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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Pictures from Riding Mountain
Here are some of our favorite shots from Riding Mountain National Park.
Serenade
On Friday night, our second last night camping, a group of young German Mennonite women took the campsite next to us. We were sitting around the fire when the two carloads pulled in. You could hear their laughter and shrieks of joy as they entered the campsite. Their laughter continued as they tried to set up their tent in near darkness. Two of the young women came over and asked if we had a hammer or something that they could use to pound their tent pegs in with. Yes, Alan had brought a hammer, plus other tools, just in case. They were very appreciative and finished getting their site put together. They brought back the hammer and then they all climbed into their tent and proceeded to fill the night air with laughter and more shrieks.
They left early the next morning and did not return until late Saturday night. Alan and I were getting ready to go to bed when these young women started singing in 5 part harmony. It was absolutely glorious!! To be serenaded to sleep with songs that sounded like hymns or folk songs was absolutely wonderful. It was a perfect way to fall asleep.
This morning we were once again treated to the sounds of their voices. We were taking down our campsite and it sounded like they were having a worship service in their tent. We were brought into their worship through the gift of their song; young women’s voices joining in with the rest of creation to praise God’s name. Perfect.
They left early the next morning and did not return until late Saturday night. Alan and I were getting ready to go to bed when these young women started singing in 5 part harmony. It was absolutely glorious!! To be serenaded to sleep with songs that sounded like hymns or folk songs was absolutely wonderful. It was a perfect way to fall asleep.
This morning we were once again treated to the sounds of their voices. We were taking down our campsite and it sounded like they were having a worship service in their tent. We were brought into their worship through the gift of their song; young women’s voices joining in with the rest of creation to praise God’s name. Perfect.
Memories
Wait!...There it is. Where??
No. Wait! There it is again! Did you see it?
What is it?
Is it a star? I don’t think so….
Is it a fire ember floating through the trees???
I’m not sure…….There it is again! Did you see it?
What is it?
At dusk we chase them; my cousins and I. We run through the grass clutching our glass mason jar in one hand and the lid in the other. We grasp at the air or crouch near the ground in the hope to catch our prize. The prize? Fireflies!! Little nondescript fliers who by day are mousy coloured and drab but at night dazzle and trick the eyes of those who watch them when their abdomens ends light up as if by magic.
I caught one!! My cousins gather around me and we pass the glass jar around; each of us marveling at the firefly as though it were one of the Seven Wonders of the World. To us who had never seen them they were a marvel. A miracle even! They filled us with wonderment. How do they do that, that lighting up bit? Does it hurt them? Why do they do that?
I caught one too!! my cousin exclaimed. There were so many of these fireflies. It made your eyes dizzy to watch them! Each cousin caught a twinkling bug, some were lucky enough to catch two or three in their jar. One by one we lined up our captive fireflies in their glass mason jars on the porch railing of my grandparent’s house. We sat transfixed on the porch swing and chairs watching with our grandpa the efforts of our quest. We sat in still and quiet amazement. We feared moving or saying too much lest these beautiful fireflies would quit lighting up. All that was ever said was an odd “Oooo” or a quiet “Wow”. Watching their abdomens light up was like watching miniature fireworks. It was a magnificent display.
This night too they were putting on a magnificent display. In the tops of the trees I could see them twinkling; at other times they looked like falling stars. Alan and I went and stood out on the road and as we gazed up we were treated to a magnificent display of firefly fireworks.
Before we went to bed, my cousins and I would unscrew the lids off the mason jars to let the fireflies go. We would say goodnight to each one as it flew off. I remember thanking them in my head for the beautiful show and asked them to forgive me if I had hurt them.
Alan and I crawled into bed tired after a lovely day. I unzipped the canvas so I could look through the screen up to the treetops and stars. I could see them twinkling in the tree tops; their little abdomens blinking in the night. As I had done as a child I once again thanked the fireflies for the beautiful show and now I thanked them for the memories of times gone by. They twinkled their answer to me.
No. Wait! There it is again! Did you see it?
What is it?
Is it a star? I don’t think so….
Is it a fire ember floating through the trees???
I’m not sure…….There it is again! Did you see it?
What is it?
At dusk we chase them; my cousins and I. We run through the grass clutching our glass mason jar in one hand and the lid in the other. We grasp at the air or crouch near the ground in the hope to catch our prize. The prize? Fireflies!! Little nondescript fliers who by day are mousy coloured and drab but at night dazzle and trick the eyes of those who watch them when their abdomens ends light up as if by magic.
I caught one!! My cousins gather around me and we pass the glass jar around; each of us marveling at the firefly as though it were one of the Seven Wonders of the World. To us who had never seen them they were a marvel. A miracle even! They filled us with wonderment. How do they do that, that lighting up bit? Does it hurt them? Why do they do that?
I caught one too!! my cousin exclaimed. There were so many of these fireflies. It made your eyes dizzy to watch them! Each cousin caught a twinkling bug, some were lucky enough to catch two or three in their jar. One by one we lined up our captive fireflies in their glass mason jars on the porch railing of my grandparent’s house. We sat transfixed on the porch swing and chairs watching with our grandpa the efforts of our quest. We sat in still and quiet amazement. We feared moving or saying too much lest these beautiful fireflies would quit lighting up. All that was ever said was an odd “Oooo” or a quiet “Wow”. Watching their abdomens light up was like watching miniature fireworks. It was a magnificent display.
This night too they were putting on a magnificent display. In the tops of the trees I could see them twinkling; at other times they looked like falling stars. Alan and I went and stood out on the road and as we gazed up we were treated to a magnificent display of firefly fireworks.
Before we went to bed, my cousins and I would unscrew the lids off the mason jars to let the fireflies go. We would say goodnight to each one as it flew off. I remember thanking them in my head for the beautiful show and asked them to forgive me if I had hurt them.
Alan and I crawled into bed tired after a lovely day. I unzipped the canvas so I could look through the screen up to the treetops and stars. I could see them twinkling in the tree tops; their little abdomens blinking in the night. As I had done as a child I once again thanked the fireflies for the beautiful show and now I thanked them for the memories of times gone by. They twinkled their answer to me.
I should have known......
I had seen them on our walks but was not sure what exactly they were. I knew enough not to eat fruit from bushes if I didn’t know what it was. I must admit I felt kind of like Eve in the Garden. The fruit looked so good. The branches of the bushes hung heavy with ripening fruit, they swayed in the breeze and played coy with me. Looking at those bushes made my mouth water. I thought, “One taste wouldn’t hurt anything. Would it?” Then I saw her.
She was standing before one of the bushes popping the fruit into her mouth as though they were candy. She looked like a child eating blue licorice ice cream; her face and hands were covered in blue. I stood watching her for a moment before I realized that my mouth was open and I was staring in disbelief. I was agog at this grown woman yanking the precious fruit off the branches and stuffing them into her mouth, like a greedy child grabbing all the candy.
I slowly approached her. I was not sure if she noticed me watching her. Perhaps she didn’t’ care. They way she was attacking the bush she seemed uncontrollably intoxicated by the fruit. She seemed wild; mad with such fervor for the fruit!
I stood watching her from a short distance and then I got up enough courage to ask her what it was she eating. Approaching her from the side, because you never want to use the element of surprise with an unknown intoxicated person, I said, “Gee, those look really good! What are those?” She stopped, turned, and looked at me with her eyes wide. Those eyes of her were wild!! Apparently, from the look I received I did not understand the severity of the situation. I thought, “Oh dear Lord, I’m a gonner. She is going to kill me here and now.” This woman with the wild eyes and covered in blue fruit explained the situation in one word, “Saskatoons!!!!”
Thanking her and backing away slowly I walked quickly back to campsite and exclaimed to Alan that the fruit on the bushes were Saskatoons. Gathering up a container and beckoning him to help me harvest some of the berries I ventured out to gather some of those coy little berries.
Alan and I must have spent at least half an hour gathering Saskatoons. Our hands were blue and sticky from the delicate fruit. The berries were so beautiful and ripe that they literally fell off and burst at the slightest touch. So delicious!!! We gathered enough for a pie within that half hour. Would you like your slice a la mode???
She was standing before one of the bushes popping the fruit into her mouth as though they were candy. She looked like a child eating blue licorice ice cream; her face and hands were covered in blue. I stood watching her for a moment before I realized that my mouth was open and I was staring in disbelief. I was agog at this grown woman yanking the precious fruit off the branches and stuffing them into her mouth, like a greedy child grabbing all the candy.
I slowly approached her. I was not sure if she noticed me watching her. Perhaps she didn’t’ care. They way she was attacking the bush she seemed uncontrollably intoxicated by the fruit. She seemed wild; mad with such fervor for the fruit!
I stood watching her from a short distance and then I got up enough courage to ask her what it was she eating. Approaching her from the side, because you never want to use the element of surprise with an unknown intoxicated person, I said, “Gee, those look really good! What are those?” She stopped, turned, and looked at me with her eyes wide. Those eyes of her were wild!! Apparently, from the look I received I did not understand the severity of the situation. I thought, “Oh dear Lord, I’m a gonner. She is going to kill me here and now.” This woman with the wild eyes and covered in blue fruit explained the situation in one word, “Saskatoons!!!!”
Thanking her and backing away slowly I walked quickly back to campsite and exclaimed to Alan that the fruit on the bushes were Saskatoons. Gathering up a container and beckoning him to help me harvest some of the berries I ventured out to gather some of those coy little berries.
Alan and I must have spent at least half an hour gathering Saskatoons. Our hands were blue and sticky from the delicate fruit. The berries were so beautiful and ripe that they literally fell off and burst at the slightest touch. So delicious!!! We gathered enough for a pie within that half hour. Would you like your slice a la mode???
Stones and Sunsets
The quietness makes my ears ring. At night there is not a sound. Everything and everyone is quiet as though they are experiencing something very holy. Perhaps it is just that sleep after a day filled with fresh air and playing makes a person tired and sleep is a welcome gift.
We have spent the last couple of days taking walks, reading, sleeping, and enjoying the campground. We had to take a run into Riverton to pick up a few groceries. On the way there we stopped at the old quarry by the edge of the lake. The stones there are great for skipping across the water: flat, smooth, and thin. Perfect. I picked up a couple of stones to add to my growing collection. My Aunt Lois from Kansas gave me a beautiful stone which, I think, is from Kansas. I have stones from BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan and now Manitoba. If you ever come to visit us bring us a stone to add to the collection.
Alan is a sunset junkie. He takes the most beautiful pictures of sunsets. We watched the sun set while we were sitting on a picnic table on Sunset Beach. After the sun set Alan and I tried to skip rocks on the water. I don’t have the knack for that but Alan does. it is all in the motion of the wrist. right……apparently I don’t have the right wrist action because my stones plop into water. His on the other hand merrily skip across the water. It is great to see!
We have spent the last couple of days taking walks, reading, sleeping, and enjoying the campground. We had to take a run into Riverton to pick up a few groceries. On the way there we stopped at the old quarry by the edge of the lake. The stones there are great for skipping across the water: flat, smooth, and thin. Perfect. I picked up a couple of stones to add to my growing collection. My Aunt Lois from Kansas gave me a beautiful stone which, I think, is from Kansas. I have stones from BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan and now Manitoba. If you ever come to visit us bring us a stone to add to the collection.
Alan is a sunset junkie. He takes the most beautiful pictures of sunsets. We watched the sun set while we were sitting on a picnic table on Sunset Beach. After the sun set Alan and I tried to skip rocks on the water. I don’t have the knack for that but Alan does. it is all in the motion of the wrist. right……apparently I don’t have the right wrist action because my stones plop into water. His on the other hand merrily skip across the water. It is great to see!
Hecla
Hoooeeee! that was some thunderstorm last night!!! The heavens were really rockin! But we all survived including Holly. By mid morning it had quit raining and the sun beating down on the roads created steam. It really is a neat effect. Today is the last day of Provincial Park weekend. That means there was no entry fee to get in all weekend. All the weekend campers will be going home today. It should be nice and quiet all week. I am really looking forward to that.
We took a short hike to Sunset Beach to check out the dog safe beach. Lovely sand but there were so many dead fishflies – YUCK!!! And of course the dogs have to roll in them – eeeewww gross, gross, gross. It would be much easier having a cat! I put them in the lake to wash off after their little roll in the sand. They were not too impressed but I was not impressed with them either! They dried off on the treck home and didn’t smell all that bad.
After supper we put the baskets on the bikes and went for a bike ride. The dogs handled it very well. The roads here are so smooth not pocked and bumpy like our city streets. We made a fire and then drifted off into sweet dreams. ZZZZZZzzzzzz………
We took a short hike to Sunset Beach to check out the dog safe beach. Lovely sand but there were so many dead fishflies – YUCK!!! And of course the dogs have to roll in them – eeeewww gross, gross, gross. It would be much easier having a cat! I put them in the lake to wash off after their little roll in the sand. They were not too impressed but I was not impressed with them either! They dried off on the treck home and didn’t smell all that bad.
After supper we put the baskets on the bikes and went for a bike ride. The dogs handled it very well. The roads here are so smooth not pocked and bumpy like our city streets. We made a fire and then drifted off into sweet dreams. ZZZZZZzzzzzz………
Friday, July 18, 2008
Rebel...addendum
My apologies to my dearest husband who made a comment about my Rebel with a Cause blog. He mentioned that I had not included how upset he was with me for burning the book. For those of you who thought my actions went unnoticed....he noticed.... and yes, he was rather upset. He said he wanted to read it and now because I had burned the book he did not have a chance read it.
Sorry darling, but what's a rebel to do????
Sorry darling, but what's a rebel to do????
The Return Home - Part One
Holidaze – Day 5
Alan, the furkids, and I returned home today from Riding Mountain. We had tried to extend our stay by a day but the site we were in was booked for the weekend. Ah well. Maybe it was just as well. It has been nice to come home to our own bed and the comforts of home. Although, I really like our hardtop trailer. It has a fridge (a small one), a sink, a stove and lots of storage space and seating areas. It is quite comfy but sometimes, especially when it is wet and cold it is nice to be in our own home. Frank Sinatra has a song that goes something like “Its very nice to go traveling, but its nice, oh so nice to come home.” My sentiments, indeed!!
However, we are off wondering again tomorrow; this time up to Hecla Island Provincial Park. I’ll catch up with you when we come back and will share some pictures of our escapades. Until then…
Alan, the furkids, and I returned home today from Riding Mountain. We had tried to extend our stay by a day but the site we were in was booked for the weekend. Ah well. Maybe it was just as well. It has been nice to come home to our own bed and the comforts of home. Although, I really like our hardtop trailer. It has a fridge (a small one), a sink, a stove and lots of storage space and seating areas. It is quite comfy but sometimes, especially when it is wet and cold it is nice to be in our own home. Frank Sinatra has a song that goes something like “Its very nice to go traveling, but its nice, oh so nice to come home.” My sentiments, indeed!!
However, we are off wondering again tomorrow; this time up to Hecla Island Provincial Park. I’ll catch up with you when we come back and will share some pictures of our escapades. Until then…
Rebel with a cause
Holidaze – Day 4
It is official.
I….am….a…..book burner (gasp!!!) Can someone please pick the librarian up off the floor???? Thank you.
Yes. I am a rebel. I tore apart a book…. I admit it. It felt so good to do it!
I tore it apart not because it was heresy but because I was bored by it and I needed fodder for the pitiful fire. I was trying to read A Prayer for Owen Meany. It was really good up until the middle then it went down hill and I was having a hard time staying involved in it. Sorry John Irving, your book did not do it for me.
After a while I thought to myself, “Self, why must I waste my time trying to read this??? Surely there are other books I brought in my pack that would capture my attention?” And yes, yes there were. So…into the fire page by page it went.
I am such a rebel and proud of it.
It is official.
I….am….a…..book burner (gasp!!!) Can someone please pick the librarian up off the floor???? Thank you.
Yes. I am a rebel. I tore apart a book…. I admit it. It felt so good to do it!
I tore it apart not because it was heresy but because I was bored by it and I needed fodder for the pitiful fire. I was trying to read A Prayer for Owen Meany. It was really good up until the middle then it went down hill and I was having a hard time staying involved in it. Sorry John Irving, your book did not do it for me.
After a while I thought to myself, “Self, why must I waste my time trying to read this??? Surely there are other books I brought in my pack that would capture my attention?” And yes, yes there were. So…into the fire page by page it went.
I am such a rebel and proud of it.
It's Raining Bears
Holidaze – Day 3
It began sometime during the night; the sound of rain on the roof of the trailer and the rumblings of thunder, waking us up from the sweetness of sleep. We were worried about our girl dog – she is scared of loud noises and thunder I would believe, falls into that category. We found her crouched at the back of the trailer trying to get her nose as far into a corner as she could possibly go. We decided to give her a Gravol so she would relax. We got that pill down her throat without much disagreement – I sure am glad I have dogs. They are so much easier to give pills to than a cat. Anyway after we got the pill into her we made a nest/cave for her under the setae and then we all went back to bed. Spoiled you say?? Definitely!
So we slept the four of us till mid morning – what else is there to do when it is thundering and raining? We realized in listening to the rain that we hadn’t got the plastic up yet so after a cup of coffee and putting the kids out to pee we got to work rigging up the plastic walls. We got it done and it kept the rains out nicely. We finally ate some breakfast/lunch and then decided to go into town - what else is there to do when it is raining? We were trundling around the shops in Clear Lake when Alan and I recognized a woman I used to know through Beta Sigma Phi in Regina. We were looking at the trinkets and I kept hearing this woman’s voice and I thought I recognized it. It wasn’t until she rounded the corner that I knew who that voice belonged to: Deanna Owens. What a small world. We had a nice chat and then saying our goodbyes continued on our shopping trip.
Some time later we get back to the site and as we are getting our things out of the car the security people arrive and tell us once again that a bear has been sighted very near our site – great, just great – I hate bears.
Because there have been so many bears in and around the campground we have had to keep all of our food stuff in our truck. I know this is just good camping practice – it keeps the bears safer but man is it a pain in the “you know where”. We can’t even leave our teapot out! And with the rain it was just a lot of hassle. Plus my anxiety was increased because every movement I saw in the bush I thought was a bear. My hubby deserves a medal for putting up with me. He is not afraid of bears. Lucky for him. He has told me numerous times of a platoon survival camp he was involved in. He had to sleep in the jeep with his bare feet hanging out. He was awakened by a bear licking the salt off his feet. So….he has been up close and personal with a bear but not me. No thank you!
It began sometime during the night; the sound of rain on the roof of the trailer and the rumblings of thunder, waking us up from the sweetness of sleep. We were worried about our girl dog – she is scared of loud noises and thunder I would believe, falls into that category. We found her crouched at the back of the trailer trying to get her nose as far into a corner as she could possibly go. We decided to give her a Gravol so she would relax. We got that pill down her throat without much disagreement – I sure am glad I have dogs. They are so much easier to give pills to than a cat. Anyway after we got the pill into her we made a nest/cave for her under the setae and then we all went back to bed. Spoiled you say?? Definitely!
So we slept the four of us till mid morning – what else is there to do when it is thundering and raining? We realized in listening to the rain that we hadn’t got the plastic up yet so after a cup of coffee and putting the kids out to pee we got to work rigging up the plastic walls. We got it done and it kept the rains out nicely. We finally ate some breakfast/lunch and then decided to go into town - what else is there to do when it is raining? We were trundling around the shops in Clear Lake when Alan and I recognized a woman I used to know through Beta Sigma Phi in Regina. We were looking at the trinkets and I kept hearing this woman’s voice and I thought I recognized it. It wasn’t until she rounded the corner that I knew who that voice belonged to: Deanna Owens. What a small world. We had a nice chat and then saying our goodbyes continued on our shopping trip.
Some time later we get back to the site and as we are getting our things out of the car the security people arrive and tell us once again that a bear has been sighted very near our site – great, just great – I hate bears.
Because there have been so many bears in and around the campground we have had to keep all of our food stuff in our truck. I know this is just good camping practice – it keeps the bears safer but man is it a pain in the “you know where”. We can’t even leave our teapot out! And with the rain it was just a lot of hassle. Plus my anxiety was increased because every movement I saw in the bush I thought was a bear. My hubby deserves a medal for putting up with me. He is not afraid of bears. Lucky for him. He has told me numerous times of a platoon survival camp he was involved in. He had to sleep in the jeep with his bare feet hanging out. He was awakened by a bear licking the salt off his feet. So….he has been up close and personal with a bear but not me. No thank you!
Day 2
Holidaze - Day 2
Not too much going on today - it was our collapse day. We slept in and had a leisurely breakfast and then after another sleep we went into Clear Lake and spent some time on the grassy area near the beach. We read, slept, drank cappuccino, visited with passing dogs and their owners. All in all it was a dogs day!!
On our way back to the campsite we went to a town called Onanoll (yes it is on the knoll of a hill – hooee!! someone was very creative with this name!) We stopped at the Home Hardware and got plastic to line the add-on room; the forecast was calling for rain and then we stopped and purchased some wood for the fire at the Friends of Clear Lake Wood project. Man what terrible wood it was! Wet Wet Wet! Alan and I spent most of our fire-side time after supper fanning the flames to keep it hot enough to burn. We were looking forward to spending a nice quiet evening by the fire but instead we had to work for every bit of flame there was! Grrrrr. The fire pit design itself does not allow much air to get into the box. So after giving up on it and letting it die down, which did not take long, we went to bed. Nights here are chilly but once we are under the covers it is ok. I wish I had brought a toque. It seems silly to sleep with a toque on in the middle of summer but it really is cool. I think a more appropriate term would be it is cold. Certainly not the hot nights of July we have had some years!
Not too much going on today - it was our collapse day. We slept in and had a leisurely breakfast and then after another sleep we went into Clear Lake and spent some time on the grassy area near the beach. We read, slept, drank cappuccino, visited with passing dogs and their owners. All in all it was a dogs day!!
On our way back to the campsite we went to a town called Onanoll (yes it is on the knoll of a hill – hooee!! someone was very creative with this name!) We stopped at the Home Hardware and got plastic to line the add-on room; the forecast was calling for rain and then we stopped and purchased some wood for the fire at the Friends of Clear Lake Wood project. Man what terrible wood it was! Wet Wet Wet! Alan and I spent most of our fire-side time after supper fanning the flames to keep it hot enough to burn. We were looking forward to spending a nice quiet evening by the fire but instead we had to work for every bit of flame there was! Grrrrr. The fire pit design itself does not allow much air to get into the box. So after giving up on it and letting it die down, which did not take long, we went to bed. Nights here are chilly but once we are under the covers it is ok. I wish I had brought a toque. It seems silly to sleep with a toque on in the middle of summer but it really is cool. I think a more appropriate term would be it is cold. Certainly not the hot nights of July we have had some years!
Day 1
Holidaze - Day 1
We slept in to 1030!!! Holy Cow! We never do that! But it was so good to sleep. I don’t give my body enough sleep, obviously. Alan and I ate a late breakky thing and then we set up the add-on screen room to the trailer. Once that was done we went to pick up a couple of things we had forgotten (Murphy’s Law) and then came back to start supper – hamburgers served with mushroom, spinach and garlic sauté. Alan’s sister Pat made us some desserts – that was so nice of her. Then after supper and doing the dishes we went on a “honk”. This word ”honk” has been in my family for years. Every night for two weeks at Shuswap Lake Campground in BC Mum, Dad, Rachel, and I after supper would go for a leisurely walk around the campground. The “honk” would inevitably end up at the corner store where we would pick up an ice cream treat. We would spend time visiting with people there and getting to know the store managers – my Dad liked to do this. Then we would meander back to our site and light a fire.
This is what Alan and I did too. Although we didn’t get to go to the ice cream store we had a lovely “honk” down by the lake and around the town. We came back and lit a pithy fire – the wood was to green – and were in bed by 2300. A lovely day..
We slept in to 1030!!! Holy Cow! We never do that! But it was so good to sleep. I don’t give my body enough sleep, obviously. Alan and I ate a late breakky thing and then we set up the add-on screen room to the trailer. Once that was done we went to pick up a couple of things we had forgotten (Murphy’s Law) and then came back to start supper – hamburgers served with mushroom, spinach and garlic sauté. Alan’s sister Pat made us some desserts – that was so nice of her. Then after supper and doing the dishes we went on a “honk”. This word ”honk” has been in my family for years. Every night for two weeks at Shuswap Lake Campground in BC Mum, Dad, Rachel, and I after supper would go for a leisurely walk around the campground. The “honk” would inevitably end up at the corner store where we would pick up an ice cream treat. We would spend time visiting with people there and getting to know the store managers – my Dad liked to do this. Then we would meander back to our site and light a fire.
This is what Alan and I did too. Although we didn’t get to go to the ice cream store we had a lovely “honk” down by the lake and around the town. We came back and lit a pithy fire – the wood was to green – and were in bed by 2300. A lovely day..
The getaway
Holidaze 2008
So we got away at somewhere around the 1600 time after finishing packing all our gear in to trailer and double checking to make sure we hadn’t forgotten anything. We arrived in Riding Mountain National Park about 1930. The park is beautiful and upon first glance we were very glad we had chosen to come here.
We get our campsite and are traveling around the bend where our site is located. A guy and what looks to be his son flag our truck down. “Just to let you know,” he says in a hushed tone, “a bear just went across the road.” Oh great, a bear. Nothing freaks me out more when camping than bears, or even just the thought of bears. Images fill my mind about the bear in The Clan of the Cave Bear ripping peoples heads off. I know this is a bit extreme and would probably never happen but the possibility is there, I’m sure! Although when I was younger our family had a couple of experiences with bears up in Loop Creek at the top of Rodgers Pass in BC. One time the bear tried to get into the tent trailer and its snout was coming through the canvas. My Mum was clanging pans together and My Dad took a cast iron frying pan and swung it like a baseball bat. It hit the bear smack on nose – we could hear it yelping as it ran away. So from that time on I have been very afraid of bears.
When Alan and I hear this news about the bear being in such close proximity to us Alan turns and looks at me; my face must have told him a thousand things. He asks, “You going to be ok with this?” It takes me a minute or so to answer as I am mentally weighing out the pros and cons of the situation (my husband deserves a medal for all the mental waiting with me he has to put up with) but finally I say it will be fine. We scope out our site and get things set up and fall into bed exhausted from the expectation and the realization that we are actually on holidays!!!!! Yay!
So we got away at somewhere around the 1600 time after finishing packing all our gear in to trailer and double checking to make sure we hadn’t forgotten anything. We arrived in Riding Mountain National Park about 1930. The park is beautiful and upon first glance we were very glad we had chosen to come here.
We get our campsite and are traveling around the bend where our site is located. A guy and what looks to be his son flag our truck down. “Just to let you know,” he says in a hushed tone, “a bear just went across the road.” Oh great, a bear. Nothing freaks me out more when camping than bears, or even just the thought of bears. Images fill my mind about the bear in The Clan of the Cave Bear ripping peoples heads off. I know this is a bit extreme and would probably never happen but the possibility is there, I’m sure! Although when I was younger our family had a couple of experiences with bears up in Loop Creek at the top of Rodgers Pass in BC. One time the bear tried to get into the tent trailer and its snout was coming through the canvas. My Mum was clanging pans together and My Dad took a cast iron frying pan and swung it like a baseball bat. It hit the bear smack on nose – we could hear it yelping as it ran away. So from that time on I have been very afraid of bears.
When Alan and I hear this news about the bear being in such close proximity to us Alan turns and looks at me; my face must have told him a thousand things. He asks, “You going to be ok with this?” It takes me a minute or so to answer as I am mentally weighing out the pros and cons of the situation (my husband deserves a medal for all the mental waiting with me he has to put up with) but finally I say it will be fine. We scope out our site and get things set up and fall into bed exhausted from the expectation and the realization that we are actually on holidays!!!!! Yay!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
It is so close I can almost taste it
Freedom!!!! I predict it will happen at 1136 am tomorrow. Not that I am great at predictions, they are usually wrong. but I figure after I get out of my garb from church and head out the door then it is holiday time. Am I excited??? Nooooooooo. Only a teensy bit! HA!
Tomorrow is a bittersweet day again. It will be the last time for almost a year that I will not be worshiping with my home parish here. I am preaching tomorrow and have not said anything about leaving on internship - I think for my self preservation I shouldn't - I am a mushface after all.
Peace to y'all who read this. I am leaving for some well deserved R&R for almost three weeks.
Friday, July 11, 2008
On with life
It has finally arrived. The final day of CPE!!! I am so glad it is here but I am ready to have a break. I think I have said this before - perhaps a few times, eh? I know, I know, its been my mantra lately! What an amazing journey this has been. I have grown so much over the past 11 weeks - I am in a completely different space today than I was when CPE began. No doubt part of it is due to just being home and getting reacquainted with the man I love and leaving the stress of seminary behind. I have met three wonderful people who have made the CPE journey a positive experience, my two peers and my supervisor. So today is bittersweet because I need to say goodbye to some patients who have welcomed me into their journey of healing and dying. I also need to say farewell to some of the staff who have been instrumental on this journey. Then it's on with life! I can't wait for the rest of the journey.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
I dont' get it
I don't get it. Actually I am very frustrated by it. Maybe someone out there is cyberspace can help me with this - I have been trying to add to my list of blogs I like to visit. It will not let me add Kristen Steele's Canadian Lutheran Chick blog. I dont' get it...Anyone else have trouble with that. I looked on a couple of the other blogs I visit and they have it so WHY WHY WHY won't it go on mine....help.
Dogs in the baskets
Well....Alan and I decided we would try the dogs in basket thing again. Check it out. This time Holly did not try to get out she sat very well. Her harness worked well. Perhaps she was so scared she couldn't move even if she had wanted to!! When we went for the ride I didn't go that fast. I really hope she will tolerate it when we go out for a real ride. We will try her again tomorrow. Here are some pictures from this....man, my kids are cute - perhaps I am biased a teensy bit???? hmmmm???
Speaking of tomorrow - it is my last full day of CPE. I cannot believe that this course has ended. I have a lot of things to mull over in my mind about CPE. The stories I have heard; the lives I have been welcomed to share in; the tears I have wiped away; the laughter - it has been an extremely enriching experience. But I am really ready to move on. After our holiday my internship begins. I am soooo ready for that!!
I am procrastinating doing my sermon prep for this Sunday. I had a great visit with my niece, took the dogs for a walk, met my neighbors, helped Alan find stuff to pack the trailer with....yah, procrastination, isn't it great!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Are we there yet?
I am getting so excited! only 4 more days to go and then I will be done, done, done with CPE. Not that I haven't enjoyed the experience it has been great. I really feel for those who have had a less than wonderful CPE experience. But I have to tell you I am really ready for a break. Alan and I are leaving Sunday afternoon to go into the wilderness for some R&R. I hope that it won't rain too much. Camping in the rain with two wet dogs is not my idea of a fun holiday. Ah well, we will keep our fingers crossed.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Teaching an old dog new tricks
Today Alan and I decided that we would try and find a basket that would attach to our bikes so...ok, don't laugh....I know you will anyway....we have been looking for baskets to transport our dogs when we go on bike rides on our holiday. See I knew you would laugh!!
Anyhooo...we did find one and Alan rigged up a harness attachment that would keep them in the basket. We were quite surprised that both of our fur kids tolerated the experience. So I guess the saying is true - you can teach an old dog new things! I will try and get a picture on here so you can see them in the basket. It really is kinda cute.
I can't believe it! Only one more week to go until its R&R time. I am really looking forward to pitching our tent and doing nothing - absolutely nothing for about two weeks, that is except reading, writing, and sleeping! Yay!
Anyhooo...we did find one and Alan rigged up a harness attachment that would keep them in the basket. We were quite surprised that both of our fur kids tolerated the experience. So I guess the saying is true - you can teach an old dog new things! I will try and get a picture on here so you can see them in the basket. It really is kinda cute.
I can't believe it! Only one more week to go until its R&R time. I am really looking forward to pitching our tent and doing nothing - absolutely nothing for about two weeks, that is except reading, writing, and sleeping! Yay!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Crash and the Nightmare
I have just read this mornings' paper about the car that created mayhem in downtown Winnipeg yesterday. Can you imagine what it would have been like for those people who's life changed in a blink of an eye because someone else chose to act a certain way? Our lives can and do change in the blink of an eye and we forget this. One minute we can be walking across the street and the next - poof!- we are dead. Our loved ones have to deal with the nightmare that comes next. People's lives changed in a blink.
Doing the CPE thing has made me more cognizant that the line between life and death is often just a blink. It amazes me that at one instant you can be living and the next you are not. No fanfare, no fireworks, nothing except a holy moment. But death can also be visceral, earthy and bloody like the deaths that happened yesterday in downtown Winnipeg. Where is God in all of this? Does God care about the suffering of people? Why doesn't God do something? My instant response is God does care, God is here and God does help us.
Jesus was with the disciples in the boat as it was tossed about on the lake (Mark 3:1-4). It was a nightmare for them. They were scared and wanted Jesus to do something to help them. The disciples trusted that Jesus would calm the storm that was happening in their life. Jesus does the same for us. When the unexpected storms rise up out of nowhere Jesus says "peace be still". The promise is that Jesus is with us in our storms. He does not abandon ship but stays with us to help us weather the storms. Jesus brings us peace, calmness because we are cared for.
My prayer is for the families of the victims of yesterday's crash - all of them not just those who died, even for those who caused the crash and my prayer is for all of us who are experiencing our own storms and nightmares that we may be reminded that Jesus is with us calming the stormy seas and the winds that toss us about.
"Peace be still".
Doing the CPE thing has made me more cognizant that the line between life and death is often just a blink. It amazes me that at one instant you can be living and the next you are not. No fanfare, no fireworks, nothing except a holy moment. But death can also be visceral, earthy and bloody like the deaths that happened yesterday in downtown Winnipeg. Where is God in all of this? Does God care about the suffering of people? Why doesn't God do something? My instant response is God does care, God is here and God does help us.
Jesus was with the disciples in the boat as it was tossed about on the lake (Mark 3:1-4). It was a nightmare for them. They were scared and wanted Jesus to do something to help them. The disciples trusted that Jesus would calm the storm that was happening in their life. Jesus does the same for us. When the unexpected storms rise up out of nowhere Jesus says "peace be still". The promise is that Jesus is with us in our storms. He does not abandon ship but stays with us to help us weather the storms. Jesus brings us peace, calmness because we are cared for.
My prayer is for the families of the victims of yesterday's crash - all of them not just those who died, even for those who caused the crash and my prayer is for all of us who are experiencing our own storms and nightmares that we may be reminded that Jesus is with us calming the stormy seas and the winds that toss us about.
"Peace be still".
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
I will try this again
Yes, I realize that it is nearly 6 months since my last post. Incredible isn't it? I must be the worst blogger ever. But hey, I need to be good at something eh?
I cannot believe that I am half way through my training towards becoming a pastor. It seems only yesterday I was leaving to begin my studies. I am constantly amazed by this journey. Right now I am finishing up my CPE training at the Victoria General here in Winnipeg. What an amazing experience this has been. All the horror stories I have heard about CPE have been grossly overstated. I have found it to be a truly rewarding and growing time. My supervisor calls me an adrenaline junkie - Heh heh!
At this time of year there are many invitations to the seniors ordinations as they receive calls to serve in parishes...it leaves me wondering where Alan and I will be when I finish in 2010. Isn't that something 2010! Seems like such a weird number and sooooo far away. but it will be here sooner than we know it.
I will try and keep up with this blog for the next 2 weeks. Lets see how I do with that shall we? Talk to you soon.
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