Thinking about the Federal Election

It hasn't been called yet--but electioneering is in full swing here on the west coast of Canada. Last time around we lived in a different part of town so we got to vote for Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party. Now that we've moved into town things are different. Plus, after four more years of Herr Harper and his evil cronies it's become crystal clear that things must change. Here's a photo from a fairly recent rally here in Victoria for Tom Mulcair. I would like to see him as our next Prime Minister.

Although I agree with much of the Green party's values I won't be voting for them. At least not in this election.  With the Conservatives on the right and three progressive parties on the left, we have to vote strategically so that the left votes wont be split three-ways.  That's exactly what happened in the last election--with tragic results. Harper won a majority with only 39 per cent of the vote.

So, although I'd like to vote green, this time I'll be voting for the NDP because that's the candidate that has the most chance of winning in my riding.  This time around there are strong Green candidates in most Vancouver Island ridings--and my fear is that they will take votes away from the NDP candidate and allow a conservative to come right up the middle.  Canada's "first-past-the-post" electoral system allows this to happen. And this has to change.

The NDP and the Greens have promised to change this system to one of proportional representation--so such a travesty will never happen again. But meanwhile, if you live in Canada ... and if you want to defeat Harper... the thing to do is to determine which candidate in your riding has the best chance of winning and vote for that candidate.

There are a few websites that can help you make that determination. Check out this one:  votetogether.ca  It explains it a lot better than I can.

Here in Victoria, I am supporting the NDP candidate. He won last time around and has done a good job. And in fact he's as green as the Green candidate in this riding. The NDP have have a good environmental policy and they care about families and services -- as well as business.  So this is not a wasted vote.

Don't waste your vote. Vote strategically this election. Vote to defeat Harper and return Canada to its roots and values.

Morning at Outerbridge Park

Outerbridge Park is a hidden gem here, a huge rambling garden with ponds that was built over many years by a woman in her sixties and seventies and then donated to the municipality.

I was there the other morning with my camera buddy Jackie and we spent several hours wandering around.

You never know what is going to attract your eye in a spot like that.

You start with the flowers and trees...

... and then suddenly you're lost in what's floating in the pond...

which segues into reflections and refractions....

.... and on it goes.

The next time I head over there it could be something else.  Photography is a kind of walking meditation.

The back garden a year later

Here's what our water feature is looking like now. It's almost as if it's been there forever. We are really pleased with it. The trees and plants are getting established and we have the whole summer to look forward to. 

This is one of the places we can sit. It gets very hot in July and August so then we'll be moving to the upper deck.

Just recently I added a chandelier to the outdoor porch ceiling. My plan is to find a lovely table that seats six so we can dine beneath it. This part is still in progress as there's some rot in the floorboards that Harry is fixing. 

I'll post more photos as the season progresses.

Meanwhile, here's a little teaser from a photo walk today at Outerbridge Park. We became fascinated with the water lilies and the reflections. More to come.

My lovely neice Calla

Here's a photo of my niece Calla with some of her friends. Calla is the one on the right with the glasses. These girls are 11 and 12 and they were spending time together at a figure skating competition. Aren't they lovely?  It's such a special age for these girls as they are still children but are coming into a time of discovering who they might be becoming. 

Calla lives in Vancouver so I don't get to see as much as I'd like to. But I love seeing her growing into a confident teen with her own interests and opinions.

Hosta beauty

A couple of years ago I was obsessed by photographing hostas and my interest has been revived through my friend Jackie's discovery of these treasures. Now I'm out in my garden with my camera on its macro setting again.

Here' my favourite from the other day.