When I moved here in the 1970’s I was warned that a ‘prairie kid’ would find the forever overcast sky depressing. I left the province that has the most sunshine hours per year with the idea that the bleak skies were not going to bother me. They didn’t. I lived on the coast for 8 years and learned that if you live here and you have plans to do something outside, like a picnic on the beach or a walk along the seawall, you do it. It doesn’t matter if it is raining or not, you do as planned because if you wait for a day with no precipitation you don’t do it all.
Today we drop M at the auditorium where the convocation is to take place and head to Mills Lake for a walk in the park. It’s raining, G and Debbie are wondering if we should go for the walk or change our plans. I explain my theory of doing what is planned or staying inside until February and soon we are on the path walking around the lake, again confronted with the edge of nature abutting the urban landscape.
Mills Lake
This particular instance is not as radical as yesterday’s experience, the park is more like a city park. The big difference is an environment which allows the flora to flourish and provide the feeling of being deep in the forest. Unfortunately no matter how nice the setting Hwy. 1 provides the audio sound track and the wooosh, wooosh of the vehicles on the wet pavement is always playing.
We spot a bright pinkish house and are intrigued so we stop in. It is the Kariton Art Gallery where local artists may show and sell their works. We wander through getting ideas for Christmas presents.
Kariton Art Gallery
Later, after dodging a torrential downpour, we are seated in the Abbotsford Pentecostal Assembly enjoying the convocation proceedings of Trinity Western University. These ceremonies are for the Masters degrees only and the graduates number only about 50. I am a proud mother as I watch my daughter receive her degree.
Mother and Daughter
As we leave the assembly to continue our celebration at a local Italian restaurant, we dodge the raindrops once again. It seems we have been going in and out of the rain all day, but it hasn’t hindered our plans – just as Murray said it wouldn’t.