*sigh* Beautiful.

We went for a drive in the snowy hills behind our house the other day. I always forget how stunning it is here in BC.

Ahhh, Nature.

Just look at what Nature can do...simply exquisite.

Sheesh.

Geez Louise, I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted anything here...things just seem to be rolling along "same old, same old" as they say, and I've had nothing to write about.

No holidays, no great sales to report upon, nothing overly funny or depressing...I keep thinking I must have something to talk about, but I've had writers block I suppose.

However, both boys and both dogs are on the road as I type, heading home for the Holiday! Hooray! The turkey is thawing, tarts and cookies are done, presents are wrapped and i feel my creative writing "juices" starting to flow.

Hopefully, I'll have some tales to tell in the next few days.

What an absolutely stunning day. You can see how much snow fell overnight, and then to go for a walk with the fresh white snow and the vivid blue sky...breathtaking.

I love this. It reminds me of Narnia...a lampost in the middle of nowhere. (of course it isn't really in the middle of nowhere...but almost...)

Then walking to a small, icy pond where you expect to see something like a winter unicorn. It was a phenomenal walk. How can people dislike the snow?

The difference a day makes...

These pictures were taken just a few weeks apart. I'll take another when the snow falls and then again in the spring. I've always liked pictures that show the same scene in the different seasons, so I'll start my own!

November Walk

The weather is oddly warm for November, blue skies and in the low 40'sF. The trees have lost their leaves, but a few apples still remain, up too high for the deer to nibble on. If you walk early enough in the day, you can see the unfortunately named hoar frost on the grasses and tiny tree limbs. Remember that you can click on a picture to enlarge it, and click twice for even more detail.

A little memory.

Yesterday was my birthday, and as I was rummaging through some boxes, I came across this, in some of my Dad's stuff. Geez Louise, what a sentimental guy he was, although he'd never want anyone to know it. The little wristband barely fits around my thumb. Look how happy my Mom looks. My Mom passed away 13 years ago, and my Dad just over 2, and I still haven't gone through their things...it's still really hard, so it was sort of strange that I found my birth announcement on my actual birthday!

I had an excellent birthday, started out with a visit to my dentist. Now, that doesn't sound like an auspicious start to any day, never mind a birthday, but he is young and cute and called me beautiful. Well, to be honest, he said that my gums were beautiful, but at my age, I'll take any compliment and run with it.

I received lots of cards, both via Facebook, email and snail mail, as well as phone calls and a lunch with a friend (the BEST coconut-lemon noodles EVER,) and supper with a friend who came up from the States for the evening, and we treated ourselves to a very special dinner..wild salmon with ginger-cranberry sauce, vegetable risotto and creme brule for desert. Plus it was my day off, so, all in all, a wonderful day.

We have had a lot of rain this fall, and I think the result of that is more mushrooms and toadstools than usual, and all different varieties as well. Here are a few, along with a stump that I think might be the secret entrance to an undergroud fairyland...I mean seriously, just look at the "doorway". Surely there are elves and goblins down there.

This moss covered rock had a tunnel underneath it, maybe another secret passageway?

When I was little, my favorite books were ones with stories about secret paths, hidden places, gnomes, woodland nymphs and the like. Books by Enid Blyton were the all time best, and the series about The Borrowers. To this day when I go for a walk, the paths that I see that branch off into hidden corners of the woods are so intriguing that I just have to follow them, in hopes of finding an elf or other woodland creature running hastily along the forest floor, looking for the opening into his Fairy Land. Usually they knock on an old stump or a giant mushroom and a door opens as little elvin faces peek furtively out, making sure that no Above Ground people, like myself, see their secret entrance. Once you get inside...it's a whole other Adventure! Even at my age, I am still always hoping, but so far, no luck...

If it ain't one thing it's another...

Steven was running to answer the phone the other day, and as he rounded the corner, he went one way and his ankle went another. He heard a loud "snap!" and felt an agonizing pain. Right away I instantly utilized a bit of trivia that I learned eons ago, in Guides, the RICE method. Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. I threw in an Aleve as well. It's like spelling Mississippi backwards. I learned how to, and no one ever asked me (it doesn't come up in everyday conversation often) But one day my dad wondered if I could spell Mississippi, and I quickly rattled it off and then he said, slyly, "But can you spell it backwards?" And to my long awaited joy, I could! And still can, it only takes about a 1/2 second. However, as they say, I digress. The following day, his ankle was no better, so at 9 AM he decided to go to the hospital. Now, this is where living in a small town really has its perks. You would not find this in a city.

Sunday AM, we go to emerg. We are actually out of triage and in a bed within 4 minutes. The Dr. is there almost right away and examines his leg, shows me how to do the Thompson test, a method of determining if the achilles tendon has torn right off. She determines that the ankle isn't broken, and the achilles tendon is still attatched, although it may be torn. She says she will set up an appointment for an ultrasound as soon as a spot is available, and to continue the RICE treatment for now. Off we go, the whole thing taking about an hour. (plus, we live a 2 minute drive from the hospital, so it took less time than watching an episode of Survivor, and I can now do the Thompson test, so if you ever twist your ankle while around me, rest assured that I can let you know if your achilles tendon has been torn loose.

We now figured we'd wait at least a few days, if not longer, and this is awful news as Stevenhas a long awaited hunting trip planned, one he waited almost 20 years to go on. Talk about depressed. Next morning, his ankle felt a bit better and the phone rang at 8:30 telling him he could come in for his ultrasound that afternoon. Hooray! He had that done, and they said they would then phone the orthopeadic surgeon to review the results. Hmmm....we wondered, how long will THIS take? Next day, before noon, the surgeon phoned and asked if we can be there in 15 minutes, needless to say, we were there in about 3. Dr. Terry told us that the achilles tendon was about 50% torn, and if casted, it should heal in 4-6 weeks.

A cast is free, but has the drawbacks of not being able to bath or shower (well, not easily I mean) are rather large.It itches, smells, gets dirty, has to be changed in 2 weeks (because of swelling decreasing) and takes a few hours to do. The alternative is an air cast, which takes 5 minutes to fit, is really comfy, but is removable and adjustable. However, it costs $129. But really, what a simple choice. So they fitted him up, and off he went, on the hunt. Bonus? He gets to ride the quad instead of hiking, and his three hunting buddies are thrilled that he is there.

You'll see that small blue bulb? I didn't know how these casts work, but there are air pockest inside and you pump them up to make a snug fit, and as your leg heals you can release the air pressure. Pretty nifty. Our little neighbour kiddies were over with huge eyes and homemade get well cards, the little boy touched it gently and asked Steven if he were turning into a robot.

The newest member of the household. Steven has been looking for just the "right" Tacoma for about 2 years now, and apparently patience is his virtue as he finally found the truck of his dreams (I know...how cheesy) Anyhow, here "she" is.

Oh Canada!

There are a few maple trees in our neighbourhood, and it's the time of year when the leaves are turning and falling. I came out to find some in our yard and on my petunias. I love the petunia shot, like our flag "au natural".

Boys and their Toys.