Walking to a bus stop this afternoon, I was only two blocks away and was stopped in my tracks by this elegant mural. A small brick building, it has been a part of Cook Street Village for many, many years, housing a dry cleaner and a convenience store. As far as I can recall, there has been no mural on the side of this building. I was just so struck by this elegant painting and the artist patiently working on it, oblivious to traffic and passersby. It was the first time I had actually seen an artist at work on such a stunning subject. When we see the various urban murals are we curious about the artist ~ so tiny against the expansive painting? How they can envision such a large piece of work? How long it takes to create such whimsical or magnificent works of art? What brushes they use? Types of paint? How one person can complete this art work? These artists have created veritable art galleries in our own cities with many pieces of beautiful art. 
I am always curious about the details of longevity. Such details are based in the magic of genetics, the twists and turns of life circumstances and how each of us interprets what has been handed to us. I was at a birthday party this morning for a good friend who turns ninety years old in a couple of days. Her comment about longevity today was - ‘Keep moving!’ She said this with the energy that Pat has shown us since we first met her in 2004 in the Newcomer’s Club we joined. She led us through Victoria’s parks, through forested walking paths, always identifying for us Vancouver Island’s flowers and plants. Keeping up to Pat on those walks was a challenge. Pat and her daughter join our dwindling group most Mondays now - still full of energy and goodwill. At least now, we can keep up to her! Oh, and by the way, she had one more piece of advice: ‘When you get old and can’t walk, get a scooter!’ So we will still have trouble keeping up to her.
