The Butchart Gardens in British Columbia The Canadian people are very fortunate to have been gifted with such a treasure. 119-year-old internationally renowned 55-acre Display Gardens, located in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia created by Jennie Butchart and is still now privately owned. Serene and tranquil, walking through, breathing in the clear, clean air, daydreaming among …
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Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 168
My Dear Friend “Bonnie” Before I get to the end of my story telling, I wish to write a little ditty about my dear friend, named Bonnie here at Woodlands. She is my neighbor, my “watching over me” my dear friend and my little sister. I had a severe reaction to an antibiotic given to …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 167
A Journey to Vancouver, B.C. My sister Friedl came to visit my husband Hal and me, and during that time Friedl and I made a trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, a two-hour drive from our home in Bellevue, Washington. My Hal had a trip to the East coast coming up for meetings, scheduled for his …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 166
Jamaika Blue Mountain (and the Seattle Opera House) For Christmas this year, two of my dearest friends gave me “Jamaika Blue Mountain” coffee, for a most wonderful Christmas present, my favorite and the most fragrant and tasty coffee there is. As I am enjoying this precious cup and seeing the label every day, it awakened …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 165
A Telephone, The Telephone Company The year was 1980 and it was October, a most beautiful fall day with gorgeous fall colors on the trees, while driving from Seattle back to Vancouver. We had found an awesome Condo, a townhome on the east side of Seattle. Bellevue, Cougar Hills. The complex existed of 19 units, …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 164
A Visit to the Burg Frankenstein (a Fortress from Roman Times) During summertime many visitors come to this castle for outings, sightseeing, great dinners in a romantic setting and for unforgettable concerts. The castle grounds were lighted with floodlights and the view to the south-west, across the fertile valley of the “Bergstrasse” (mountain road) was …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 163
A Happy and Great New Year 2024! A little story, a big gift, great blessings. This Christmas of 2023 is the 6th Christmas without my beloved husband, Hal. It does not become easier, it becomes more depressing and sadder each added year. But having to admit, there are rewards. Big gifts to me are my …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 162
Christmas Eve Dinner Planning Christmas dinner for the Cole family has always been a pleasure for me, but this Christmas dinner will be a challenge, since my Hal’s father won’t be with us at the table, I must think of something very special for my Hal. His father had been very ill and is, after …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 161
Christmas Time in Germany Christmas time starts with the four Sundays prior to Christmas day, called Advent. On most tables in the dining rooms or even kitchen tables, beautifully decorated Advent wreaths go center stage. There are four candles on that wreath and each Sunday one additional candle gets lighted and by Christmas eve all …
Ilona Cole, Guest Author, Story 160
The Classic Carolers My beloved husband Hal was searching for some unusual Christmas decorations for his library. We had seen at Molback’s Nursery’s gift shop these wonderful Victorian Carolers, dressed in garments from the 1800s, beautiful, handmade and nostalgic. We were going to put together several adults and children, to have a large group of …