Monday, June 09, 2014

Out and about....

Sometimes the days go by slowly, - lovely, lazy, languishing.  But then along comes a week full to the brim with activities and one is not as well equipped to deal with everything with the aplomb which once greeted busy weeks.

However, I am now into a week that  at least has the first few days free, and so I have been pottering.  Out in the garden, at the kitchen table with the camera, trying to demystify the three important aspects of Exposure, -  Aperture, Shutter Speed and OAS.  For as long as I have had this wonderful camera I have been depending upon Auto, and it has not failed me, but now that I am taking a little course in photography and editing  I think it's now or never and I'm trying to be cheerful and confident about it all!

So what kept me so busy last week?

On Wednesday the Ladies of the Royal Purple celebrated their special day by taking a cake to the local Care Facility, visiting and donating a nice sum to the Similkameen branch of the Special Olympics.  Nice cake (shown here with the Honoured Royal Lady) and a bitter sweet visit with old friends who are now resident there.



Thursday I spent at the Computer, doing the Pew Bulletin for Pentecost Sunday (and musing about when it used to be Whitsuntide and we dressed all in white and were young and wore ankle socks) and preparing some posters and Table Cards for the Royal Canadian Legion and their commemoration of D Day....

In the evening I went to the Museum meeting and took the minutes.....

Friday morning I watched the D Day Commemoration from Juno Beach, and cried a little at the Last Post and the Lament.

In the afternoon I went to the church, changed the hangings to red, put out the red candles and did all the Altar Guild things, - and then I played the organ for an hour and treated myself to some wonderful music. - Bach's Air in G,  Bellanoni's sad and beautiful Adagio and then a few jazzy hymns.

And Saturday!!  What a fun day that was.....   up early to be ready at 9.30 when Margaret's daughter picked me up and we went to the Farmer's Market in Penticton.  That was a real lark, and I appreciate so much these outings with  them.  I bought some exotic bread, a wild, flaming orange and red and yellow silk scarf  (perfect for Pentecost).  We went to Tickleberries for ice cream and then home through the green woods of St. Andrews......



And yesterday, - Sunday - not a day of rest.  Early to church to finish my Altar Guild duties and play the organ, - a nice visit with a couple of sweet young ladies from Magdellan Island in Quebec who are here to work at Cathedral Lakes, which is a marvelous resort for tourists and locals alike up in the Cathedral Lakes National Park.  The road up the mountain starts just as you leave Keremeos in the west and it is an adventurous trip.

Home to make sandwiches for a baby shower for that gorgeous new great grandchild, Tanner - popped in there for an hour and then my son drove me down the valley and we went to a memorial tea for an old friend.  After we left there we went to inspect a new orcharding endeavour a friend has, bordering the USA, and on our way we stopped when we saw a small blonde bear cub that seem mournfully alone.  No mother around - Sid went home to phone the Wildlife who are wonderful about rescuing animals in distress.....


I made myself a small supper, put on a DVD about Alexander McCall Smith and the series he has written about the #1 Ladies Detective Agency in Botswana, but then I fell asleep!!!!  How could I have done that when I admire him so!!!

Well, today I am somewhat exhausted!!!!!  Got out my camera manual, but my head nodded over it.  I am reading Miriam Toews  'All my Puny Sorrows' and even it wasn't enough to keep me alert.  Thank you for listening to all my doings - writing has made me think and remember with pleasure, but now I am going to pour myself a mild and gentle ginger ale and orange brandy and watch the news,  (maybe)....

This week has a luncheon date, a BBQ and installation at the lodge, but in between times you will find me in the garden!!  In the evenings, when the Nicotiana spreads it beautiful aroma, I will be resting with my evening cocoa...you would be most welcome!

5 comments:

Penny said...

Nice to have a busy week but also nice to be able to have a more restful time as well.

Morning's Minion said...

I so enjoyed this post--though thinking that your week was quite strenuous! I would have enjoyed sitting quietly in the church to hear your impromptu session at the organ--an instrument whose 'touch' eluded me. My late mother could play the piano or pipe organ with equal skill and scolded me well into her final years for not being interested enough to practice the organ.
Cameras on 'Auto'--it seems to be where I end up--I study the manual for the use of other settings but can't remember the steps to use when a good photo-op happens.

Reader Wil said...

Thank you for this wonderful post. I also watched the tv series: Ladies Detective Agency in Botswana. It was great!
Thanks for your comment on D-Day. I am sorry that your husband too, had lost a brother during the war.A brave man!
Let's pray that our children and grandchildren will belong to a peaceful generation.

Hildred said...

Thank you Wil, - Charles lost his other brother as well, at Njimagen sad times, especially for his mother.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

How I would love to join you in your garden -- a cup of cocoa would be nice but seeing you and admiring your wonderful garden would be all I'd really need. (Thanks for letting me do that virtually!)

I admire very much the way you enjoy your busy social life while also being able to be happy "pottering" - learning and enjoying quiet when those kinds of days occur.