After The Lightening.....

Comes the fire......

It started last night.

We thought it was out when we didn't see anymore flames.

We were wrong as it smoldered until a wind came along.

Looks like it's under control and contained.

Farewell Uncle Ken

God speed Uncle Ken.

June 28th, 2009.

We will miss you.

Go with grace into the arms of God.

It's Raining!

Ugh, it is raining in Kamloops. We really should be grateful for the rain, but it seems like it's been raining for ten months now! So, I went outside to take some pictures of the yard.

This tree turns purple when it gets enough sunshine and water. I think it is called a Tamarisk Tree. It's leaves are feathery fronds. It's really quite pretty.
The pond has not been repaired yet. We have a leak and can't find it. We lost all our fish over the winter when the pond heater quit working properly and shorted the pump. No new fish and the pond is empty for now. Kind of sad.


That's the pool. Doesn't it look like a clown exploded all over my patio furniture? The white box is covering a stereo and there are speakers that we covered to be waterproof. Good thing in the rain.

This used to be one of those canvas folding chairs. Now it just collects the water on my patio because I forgot to fold it up. At least now I know where the water is coming from.

And it looks like we're going to need to replace the patio roof supports. Those boards are about to collapse! I didn't realize how bad they really were until I took this picture. I knew they needed to be done, but it looks like it'll be this fall. They certainly won't hold up with two feet of snow this coming winter.

Poor Butterfly

I was talking to my father outside and when he turned around I saw this little guy clinging to the back of his shirt.
I put my fingers against dad's back and he climbed onto them. I noticed his one wing wasn't moving at all.

I put him on a flower. I thought that if his wing wasn't working right then at least he'd have food.

He's so pretty.

Zipping Here, Zipping There!

Last year we decided to try a new sport. To us anyway. It's been hanging around, and I use the term loosely, for a few years and had intrigued us for some time. So, we packed up the car and drove an hour or so East on the Trans Canada Highway.

We registered, signed the waivers, paid and collected our safety gear. We then went through a comprehensive safety briefing and were taken to the first phase of our Sky Trek Adventure Park.

Climbing ladders, carefully walking toe to toe across a metal wire strung between two trees, crawling across rope nets and hanging in a harness while gliding from one tree to the other.

It takes a great deal of faith to practically throw oneself off a small wooden platform 45 feet in the air and rely on a 1/2 inch coil of steel to keep you from falling to the ground and killing yourself. Once I got over the fear that that wire wasn't going to fail, I was able to truly enjoy myself, even relishing in the feel of the cool breeze on my face as I zipped from one tree to the other.

I knew that it would be physically challenging, but I didn't realize just how difficult it was going to be. I completed the first two courses, but declined the third. The day was getting old, as was I, and I just knew I would be feeling this activity come morning.

And how! I found muscles I had forgotten I had. Walking was painful for a week and my rear end wasn't pleased either. My arms throbbed and I'm not sure where the big bruise on my right side came from.

You would think that once would be enough for this woman. Yet, I find my mind wandering to the third and most difficult part of the Trek that I didn't complete. I can't leave that unfinished. So this summer my daughter and I will once again find ourselves at the Enchanted Forest Adventure Trek, climbing rope ladders, walking toe to toe and gliding between ancient trees in one of Canada's most beautiful primordial forests.

My butt just aches as I think about it.

I can't wait to feel my muscles rebel once again.

Chickadee Ridge!

A Visit To Chickadee Ridge, Armstrong BC

A few years ago I learned about an amazing place that had a herd of over 250 horses. It was less than an hours drive from home in a lovely town called Armstrong, so I thought it would make a great day trip. And did we ever have fun! Just finding the place was a treat, then actually getting out among the horses was amazing. Over 250 horses that rushed over to see you as soon as they spotted you! They were so loving and gentle.

They even had a giant rocking horse. Notice the real rocking horse beside it? Look carefully!

Of course, these aren't normal everyday riding horses. These are MINIATURE HORSES! Each perfectly proportional to their full size counterpart, but ever so adorable. This guy was almost full grown! The horses were scattered in various paddocks and could move from one field to another freely. Often they would look up from grazing, see us and begin wandering toward us.

They loved to be touched and petted, and were especially attracted to my daughter. At first she was weary of them, but they quickly made her feel welcome and the day passed too quickly watching her play with them

We both were quite taken with this little guy. He was about two weeks old and calm as anything as we approached. His mother just looked at us, whinnied a cheerful welcome and continued to graze nearby.

If I thought I could get away with it, I'd have one in the back yard for a pet. It could fit through the doggie door and they are able to be house trained!

This guy was fascinated by my shoes and kept trying to eat my laces. Every time I tried to get a picture of my daughter with him, he'd put his head down and start directly for my feet, giving the lace a munch!

I think I shall have to take another trip to Chickadee Ridge soon.

So pretty

Took this picture of the ornamental tree in the front yard.

I love the water droplets on the leaves.
A neighbour gave us these Lily of the Valley shortly after we moved here.
Even though I neglected the flower bed where they are planted, they still try to prevail.
I plan to clean that flower bed up.



These are the petals from the ornamental tree.
It was in bloom until the wind came in.
The yard looks pretty with the purple petals everywhere.