water lilies

We enjoyed an early morning walk around McGuire Lake this morning.

Pink water lilies were just starting to wake up...

...and bright orange carp were playing under the white lilies.

My gardening guru

My gardening guru...

...hilling his potatoes!

He has erected an amazing maze of bamboo sticks, tomato cages and mesh to protect the garden from cats, birds and deer! Now I just need to keep him from overwatering the plant pots!

The "BIG 78"

Today we celebrated the "BIG 78"!

The day started with a gathering of guys 

who used to work together at PSL

(Pacific Stage Lines).

They shared coffees and teas in Kelowna

with the gift of a birthday cake!

Later in the day we enjoyed a delicious meal

at An Dianmo in Salmon Arm.

Glenfidich and seafood stuffed mushroom caps! Yumhh!...

...pastas with mega scallops and prawns...

...followed by the most amazing tiramisu from the chef!

It was a "foodie delight" birthday for John!!

A busy week

It's been a busy few days interspersed with walks around McGuire Lake, strolls to the wharf, workouts at Curves, knitting with Odd Socks and writing with Octava, lunches and coffees with friends. Whew!

Last night our discussion group had the pleasure of meeting with a young high school student who educated us on the many diversifications in the LGBTQ community. It was enlightening and informative to share her information. There are many variables in the gender equations! It was encouraging to know that there is a support group in town for youth members of this community.

The Kutschkers offered their new home for last night's gathering. After the presentation and discussion portion of the evening we had the opportunity to create our own variations of kebabs for the BBQ from a great array of fruits and veggies.

My Birthday Day

Wow! It has been a great birthday weekend.

On Friday night we attended the coffeehouse for Word on the Lake, the annual Writer's Festival in Salmon Arm. Several of the weekend presenters read excerpts from their published works. Grant Lawrence, a CBC host, was an entertaining storyteller as he read about his experience as a hockey goalie. Brian Brett's poetry was moving and impressive. Gail Bowen, a mystery writer, sucked us into one of her novels and left us determined to request her books at the library.

The highlight for us was Gary Fjellgaard! We first discovered him about 30 years ago at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre (The Cultch). It was really special to hear his unique voice and moving lyrics again. His song "Somewhere on the island" is still a favourite after all these years!

On my birthday morning we visited Java Jive for our usual competition over tea, coffee and muffins. Unfortunately my partner was not generous. He won all three games!

During the day there were many phone calls and online messages from family and friends. Diana stopped by with a surprise gift of Glenfiddich and I finally opened my lovely scent filled package from Karen. Thank you very much ladies!!

The afternoon was filled with laughter and creativity at an Octava writing session. What would I do without these amazing women in my life. We wrote about "knocking on the door from the inside" and "knot by knot". As usual our writing reflected the diversity of this group that I joined 23 years ago!

Dinner at Table 24 was delicious. We savoured every bite and every sip of Hester Creek Merlot. As the last ones to leave the restaurant at 9:00pm, we wondered again why this town shuts down so early. The downtown streets were empty on a beautiful Saturday night!

It was a great day!! Now it's time to tackle that "final" painting again!!

Soul Food - upcoming exhibition

Only three weeks until "Soul Food", my solo exhibition, 

opens at the Salmon Arm Art Gallery on June 5th. 

I am trying to complete one final piece.

Her are some hints of what you'll see n the gallery.

Hope to see you there!

Property lessons

We learned last week that the offer on our house was rescinded...bitter disappointment!

There was confusion about property lines, road allowances and possible encroachment of our back deck. After visiting City Hall to enquire about the property the buyers had even more concerns. They insisted on a survey to determine where everything was located. We contracted with Browne & Johnson to conduct the survey. The buyers didn't wait for the results, deciding instead to cancel the offer.

During a subsequent talk with the City Hall employee, we asked for details about his conversation with the buyers. He explained that IF our deck encroached on city land and IF the land was either sold for development or converted into a road, the deck would have to be shortened or removed.

We have lived here for 24 years. The deck was in its current position and size before we bought the house and the road has always been where it is now (at least 35 years). We were not aware of encroachment at that time (Buyer beware). What are the chances that the City would decide to spend money to relocate a road that leads to just two houses? He agreed that chances were slim that the City would move forward with either option but that he felt the need to explain this to the buyers. He was just doing his job but his explanation discouraged our buyers. Since our discussion he has sent an email describing that neither possibility for future land use is likely in the near future.

So, we had the survey done, at our cost, and determined that the back deck does encroach city land by about 18 inches. Do we spend more money to reduce the size of the deck or do we disclose this information to future buyers with the option of reducing the purchase price to cover the cost of future reduction IF it becomes a problem?

Womens' Discussion Group

Our Womens' Discussion Group met on Saturday evening for the first time in ages. Our venue was the Gathering Room at Okanagan College where we looked out at the small pond with tiny ducklings learning how to navigate behind their mother.

Our evening started with a round of wine tasting...bottles of white wine that were concealed in brown paper bags. The challenge was to identify the flavours and choose a favourite. Of course the results were varied. The one that I selected was revealed to be a Pinot Grigio. Delicious!!

After the wine tasting we shared quiche, salads and tasty bean & guacamole spread before launching into discussions on seven different topics. We each presented a recent topic from the news including Bruce Jenner's sex change, pharmaceutical drug testing, the affects of technology, brain elasticity, the art world, Monica Lewinsky and how we should work with our strengths instead of constantly striving to improve our weaknesses. Whew!

When it was time for coffee and dessert Karen surprised us with two birthday cakes...one for me and the other one for Carol. Our birthdays are six days and six years apart.

It was a great evening of lively discussion, good food, tasty wines and delicious cake. I am very grateful to have these special women in my life. Thank you ladies!