Every now and again one needs to “get away” and build sandcastles on the beach. So that is the plan for the gang at The Scribe’s Desk. But never fear! We’ll still be dishin’ the ish, just short and sweet and to the point!

Make sure to come back later today for the regular True Blood review. We’re at that point that everyone has been waiting for!

ΩPhoto Credit Tim Beach

Every once in a while, we all could use a holiday, and boy, did I need one. So, I took a wee one and just had some summer fun with the Youngling.

Drawing,

I Love My Family Illustration by Youngling

picnicking,

Me Love Cookies! Yum! Yum! Yum!

taking pics of the Stanley Park wildlife,

Feed Me!

and going to Kerrisdale Play Palace (my pic’s blurry, I was laughing so hard! They should have a place like this for adults!).

Adults Need A Place Like This To De-Stress_Imagine the Fun!

We watched the moon rise over English Bay

Moonrise Over English Bay_It was A Windy Night_What Can I Say?

and enjoyed the Celebration of Light (Spain won BTW. Their theme was Heaven & Hell. Simply magnificent!)

Celebration of Light Grand Finale Fireworks_photo credit Tom Wiebe on Flickr_via Miss 604 dot com!

while listening to beautiful music, (this happens to be one of my most favorite pieces of music and one of my most favorite movies, A.I. . This was part of Spain’s music for the fireworks display. Click on the music link above to hear another favorite piece of music of mine that was also part of the display! And yes, you have seen the movie that made this piece of music famous — again. Nice pick for trailer music!)

suffered through a heat wave (we’re still suffering by the way!)

Said the Youngling to Me_Hey Mom we are roasting like a couple of chickens right?

— and let me tell you, Vancouver could be renamed Hades if it wasn’t so much fun — and visited the many spray and splash parks in Vancouver.

I am going to splash you Mom!

The Granville Island Water Park was the best and we will definitely be going there again next summer.

And, of course, I watched movies,

Are you surprised really?

and re-read my favorite books. (Are you watching Pillars of the Earth on Starz?)

My old beat up copy of Pillars of the Earth_Revisiting this book 15 years later I understand a whole lifetime more than I did the 1st time around!

I love this book!

I also managed to write, just a little. I even went to a wedding! (The first one in 6 years, WOW! And it was beautiful.)

I did all those things around the house that needed doing,(I love this book, too!)

Look inside if you dare!

I dreamed about taking a cake decorating course (fondant, YUM!),

Dont U just want to eat it?

and tried to enjoy the now and quiet my busy, frazzled mind.

This is not a good look.

And now I am back.

Happiness is writing and it is who I am.

I hope you had a wonderful time while I was away, and if you haven’t manged to take a break, try and take one — even if it is a wee one — I know you deserve it!

Now here is a little Canadiana for ya! I remember this little cartoon from way back when I was just a wee Scribe. I can remember always eagerly waiting for it and enjoying it every time with the same verve. So, I thought I would share it with you. The Log Driver’s Waltz is definitely an oldie but goodie. Hope you enjoy this Canadian Vignette! Thanks Candycane for stirring the memory!

A couple nights ago the Millan Foundation Spay and Neuter PSA launched on the National Geographic Channel. In case you missed it, here it is.

Like Cesar Millan, I agree with spaying or neutering your pet. It’s part of being a responsible pet owner. Every second an animal is abandoned at an animal shelter because there aren’t enough forever homes for them. Every second.

Every year, animal shelters in the US euthanize nearly 4 million dogs and cats. In Canada, the number is nearly the same. That is approximately 8 million innocent lives lost, and that number only represents the deaths we are aware of. The actual number is probably much worse. Unwanted animals die from exposure, disease, starvation, poisoning, and even cruelty. It is not a fate that any living creature deserves.

So please, spay or neuter your pet. Don’t add to the number of lives lost. Help prevent it.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July! Enjoy the fireworks!