A West Coast Dog!

Ajax seems to have been born to be a west coast dog.  In this photo we have Vancouver city iin the background and even a glimpse of Mt. Baker in the USA.

Swimming to retrieve sticks is one of his favourite activities - even when the waves are crashing.

Morning hikes are usually along the ocean bluffs high up, and he is so confident.

 

 

 And of course its nice to know that someone's got your back at all times!

The Beauty of Nature

While the deer population on Bowen is out of control, it doesn't make me any less in awe of the beauty of these creatures.  Caught this beautiful boy the other day on the way to a friend's place.

 Bowen has quite a few lakes, and all are pretty beautiful.  This is Josephine Lake with Mt. Gardner in the background.  Oh and the wildlife in the foreground is Ajax, of course!

 Two seagulls and a Canada Goose (if you can spot it taking off between Ajax and the gulls).  Three birds with one dog! By the sea - nature at its best.

Back to Adressing Health Issues

Chris has not been feeling himself lately and has been waiting for a CT scan at Lions Gate for some months now.  It was suggested we go to Whistler instead, since the wait is not so long, and sure enough we had an appointment within 2 weeks of the request from the doctor.

The medical clinic was staffed with super friendly people and everything was right on schedule. And parking was FREE!

 We combined the CT scan with a day trip that included breakfast in Squamish and  a walk around Whistler village.  A nice change from going into town and battling traffic. Scan results require further diagnostic testing, so it would be nice if some of those could be at Whistler as well! 

 We were impressed.

Flower Therapy

Just being in the presence of flowers can lift your spirits. Whether we experience flowers in the beauty of nature along a country road, in our own gardens, or by receiving a gift of flowers, they are always a welcome and positive addition to our lives .I love Flowers!  I love Gardening!  Whether a single wildflower, or grand bouquet, flowers heal, inspire, and touch our hearts. Some of my  favourites in my garden this week:

The beautiful "Showy Milkweed" is so exquisite. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs in Milkweed. I have 3 varieties growing this year.

 Salvia and Rose Campion on the left; Fragrant Mediteranean Broom on the right.

 Start Clematis on the left; Japanese Wisteria on the right.

The Art of Kindling

A cozy fire is one of the nicest things about winter, and starting a fire with the right amount and kind of kindling is the key   I love to split firewood for kindling, and since all 3 of our cords of wood are stacked and stored, it's time to get a head start on chopping kindling.  We have a bunch of cedar that I'm using for kindling and so far I have chopped and filled 3 garbage cans full.   While normally a few minutes of splitting kindling outside on a cold day warms me up as much as the fire itself,  this year I thought I'd get a head start and have most of it chopped and ready before hand,    This is one of my favourite activities - especially when it involves the sweet smell of cedar.

The Dreaded Wasps!

If there is one creature we could do without it would be the "wasp".  Yes I know they have a purpose in the overall ecological system, but in my opinion they live only to be a menace to people.  In fact, I am sure they are the spawn of the devil himself, and once again they have arrived full force to ruin summer.

Last month I was stung on my right hand close to the base of the baby finger.  The swelling and tightness lasted almost 3 weeks!   On Sunday I was sitting quietly out on the patio, bare feet, no food around me, and wham!!  The unprovoked attack of the season - the outside of my right foot. Instant excruciating pain! I'd rather have stepped on cut glass and ripped my foot wide open.

Within an hour the whole ankle was swollen and the bottom of my foot was too.  Then the itching and burning started. Could not sleep from the throbbing.

The next morning, Monday, it was hard to walk on that foot, but I took Ajax for a walk anyway and wouldn't you know it - a ground wasp found it's way between my sock and the tongue of my hiking boot.  He got me right through the sock - but this time it was the left foot.  It's ok to express your pain and fear using the full capacity of your lungs, especially when nobody is around.  I was able to get it out of the tongue of my shoe before a second sting occurred.

This sting was right at the joint where you point and flex your foot.  It swelled up so tight I could not do either. The swelling went right up to the middle of my shin and the burning and itching was out of this world on fire.  I tried raw onion, I tried squeezed lemon juice, I tried apple cider vinegar.  Nothing helped.  Sleep did not happen again on Monday night with both feet throbbing.  Benedryl did not help.  On Wednesday I borrowed some Aloe from my neighbour and that helped the burning and itching somewhat.  Today, Friday, the right foot swelling is almost gone but the itch persists.  The left foot swelling is down about 70% but again the itching and sensitivity on the shin remains.  I slept  well last night.

Many people consider a summer risk to be water-skiing or white water rafting, but I consider being outdoors during wasp season as an extreme sport, and major risk.  We are so vulnerable outside, especially if you have food or drink in hand.  I now cast furtive glances in every direction when outside because I know that a swarm of wasps is waiting for me.   Death to WASPS!

 

A Little Bit of the Garden

I am always struck by  how peaceful the atmosphere is when you go into the garden.   Sunshine, beautiful colours and scents, and birds singing provide me with a virtual shot in the arm. My mind is immediately calmed by a sensory bombardment of natural smells and sounds and visuals that would override any busy brain. I feel energized yet peaceful.  I guess that is what they mean by garden therapy! And the wildlife, if you look for it, gives you a glimpse into an often unseen world of nature. 

 Swallowtail Butterfly and Lady Bug

 Jerusalem Sage over Hakone Grass

  

 Valerian and False Indigo

 

  Raspberry Ripple Verbascum

 Shasta Daisies with Asian Poppies

  

Campanula - Bell Flower

Tongue Out Ajax!

 

Happy Birthday Chris

June 24th!!

Can't go wrong with a Toronto Maple Leafs gift.  Even when its from the thrift shop!

 Or a cold plate for dinner, and an umbrella in your beer!

 And the birthday song from the good neighbours, George and Sheila:

Cats and Dogs

There is some progress with these two.  Ajax really tries hard to be friends but its all on Gypsy's terms.  She will rub up on him one minute and then hiss and smack him and bat him with her paws the next.  He has yet to growl or snap back at her when she is abusing him and he could really hurt her.  He just wines and keeps trying or goes and lays down.

Firewood Time Again

2 cords delivered!

One load up back for the wood shed by the veggie garden,  and the other down at the wood shed by the workshop . 

  I love stacking wood.

 

Campbell River - June 20th

Chris wanted to look at a particular boat for sale in Cambell River and visit with Mike and Shae and the grand-kids.  He missed out on the boat as it had already sold, ran into one of his old fishing guide mates, and had a nice visit with the family.  I joined him after my visit with Kelli.  It was great driving into Campbell River and seeing the old landmarks, like the 50th Parallel marker.

Mike and Shae had organized a burger BBQ and salads Wednesday night and Halle and Dylan came over with their sweeties.  Halle and her boyfriend Mike just got a golden retriever puppy Gracie so she was front and centre, much to Frodo's annoyance.

 Heading home we took the long slow route along the ocean.  Chris was on his motorbike so it is much more enjoyable and scenic.  I love the carvings, and the beach front cafe's along the way.  A real holiday feel.

 

Parksville

Had a lovely visit with Kelli last week when we went over to Vancouver Island. Kelli lives in Parksville now, just steps from the ocean.  I stayed a few nights  but Chris went straight through to Campbell River. 

It  was 30c weather and great to be able to walk on the beach, which is practically a sandbar, and one that is full of sea life - and more sand dollars than I've ever seen in one place.

 

And flat!  A pleasant change from the hills on Bowen.  I even jogged a bit both mornings on the sea side boardwalk. 

Some of my favourite shots are below:

Kelli and Gideon on the beach. 

A very cool reflection of the home in the wine glass 

Late afternoon sun.