A Day In The Life...

This evening I'm watching a movie on W Network called Beauty Shop, with a fabulous cast (Queen Latifah, Djimon Hounsou, Alfre Woodard, Kevin Bacon, Mena Suvari, Andie MacDowell, Alicia Silverstone, Della Reese, Keshia Knight Pulliam). Very funny.

Another hot, dry day (34.3°C) behind us here in the Okanagan Valley of BC. I head on the radio today that the government & forestry are asking people to stay out of the bush (forest, woods, whatever you like to call it) due to the extreme fire hazards. Not only are they concerned about people starting fires (as all too often happens), but we've been having lots of lightening storms lately and some fires have resulted from lightening strikes, so it is not safe to be out there just now... or so 'they' are saying.

Over the past week I've been bringing home pellets for my stove to burn this winter, to keep my home warm. Usually, in June & July, the pellet factory has a summer sale on, so that is when I choose to stock up for the coming winter. Unfortunately, this year they don't have a sale on. I like to get the straight Fir pellets, not the SPF (Spruce Pine Fir mix) as the fir burn hotter & have less ash, so better quality for the money, even though about $15 per ton more. Last Friday, I spent most of the day working on the flat deck trailer I was given. I had started to paint the tounge but was unable to complete the job due to being swarmed by mosquitoes, so I finished that job, then I wired tail lights onto it. This was the first time I've ever done something like this, so was glad to see the lights working when all was done. Not that I'd had any doubt, mind you. I mean, it's not as if it's rocket science. By the time all the work was done, my upper back was starting to feel burned, so I knew I was in big trouble. Yup, I had an extremely bad burn on my upper back, especially down the middle of it, and even up on the neck as I had my hair up while working. It's already peeled, most of the pain is now gone, and some has turned to tan while some is still red and the itch is still there that comes with healing. I'll keep flogging the oils to it. Hmmm... there is more to this story and I think I'll tell it in another post as I have photos to go with it.

Sunday eve I was outside and got bitten by a mosquito so was scratching my ankle where the bite was. I scratched it raw, then it got infected and I've been fighting that too. It's much better now and will soon be healed.

Other than those little blips, all is great here. The 'Pasta Masta' is at it again as I plan and work towards the upcoming Pasta Productions. The meal will be Penne with choice of 3 different sauces, tossed salad with choice of dressings, and most likely garlic toast. All fairly easy. Master guitarist/songwriter/recording artist Chris Madsen will open for our guest musician from Calgary Alberta, Inspirational singer/songwriter/pianist/recording artist Anthony Burbidge as he promotes his new CD. The Pasta Productions evenings are fund raisers I put on occasionally for the Centre for Spiritual Living. Loads of work, and wonderful evenings to make it all worth while. I did up tickets on the computer tonight, one set for dinner & concert $20, and one set for just concert $15.

Today I made a quick trip to the pellet factory and brought home the last 1/2 ton I will need to get for this winter. Dan phoned and said don't bother unloading the truck, he'll come by in the morning and do it for me. Shucks! I won't touch a bag then. :o) Now, the next job is fill the utility trailer for a trip to the dump, and maybe paint that trailer, it could sure use it.

I also have been fitting in time to read some really great books. Things like "Ask & It Is Given", "Money & the Law of Attraction", "The Astonishing Power of Emotions" all by Ester & Jerry Hicks and from the public library, and a book Wendy loaned me called "The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young. Add to that "Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting" by Lynn Grabhorn. I am very much enjoying all of them and wish I had more time to read and to write. I keep thinking it would be nice to go to a mountain lake and 'drown worms' while sitting on the shore with my books. Read & fish, more read than fish, lol, and be happy if I catch lunch. I have several other books waiting for me to read them as well as a set of tapes from the library. Ahhhh yes, and I still want to get some major cleaning done in this house. (ya right).

And with that, at 2:17am, I am going to say good night and start getting ready for bed.

"A Thousand Words In Idioms"

Another week of Idioms. Jientje is hosting this fun photo challenge: "As long as people have been around, they have tried to communicate with each other. As a means of getting the message across as clearly as possible, idioms and sayings have found their way into our language.

Now, because a picture paints a thousand words, I thought it would be nice to make this a new photo challenge. The idea is to pick an idiom, or a saying, ( even slang is allowed) and illustrate it with a picture. Each week we’ll cover two letters of the alphabet, okay?"

If “language is the dress of thoughts” ( Johnson), then idioms must the wardrobe …

This week, the letters are W & X.

W= When Pigs Have Wings
Also often said as: When pigs fly

Meaning: you think there is no chance at all of a certain thing happening.


X= X marks the spot.

Meaning: You'll find what you're looking for under an obvious sign for it.

Next week is the finish of the alphabet... Y & Z.
I wonder if that will be the end of this photo challenge, or if we'll start over again with A & B the following week. Most letters had lots of different idioms one could use, there were only a few at the end that would have to be used over again with some other kind of picture. I suspect there will be a lot of "X marks the spot" posts today, lol. It's the only X idiom I found, so will be interesting to see if anyone found other idioms, and how many different ways was "X marks the spot" demonstrated in photos.

As for the pig: I found this little cast iron pig in an antique shop on June 11 and just couldn't pass it up. There were 2 others that were larger, and more money. I had enough on me to buy the little one and so wished I could justify going back for the 2 bigger ones. I took photos of it on my truck before I even got in, just had to capture the moment :o) I've been saving 'him' just for this letter.

Wildfires Out of Control

The last few days have been smokey around here and ashes falling from the sky, getting all over everything. There is a huge fire in this area, about 45 minute drive from my house, though as the crow flies, it's not very far. Today the radio was saying that the fire had doubled in size over night and was 4000 hectares, that was this morning and we've had wind so I am sure it has gotten larger since then. We did have some rain this afternoon into evening, something we desperately need, though I'm don't think it's enough to help with the fires. Our province is extremely dry and unless the weather goes to very wet very soon (not likely) we are in for a very bad summer. 2003 was bad for forest fires and the worst of them were in late August, into September. This year they are that bad already. Today there were 2200 people evacuated from their homes at this one fire alone. I think a root canal at a Plano Dentist would be better than being evacuated for a forest fire ripping through your back yard. Not knowing if your home will be there or not when you return. You can only take so many belongings. On the radio I heard someone asking for help finding a foster home for their cattle to be evacuated to. I phoned in to give my name & number, volunteering to take in birds & other caged animals that might need care during the evacuation. So far no one has called, but I figure if anyone has such critters they may need a safe home for the duration.

Yesterday, just before 5pm, I noticed the sun was incredibly beautiful. Shining through the smoke, it was a big ball of the most incredible bright red/pink color!! I grabbed my camera and took some shots, but unfortunately it didn't capture the beauty that was there. Here are 2 photos showing at least a little bit of that color, though the camera mostly cut through the color to the sun.



Today I was coming home and it was almost like driving through fog. Here are a couple shots I took not far from home where you can see how smokey it was just after 2:30 this afternoon.


This is what the Province Newspaper has to say about the Terrace Mountain wildfire and others in our province:

The uncontained and out of control Terrace Mountain wildfire has put thousands more of B.C.’s residents on the move.

The 2,200 residents around the community of Fintry were ordered to leave their homes Thursday morning.

The Terrace Mountain blaze, spurred on by gusting winds, scorching temperatures and tinder-dry forests, covers more than 4,000 hectares and is 20 per cent contained.

Towering eruptions of fire sent a massive column of smoke 2,000 metres into the sky, and a thick, smoky cloud drifted north over the lake to shroud Vernon.

Seven helicopters and 175 firefighters are on scene trying to tame the aggressive fire. Firebombers from Alberta have been called to assist.

The fire's movement into a canyon has made it unsafe for fire personnel to combat the fiery inferno at its head.

Weather conditions could throw a wrench into the firefighting effort during the next 48 hours.

On Thursday afternoon, the area experienced some light rain and scattered thunder and lightening storms.

Local forecasts call for continued thundershowers and winds up to 70 kilometres an hour.

Meanwhile, the fires in West Kelowna’s Glenrosa and Rose Valley are fully contained, but are not completely extinguished.

“We still have quite a few firefighters and helicopters continuing to work on those fires,” said fire information officer Grace Pickell.

Area residents remain on evacuation alert.

- A smaller wildfire about four kilometres southwest of Lillooet might have been sparked by lightening, fire officials said Thursday.

The blaze, which covers about 50 hectares, was reported Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The fire is situated at the top of a slope.

The nearest residences are located at the bottom of the slope, about 1.5 kilometres east of the fire.

And lightening strikes set off a number of other small fires in the Okanagan Thursday, the most notable being one in the hills above Naramata.

Air support and ground crews have been called in for the Naramata fire.

“There were visible flames seen from across the lake in Summerland,” said Penticton fire chief Wayne Williams.

“Here in Penticton, I’m watching out my office and I’m seeing lightening strikes all around us.”

- Evacuated communities are Caesar’s Landing, Ewing’s Landing, Nahun, Valley of the Sun, Muirallen Estates, Estamont, Aspen Shores, Summersands, La Casa, Killiney Beach, Fintry Delta and Fintry Provincial Park and campground Evacuation Alert Westshores, Cinnibar Creek, the cottages at Secret Point, Shelter Cove, Lake Okanagan Resort, Jenny Creek, Wilson’s Landing, Pine Point sub-division, Traders Cove, and Bear Creek Provincial Park.

© Copyright (c) The Province

>>> Three Word Thursday <<<

Each week (Thursdays), Quilly gives us three words to write into a story. Oh, they're not just any words, not words you'd hear/see ever day. Nope, these are obscure words, endangered words. Before we can write to these words, we have to find them on the internet so as to find out their meaning so they can be used properly. This week's (Week 20) words are:

acrasia; murklins; & oncethmus
(click on the word to find the meaning)

Throughout the day, there was an acrasia of ash falling from the sky where clouds of smoke hung over the valley. Later in the afternoon the sun could be seen as a bright pinkish red ball glowing in the sky. There were multiple forest fires in the area, eating up the trees, killing wildlife and even some people's homes. It had been another hot, dry day in the Okanagan. It had been 36°C, though with the smoke in the sky the day seemed dark & cloudy. It had seemed like rain would start to fall at any moment, yet all that fell from the sky was the ash.

AliGail was grateful her home was not in the line of the hungry fires, and for the cool of the evening air as she stood looking out the window at the night. Out there in the murklins were swarms of mosquitoes waiting to attack anything or anyone that dared to stop out of the safety of their homes. She felt sorry for her dog having to be out for awhile before bed, hoping that the dog's hide was thick enough to withstand the onslaught of the biting 'nasties'.

Having had a full day and knowing that 'morning will come early', she knew she must soon head to the comfort of her bed. It was time to do a short meditation, going to her fulfillment center, finding the peace & love of Source Energy so as to take the joyous feelings into her sleep time. Tomorrow was a big day, she would have to be up extra early. Each morning she awakens to the chirping, squacking sounds of the birds in her home... never to oncethmus, rarely to the sound of a screaming alarm, and always to the morning sounds of her beloved birds.

Sending you wishes for a joy filled week.

"A Thousand Words In Idioms"

Jientje has started a wonderful photo challenge: "As long as people have been around, they have tried to communicate with each other. As a means of getting the message across as clearly as possible, idioms and sayings have found their way into our language.

Now, because a picture paints a thousand words, I thought it would be nice to make this a new photo challenge. The idea is to pick an idiom, or a saying, ( even slang is allowed) and illustrate it with a picture. Each week we’ll cover two letters of the alphabet, okay?"

If “language is the dress of thoughts” ( Johnson), then idioms must the wardrobe …

This week's letters are U & V:

U = Get Underway

Meaning: Begin a journey or a project.


V = Veg out


Wishing all a wonderful day!!

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Photos of the ride...

Some photos for you from yesterday's ride.

With it being 32 degrees C, tied for 'hot spot in Canada', it was an awesome day for a ride. Here we are headed north from my place, on our way to a nearby town where we had Chinese for lunch. We are on a factory made Harley trike.

We first spied this when we were merging out onto the highway. With construction to go through, it took awhile to get up here... then I 'blew it' by missing part of this Lamborghini in my shot. Darn. Oh well. I wonder if he had projector headlights on it. Nice car anyway.
Here are a couple other guys out for a ride. As we 'flew' by, the guy in red looked like he might be kinda 'cute'.

A more scenic shot for you to see what the country is like around here.

Looking down the highway.

Entering the little city where we had lunch... where Mom lives.

And on the way back out. Yet another person out riding too.

And another fellow rider some way down the road.

Oh... and in case you're not really sure I'm on the trike too, after all, you never actually see me, here is a shot of me for you.

Into the right turn lane... the ride is over :o(

There will be another ride, another day. Plans are in the works to go to Pillar Lake one day soon. You know there will be photos of that trip, again a 'day trip'.

Some Updates and 'Stuff'

My version of getting wholesale clothing is to shop at the 2nd hand stores. At this time in my life I more 'rent' my clothes. Since I joined TOPS on January 15 this year, I have lost around 15 pounds (go there in the next few minutes for our weekly meeting, so will be weighed on their scale and get an up to date number). Clothes do not fit me for all that long before it's time to go get smaller ones. I'm loving it. Well, okay, it could be faster and make me even happier, though at least it's steady and in the right direction. It is really great now that people are starting to notice and comment on my getting slimmer. Wednesday I was in the pool at the Rec. Center and a guy told me "you sure look hot in that outfit". It was a hot day weather wise so at first I thought he meant I looked over heated... then it hit me... I look hot!! Wow!! It's been many years since I heard a comment like that!! Oh ya, it may have been a pick up line, he was obviously out to 'get something'... and I still love it anyway!! I'll wear that bathing suit more often, lol.

Yesterday was a great day, though not the day I had originally planned. Cancelled my volunteer work (doing it today) and yoga with friends (next week). Hey, it's summertime, lots happening. Tuggy called and invited me to take a run on his Harley with him... YA! We went to a nearby town to eat Chinese for lunch, then back by back roads. Loved it. Then off to town to swim in the pool again... 12 laps (counted this time). I'm not a swimmer, but with mask/snorkel/flippers I can do quite well in the pool, and it's great exercise. Friend Lorraine went with me. She's not been swimming for years and very much enjoyed it, so will be back. This is a good thing as she needs the exercise too. After that I headed out to the same nearby town I'd been to for lunch, this time in my truck to visit my Mom. We took her car to another town to enjoy an evening sitting in the park listening to a live band. We ran into a cousin & wife there, so didn't get to listen much to the music, unfortunately. Also saw some friends of mine and took a short walk on the peir with them. Back to Mom's for tea, then home.

Well, guess I better be off. Want to be on time for TOPS. I planned to post some photos from my ride yesterday... will have to do it later this eve. I actually plan to be home for a few hours before bed this time... and hope to get to bed before 3 or 5am.

"A Thousand Words In Idioms"

Jientje has started a wonderful photo challenge: "As long as people have been around, they have tried to communicate with each other. As a means of getting the message across as clearly as possible, idioms and sayings have found their way into our language.

Now, because a picture paints a thousand words, I thought it would be nice to make this a new photo challenge. The idea is to pick an idiom, or a saying, ( even slang is allowed) and illustrate it with a picture. Each week we’ll cover two letters of the alphabet, okay?"

If “language is the dress of thoughts” ( Johnson), then idioms must the wardrobe …

This week's letters are S & T:

S = Set one's teeth on edge

Meaning: Literally, to cause an unpleasant tingling of the teeth. More generally, the expression is used to describe any feeling of unpleasant distaste.

T = Take the bit between your teeth

Meaning: Take control of a situation.

Have a happy week.

Silliness.....

Okay... I played Thom's silly game....

Your Hillbilly Name Is: Big Mama Beaver

Ain'tcha got one better'n that un

Should I be offended by this name??
There are a few ways I could take it and find offense here, people. (Let me not count the ways!)
And I choose not to take offense to any of it.
LOL.


Come back in a day or two and see where this all leads. There is a story to be written, due on Tuesday. (Good thing I discovered this due date tonight, along with the change in facilitators and rules for Portrait of Words.)

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Manic Monday

The word this week, Mo tells us on Manic Monday homepage, is:

fountain

The fountain of youth comes to mind, so I am going to give you a short list of things that might come in handy if you wish to live as if you have found the fountain of youth.

- a good hair dresser
- for some, a good wig
- yoga classes
- a great plastic surgeon
- a membership to a gym
- a dentist that does veneers & other cosmetic dentistry... and gives dental discounts
- lots of moisturizer
- your own personal trainer
- a very healthy diet
- a bucket full of money


This is a photo I took in May 2008. It is a fountain in the duck/goose pond at the park. It would be rather, ummm... icky to swim/bathe in there after years of ducks, geese & swans in there, however, you might find it helps with the quest for youth. After all, the Ogopogo looks quite youthful and he's very old. :o)

I wish you luck finding the fountain of youth... and the fountain of joy.
Have a wonderful week.

"A Thousand Words In Idioms"

Jientje has started a wonderful photo challenge: "As long as people have been around, they have tried to communicate with each other. As a means of getting the message across as clearly as possible, idioms and sayings have found their way into our language.

Now, because a picture paints a thousand words, I thought it would be nice to make this a new photo challenge. The idea is to pick an idiom, or a saying, ( even slang is allowed) and illustrate it with a picture. Each week we’ll cover two letters of the alphabet, okay?"

If “language is the dress of thoughts” ( Johnson), then idioms must the wardrobe …

Last week when I was trying to catch up, I thought Q & R had already been done, so was very surprised today when I checked to Jientje's blog to see what letters were being done today and found that Q & R are today's letters. I actually checked the 'post date' twice to be sure, lol. Soooo.... here are my...

Q & R

Q is for:
Queer as a $2 bill!

I've also seen this as a $3 bill and a 'nine bob note' (UK).
Canada had $2 bills until 1996 when we went to a $2 coin (will refrain from comment on that). I saved a few of the bills, as I did in 1987 when $1 coins replaced those bills (wow, so long ago).
Meaning: Odd, out of the 'norm', different, strange, unusual. (It would now be very odd to see a $2 bill in Canada).

R is for:
Red tape

Meaning: Rigid or mechanical adherence to bureaucratic rules and regulations especially those involving unnecessary paperwork.


Wishing you all a most wonderful, joy filled week!
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Tagged by Quilly

Today, among other things, I am reading some back posts on Quintessentially Quilly. You see, Quilly is away on holidays and I want to know where she went and what she's up to... yup, gonna be nosy. Haha. Besides that, I also want to catch up on some reading at Thom's Place 4 Well Whatever... and a few other great blogs. So.... I go back a bit at Quilly's blog and I find a meme challenge, posted June 15, that I didn't even know was there. Far be it from me to fail to participate in a challenge. Late I may be, though not show up? NOT. Here it is:

Your Mission, should you choose to accept it:

1) Go to your photo files…Select the 6th photo folder
2) Select the 6th photo in that folder
3) Post that photo along with the story behind it.
4) Then challenge 6 blog friends to do the same!

Since I am on the Acer I don't have many photos, just the 2009 file. On the HP I have back to 2003. Therefor things would be much different with that computer. Anyway, the 6th folder in the 2009 file is "Experiments" in other words, photos that didn't turn out the way I had in mind when I was trying something new.

Here is the 6th photo in "Experiments". I took it January 18, 2009. I shot out through the laundry room window at icicles hanging down. Obviously the focus was more on the yard than on the icicles here. So much for 'auto focus' camera.


Here is another shot to show you what I was shooting at. The roof is a steep metal roof, and the snow always hangs way out off the edge for some time, then finally there will be a big crashing sound as tons of snow fall to the ground. Well, maybe not tons, but a LOT. The first winter I had this roof on, it scared the sh.... ummmmmm, it was rather startling every time this happened.

Now I'm supposed to tag 6 blog friends. Well, since it's been over 2 weeks since I was tagged, I believe the statute of limitations has expired on this requirement... so I leave it up to you. This is a fun meme, so if you would like to play along, "just do it" and let me know so I can come by and see... and I will post your link so others can also come look.

" A Thousand Words In Idioms"

Jientje has started a wonderful photo challenge: "As long as people have been around, they have tried to communicate with each other. As a means of getting the message across as clearly as possible, idioms and sayings have found their way into our language.

Now, because a picture paints a thousand words, I thought it would be nice to make this a new photo challenge. The idea is to pick an idiom, or a saying, ( even slang is allowed) and illustrate it with a picture. Each week we’ll cover two letters of the alphabet, okay?"

If “language is the dress of thoughts” ( Johnson), then idioms must the wardrobe …

I have some major catching up to do here, friends. The last I posted was K & L, that was a few weeks ago.

M & N

M = Middle of the road:

I was on the back of a factory made Harley trike when I took this photo May 31st.

Meaning: Something unadventurous or inoffensive; opting to go neither one way or the other.

N = Nest Egg:

These are Peach-face Lovebird eggs. One of my pairs had these and they didn't hatch.

Meaning: Savings, set aside for later use.


O & P

O = On Cloud 9:
Meaning: In a state of blissful happiness.


P = A Picture Tells A Thousand Words:
A photo I took of a painting an acquaintance painted.
Meaning: A picture tells a story as well as a large amount of descriptive text.


I'm posting this now and will edit some more into it tomorrow . It's now nearly 2am and I must get to sleep... then take more photos. I will finish catching up next week... I hope :o)