Break in

The early AM phone call from the alarm company is always a shock. I have had more than my share of these, a good number of them being false alarms. This morning, not so lucky. My third break in, in two years.


As before I am thankful for minimal damage; still it is a trauma and a burden. They didn't take anything, a simple crash and grab, thwarted by no cash on the premises. There is however always a cost. My partner had gone to bed early to catch up on some sleep that was short lived. My day off, the first in months will be spent waiting for the glass repair company. It seems it was a busy night, they are overwhelmed with calls, and I am way down the list. A neighborhood kid was questioned, as he was biking past at the alarm, it wasn't him.
Apparently there are 4-5 breaks-ins in Saanich each week, with a request in to increase officers for the municipality. My incident was responded to immediately by officers, and a dog, the CSI was busy so somewhat delayed. My break in right off the bat effected several people.
I will pay for the cost of another window, just under my insurance deductible of $600.00. The statue thrown through the window a write off, and a nice dent in the floor, I will be living with. It was likely someone looking for a few bucks for drugs. Unfortunately his lack of success at my place will mean he will still be short of funds. Where does it end?

This is my neighborhood; it is a nice neighborhood, full of nice families. It is a middle class neighborhood of working people, well away from the downtown core, and visible drug problems. I have lived here all my life, I have always felt safe. I never worried about walking around anywhere in this city at night. It took me a long time to move from that position. I find myself warning tourists where to avoid, not to be out late nights in some areas of downtown, things have changed.
I hope that whoever thought they needed the money enough to throw a concrete statue through my window doesn't find him in the desperate position where physical harm becomes the result. Where does it end?

I still feel I live in a safe city, am I living in the past, the crime stats say,


"The break and enter rates in Chilliwack, B.C., Victoria and Regina, for instance, rank within the top 10 per cent of all American cities"


"The top 10 high-crime cities in the MacLean’s list are led by Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg in a near tie at between 146.3 and 144.6 per cent above the national average. Those are followed by Prince George, Edmonton, New Westminster, Chilliwack, Victoria, Vancouver and Halifax. "

Is my feeling safe in my home town becoming delusional, it is time to face issues as a community. I have always believed I live in one of the best places in the world; I don't want to accept anything less.

Art in Bloom

I did my demonstration at the Art Gallery yesterday, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. My theme was containers; I was free to present whatever I came up with within that parameter. I was excited to participate, and happy my topic had plenty of roads I could travel down. Container gardens have become one of my passions. I wanted very much to share; some of the roads less traveled, get people excited about the possibilities, and find their creative juices.
I had no idea what I would do, and seasonally, the plant material choices were near absolute low. That was ok, it was the concepts not the finished product I wanted to feature. I wanted to do something artistic, and I need inspiration. My time is limited, so there would be no leisurely browsing for ideas; I needed some found object to inspire me. I headed to the Sally- Anne and fond a number of wire baskets that had possibilities, and I picked up a wonderful brass watering can. Possibilities but I was looking for inspired, so it was time to do the circuit. I have a line up of thrift, and non profit stores I haunt of late.
Surprise, surprise I found a matching brass mister to my water can, and more wire baskets. I like the wire; wicker rots out in a year, so I shy away from planting it. Still nothing that has grabbed me. I was hoping for some big leaky bucket, or water can, an old wheelbarrow, the good stuff, but without much luck.
It was a couple of weeks before I spied something. Persistence is happenstance’s best friend at the junk stores. I came across a chair; it had the most amazing chrome, as shiny as any gazing ball. I didn't know what I could do with it exactly, and have learned not to buy unless you have a plan. Who needs clutter? I left the chair to think about it. I had already visualized the chrome in the garden, paired with a gazing ball, it nagged at me, happily it was still there when I went back. I really had to have by this time.
I picked up my partner at work, full of enthusiasm for the shiny but otherwise hideous aberration wedged into the back seat of my little sports car. He later admitted his inner dialogue, that I was quite mad. Hmff. to the naysayers, he changed his tune when he saw the finished product.
I tore off the game room theme fabric, to reveal a mostly plastic frame, a huge bonus that would make things very simple. I was able to use the seat as is, and easily replace the wood from the backrest with wire. I planted sedums, hens and chicks, and thyme’s, securing them with chicken wire and moss. It took most of one day, as I did it at the store while working. It was lots of fun watching people’s reactions, and curiosity. At the beginning people were skeptical, but as it progressed they began to think it was a great idea. I was thrilled; it made me smile, although I am often my own best audience. I hauled my creation to the bus stop directly in front of the store for the last hour of the day. Good times, perhaps, I am mad?
The chair was a hit at the Art show; I met lots of wonderful people. I finally figured out something to demonstrate. I brought along my wire baskets, and planted those; they turned out well, and were quick and easy to show the technique for wire and moss. The surprise of the show was the interest in my hanging herb planter. I was pressed for materials to put in a moss basket. I had pansies, but that is usually a fall thing. I had succulents, but I used those on the chair, and my old holey hole shoes. Herbs were my only option, so I embraced that, they were drought tolerant, a bonus in hanging baskets, and people have renewed interest in food production, perfect. It turns out I had no idea my instincts, "necessity the mother of invention" would go over so well. I think I will be making herb baskets this week, oh and looking for more chairs.
It turns out I had a good eye for shiny objects, my chrome, it was pointed out was very collectible and likely a rare piece by a Canadian furniture manufacturer in the 60's. My $1.29 chair I struggled whether to purchase was worth about $1,0000 at auction. Opps, I am too happy to feel bad, it looks great, and I look forward to watching it fill in this season. It will be a nice feature at the store.
I have pictures posted at the link http://artfulgardener.blogspot.com/

statuary arrives

The statuary arrived this week, Spring and the bedding season can only be around the corner.

New pottery has arrived!

I brought in concrete planters in a First Nations style, they are stunning. They have an amazing sense of weight, and calm, and will be perfect in a west coast theme garden.

The new pottery has arrived, phew, that makes for a couple long days! I am very happy with the glazes, especially the new green. The pictures don't do it justice, they are mottled a in a gorgeous chocolate color that gives a tortise shell like effect.

Art in Bloom

I will be doing a demonstration at the Victoria Art gallery, for the Art in Bloom event. I hope to see you there.
http://aggv.bc.ca/art_in_bloom_2008_splash.aspx