'We were delighted': Dozens of large googly eyes mysteriously appear on B.C. street
It seemed like an ordinary morning until Doug Hallstead discovered something extraordinary on the tree outside his home.
“All of sudden there’s these cheerful eyes,” Doug points to a pair of large googly eyes attached to the trunk. “We were delighted!”
But then Doug wondered who put them there and why.
“We started talking to the neighbours,” Doug says. “Nobody said they’d done it.”
Instead, neighbours like Sue Bonnyman pointed out that below the limbs of their trees there were more googly eyes.
“They basically did trees all the way up the street,” Sue points out. “I think they’re great!”
Seemingly overnight, dozens of trees seemed to have sprouted giant eyeballs along Victoria’s Chamberlain Street.
While a few looked like cyclops with just one eye, most of the trees featured two prominent peepers taking it all in.
“I was smiling all the way up the street,” Maia McKinley says.
Kelly Sims, from a block away, started beaming too when she first saw the bark looking back at her.
“It’s a little bit of fun, urban-guerrilla happiness,” Kelly says. “[And] a mystery!”
“I don’t know who it could be,” Maia says. “It was a mystery.”
“Happy mysteries are always fun!” Doug laughs.
It’s a marvellous mystery that some of them tried to solve after someone else mentioned something about seeing a woman with blonde hair carrying a couple eyeballs under her arms.
“I’ve talked to a few blonde ladies,” Doug says. “But none of them will admit to it.”
So the neighbours switched gears, and instead of wondering who did it, started discussing how they could be inspired by it.
“Just buck up,” Sue says. “And make your neighbourhood better.”
Do something unexpected that will simply make someone’s day more delightful.
“And I love the fact that she did it anonymously, to keep the mystery,” Doug smiles. “We don’t have to take credit for the kind things that we do.”
But Doug says we do have to express our gratitude. So in lieu of offering an appreciative handshake or writing a thank-you card, a hug will have to do.
“I just love it,” Doug smiles while embracing the trunk and the tree’s googly eyes seem to look back at him. “Just love it.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Runway shut for 48 hours after cargo plane skids off at Vancouver International Airport
One of the runways at Vancouver International Airport will be closed for two days after a jet carrying Amazon packages overran it Tuesday morning.
Woman charged after Ontario toddler dies from drug toxicity
A 40-year-old woman is facing charges in the death of a toddler who was found without vital signs in a Niagara Falls, Ont., home last year. Niagara regional police say officers found the two-year-old child after they were called to a home on Nov. 21, 2023.
Canadian inflation back at 2 per cent ahead of year-end interest rate decision
Canada's annual inflation rate accelerated more than expected to 2.0 per cent in October as gas prices fell less than the previous month, data showed on Tuesday, likely diluting chances of another large rate cut in December.
Police arrest 2 suspects in killing of Montreal cryptocurrency influencer
Quebec provincial police have arrested two suspects in the death of 24-year-old cryptocurrency influencer Kevin Mirshahi.
Women testified to House panel that they were paid for sexual favours by Gaetz, lawyer says
Two women testified to the House Ethics Committee that they were paid for "sexual favours" by former Rep. Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, a lawyer for the two women told CNN’s Erin Burnett on Monday.
Watch Cruise ship tilts, causing panic as 'Titanic' song plays
Cruise ship passengers got a scare when their vessel tilted sideways, with one man saying the theme song for the film 'Titanic' had played during the ordeal.
Canucks forward J.T. Miller taking 'indefinite leave,' team says
When the Vancouver Canucks face off against the New York Rangers on Tuesday, there will be a notable absence on the ice.
Ex-husband of mass rape victim Gisele Pelicot set to speak in court
Gisele Pelicot, subjected to mass rape organized by her husband over 10 years, on Tuesday condemned the cowardice of the dozens of men accused of abusing her who claim they didn't realize it was rape, adding France's patriarchal society must change.
E. coli: Carrots recalled in Canada
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has posted a recall for both baby and whole organic carrot brands sold at multiple grocery stores due to E. coli contamination.