Springtime

I am really enjoying my new small camera ... a canon power shot SX270HS with a 20x optical zoom lens. Walks along the foreshore and McGuire Lake allow me to capture some of nature's springtime activity.

This immature bald eagle was at least 30 feet above me.

The osprey decided to start a new nest after theirs was raided by geese!

Mergansers swim between the grebes, ducks and coots.

A much needed rest after days of mating and nest building.

Even the turtles at McGuire Lake are enjoying the warm days.

The goldfish hope that they aren't spotted by gangly herons.

The lake

The lake is coming alive!

Water level is rising and the willows are displaying brilliant colour.

The grebes have returned, swimming around in loving pairs.

They were exhibiting their beautiful mating dance this morning.

(Not possible to capture the dance with my camera)

Hitching a ride!

This flicker decided to hitch a ride on the rusty truck in our garden!

Jazz Club

One of the highlights of Salmon Arm life is The Jazz Club. Admission is by donation and the music is always first class. Last night we enjoyed the Willy Gaw Quintet with Willy & Pam Gaw, Darrin Herting, Bill Lockie and Jordan Dick.

Jordan Dick on guitar

Their musical style was gypsy jazz with a few oldies thrown into the selection. Jordan was amazing on guitar, Darrin was pure entertainment on mandolin, Bill's vocals and bass interpretation were wonderful, Willy's humour kept the audience (a full house) in stitches between numbers.

A full house!

We sat at the back of the room where we could share some tasty tapas from Shuswap Chefs with glasses of local wine. Acoustics were great. Sandy Cameron is returning to Salmon Arm for a visit and a special performance with friends on May 1st at 7pm. See you there!

Easter weekend

It was a fun filled, energy filled weekend with visits to playgrounds, walks along the foreshore, tractor testing, crib games and too much food!

There were surprise dinosaurs in the Easter basket!...

...and more easter goodies to hunt for in the garden.

Fun along the foreshore....

...tree climbing with Daddy....

...xylophoning at the College...

...and tractor testing at Demilles!

Meanwhile Daddy and Papa held their annual cribbage tournament

in between catching a few Boston innings and Boston periods on TV!!

Needing new homes

These two treasures will be looking for new homes when we sell the house. 

1917 Singer sewing machine - treadle

$175.00

1900's marble and oak wash stand

$325.00

House for sale!

Our home is for sale. 

After 23 years in this house we have decided pull up roots 

and experience being "homeless" for a while.

There are many memories woven into our lives here but we are ready to embrace change.

If you see a tent on your property, don't be alarmed! 

It's just two homeless drifters!

An osprey dilemna

A pair of osprey have returned to the lake.

Unfortunately the geese either didn't read the "DO NOT ENTER" sign

or chose to ignore it when they decided to occupy the osprey nest!

Apparently the osprey will not attack the geese to reclaim their home.

If goslings don't hatch quickly and topple to the ground,

the osprey will have to start building a new nest!!

Daily walks

Since we returned to Salmon Arm we have enjoyed daily walks.

The offspring of these silly geese are in for a big tumble!!

The ice on McGuire Lake melted during the past few days.

This poor creature didn't survive the long winter.

Mt. Ida is still coated in snow.

Back home

The first morning back in Salmon Arm we visited Java Jive, our favourite coffee stop. We were so pleased to hear that lovely Jo had taken ownership while we were away! She has always greeted us with smiles and hugs and stories.

It was wonderful to taste the fair trade organic coffee and delicious muffins that Java Jive offers every day. Old friends wandered in and we caught up on some of the town's recent happenings before doing our circular walk around the familiar streets. Acquaintances honked from vehicles as they passed by, others stopped us to share greetings.

Tomorrow we will list our home for sale. It is a difficult decision to make after such a warm welcome back to town. The longer you are wrapped in the life of a community, the more challenging it is to make a change. At this point we don't know where we will land,  just taking some time to wander.