Saturday, April 19, 2008

Weather Report

I rise early and grope my way into the bathroom with its frosted windows through which you can't see a blessed thing , and so it is only when I come back into the bedroom that I am surprised and somewhat appalled to see a thin layer of snow on the ground and the valley bathed in misty clouds.

Caspar greets me in the hallway, legs crossed, and so we hurry along for our morning walk, and these are some of the scenes that met our eyes. Well, Caspar doesn't see too well, but he does dearly love great gulps of that fresh snow.....
The daffodils huddled together in wet misery, their sweet little heads bowed down with frosty snow....

but the few brave tulips that have had enough courage to face this cold and windy weather were showing their bright colours.

Over yonder, across the valley, the top of K Mountain was lost in clouds.

#1 son reported that the temperature in Fort McMurray was -18C, and the Guru Grandson was off to move snow from parking lots as per contract. The Apricots in full bloom shivered in the chilling breeze.

By late afternoon the snow had disappeared into the green grass, - only the tops of the Cawston hills were still frosty.



But tonight the full moon is brilliant and cold, and there is no cloud protection. Ah April, - you truly are the cruelest month.....

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Today, in The Review, there is a sweet picture of a dozen or so little girls. Some are dressed in striped shirts with a bright kerchief. Sparks perhaps, or Brownies. Some may even be Girl Guides out of uniform.

They are selling Girl Guide cookies, - the kind that has to be hidden from Husband if I am generous and buy a number of packages.

Just a few years ago they would arrive on my doorstep, being very entrepreneurial and driven on their rounds by a parent. And it was a joy to have a little conversation as we carried out our trade. For them a few dollars support, and for Husband and me the chance to enjoy the traditional cookies. Separate the layers - eat the one with icing first......

Longer ago than that Daughter #2 canvassed the neighbourhood with cookies, probably accompanied by another small Brownie, and it was a lark and an adventure.

On Saturday the Keremeos Girl Guides will be selling their Girl Guide cookies at Bob and Ev's Custom Framing on 7th Avenue, across from The Review. Will it be fun for them? Oh, probably, - everything is fun for giggly girls. Will it be an adventure, - will it be a contact with the community, - will they be welcomed into a home that is not often visited by young people - well, sadly not. A bitter commentary on the fear that permeates today's society. And unfortunately with good reason.....

When daughter #2 was first a Brownie she was too young to go to camp unaccompanied, and so I went with her, - helped with the cooking and the crafts and enjoyed myself immensely.

When I was first a Brownie I was too young to be an "Official Brownie" and so I spent the time while everyone else was To Whit to Whooing sitting under the Toadstool in the centre of the circle.

Eventually the months passed and Brown Owl accepted me into the Pack as a Sprite - I still have the badge. Did we wear sporty striped shirts with bright kerchiefs? Alas, - no. Did we learn how to tie knots, and cook at campfires, earn badges and become good citizens, - oh yes...



This picture is ca 1931 - probably taken on the day of my induction. Look at that shiny new brown uniform, - those seductive stockings, held up with garters and always a little baggy at the knees. No slacks for these Brownies..... The HAT - and the scarf, tied just so.

Different times, - simpler times. But we played Run Sheep Run and Kick the Can outdoors in the evenings, unencumbered by fear. We were not exposed to the violence of television, - we read books that stirred the imagination and created pictures in our minds and dreams in our hearts.

I guess on Saturday I will go to Ev's and buy enough Girl Guide Cookies so that I will have some to stash in the freezer. These Older Men who are so attractive to us Older Ladies do not have the temerity of children who will raid the freezer and eat the cookies frozen.....I don't think?