Throwback Friday, From the Mountains to the Sea

A year ago, during a visit with my Canadian cousins, I left Vancouver Island for Edmonton and met my Alberta cousin in the small town of Wainwright. Soon after, we set off on a three‑day road trip back to the island, travelling through Jasper and the towering Rocky Mountains — a journey carved into memory.


A Picnic in the Rocky’s

Leaving Salmon Arm


On the outskirts of Vancouver, heading towards the Ferry


The ferry from Vancouver to Sidney (Vancouver Island)






From the Mountains to the Sea

I am gradually drifting down,
From out of the mountains’ smoky shroud,
Toward the seaside playground,
To rejoin a welcoming crowd.

Where, around the magical island,
There will be more stories unfold,
As time quickly filters through my hand;
But these precious moments will be all molded
Into poetic lines, written in charcoal and gold.




My Canadian cousins pointed me toward this Great Big Sea classic — a spirited companion for any journey drifting from mountains to shoreline.

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Until Eyes Hear Sound

Amazon >> Amazon.com : Until Eyes Hear Sound

Lulu Books >>  Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)



Perceptions:

Amazon >>  Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >>  Perceptions (lulu.com)



Tullawalla:

Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books


OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com … and I can send you a PayPal invoice
for the Book, plus Postage.



Ivor Steven ©  September 2026

I See You Now, Fifty Years, Today

Fifty years feels both distant and close, a milestone carried quietly through my days.
Some memories soften, some sharpen, but one truth remains — I still see her in the small moments, in the quiet spaces, in the light that lingers.
Today, I honour that presence the only way I know how: with a few simple lines.





I See You Now, Fifty Years, Today


A day I celebrate every day —
every day, walking my narrow path,
I see you now.
Every day, looking into our misty mirror,
I see you now.

Fifty years, today —
every night, in my dreams,
I see you now.
Every night, in the stars.
I see you now.

I am here,
you are where you are.
One day, my dear,
I’ll join you in the stars.





A song that echoes the way I still see her — in dreams, in stars, in the quiet of today.



Ivor Steven ©  September 10th 2026

A Weary Old Plumber, I’m Thinking of You (Happy Birthday, Dad)


Alex Steven (Dad), February 5th 1924 – July 3rd 2015




A Weary Old Plumber, I’m Thinking of You
(Happy Birthday, Dad)



One hundred and two years ago
When dark became day
And the sun shone on you
Did the gods of the world know
How lucky they were
That your sphere of love
Was all-encompassing







Ivor Steven ©  February 2026

Throwback Friday, It Was Time To Leave

Cousin Lynn and Robin with Mungo and Kelly

Cousin Maureen and doggies Z-Z and Co-Co

Cousin Penny, and then Dave, Penny, and Ivor

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Here I am on a Jet Plane, somewhere over the Pacific Ocean. Therefore today’s Throwback Friday poem is a very appropriate finale piece, to coincide with my amazing adventures in Canada over the past 21 days.

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It Was Time To Leave (Revised)

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It’s time to tidy up my mess
Clean up the room and get dressed
It’s time to pack my suitcase
Fill the travel bag and vacate this place
It’s time to put on my famous rocker shoes
And walk away from this dream come true
It’s time to say heartfelt goodbyes
To these wonderful Canadian guys
It’s time for final hugs and kisses
Sad farewells and best wishes
It’s time for my usual emotional tears
Separate myself from these every day cheers
It’s time to flyaway from a land of berries and fairies
Leave this magical world of faraway families
It’s time to say a million thank you’s
For making my stay a Really Real great do
It’s time for me to travel back home
With glorious memories of this magical Astrodome

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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025

Butchart Gardens

An awesome day with my Canadian family (cousins) at the incredible Butchart Gardens.

My cousins, Reeny, Lynn, and Penny. The family photo, Maureen, Robin, Lynn, Ivor, Penny, and Dave

Barbara (our travelling companion from Wainwright), Maureen. Me with my tall cousins, Penny, and Lynn

My favourite blooms from the rose garden

The three Sturgeon’s fountain

The spectacular Sunken Garden

Totem poles in the garden

The Italian garden

The jade Japanese Garden

A giant redwood tree

This article is becoming long and “boring”

Leaving the gorgeous Butchart Gardens I walked past a ‘Turbo Snail’

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Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2025

Beyond Mount Kosciuszko





Beyond Mount Kosciuszko



The timeless winter breeze
Is slowly defrosting me.

Quietly, through the misty silhouettes,
And from behind the fairy bushes,
I shall tentatively spread my wings
To find out if my shadows
Can fly high above the local meadows.

Once I am airborne,
I should be able to see Melbourne,
And from there – who knows how far
My dreams will go?

Beyond Mount Kosciuszko,
Across the Pacific Ocean,
Toward Vancouver and Nanaimo.





Ivor Steven (c) July 2025

Internation Women’s Day, My Women

Remembering “My Women”, my dear wife, Carole, and my amazing mother, Esther …
Thank you, Bella, for encouraging me to post this poem today …
>> https://thoughtsnlifeblog.com/2025/03/07/an-ode-to-women-in-honour-of-internation-womens-day/



My Women

After I had left the hem
Without women
I could not have survived my time
I would not have braved the climb
Ladies, you are my rhyme
My mother’s of thyme

Helping me roll away the stone
Maintaining these old bones
Repairing the bridges, I have burnt
Reciting the messages, I have learnt
Cheering from the sidelines
Supporting my broken designs
Women of My Rhymes
Mothers for a lifetime






Ivor Steven (c) March 2025

Under a Clear Blue Sky, I’m Thinking of You (Happy Birthday Dad)

Alex Steven (Dad), February 5th 1924 – July 3rd 2015





Under a Clear Blue Sky, I’m Thinking of You
(Happy Birthday Dad)


One hundred and one years ago
When the summer sun
Arose for you
Did the afternoon moon?
Shine on you too






Ivor Steven (c) February 5th 2025