Ginty's Pond

Late this afternoon Husband stopped by with an invitation to go for a picture taking drive. I gathered up the little old dog, and the three of us went down the road to Cawston, - our first and dearest home here in the Similkameen.

We took the back road, down by Ginty's Pond, a natural habitat that is home to nesting ducks, yellow headed blackbirds, orioles, Marsh Wrens, beavers and other small water creatures, - frogs and toads and dragonflies, turtles, and the occasional Heron.
The lower portion of the pond is a green expanse of bull rushes and water lilies, lined with willows and grasses. Above, closer to the village of Cawston, the water is more open, and it is a favourite spot for photographers, bird watchers, loungers and dreamers, and small fisherfolk.

Ginty's Pond was named after Alfred Hamilton Cawston, a pioneer son of the family for which Cawston was named.

Ginty was the last son born (in 1892) to an English Settler and his Irish wife. In the days when the gender of a baby was still a surprise at birth Ginty's father had rather hoped for a girl to augment the family of three boys, and said if the baby should be a boy he would call it McGinty. It was, and he did, and Alfred Hamilton was known by the name of Ginty all the years of his life.

He lived close to the land and the forests. I remember typing an essay for him, entitled John Chinaman, in which he reminisces about the Chinese who were in the Similkameen during the time he was growing up. Ginty was an integral part of this area, fondly esteemed and full of stories. It seems very fitting that this pond, that skirts the Cawston property, should be named in his honour.
Here are the great broad leafed water lilies that clog the bottom part of the pond, and the grasses that grow along the edge of the roadway that crosses the pond as it nears the river.























Across the river the hills come down in folds and next door, as we continue down the road, Wes Stewart's cows enjoy the verdant meadow
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Congratulations to our latest graduating granddaughter!

What an exciting time, a kaleidoscope of emotions as young people say farewell to childhood and childhood friends, and hello to a new life, new responsibilities, new adventures, new opportunities.

My wish for them is that they say "YES" to life. Cherish and seize each day and all it has to offer with an enthusiastic and positive spirit.

Carpe Diem, my dear one.

Frustrations, frustrations! Weeping, and gnashing of teeth.

Vista appears on my computer screen, looking pure, ethereal and delicate with it's veil of pale, diaphanous green.

I am beguiled, and after Grandson Guru has installed the basics I am enthusiastic and eager to get all in order. Everything where it belongs, - no qualms about lost information or missing addresses. After all, I've had experience!! Never mind that at the age of 82 some of that experience escapes my memory!

In 1982 #1 son gave me a Timex Sinclair. WOW - what an interesting time that was. Did Timex use Fortran or Dos? Whichever, it was a challenge and an absorbing experience to create small programs that astounded me and all whom I seduced into watching.














Shortly after I acquired a Tandy, and for a number of years kept books on it, composed newsletters, and kept in touch with hundreds of sheep breeders.

There was a time after that when we did not give house to a computer, and the time was good and fair.

But this period of calm didn't last and soon Bill Gates had me in his clutches and I was a lost soul

Computers have opened up many new paths for me, - I have found knowledge, inspiration and creativity hiding behind the monitor, - it has puzzled me how much more information is available in that small space the thin monitor sports in comparison to those big bulky affairs of early years!! And where is there room for the little men who are built in to astound and confound old ladies!









This betrays my lack of computer science, but I am learning. And learning fast.

Monday was spent acquiring knowledge slowly and painfully, but after having downloaded drivers for the scanner and the sound device I felt it would be a cinch to bring the printer up to date. Monday morning I was bright and confident .


By Monday night I had a jaundiced eye. I was totally devastated and bewildered that a strict and careful attention to instructions could result in so little success.

Husband has always maintained that you are born with a feeling for machinery, - and if this is so that gift was evidently not bestowed upon me.


and so I continue to tear my hair, wipe the tears of frustration from my eyes, and plod on stalwartly, - onward and upward.

But I look forward to the day when the Guru Grandson returns and creates order out of the chaos my printer is spewing out.

I am left with the feeling that experience is no match for natural aptitude!