My Flog for February 28 -Rain? Rain? Start With The Ark, Why Don't You? Trip to Richmond and Love Those Buns!

I don't like the Weather Network. The people there are forecasting 100 mm of rain over the next few days, supposedly starting this evening.

Well, I have news for them. It was pouring rain this morning when my umbrella and I headed to the sky train station for a trip to Richmond. I guess my umbrella was happy, because it spent most of the winter hanging in a dark closet - I only use it when the rain is very heavy. I was unlucky enough to wave bye-bye to the bus as it left 22nd street station, so had to wait almost 15 minutes for the next one, and the rain here was really splittering-splattering down. This view in front of my feet was a road, not a pond. 

When we turned from 7th Avenue in Steveston to Chatham Street, I noticed a whack of Snow Geese grubbing around in the wet field at Gary Park, but since I was too late to pull the Stop Cord on the bus, I had to go all the way to the last bus stop - and walk back to see the birds. I was worried there wouldn't be enough cool stuff to fill up my blog tonight if I didn't.

When they saw me coming, they kept walking away. You'll notice all Snow Geese aren't white - although today a lot of them looked like they needed a bath.

In the summer, there are usually long, long lines at Pajo's - as far as I'm concerned they serve the best fish and chips in Richmond - and their crab cakes are pretty good too. But this gray today? All hatches battened down. I've never had Timothy's frozen yogurt or ice cream - the only time I lined up, on a HOT summer day, I placed my order only to find they don't do the debit thing, and I didn't have any cash.

No one swimming at the beach - on hot summer days parents let their kiddies ignore the No Swimming As There Are Yucky Things In The Water signs, and go splashing around, but today no one was even building a sand castle. I noticed there had been a doggie here though - he left his footprints in the sand.

And for once, the sky was kite-less. Gary Park is home to lots of kite flying enthusiasts, and I suppose it takes a rainy day in February to keep them away.

I walked to the store along a back road, and passing the other side of the cannery on the way, I saw this mural for the Canadian Fishing Company - I captured the front of this building with my camera a couple of days ago. Salmon cakes, anyone?

Yes! Finally a little bit of Spring - I'm not sure kind of bush these branches belong to, but they are getting green leaves!

So, Steveston was the first place on my list of places to go - I had to pick up my check. After a chat with the gals at the store, I jumped on the 401 bus and headed to the Richmond Centre for my second mission - to pick up my Knit Today magazine from Indigo book store. Spring seemed to have hit inside the mall, though - oh wait, that cherry tree is full of origami blossoms. And these daffodils aren't blooming very well yet either.

The Richmond Centre is always renovating, and getting more hoity toity, I think. This huge blue wall is hiding the newest renos - it's filled with sayings, mostly about shopping, but I like this one. It is so true. I like being a little different.

Just a few steps from the Richmond Centre is the Kam Do Bakery, and I couldn't pass by without getting some Chinese buns to take home. Top row: Pineapple Bun, Coconut Bun, Custard Bun. Bottom row: Chinese Donut, and 2 Pineapple Coconut Buns. I think. After dinner, I brought some to Steve and introduced him to the pleasure.

When I left the bakery, Howard called to tell me he was leaving work. Since he was coming into Richmond to gas up the car before driving home, I had arranged to meet him at the gas station and get a ride home - he knows how much I hate bussing, and the rain was pouring, and my feet were wet. However, since he left work half an hour early, I didn't have time to walk to the gas station before he got there - I still had to go to the clinic and pick up my prescription (which my doctor wouldn't fax to the pharmacy.) I thought maybe he would offer to just drive out to the clinic and pick me up.

After I picked up the prescription, I called him back - only for him to say he was almost home. Needless to say I was quite disappointed, quite upset, and royally pissed off. I really thought he would drive that mile or so.

So now I had to slop through the rain and wait at the nearest bus stop. I did feel sorry for the poor guy working on the unfinished balcony on the tower across the street - he was attached to a rope from up above, which was good as there was no railing around the balcony.

So, bus, sky train, and a wet squishy walk home, where I arrived soaked (even with my umbrella) and cold. I'm not talking to him yet.

• Breakfast - Toast and Coffee
• Lunch - Chicken and Veggie Soup and Coffee from Steveston Hotel. Mine is tons better - I had to shake salt into their soup to give the broth some flavour, the only veggies I could see (or at least identify) were carrots, and the chicken was shredded. Shredded pork, yes. Shredded chicken? I think not. You want soup???? I'll give you Soup!
• Dinner - MY soup. Hot, tasty, chock full of veggies, with tasty chunky chicken. YummEEEE. And two slices of days old Sourdough Bread - Steveston Bakery had it on sale for 99c on Monday. Now two days old, it's only good for toast, or dipping in soup. 
• Snacks - Chinese Bun tasting at Steve's place, and a big glass of milk when I got home