laura bachynski

2 Winter Stroll

February 5, 2020
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

ONE THING ABOUT HAVING A ‘HOT HOLIDAY’ IS THAT WHEN I RETURN I CAN TOTALLY APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY OF WINTER …INSTEAD OF DREADING IT.

AFTER MORNING MASS TODAY I TOOK A STROLL AROUND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD TO FOCUS ON THE LOVELINESS OF THE SOFT EARLY LIGHT ON THE WINTER LANDSCAPE AROUND ME. ( FULL DISCLOSURE : I STILL DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE WALKING AROUND ON THE SNOW AND ICE SO I ACTUALLY DROVE AROUND .)

THE PRETTY RED BERRIES HANG ON TO THEIR BRANCHES AND THEY FEED THE HEARTY BIRDS OR WANDERING DEER . THEIR BEAUTY FEEDS MY SOUL AS THE TOUCH OF RED AGAINST THE ‘BLANK CANVAS’ OF SNOW IS SUCH A WONDERFUL POP OF COLOUR.

MANY LONG GRASSES STAND TALL AND WITHSTAND THE WINDS AND I NOTICED A FEW TREES ARE EVEN HANGING ON TO THEIR LEAVES DESPITE WEEKS OF WINTER. ( I STILL MARVEL AT THE NEWS REPORT THAT EDMONTON WAS THE ‘COLDEST PLACE ON THE PLANET A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO !)

ATTRACTIVE BENCHES AWAIT A WARM BODY TO MELT THE SNOW AND ENCOURAGE A PERSON TO SIT AND ENJOY THE VIEW. AND I HAVE ALWAYS FELT BLESSED TO LIVE NEAR OUR RIVER VALLEY WHICH IS GORGEOUS AT ANY TIME OF YEAR.

I THINK I MIGHT BE LIKE ONE OF THE SUNFLOWERS IN THE PHOTO ABOVE. THEIR HEADS ARE BOWED BUT THEY STAND TOGETHER IN FAITH …KNOWING THAT BEFORE LONG SPRING RAINS WILL MELT THE LAST OF THE DIRTY SNOW . KNOWING FOR SURE THAT THEY WILL SOON LIFT THEIR EYES TO THE SUN AND SPREAD THEIR PETALS LIKE A PERSON WITH ARMS STRETCHED OUT . A PERSON SMILING AND SAYING , ” THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY. THANK YOU FOR THIS NEIGHBOURHOOD AND FOR MY NEAR AND DEAR FRIENDS. THANK YOU THAT I HAVE PRODUCED SEEDS THAT WILL FLOURISH. AND THANK YOU FOR THE WARMTH I FEEL IN MY HEART …. NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER . THERE IS MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR….. ”

2 Talented Sisters Too !

February 2, 2020
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

PamsHandles/Etsy

Pamela’s Vintage Vehicles handles

Pam’s Incredible ” Incredibles ” handles

MaryAnne East Art Show

Mary ….Sold !

Mary Sweet Winter Scene

Check it out !

Incredible knitting by Nancy

One of many gorgeous products

I CONTINUE TO THINK ABOUT ALL THE ARTISTS IN MY FAMILY.

THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU A BIT ABOUT MY AMAZING SISTERS.

CHECK OUT PAULA’S https://www.pdrewcreations.com

MY SISTER, PAULA, HAS DABBLED IN ART FOR AWHILE NOW BUT I REALLY THINK SHE HAS FOUND HER NICHE WITH HER LATEST WORK IN ALCOHOL INK. I LOVE HER PAINTINGS AND SHE DOES MAGIC WITH HER COLOURS AND DESIGNS ON VARIOUS METAL AND CERAMIC TYPE CONTAINERS TOO. BEAUTIFUL WORK FROM AN INCREDIBLE PERSON. PAULA LIVES NEAR ME IN MY CITY OF EDMONTON SO I AM LUCKY TO HAVE A SISTER SO CLOSE IN PROXIMITY. SHE IS ALSO MUSICAL AND SANG HARMONY FOR ME (TO KICK OFF THE CANADIAN TOUR) AT MY C.D. RELEASE FOR ” WORDS ON A PAGE ” . SHE PLAYS PIANO AND GUITAR AND WRITES HER OWN MUSIC AS WELL.

PAMELA AND MARY ALSO SANG WITH ME ON TOUR ….AT THE WINDSOR CONCERTS ! THEY BOTH PLAY GUITAR AND MARY ALSO WRITES HER OWN MUSIC. PAMELA HAS ALSO COME UP WITH MANY UNIQUE ARTISTIC OFFERINGS BUT MY FAVOURITE IS HER NEW ETSY SITE WHICH FEATURES HER RECYCLED TOY HANDLES. THEY HAVE SOLD AROUND THE WORLD AND THEY ARE PRACTICAL AND FUN ! LOOK UP PAMSHANDLES ON ETSY.

MARY ANNE IS THE NEWEST PAINTER IN OUR FAMILY AND SHE IS DOING SOME LOVELY WORK . WE OFTEN PAINT TOGETHER WHEN I VISIT HER IN ONTARIO AND SHE IS SUCH A JOY TO BE AROUND. SHE IS SO FUNNY AND KIND TOO ! SHE HAS AN INCREDIBLE VOICE AND I WAS HONOURED TO HEAR IT ON TOUR . SHE ALSO GOT SPIRITLINE SOME GREAT PRESS!

BUT I HAVE ANOTHER SISTER TOO …. NANCY DREW ! YOU READ THAT RIGHT. MY SISTER IN LAW, NANCY ALSO HAS HER OWN ARTISTIC BUSINESS CALLED N.J.KNITS AND HER PRODUCTS ARE GORGEOUS . I HAVE SEVERAL OF THEM MYSELF AND THEY ARE HIGH QUALITY AND GOOD PRICES TOO. NANCY SEEMS TO KNOW THE WORDS TO EVERY SONG EVER PUT ON THE RADIO …( AND SHE IS MARRIED TO OUR VERY MUSICAL BROTHER , ” J. D. ” , WHO IS ACTUALLY IN THE ESSEX COUNTY HALL OF FAME FOR HIS GUITAR PLAYING. HE IS IN A WELL KNOWN BAND, BIGG WIGGLE AND HAS HIS OWN BAND CALLED THE J.D. PROJECT . HE’S IN PRODUCTION FOR HIS NEXT C.D. AND HE ALSO PLAYED LIVE WITH ME ON TOUR. )

IT IS SO MUCH FUN BEING IN THIS ARTISTIC FAMILY !

2 My Daughter, Lana

January 30, 2020
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Lana and Jeff

The new ‘ Tea ‘ Shirt !

The TeaTime Group

Lana’s 5 Year Sword

Dressing up for ” Heroes ” themed event

2018 Microtalk group

2019 Microtalk group

Lana with her ” HAM ” awards

Blizzard says goodbye to Lana

HGC Minute with Lana

Lana, Japan, about to speak at CEDEC

Animation Exchange Conference

Professional photo for Riot

An early Charcoal by Lana

THIS BLOG IS ABOUT OUR DAUGHTER, LANA. SHE IS AN IDENTICAL TWIN TO OUR EMILY. AND ALTHOUGH THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE GIRLS STILL LOOK THE SAME -LANA IS VERY MUCH HER OWN PERSON…. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR CHILDREN WORKING IN THE ARTS.

LANA HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ARTISTIC GIRL BUT IT WAS THE MENTORING OF ONE OF HER FAVOURITE TEACHERS AT VICTORIA COMP. HIGH IN EDMONTON THAT SET THE STAGE FOR HER TO BECOME THE SENIOR ANIMATOR SHE IS TODAY.

ALTHOUGH SHE IS ONLY 30 YEARS OLD SHE HAS DONE SO MUCH WITH HER TIME POST HIGH SCHOOL. LANA STUDIED HER CRAFT AT THE SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE . IN UNIVERSITY SHE BASICALLY ( THERE WERE A COUPLE FRIENDS THAT BRAINED STORMED WITH HER TOO ) CAME UP WITH AND INSTITUTED THE IDEA OF AN ANIMATION CLUB. I THINK SHE SAID THAT AT HER FIRST MEETING OF ‘TEA TIME’ THERE WERE FIVE PEOPLE. IN FAIRLY SHORT ORDER THE MONTHLY MEETINGS BROUGHT OUT ABOUT 50 PEOPLE . NOW TEA TIME CAN BE FOUND INTERNATIONALLY! THEY ARE CELEBRATING THEIR 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR AND HAVE SOME NEW ‘MERCH’ TO COMMEMORATE IT.

LANA WOULD ARRANGE FOR SPEAKERS FROM PLACES LIKE DISNEY TO COME OUT AND SPEAK TO THE GROUP AND SOON MAJOR STUDIOS WERE CALLING HER TO ASK HER IF THEY MIGHT SPEAK. SO COOL ! (I AM SO PROUD OF MY AWARD WINNING GIRL. I HAVE INCLUDED A PHOTO OF HER HOLDING HER ‘HAM’ AWARDS FOR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES IN HER FIELD. )

SHE WAS INVITED TO INTERN AT BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT ( AT THE TIME THE LARGEST GAMING INSTITUTE IN THE WORLD) AND SOON SHE WAS HIRED TO WORK THERE FULL TIME . SHE HAS ANIMATED MANY CHARACTERS AND SOME OF MY FAVES ARE FROM THE VIDEO GAME, ‘ HEROES OF THE STORM’ . IT IS REALLY FUN TO GO OUT TO LUNCH WITH LANA ( THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED WHEN WE VISITED HER AROUND MOTHER’S DAY) BECAUSE IF SOMEONE FINDS OUT SHE WORKS IN THIS BUSINESS AND SHE HAS ANIMATED ONE OF THEIR FAVOURITE VIDEO GAME CHARACTERS THEY GET QUITE STAR STRUCK. HA HA . LONG STORY BUT WHEN OUR SERVER REALIZED WHO LANA WAS HE STOPPED SERVING US AND ASKED A FELLOW SERVER TO ASK HER FOR HER AUTOGRAPH ON THIS BEHALF. HILARIOUS.

LANA ALSO STARTED OFF AS ‘HOLDING THE DOORS’ FOR THE GUESTS AT THE HUGE CONFERENCE , GDC, AND NOW LANA IS ONE OF THE MAJOR SPEAKERS AT THE CONFERENCE AND HAS EVEN LED CONFERENCES FOR GAME DEVELOPERS. SHE WAS RECENTLY FLOWN TO JAPAN TO BE A KEYNOTE SPEAKER THERE !

BEFORE SHE KNEW IT 5 YEARS HAD PASSED AT BLIZZARD – ( SHE RECEIVED HER FIVE YEAR SWORD GIFT !!!! … SORT OF LIKE A WATCH FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN RELATE TO MY AGE ) – AND SHE FELT THAT IT WAS TIME TO MOVE ON. SHE HAS RECENTLY BEEN HIRED AT RIOT GAMES AND IS ALREADY JUST LOVING HER NEW WORK. (IT SAYS A LOT THAT ALMOST THE WHOLE BLIZZARD GROUP CAME OUT TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO LANA AND EVEN MADE A WONDERFUL MINI-MOVIE FOR HER WITH FOLKS GIVING A SHOUT OUT TO HOW MUCH THEY WILL MISS HER.)

SHE CARES SO MUCH ABOUT YOUNG/NEW ANIMATORS AND HAS LED MANY MICRO TALKS TO GIVE THEM TIPS OF THE TRADE.

AND… ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE LANA CONTINUES TO CREATE PERSONAL ARTWORK ..MOSTLY FOR GIFTS OR FOR COMMISSIONS . I HAVE INCLUDED ONE OF HER FIRST (!) CHARCOALS SHE DID OF INDIANA JONES, A GIFT FOR HER BROTHER, DARREN.

LANA IS IN A GOOD PLACE IN HER LIFE WITH A GOOD JOB , A NEW HOME, AND A GOOD MAN. SHE SEEMS SO HAPPY AND WE ARE SO HAPPY FOR HER.

PROUD TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR LANA.

2 So Proud of our Oldest

January 29, 2020
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

J.B. and his family portrait before the arrival of Leo

Ilya points to baby to be

3 Days old

J.B. and Myro

Boys with new shell jewelry from Hawaii

Daddy reading

Daddy as pillow

TODAY I AM FEELING VERY SENTIMENTAL. I AM THINKING ABOUT MY MANY BLESSINGS AND CERTAINLY AMONG THEM ARE MY CHILDREN WHOM I LOVE.

WE JUST ARRIVED HOME AFTER A BEAUTIFUL ALTHOUGH SHORT VISIT WITH OUR VANCOUVER FAMILIES. WE LENGTHENED OUR STOPOVER TIME SO THAT WE COULD MEET OUR NEWEST ADDITION TO THE FAMILY, OUR 5TH GRANDSON, BABY LEO JOSEPH.

OUR OLDEST SON AND HIS BRIDE HAVE CREATED A WONDERFUL FAMILY! WE GOT TO JUST HANG OUT WITH THEM FOR A WHOLE DAY AND WHEN YOU LIVE APART FROM THOSE YOU LOVE THIS IS A GREAT BLESSING INDEED.

J.B. IS OUR OLDEST SON . I STILL REMEMBER WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO HAVE JUST ‘MOMMY AND SON’ TIME BEFORE THE OTHER CHILDREN CAME ALONG. SMART, FUNNY ( OR SHOULD I SAY… SILLY ?) , CARING…. J.B. REMAINS ALL OF THESES THINGS AND MORE . WE REMEMBER THAT HE ALWAYS WANTED TO … ‘BE OLDER THAN HE WAS ‘ … TO GET GOING IN LIFE. EVEN AS A TODDLER HE WANTED TO START READING AND WOULD OFTEN TAKE HIS DADDY’S GLASSES AND PRETEND TO READ THE PAPER. AS OLDEST HE WAS THE FIRST TO DO MOST THINGS IN OUR FAMILY…MOVING OUT, DRIVING, ETC.

AND ALTHOUGH HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN POSSIBLY THE ‘SMARTEST PERSON IN THE ROOM’ HE HAS NEVER BEEN BOASTFUL OR PRIDEFUL . WE STILL MARVEL AT HOW HE WROTE THE LSAT TEST WITHOUT STUDYING TILL THAT LAST SECOND AND STILL CAME IN SECOND IN CANADA FOR HIGH MARKS.

NOW HE WORKS AS A LAWYER AND HAS MARRIED HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE, ” SARE ” WHO IS ALSO A LAWYER AND WONDERFUL MOMMA.

BOTH OF THESE AMAZING PEOPLE CARE SO MUCH ABOUT THEIR CITY AND ALREADY DO MANY CHARITABLE WORKS AND HAVE ESTABLISHED A PROGRAM TO HELP INNER CITY CHILDREN . THEY WISH TO KEEP THE DETAILS PRIVATE BUT LET IT BE SAID THAT THEY DO WHAT THEY CAN TO HELP IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS .

WE SOMETIMES JOKE ABOUT J.B. AS BEING THE ONLY ONE WHO ‘FAILED’ …HA HA…BECAUSE HE DIDN’T CHOOSE A LIFE IN THE ARTS . ( YA RIGHT !!!!) BUT OF COURSE LIKE ALL OF OUR FAMILY HE IS TRULY ARTISTIC . HIS VERY FIRST PAINTING WAS A PORTRAIT ( A WEDDING GIFT FOR HIS BROTHER AND HIS WIFE) THAT LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE THEM ! HE USED TO PLAY THE TENOR SAX AND WAS THE LEAD IN SCHOOL PLAYS EARLY ON FOR SOME EXAMPLES.

BUT LIKE HIS BROTHER, DARREN, THE THING THAT MAKES ME MOST PROUD OF J.B. IS HIS LOVE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS . HE IS ALSO A GREAT DAD AND HUSBAND TOO.

I SO ENJOYED JUST BEING WITH THIS FAMILY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. AT ONE POINT J.B. JUST GOT UP AND MADE A CAKE FROM SCRATCH SO THAT WE COULD ENJOY FRESH BAKING WITH A CUP OF COFFEE.

A GOOD MAN. MY OLDEST SON.

6 What a Morning !

January 27, 2020
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

3:00 am visitors

Someone is calm in the midst of the storm

The SECOND wake up alarm!

The Calvary arrives the first time.

The second call…

Not at the moment !

Not again…

First meeting with baby Leo

All is right with the world

AFTER A NEARLY PERFECT HOLIDAY AND A WONDERFUL FLIGHT HOME WE HAD TO CHUCKLE ABOUT OUR ARRIVAL BACK INTO CANADA. WE LAUGHED ABOUT IT SAYING, ” WELL , WE HAD THREE WEEKS OF UTTER RELAXATION AND IN ONE MORNING WE ARE BACK TO BEING EXHAUSTED AND STRESSED . ” HA HA.

WHEN WE LANDED AT THE VANCOUVER AIRPORT WE SEEMED TO WALK A MILE BEFORE WE ARRIVED ACROSS THE STREET AND DOWN TO THE BUDGET RENTAL CAR DESK….. AT ONE A.M. ….AND IT WAS CLOSED ! WE COULDN’T BELIEVE IT AND OF COURSE WE WERE SO TIRED AND JUST WANTED TO GET OUR CAR AND DRIVE DOWNTOWN TO THE HOTEL. UGH.

WE ENDED UP RENTING FROM HERTZ WHO WERE THE ONLY PLACE ON CALL AND BY THE TIME WE FOUND THE HOTEL IT WAS 2 A.M.

THE NICE LADY AT THE FRONT DESK WAS UNFORTUNATELY VERY VERY CHATTY . SHE SEEMED TO PREFER OUR COMPANY TO FINDING US A ROOM AND WHEN SHE FINALLY FOUND US ONE WE HAD TO CHANGE IT BECAUSE IT HAD A FLIGHT OF STAIRS TO THE BEDROOM SUITE. DANG.

FINALLY AT ABOUT 2:30 WE GOT INTO THE BIG BED AND AFTER TRYING TO SETTLE OUR MINDS DOWN BY READING UNTIL 3 AM WE SNUGGLED DOWN. FOR 10 MINUTES.

IT WAS AT ABOUT THIS POINT THAT THE FIRE ALARM STARTED TO SOUND . WE JUST LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND SAID, ” YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ! ”

SO OF COURSE THE WHOLE BUILDING MADE IT DOWN TO THE LOBBY WHERE WE WERE ENTERTAINED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COMING IN …. AND THEN LEAVING…AND THEN IT WAS BACK TO THE ROOMS. PHEW!

AT 4:30 A. M. THE FIRE ALARM SOUNDED. AGAIN.

SO AGAIN, WE ALL GOT DRESSED QUICKLY AND MADE IT BACK DOWN TO THE LOBBY TO WAIT FOR 2 MORE FIRE TRUCKS . AND AGAIN WE TRIED TO GET BACK TO SLEEP. OH MAN.

WE FOUND OUT A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER ( WHEN WE GOT UP FOR MASS) THAT THE FIRST ALARM WAS SET OFF BY SOMEONE SMOKING IN THEIR ROOM. ODDLY, THE SECOND ALARM WAS UNRELATED . IT WAS SET OFF BY A KITCHEN FIRE IN THE RESTAURANT NEXT DOOR TO THE HOTEL ! ( GOOD TO KNOW THE ALARMS WORK) WE JOKED THAT MAYBE THE GIRL AT THE FRONT DESK HAD JUST BEEN LONELY AND SET THEM OFF HERSELF…HA HA.

FINALLY , AFTER A FEW MORE TINY MISHAPS AT BREAKFAST ( TERRY SPILLING A BLOP OF SOMETHING ON HIS WHITE SHIRT. AND TERRY GETTING LOCKED OUT OF THE STAIRWELL WHEN HE TRIED TO TAKE THE STAIRS TO MAKE IT BACK TO ME QUICKER….) WE HEADED OVER TO MASS AND THEN OUR OLDEST SON’S HOME TO MEET OUR 3 WEEK OLD GRANDSON , LEO.

THIS WAS THE VERY VERY GOOD PART OF THE MORNING!

0 Saying Good-bye to Kona

January 24, 2020
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Only the pleasant ones…ha ha

The King!

The Queen !

Wee gecko

Gorgeous place to rest

Some lobby art

Typical games table

Traditional Hawaiian Quilt

In blue

THIS HAS BEEN A MARVELLOUS BREAK FROM WINTER ….AND IT WAS A COOOOOLD ONE BACK HOME IN EDMONTON.

JUST THOUGHT I’D SHARE A FEW LAST PHOTOS OF OUR HOTEL , THE ROYAL KONA.

ALTHOUGH I WILL MISS THE HAWAIIAN SUNSHINE I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR RETURN FLIGHT STOPOVER IN VANCOUVER WHERE WE WILL BE WITH OUR FAMILIES AND MEET OUR 5TH GRANDSON, BABY LEO , FOR THE FIRST TIME.

WISHING YOU ” MALUHIA ” ( PEACE) IN YOUR HOMES AND IN YOUR HEARTS……

0 Dinner Cruise

January 24, 2020
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Future painting

Beach book

So many waves today

Beautiful day

Massive waves

Party drink on the Dinner Cruise

Nice to have a live singer

Red cliffs of Kona

Sun sets on mountains

Our table mate takes a photo

Sunset Cruise

WELL, IT’S GETTING REAL NOW : TOMORROW IS OUR LAST FULL DAY HERE.

IT WAS ‘PICTURE PERFECT’ ON THE BEACH TODAY BUT THE MASSIVE WAVES HAD ME THINKING ABOUT OUR ONE BOOKED EXCURSION : A DINNER CRUISE. WOULD IT BE SO ROUGH THAT THE MEAL WOULD MAKE US FEEL ILL ? I DECIDED NOT TO WORRY AND JUST ENJOY THE SUN AND A SOUND I LOVE…. CRASHING WAVES.

I HAVE READ A FEW BOOKS HERE AND SO HAS TERRY. IF YOU LIKE MYSTERIES I CAN HIGHLY RECOMMEND ” SOMETHING IN THE WATER ” BY CATHERINE STEADMAN. WOAH. IT IS A STRESSFUL ( BUT FUN!) PAGE TURNER.

AFTER OUR DAILY WORKOUTS WE MET ON THE LITTLE BEACH NEAR THE POOL . IT WAS SO HOT TODAY THAT WE WANTED TO SET UP IN THE SHADE OF THE BIG TREES ON THAT SIDE. WE ATE THE LAST OF OUR ‘BAR FRIDGE’ FOOD FOR LUNCH AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT ..IT WAS TIME TO GET READY FOR THE SHIP.

WE WERE FEELING VERY LUCKY TO HAVE GRABBED A GREAT SEAT IN THE BOAT . MOST OF THE GUESTS WANTED TO SIT UP TOP ON THE SHIP BUT THE SUN WAS BEATING DOWN ON THEM FOR SURE AND WE HAD AN ACTUAL TABLE ON WHICH TO ENJOY OUR DINNER.

WE SAT WITH SUSAN AND TOD FROM NORTH CAROLINA, VERY NICE FOLKS WHO ARE DATING . ( THEY RECONNECTED ON FACEBOOK. ALTHOUGH THEY WEREN’T IN THE SAME GRADE IN HIGH SCHOOL…THIS WAS THE CONNECTION).

WE HAD FUN GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER . I THOUGHT THE FOOD WAS VERY GOOD. THERE WERE HEALTHY SNACKS TO GET US GOING ( VEGGIES, HUMOUS, FRESH GUACAMOLE , TORTILLA CRISPS, ETC.) AND WE EACH RECEIVED ONE DRINK TICKET. TERRY PICKED OUT SOMETHING FOR ME CALLED A ‘LAVA FLOW’ . YUM.

DINNER INCLUDED FRESH ROLLS, 2 KINDS OF SALADS, A PORK DISH, BARBEQUED CHICKEN AND MORE… IT WAS TASTY. AND THE OCEAN CALMED DOWN SO THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY A VERY SMOOTH RIDE. PHEW.

WE HAD LIVE MUSIC IN BETWEEN OUR TOUR GUIDE TALK . SHE GAVE US THE HISTORY OF KONA AS WE TRAVELLED ALONG UNTIL WE GOT TO THE CAPTAIN COOK MONUMENT. I LEARNED QUITE A BIT ABOUT OUR SURROUNDINGS AND OUR MUSICIAN WAS A TALENTED GUY WHO HAD A GREAT BACK UP SOUND SYSTEM.

GOD PROVIDED US WITH A GORGEOUS SUNSET TO FINISH OFF THE CRUISE TOO.

2 Heading North, part two

January 23, 2020
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Valley sign

Incredible vista cliffs

Terry looks out at valley

Beautiful flowers at side of road

Terry at beach

Laura at beach

Wild rooster

He can’t read

Stunning beach

Terry dips his feet in ocean

Laura at beach

Our sunset tonight

IT WAS AMAZING TO HAVE THE HIGHWAY JUST END AT THE POLOLU VALLEY. THE CLIFFS WERE INCREDIBLE AND THE VALLEY OVERLOOKED THE CRASHING WAVES OF THE OCEAN.

WE SPENT A FEW MINUTES AFTER PARKING – WALKING DOWN TO THE VALLEY AND THEN I BRAVED THE SHORT WALK BACK UP TO THE CAR WITH TERRY. ( I THINK I HAVE DONE PRETTY WELL WITH MY MOBILITY ISSUES THIS TRIP. WORKING OUT IN THE POOL EVERYDAY HAS BEEN A BLESSING. ALSO TERRY ALWAYS GIVES ME A PUSH WHICH IS INCREDIBLY HELPFUL . )

THEN AS WE WERE HEADING BACK TO THER HOTEL WE TOOK A DETOUR WHICH MENTIONED A PARK UP AHEAD. AND THIS WAS WHERE WE FOUND A BUNCH OF WILD ROOSTERS WAITING FOR US AND ANOTHER WONDERFUL BEACH LOCATION. SIGH. I COULD HAVE SAT THERE FOR AN HOUR JUST TO HEAR THOSE WAVES CRASH ON THE LOVELY , PEBBLY SAND. TODAY IT WAS 81 DEGREES IN THE MORNING AND IT STAYED THAT WARM UNTIL WE ARRIVED BACK.

WE MET A YOUNG COUPLE AT THE BEACH WHO WERE TAKING SELFIES WITH THEIR NEW DRONE. THE MODERN WORLD, HEY?

WE WOULD BE LOSING THE SUNLIGHT SOON SO IT WAS TIME TO HEAD BACK TO OUR HOTEL. TERRY DID CAPTURE AN IMAGE OF OUR SUNSET ON THE WAY HOME. STILL NO DONKEY CROSSINGS YET BUT WE DID SEE A FEW GOATS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

0 North Side of the Big Island ( part one)

January 23, 2020
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Snow on Mauna Kea

Lunch in Kohala

Funny carving behind a building

Very old cemetery

King Kamehameha Statue

Snack truck !

Snack Truck yard

Wee gecko near fresh picked oranges

Us !

IT’S A WONDERFUL FEELING TO HAVE NO AGENDA AND TO BE ABLE TO JUMP IN THE CAR AND JUST DRIVE. THIS IS MY KIND OF ADVENTURE. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU WILL SEE AROUND THE NEXT BEND.

AND ALTHOUGH WE HAVE NOW BEEN TO THE BIG ISLAND SEVERAL TIMES, TODAY WE HAPPENED UPON SOME PRETTY COOL PLACES THAT WE HAVE NEVER SEEN IN ALL OF THESE YEARS.. JUST BECAUSE WE LET THE ‘WIND’ TAKE US WHERE IT WOULD.

WE STARTED OUT WITH OUR USUAL KONA COFFEE AND THEN OFF ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY HEADING NORTH . THE SKIES WERE CLEAR ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY SEE SNOW ON THE MAUNA KEA MOUNTAIN TODAY . THE PHOTO MAKES ME LAUGH BECAUSE WE HAVE NEVER SEEN A DONKEY CROSSING ANYWHERE ON THE ISLAND. ( READ THE SIGN IN THE FOREGROUND )

WE ENDED UP HAVING LUNCH IN THE PRETTY TOWN OF KOHALA WHERE WE ENJOYED FRESHLY MADE SANDWICHES TO ORDER WHILE WE HAD SOME FUN ‘PEOPLE WATCHING’ OPPORTUNITIES. WE DID A BIT OF SHOPPING AROUND , MET WITH SOME INTERESTING GALLERY OWNERS ( GORGEOUS ART THAT SEEMED TO BE SOOOO OVERPRICED THOUGH) , AND I HAD FUN TAKING SOME PHOTOS OF THE AREA TOO.

WE HAVE NEVER BEEN FARTHER NORTH THAN THAT TOWN SO WE DECIDED THAT WE WOULD CONTINUE ON AND SEE WHAT WE COULD SEE.

AT AROUND 3 PM WE STOPPED AT A FOOD TRUCK PLACED IN THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SETTING! I ENJOYED A LEMONADE AND BASIL DRINK….SO REFRESHING!

WE CROSSED A FEW ‘ONE CAR ONLY’ SINGLE LANE BRIDGES AND ENDED UP LITERALLY COMING TO THE VERY END OF THE ROAD. THE HIGHWAY ENDED UP AT THIS INCREDIBLE VALLEY WITH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VISTA .

TO BE CONTINUED…..

4 Darren Bachynski

January 22, 2020
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

New Years with Jenny and Darren

Loving brothers

High Fives !

Darren and Jenny

I AM REALLY ENJOYING THE CREATIVE CAREERS OF OUR SON DARREN AND HIS WIFE, JENNY. DARREN IS HILARIOUS AND SOMEHOW JENNY IS THE PERFECT ‘YING’ FOR HIS CRAZY ‘YANG’ .

DARREN GRADUATED FROM EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY IN VANCOUVER AND SEEMS TO BE ONE OF THOSE RARE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY GRADUATE FROM AN ARTS PROGRAM AND MANAGE TO MAKE THEIR LIVING IN THE ARTS !

HE STARTED HIS OWN FILM COMPANY RIGHT OUT OF UNIVERSITY WITH HIS BEST FRIENDS AND IT’S CALLED COMBINATION FILMS. THEY HAVE PRODUCED EVERYTHING FROM MOVIES TO COMMERCIALS TO VIDEOS PROMOTING VARIOUS COMPANIES AND MUSICIANS. DARREN HIMSELF IS A MUSICIAN AND PLAYS PIANO , GUITAR , AND HE DarrenArt SINGS AND WRITES MUSIC. HE IS A FANTASTIC ARTIST. CHECK OUT THIS ORIGINAL PIECE ( ABOVE) THAT HE CREATED FOR HIS SISTER, LANA.

OR CHECK OUT SOME OF HIS FREELANCE WORK AT vimeo.com/dbachynski .

JENNY SOMEHOW MANAGED TO FINISH HER (SECOND) UNIVERSITY DEGREE …. IN ENGLISH LITERATURE( WHICH WILL LEAD TO TEACHING) …WHILE RAISING 2 ( ALSO VERY CREATIVE ) BOYS , STARTING HER OWN COMPANY MAKING LEATHER BAGS FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS, AND IN HER SPARE TIME WORKING ON AN ORIGINAL CHILDREN’S BOOK WITH DARREN. SHE IS BEAUTIFUL AND INCREDIBLY TALENTED TOO.

DARREN IS NOT ONLY A GREAT DAD BUT HE GOT HIRED AS AN ANIMATOR FOR ATOMIC CARTOONS IN VANCOUVER AND ENDED UP DOING INCREDIBLE COLOUR CORRECTION WORK FOR THE POPULAR NETFLIX SHOW ” BEAT BUGS ” AND OTHER REALLY COOL SHOWS THROUGH ATOMIC . HE JUST FINISHED WORKING ON “ THE LAST KIDS ON EARTH ” …ALSO FOR NETFLIX. CHECK IT OUT !

WE WERE NOT SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT DARREN IS VERY WELL LIKED IN THE COMPANY AND PUTS TOGETHER ORIGINAL TRIVIA GAMES AT NOON WITH HIS BEST FRIEND, MITCH, FOR THE WHOLE GANG OVER THERE. I HAVE TRIED PLAYING SOME OF THE TRIVIA GAMES AND THEY ARE REALLY FUN AND REALLY CHALLENGING TOO.

NOW DARREN IS A DIRECTOR FOR A NEW SHOW …THIS TIME FOR DISNEY!

I MUST SAY THAT THE THINGS I AM MOST PROUD OF WITH REGARDS TO DARREN ARE HIS LOVE FOR HIS WIFE , JENNY, AND THEIR CHILDREN AND HIS KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY FOR THOSE IN HIS LIFE. I HOPE YOU GET TO MEET HIM SOMEDAY . YOU COULDN’T HAVE A BETTER FRIEND.

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