PROGRESS -- it's been a journey of balancing the old with the new

This project began with looking to the land. As the story goes, somebody once told me all good projects start with the land as traditionally that was always the starting point which makes complete sense. After all, as a rural country, wouldn’t you want to know where you drill for water, how the land drains and where best to plant things…

It’s easy to loose sight of these important factors when living in the city, after all you’re lucky to have any land around your home and often people find their home in the air. Since this project started with a double lot, meaning some land, and recalling “somebody’s” words of wisdom contact was made with Joe Fry of Hapa Collaborative. We met at Union Market for coffee and custard tarts to discuss what was possible. There’s more to this story, but that’s for another time. Focusing on this one here’s what evolved.

Yes hard to believe this has been 2 years in the making and now it’s starting to make sense as it’s becoming real. Going beyond the paper of Landscape plan, planting plan, details of paving and planting, details of steps and walls, and streetscape and lists of plant names.

See what I mean:

I love the way the professionals have been able to take my ideas and thoughts, such as blending old and new while aging in place and building a community, and manifest results that surpass anything I could come up with. The contemporary elements of concrete, which you know by now that I LOVE, with these contrasting coloured pavers and the stonework gives a nod to the past with present day craftsmanship (thanks Steve!).

Here’s a bit of a sneak peak at some of the hedges, trees, shrubs, perennials and ground cover with grasses to come. I’ll just name a few of my favourites; Katsura tree (cerdidiphylum japonica), white Meidiland rose (rosa meicoublan white meidiland), japanese forest grass (hakonechloa macra “aureola”), and mexican feather grass (stipa tenuissima).

… and check out this amazing cedar fence!!

ART -- nothing like living in a hood where the CRAWL takes place

This last weekend Nov. 15-18th the 22nd annual CRAWL program took place. Artists open their studios and magic unfolds. What an honour to be involved with this group of amazing people.

The program reads like a magazine, so a great way to share the ECCS and it’s brilliance is to give an art lover one as a stocking stuffer. It’s the best time to read and review what the Charity is all about; Take Flight, Exhibition (this year spaces, places and traces), the workshops and Crawl, Studio 101 and the closing Movie night. (oh and a sneak peak at things coming up like Displacement).

Now for the visuals…

This year’s I was not able to buy the art I love because I forgot to put that in the Project budget (smile). But the gods were smiling upon me as dear heart artist, Laura Wee Lay Laq, who’s not a Crawl artist but also loves the ECCS and amazing people involved, gave me a gift!!

Thank you Laura, and may the sun shine on you always!!

PEOPLE -- been and coming...

This week’s post is a visual reflection: a nod to all the people involved with this project and getting it closer to the finish line.

Thank you to all the amazing people who have taken us from here:

to here!! (bless the reality!!)

COMMUNITY -- many things to consider when building

These days I feel like my retirement plan has shifted into a survival plan: I’ve told my friend perhaps I’m too young to retire anyway. Doing things you love, for and with ones you love help you survive the eye of the storm. Remember this, remember this I keep telling myself.

This week there was a BIG accomplishment at the Octopus; cement poured and floors in. Those hard working cement guys had their trucks out there at 7 am (or whenever the permitted start time is) and poured concrete for 4 hours. My concrete hag soul was on fire with excitement. Once the pour was done they were trowelling until 8:30 pm!! I was around for the 12 + hour day but by no means was I doing any of the heavy lifting, or trowelling.

Watching these guys work I recalled a phone call I received from my Dad more than 20 years ago. He was asking me to do something or other and I said to him “oh, Dad I just worked 8 hours and got home I’m not into dealing with this right now”. His response was “ya, well what about the other 4 hours”. At the time I laughed, as I knew his request was not unreasonable by HIS standards; as he wouldn’t expect anything from others that he wasn’t prepared to do himself. The world has become softer and our expectations have changed. Watching this cement pour on Thursday I realized my Dad, and many like him, worked this hard every day. So kudos to those people then and know who are working this hard so their loved ones can have it easier.

Sooooo, when neighbours call me or e-mail me to complain that their green waste or recycling wasn’t picked up — I kind of feel like they’re me (omg I worked 8 hours…) and I’m my Dad (ya well what about…). One thing I think we’ll all agree on is look at how amazing the results are of those hard working guys on Thurdsay.

It is such a thing of beauty that only music can describe (or feel). When you touch these floors it is exquisite, so smooth and so even….

Who knew while the pour was happening the project would be getting recognition in the local Vancouver paper? Thanks to Pete Fry for referring to our project as one he sees a good example for densification; much appreciated Pete. It’s all in this article by Dan Fumano, who mentions that I say the process has been “frustrating”. That’s right Dan, you and I could write a book about the process but I’m delighted to get one or two lines.

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/feature-new-mayor-and-council-to-tackle-housing

I like to think this photo captures my spirit (smile, power to the M) — off to get my hardhat!