A sixth birthday celebration

Yesterday was the sixth birthday celebration for our grandson.

We gathered at my sister's place for pool fun and many

other activities.

Our son-in-law played the role of Errol Flynn in the pool.

There were tipsy moments during pool attacks...

...and brilliant soccer moments...

...and a candle blowing competition!!

Adrian visits

Adrian arrived in Salmon Arm for a two day visit

that included a tour of my "Soul Food" exhibition at the gallery.

Dragon Boat Festival

In 1996 Canadian Sports Medicine specialist Don McKenzie put together the first dragon boat team comprised of breast cancer survivors in Vancouver. He believed that the upper body activity would be beneficial to offset edema that often results from removal of lymph glands. Bringing survivors together would also provide an opportunity for support and camaraderie.

This weekend marked the 12th anniversary of the Dragon Boat Festival in Salmon Arm.

Arriving in time to participate in the "carnation toss",

we threw pink carnations into the lake 

in remembrance of the women who have battled this disease.

My mother and one of my sisters have both been through

the diagnosis and treatments for breast cancer.

Survivors embrace on the boats.

A note to realtors

A note to realtors:
When you make an appointment for a house showing...don't show up whenever you like!!

Today was the second time that a particular realtor showed up with her clients at a different time than the scheduled time ...2 hours earlier!! I have been running through the possible scenarios in my mind ever since. What if we weren't home?...the bed hadn't been made, clothes were scattered, dishes were waiting to be washed and put away.

It happened that we were home and I had just spent 30 minutes on hands and knees washing the kitchen floor, John was handling a distress call from a hospice client when I heard two cars pull into our driveway. He went out and asked for 10 minutes to tidy the bedroom and kitchen. As I rushed around making the bed and disposing of laundry the realtor appeared and said that her clients didn't like the yard. Bye-bye!!

If you can't keep your schedule straight...you shouldn't be in the real estate business! This shows a complete disrespect for people who are trying to sell their homes!

Artist Talk

Today was the "Artist Talk" at the gallery. Our friend Arlene arrived from Vancouver with her parents who live in Kelowna. They wanted to see the exhibition and hear my presentation. We had a lovely visit over lunch before heading to the gallery. 

I was slightly nervous at first but my words were welcomed by a sea of friendly faces in the audience and inquisitive faces from the wall behind me!

Visitors were invited to write a short story inspired by one of the pieces. Everyone wandered around to select a photo-painting and a coffee/cookie before sitting to write. Afterwards the stories were shared aloud and I gave a brief history of the characters and settings for the pieces they had selected.

Nicky read her story while being watched by the "underwater ladder climbers"!

Sipping pheasant

Today was the first time that we have seen

the neighbourhood pheasant drinking from our birdbath!

Not the best photo...shot from the kitchen door

through garden mesh!!

Another walk around McGuire Lake

Sunbathing turtles

Flicker finding food

Pretty in pink

Reflections