Up at 9, out and enjoying the morning again. Decided to tackle a big project today in anticipation of my cat door arriving and a need to renovate another section. I got started and worked until it was nearing time to meet Ward and have him pick up the gear at the theatre. I was well into the work when I realized I was still wearing my nightie. Had a good chuckle and then threw on my tank that I am typically packing to wear this upcoming week. On the way to meet Ward, I dropped a whole load off at the thrift store, definitely getting rid of things that don’t bring me joy. After the theatre I went to Home Depot to get some electrical bits and ended up buying the one plant I really want, the perfect Eucalyptus. I even got a discount as the plants at its base were wilting.
Back at home I FaceTimed with my Mom while I painted. It was nice to catch up. It is so odd that neither my brother nor my mom have AC. I feel sorry for them, and feel like I am living in a palace now. I threw Breaking Bad on the TV and finished the project. I can’t even tell you how happy it makes me. I know I made a good choice with the bold colour and the colour changing lights as every time I look at it, I grin. Tomorrow I will get started taking away the built in cabinet so I can move my table. The cat door is supposed to be here by Friday.
It was a lovely albeit early morning again. I will be glad to have no alarm tomorrow. There were only 5 of us in the building today as many took advantage to have a long weekend. I worked on getting the payrolls done and then got a text that my dear friend, Dan was driving down from Radium. He was there on vacation with friends and was making a side trip to see me and a co-worker friend in Kimberley. It was around 1 when he got to my office so we headed to the Firehall for a bite to eat. We had a couple beer, some good food and some great conversations. Dan was one of my first friends at RHN, the accounting firm I started working for in 2010. The first staff meeting we had I heard him mention the Ducks and that was when we discovered our mutual love for all things Anaheim. We have had adventures going to hockey games, playing ball, curling, and attending staff parties. He used to text me play by plays of games when I couldn’t watch them. We have always planned to go to California to a game together. Decided today we still need to do that. It really was so great to hang with an old friend and chat about so many things. I am worried for him though as he will be heading home to Ladner tomorrow and forgot something at his airbnb in Radium so has to go back that way and there was terrible rain causing flooding in Invermere and a big mudslide near Golden. My friend Marty got caught in that and is pretty shook up but at least he is ok. I accepted a booking for my airbnb for next weekend as I thought i had snoozed it for renovations. Apparently, I did not. But when I found out it is two women on motorcycles on an adventure from Calgary, I had to say yes. I will be careful and sanitize after they use the bathroom. Can’t wait until the end of July when I will feel more comfortable as I will be double vaccinated.
Back at the office Sean continued the prank war and I have to admit it cracks me up
I also love the photo of me being used for Community Theatre. Maureen did a good job of it.
Dinner was ok, didn’t really love the texture, would do it differently next time but pretty sure I just don’t love ground pork.
After dinner I was on the couch playing on my iPad when I thought to wonder where my friends, The Bennetts lived in relation to the wildfires in that part of the Province. I guess I inadvertently dialed and Dan answered. He is married to my best friend from high school. It was great to chat with him briefly and we had a good laugh about my ‘butt dial’. I was left assured that they are safe, just smoky, the same as we are here.
I will start out by explaining the awesome things that happened in my day. I was awoken early by Missy but she seems to be so much better that I can hardly fault her for waking me up at my usual get up for work time! It also got me out into my yard watering and enjoying the Robins and the coolness of the morning to water and sit in peace. I came in for coffee and a stretch of Breaking Bad which I am finally watching. Even 5 episodes in, it is nothing like I expected or was turned off by. Yeah, yeah I am late to the party. Yay, Netflix.
I met Maureen at the Studio/Stage Door as we had committed to clearing the stage of bits and bobs of booth tear down so the contractors could have a cleared space. We moved things to the basement three floors down, took pictures of the space for marketing and generally had a great visit which we haven’t made time to do for a long time. A musician who works for a Food supplier dropped off some coffee supplies for our donation to the vaccination clinic and I took the opportunity to show him the items I was selling and giving away from our work party on Monday. He is taking all the to go stuff in exchange for the coffee supplies for the duration and will purchase some lights which lets me buy the two I need to complete our inventory. Synchronicity!!! I love when the world dials in the circle of need.
After I got home, I made a rhubarb-peach crisp from the garden and freezer bounty to take with me to the Campbells for dinner. Their friends Don and Jenn were visiting and I do so love their company. We all feel comfortable breaking off into side conversations and they get deep and interesting. Dinner was delicious and a ride to and from was appreciated so I could just relax and enjoy.
I love that my Tiger Lilies have decide to burst in to bloom on Canada Day. It is a very conflicting day this year as we acknowledge the atrocities of the past 50+ years regarding the residential schools in Canada. I have such a strong tie with the Heiltsuk First Nation, having worked and then also lived there from 2010 to 2016. I respect who they are and have come to acknowledge first hand the full effects of generational trauma. Some of my dearest friends taught me through the pain of their remembering. I honour Pauline and others like her who shared their stories with me. Who’s pain was palpable and yet they succeeded in their careers and family lives. I did not at first understand that they gave everything to their children. In my world that meant the kids were spoiled and entitled but what it really was was that they were treated with respect and love and devotion, the things their parents never had. I am sorry I did not understand sooner and passed judgement. I struggle with the understanding that in the 1600s my ancestors landed in Quebec, rewarded with property for their time in service. I could not know today how many generations along the way treated First Peoples wrongly, I can only hope to do better. I do see color and culture that is different than mine. I am jealous of traditions and wish that I had a depth of culture that was not white washed by time, literally in this country. what I do know is that I love deeply and some of those I love happen to be of First Nations decent. Do I see them differently? I don’t think so. The only thing I do know is that they are too far away and I miss them. My time in Bella Bella was not perfect. Out of 50 things I would say 48 would blow my mind but the other two were very horrific. I still miss the people and the ocean and it is tempting to reach out for work when I know from a friend in a power position that there is some available coming up. I shall have to wait and see if I could work out a contracting position. In the meantime I will love the Canada I was raised to be proud of and mourn with the nations hurting, knowing I can only do my best to be better.
I learned today about the Maple in my yard and found it quite suitable to be on our flag.
My heart breaks for Lytton, the hottest spot in Canada ever as of this week, as they say 90% of it is gone due to the wildfire that raced in so fast even the ambulances didn’t have time to get out of the station. My earliest memory of all time is that of being very young and playing on a grey board floor playing with an orange crate of green toy soldiers on the lobby floor of the Lytton Hotel which my Grandparents were managing. They say Main Street is gone so I suspect it is as well. Sigh.
I find it perfectly appropriate that my Orange Tiger Lilies burst out in full force today as I wore orange in remembrance.
And just so you know, these are our regular temperatures.
So now that Covid is in stage 3 I wonder if I should continue this. It has been a weird ass slice of my life. I received the text to book my appointment for my second jab and will get it on July 18 so I guess I will keep going. I dare say, public opinion will sway me so if you have an opinion that this is just interesting enough, let me know and I will keep going. Happy Canada Day from the unceded territory of the Ktunaxa Nation
Today marked the 365th day of my being self employed. It has been quite the year all around, getting used to all the changes and the new dynamics with new people. I am the only one to celebrate my milestones and successes as a conglomerate of one. It’s okay, I enjoyed a few drams of a delicious bottle of Fernie Fog that I had Rae buy for me when they were there last weekend to kick back and relax once I got home from a very long day.
It was payroll and remittance day for many of my clients so I was kept busy. I also spent some time on my own books, getting caught up before it was time for our extra board meeting to discuss bringing back live music to Rotary Park this summer. It will be a lot of work to get going again but ultimately so worth it.
When I got home I scoped everything out as usual. I noticed that my bike was sinking into the driveway. I searched to find the pad I have for under the kickstand and moved the bike to wrangle it to a safe perch. Even the front tire left a mark as I turned it. I have not experienced that here before. It has been too hot to ride, I mean I had a hard time in the car yesterday because the steering wheel and shifter were really too hot to touch.
I was impressed that my Hello Fresh order came in a bigger box and although there were two bottles of beverage as a gift, the real reason was that they are trying out new packaging to keep everything fresher in the heat. Pretty impressive really. And the bag is compostable once you take the recyclable zipper off!
I started the morning off dropping a case of water at the Street Angels building as it is set up as a cooling centre. It seems like such a small gesture from the comfort of my air conditioned world. But it’s something. I am so sad for the people of Lytton. It was the hot spot in Canada, breaking all previous records in the country 49.6C / 121.28F and now a wildfire has swept through. A terrifying start to summer.
I went in at a decent time after watering the garden. It was the first day that the air conditioning came on before 8, and I wasn’t even able to open the windows last night as it was still so hot at 1130 pm. I couldn’t get Missy to come in and I am worried about her for the day so I hope she finds a shady spot under a deck or something. I did leave her a dish of water. I am barely keeping some of my garden alive but Groot is happy.
I had my appointment for my ultrasound and while I was there had the x-rays of my knee. It was actually a great experience due to free parking, lovely reception, seeing Ms Marsha, having the Ultrasound done by a sweet BCIT student and sharing a couple chuckles with the woman in Radiology. I look forward to getting results no matter what they may be. I swung through the DQ drive thru to use my free small sundae coupon as it seemed the perfect day to do so. Back at the office in the cool again I managed to get quite a bit done. I was happy to hear we are moving to stage 3 restrictions as of Thursday July 1st which means no restrictions on indoor dining, churches can meet again, festivals, concerts and theatre, etc. Masks are recommended until 2 weeks after 2nd shot but not mandatory unless a store posts that they are. I have no problem with that and will likely always wear one while travelling now.
Danika texted to see if she could take me up on the spaghetti and swim night so I booted home and got ready. We all had a nice visit but the heat was so intense today we had to actually add cold water to the pool so we could cool down and enjoy it.
I watched the news after they left and the record breaking temperatures were ridiculous! That is 120.9 F. Even at my place it is 111.2 . I have been in the Amazon and it didn’t feel as hot as today did. The air has a physical feeling at the moment. I feel so sorry for anyone suffering through this without any kind of Air conditioner. I hear they have set up a cooling station at the library which I hope the homeless are taking advantage of.
It took a long time to convince Missy to come inside and cool down. She is very affectionate and I am sure is suffering, is shedding like crazy and doesn’t seem to be hungry but she also wants to be outside. All I can do is keep caring as she will let me.
I’ve just gone out and watered everything and filled Missy’s water dish as she again doesn’t want to come in. It is still over 30 though so I won’t be able to open the windows again. I seem to be obsessing about the temperatures but more in a recording them kind of way. I have observed that the hottest time is typically around 6 pm.
I got up and got on the treadmill but didn’t stay on it very long as I am completely exhausted. Missy meowed all night long. She has been so weird, ever since a few nights ago when it seemed like she became spooked by the house. I managed to keep her in for the day as it was going to be stinking hot and she was not happy. I am glad though as it was ridiculously hot. I did manage to get some steps in though and get out to deal with the garbage and watering before heading to work. So tired! My week overall was good for step goals though!
I had a good laugh when my Cannabis store client dropped her paperwork through the mail slot and we had a funny text moment.
My watch seems to think the temperature is Fair, I may disagree.
I had a Dr appointment by phone and she referred me for an X-ray to try to get to the bottom of things. I picked up a prescription for Gabapentin as Dr S thinks it is nerve pain I am suffering. Afterward I headed to the Theatre to get organized for the people who would be arriving to help take down all the lights and projectors and empty the Tech room behind the booth in anticipation of it being renovated. So much is going on and I am so happy that Peter, Jennifer, Sandy, Deb, and the Penny’s, Amy, Kevin and Lincoln came to get it done. I already feel like I wish I had been more involved with the building of the work surfaces. I thought what I had said would be sufficient. I am practicing patience to see the final project . We did put everything in the lobby into two piles of keep or go. I will put pictures up on line soon offering people to come get if they can use it. Lots of old gear, etc. We got it all done in under an hour and a half. It was nice to see Sandy and Deb again and everyone was very understanding that I couldn’t lift.
Tomorrow I go for my follow up ultrasound to see if the mass has grown and I will wait around to get X-rays as well while I am there. It is nearly 11 pm and still 27C out. When I got home it was 41!! I really can’t complain though. I work and live in climate controlled environments. Good thing too, as the heat makes it hard to breathe.
I got up at a decent time so I could mow the lawn and get outdoor chores done. Had a FaceTime with Diane who is on Vancouver Island visiting in-laws. Got outside around 10 and By 11:30 it was 31c so I came in to the air conditioned home and made toast of the delicious cinnamon raisin bread I bought in the market yesterday. I got a few indoor things done and then went out to start removing the air conditioner from the wall as the new owner was coming from Kimberley to get it. By 1:22 it was 36 and after the unit was removed I put my outdoor table up against it and stuffed it with cushions to keep the hot out and the cool in.
It was so hot all the moisture dried out of my cedar planter and it fell apart! Danika stopped by with Emmy for a few minutes and she had to try my ear hair clips and give me a scary bear roar and a cute mouse face.
I headed off to find a smart cat door. I definitely need a collar activated one so all the animals in the Neighbourhood don’t come in. Unfortunately there were none suitable in town and after all the driving around my car still didn’t cool down, I was having trouble breathing and when I got home it was reading 40 outside. Ashlée asked if she could come float on the pool as her apartment was too hot to be in. I made us a nummy dinner that got creative as it was too hit to bbq and then we both floated around. Unfortunately when I tried to get up my knee gave out and there was a lot of pain. I look forward to my phone call from the Dr tomorrow. It was nice to talk about the Willys and books and that terrible collapse of the condos in Florida. Things instead of people, much nicer. It is also nice to spend time with my middle kid, we haven’t always made an effort to do that.
And now I have watered everything again and put a flea and tick collar on Missy. She is not amused and may not come near me for a while. She is a Covid cat, doesn’t like hugs. It was 29C at 9:47. Heck of a start to summer, just hope fire season doesn’t kick in.
I was awake at a decent time so I got out and watered everything. It was forecast to be very hot. I stayed in and watched footage of yesterday’s grad in Bella Bella. It made me tears to see all those beautiful humans celebrating the success of the large class. There are usually maybe half this many and I knew so many of the families as they were the kids when I lived there. Around 11 I headed into town for The Farmer’s Market. I had made a plan to pick up my winnings from last night at Siobhan’s booth. I was parked already and walking towards when I realized I forgot my phone. I went back home for it and was on my way back when I looked both ways pulling off 4th St S onto 7th Ave when suddenly there was a vehicle with a couple bikes on the back in front of me. I scared the woman and felt bad about it. She was exactly hidden by a parked car until I pulled out. Close call. The market was lovely, by the time I got there it wasn’t too busy and I was able to take in everything. I bought Cinnamon Raisin bread, Pea and sun flour shoots, Ginger Mead, Goats and Hoes Soap, A sunflower seedling from a young girl, a pair of lovely sea glass earrings and met the man who custom made the table I sent home with Jake last weekend. I then purchased an Orange Coconut Cream Popsicle and sat on a shady bench in the park to read a script. I am on the play selection committee and had a new one to read. It was so lovely that I had to close my eyes on occasion and just listen to the sounds of life in the area, including the kids playground, the birds and dogs and the musician down the lane. For the first time since 2019, I was at the market and enjoying a little bit of normal. In a a mask to be careful, but mostly normal. Just as I had finished reading I got a text that my shelter was ready for pick up at Canadian Tire so I texted the neighbor, Tracey as she had said she could grab it for me in her truck. Before I left I had to buy a jumbo hot dog from Keon who was set up in the parking lot for a heart and stroke event. Got home and puttered about the yard, had a drink with Tracey, cleaned the pool and got it ready. I had an edible, put on a bikini and floated about in the pool listening to the Shred Kelly concert again. It was sooooo relaxing. Came in and showered and had leftovers and then Ashlée arrived to take a turn at floating while I sat in a chair and we had a great catch up.
It was so hot that when I got home, the clear plexiglass in the door of my little library had fallen off! My rose does not look very happy either!
Gene got dropped off from the birthday party he attended so that he could go home with Auntie. He kept hugging me and at one point I realized how tall he had suddenly gotten as my nose was stuck in his teenaged armpit, lol
The auction ended on my AC unit tonight but I have to wit for Admin to decide who won as there was a flurry at the end and I don’t have a computer I can check with at home. Will find out in the morning I guess. I plan to turn the opening in the wall into some fancy cat door and then we will have end to the horrible meowing at 5 in the morning!
I had a pretty chill day. I ordered and picked up lunch from Family Thai which I love and it was so nice to see Mam. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. On the way I picked up a script to read from the theatre as I am on the play selection committee. I found the first one a little depressing and that is not what I think we need for the first season back. Got a fair bit of work done and then headed out for my manicure. It was nice to relax although it made me sleepy. From there I went to the Dollarama and picked up a few things I needed and some fun things for the pool. Next was Canadian Tire where I had seen the perfect shelter for the jeep and my bike on sale for $100 off. I wandered around and ended up doing quite the shop, even found a portable toilet on sale that will be handy when I renovate the bathroom and for the trailer. Turns out in the end I had to come home and order the shelter online so they could pull it out of the warehouse. I have to organize a truck to pick it up anyway. While I was in the store I heard them say they were sold out of air conditioners which spurred me into listing my wall mounted one on Bid Wars. It started at $20 and quickly went up to 55 last time I looked. It is in the wall near the dining room table and once it is removed I am going to fashion some sort of entrance for Missy. Maybe that will solve the issue of her waking me up at 5:30 to go out.
I came home and made a delicious meal although some of the spice makes me gassy, it was tasty. While I ate I watched the Shred Kelly Virtual Tour for an hour and really enjoyed it. I even won a CD and a Vinyl which is awesome.
One thing that I noticed is a new habit I have.. seems I am not worried about Mr Right showing up at my door as I have bee changing into my ‘house dress’ as soon as I get home. Yep, I have officially turned into my Nana.
The officer who killed George Floyd was sentenced to 22.5 years today. I double he will live long in jail. Our MP Rob Morrison voted against the law to make conversion therapy illegal. So old school. Covid is dropping across the province except in our part. Cranbrook, Fernie and Kimberley have had quite a few cases recently. And that was all the news that was not fit to print.
It is a tough time to be Canadian, especially a caucasian one. I will address the subject eventually. I am conflicted.
Today had many great moments, including getting super deals at the Showcase store in the mall. Rae had told me about free PPE they had and I received an email from them today to remind me so I popped over to the mall at lunch. I got 2 games and 4 bags of candy (originally 14.99 a bag) that the boys love, a box of masks, package of wipes, a UV cell phone cleaner and charger and a cell stand all for $5.60!! I felt like the Ikea commercial, that I should run for my car!
The day started with confirmation that my client who because of unfortunate circumstances had a demand to pay PST for over 28 thousand dollars and after all my work yesterday, when I checked online this morning, they are getting over 1 thousand back instead! That makes all I do worthwhile to get to phone and tell him.
A whole lot of shit has gone down recently that I can’t even be bothered to write about because it reflects badly on someone and that is theirs to own. That is the second time in a couple weeks that I find myself trying to process something outside of this medium. I have long passed the age of believing I am responsible for others reactions but it doesn’t mean I don’t end up disappointed and sad when a friendship fails. Sometimes you just have to walk away.
It was so great to have a multi-organization meeting in the park today. The weather was perfect and much was accomplished towards an event we all hope to co-produce in September. Even just planning something again feels good.
I came home and put a couple more plants in the ground and happily discovered a few more that I thought hadn’t survived their first winter, including my clematis! I do wish I could grow grass in a replanted area as well as it grows on it’s own in my rock garden, where it shouldn’t.
I had dinner ready from last night so I warmed it up and sat down to eat just as a MusicFest concert series came on with a dear friend, Jemma Hicken. She has been a volunteer on my stage crew for years and it has been a pleasure to know her. I finished eating and then continued working on my puzzle as I had her playing on my iPad. It was so peaceful and lovely and she is a great story teller. Her songs are funny and charming and her voice is unique and lovely. It really was perfect.
Afterward I moved a herd of one inch long stick bugs from their old home where they had apparently hatched to the new condo which is getting crowded. I hope that is it for the move. Not sure what happens when there are so many…. Guess I had best read the book I bought to learn more about them.
The evening has wrapped up watching Honoring Our Kings: OWN celebrates Black Fatherhood that I had recorded. It made me cry a few times, so many stories, so many great men in the world. It is good to remember that. It is easy to only see the negative, especially in these current times. I admit there is a part of me that never wants to watch or see the news again. It is constantly challenging us to be better, so there is that.
Up and on the treadmill trying to get the knee working and headed in. Got a fair amount done today considering all the interruptions. They were mostly planned but still all over the place. In the morning I went to the theatre and met with the electrician to go over some fine tuning for the booths. It is getting exciting around there! Ordered Subway for Keri and I and we sat outside in the sun to celebrate her birthday last Monday. Had two board members from FPPAS stop in for signatures and to drop off cheques. Went to pick up a lovely wooden grill for my furnace air intake that I won for $5 on a bid war. Across the street in a very higher end neighborhood was quite the site. Stopped at La Vie En Rose to buy new jammies because I got booked for my Sleep clinic sleep over! I am soooo happy, as it is only two weeks away. Brought everything home, put my Hello Fresh in the fridge and headed out to drop off some books at a client and go to the strata AGM.
THAT was a joke. The secretary asked for nominations from the floor for the Board. One owner suggested it stay the same, two were coerced into joining and then without warning, the others stepped off the board. As two or three are not enough to have a board, everything came to a standstill. No one knew what to do and there was much kerfuffle about not having a bookkeeper/Treasurer. I was asked by Maggie if I would take over but I did not agree to as I was effectively run off the board. One of the new guys suggested we wait and have a campaign to replace people. There should have been a recruitment committee if they all knew they were leaving. It is shoddy and Fred had the nerve to say that no one had any interest in the park. If their childish behavior means our strata fees go up due to having to hire a management company I will not be happy.
I made another delicious dinner. I am very tired, was falling asleep at my desk this afternoon as well…
I think Missy has the right idea.. rush with great urgency into the beyond, roll around on as many surfaces as possible, soak up the heat from the concrete and the cool from the grass. Snuggle up close to those who love and provide for you and avoid things that make loud scary noises. Pretty good rules for living.
And speaking of cats, it seems the injured one is from across the park and I hope it has been tended to. I didn’t see it around this evening.
I didn’t make a lot of money today but I got a lot of things wrapped up and some was even fun. I ordered a new speedo cable for my Triumph through the closest shop in Calgary. There were a few email back and forth before I sent him a schematic and pointed out he had chosen the wrong part, which would have been non-refundable. He apologized profusely and we agree the one I chose is what I need. I admit, that felt good, besting the parts guy. I know my baby.
I met with the general contractor for the theatre renovation and went over the measurements for the new workspaces in the Tech booth and Director’s booth. It will be so nice, can’t wait for it to be done. There is still much to do to prep as far as moving out equipment. I called out for help at the board meeting tonight and next Monday we will make it happen. It was a celebration of sorts tonight as it was our first in person meeting as a Board in a long time. There was lots of chat and discussion. Much more than on zoom and I think it really gets to the crux of things. We really are evolving as an organization and that can grind on some people. I am grateful for Maureen, our executive assistant/Office manager and am happy we are keeping her for another year! She has been a good asset for the Society and a good friend to me.
I think Thom was done with it all by the end, lol. I sure appreciate his steadfastness on the Board. I am also glad Melodie is staying on as Secretary. It is a gift to do that well.
Sat and had a nice visit with Maureen over snacks before we left. Got home in time to water my plants and get this done before it is already 11:30! Morning will come early and tomorrow is another busy day.
I hurt bad this morning because I had a good night’s sleep. It is a heck of a trade off. The treadmill is still my best friend to get moving in the morning, I rely on it for even a short walk to get mobile. I left Jake sleeping and headed to the office. It was like working on the weekend as three of the people in my wing were off today. Jake showed up and we went to Arby’s for lunch before he headed out of town. Rae has been training as an assistant manager but I believe she will rise higher. It is weird to see her in a fast food place but she is so good at customer service that I am sure she will excel. Jake headed home with a car full of shopped at Mom’s. A table, two chairs, two stools, pots and pans, my older Tupperware, etc. He even managed to steal my wee bottle of Tequila. It is good to see him doing well and his energy is much happier now. I think it was great for him to go to the cabin this weekend. He saw how the whole family pulls together to get things done and then have fun. I know he has seen it before but appreciates it more of course, now that he is gone.
I got home after completing my reports for tomorrow night’s Board Meeting. It has been great to talk to the general contractor and the subs to confirm the details of my part of the dream. Tech Director has a big Dream! As I was walking to the mail box, I spotted the puffy grey and black cat that has been hanging in the neighbour’s drive area. We first spotted it last Thursday night and wondered where it came from as we’d never seen it before. Tonight it turned and I noticed it had a very bad gash on the left side of it’s head from the ear down. I took pictures, tried to give it food and water and posted on a FaceBook group to try to find the owner. Two women showed up to try to help capture it. Turns out one of them, Leslie, was the woman who arranged my adoption of Missy. She brought a live trap and we baited it with good wet food. Unfortunately the cat wandered away. The Neighbour and her son and I tried to sway it in the right direction but no luck so I set the cage near where it has been hanging out and we have been monitoring it. Keeping Missy inside has been a challenge to say the least. Poor thing, it really brought out the helpless in me. Can’t even grab it by the scruff as it is too near where the injury is. It has to be in pain.
Hope we don’t catch a skunk…
Dinner had several items I am not supposed to have in the Bay Seasoning but it was soooooo tasty. Worth a little heartburn, right?!
Poor Missy is meowing like crazy as I haven’t let her out.
For many years I have not loved this day, but as time goes on I spend it in wonderful remembery. Also, more people I know have experienced the same loss I did at a younger age. We are able to share and support in the membership of the Double D club. Now I celebrate that good Father’s that surround me, my son and son-in-law, my daughter’s father, the good men I know.
I spent the day being productive, I have kicked back into get er done mode and finished the trim in my kitchen. I think it ties it all together and of course prevents any water damage as it is a plastic product I used and siliconed it in place. I do love playing with my chop saw. I forgot. I think I will start my bathroom next weekend. In spite of not having a table saw, or air tools, I am sure I can get it done on my own. I also cut to the right height the table legs on an extra table I have that I was using as an island at one point to see if I wanted a permanent one. Jake will be taking it home for he and his roommate as they only have beds so far.
I did sell my Harley Jacket for $75 so after Jake came back and before we loaded his car with a table, two chairs and two stools as well as a myriad of kitchen items, we went to drop off his recycling and then to Home Depot so I could pick up som new plants with the money. I chose a gorgeous rose tree to complete the front. I will plant it tomorrow night. I had made us pork loin chops for dinner and we were done by 4:30 as we were both so hungry. The blue light special dinner hour!
At 6:30 we went to Guedes house to have ice cream cake and celebrate Gene’s 14th birthday as we hadn’t officially yet. He was so happy to get a golf bag with all the trimmings for his clubs from his Père and Granny. I had already given him his gifts so we just enjoyed the evening and then Jake and I came home to watch a show he had recommended.
Jake introduced me to Bo Burnham. First we watched Make Happy to set the stage for how he normally is (filmed in 2016) and then Inside (filmed during the Pandemic). He really is brilliant and although I am sure enhanced for entertainment purposes, also vulnerable and real. His prose is amazing. I shall likely be watching Inside again. During the intermission I got us Bowmore to toast to my Dad, Jake’s Grandad. It was Jake’s first scotch so I am glad it was a good one. It has been lovely to spend such quality time with my kids and grands this weekend and get so much done around the place. Very satisfying.
I didn’t realize until around 9 pm that one of the best things about the day was spending so much time with other human beings and not once having a reason to put on a mask.
Started the day too early but couldn’t go back to sleep. Got up and made cupcakes to bring out to the Family Fun Day/Father’s Day Dinner gathering. Gene arrived back from his youth group overnight and I made us all poached eggs on toast with hash browns and turkey bacon. It seems that poached eggs are the go to meal in our family. Mom and her cousin Rosie always make them for me when I visit and now I make them for my visitors. After breakfast, Jake headed off to get Emmy while Gene and I headed out to his grandparent’s cabin. It is an adventure ride to get there, with bridges and gates and fields and bushes and forest and forested areas. This was the first time that all of us have been together out there. I was very happy to be invited to bring Gene out. It really was just a perfectly nice day with no stress. Well, Roger may have had some stress when he dropped his canon ball overboard while getting the downrigger ready. He has so far caught the biggest fish in the area although I suspect Sawyer was happier to get his. It really was a lovely day and crazy good dinner that I did not have to prepare. On the way out Lukas drove Bill on the quad to go ahead and open gates and make sure I got out fine. We had brought a shovel and dug up a wild rose for my garden. I hope it roots, planted it as soon as I got home. At the point when Lukas was closing a gate, I called over and said Happy Father’s Day Bill, and thanks for being a great Dad. He said Thanks, you are a great Mom. It was a nice moment that didn’t get awkward and just really made the day. And that says a lot as there were so many great moments.
It was a very ordinary day really, which is exactly what made it extraordinary.
Enjoying my evening eating good food, watching Loki and hanging with my son who surprised me by arriving early this afternoon from Vancouver. We have had good talks and caught up on all things. Dinner was so good we both had seconds.
Today I cut the cheques for the deposits on the big Theatre refurbish project we are doing for CCT. Things are ready to roll. There’s that to look forward to.
I confirmed I am going to have my grandson overnight after work on Saturday as everyone will be out at the cabin, There’s that to look forward to.
I sat on their deck enjoying a visit before they leave on vacation on Saturday. I enjoyed my Campbells catch-up. There’s that to be grateful for.
I had the gumption to call Shaw and ask them to honour what I was promised in my last Change of service. It took a while but I am getting my time shift back for a small fee, a $20 credit is being added per month and I got a $50 credit for next month. A company is only as good as the way they handle their mistakes. I am happy to stay with them. There’s that to be grateful for.
As I write this the TV has landed on The Celebrity Dating Game. Not only is it hosted by Michael Bolton and Zooey Deschanel but low level celebrities are on it looking for dates. Sigh, everyone needs a job I suppose. Moving on..
Today was trippy. I had crazy hard work to do for payroll and an audit and then at the end of the day, readying for a board meeting. In between I made arrangements to meet a woman at my place to buy my planter boxes I had listed. I had a standing appointment for Fortis to come change out my meter some time between 12 and 4 so I arranged for her to come at 1. I cleaned them out and moved them to the front and when she saw them she was happy to take them for what I was hoping to get. It wasn’t much but was good to pass on to someone who could use them and I will go but a plant to with the money. I took a few pictures while I was out there. I love my yard.
At 2:25 I left a note on the door to call me when I needed to come back and headed back to the office. At 3:12 I received a call from a super friendly guy that he would probably be done by the time I got home. When I arrived I found the best guy ever, Josh. He was so much fun and we spent more time chatting than necessary to get the job done. All he really had to do was lite the pilot light in the hot water tank.
It occurred to me that over the ‘Covid season’ my best dates have been with contractors that come to my house. Much good chat and laughter has happened. I also realized why ‘older’ women are seen as cougars. We are fearless and just call it as we see it. It was easy to thank him for the great ‘nerd’ talk we had today without worrying about anything. If someone is interested me at any point they will know how I feel. It’s simple. I may want to have a ‘gas’ emergency though…. I clearly have a thing for blue collar workers.
I raced back to the office and worked the rest of the time on my Board Meeting prep. It was good but I was starting to have trouble focusing as the meeting went on due to only having a bowl of chicken noodle soup when I was home. After the meeting I came home and made one of my HF meals that was the quickest. It was delicious but I didn’t sit down to eat until 10:01 and now it is 11:27 and I am regretting my choices. It was not the meal to eat before bed, but it tasted sooooo good!
Oh Lord, there is another episode starting, I had best head to bed!!!
I fell asleep in my new pillow and the feel of it along my spine left me feeling spooned for the first time in a long time. I slept well even with the effort to roll over. I had no problem getting out of bed once I untangled myself. I went to let Missy out and noticed the most incredible clouds I have seen here. I grabbed my phone to take a picture and saw the weather alert. After a few photos, I saw things were changing fast and started videoing. It was powerful and swept through quickly.
Not sure if it was because of this specific storm but a small sink hole opened up in the parking lot at work. It was all the news of the day!
I had a busy and fun day in my office and at 4:20 the Dr from the sleep clinic called to ask a few more questions and assure me I need to have a sleep over session without my machine and then likely another, connected to theirs so they could monitor the pressure etc. He was so nice and communicated a real desire to help me get better. I look forward to the call to go. Gosh at this point it will be a vacation!
I rushed home and made a quick dinner (yay air fryer!) before heading to the Theatre for Sip and Script, hosted by Melodie Hull. There were 10 of us and the hostess. The script for the evening was a show that was performed at our theatre years ago, Habeas Corpus by Alan Bennett. It was fun and everyone really got into it, masks and all. I liked the end the best when we sat around discussing it through the lens of 2021. The farce was an important staple of theatre but it has some very dated tropes. This script mocked mental illness, priests, Drs and flat chested women. Many of those subjects are off the table now… and I am ok with it. Too be fair I watch some pretty skanky entertainment but reading it in this setting was awkward at times. It was very nice to go out tonight and meet with like minds for sure. And while I was there I took opportunity to inspect the booth now that it is painted and awaiting its electrical makeover.
triumphgal 