and I am still thinking about the what if situation.  

Yesterday was Sunday and I left the mass early because the priest is boring.  I could have easily changed the situation but I stayed until closer to the end.  I did not wait for his blessings. 

Walking as fast as I could in a cold rainy February zigzagging around people, I made a 360 turn.  What made me do that?  My peripheral vision saw a person sitting on the cement outside the mall.  

Meet April in February 3, 2013.  

I asked are you ok?  Then she started crying.  She’s a new face in the block.  I recognize most of the street people in Metrotown Mall.  April made a wrong decision last night according to her, was accused of lying and hates being called a liar.  She left the facility where she stayed for two months to change her life, slept on the street last night and unfamiliar with the city. She came from the Island, up north of BC.  The time was about 2 pm. 

All of this happened out of a blue, don’t ask me why I paid attention to this stranger.  I don’t like WHY question.  Therefore, I did not ask April the why question. 

Did I make a conscious decision to help her?  Yes or No? No. Did I hesitate?  There was no hesitation in my part, I just acted.  She needs a place to stay for one night; she’s looking for the Aboriginal Lodge. 

I’ve asked April only one thing.  April, I want you to pray to your God to help us find you a place.  She sheepishly said yes with a worried look on her face. 

Skipping all the details, I found her a place to stay by 7:30 pm.  An emergency shelter.  We were wet, shaking like a leaf, tired, cold.  We shared a cigarette before we parted and made sure she was inside this beautiful blue looking mansion in a residential area that I’ve never thought it existed closed by where I live. 

This is in response to Daily Prompt: Changes.  Come and join us, it will change your life.