Charity

This fellow was working the Salvation Army Kettle yesterday outside the grocery store. I have seen him around town, he seems very friendly. So I plonked a handful of change from my ashtray into his kettle, introduced myself, shook his hand and asked if I could take his photo. He very cheerfully agreed. I don't know what this fellows story is, but I admire anyone willing to stand and do this work in the cold, as an act of charity. I emailed a copy to the Sally Ann office, so hopefully , he will get to see it!

The Sally Ann, as it is affectionately nick-named, takes in a lot of Maple Ridge homeless. When the weather gets as cool as it has been this past couple of weeks, there are a lot of grateful people take comfort in the charity this organization provides. They also have a soup kitchen three times a day and a mobile unit for food and hot drinks for street people. Often times, the people manning these kettles are former homeless folks, trying to do something to give back to the community.

(Matthew 25 : 35, 36, 40)'

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

They're Up Now!

Somebody must have heard me say that the downtown decorations were not up yet . Today we went into town and lo and behold, look what was up on the lamp posts!

I really like our old fashioned decorations, they are such a tradition. After all the years they have been used, they feel as familiar as the old angel I put on my tree every year.

One Year Anniversary

A year ago I posted my first photo on Maple Ridge Daily Photo. Thank you to all 7800 viewers who took the time to visit so often!
Also, a year ago, I went out to capture hundreds of photos of an early snowfall. It was -16c and I was out for hours with my camera, revelling in the magic of a clear snowy day. Today we are again hearing a forcast of snow, but so far we just have rain. In this photo from one year ago, the Christmas decorations were up on our Main street. No sign of them yet!

ABC Wednesday Something beginning with S

S is for Sky.
Some of the blogs are doing an ABC theme on Wednesday. Each weeks theme starts with a specific letter.

Winter's Promise

The word on the lips of the locals is "Aren't the mountains beautiful today?"

Last night's rain fell as snow upon the hills. This morning the clouds lifted to reveal this gorgeous view of the Golden Ears dusted with snow and draped in a veil of mist.

Sunset on North Allouette

It has been a very cool week. Lots of heavy frost and clear days. Today though its cloudy and dull with a prdiction of snow in the forecast. We will have to wait and see!

Shoes

Can you ever have too many teenagers in the house?
Their energy and enthusiasm is infectious.

Field Trip

We went into Vancouver today.

There was a little park where a bubble machine was hard at work. This granfather is enjoying the sunshine with this cute little guy.

Apples

We had apple crumble tonight, made with apples from one of Oliver's orchards.

Barney

Nearby horse stable in the sun after a morning of fog.

Mural

Recently, this mural appeared on the side of a local business. It has a partner on the other side of the building. These two huge paintings are a brand new like a face lift in the town center. What were once plain concrete block walls, are now colourful images of local scenery. I took this last week, today it's featured on the front page of the news paper.

Theme Day Blue

DAILY CITY PHOTOS HAS A THEME DAY ON THE FIRST OF EACH MONTH. THIS MONTHS TOPIC IS SOMETHING BLUE.

Blue bottles

in the window, catching the sun.