| Posted on Thursday, November 27, 2003 - 02:35 pm: |   |
Bruce and his first love...
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| Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2003 - 12:14 am: | |
It's December already! This year has gone so quickly. Today was a very dark, rainy, foggy day and tomorrow the forecast is for snow.
I'm trying to figure out how to change the garden along the back fence, and plant a tree, put in a seating area, and make it easy to cut the grass. I've been drawing it on paper, trying to work out roots and underground pipes. Our neighbour has put in drainage tile, which is wonderful for run-off, but a problem with roots from trees.
Solomen is feeling a little better. Poor little guy's been so sick, and I don't know why. But he is responding to antibiotics. I take him back to the vet's on Thursday for another.
Here's hoping the snow stays up in the mountains tomorrow!! |
| Posted on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 01:02 am: | |
My swim buddy's memorial service was today in Victoria. We had snow overnight, and I didn't go. Guilt. I don't usually shy away. But I'm nervous of driving in snow for the first few times each year (we seldom have snow). And my DD and SIL came up. What a treat for us! They are so much in love.
I need to priorize the things I want to do this coming year and remain focused on having more energy to work in the garden. This year I will have to do most of my work after the sun goes down, and I may hire out the big jobs that need to be done. I've even been contemplating changing the color of the house and the fence so it will blend in more with my garden theme. (We had planned to paint the house this last summer, but I just couldn't do it.) However, I'm feeling so much better, and hope to improve more after my back surgery. That's still any day. I probably will only have about 24 hour's notice. Don't care. Just want it done. Meanwhile, I can make plans!! |
| Posted on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 12:04 am: | |
Sol, the cat, is just fine now, and trying to gain back some of his weight. But I'm planning to keep the younger cats in now until we have really nice weather. The 'boys' especially just can't handle wet, cold weather. I had always wanted pure bred cats, but had no idea they required so much care.
My step-dad is having surgery on Friday, the 12. He's looking forward to it (2 hernias) but it worries us a little because he's 89. I saw him today and he looks so good! It will be such a relief when he's recuperated.
And this last week I saw my first Kingfisher. I'll go back to the creek on a nicer day, and take my camera. I even 'talked ' to him, just to hear the sound of his chatter. I'm still on the look-out for the swans, but I think they're one bay over from the river. We have a sanctuary here for them, but sometimes they can be seen in the river that flows into the canal.
Bushed...must head for bed. I hope everyone had a good weekend. |
| Posted on Thursday, December 11, 2003 - 09:01 pm: | |
The time seems to be flying. I swim from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every week day and it seems like I'm not getting much of anything done. Yesterday I baked (didn't swim), but it was an upsetting day with all the political friction.
It's very soggy here right now. Grey days, and the snow level must be down because we had so many birds at the feeders today! I'm still on the look-out for the little one white-eyed Junco to return. Strange looking little bird. Half his beak is white as well. The little Juncos and Chickadees are so much fun to watch, and we have a couple of Towhees in the group as well. The Yellow-crested Sparrows are here sometimes as well (or is it Golden-crested...)
A seed catalogue came in the mail today and I was day-dreaming of working the warm soil in the garden, planting lettuce, and tomatoes... And changing part of the flower garden at the back, putting in a tree, changing the gate, painting the house and the fence....
Wake up, Diane!! Oh, that's right. We're not officially in Winter yet, but I do love a good plan!
I'm so pleased that things seem to working out for Jodi, and her husband. Such good news.
The sander was out when I came home at 1:30 today. It was 4º but I wondered if the temperature was supposed to fall suddenly. Then I could smell the diesel fuel that someone had been spilling on the road. I followed the trail almost to my house, about three miles away. I don't know who it was, but they lost a lot of fuel. And it's raining, instead of the snow I was expecting. Whew!
G'night all! |
| Posted on Friday, December 12, 2003 - 10:35 pm: | |
Another seed catalogue came today. Wonderful! I've been dreaming about the garden in the back yard and hope DH remembers where the lines are for the sprinkler system!
This story has nothing to do with gardening, but I'd like to mention it. When I went to the pool today, the swimming class of about 8, 9,
and 10 year old First Nations girls were in the process of showering and changing to catch the bus back to their school. They all attend a school operated by one of the local bands, a band that is working very diligently to retain their culture, their language and their integrity. These students are being taught their language through songs, and that's what they were doing as they changed. They all sang as one, not Christmas songs, but beautiful songs in a language that's fascinating. Every so often, one girl would start reciting a poem that was humorous but inspirational. All the girls would join in and complete it. Then, another girl would start a new song.
Another swim buddy was in the change room with me, and she sat down and listened to them, all these polite little girls with beautiful voices.
What a lift to the day!
And the ferries are running again! We can get off the Island! (I'm not going anywhere, but it's so nice to know I could if I wanted to.) |
| Posted on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 - 11:07 pm: | |
My little moan....rain, rain, go away! We had a little sunshine one afternoon, just a taste, and it was so nice! Now we're back to this, and it was so heavy today it was similar to our Pineapple Express.
I did manage to get out of the rain for a little while, when I went swimming!
Shall pour over my seed catalogues some more, and drool over my library books about gardening. |
| Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 12:26 am: | |
The Spring bulbs in my little planter in the carport are beginning to grow. I'll talk to them but don't think they'll listen!
Went down Island today to pick up a PDA for the water board (DH is a trustee). I want one! This one takes photos and movies, downloads MP3's. I was sorry it wasn't fully charged or I could have had more fun before it went back in the box.
Saw our grand girls. They're coming here on Monday and will stay until Wednesday evening. What fun! They've grown so much, especially the younger two, in just two months.
I had a quick check in at GB's this morning and was so impressed with Monique's cookbook. All my data for my book is on floppy disks, and I must save that info to CD if I want to keep it. Floppies have a shelf-life. I just don't know if I want to print out any more copies. I've done about 120 so far.
We ran into thick fog on the way home. Pea soup. Thank goodness for reflectors.
(And I was pleased to see that all the cats behaved themselves...even Nibbs.) |
| Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 11:57 pm: | |
Just a quick note (because I'm exhausted) to say all is well. My amaryllis is coming along wonderfully. I should have blooms in a week or so.
These three little girls keep me hopping. I want to spend as much time with them as I can, and I find that regular stuff gets in the way. They've grown so much. The oldest is a young lady now. Well behaved kids. We went to Bonitoad's and they had a visit with my mom (their great-grandmother) and my older sister. They love Boni's livingroom and her books! She has so many fascinating things to look at and neat ideas. And they had a good munch on her cookies and tarts. (Perfect timing.)
DH is home tomorrow so he's happy he can spend more time with them too.
Must get some sleep so I can get up at the same time as them. "nite all! |
| Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 06:57 am: | |
The girls left last night at about 8:30. Wayne and I couldn't believe how quiet the house was when we came back in after waving goodbye. We sat down to watch some television and I realized how tired I was. Had a good soak in the tub with my new John Grisham book and feel asleep as soon as I went to bed. It's about 7 a.m. and I'm going to go back to bed for a bit. |
| Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2003 - 12:48 am: | |
It snowed today. Temp. is very low and the forecast is for more! It's pretty outside, quiet. I snuggled down in the tub with my new book and enjoyed a hot soak. Then the release valve went wonky on the hot water tank, so we have the power and water to it shut off. We're hoping we can reach a repairman tomorrow. So glad the girls went home last night, rather than tonight! The road out of town is in bad shape, and what do you do with three girls and no hot water? But the house has felt so empty all day. I miss their voices. |
| Posted on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 12:02 am: | |
Well, it's back to 'normal' tomorrow. I'm looking forward to swimming again (I've missed a whole week) and I'm hoping we hear from the repairman about our hot water heater.
The temperature is going down to -8º tonight but we're expecting the days to warm up and we'll have rain by Wednesday. Lovely... My rhodos are huddled in this cold.
I let the cats out today so they could romp in the snow. I don't think one of them even touched the white stuff before they were begging to get back in the house. I was thinking the fresh air would be good for them...but they don't like cold feet.
Am loving my new John Grisham book... off to bed and will read for a bit. |
| Posted on Friday, January 02, 2004 - 11:24 pm: | |
My John Grisham book, "The King of Torts", is frightening. My, my... I guess the world I live in is very small, and I'm thinking I really like it this way.
We're in for some very cold weather before it starts to warm up. It's snowing out right now, but I suppose this is only a taste of what a lot of Gardenbuddies have to deal with for months.
I will concentrate on those seed catalogues tomorrow, and dream of putting my hands into the warm soil, and feeling the sun on my face! |
| Posted on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 12:15 am: | |
Oh my! Have we had snow, and it's still coming down. The snow plow came through at dinner time so poor Wayne was out in the dark digging the end of our driveway out again. We heard that the temp. was going up and we should expect freezing rain so I went out and removed as much snow as I could off the trees and shrubs. However, it's still -1º C and snowing. I took some photos but am just too tired to edit them.
And I'm so please to see all the new members this last month. We have 13 new members just from Jan. 1st. Wonderful!
I stayed up late last night and finished the book, "The King of Torts". Well done! But it is definitely not a 'bedtime' book.
I finished knitting oldest DD's sweater tonight (Aran). It is a heavy sweater. I started it last Spring and put it aside for the summer. Not a good idea. I would have been better off finishing it then.
I love the compilation that Greg did of the garden recipes. Will work on that a little tomorrow to print out and put it all together. What a nice thing for him to do!
Bushed...night all. |
| Posted on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 10:10 pm: | |
I had a call from the hospital this morning, rescheduling my surgery, and it surprised me that it upset me so much. Took all day to sort it out and put those feelings away. Shows me that I'm a little more concerned than I thought.
We had freezing rain, on top of about 8 more inches of snow, so it was a mess this morning. We were plowed out late this afternoon, so we plan to go back to the pool tomorrow.
I took this shot of our neighbour's weather vane yesterday and kind of like the photo.
I'm going to sleep better tonight and try to be more myself tomorrow. |
