April 13, 2026Monday, April 12, 2026

Just a thought… All things are connected like the blood that unites us. We do not weave the web of life, we are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. [Chief Seattle]

Well, I hope you had a restful and fulfilling weekend; I know we did.

Today we’ll be heading home from our other place, our slice – Wedgie – of heaven on tiny Pender Island. Part of the joy of discovering a new place is not only meeting its people and our neighbours (more on that in a moment) but in finding interesting sights. On a couple of occasions in the past few days, I’ve passed a spot near that bench I shared with you last Monday. Here’s the sign that marks what I saw.

The whole idea is that if you don’t have access to a vehicle and aren’t up to the many hills on Pender on a bike, you stand near the sign and hope that someone stops to give you a ride. With Rob in Sidney for part of last week, and not yet knowing anyone here (except our realtor), I wondered if I would ever make use of the neighbourly service, of which there are as many as 29 on our island. Here’s more about it from Condé Nast Traveler:

The Car Stop system is a legal and encouraged form of hitchhiking acting as the primary public transit alternative to bringing a car or taking a taxi. It’s based on community trust and is considered safe although it is voluntary, meaning rides are not guaranteed particularly during off-peak times.

You wait at a designated sign and put out your thumb. Would you? Would I? After thinking about it for a few days, I have come up with an answer. Yes. Let’s say Rob’s back home in Sidney for hockey or whatever and I want to pick up some milk. As long as I wasn’t crunched for time, I just might do it.

Now, my problem might be if I caught a ride back from, say, the only large grocery store on the island, would I be able to tell someone where I needed to go? There are a few roads with the same name as the one we’re on; I might have to put my Google Maps to work to make sure I was headed in the right direction.

You might say, “But I watch Dateline. Why would you get in a car with a stranger?” and that’s a good point. Yes, we use rides like Uber or taxis, but there’s usually a digital trail as to whom we were with and when. But when we’re talking crime on this island, there’s basically one way in and one way out and that’s by ferry. Add to that the fact that with between two and three thousand residents (roughly doubled in summer months), the crime rate is extremely low. Everyone tends to know everyone else, and anonymity is not a thing.

We found that out firsthand just yesterday: while out walking the girls, Rob and I met a couple also walking a dog. We introduced ourselves and when they were surprised there was even a house in the woods where we are (yes, it’s that secluded), we invited them up the driveway to see the place from outside. A chat led to an offer to join them for happy hour at their house later in the day, which we did.

In meeting Mark and Lesley, we learned that we had the same realtor in common (they bought last summer). There are several realtors, so it’s a little more unusual than you might think. Just a day earlier, a friendly fellow who lives near us was out doing yard work and asked the dogs’ names. We sat as he rested, and chatted for about half an hour during which time he gave me a bit of the tea on the folks who live on the road. Mark and Lesley drove by and were waving at neighbour John, so I knew they were friendly and he told me they were pretty great. Actually meeting them the next day seemed to be wonderful luck.

And it was. We stayed at their house and talked ’til they invited us for dinner (we had to get home for ours as it happened), and we’ve made a date to go to a pub together this Friday to hear our realtor sing with her band!

So there we have it. A few chance encounters (thanks both times to the dogs, just as it was when I met a couple of terrific women in Puerto Vallarta in a neighbourhood in which I knew no one), some much-needed socializing, and now friendships in the making.

I was beginning to wonder if I would keep the promise I made to myself in the winter to make an effort and connect with more people. But it’s happening. Just like the countless daffodils and narcissus showing their sunny faces here and there amidst the woods and long grasses, I’m popping my head up to see who’s around. Knowing a few folks on our road could come in handy if that ride is ever needed, but a smile – and who knows, maybe even a thumb – are coming in handy as we settle in.

Have a good week as we make our way through April, Elbows Up as always and hoping for good things as Canada continues to steer herself in the right direction at three by-election polls today. Just as Jeremy Hansen made us proud this month, Hungary gave us hope on the weekend, as did the Raptors, who clinched a playoff spot.

Like friendly neighbours, there’s good news around if we just look for it.