25 February 2020 – I am semi-lost, my usual condition when a-foot on the UBC campus, but not bothered by it. First, I’m only semi-lost; I always find my destination eventually. And, second, there are always discoveries along the way.
So here I am on Memorial Road, just off Main Mall and heading for East Mall. I snag on the bird houses — obviously ornamental, but nothing wrong with that.
It takes me a moment to notice the bench, and realize these are two elements of one installation.
Then I read the bench.
- At the top, a title: A Place of Refuge.
- At the bottom, five bird species, to tie the elements together: Wren, Woodpecker, Chickadee, Finch, Sparrow.
- In between: four texts.
Each author, three of them immigrants, reflecting on what it means to be here, in this country.
Talking about the meaning of an opened door …
about the identity of “home” …
about taking things for granted …
and about learning not to things for granted.
I glance again at the bird houses, this time with a different eye …
and go on my way.
WALKING WOMAN 
Blane Hogue
/ 25 February 2020Lovely to read your walk report when we are actually in Vancouver.
Sorry you couldn’t join us on Saturday and hope you’re feeling better.
Susan
/ 25 February 2020That was lovely. Thank you Penny, for noticing and showing. Susan xo
Lynette d'Arty-Cross
/ 25 February 2020What a beautiful post. Thank you Penny.
Rio
/ 26 February 2020I love this! Can I share it?
p.s. I realized the other day that I love getting lost. I think it is the best thing about my life now. I can get lost and not worry about it. My destinations are all the same but my getting lost is a different story every time.
The other day I saw there was an alert about a service change on the subway. I couldn’t understand the loud speaker either so I asked a man and his partner standing near me. He explained that it wouldn’t affect my subway trip. Then a young woman told me the where I should change to catch the train I wanted.
“People in Toronto are so friendly!” All three of the people I spoke to had accents that were not indigenous to Canada. They all laughed.
bluebrightly
/ 26 February 2020Sweeet! Good stuff. 🙂
dianaed14
/ 29 February 2020As usual, very interesting