Back in Victoria. Ben and Katie took us to Mothers Day brunch complete with flowers, tattooed waitresses and the iconic photos of Marilyn Monroe on the walls. It was a good albeit short visit but we got to meet two of their new friends, Al and Kelli. Old-time buddy, Ryan, was there, too. It was not only a time for ‘Mother’ but it was also, perhaps, the first time we were surrounded by Ben and his friends and everyone was ‘adult’. You know, mature, civilized, socially adept and very pleasant to be with. Hard to explain……

It may have been just the slight but very much appreciated ‘deference to the old people’ that I was sensing. Whatever.

Ben’s into motorcycles. He just bought a trials bike in Powell River and was leaving to go pick it up immediately after brunch. He bought an old Dodge Van to make the trip and carry the prize home. It’s second hand in the extreme. The bike is also pre-owned and comes sans lights, horn and even a seat. It is lean like a gazelle and as sure-footed as a mountain goat. It is the new model of the old Sherpa Trials bike I am familiar with. It is called a Sherco. Trials riding is all about balance and maneuverability. Weight: approximately 200 pounds. Cost:$3000 or $15.00 a pound.

The Dodge van is all about expedience and affordability. It weighs 3500 pounds and can barely get out of it’s own way. It’s a cross between a pig and a lame hippopotamus. Neither quick nor nimble, it leaks and squeals and is somewhat reluctant to get on the road. It cost $700 and that works out to $0.20 cents a pound.

Advantage: the van, of course! It already has a mattress in the back. And the bike threatens the possibility of our becoming grandparents. The van suggests otherwise. It has a tendency to seek out parking spaces. Vivré le Dodge Ram van.

I’m gonna install ‘mood lights’ under the dash!

Today is one of our semi-annual Costco runs. We get a gallon pail of Tinactin, a half a ton of rice or some ludicrous supply of something or the other all in preparation for our upcoming years away from stores. This is one of the two ‘provisioning trips’ per year and we try each time to find something to buy that will last a few years or more. At one point (7 years ago) I had more Listerine than scotch! As soon as Crest Toothpaste makes a thirty pounder, we are on it!

Some things we can’t buy the large version of – like Bran Flakes. Too light. To get the amount I need – and in keeping with our shopping philosophy, – I would need a Bread van full. Somethings you just have to buy like a normal person. Sometimes, however, we step outside the normal box. We don’t need Preparation H but I’d pick up a ten pound tube if they had one on sale. That would fit with the ‘shopping plan philosophy’, you see.

I’d prefer to shop like Ben.