brian...

As I was touring Alcatraz with you yesterday...and thinking of the bleak and hopeless life that was lived out by many in that desolate place...I thought of another inmate closer to home. He had never been to Alcatraz...but he has seen the inside of a good many Canadian prisons. He has also sat in my kitchen...and eaten at my table.

And he made me this lovely tea chest...which I treasure and have used often on a beverage table. Let me introduce Brian...we go back over a dozen years.

My husband was approached on many occasions to see if he would consider becoming involved in the M2 prison ministry (a man-to-man prison visitation program). He was on several boards and committees at that time and was busy on the farm...and really couldn't fit one more thing into his agenda. In February of 1995 we were in a serious motor vehicle accident. He spent several weeks in hospital in Vancouver...and returned home in a body cast...with lots of time to contemplate life and stare at the ceiling! Physical work would be out of the question for a long while...and it was at this time that he decided to volunteer to visit someone in prison. He was paired up with Brian...who was serving time in a medium security prison not far from here...and went to visit him on a regular basis.

As time unfolded he got to know Brian's story...not a pretty one. He was much my age...had a lousy childhood...and eased right into a life of crime. With over fifty convictions...he had spent a good part of his adult life in and out of our penitentiaries. By this stage of his life...he was totally cut off from any family...and had no friends on the outside...and so my hubby was his one and only visitor. I would on occasion go along...for a Christmas party or a special event. I liked Brian...he was easy to visit with and seemed quite harmless. Oh...and he liked to play Scrabble with me! But we really never knew if he was being honest and open...or a 'con'. For ten years, hubby visited him in different facilities...Brian was transferred from one to another and eventually checked them all out. He was up for parole a few times...and was denied. I was quite OK with that...but knew that one day he would be on the outside and then what? Hubby was his only friend. The day came...he was a free man...and he settled in our community. A 'circle of support' was set up to help him make a life on the outside...and they met with Brian on a regular basis. He came to our farm...even worked a little...met some of the family...and came to our home on several occasions. Let's just say that it was easier to visit Brian behind bars...than to be his friend once he was a free man.

After awhile, Brian was re-connected with his sister on the Canadian prairies and decided to move to be near her. A group of people stepped in to help him start a new life in a new community...wonderful people who are still supporting him to this day. We stopped by to see him on one of our treks to Manitoba...and he was so thrilled to show us his neat and tidy little house. We went out for supper...and met his sister...and left feeling he was in a good place. That was two years ago. Last week he called...and hubby had a nice chat with him. Brian just wanted to say thank-you for being his friend. He now has a job, a house, a Ford truck...and a good circle of friends. He goes to church regularly and has made a decision to live his life differently...and his life is now good.

It's the Christmas season. Maybe the best gift we can give someone is our time...and our friendship. It costs more than money...but it also has lasting rewards. Think about it.

Have a great day...

Alcatraz...just visiting!

I left you on the wharf back in San Francisco...one day last week...and promised I'd take you out to the island for a tour. Today is the day!

We made the ferry crossing in good company...the tours are all sold out well in advance. Alcatraz is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Northern California.

Alcatraz is an island located in the San Francisco Bay, about one and a half miles from shore. Also known as Rock, the small island first served as a lighthouse, then a military fort, a military prison, and later a federal prison until 1963. For twenty-nine years it was a maximum security prison...the most feared one in the United States.

We arrived at the pier...then began our tour at this cell block. The graffiti on the wall was a reminder of the two years when North American Indians of all tribes occupied the island. Alcatraz is now part of the National Park Service.

We passed by the famous guard tower...

...and entered a tunnel that clearly was not built yesterday. The earliest construction at the Alcatraz military fort began in 1857...this particular project was completed in 1866.

It felt a little eerie...wandering the well-weathered hallways of Alcatraz.

The cells? Nothing to write home about!

We did a tour of Oakalla Prison here in British Columbia in 1991...the year it closed it's cells for good. It was our own version of Alcatraz...and everything looked very similar. Not a fun place to while away one's life...a place where there was next to no chance of escape.

The lighthouse...which was rebuilt in 1909 following earthquake damage...still sends out it's beams. The warden's home next door, was destroyed by fire during the Indian occupation.

There is a lovely view of San Francisco from Alcatraz...and it looks mighty close. So close that 36 inmates attempted to escape to the city during the time it was a maximum security prison...none were successful. There are a few that were never captured...and are presumed drowned...although legend has it that they are living the good life in South America. Who knows?

The most notorious prisoner who did time at Alcatraz was Al Capone...the boss of a criminal organization based in Chicago.

We met many of the famous prisoners through pictures along their wall of fame. We heard the stories...

...and then we met a former prisoner in real life. Darwin Coon (lower right in previous photo) has written a book called Alcatraz: The End of the Line...and was signing copies. We picked one up...and found it quite interesting. It is not a great literary masterpiece...but it is a good news story of one of North America's most hardened criminals who left his life of crime and made something good out of it. I am reminded again that no one is ever beyond hope!

And with that I will end my tour today. It seems we all know a little about the island without ever visiting...since it has been made famous by Hollywood. One of the most recent movies is The Rock (1996)...others include The Birdman of Alcatraz, Escape from Alcatraz, The Enforcer (Clint Eastwood) and The Final Sentence.

It's time to catch our ferry back to Pier 33. The bridge you see in the distance...also called the Bay Bridge...was closed the day we made our crossing. A cable broke on the bridge the previous day...causing the closure and total traffic chaos in the city. It never re-opened for five days. We made our way north via the Golden Gate Bridge...and escaped while we could!

It was a most interesting experience...to visit the island of Alcatraz. A few hours were plenty long enough, however. Relish your freedom today...whatever may be on your agenda!

sneaking a peek...

It's always fun to see what is behind those closed doors...

...and check out how others decorate their homes. We all have our own style...and so what appeals to one is not necessarily for another...but the Christmas Tour of Homes proved that every home, whatever the style, can look beautiful for the holidays. I picked out a few of my favorites...and will take you along to enjoy the tour.

We were rather eager to get on with the tour...and showed up at the first home well of ahead of schedule! One would think the hostess would be a little annoyed at having looky-loos on her doorstep while she is running around tending to last minute details before the hoards arrive...


...but Lovella was more than accommodating! We got our own private tour of her most warm and welcoming festive home. 'The Bungalow' as she calls it...it gives new meaning to the word 'bungalow'. Lovella's home is packed with memories of by-gone days...reminders of Christmas past...a most friendly and cozy place to stay awhile. It seemed Terry thought it might become a little too cozy...because we found him hiding out in the shop...where he had his own decorating projects on the go!


Our next stop was a beautiful 'Bed & Breakfast'...a luxury inn nestled in a rural setting in the heart of the Fraser Valley. We almost required a GPS unit to find our way around this home...where seven trees stood guard throughout the home. If you are looking for a venue for a special occasion...or would like to know what it's like to get lost in a bedroom...check them out. It will be special!

Another favorite...was a 1902 heritage home. Beautifully restored...


...decked out in whites and shades thereof. And the next one was a wonderful surprise...

...a typical 1970's west coast home that has been transformed over the past few years by the new owners. So well done...with so many fun details. Oh yes...and did I mention the best peppermint cookies to sample? We left with the recipe...Marg and I...so we just may be serving them up in our kitchen as well.

Our last stop on the tour...was a home on Eagle Mountain...

...with grand staircases and garlands throughout. Golds, browns and bronzes...candles glowing and the aroma of the holidays. It was a good place to end our tour!

Thanks, Lovella...for giving us a reason to take in the home tour this season...

...and thanks to all of you for joining me in peeking through the windows.

Enjoy the day...