Happy Birthday to Me!

My birthday present arrived today - a load of fill. There are so many pathways around here that are just a little too steep and awkward for the wheelbarrows that I decided I wanted to level things up a bit. I hope it works. One thing about living in the Koots - you never have to go to a gym. Between wheeling dirt piles around and an hour of wood splitting and wood stacking every day it helps to keep a person in shape! Happy Birthday to me.

Spring Has Sprung

The garden is growing well finally, although the veggies are very slow in my B.C. soil. The perennials are looking good. Yesterday evening we went for a walk around Mirror Lake and saw some wee Canada Geese goslings and some ducklings from a very plain looking female duck. A cinammon teal was visible on the lake - and this is about as far north as that duck will travel. Picture for this post is Leopard's Bane, an early spring perennial with the exact same yellow as the ubiquitous dandelion. I love this plant and mine is doing so nicely this year. The pottery vase was done by Andrea - a late Mother's Day gift from beloved daughter. For a beginner pottery attempt I think it's quite lovely and the Leopard's Bane looks very happy in it. Hurrah for spring!

First To The Post

This morning I had my first opportunity to vote AGAINST Mr. Campbell. It was a major ambition of mine, I realize, as I was the first recorded voter at our poll in the riding of Nelson-Creston. Equally important to the outcome of the election, is the outcome of the referendum on the question of the STV (single transferable vote) which could begin the process of electoral reform so very much needed in Canada. This referendum needs 60% of voter support; in 2003 it received 58%. Everyone I know in Kaslo is in favour of the change but when I go to the bridge club in Balfour it's the opposite story. Keep your ears tuned to the results - a possible change in voting procedures could actually happen!

No Longer A Cutblock

When we first moved here I prided myself on being able to only see one cutblock from one area of our house. After nearly 3 years of occupancy, I've come to really see the advantages of the cutblocks. It means there's a road to get up into the high country. That saves a lot of time in both summer and winter. The cutblock shown here is the one we can see from our front and west windows. Now, it's becoming quite a bit more visible because we keep cutting down trees in an attempt to get more sunlight on the garden. However, it's really our favourite ski hill now so there's a whole new attitude toward these unsightly B.C. landmarks. This picture was taken across the lake, looking west. It takes about 40 minutes to reach it from our place via truck or snowmobile. Interesting how much our feelings have changed in a very short time.

Mother's Day Feast

Had a lovely day yesterday, partly celebrating Mother's Day. I had calls from the kids, as well as talking to my own mother in Saanichton. I spent the morning in my garden enjoying the birdsong and relatively easy digging (this is a rockbound land)! In the p.m . we decided to canoe over to Powder Falls across the lake, taking a couple of beer and a dozen weiners and buns. The picture is me cooking dinner over an open fire. Mt. Carlisle doesn't show up well in this picture, but the light and shadow on its snowfield were miraculous. Two dinner companions were a pair of common mergansers showing off to each other. A paddle, a snooze on the lakeshore, and an open fire - what better way to celebrate being a mum?

Mountains to Sea

Couldn't resist taking this picture of the source of the Columbia River in Canal Flats, B.C. I just spent a couple of days over in Fairmont and walked with my friend Margaret up to the Hoodoos adjacent to Highway 95. From there, we had a beautiful view down the valley right to the source of the mighty Colubmia River. My task as a Canadian is to learn more about David Thompson, who found the souce of the river and was the first human (as far as I know) to travel its entire length, right to where it ends at Cape Disappointment and the Pacific Ocean (see post below).