The Summer of My Contentment (finally) or My Big Fat Greasy Summer

Meanwhile... ten pounds later.

It's Amazing What They'll Do For Attention

This morning, as I rounded the corner behind the house on my way to work, a little four-point muley buck jumped out onto the road in front of me. (The grass is always greener on the other side of the road...)

As we live in wildlife country, keeping an eye out for animals at the roadside is second nature for us, so this was not an unusual occurence. What was unusual was the fact that his antlers were adorned with a lovely set of silver wind chimes. The whole kit was dangling and swinging jauntily from his right antler.

My first reaction was to laugh out loud but, in the next second, the reality of the situation sank in. I felt pity for this poor creature who now has to contend with those noisy, man-made tubes rattling and ringing about his head. Not to mention that every time he lifts his head quickly (which deer do often enough), those tubular bells smack him square in the face.

Later in the day, as I arrived home from work, a familiar sound met my ears - the cheery sound of wind chimes...

And there he was, that unfortunate ungulate, happily feasting upon the apples from the neighbour's tree - chimes swinging and ringing merrily.

I've also noticed that his herd buddies are conspicuously absent...

I'll be back.

On the Horizon

I have made some important decisions over the past few weeks, and it looks as though the plans that I had simmering on the back burner are being heated up on the fore-front. I am quite excited and happy, and it appears that my patience over the last year or so will be paying off.

This fall I am going to take my Level I Ski Instructor course and I plan to teach for the local ski school over the winter! The head of the ski school has been encouraging me to do this for some time now, but I've had to wait until it was financially feasible. As well, I want to take my Level II in the spring.

I finally bought a new printer for my computer. My old one did not work with my new Vista (grrrr) program. Anything that I've wanted to print I've had to e-mail to Gene's computer and print from there. Not very convenient, but effective in the end.

We are also going to buy a really neat multi-compartment tent to go camping in. I was initially considering buying a truck and camper trailer, but, with my plans to teach skiing over the winter, we decided to take the less expensive route. Soon we will be pouring over all the outdoors catalogues then hitting the mountain parks.

When summer rolls around again, I'd like to do lawn and yard maintenance. Something nice and outdoorsey that requires more brawn than brain. After all, my brain could use a break...

And, on that note, I will leave off.
I have a cold glass of wine awaiting me on the deck before delving into making dinner.

Birth...

Wow!

I as I sit in my office, checking my blog, there is a mule deer doe across the road having her baby. I first noticed her as I was talking to Beth in her tent in the yard.
The deer caught my eye and I chuckled about the fact that she was having a pee in full view of us. She finished, then squatted a few more times. It was then, and after a closer look, that I realised she is in labour.
Good luck, Beautiful!

...it's quite amazing what we see going on in our neighbourhood...


It's been about three and a half hours and I can see her resting behind a tree, not ten feet from the edge of the road. Gene said she was standing up and looking much more relaxed, so her baby must be hidden in there somewhere, too. A couple of runners and quite a bit of traffic (holiday weekend) has gone by.
If I look closely, I can see her ear flicking back and forth between the grasses...

...she is only a stone's throw from my window...

Happy Birthday

In honour of Canada turning 141 years old on 1st July, the Town of Invermere put on a spectacular fireworks display last midnight.

This has been an on-going tradition for the past 15 years or so and the show has become greater over time. I remember when it was nothing but a short, small sprinkle over the lake!

This video is a sample of what we saw from James Chabot Provincial Park and Beach. If you'll notice the string of lights on the left of the frame - that is the flotilla of boats from all over the lake that arrived to grab a front row seat to the event.

As well, we have a good friend who also celebrated his birthday on the water!

Happy Birthday, Koos!

Freedom to Speak Freely

Well, it's a wrap.
The scavenging ravens still hunger for the osprey's kill.
The cats are as grey as the house - funny, I always seem to find pets that match the decor. Maybe that's why I find myself in a pinch when attempting to paint the walls.

It has finally, after what seems an eternity, stopped raining, so the lawn got mowed and we are now replacing the rain with sprinklers.
My favourite summer edition of the Sears Catalogue went missing - I found it wedged, (and quite soggy) beneath one of the tents on the back lawn - and to think it was thick and weighed enough to begin with.
The eggs in the upstairs fridge went bad.
Bob has gone back to his Dad's.
There is a giant wasp buzzing and worrying at the window behind me - the door is open at the other end of the porch. Is that how it got in or how it will let itself out?
My hero, Gandalf, is now recovering from being Grey and in the process of becoming White...once more.
As a point, my storybook Trio of Heros are Gandalf, Merlin and Captain Picard. Always wise, yet they still retain their humanity - not above being swept up by dark forces beyond their control, and still, they manage to cling to Good...selflessly.
Good is God with one more o.
The plants need watering.
The ants are trying to take over - again.
The sprinkler needs moving.
We fetched water this afternoon and discovered a bear - terrified and stumped at the same time.

The new door is being well-hung.
I bought new dishes today! To replace the broken crockery - Delphine has taken human form - or maybe always has.
There will be a plethora of fruit this Autumn - the blossoms bent the bows this spring.
Poached.
Beth got her first car - a 1996 Mercury Topaz - be Responsible, my Sweetie.
And yes... I still call her Sweetie.

The Kids Are Alright.

* I took the photo of the osprey with its catch in a tree in the backyard. If you look closely, a fish is draped over the branch by its feet. The raven was soon joined by its mate and they both looked on hungrily while the osprey dined. Oh, those ravens - such creatures of opportunity...

The bear photo was taken a few hours earlier along the road to the spring.

Scrambled

I really can't seem to get it together these days to achieve anything. I can't even type correctly to get these words on the page!
My head's not in it, yet there is so much happening - or rather, waiting to happen. It's like the saying goes, "Hurry up and wait!" Well, I've hurried and now I sit and wait...
Thank goodness for work, as it keeps my hands and head occupied when otherwise I might go stir crazy. My days are like the weather - hot, cold, windy, calm, wet, dry, up, down...

Oh, how I look forward to my days being sunny-side-up!

Sunshine, Skiing and Sleep-Overs

Skiing at Sunshine Village in the Alberta Rockies. It was fun although the weather was cloudy and somewhat rainy...at Sunshine.

Our little cabin in the woods. On the way home we did a spur-of-the-moment stop in the park and decided to spend the night at Kootenay Park Lodge.

This is a peek through the door of our cabin. The weather was just cool enough for us to be comfortable after lighting a cosy fire in the fireplace.

And this is the view that greeted us in the morning from the porch of our humble abode.

The Best Mum in the World

...and she's mine!

Happy Mother's Day, Mum!

tears of a clown

I've caught myself weeping on several occasions today, yet the morning has scarcely begun. I am not sad - I don't think...

Little things, like helpless, new-born kittens discovered mewling in a box at the side of the road and seeing the photos of Grace's beautiful Mum on her blog, have moved me to tears. I worry over what happened to my brother's finger - I know nothing other than something happened. He's a pianist and a woodworker and his livelihood depends upon his hands being whole. Every paragraph in the thoughtful, witty novel that I am reading - one of a woman's courageous journey to her own Self - brings a moist pressure that wells from behind my eyes into the ubiquituous tissues-at-hand. This post, too, has me blubbering. It's Saturday morning and I am sipping my coffee while lazing back upon the pillows in my bed. I'm snug and warm beneath the touseled quilts. Outside a cold wind is gusting, chasing the clouds across a darkening sky, yet the air is crisp and clear, bringing every tree upon the distant mountainside into sharp focus. Shades of green, blue and brown are the colours of the day. During these moments, I will allow Myself to happen. Bobby is away this weekend and I have been temporarily relieved from, what I've considered of late as, the "rigid" responsibilities of parenthood. I feel so, because outside influences are now lying in wait, lurking and ready to pounce if I falter, stumble or fall "out of line". Self-deprecation, along with its sibling, self-pity, skulk in the wings, as well. My ceaseless attempts to keep those dark brethren at bay rob me of valuable energy. I wish I were Gandalf! I would shrivel those worthless creatures of my soul into nothingness with one fierce look and a wave of my hazelwood staff.

Nonetheless, today holds promise, as does every day at its dawn.

I cry - but I am smiling.

Coventry

Waking to a Winter Wonderland

Alarm goes off, are you listening?

In the yard, the snow is glistening.

A horrible sight

We'll shovel till night.

Waking to a winter wonderland.

Gone away are the new birds

Here to stay is there no bird?

No chirping spring songs

As we plough along

Waking to a winter wonderland.

At the Meadow's we can build a snowman

Then pretend that he's the one to blame

He'll say, Do you like it? We'll say, No man,

You can clear my walks - that's not my game.

Later on we'll conspire

As we shiver by the fire

Then we'll sit and we'll pray

For the price that we pay

For waking to a winter wonderland.

At the Meadow's we can build a snowman

Pretend that he's the one who covered the brown

We'll have lots of fun with Mr Snowman

Then we'll kick his *** and bring him down.

Snow in spring, it's not thrilling

I hate it when my garden's chilling

Send it away

You can take it today

After waking to a winter wonderland.

*Note: This is a re-arrangement of the old Christmas/seasonal song, Walking in a Winter Wonderland, by Felix Bernard (1897-1944)

Of Shoes and Ships...

I have the urge to do a post, yet I have no particular idea in mind. I am sitting here at my desk after work, with thoughts chasing themselves about my head. Gene is stoking the fire in the fireplace, Bob is playing a video game and I am enjoying my wonderful new office space and having a bit of time to relax at the end of the day. The sun is setting and a cool breeze is goosebumpling my arms as it passes through my window along its journey from the snowy peaks. The grass on the lawn is poking its green shoots between last year's leaf-fall - much to the pleasure of the local deer population. The robins are warbling their lovesongs from the tree branches and the buds are swelling on the Maydays - soon to be a welcome source of shade as the days grow longer. Although the weekend weather was sunny and hot, it rained most of the day yesterday and snowed today. So, if you don't like the weather around here, wait ten minutes - it'll change. I am putting off making supper. Bobby is down with a fever and strep throat - might as well get it all over at once, that boy - so he's not hungry, but still drinking plenty of fluids. I don't know where Gene is now. The sun is streaming into the room and it's really quite nice. I am relatively happy where I am, but it's taking a bit of time getting used to living in such large quarters. I find it a challenge not being able to have everything within arm's reach - such as tissues, my glasses, a book, supper... The TV is on and Grissom is wondering who's cougar that is in the vehicle they found abandoned - oh, for Pete's sake, just take a swab and check the DNA. I found Gene in the shower. By accident. Must send him to the store, as we need veggies - for the supper I haven't cooked yet. As for the photo, it depicts my dismal ski record for the season, but I really WAS having fun when the photo was taken. It snowed plenty at the hill , so at the very least, the days we did go skiing were in lots of butt-kickin' powder. Last year I skied sixty days - this season I skied six...

In the end, we roll with the punches and do the best we can.

No More Tummy Aches

We just spent the last three days at Bobby's bedside in the hospital.
On Tuesday we had to rush Bob to Cranbrook for an emergency appendectomy.
The operation went smoothly and they removed his appendix before it ruptured - any later and it may have been more serious.
Bob is home now, resting and doing fine.

The patent's biggest complaint...he can no longer use appendicitis as an excuse to stay home from school!

Excuses...

I must apologise for my absence on these pages.

Alas, it is tax time and my days are taken up with getting others', as well as my own, taxes in order. I am working full-time during the day at my regular work and during the evening I have to get all my other business done. Not to mention those little things about the house that would rather pile up than disappear.
So, until things slow down a bit, I'll keeping swimming through this sea of paper work and I look forward to seeing you all on the opposite shore!

...hell hath no fury like the tax man scorned.

"Take the Lake"

Approximately ten metres wide and five kilometres long, it knocks a good twenty minutes from the time it takes to drive to town and back. No, it's not rapid public transit, nor is it the result of expensive bridge engineering. And yet, it could very well be both - minus the cost.
It's our seasonal highway across the frozen lake.
Not only a quick, as-the-crow-flies route to town, the byway is also peppered with a variety of quaint (and not-so-quaint) ice fishing shacks. As well, it is not uncommon to see entire families out picnicking, young ones in tow - literally. There are always toboggans loaded with laughter being pulled behind all terrain vehicles and snow mobiles. Barbeques, bonfires and woodstoves abound - it's cold out there! On the weekends the ice surface becomes a veritable midwinter playground.
Organised events are also numerous. January hails the annual Curling Bonspeil on the Ice and, in February, there are the Ice Fishing Derby and Snow Golf Tournament. Try finding a golf ball in the snow...
Then there's the unexpected. One evening, as I was heading home and preparing to launch onto the ice road, I waited at an intersection as a snowboarder, roped to a half-ton truck, crossed the intersection. Apparently, the fun continues beyond the shoreline.
That all being said, the ice highway does have its follies.
Springs and open water have taken their share of victims over past winters. Therefore, it's a good idea to stick to the road, rather than strying to far from its track.
The local hockey team does a fund-raiser each year by doing an "Ice-Out" lottery. Everyone who purchases a ticket has a chance to make a guess as to when the ice will be gone off the lake. Every year it happens in a varying ways and on a different date - all dependent upon the weather.
My guess is that we will be able to take the lake for at least another three weeks.

What I Did on my Winter Birthday...

Yes, this is me skiing - not some young hotshot racer...

Here I am, working on some turns on a run called Schober's Dream. It was a lovely, not-too-cold, but snowy day at the hill.

I have dreams, too...

"Don't Mess With Mum"

My kids came home from school one day
with a smirk upon their face.
They decided they were smart enough
To put me in my place.

Guess what we learned in a class today
that's taught by Mr. White?
It's all about the laws today-
The Children's Bill of Rights.

It says we need not clean our room,
don't have to cut our hair.
No one can tell us what to think or speak,
or what we have to wear.

We have freedom from religion
and, regardless what you say,
we don't ever have to bow our head,
and sure don't have to pray.

We can wear earrings if we want
and pierce our tongue and nose.
We can read and watch just what we like
and get tattoos head to toes.

And, if you ever spank us,
we'll charge you with a crime.
We'll back up all our charges
with the marks on our behind.

Don't you ever touch us-
our body's for our own use.
Not for your hugs and kisses-
thats just more child abuse.

Don't preach about your morals
like your Mum did to you.
That's nothing more than mind control
and that's illegal, too.

Mum, we have these children's rights,
so you can't influence us.
Or we'll call local Family Services
and we'll make a great big fuss...


I mulled it over carefully-
I couldn't let this go.
A smile crept upon my face-
they're messing with a pro.

The next day I took them shopping
at the local goodwill store.
I told them pick out all you want,
there's shirts and pants galore.

I checked with Family Services,
and they said they didn't care
if I bought you K-Mart shoes
instead of those Nike Air.

I've cancelled that appointment
to take your driver's test.
Family Services is unconcerned,
so I'll decide what's best.

I said, no time to stop and eat
or pick up stuff to munch.
Tomorrow you can start to learn
to make your own sack lunch.

Just save the raging appetite
and wait till dinner time.
We're having liver and fried onions-
a favourite dish of mine.

The asked if they can rent a movie
to watch on their VCR.
Sorry, but I sold your TV
for new tires on my car.

I also rented out your rooms
to paying folk instead.
All that Family Services requires
is a roof above your head.

Your clothing won't be trendy now
and I'll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get
will buy me something neat.

I'm selling off your fancy toys-
your imagination will help you play.
And check out The Parents' Bill of Rights.
It's in effect today!


*Author unknown.

Delphine

Delphine is indeed a figment of my imagination.

She is a direct result of my being bothered by stress and bad dreams. One night, after awaking from a disturbing nightmare, I was fearful of closing my eyes again.

The monsters lurked, all too real, beneath my eyelids.
I then made the conscious decision to have a good dream once I fell back to sleep...

Hence, Delphine was born - my most definitely grey baby elephant. She was so delightfully bursting with silly antics, that I fell into an uncontrollable fit of laughter in my sleep, vowing to write about her on my blog...