Just a quick post to say....the travelling offspring have arrived safe and sound.
I'm sooo glad!!
Sleep well my dears....you deserve every moment of rest .... it's been a marathon!!
I'm so proud I could burst!!
Love and Hugs all round!!
Slainte!!
Friday, August 25, 2006
Sounds, sights and scents.....
This Kamloops morning.....
Sounds...
...the phone ringing at 5:45 am with our dear daughter on the other end telling us that they were through the border, visa acquired, and were now halfway between Buffalo and Rochester. I then got up, put the coffee and computer on....and checked out Google Earth to see where they were.
...Chloe and Mrs Tubbytoes (aka Putz) whinging for breakfast (our feline housemates)
...the train whistle of the Rocky Mountaineer as it wends it's way onwards down to Vancouver.
...incessant yammering of magpies at something or other...all around the neighbourhood!!
Sights...
...the said Rocky Mountaineer as it wends it's way onwards to Vancouver as seen through our living room window through binoculars (we do have an awesome view!!)
...the morning sun shining brilliantly on our patio table and chairs and showing off the hanging baskets magnificently!!
....a tiny bird (sparrow??) hopping between the grape vines in the garden (the cats watch unblinkingly)
...mate and Chauncey dog stepping briskly off for their daily walk
Scents...
...the "zesty" smell of the deodorant soap in the shower this morning....and the lavender shampoo!!
....the wonderful smell of Starbucks beans, ground and brewed in the early morning... there's nothing quite like it...except for Zack's beans (a Kamloops specialty!!)
...mate's aftershave as he gives me kiss before said walk...(he just recently shaved his beard off...so it's noticeable!!)
...basil, basil, basil....I cut the basil regularly to prevent flowering and it's a job I love to do. The scent of the basil is unbelievable and it stays on my fingers as I take the leaves from the tougher stems. I have two tubs of pesto in the fridge...so this batch will be for fresh use and possibly freezing in oil Still lots left in the garden as well. I also have tarragon to do and sage....and catnip and lemon balm (my sleep combination!!)I will no doubt freeze the tarragon and/or make vinegar and dry the sage, catnip and lemon balm. I also have some winter savory, 3 mints, lemon verbena and rosemary to decide what to do with.
....the leftover night time scent of the stocks as I pass by during my daily "deadheading" routine. We have a large patch of Night Scented Stocks in the front and during the nights when I can't sleep...I stand by the open window and the smell of them just wafts up and envelopes me. I want to plant a lot around the patio next year. This year and last, we had one plant...which was pretty good, but I think another, plus some sweet peas would just stink up the patio nicely!!
And as I finish off this blog entry, I still smell the basil on my fingers...sigh...and I have found a site that calculated the driving time between Buffalo and Shrewsbury....6 hours and 43 minutes....not too bad....the travelling offspring should be nearing their new home in about 1 1/2 hours (it's now 11:30am PST).
I love and miss them sooo much!!
I'm such a Mom!! :-)
Slainte!!
Sounds...
...the phone ringing at 5:45 am with our dear daughter on the other end telling us that they were through the border, visa acquired, and were now halfway between Buffalo and Rochester. I then got up, put the coffee and computer on....and checked out Google Earth to see where they were.
...Chloe and Mrs Tubbytoes (aka Putz) whinging for breakfast (our feline housemates)
...the train whistle of the Rocky Mountaineer as it wends it's way onwards down to Vancouver.
...incessant yammering of magpies at something or other...all around the neighbourhood!!
Sights...
...the said Rocky Mountaineer as it wends it's way onwards to Vancouver as seen through our living room window through binoculars (we do have an awesome view!!)
...the morning sun shining brilliantly on our patio table and chairs and showing off the hanging baskets magnificently!!
....a tiny bird (sparrow??) hopping between the grape vines in the garden (the cats watch unblinkingly)
...mate and Chauncey dog stepping briskly off for their daily walk
Scents...
...the "zesty" smell of the deodorant soap in the shower this morning....and the lavender shampoo!!
....the wonderful smell of Starbucks beans, ground and brewed in the early morning... there's nothing quite like it...except for Zack's beans (a Kamloops specialty!!)
...mate's aftershave as he gives me kiss before said walk...(he just recently shaved his beard off...so it's noticeable!!)
...basil, basil, basil....I cut the basil regularly to prevent flowering and it's a job I love to do. The scent of the basil is unbelievable and it stays on my fingers as I take the leaves from the tougher stems. I have two tubs of pesto in the fridge...so this batch will be for fresh use and possibly freezing in oil Still lots left in the garden as well. I also have tarragon to do and sage....and catnip and lemon balm (my sleep combination!!)I will no doubt freeze the tarragon and/or make vinegar and dry the sage, catnip and lemon balm. I also have some winter savory, 3 mints, lemon verbena and rosemary to decide what to do with.
....the leftover night time scent of the stocks as I pass by during my daily "deadheading" routine. We have a large patch of Night Scented Stocks in the front and during the nights when I can't sleep...I stand by the open window and the smell of them just wafts up and envelopes me. I want to plant a lot around the patio next year. This year and last, we had one plant...which was pretty good, but I think another, plus some sweet peas would just stink up the patio nicely!!
And as I finish off this blog entry, I still smell the basil on my fingers...sigh...and I have found a site that calculated the driving time between Buffalo and Shrewsbury....6 hours and 43 minutes....not too bad....the travelling offspring should be nearing their new home in about 1 1/2 hours (it's now 11:30am PST).
I love and miss them sooo much!!
I'm such a Mom!! :-)
Slainte!!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Happy Birthday to me!!
So I turned 58 today (August 21). I mention the date because I'm in one of my "Sleepless in Kamloops" modes and it's now early morning on the 22.
On reflection, I think I'm finally getting somewhere with this "finding my creative spirit" thing.
Whilst lying abed this night with no sleep, it occurred to me that there seems to be a common thread in all my creative meanderings......the past. Irish History and Irish family history, old family photographs, historical journals, reading old letters and early attempts at poetry and prose....I think that I have always been more comfortable in the past rather than the future (with the exception of the computer)...and somehow I think that's where my spirit lies in some way, shape or form.
So that's as far as I've got.....some further cogitation required.
As for my day....it was good....restful morning, and in the afternoon a little exploratory expedition in the car ending in Chase by the lake for some paddling and sketching while my mate binoculared and photographed and walked the dog. Home for a nap and then out for dinner at Kelly O'Bryans (free for me 'cause it was my birthday)....ending with a yummy strawberry shortcake which I just could not finish...more's the pity.
I am still sad, but having talked to the travelling offspring, I feel a lot better....in fact I downloaded Google Earth for my laptop (we already have it on the PC) so I can follow their route.....it's an easy and novel way to see how they go.....and you don't have all that unfolding and folding of maps!!!
So now I should try to get some sleep.......such a necessary part of our lives, but sometimes so hard to accomplish!!
Slainte!!
On reflection, I think I'm finally getting somewhere with this "finding my creative spirit" thing.
Whilst lying abed this night with no sleep, it occurred to me that there seems to be a common thread in all my creative meanderings......the past. Irish History and Irish family history, old family photographs, historical journals, reading old letters and early attempts at poetry and prose....I think that I have always been more comfortable in the past rather than the future (with the exception of the computer)...and somehow I think that's where my spirit lies in some way, shape or form.
So that's as far as I've got.....some further cogitation required.
As for my day....it was good....restful morning, and in the afternoon a little exploratory expedition in the car ending in Chase by the lake for some paddling and sketching while my mate binoculared and photographed and walked the dog. Home for a nap and then out for dinner at Kelly O'Bryans (free for me 'cause it was my birthday)....ending with a yummy strawberry shortcake which I just could not finish...more's the pity.
I am still sad, but having talked to the travelling offspring, I feel a lot better....in fact I downloaded Google Earth for my laptop (we already have it on the PC) so I can follow their route.....it's an easy and novel way to see how they go.....and you don't have all that unfolding and folding of maps!!!
So now I should try to get some sleep.......such a necessary part of our lives, but sometimes so hard to accomplish!!
Slainte!!
Saturday, August 19, 2006
....and then they were gone......
So....yesterday morning the travelling offspring said their farewells (well I think we ALL blubbered our farewells!!) and took to the road, heading for Edmonton down the Yellowhead.
It was a good visit....lots of conversation, still some long distance tweaking in arrangments to do, and lots of good food and good conversation. "J- little bro" arrived about 15 minutes after T&D and Bastet on Friday so we all sat on the patio and caught up for a while.....after which we decided that a heavy dinner wasn't on, so we made up plates of bread and many cheeses and veggies and and other snackies and sat around the dining room table and talked more. Gradually the menfolk faded out to their respective beds and mom and daughter finished the wine and chatted 'till after midnight.
Thursday was spent making last minute calls and checking on arrangements, laundry etc.... and then T and "J- little bro" took off for some brother/sister time and shopping for a while.
So.....as we were having lunch, they arrived home and lo and behold.....a gift for Mom....(it's my birthday on Monday you see)....a wonderful Mediterranean style appetizer set of several small dishes (all difference shapes) and one large pasta or salad bowl. It was just so amazingly appropriate for me.....my style totally!! The birthday/bon voyage celebration continued with a dinner at Ric's Mediterranean Grill downtown and then finished off the evening with a wonderful cheesecake and wine at home. T and I finished off the evening (and the wine!!) out on the patio chatting again...whilst the menfolk watched Two for the Road.....:-)
Everyone was up early to say goodbye on Friday and after they left and we settled down a bit "J-little bro" joined us on a trip to the Wildlife Park and we all quite enjoyed it....especially the Raptor exhibit. Our dear son left around 6'ish and phoned when he reached Chilliwack.....(it's a tradition you see....just to let mom know he made it over the Coq ).
Finally got word (after a phone call) that T&D had reached Edmonton safely, at which point, I retired to the bathroom and soaked in a foamy tub of lukewarm water which smelled strongly of lavender, chamomile with a hint of rosemary, with a nice glass of Desert Hills Gamay close to hand!!
It has been an emotional three days....it whizzed by just too fast......and I still can't believe it!
I think it will all sink in when I finally get emails from Ontario and Shrewsbury.
Their adventure has started.......and it will be good
Slainte!!
It was a good visit....lots of conversation, still some long distance tweaking in arrangments to do, and lots of good food and good conversation. "J- little bro" arrived about 15 minutes after T&D and Bastet on Friday so we all sat on the patio and caught up for a while.....after which we decided that a heavy dinner wasn't on, so we made up plates of bread and many cheeses and veggies and and other snackies and sat around the dining room table and talked more. Gradually the menfolk faded out to their respective beds and mom and daughter finished the wine and chatted 'till after midnight.
Thursday was spent making last minute calls and checking on arrangements, laundry etc.... and then T and "J- little bro" took off for some brother/sister time and shopping for a while.
So.....as we were having lunch, they arrived home and lo and behold.....a gift for Mom....(it's my birthday on Monday you see)....a wonderful Mediterranean style appetizer set of several small dishes (all difference shapes) and one large pasta or salad bowl. It was just so amazingly appropriate for me.....my style totally!! The birthday/bon voyage celebration continued with a dinner at Ric's Mediterranean Grill downtown and then finished off the evening with a wonderful cheesecake and wine at home. T and I finished off the evening (and the wine!!) out on the patio chatting again...whilst the menfolk watched Two for the Road.....:-)
Everyone was up early to say goodbye on Friday and after they left and we settled down a bit "J-little bro" joined us on a trip to the Wildlife Park and we all quite enjoyed it....especially the Raptor exhibit. Our dear son left around 6'ish and phoned when he reached Chilliwack.....(it's a tradition you see....just to let mom know he made it over the Coq ).
Finally got word (after a phone call) that T&D had reached Edmonton safely, at which point, I retired to the bathroom and soaked in a foamy tub of lukewarm water which smelled strongly of lavender, chamomile with a hint of rosemary, with a nice glass of Desert Hills Gamay close to hand!!
It has been an emotional three days....it whizzed by just too fast......and I still can't believe it!
I think it will all sink in when I finally get emails from Ontario and Shrewsbury.
Their adventure has started.......and it will be good
Slainte!!
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Wine and Appys on the Patio.....
Our family will be here in the next little while.....our two children and one son-in-law. We will all be gathered to bid a fond and loving farewell to T & D and Bastet!! It will be an emotional few days, but I am going to try to make it also a relaxing and tasty start to a long road trip. (How can you tell that T and I are mother/daughter :-).....it's all about good food and good wine!!)
To that end.....I have roasted almonds, will be roasting chickpeas, making jumbo raisin cookies ,(which I would have baked today, but I had no eggs!!), maybe making Welsh cakes, chopping veggies, making dip, buying wine, cheese and interesting bread...and especially for T.....GARLIC SAUSAGE!!.....in short, all the things that the travelling offspring find enjoyable..(I hope). Also there will be a good supply of "Mom's comfort food" for all the family.....which comfort food it is, I have no idea....but I shall be prepared for anything!!
After the mad panic of the departure, some down time relaxing on the patio is definitely in the cards for both of them.....while Bastet reclines on the bed!!
It's interesting.....up until last night I was wondering how I was going to cope with these few days....my chest was tight, I was verging on tears and all in all I felt like s**t!! So this morning....after sleeping rather badly, I got up and we did a whip'round cleaning up the house and getting the beds ready. I had a lovely phone talk with my 95 year old aunt about everything....I so love her to bits....she knows me so well... because she is me.... in about 40 years.
After the chat we had lunch and I decided to nap. (Naps are a good thing) When I got up .....I decided to cook and bake......well...cook maybe (it's the almonds you know??) and leave the baking until tomorrow after we get some eggs etc....so now....I feel so much better, like a load has been lifted. It's all about doing things to make people happy......thinking about how they feel rather than how I feel.....sigh.....what a relief.
I will still be sad when they leave, in fact I can guarantee that I will weep copious amounts of salty H2O, but now I will think of the positive side of it all and send them on their way with all the support, love and prayers I can provide.
But first........it's about that wine and appys on the patio.........
Slainte!!
To that end.....I have roasted almonds, will be roasting chickpeas, making jumbo raisin cookies ,(which I would have baked today, but I had no eggs!!), maybe making Welsh cakes, chopping veggies, making dip, buying wine, cheese and interesting bread...and especially for T.....GARLIC SAUSAGE!!.....in short, all the things that the travelling offspring find enjoyable..(I hope). Also there will be a good supply of "Mom's comfort food" for all the family.....which comfort food it is, I have no idea....but I shall be prepared for anything!!
After the mad panic of the departure, some down time relaxing on the patio is definitely in the cards for both of them.....while Bastet reclines on the bed!!
It's interesting.....up until last night I was wondering how I was going to cope with these few days....my chest was tight, I was verging on tears and all in all I felt like s**t!! So this morning....after sleeping rather badly, I got up and we did a whip'round cleaning up the house and getting the beds ready. I had a lovely phone talk with my 95 year old aunt about everything....I so love her to bits....she knows me so well... because she is me.... in about 40 years.
After the chat we had lunch and I decided to nap. (Naps are a good thing) When I got up .....I decided to cook and bake......well...cook maybe (it's the almonds you know??) and leave the baking until tomorrow after we get some eggs etc....so now....I feel so much better, like a load has been lifted. It's all about doing things to make people happy......thinking about how they feel rather than how I feel.....sigh.....what a relief.
I will still be sad when they leave, in fact I can guarantee that I will weep copious amounts of salty H2O, but now I will think of the positive side of it all and send them on their way with all the support, love and prayers I can provide.
But first........it's about that wine and appys on the patio.........
Slainte!!
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Not yet.....
As yet, I am unable to write about the forthcoming travels of our dear daughter and her beloved.
I may be in denial...I don't know.....but I cannot yet change the lump in my chest into words on a screen about this change in our lives.
Maybe in the days to come, I can do this.....
....but not yet.....
I may be in denial...I don't know.....but I cannot yet change the lump in my chest into words on a screen about this change in our lives.
Maybe in the days to come, I can do this.....
....but not yet.....
It has been a long day......
We did one of our marathon visits to the Lower Mainland today.......
Our reasons for doing so were twofold.....to return my brother-in-law to his home after a week with us.....and to connect with a friend from my past.
It is the latter that I write about now.....
It has been 33 years since I have seen PMc. She was my room mate and travelling companion when I was studying in England in the late 60's and early 70's. We were close....as close as any two friends could be. After I finished at college and came home, we kept a somewhat infrequent correspondence and then after a time, it fizzled out as our lives progressed and got busier. A few years ago, I did some research on the net and came up with her email address. So I emailed her and asked if she was who I was looking for....ie...are you the PMc that was in London in 1969 attending......blah blah etc....and wonder of wonders...I got an answer!
I replied and I think we had about 2 emails and then they too fizzled out. I managed to get her on my MSN contact list and chatted somewhat hesitantly once.
So....about 2 weeks ago, out of the blue, I got an email from her saying she is going to be on a flying visit to Vancouver and can we connect. We could and we did......today.....it was wonderful and heartwrenching.......
Two hours is definitely not time enough to catch up on 33 years of a lifetime. However, I did find out enough to know that we have in many ways followed a similar path.....and I want to continue the contact.
So....on the drive home to Kamloops, I decided that it was so much better to curl up with a cup of tea or coffee or a glass of wine and READ a snail mail letter, than to read an email on the computer.
Tomorrow, I shall start a written correspondence with my friend and hopefully it will be like in days of old....where you don't just necessarily talk about what you're doing and who's doing what, but you also discuss ideas and exchange thoughts on everything that matters. Whether she will answer in the same vein I have no idea....but I'm willing to give it a try.
I also have made a mental list (I'll make a written one tomorrow) of people I would like to write to in non-email form......and as my mate is going to be down helping the travelling offspring this weekend (yes he DOES get to go down there again, only in his truck this time), I will start my writings. Not all can be written in the same way, but I'm interested to see what kind of response I get to an actual letter on paper. I believe that I will also put my travelling offspring on my list as well....beware T&D!!
I will not be writing these epistles by hand.....I am unable to do that anymore.....so I will type them in script and print them out and then sign them, no doubt with handwritten PS's.....
I'm looking forward to this as not only a writing exercise, but as a way of keeping in touch that seems to mean so much more than words on a screen, even though they start out that way.
Slainte!!
.
Our reasons for doing so were twofold.....to return my brother-in-law to his home after a week with us.....and to connect with a friend from my past.
It is the latter that I write about now.....
It has been 33 years since I have seen PMc. She was my room mate and travelling companion when I was studying in England in the late 60's and early 70's. We were close....as close as any two friends could be. After I finished at college and came home, we kept a somewhat infrequent correspondence and then after a time, it fizzled out as our lives progressed and got busier. A few years ago, I did some research on the net and came up with her email address. So I emailed her and asked if she was who I was looking for....ie...are you the PMc that was in London in 1969 attending......blah blah etc....and wonder of wonders...I got an answer!
I replied and I think we had about 2 emails and then they too fizzled out. I managed to get her on my MSN contact list and chatted somewhat hesitantly once.
So....about 2 weeks ago, out of the blue, I got an email from her saying she is going to be on a flying visit to Vancouver and can we connect. We could and we did......today.....it was wonderful and heartwrenching.......
Two hours is definitely not time enough to catch up on 33 years of a lifetime. However, I did find out enough to know that we have in many ways followed a similar path.....and I want to continue the contact.
So....on the drive home to Kamloops, I decided that it was so much better to curl up with a cup of tea or coffee or a glass of wine and READ a snail mail letter, than to read an email on the computer.
Tomorrow, I shall start a written correspondence with my friend and hopefully it will be like in days of old....where you don't just necessarily talk about what you're doing and who's doing what, but you also discuss ideas and exchange thoughts on everything that matters. Whether she will answer in the same vein I have no idea....but I'm willing to give it a try.
I also have made a mental list (I'll make a written one tomorrow) of people I would like to write to in non-email form......and as my mate is going to be down helping the travelling offspring this weekend (yes he DOES get to go down there again, only in his truck this time), I will start my writings. Not all can be written in the same way, but I'm interested to see what kind of response I get to an actual letter on paper. I believe that I will also put my travelling offspring on my list as well....beware T&D!!
I will not be writing these epistles by hand.....I am unable to do that anymore.....so I will type them in script and print them out and then sign them, no doubt with handwritten PS's.....
I'm looking forward to this as not only a writing exercise, but as a way of keeping in touch that seems to mean so much more than words on a screen, even though they start out that way.
Slainte!!
.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
My Passion for books.......
When I was growing up, my father was an avid reader....and he passed that along to me as I grew up. I remember him telling me to never throw out a good book as you may want to go back and read it again. I still remember him in his recliner in the rec room reading until all hours of the night.....it drove my mother crazy!! I was reading adult (meaning for adults not children) books from age 8 onwards.....I would find them in the book case and half the time I wouldn't have a clue as to the meaning of some of the words....but I got most of the gist of the story. Then I discovered Zane Grey....and devoured every book of his that my father had. I did manage to come across Lady Chatterley's Lover when I was in my early teens....it was hidden in a closet, away from prying young eyes, but I snaffled it nevertheless and read it through and then replaced it in it's hiding place!!
I think it was just the need to read (unintentional rhyme there!) that caused me to read everything in sight. When I got older I did start being selective. I don't remember ever really reading very many normal young people's books, but some of the children's books that I had, dated back to the early part of the century.....from my mother's childhood.
At some point in time, I discovered romances.....ah!!... the delight of it!!...and my aunt had a stack of them!!!....and they were easy to read and would take me away to exotic places that I could only dream of visiting!!
I pretty much stuck with the romances and magazines throughout my 20's, 30's and 40's, mostly due to the fact that I was so busy with study and then marriage and kids, time to read became a precious commodity and as time was short, I wanted a quick read that would liberate me from the stresses of daily life....(doesn't every person want that at some point??).
As the kids got bigger and left home and "mom" had more time....I, along with my mate, re-discovered the local library. What an amazing resource!!! I found that I had certain tastes in my reading.....mysteries....British mysteries......drama....British drama.....some humour, biographies, history........it was a wonderful experience.
So now we are in present day.....in Kamloops.....and I have a stack of books that are just waiting to be read. I have discovered Peter Robinson....and writer of Inspector Banks mysteries, Ian Rankin, a mystery writer of Scottish origins......and I have a collection of books by Anne Perry, Maeve Binchy, Carol Drinkwater, Charlotte Bingham, Erica James,Gerald Durrell, Jacquie Durrell, Anya Seton and many many more (after all I DID inherit my father's collection), ....and they are a mixed bag....mystery, drama, biographical, nature ....and that's not even counting the 2nd hand books on Winston Churchill!!! I believe I have about 7 or more of them. We also have many classics, Canadian writers, poetry, English, Canadian and Irish.....the list is endless. The Kamloops Symphony Book sale was just a major source for me especially considering I was one of the volunteer sorters and had first divs!!
Lately I have been focused on Irish books....anything to do with Ireland and it's history, culture, geography, and of course literature. That is because I have developed a longing for information about the land of my ancestors....and it started with the reading of Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt...I then did some research and found that he was not the only McCourt to write, so I ordered anything by any McCourt family member from the library. I then found a list of Irish authors and poets and historical books on Ireland...which I copied and will work my way through. Trinity by Leon Uris was suggested to me....and so I got that and read it...and am now soon to tackle the sequel Redemption. The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherford is also in my stack of books as are Roddy Doyle and Nuala O'Faolain among others.......I'm a tad obsessive with this particular subject.....but it's a good obsession!!
So..... in between all the "Irishness" I have also re-discovered Lucy Maud Montgomery.....I'm not so much reading Anne of Green Gables and others, but I'm reading Maud's journals which give an incredible insight into her life in PEI, and later years. She not only talks about her day to day life, but also how she's feeling emotionally and physically as well and her observations about people and life. There are several books of letters by her and 4 more volumes of journals that I'm going to tackle......and then I will go back and re read all the Anne books that I have. That should give me a wonderful basis to enjoy them with!!
My passion for books.......almost overwhelming at times.....but one that will never leave me.
Slainte!
I think it was just the need to read (unintentional rhyme there!) that caused me to read everything in sight. When I got older I did start being selective. I don't remember ever really reading very many normal young people's books, but some of the children's books that I had, dated back to the early part of the century.....from my mother's childhood.
At some point in time, I discovered romances.....ah!!... the delight of it!!...and my aunt had a stack of them!!!....and they were easy to read and would take me away to exotic places that I could only dream of visiting!!
I pretty much stuck with the romances and magazines throughout my 20's, 30's and 40's, mostly due to the fact that I was so busy with study and then marriage and kids, time to read became a precious commodity and as time was short, I wanted a quick read that would liberate me from the stresses of daily life....(doesn't every person want that at some point??).
As the kids got bigger and left home and "mom" had more time....I, along with my mate, re-discovered the local library. What an amazing resource!!! I found that I had certain tastes in my reading.....mysteries....British mysteries......drama....British drama.....some humour, biographies, history........it was a wonderful experience.
So now we are in present day.....in Kamloops.....and I have a stack of books that are just waiting to be read. I have discovered Peter Robinson....and writer of Inspector Banks mysteries, Ian Rankin, a mystery writer of Scottish origins......and I have a collection of books by Anne Perry, Maeve Binchy, Carol Drinkwater, Charlotte Bingham, Erica James,Gerald Durrell, Jacquie Durrell, Anya Seton and many many more (after all I DID inherit my father's collection), ....and they are a mixed bag....mystery, drama, biographical, nature ....and that's not even counting the 2nd hand books on Winston Churchill!!! I believe I have about 7 or more of them. We also have many classics, Canadian writers, poetry, English, Canadian and Irish.....the list is endless. The Kamloops Symphony Book sale was just a major source for me especially considering I was one of the volunteer sorters and had first divs!!
Lately I have been focused on Irish books....anything to do with Ireland and it's history, culture, geography, and of course literature. That is because I have developed a longing for information about the land of my ancestors....and it started with the reading of Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt...I then did some research and found that he was not the only McCourt to write, so I ordered anything by any McCourt family member from the library. I then found a list of Irish authors and poets and historical books on Ireland...which I copied and will work my way through. Trinity by Leon Uris was suggested to me....and so I got that and read it...and am now soon to tackle the sequel Redemption. The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherford is also in my stack of books as are Roddy Doyle and Nuala O'Faolain among others.......I'm a tad obsessive with this particular subject.....but it's a good obsession!!
So..... in between all the "Irishness" I have also re-discovered Lucy Maud Montgomery.....I'm not so much reading Anne of Green Gables and others, but I'm reading Maud's journals which give an incredible insight into her life in PEI, and later years. She not only talks about her day to day life, but also how she's feeling emotionally and physically as well and her observations about people and life. There are several books of letters by her and 4 more volumes of journals that I'm going to tackle......and then I will go back and re read all the Anne books that I have. That should give me a wonderful basis to enjoy them with!!
My passion for books.......almost overwhelming at times.....but one that will never leave me.
Slainte!
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Energy Level is up......a bit......
So the last few days I have been drooping so to speak....the heat has driven me to retreat and hibernate somewhat. However, I went to bed relatively early last night and was up at 6:30 this morning.....when it's definitely cooler!!
My energy level is up so I think a few projects should be at least attempted......and one of these is to "clean slate" my workroom.
I have been in a quandry the last little while, with no incentive to continue on with the artistic path I have been following over the past year or so......working with polymer clay......or even my Nutfolkery for that matter. I'm not sure why that is....I'm finding my mind is somewhat fragmented at this point...so I'm thinking that I am going to clear the workroom, pack away everything and then sit in the bare clean room and muse on "what's next".
Several things come to mind and one is to go back to sewing and possibly trying to design or at least enhance a present design to meet my criteria for what I want to wear. I have a myriad of different materials of my own and also inherited from my mom. Some are very old and dated....but they appeal to me in some way....I keep thinking that I could design something that would incorporate the retro material into it. I mean some of the textures and patterns are quite unique in their own way. I have some patterns that can be added to and changed to some degree and I've always thought that if I have an outfit, top or something that really fits well, looks good, then I should wear it into the ground and then take it apart for a pattern. I've never done that...but that might be something that I could add to the mix...so to speak.
I also think I would like to draw and paint a little more....I'm really not very good at it. I have these great visions of things I see in my mind or perhaps dream about....not quite sure which...and I would love to get them down on paper. Oh to have a digital camera to take the pictures that roam in my head....well....maybe not ALL of them :-)
I'm sure there are other artistic and creative options out there and they may eventually include polymer clay and my Nutfolkery people.....but I need to start again.....from the basics and see where the journey takes me.
Slainte!!
My energy level is up so I think a few projects should be at least attempted......and one of these is to "clean slate" my workroom.
I have been in a quandry the last little while, with no incentive to continue on with the artistic path I have been following over the past year or so......working with polymer clay......or even my Nutfolkery for that matter. I'm not sure why that is....I'm finding my mind is somewhat fragmented at this point...so I'm thinking that I am going to clear the workroom, pack away everything and then sit in the bare clean room and muse on "what's next".
Several things come to mind and one is to go back to sewing and possibly trying to design or at least enhance a present design to meet my criteria for what I want to wear. I have a myriad of different materials of my own and also inherited from my mom. Some are very old and dated....but they appeal to me in some way....I keep thinking that I could design something that would incorporate the retro material into it. I mean some of the textures and patterns are quite unique in their own way. I have some patterns that can be added to and changed to some degree and I've always thought that if I have an outfit, top or something that really fits well, looks good, then I should wear it into the ground and then take it apart for a pattern. I've never done that...but that might be something that I could add to the mix...so to speak.
I also think I would like to draw and paint a little more....I'm really not very good at it. I have these great visions of things I see in my mind or perhaps dream about....not quite sure which...and I would love to get them down on paper. Oh to have a digital camera to take the pictures that roam in my head....well....maybe not ALL of them :-)
I'm sure there are other artistic and creative options out there and they may eventually include polymer clay and my Nutfolkery people.....but I need to start again.....from the basics and see where the journey takes me.
Slainte!!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
A little less US and a little more ME!!
Ok, so I'm running into this problem.....what do I blog about???
I sit here and my mind runs through a myriad of subjects.....none of which seem appropriate for this blog. ...probably because my life is not very interesting at the moment.....in fact it's kinda boring!! However, that's nobody's fault but my own I guess. I have to make my own entertainment. I have been cogitating on an upcoming situation though.....
This weekend, DH is heading down to Victoria to pick up belongings that can't be transported to Boston by our "travelling offspring" and so will be stored at our home in Kamloops. This is a huge deal for me because since we have been here, I have not been alone for any length of time. I also am planning to travel to Sun Peaks on Saturday BY MYSELF to hear the KSO et al play.
Now I emphasize the whole BY MYSELF thing, because since I arrived in Kamloops with DH I have been fighting depression....not so much from the move, but from a lot of stuff and baggage that preceded it over a number of years. I have made much progress with the help of a wonderful counsellor, but there are things that I still have to push myself to do and venturing out on my own is one of them. I did do the drive from Kamloops to Hope to pick up the "travelling offspring" with no problem last summer, but that was a route that I knew well.....plus having the complete recording of La Boheme playing was wonderful .
When I think back to living in Langley , I remember that going out in the car during the day was stressful for me, unless it was to go pick up the kids from school or similar....anything else had to be planned to last detail and thought about etc....unless of course, DH was doing the driving. So a lot of my days were spent at home. I'm finding that to be the case now and I just KNOW that it's not healthy....so.....pushing myself to get up and out there is a big priority for me. This weekend will be a challenge to see if I find some excuse to NOT go to Sun Peaks.
It's funny though...the stress is all in the anticipation....once I'm out there on the road, I love it. I love to drive, I love the freedom. A few years ago, I would come up to Kamloops to play in the orchestra and I would drive the whole way on my own and just revel in it. I need to get that feeling back....a lot of the "not driving" was local stuff...and I still have problems with that....trying to figure out how to get places.
I'm actually quite capable....I think it's all about confidence in my abilities to cope with any situation. I mean.....one of the reasons I got a Volvo when I bought a new car in 2001 was so that I would have a safe reliable car for ME to drive around in......and it has proved to be so for the most part...the trouble is...it's not ME driving around in it....it's US.....which is not a bad thing, just a little less US and a little more ME would be a better thing.
Slainte!!
I sit here and my mind runs through a myriad of subjects.....none of which seem appropriate for this blog. ...probably because my life is not very interesting at the moment.....in fact it's kinda boring!! However, that's nobody's fault but my own I guess. I have to make my own entertainment. I have been cogitating on an upcoming situation though.....
This weekend, DH is heading down to Victoria to pick up belongings that can't be transported to Boston by our "travelling offspring" and so will be stored at our home in Kamloops. This is a huge deal for me because since we have been here, I have not been alone for any length of time. I also am planning to travel to Sun Peaks on Saturday BY MYSELF to hear the KSO et al play.
Now I emphasize the whole BY MYSELF thing, because since I arrived in Kamloops with DH I have been fighting depression....not so much from the move, but from a lot of stuff and baggage that preceded it over a number of years. I have made much progress with the help of a wonderful counsellor, but there are things that I still have to push myself to do and venturing out on my own is one of them. I did do the drive from Kamloops to Hope to pick up the "travelling offspring" with no problem last summer, but that was a route that I knew well.....plus having the complete recording of La Boheme playing was wonderful .
When I think back to living in Langley , I remember that going out in the car during the day was stressful for me, unless it was to go pick up the kids from school or similar....anything else had to be planned to last detail and thought about etc....unless of course, DH was doing the driving. So a lot of my days were spent at home. I'm finding that to be the case now and I just KNOW that it's not healthy....so.....pushing myself to get up and out there is a big priority for me. This weekend will be a challenge to see if I find some excuse to NOT go to Sun Peaks.
It's funny though...the stress is all in the anticipation....once I'm out there on the road, I love it. I love to drive, I love the freedom. A few years ago, I would come up to Kamloops to play in the orchestra and I would drive the whole way on my own and just revel in it. I need to get that feeling back....a lot of the "not driving" was local stuff...and I still have problems with that....trying to figure out how to get places.
I'm actually quite capable....I think it's all about confidence in my abilities to cope with any situation. I mean.....one of the reasons I got a Volvo when I bought a new car in 2001 was so that I would have a safe reliable car for ME to drive around in......and it has proved to be so for the most part...the trouble is...it's not ME driving around in it....it's US.....which is not a bad thing, just a little less US and a little more ME would be a better thing.
Slainte!!
Monday, July 10, 2006
Summer Evenings....
I have discovered summer evenings in Kamloops.
The last few late afternoons and evenings I have taken advantage of my nice wooden lounger (with cushions) out in the back yard and reclined and taken in the spectacular view of the sky. I know it doesn't sound that exciting...but watching "the clouds roll by" is an experience not to be missed in Kamloops. There is always (well almost always) a wind that grows in the evening up here and sometimes it's quite a heavy wind and other times it's a cooling breeze.....but whatever it's speed the cloud formations that it produces are phenomenal. They range from delicate brush strokes to big daubs of white clouds being chased across the sky by the ever present thunderclouds. There are streaks with wispy ends, blurred transparent mists that glow orange as the sun begins to set, and then there's the big globs of white fluff that gradually distintegrate into various and sundry shapes as they fly by. I sit enthralled until the night descends and only vague shadows are seen in the sky.
Usually Chauncey is curled up between my ankles oblivious to the granduer above.
It provides a wonderful peace with which to end the outdoor portion of the day.
Slainte!
The last few late afternoons and evenings I have taken advantage of my nice wooden lounger (with cushions) out in the back yard and reclined and taken in the spectacular view of the sky. I know it doesn't sound that exciting...but watching "the clouds roll by" is an experience not to be missed in Kamloops. There is always (well almost always) a wind that grows in the evening up here and sometimes it's quite a heavy wind and other times it's a cooling breeze.....but whatever it's speed the cloud formations that it produces are phenomenal. They range from delicate brush strokes to big daubs of white clouds being chased across the sky by the ever present thunderclouds. There are streaks with wispy ends, blurred transparent mists that glow orange as the sun begins to set, and then there's the big globs of white fluff that gradually distintegrate into various and sundry shapes as they fly by. I sit enthralled until the night descends and only vague shadows are seen in the sky.
Usually Chauncey is curled up between my ankles oblivious to the granduer above.
It provides a wonderful peace with which to end the outdoor portion of the day.
Slainte!
Friday, July 07, 2006
Just rambling.....
When I come downstairs to blog, I usually have something to say. Today, I have nothing....well nothing that I want the world to hear about....yet.
Actually, that's not entirely true. I do have lots to say, but when it comes time to say it...."it" disappears and my creative mind is empty.....such is the case today.
However, I'm going to ramble for a bit and hopefully some sort of pattern will emerge, other than "I'm wittering!!"
So...my heart is heavy right now....but that's a story for another day and another blog...suffice to say that as a mother I feel helpless .....it's about letting your children make their own decisions and live with them..advise when requested......and be there to pick up the pieces when they fall. So this weekend will tell......or not.
Thankfully the temperature in Kamloops has decided to come back down to more normal figures....I believe today's high will be about 29, which is far more manageable than 39.....although in a previous blog I said that the day was supposed to be 39...whereas in actual fact it only got up to about 30 or slightly less......thanks to thunderstorms and rain.
My two (count 'em...2) hummers are happy with me since I changed their feeders. In the heat, the hummer food tends to go off quickly....(read ferment) so I've decided to make less and refill more often, so I don't run into that problem.....otherwise I could have some loopy hummingbirds crashing around the patio!!
I have been reading a lot lately....a lot about Irish history...and I am enjoying it immensely and finding out that I knew very little about my ancestral home and it's struggles. I am just about 2/3 of the way through Trinity by Leon Uris.....the book which has been the biggest eye-opener to me. More will come as I delve further I'm sure. After this one is finished, I have a few smaller books to get through and then I'm going to go back to Ireland.....so to speak. I'm sure I have a least five books that have to be started and finished....plus about 6 or more books on Winston Churchill that I'm ploughing through. They are scattered around the house and depending on my mood, I pick up whatever appeals to me at the time, although Trinity is only a limited time loan from the library so I'm concentrating on that for now. Since we retired, I have rediscovered books. I found that my reading was scarce before now, because I never allowed myself to sit down for periods of time to lose myself in a book. I kept telling myself I had better things to do. Luckily I got past that attitude last summer, so now I have no problems getting absorbed into a book. I do seem to have an attention span problem though. I can't seem to read more than 15 minutes or so at a time without having to put the book down and do something else or just sit and cogitate for about 10 minutes. Who knew that my mind would become SO active in my later years......and now for something completely different......
These pictures are of our two children and our son-in-law. Theyare shown in the situation they do best.....laughter, camaraderie and good times.
We have been blessed with our children and too the delightful young man our daughter married, who has added much love, joy and a new appreciation of puns and unique humour to our family! Our family dynamic has changed recently with the arrival of a grandson, with our son becoming a devoted and loving father.
There have been some bumps in the proverbial road this past year, and it has become apparent to me that our family is strong, loving, and supportive and will continue to be like that in years to come. I love my family so much, because they are THERE...whether it be by phone, email, letter or in person.....it's all about family....as it should be!
Slainte!!
Actually, that's not entirely true. I do have lots to say, but when it comes time to say it...."it" disappears and my creative mind is empty.....such is the case today.
However, I'm going to ramble for a bit and hopefully some sort of pattern will emerge, other than "I'm wittering!!"
So...my heart is heavy right now....but that's a story for another day and another blog...suffice to say that as a mother I feel helpless .....it's about letting your children make their own decisions and live with them..advise when requested......and be there to pick up the pieces when they fall. So this weekend will tell......or not.
Thankfully the temperature in Kamloops has decided to come back down to more normal figures....I believe today's high will be about 29, which is far more manageable than 39.....although in a previous blog I said that the day was supposed to be 39...whereas in actual fact it only got up to about 30 or slightly less......thanks to thunderstorms and rain.
My two (count 'em...2) hummers are happy with me since I changed their feeders. In the heat, the hummer food tends to go off quickly....(read ferment) so I've decided to make less and refill more often, so I don't run into that problem.....otherwise I could have some loopy hummingbirds crashing around the patio!!
I have been reading a lot lately....a lot about Irish history...and I am enjoying it immensely and finding out that I knew very little about my ancestral home and it's struggles. I am just about 2/3 of the way through Trinity by Leon Uris.....the book which has been the biggest eye-opener to me. More will come as I delve further I'm sure. After this one is finished, I have a few smaller books to get through and then I'm going to go back to Ireland.....so to speak. I'm sure I have a least five books that have to be started and finished....plus about 6 or more books on Winston Churchill that I'm ploughing through. They are scattered around the house and depending on my mood, I pick up whatever appeals to me at the time, although Trinity is only a limited time loan from the library so I'm concentrating on that for now. Since we retired, I have rediscovered books. I found that my reading was scarce before now, because I never allowed myself to sit down for periods of time to lose myself in a book. I kept telling myself I had better things to do. Luckily I got past that attitude last summer, so now I have no problems getting absorbed into a book. I do seem to have an attention span problem though. I can't seem to read more than 15 minutes or so at a time without having to put the book down and do something else or just sit and cogitate for about 10 minutes. Who knew that my mind would become SO active in my later years......and now for something completely different......
These pictures are of our two children and our son-in-law. Theyare shown in the situation they do best.....laughter, camaraderie and good times.
We have been blessed with our children and too the delightful young man our daughter married, who has added much love, joy and a new appreciation of puns and unique humour to our family! Our family dynamic has changed recently with the arrival of a grandson, with our son becoming a devoted and loving father.
There have been some bumps in the proverbial road this past year, and it has become apparent to me that our family is strong, loving, and supportive and will continue to be like that in years to come. I love my family so much, because they are THERE...whether it be by phone, email, letter or in person.....it's all about family....as it should be!Slainte!!
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
it's a hot day in Kamloops...
So the weather report this morning said that it was supposed to go up to 39 deg. celsius today. We do not have central air conditioning, however, we do have a fairly well insulated house and 2 large fans and a tiny one (for the computer).
The one thing about Kamloops in the heat is that unless you're a sucker for punishment or a total sun-loving persona, you have to stay indoors or be driving in an air conditioned car, or visiting an air conditioned store or similar. To stay out of doors in the sun at any other time but early morning and evening, in my opinion, is bordering on INSANE....and almost unbearable. We had to take our car (our beautiful air conditioned car) into the shop yesterday where it will be languishing for nearly a week, so we're told. We have another vehicle....a TRUCK....a NON-AIR CONDITIONED TRUCK....that has the shocks of a wagon (at least for me!!). So we have to use that, which doesn't really distress my DH that much due to the fact that it's his vehicle, however, when we were driving it yesterday, I had the window open and my elbow resting on the windowsill as we were sailing along the Overlander Bridge. It felt like there was a hair dryer blowing on my elbow...on high heat!!
I have tried sitting out in shady areas and it's just too oppressive....so I now try to do a little weeding and watering first thing before the sun hits the back yard full force...and then go have a shower, put on as little as decently possible and head downstairs to do whatever. Chauncey now knows the best thing is to hang out with Mom as it's cooler for him.
We have a cool fan in the bedroom (cool being the operative word here)....it's reversible....you switch it to take out the hot air in the day and then change it to bring in the cool air at night. Works a treat!! In fact, next to the basement, our bedroom is one of the coolest places in the house. Regular fans are good, but they just move hot air around and although it feels good to some extent, after a while, one needs the coolness.
So..to add to the mix of all this heat, there is a forest fire burning merrily just south of Kamloops. Last night the sky was orange with the smoke....today is a bit cloudy, not sure if that's from the fire or just regular overcast. I'm thinking that staying in my little hidey hole in the basement and keeping cool is much the best policy at this point. DH is watching the World Cup game and I'm listening to Jacqueline Dupre play Haydn and Boccherini...so my day will be fine.....
Slainte!!
The one thing about Kamloops in the heat is that unless you're a sucker for punishment or a total sun-loving persona, you have to stay indoors or be driving in an air conditioned car, or visiting an air conditioned store or similar. To stay out of doors in the sun at any other time but early morning and evening, in my opinion, is bordering on INSANE....and almost unbearable. We had to take our car (our beautiful air conditioned car) into the shop yesterday where it will be languishing for nearly a week, so we're told. We have another vehicle....a TRUCK....a NON-AIR CONDITIONED TRUCK....that has the shocks of a wagon (at least for me!!). So we have to use that, which doesn't really distress my DH that much due to the fact that it's his vehicle, however, when we were driving it yesterday, I had the window open and my elbow resting on the windowsill as we were sailing along the Overlander Bridge. It felt like there was a hair dryer blowing on my elbow...on high heat!!
I have tried sitting out in shady areas and it's just too oppressive....so I now try to do a little weeding and watering first thing before the sun hits the back yard full force...and then go have a shower, put on as little as decently possible and head downstairs to do whatever. Chauncey now knows the best thing is to hang out with Mom as it's cooler for him.
We have a cool fan in the bedroom (cool being the operative word here)....it's reversible....you switch it to take out the hot air in the day and then change it to bring in the cool air at night. Works a treat!! In fact, next to the basement, our bedroom is one of the coolest places in the house. Regular fans are good, but they just move hot air around and although it feels good to some extent, after a while, one needs the coolness.
So..to add to the mix of all this heat, there is a forest fire burning merrily just south of Kamloops. Last night the sky was orange with the smoke....today is a bit cloudy, not sure if that's from the fire or just regular overcast. I'm thinking that staying in my little hidey hole in the basement and keeping cool is much the best policy at this point. DH is watching the World Cup game and I'm listening to Jacqueline Dupre play Haydn and Boccherini...so my day will be fine.....
Slainte!!
Thursday, June 29, 2006
A circle tour....and dragonflies!!
So we went on a drive today....the circle route...down to Lytton, around to Lillooet and back to Cache Creek and home to Kamloops.
Some observations.....
Observation No. 1
Lytton is HOT!! The Fraser River is very high and very fast....and...riding a cable ferry across the Fraser River is fun!! We went to Lytton primarily for DH to do some research into his aboriginal background....via the graveyard. The graveyard we were heading to was on the OTHER side of the Fraser and we had to take a cable ferry, which, although it seems scary, is really quite neat! After we found the graveyard up the hill and down an overgrown path....we hit paydirt in terms of finding DH's relatives. Many people on his mother's side back to his great grandmother and some of her siblings....it was all very exciting. The only downside was that because the graveyard was so overgrown, it was covered with that grass that sticks to you with seeds and poor Chauncey (our little bichon) got a good dose buried in his fur. However, we managed to comb most of it out with an old comb we found in the car. It was a hot day too which made it worse for him but he settled down again with the A/C on in the car... cuddled with Mom massaging his back and scratching his ears and he soon dozed off on her lap. (That would be my lap....we are such pet people....I'm Mom and DH is Dad as far as Chauncey is concerned!!) In any case, hubby is now buried in the computer upstairs figuring out who belongs to who and where etc...etc...etc.
Observation No. 2....I don't do mountain roads and if I do, I don't do them well!!
I had an inkling that the road from Lytton to Lillooet was a mountain road....after all it was following the Fraser River....and for the most part, as I was sitting on the inside (so to speak), it was doable. However....there came a moment in time where it was one lane on the side of the mountain... driving through the repaired road after a landslide...and there were no guard rails. It wasn't a long stretch (thank goodness), but it was enough to make my heart leap to my throat thereby choking the expletive "Oh Sh--" that came from my mouth. I mean....there was not a problem...the fellow coming the other way waited....but when you're not the one driving it always seems worse.....and in my case...it's double worse....!! It's about this fear of heights you see.....
Observation No. 3...dragonflies are beautiful!!
After we left Lillooet with some coffee and a rootbeer, we continued on to find a place to have our pickynick that had been waiting in the cooler since we left Kamloops. The fellow at A&W in Lillooet said that Pavillion Lake was gorgeous.....and it was....clear and blue!!! However, there wasn't any place to stop and enjoy the view and eat!! So we continued on to a lake (the name of which escapes me) and beside that lake was a provincial campsite with a pickynic area....Marble Canyon Provincial Park I believe. So....Chauncey and Don went for a walk in the water after which we had our food (whilst keeping company with the ants!!) We had packed a refreshing white wine, but decided in the end it was probably a good idea to stay alert!! After the food, we decided to check out the beach again as we had seen all these flying insects over the water and some loons and the odd fish jumping. So...it seems that the flying insects were tiny blue dragonflies and they were everywhere and beautiful...their tiny blue bodies glistening in the sun! We notice that one was hanging on to the top of a reed in the shallows and Don put his hand up to it and it hopped onto his finger and proceeded to peer at him for some time before flying off again. He took some more pictures of them and got another to climb on his hand again.....they are wonderful!! It was the most incredible thing I had ever seen!! It totally made my day!!
Final observation....I am glad to be home.....and draped in my caftan keeping cool....but it was totally a worthwhile trip in all respects. Our province has so many jewels...and the landscape is so unique. We need to see more.....!!
Slainte!!
Some observations.....
Observation No. 1
Lytton is HOT!! The Fraser River is very high and very fast....and...riding a cable ferry across the Fraser River is fun!! We went to Lytton primarily for DH to do some research into his aboriginal background....via the graveyard. The graveyard we were heading to was on the OTHER side of the Fraser and we had to take a cable ferry, which, although it seems scary, is really quite neat! After we found the graveyard up the hill and down an overgrown path....we hit paydirt in terms of finding DH's relatives. Many people on his mother's side back to his great grandmother and some of her siblings....it was all very exciting. The only downside was that because the graveyard was so overgrown, it was covered with that grass that sticks to you with seeds and poor Chauncey (our little bichon) got a good dose buried in his fur. However, we managed to comb most of it out with an old comb we found in the car. It was a hot day too which made it worse for him but he settled down again with the A/C on in the car... cuddled with Mom massaging his back and scratching his ears and he soon dozed off on her lap. (That would be my lap....we are such pet people....I'm Mom and DH is Dad as far as Chauncey is concerned!!) In any case, hubby is now buried in the computer upstairs figuring out who belongs to who and where etc...etc...etc.
Observation No. 2....I don't do mountain roads and if I do, I don't do them well!!
I had an inkling that the road from Lytton to Lillooet was a mountain road....after all it was following the Fraser River....and for the most part, as I was sitting on the inside (so to speak), it was doable. However....there came a moment in time where it was one lane on the side of the mountain... driving through the repaired road after a landslide...and there were no guard rails. It wasn't a long stretch (thank goodness), but it was enough to make my heart leap to my throat thereby choking the expletive "Oh Sh--" that came from my mouth. I mean....there was not a problem...the fellow coming the other way waited....but when you're not the one driving it always seems worse.....and in my case...it's double worse....!! It's about this fear of heights you see.....
Observation No. 3...dragonflies are beautiful!!
After we left Lillooet with some coffee and a rootbeer, we continued on to find a place to have our pickynick that had been waiting in the cooler since we left Kamloops. The fellow at A&W in Lillooet said that Pavillion Lake was gorgeous.....and it was....clear and blue!!! However, there wasn't any place to stop and enjoy the view and eat!! So we continued on to a lake (the name of which escapes me) and beside that lake was a provincial campsite with a pickynic area....Marble Canyon Provincial Park I believe. So....Chauncey and Don went for a walk in the water after which we had our food (whilst keeping company with the ants!!) We had packed a refreshing white wine, but decided in the end it was probably a good idea to stay alert!! After the food, we decided to check out the beach again as we had seen all these flying insects over the water and some loons and the odd fish jumping. So...it seems that the flying insects were tiny blue dragonflies and they were everywhere and beautiful...their tiny blue bodies glistening in the sun! We notice that one was hanging on to the top of a reed in the shallows and Don put his hand up to it and it hopped onto his finger and proceeded to peer at him for some time before flying off again. He took some more pictures of them and got another to climb on his hand again.....they are wonderful!! It was the most incredible thing I had ever seen!! It totally made my day!!
Final observation....I am glad to be home.....and draped in my caftan keeping cool....but it was totally a worthwhile trip in all respects. Our province has so many jewels...and the landscape is so unique. We need to see more.....!!
Slainte!!
Sunday, June 25, 2006
A tree....and hummers....
When we moved to Kamloops from Langley, we brought with us young Deodora cedar that had started life as a seedling from the Deodora that stood tall in my mom's yard in Victoria for many years....so it had some sentimental value to it. However, due to any number of reasons, it did not survive the move.....at least it seems so. It stands in the terrace in our back yard, dwarfed by a "traditional" cedar that the previous owners had planted years ago. The Deodora has no needles, just bare and probably dried branches.....I water it in the hope that it may suddenly revive....I keep thinking I see new tiny needles on it....but to no avail.....but it has suddenly taken on a new role in the scheme of things in our back yard.
I have an affection for hummers (hummingbirds). We had many flying about our heads on our back patio in Langley, I had at least four feeders going and lots of flowers for them to dip their tiny beaks into. They would arrive in March/April and disappear in the heat of the late summer. Occasionally we would see one in the fall, but it was late spring/early summer that they were most active. It was an ongoing rivalry between our neighbours and ourselves as to who had the most hummers.....as it turns ...now....they do.....we have two....but that's a start.
I have two feeders going on the back patio in the shade (that's what hummers like!) and lots of flowers for them....and now ....thanks to a dying Deodora Cedar...they have a place to rest in the shade. They hover over the cedar and rest on it's bare branches...and I think their nest is probably nearby.
I can think of nothing better on a summer morn or evening than sitting on the patio, reading, sipping wine or tea, and listening to the whrrrr of their little wings and their chirp as they make repeated visits to the feeder. I then look over to the cedar and find them watching me carefully as they catch their breath. Such tiny little birds, so full of charm....
I may keep the Deodora, if just for the hummers.....
Slainte!!
I have an affection for hummers (hummingbirds). We had many flying about our heads on our back patio in Langley, I had at least four feeders going and lots of flowers for them to dip their tiny beaks into. They would arrive in March/April and disappear in the heat of the late summer. Occasionally we would see one in the fall, but it was late spring/early summer that they were most active. It was an ongoing rivalry between our neighbours and ourselves as to who had the most hummers.....as it turns ...now....they do.....we have two....but that's a start.
I have two feeders going on the back patio in the shade (that's what hummers like!) and lots of flowers for them....and now ....thanks to a dying Deodora Cedar...they have a place to rest in the shade. They hover over the cedar and rest on it's bare branches...and I think their nest is probably nearby.
I can think of nothing better on a summer morn or evening than sitting on the patio, reading, sipping wine or tea, and listening to the whrrrr of their little wings and their chirp as they make repeated visits to the feeder. I then look over to the cedar and find them watching me carefully as they catch their breath. Such tiny little birds, so full of charm....
I may keep the Deodora, if just for the hummers.....
Slainte!!
Thursday, June 22, 2006
A little practising leads to......
Well...I started practising again yesterday.....and it wasn't all that bad. I have some new techniques to work on...and I think that's the key. I don't seem to have incentive to practise unless I have something specific to focus on. So, I remembered some thoughts that my brother had on how I play and how I could improve and so have started working on that....not huge amounts daily, but enough to help improve and get my embouchure back in shape...after the lengthy lay off since the last concert in May. For the record, I play french horn and play in the KSO (Kamloops Symphony).
Music has always been a significant part of my life, whether it be listening or participating. I am professionally trained, although no longer a paid professional and having had that training, I find so much more enjoyment in ALL kinds of music.
Obviously my preference is for classical, but when travelling (by car), I find that country and western fits the bill admirably...(I can see the purists wincing now!!). I'm a total classic rock and roll fan, and if my knees would let me, I would be dancing around the house to hits from the 50's and 60's.
I listen to the Vinyl Cafe with Stuart McLean pretty regularly, and so get a good dose of Canadian talent....which I really like. There is so much diversity in Canadian music and it's all good. I'm also a fan of Celtic music, (my roots are Irish)....there's something haunting about a lot of it.
There are two types of popular music which I just can't seem to get my head around and that's rap and heavy metal. The rhythms of rap are great, but I just can't seem to listen to it for any length of time....and as for heavy metal...well....I just don't have the ears for it.
There is another section out there called alternative rock and sometimes that's quite intriguing. It seems to be more expressive in some ways....has more to say....but that's only my take on it. It's kind of a vague definition and it covers a lot of music that doesn't seem to fit into any of the other genres.
We live in a musician/non-musician household and as such, a certain amount of give and take is required with regards to music. I'm sure my DH probably gives more than he takes, but when we travel, we both make decisions on the CD's that will go in the 6 disc player. We try to alternate his music with mine....and NO OPERA!! Of course, when music is not the answer, we always have the audio books to pop into the cassette player and that keeps us enthralled for a good portion of the trip!
So I'm reading back over this posting and thinking that it seems somewhat stilted....which maybe is how I'm feeling today....hopefully the next posting will flow more smoothly.....until then....
Slainte !!
Music has always been a significant part of my life, whether it be listening or participating. I am professionally trained, although no longer a paid professional and having had that training, I find so much more enjoyment in ALL kinds of music.
Obviously my preference is for classical, but when travelling (by car), I find that country and western fits the bill admirably...(I can see the purists wincing now!!). I'm a total classic rock and roll fan, and if my knees would let me, I would be dancing around the house to hits from the 50's and 60's.
I listen to the Vinyl Cafe with Stuart McLean pretty regularly, and so get a good dose of Canadian talent....which I really like. There is so much diversity in Canadian music and it's all good. I'm also a fan of Celtic music, (my roots are Irish)....there's something haunting about a lot of it.
There are two types of popular music which I just can't seem to get my head around and that's rap and heavy metal. The rhythms of rap are great, but I just can't seem to listen to it for any length of time....and as for heavy metal...well....I just don't have the ears for it.
There is another section out there called alternative rock and sometimes that's quite intriguing. It seems to be more expressive in some ways....has more to say....but that's only my take on it. It's kind of a vague definition and it covers a lot of music that doesn't seem to fit into any of the other genres.
We live in a musician/non-musician household and as such, a certain amount of give and take is required with regards to music. I'm sure my DH probably gives more than he takes, but when we travel, we both make decisions on the CD's that will go in the 6 disc player. We try to alternate his music with mine....and NO OPERA!! Of course, when music is not the answer, we always have the audio books to pop into the cassette player and that keeps us enthralled for a good portion of the trip!
So I'm reading back over this posting and thinking that it seems somewhat stilted....which maybe is how I'm feeling today....hopefully the next posting will flow more smoothly.....until then....
Slainte !!
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
So....it's about these bones of mine.....and a plan
In one of my earlier posts I mentioned an ongoing fight with obesity (followed by my total failure to say NO to garlic mashed potatoes!!). This problem is becoming more acute as time goes on.....something that I totally wish was not the case. However, when you are plagued with arthritis in your knee, it becomes an issue which is hard to ignore...especially when the other knee is starting to get affected along with your back, shoulders, ankles.....generally all the joints.
So I'm thinkin'.....I HAVE to do something here....which I might say right here, is what my doctor has been telling me for the last mmmmm...say....15 or so years. I have had periods of weightlessness....1988-89, I lost 105 lbs......and then after returning to original eating habits..proceeded to put it all back on again over a period of about 2-3 years. In 2001/02, I lost about 55 lbs with WeightWatchers....and then found that I was paying approximately $7 a pound to lose weight...something I had a hard time rationalizing.
I have had a fight with obesity since I was young....and as it turns out, it shouldn't have really happened that way. I was NOT overweight when I was young, but I was tall and big boned and therefore everyone told me I had to lose weight. When you're told often enough that you're fat, tubby, obese, walrus like, etc., etc., etc., you begin to believe it yourself. In actual fact, I became what everyone told me I was. However, if everyone had SHUT UP....I would probably be in great health today, full of energy and not arthritis. Do you detect a slight bit of bitterness here??
Back to the present: so I had this idea that I would make a plan, deal with this once and for all and the key to this plan was that I would not go on a diet...I would change my lifestyle and my eating habits and let nature take it's course. Well.....the best laid plans etc. etc. etc......
My life is easily affected by events that occur within it and around it. So three things in the last 2 months have thrown all my "best laid plans" into disarray and I'm trying hard to find my way back to my life as it was starting to evolve.......
1. I became a grandmother, which is not a bad thing...in fact it's a pretty good thing....it's just something that has to find it's place in my life and that's ongoing....and it has changed the dynamics of my relationship with my son....and that's something to get used to.
2. My son's best friend who was like a part of our family was killed in a car accident, sending us all into shock and disbelief. I am not only still trying to deal with this myself, but I also worry about how my son is dealing with the loss. The whole situation is gutwrenching and still brings me to tears often.
3 My daughter and her husband have decided to make the big move to Boston in a few months and it will be for 4 years. It will be a wonderful adventure for them but (I'm being horribly selfish here) I can't grasp what my life will be like knowing that they are not 6 hours driving away, but 6 hours flying or 4/5 days driving away....the other side of the continent!! (it is, however, yet another place to visit!!)
So.....all these events have conspired to put the kybosh on my plan.....so I'm trying to work on some sort of plan B. This is not a "blaming" post.....more like a "I have to find a way to deal with life" post. In short....That's life...deal with it.
My first step has been to make an appointment to go back to my therapist (whom I was seeing during last summer) and unload on her and see what she has to say. I also want to hibernate, but apparently that's not necessarily a good thing to do.....so I will only do a bit of that and a bit of getting out among people....and I always have to remember to take the time to do things that I enjoy.
I would have never believed that my life would ever get this complicated and worrisome.....but you just never know which chocolate life is going to deal you from the box. (Forrest Gump??)
Slainte!!
So I'm thinkin'.....I HAVE to do something here....which I might say right here, is what my doctor has been telling me for the last mmmmm...say....15 or so years. I have had periods of weightlessness....1988-89, I lost 105 lbs......and then after returning to original eating habits..proceeded to put it all back on again over a period of about 2-3 years. In 2001/02, I lost about 55 lbs with WeightWatchers....and then found that I was paying approximately $7 a pound to lose weight...something I had a hard time rationalizing.
I have had a fight with obesity since I was young....and as it turns out, it shouldn't have really happened that way. I was NOT overweight when I was young, but I was tall and big boned and therefore everyone told me I had to lose weight. When you're told often enough that you're fat, tubby, obese, walrus like, etc., etc., etc., you begin to believe it yourself. In actual fact, I became what everyone told me I was. However, if everyone had SHUT UP....I would probably be in great health today, full of energy and not arthritis. Do you detect a slight bit of bitterness here??
Back to the present: so I had this idea that I would make a plan, deal with this once and for all and the key to this plan was that I would not go on a diet...I would change my lifestyle and my eating habits and let nature take it's course. Well.....the best laid plans etc. etc. etc......
My life is easily affected by events that occur within it and around it. So three things in the last 2 months have thrown all my "best laid plans" into disarray and I'm trying hard to find my way back to my life as it was starting to evolve.......
1. I became a grandmother, which is not a bad thing...in fact it's a pretty good thing....it's just something that has to find it's place in my life and that's ongoing....and it has changed the dynamics of my relationship with my son....and that's something to get used to.
2. My son's best friend who was like a part of our family was killed in a car accident, sending us all into shock and disbelief. I am not only still trying to deal with this myself, but I also worry about how my son is dealing with the loss. The whole situation is gutwrenching and still brings me to tears often.
3 My daughter and her husband have decided to make the big move to Boston in a few months and it will be for 4 years. It will be a wonderful adventure for them but (I'm being horribly selfish here) I can't grasp what my life will be like knowing that they are not 6 hours driving away, but 6 hours flying or 4/5 days driving away....the other side of the continent!! (it is, however, yet another place to visit!!)
So.....all these events have conspired to put the kybosh on my plan.....so I'm trying to work on some sort of plan B. This is not a "blaming" post.....more like a "I have to find a way to deal with life" post. In short....That's life...deal with it.
My first step has been to make an appointment to go back to my therapist (whom I was seeing during last summer) and unload on her and see what she has to say. I also want to hibernate, but apparently that's not necessarily a good thing to do.....so I will only do a bit of that and a bit of getting out among people....and I always have to remember to take the time to do things that I enjoy.
I would have never believed that my life would ever get this complicated and worrisome.....but you just never know which chocolate life is going to deal you from the box. (Forrest Gump??)
Slainte!!
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Ocean Fix.....
So this weekend ...or rather the end of this week, we headed down to Victoria for our son-in-law's convocation. It was a happy occasion and we were able to spend time with family and friends and eat far too much food!!
We also had time to wander around Victoria, something that I love to do. I have coined the phrase "ocean fix" when it comes to my visits to the capital city. I grew up there, and as happens with many people who have grown up near the ocean...it constantly calls you back!!
The walks along Dallas road, just sitting on a bench staring out at the water and watching the myriad of ships and small boats that pass by.....my childhood is revisted.
When we were children, "going for a swim" meant usually going to Mt. Douglas Park and playing in the sand, riding driftwood logs and swimming in the salt water. Then we would clamber up, all covered with sand, and sit around the blanket eating egg salad sandwiches and drinking kool aid or juice or some such thing....and then waiting the prescribed 1 hour before going in the water again!! We didn't have to worry about sunscreen or weird people.....we just played!!
My grandmother lived a block from Dallas Road and when we visited her in the summer, she would give us large ripple-sided juice cans and plastic sand shovels and we would head down to the Dallas Road beach to build sand castles and paddle in the water.....and again ride the big logs that drifted in with the tide!
I had a fascination with the steam ships that plied the waters between Victoria and Vancouver and my grandmother and aunt took me on the midnight boat to Vancouver one night.....it was wonderful!! I always remember watching the ships pass by and trying to figure out which ship was which by the funnels. I believe the Princess Elaine had four funnels, the Elisabeth and Joan had 2 as did the Marguerite and Patricia....I could be wrong though. Dad and I always had great discussions about this and shared an interest in the comings and goings of these big liners. The CP ships were so much more impressive than our BC Ferries, I think, because they looked like the big ocean liners that plied the Atlantic....their sleek lines cutting through the waves. I remember Dad telling me that during the war, the Queen Elisabeth I came into the Esquimalt dockyard for refit because it was the only dockyard in the area that could accomodate her size. I remember thinking" I wish I had been there to see that"!
Most of our family camping trips were taken with the ocean as a backdrop. Rathtrevor beach (before it became a provincial park), Qualicum, Miracle Beach, Campbell River.....even playing on the beach in Bowser I think it was, where the liberty ships from the World War II lay rusting as breakwaters. Those hulks always scared me because they were sooo big. My brothers had no such qualms and would ride up to them on a log while little sister cowered on the shore. In later years on Sunday drives, with Mom and Dad, we would head up the west coast of the island, through Jordan River, China Beach, Port Renfrew...and I remember my Dad saying...."Now this is the REAL Pacific, not the Strait of Georgia!!"...and we would look with wonder out across the neverending ocean where there were no islands to be seen!!
So...now I live in a desert town in the interior of the province with the river running down to the sea...and after a time I crave the ocean breezes and the salt air. It's pretty much a full day trip to get to Victoria from Kamloops, what with stops in Langley, and working with the ferry schedule, but to me....it's worth every minute. My daughter and her husband are leaving Victoria in the fall for Boston, so our immediate family connection will be gone....but we will still have family and a few friends there and Mom and Dad are buried there.
However, what will pull me back always, is the ocean, and the memories of my childhood near the ocean.
Slainte !!
We also had time to wander around Victoria, something that I love to do. I have coined the phrase "ocean fix" when it comes to my visits to the capital city. I grew up there, and as happens with many people who have grown up near the ocean...it constantly calls you back!!
The walks along Dallas road, just sitting on a bench staring out at the water and watching the myriad of ships and small boats that pass by.....my childhood is revisted.
When we were children, "going for a swim" meant usually going to Mt. Douglas Park and playing in the sand, riding driftwood logs and swimming in the salt water. Then we would clamber up, all covered with sand, and sit around the blanket eating egg salad sandwiches and drinking kool aid or juice or some such thing....and then waiting the prescribed 1 hour before going in the water again!! We didn't have to worry about sunscreen or weird people.....we just played!!
My grandmother lived a block from Dallas Road and when we visited her in the summer, she would give us large ripple-sided juice cans and plastic sand shovels and we would head down to the Dallas Road beach to build sand castles and paddle in the water.....and again ride the big logs that drifted in with the tide!
I had a fascination with the steam ships that plied the waters between Victoria and Vancouver and my grandmother and aunt took me on the midnight boat to Vancouver one night.....it was wonderful!! I always remember watching the ships pass by and trying to figure out which ship was which by the funnels. I believe the Princess Elaine had four funnels, the Elisabeth and Joan had 2 as did the Marguerite and Patricia....I could be wrong though. Dad and I always had great discussions about this and shared an interest in the comings and goings of these big liners. The CP ships were so much more impressive than our BC Ferries, I think, because they looked like the big ocean liners that plied the Atlantic....their sleek lines cutting through the waves. I remember Dad telling me that during the war, the Queen Elisabeth I came into the Esquimalt dockyard for refit because it was the only dockyard in the area that could accomodate her size. I remember thinking" I wish I had been there to see that"!
Most of our family camping trips were taken with the ocean as a backdrop. Rathtrevor beach (before it became a provincial park), Qualicum, Miracle Beach, Campbell River.....even playing on the beach in Bowser I think it was, where the liberty ships from the World War II lay rusting as breakwaters. Those hulks always scared me because they were sooo big. My brothers had no such qualms and would ride up to them on a log while little sister cowered on the shore. In later years on Sunday drives, with Mom and Dad, we would head up the west coast of the island, through Jordan River, China Beach, Port Renfrew...and I remember my Dad saying...."Now this is the REAL Pacific, not the Strait of Georgia!!"...and we would look with wonder out across the neverending ocean where there were no islands to be seen!!
So...now I live in a desert town in the interior of the province with the river running down to the sea...and after a time I crave the ocean breezes and the salt air. It's pretty much a full day trip to get to Victoria from Kamloops, what with stops in Langley, and working with the ferry schedule, but to me....it's worth every minute. My daughter and her husband are leaving Victoria in the fall for Boston, so our immediate family connection will be gone....but we will still have family and a few friends there and Mom and Dad are buried there.
However, what will pull me back always, is the ocean, and the memories of my childhood near the ocean.
Slainte !!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Travel Preparations.....Bah humbug!!
Judging from the title of this blog, one will assume that I don't do travel preparations well.....and they'd be assuming right....for the most part. I love going places...it's the getting ready to go there that I'm having a problem with...and I wonder why that is. Lack of organization probably....although some times I am so super organized that I surprise myself. However, I make plans without taking into account Murphy's law.....(or at least someone's law)..."What can go wrong, will go wrong." ....even if you are super organized. You see, it's all about anticipation. Things are going well...but then there is a glitch....a tiny glitch....but a glitch nevertheless....and so you fix it...but then you're behind schedule and you start to fret a bit....and because you do, the care that you would normally take isn't quite as careful as you'd like. So....something else slips up.....and you get tense.....then something else....and you get more tense....and it goes on....so by the time it gets close to time to go, you think that you don't have enough time to do anything, so you sit down and nearly cry in frustration. My solution.....turn on the TV in the bedroom and have something to distract me while I'm packing, plucking, polishing etc.....and in the process of all that p. p. and p.......I calm down. Then when everything is done, I put it all away and come downstairs to do my blog.
The other thing part of travelling that I'm not keen on is coming home....well...not coming home perrsay, but all that entails when you actually get home. I must say though, that I almost have it down to a fine art....unload, empty the suitcases, put the dirty clothes in the laundry room pack away the clean clothes, cosmetics back into the bathroom and suitcase back downstairs. I even do that for D's clothes as well, seeing as he packed everything upstairs. If I can keep it moving, it can all be done in 10 minutes.
I do try to do things in good time before our date of departure on our travels, but it's a case of thinking I have more time than I actually have....which I'm sure is a common complaint with most people. The trouble with me is that I have to print off something on the computer to take with me, and then I ALWAYS have to do some tweaking of whatever it was, be it graphic, picture or writing, and that takes time....and we ALL know how time flys when you're on the computer.....so when you emerge and look at the time....ARRRRGH!!!
In any case, I'm calm now....only have bath stuff to pack....then I'm done...and that will be done tomorrow morning. I even had a sugar free hedgehog to celebrate....how cool is that!!
So it's off tomorrow and back on Saturday....and in between some jolly times with good and loving people. 'Till next time....Salut!
The other thing part of travelling that I'm not keen on is coming home....well...not coming home perrsay, but all that entails when you actually get home. I must say though, that I almost have it down to a fine art....unload, empty the suitcases, put the dirty clothes in the laundry room pack away the clean clothes, cosmetics back into the bathroom and suitcase back downstairs. I even do that for D's clothes as well, seeing as he packed everything upstairs. If I can keep it moving, it can all be done in 10 minutes.
I do try to do things in good time before our date of departure on our travels, but it's a case of thinking I have more time than I actually have....which I'm sure is a common complaint with most people. The trouble with me is that I have to print off something on the computer to take with me, and then I ALWAYS have to do some tweaking of whatever it was, be it graphic, picture or writing, and that takes time....and we ALL know how time flys when you're on the computer.....so when you emerge and look at the time....ARRRRGH!!!
In any case, I'm calm now....only have bath stuff to pack....then I'm done...and that will be done tomorrow morning. I even had a sugar free hedgehog to celebrate....how cool is that!!
So it's off tomorrow and back on Saturday....and in between some jolly times with good and loving people. 'Till next time....Salut!
Monday, June 12, 2006
Why Nuts??
I make animals and fantasy folk from nuts.....and polymer clay. I write stories (as yet unpublished) about these nut people.
I am currently dealing with issues such as obesity, depression, restarting my life after 20 years in the same place, finding a creative outlet among many that intrigue me....and these issues are all driving me nuts!!
So....that's why NUTS!!
But really....I'm ok....just a little wacky.....but lovably wacky.
We had a great dinner last night. I mistakenly ordered asparagus meant for two and ended up eating it all because...well D. doesn't like asparagus....but then he had a mixed roasted vegetable plate for two of which he only ate half. I figured a lot of asparagus wasn't going to do me any harm and it was fun picking it up with my fingers and eating it like celery!! My entree was chicken stuffed with goat cheese, spinach and bacon....it was sooo good....unfortunately it came with garlic mashed potatoes...and I say unfortunately because I just can't resist it...that's why I never usually order it. D. ordered a New York steak because he NEVER eats that at home...in fact I would venture to say our red meat consumption is waaaay down.He also got a baked potato along with his multi-veggies.
So...as we were sitting there, what should pull up outside (we were right beside the train tracks) but the Rocky Mountaineer train....which was cool....and we got to watch it depart after it unloaded all it's passengers for the night. Those observation cars are really a treat!!
So this morning, I was perusing the valley through binoculars as is my habit early in the morning, lo and behold there was the RM train heading back down to Vancouver on the north side of the Thompson River, after picking up it's 3 busloads of passengers.
I'm thinking...it's an expensive trip, but if I could afford it, it might just be worth it....I love the thought of train travel. I actually wouldn't mind doing the cross Canada trip. I travelled quite a few times across Canada by train when I was in my late teens and enjoyed it immensely. It's a great way to meet people. Unfortunately in this day and age, it's almost as expensive or more so to take the train than the plane. But..there's just something about train travel that gets to my heart. Nostalgia maybe, I don't know...but I think I would love it.
So..today we got our remaining two cable outlets installed, one in my workshop and one the bedroom. Now all I have to do it get a TV/VCR combination for my workshop so I can play videos of different projects. I'm not saying that's all I'll watch....I have every intention of watching programs that I've always wanted to watch, but never done so....and if I have a DVD to watch...well..I have my laptop to play it on. I'm sure it will be a while though before I get the TV, but at least now I'm prepared!!
So this is my second day of blogging and I'm not finding it too bad....hmmmm.....I don't really want to make it a day to day relating of my daily life, more an epistle of my take on daily life as it occurs to me and others in my orbit. That's what will be the challenge. I can do that in a private journal, but to do it in a form fit for public consumption....cogitation before publication will be the key. Until next time....salut!
I am currently dealing with issues such as obesity, depression, restarting my life after 20 years in the same place, finding a creative outlet among many that intrigue me....and these issues are all driving me nuts!!
So....that's why NUTS!!
But really....I'm ok....just a little wacky.....but lovably wacky.
We had a great dinner last night. I mistakenly ordered asparagus meant for two and ended up eating it all because...well D. doesn't like asparagus....but then he had a mixed roasted vegetable plate for two of which he only ate half. I figured a lot of asparagus wasn't going to do me any harm and it was fun picking it up with my fingers and eating it like celery!! My entree was chicken stuffed with goat cheese, spinach and bacon....it was sooo good....unfortunately it came with garlic mashed potatoes...and I say unfortunately because I just can't resist it...that's why I never usually order it. D. ordered a New York steak because he NEVER eats that at home...in fact I would venture to say our red meat consumption is waaaay down.He also got a baked potato along with his multi-veggies.
So...as we were sitting there, what should pull up outside (we were right beside the train tracks) but the Rocky Mountaineer train....which was cool....and we got to watch it depart after it unloaded all it's passengers for the night. Those observation cars are really a treat!!
So this morning, I was perusing the valley through binoculars as is my habit early in the morning, lo and behold there was the RM train heading back down to Vancouver on the north side of the Thompson River, after picking up it's 3 busloads of passengers.
I'm thinking...it's an expensive trip, but if I could afford it, it might just be worth it....I love the thought of train travel. I actually wouldn't mind doing the cross Canada trip. I travelled quite a few times across Canada by train when I was in my late teens and enjoyed it immensely. It's a great way to meet people. Unfortunately in this day and age, it's almost as expensive or more so to take the train than the plane. But..there's just something about train travel that gets to my heart. Nostalgia maybe, I don't know...but I think I would love it.
So..today we got our remaining two cable outlets installed, one in my workshop and one the bedroom. Now all I have to do it get a TV/VCR combination for my workshop so I can play videos of different projects. I'm not saying that's all I'll watch....I have every intention of watching programs that I've always wanted to watch, but never done so....and if I have a DVD to watch...well..I have my laptop to play it on. I'm sure it will be a while though before I get the TV, but at least now I'm prepared!!
So this is my second day of blogging and I'm not finding it too bad....hmmmm.....I don't really want to make it a day to day relating of my daily life, more an epistle of my take on daily life as it occurs to me and others in my orbit. That's what will be the challenge. I can do that in a private journal, but to do it in a form fit for public consumption....cogitation before publication will be the key. Until next time....salut!
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