What to do on a smokey Saturday afternoon....

August 5th, 2017

As the sun rose this morning it greeted the Similkameen

with the promise of a smoldering, smokey Saturday

but somewhere the wind changed directions

and although the scent of the air is still reminiscent

of wildfires, in the distance,

it was still pleasant to be outside for a while,

watering the pots and moving the garden sprinklers around.

The house is all closed up, and the A/C hums away...

so nice and cool I am glad of a sweater.

Along about August in days gone by the peaches would be

getting ripe in the orchard, - fuzzy and warm!

The children would be wary of Mother when she came in from picking peaches...

they tell me now!!

And I must admit to being a cranky peach picker until 

a shower made me feel civilized again.....

But how we all loved peaches, - dessert was easy those August days

peaches and cream, peach crumble, ice cream and peaches,

peaches and chocolate cake....

After we moved to town, bereft of fresh peaches right off the tree,

I used to go to fruit stands and beg for their over-ripes,

(which they didn't sell to tourists)

hurry home, slice them up, and Charles and I would be in peach-heaven!

Because it is really not wise to be out gardening while we are bathed in smoke

I have been keeping busy in the house.

Well, not busy cleaning and re-arranging cupboards,

or dusting, or baking.....

just busy in the loom room and reading a bit.

I had hoped to start off August with a bare-naked loom, and I did

finish the garden scarf I was working on

but when it was all done and I threw the last pick

I discovered I had probably a yard and a half left on my warp,

quizzical as to what I was going to do with it!!!

I also have four bobbins of 20/2 white silk

and two bobbins of green silk, left over from other projects,

and I am hoping that they will stretch to make a rather shorter scarf

with a rather longer fringe on it!!!

As to the reading.....whilst roaming through blogland

I came upon a recommendation to read

Phil Rickman's series about Merrily Watkins, a Vicar

(Priest in charge) of a parish in  Bedfordshire (or Hertfordshire,

depending upon when the boundaries were changed). 

 In any case, from the home of some of my ancestors, which tempted me to

read at least the first book "The Wine of Angels"

I am at page 71 and think I am going to enjoy it! 

I have also been fiddling with the ukulele, if that is possible....

The other day I came upon the ukulele chords for "Bring me Sunshine",

which I love.... and they are easy enough for me to play.

I strum away, and sing to myself, missing

Charles who always helped me stay in tune when he sang beside me....

If I wasn't a church-goer and still believed

what I learned in Sunday School I could imagine him

looking down from heaven (gold streets, clouds, harps, etc.)

but there, the years have confused me and I don't know where his spirit is.

I feel him close and the memory of his lovely clear tenor is very dear, - 

and I imagine what fun we would have had if I had discovered

the ukulele earlier....

This one will make you dance....

Dolomites

ABC Wednesday
August 2nd, 2017

The letter is D for The Dolomites

The Dolomites

A mountain range in Northern Italy 

forming part of the Southern Limestone Alps.

The Dolomites are also known as

The Pale Mountains, 

They take their name from the 

carbonate rock, dolomite

The Dolomites are renowned for skiing in the winter,

mountain climbing, hiking and cycling

in the summer.

As you can image

The Dolomite mountain area abounds

in tourists

and here is a bird's eye view of

the lovely mountains

More Ds here http://abcwednesday.comat ABC Wednesday
with thanks to all who maintain this meme

Sunny Sunday Morning - This and That

July 30th, 2017

Saying goodbye to this hot, hot dry month of wildfires
 resulting in a dire game of musical accommodations
for those poor people in towns affected by the flames that have been devastating
the central part of our Province.

So many families leaving homes threatened by fire;
 so many other little towns nudging over to make room for these evacuees
 and welcoming them with hospitality and compassion.

Will August be any better?  

The weather makes no promises for rain in the next three weeks

but the last two weeks of August have invariably been damp and cloudy, 

and one can only hope.....

Our own dear ones still under Evacuation Orders, 

but like so many in the Chilcotin who have stayed home to protect their property,

 were elated to finally get into town (after three weeks) 

to re-stock groceries and farm supplies 

and that little refreshment after a long, hot, smokey day!!!

Here at home I have plans for August.
Well, I have plans for every month, - not always ones that reach fruition,
 but nevertheless ones that make the month meaningful.

I hope to greet the new month with an empty loom,
 having great and illustrious visions of finishing
my Summer Garden Scarf today.

Sometimes my hopes, no matter how great or illustrious, forget

to take into account the amount

of energy available to me in one afternoon!!!!

Tomorrow is the last day of July, so that gives me

twenty-four hours grace.......

Here in mid-summer, as the days grow shorter (than they were)

I take Bruce out for his evening jaunt a little earlier

and at the end of the lane the sweet sliver of the new moon

grows a little each night.

If it is dark enough a gleaming scythe, holding

the old moon in its arms.

mister google

That choice of words is quite ominous and I didn't mean it to be

It is really very beautiful, despite having rather

dark connotations!!

During these summery days when the car finds a home

at the front drive-in, rather than in the garage,

it has been easy to hop in and go visiting or to shop

but lurking in the back of my mind  l am conscious of the fact

that the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles is going to run his finger

down the list of drivers in their nineties

and when he discovers my name he will immediately jot it down

on the list of the ancient who will receive orders to visit

their Doctor before the next birthday rolls around

so that he can examine your wits, your eyesight, and any other physical factor

which might give the Doctor pause to recommend that

you continue to drive.....

I ponder this, and wonder if I should make the effort to keep my license.

I don't worry too much about my wits and general health,

but I know they place a great emphasis on eyesight

and IF I plan to continue to have that precious piece of paper I must

make an appointment with the Optometrist, Dr. Zak,.

Probably in August!!

Which brings me to my next "this and that" for the month...

Charles mobile electric cart sits in the garage, fully charged,

just waiting for me to feel less vulnerable when I take it down the lane,

trying to get familiar with the beast.

Last Sunday I went for supper with a dear son and DIL

and during the course of the meal the subject of the cart came up,

and my reluctance to use it.

Son said - "It's just that she doesn't want to be seen on it..."

And I have to acknowledge that he is right.

Dratted ego again!

Don't want to appear ancient

and one of the crowd who swish down the road, 

flags flying on their mechanical cart...

So that is on my August list, (as it has been on every monthly list

for the last three or four years)

But this time I am DETERMINED.

On my list for today is the creation of a number of small quiches

(company coming for lunch during the week)

and I think it is time for kitchen duties.

Tomorrow I will pay obeisance to the White Rabbit,

but today I must say farewell to July

and put the air conditioner on...

Right now!!!!