Month: December 2025

Don’t Look Back

So what DO eagles think about?

As I prepared to post my previous blog about Christmas I watched a documentary about the death of Rob Reiner and his wife only a week before. How such a splendid journalistic effort was put together in seven days is amazing. It hit me quite hard. I knew little about the man and his various triumphs in the film industry. I still don’t. He was an outstanding character who directed some very moving work and who also was driven to make a difference in the world around him. He was a huge positive influence on those who knew him. The world is a better place because of the influence of “Meathead.” I know he was a good guy, Mr. T-Rump had nasty things to say about Reiner’s passing.

It has been a dark year with many sad events, some of which are still unfolding. That a man who worked so hard to do good, both artistically and socially, is stabbed to death by his own son is inconceivable. This happens while the politicians and influencers sit about picking steak from between their own gold teeth. Nothing changes. In my previous blog I could not bring myself to make mention of such darkness while also trying to dredge up a bit of joy for the festive season.

When I grow up…!
On the way to the sea.
No trespassing

Life goes on. All the heinous and dark news never causes time out for reflection. The world has known some very dreadful times and I fear there are worse ahead. I am sitting at my desk on the morning of the last day of the year an hour or two before daylight. That will depend on how thick the fog is out there. I have no witticisms, no high moralizing, no sage advise. Today is the only one you have. It is made up of a whole bunch of moments and each of those is the only space in time when you can make decisions and actions no matter how many tik-toks you may think you have in your basket. You will never find a rewind button. DO IT NOW, whatever it is. There are people who talk about it and those who do something. Make a choice. Take it from an old man.

Stand the test of time like a polished stone.

Oh! Happy New Year. May you have someone to love, good things to do and something to look forward to.

Go boldly

“A gentleman is someone who uses a butter knife even when he is alone.”

– Howard O’Hagan… Tay John

One Tiny Light

Winter Solstice. Some rare minutes of sun cast long shadows. These wild elk are an eternal attraction for passing motorists.

It is one thirty in the morning, a few days before Christmas. I face my reflection in the window. It floats on the crushing blackness over the bay. From where I sit at my desk I can see no lights out there, except one. There is a single boat in the anchorage across the bay. It is displaying the required anchoring light which appears to be a genuine oil lamp. It flickers just enough to reveal its authenticity. The tiny thin gold ribbon of its gentle light on the still waters reaches across to my side of the bay.

A very cool change. This is where I bring the dogs on aa hot summer day. Winter rains and wind make a huge difference.
Dark days make mobile phone photos very difficult. This one pushed the limit. Hard to believe this baby eagle was just an egg a few months ago.
I am always anxious when these characters look down on my wee doggies.
Wind clouds.
Should have put a reef in.
For a closer look come back at low tide.
A murder of crows.
Cellular

Recently, most nights and days have been raging gales with pummelling rain, torn limbs and general mayhem from wind damage. Fortunately on our hillside we have known no flooding. If I bend my head a bit I can see further down the shoreline where waterfront homes blaze with festive lighting, even now in the wee hours. In the other direction there is the harsh glare of work lights from the log sorting grounds. I focus back on the the little flickering light and realize how that speaks to me of Christmas so much more than all the crass glitz and din of this massive commercial season. I refuse to get caught up in that.

A glimpse on the wild side.
Surf’s up. Cox Bay, Tofino, full gale on a high spring tide.
People go out there for fun with a surf board.
Other nutters try to take photos.

I’ve already deleted one blog. It dripped of loss and jaded views. This is not a time to look for negativity and regret. There is already far too much of that. I ache for friends passed on and a daughter who is no more. This season can bring such loneliness. Being naturally bent toward depression it is far too easy for me to swerve into a spiralling tunnel. I have to look for all the wonderful things we have and don’t see. How blessed we are to live where and how we do. No one is shooting at us, we’re free to leave this country at any time, we have clean air and water. Despite cries of tough times, most of us have a surplus of rich food. Enjoy it.

The spawn goes on.
Snug. Pounding rain outside. Inside the smell of wood smoke, kerosene lanterns, fresh coffee.
Hope you fly over the rainbow.

Refined to its base elements life is about someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward. That is it. I wish you all plenty of those three things and perhaps the ability to help others find the same.

Happy Christmas.

Life goes on.
Happy Christmas.

Christmas: the only time of year you can sit in front of a dead tree eating candy out of socks.
~ Anon