Censored Cigars

On the corner of Johnson and Store Streets just opposite The Swans Hotel is the Goodfellas Cigar Shop. All their windows are papered over with these signs in order to comply with the Tobacco Control Act, which limits the way tobacco products can be advertised, displayed and sold in British Columbia. The act also defines areas where smoking is prohibited. Smoking is essentially prohibited in all public indoor locations (restaurants, bars, stores, malls, office buildings, etc.) Generally, anyone who wants to smoke must go outside. What kind of restrictions on tobacco do you have in your country?

Dead Arbutus

Even in death these gnarly arbutus trees are beautiful.

Ducks, Ducks, Ducks....

The roads are clear enough now so that I was able to get out on my bike yesterday and take a quick spin down to Beacon Hill Park. Though most of the snow is gone the duck ponds are still frozen and the ducks are hanging out on the lawns. As soon as they saw me pull up they all came charging over and, while a duck or two is not very threatening, several hundred are a bit daunting. However, when they realized I was not a bread bearer they dispersed with querulous quacks.

Re-reprise

Our snow is melting rapidly so before it goes, here's more snow on one of my favorite locations with some earlier shots below,

Wheeeeeeeeeee......

Hope you're enjoying this holiday season as much as my granddaughter's young friend here. This photo pretty much sums up what I think is a good attitude to life in general. It was taken by my daughter, Fern Long, and I am grateful to her for letting me post it here so that we can all enjoy it.