We had a lovely weekend once again.

Saturday was Canada Day. For some reason, Vancouver did not have fireworks. I am not sure I would have braved the crowds anyways. Minime got dressed up in Canada gear and flags. I walked beside him while we explored downtown Vancouver to see if there was anything fun or interesting to see and partake in.

We began by hitting the West End Farmer's Market. As an almost-carnivore, I don't eat much in the way of fruits and veggies and baked goods. Many moons ago, I would have been thrilled to see the plant-based goods, but my now very finicky digestive system says no way with farts, cramps, and mal-odors. It is now low carb and meat-based for my health, and well, simple survival.

So there will be no vegan butter or plant-based cookies for me; but I still do enjoy the odd tipple with food. I love to visit the local brewers, vinters, and distillers and when they make something special purchase a bottle or two. I'll share my purchases for a Market Friday post.

After the market, we went for a stroll along Robson and to the town square. We live in such a horridly woke culture ... which I have come to distinguish between progressive and liberal ... because wokism is not either. Too many protestors out there set on spoiling the mood and make what should be a day of celebration and universal kinship into one of suffering and political divides.

No wokism is no longer about social justice and making a more peaceful world. I am sorry, but in practice, it just isn't. Rather it is all about control and division, where you either must feel guilty for loving your life, or pissed off at those that love their lives, especially if their skin is light or they are male. My fellow progressives ... from where I am standing ... we are going too far and becoming the tyrants we have so long resisted.

Wokism prioritizes division, censorship, and fight, and can't seem to bear neighbours going out and having a nice Saturday with family and friends. With strangers. Wokism simply can't tolerate a good time or the enjoyment of the unity we have created already.

It can't help but 'woke our mello'. So many of you, wokesters, have aligned yourself with censorship to the point that you would silence joy.

Okay, I got lost on my lovely weekend. But only for a moment or two. I'm back.

Minime and I strolled around and took great pleasure in the red shirts on so many different hues of faces. There were so many people pleased to live where they live and have neighbours who looked differently then they. The name of the nation they share so beside the point, the point being the belonging

Kinship can be diverse, where I live it is diverse and peaceful.

I had to be back home around dinner time for class; and so we had to cut our time uptown short, but not before we went for a late lunch at the Urbanfare on Alberni Street. We shared a couple charcuterie platters and some fancy water ... what we call sparkling water. I also had a glass of white wine.

It is important to remember that all people have a right to be heard and to have some control over how they will evolve. We all must evolve. But ALL PEOPLE must also be allowed to voice their joy and sorrow. Joy must be given space and far more than we give to past sorrows.