Catch Kitchen + Bar

Last night we met Donna at Catch Kitchen + Bar in Steveston for a delicious dinner!  The traffic going into town was very heavy and we thought there was a hockey game!  There wasn't a game but just a lot of traffic going into town.  

Donna had Seafood Linguine, Cec had Fish & Chips and I had Teriyaki Chicken Bowl.  All dishes were hot and delicious.  Great service, wonderful view!   We lived in Steveston for 32 years.  The restaurant was originally owned by a lovely Greek couple and we ate there many times.  They retired and it's still a great restaurant!

Cec said the fish and chips were very good!

It was such a beautiful evening.  I parked at the Steveston Library because I knew it would be easy parking and a nice walk to the restaurant.  I saw these gorgeous cherry blossoms beside the Library!

The drive home was much easier and Mt. Baker was gorgeous.  A new layer of snow made the mountain majestic. I was driving so I didn't get a picture!  What a wonderful evening.

Happy Easter!   For all the people who were upset the 15th annual Transgender Day of Visibility falls at Easter this year, next year Easter Sunday is on 4/20!

More from Vince the Sign Guy

 

It's Cherry Blossom Time

Vancouver's Cherry Blossom Festival comprises a number of events throughout the city that serve to showcase Vancouver's 43,000 outstanding cherry trees.  The festival runs from March 29 to April 25.  

In the 1930's, Japan gifted Canada hundreds of trees as a thank-you to Japanese-Canadians who served in World War I.  They said on the news tonight, cherry blossoms in Vancouver were voted fourth best in the world!  We've been loving them all over the city.  

A street in Vancouver

A park close to where we live

Cherry Blossoms in Japan

It's beginning to look at lot like Easter...in South Surrey

 

This lovely house is close to where I live.  What a great job they did in an eggcellent job in decorating!

Big Ridge Brewery

When we moved to Surrey 16 years ago, Big Ridge Brewing Company was in the Mall to the west of us.  It was the first brew pub in Surrey.  It was a wonderful pub and served great food.  They moved across the street to a larger facility and the food and ambiance were wonderful.  They abruptly closed and it's been vacant and for sale for about two years,  Finally a sold sign went up and we found out it's reopening with new owners as a Par 4 Sports Bar and Grill!  They are advertising online for servers and while I don't have any more details, I did sign up for email updates.  Great to have a pub within walking distance!  

Another craft beer brewing company opened a few months ago but they don't sell food.  They have just acquired more space and will be offering food soon.  They now offer pizzas only.  WayBack Brewing Co. 15063 54A which is another short walk for us.  We will wait until they get a full menu.  I signed up for updates as they give away a $50 gift certificate every month.  Maybe I'll get lucky.

This is an interesting thought....

 

Monday laughs

 

Holland America Alaska Travel Show

Yesterday I attended the Holland America Alaska Travel Show at Canada Place.  The attendance was incredible and the displays and shows were great!  

If you've never been to Alaska, it's a unique beautiful place.  Many people sail to Alaska but never see the interior.  If you want a real taste of Alaska, go inland.  Holland America has some wonderful cruise tours.  I call this one, Trains, Boats, Planes and a comfortable coach!

This is a cruise tour we plan on taking!  Not only do you have a taste of Alaska, you get a good tour of the Yukon!   There are many different itineraries and Denali is one of my favorite places.  If you don't want a guided tour, take a 7 day one way cruise and rent a car.  I love Alaska!

Princess Catherine of Wales

 

So many people have to deal with cancer.  Numerous reports say King Charles has pancreatic cancer.  This has not been confirmed by Buckingham Palace and could be speculation!  To have two people in one family diagnosed with cancer so close together is horrendous.  My thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family at this difficult time.  

The fact Catherine wanted to keep her healthcare private should have been honoured.  However, the news and social media's ridiculous speculations must have this situation so difficult for both Prince William and Princess Kate.  Shame on all of them!

A lovely evening in White Rock

 I never rely on polls, but this provincial one surprised me:

Last night my nephew Brad and friend Laurie and I went to a Conservative dinner meet and greet at a Cosmos Greek Restaurant in White Rock.  John Rustad gave a great speech.   I sat beside Stephen Pettigrew who was a city councillor in Surrey in the last term.  He told us some very interesting stories!  

Voting day should be no later than October 17, 2024.  I know who I'm not voting for, but I will check out all the political parties!   BC needs a change of government!

Allegiance

On February 25th, I wrote a blog on "Allegiance", a CBC show that is filmed in Surrey.  Last night they aired an episode about how indigenous people have been treated now and previously.  I live here and did not know this is still going on.  

I don't want to spoil the story, but it was filmed at Peace Arch Hospital where a baby was apprehended by social services at the hospital.  I found an article online from Manitoba where an indigenous child was apprehended illegally.  Perhaps this show was based on that story.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/newborn-apprehension-manitoba-indigenous-family-cfs-apologizes-1.6817429

Even though laws have changed, they aren't always followed!  Horrific.

Here's an article on residential schools.  I didn't realize they weren't closed until 1996, but the Federal Government wanted to close them in 1944!  

https://tnc.news/2024/03/18/op-ed-canada-wanted-close-residential-schools/

Some good advice

The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless.

Be decisive. Right or wrong, make a decision. The road is paved with flat squirrels who couldn’t make a decision.

When I get a headache I take two aspirin and keep away from children just like the bottle says.

Just once, I want the prompt for username and password to say, “Close enough.”

Becoming an adult is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.

If you see me talking to myself, just move along. I’m self-employed. We’re having a meeting.

“Your call is very important to us. Please enjoy this 40-minute flute solo."

Does anyone else have a plastic bag full of plastic bags, or is it just me?

I hate it when I can’t figure out how to operate the iPad and my tech support guy is asleep. He’s 5 and it’s past his bedtime.

Today’s 3-year-olds can switch on laptops and open their favorite apps. When I was 3, I ate mud.

Tip for a successful marriage: Don’t ask your wife when dinner will be ready while she’s mowing the lawn.

So, you drive across town to a gym to walk on a treadmill?

Old age is coming at a really bad time.

If God wanted me to touch my toes, He would've put them on my knees.

Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators. We haven't met yet.

Why do I have to press one for English when you're just going to transfer me to someone I can't understand anyway?

Now, I'm wondering . . did I send this to you, did you send it to me or have I only sent it to myself.

You don't need anger management. You need people to stop irritating you.

Your people skills are just fine. It's your tolerance for idiots that needs work.

"On time" is, when you get there.

Even duct tape can't fix stupid – but it sure does muffle the sound.

It would be wonderful if we could put ourselves in the dryer for ten minutes, then come out wrinkle-free...and three sizes smaller.

Lately, you've noticed people your age are so much older than you.

"One for the road" means peeing before you leave the house.

Lost luggage

There always lots of stories of lost luggage.  I bought smart tags and always know where my luggage is.  If you don't have them, get them.  They are cheap and if you bag gets lost, you can tell the airlines where to look!

Here is an interesting article about a customer who had fresh fish in his checked luggage.  It was lost for five days!  Obviously he didn't read the restricted and prohibited items list.

Flair Airlines Court Case

My long time airline friend Laurie moved from the Credit Department to Baggage Claims.  She wanted a change.  Her job was to inventory baggage that had not been claimed after X amount of days and try to find the owner.  She would talk about the unique things she found. She came to me with US money and there was no policy on what to do with it.  I opened up a G/L account and we saw it grow!  It made us wonder what her predecessor did with the money he found!  We had charters going to Las Vegas and Reno weekly!

One of her items was a wheel chair.  Who checks in a wheel chair but never picks it up?  A  prosthetic leg in a case was unclaimed.  She had to dispose or donate items after a certain time, but she ignored that rule and kept the leg.  One day a guy called as the last time he saw his leg was when he was on a ski trip.  It was his ski leg and he was going on another ski holiday!  He was thrilled she still had it.  

I always think of Laurie when I pack and unpack my suitcases.  

If you are travelling, check the restricted/prohibited list.  

Holland America presents Alaska

Holland America is sponsoring an Alaska Trade Show this Saturday at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Center.

You're Invited!

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Vancouver Convention Centre

East Ballroom, 999 Canada Place

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Join us on March 23 to experience the Arctic wonders that await at the Alaska Cruise & Travel Show, presented by Holland America Line.

Experience why Holland America is #1 in Alaska glaciers with more sailings to Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and offering more wildlife and wilderness tours than any other cruise line.

• Learn why travelers seek out the grandeur of Alaska

• Attend live presentations and meet the people who bring Alaska to life

• Pan for gold as they do in Fairbanks

• Enjoy live music around a campfire like at McKinley Chalet Resort

• Hear about the more than 80 species of fresh, sustainable fish we serve on board

• Spectate axe-throwing as you can in Ketchikan

 

It's free but you need a ticket to get in.  If you want to attend email: 

lfisher@maritimetravel.ca and I'll send you a link to register.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

There are many legends associated with the life of St. Patrick.  According to one, he miraculously drove all the snakes of Ireland into the sea.  He is said to have used the three leaflets of the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity.  He reportedly raised as many as 33 people from the dead.

Whatever you do today, enjoy! 

Red Hat Lunch

A St. Patrick's Day lunch was organized for March 17, 2020 by Carol and Donna.  Because of COVID, it was cancelled.  Carol and Donna organized this year's St. Patrick's Day lunch and brought the place cards she made for our 2020 lunch!

When it opened:

This year's lunch was a great success!  20 members attended.  The weather was so nice.  We met at Me -N-Eds in Burnaby.  The food was reasonable and delicious!  I remembered the restaurant as we went there years ago.  I didn't realize it started in the US.

The Me-n-Ed's story

A wonderful afternoon with some lovely ladies!

Our world today.....

 

Our Phones - Wireless
Cooking - Fireless
Cars - Keyless
Food - Fatless
Tires -Tubeless
Dress - Sleeveless
Youth - Jobless
Leaders - Shameless
Relationships - Meaningless
Attitudes - Careless
Babies - Fatherless
Feelings - Heartless
Education - Valueless
Children – Mannerless
 
We are - SPEECHLESS,

Government - is CLUELESS,

And our Politicians - are WORTHLESS!
 
I'm scared - Shitless!                                                          

Princess Catherine of Wales - continued

I am a Monarchist.  I had a hard time accepting Camilla, but I did come around and think she is doing an amazing job.  I lose all respect for men who cheat on their wives.  I truly hope the rumours about William are wrong!  Unless Catherine does a press conference in person, no one will know what to believe.

I found this very interesting:

Princess Catherine of Wales

On January 17th, it was announced Princess Catherine of Wales was to undergo "planned abdominal surgery".  She wasn't expected to return to public duties until after Easter.  That's a long time and they kept the details private, as they should be!  She has never asked for anything but this time, asked for privacy.  Why can't people leave her alone!

Social Media has been awash with speculation of her health and whereabouts.  She was seen in a car with her mother on Monday, with Prince William again in a car yesterday.  

The information I have read on social media is so ridiculous, it's absurd.

• She died and they are keeping it quiet.
• She has an eating disorder like Princess Diana had.
• Lying in a coma.
• Waiting for a bad haircut to grow out.
• Kate allegedly had an affair with her sister's husband that resulted in a pregnancy. William with his short temper was unable to handle it properly. 
• Some are even touting the possibility that she’s recovering from Brazilian butt lift surgery. 
• The princess has “done a Gone Girl”.
• Pulling a Saltburn.  I had to look Saltburn up:  It turns out a Saltburn is both the name of a real-life town in England and the word that would describe it "real nice sex injury"!
• She wasn't wearing her wedding ring in the altered picture and there is trouble in their marriage.

Last night on X :  If you're interested in the Kate Middleton story, the Spanish press "5 TeleCinco" are reporting her operation wasn't planned, she was in a coma, intubated and at one point doctors feared she would die. The Spanish press are saying there is a blackout in the UK media on it.

The cat is out of the bag, as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has officially reveals to the world that Prince William had an affair with Rose Hanbury, who happens to be a friend of Kate Middleton and their neighbor at their rural home in Norfolk

I will stop, and believe me there are more.

Leave this poor girl alone!  

Happy Tuesday