Magical Day

     

     With this glorious summer weather of blue skies and hot temperatures, my grandchildren and I headed over to Granville Island Wednesday morning. After playing at the water park for a couple of hours, we ventured over to the Magic Shop in the Kids Only Market - a place my granddaughter had been keen to revisit, due to her fascination with the tricks she had been shown there last fall.
      After much deliberation, the kids finally decided on which tricks to purchase - he, a squishy gel egg and she, a magic dragon box. We then returned to my place for a low key, lazy afternoon. After refueling with some snacks and cold drinks in the shade out back, my grandson and I lay down on the picnic blanket, gazing into the sky, while my granddaughter sat beside us perfecting her new magic trick. My grandson wanted to look for animals and other objects in cloud formations, but since we had a clear blue sky, we observed various birds in our surroundings instead - an eagle soaring high above us, a hummingbird zooming in to the feeder, blue jays and a woodpecker coming by to perch on our water feature for a drink, chickadees flitting from branch to branch behind us, and crows perching on the fence nearby. At one point during this magnificent bird show, I suggested we invite some clouds to present themselves in the sky so that we could play the game, so we did.
     Two rounds of Go Fish and a couple of Story Cubes storytelling sessions later, I happened to glance up and realized that at least half the sky was covered in clouds! No clouds had been forecast at all for the entire day, nor for the days on either side. I pointed them out to the kids and the three of us shared in the marvel that had occurred. An hour or so later, after dropping the kids off at their home, where they had eagerly showed their parents the newly acquired magic skills, I returned to my backyard and realized that the sky was completely clear again - not a single cloud in sight. I just shook my head and smiled at the heavens, heart bursting with gratitude for another beautiful, magically infused day.
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Stellar Series of Circumstances

   

     While stepping out for a short break this afternoon, into the warmth of this gorgeous sunny day, a huge wave of gratitude washed through me while reflecting on the beautiful mix of energy I experienced over the past 24 hours. Hosting a family BBQ with four generations at our place last night, then later, after everyone had left and the cleanup had been done, returning to the patio with a glass of wine to take in the summer storm that had just arrived. This morning, during a Walk and Talk session with a client out in the forest, delighting in the surprise of a butterfly's wings lightly brushing  my bare leg. Then, stopping in at a local gift shop with fresh copies of Diary of an Intuitive, since their previous stock had run out. This was followed by an afternoon filled with Tarot card readings at The Oracle, as well as receiving confirmation for the dates of our Iceland trip, now booked for the fall. A stellar series of circumstances, all the way around.
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Photo credit: Don Sutherland

Summer's Final Stretch

As summer starts to slide into the final stretch, the entertaining nature show, here at the cabin, continues to impress.  Down on the beach, two spotted fawns tentatively explore their surroundings, all on their own. A feisty chipmunk squats on the neighbour's deck railing, swatting at the Canadian flag mounted there.  Another hangs upside-down, while sharpening its teeth on the antlers adorning our shed.  The early evening lineup has included a couple of large, painted turtles feasting on a fish carcass beside the dock, as well as a solitary muskrat swimming along the shore.  However, signs of an approaching fall are evident.  In contrast to the abundance of hummingbirds earlier this season, only one has been spotted this week.  Out on the dock, it flew in low and hovered under the willow for quite some time, in close proximity to where we were sitting, before moving on, as if to say goodbye before heading south to warmer climes.  On the back roads, the endearing marmots are noticeably absent, likely already in their burrows, preparing for hibernation.  As summer slowly, but surely, begins to transition into fall, the antics of the remaining animals are even more appreciated.

Smorgasbord of Smiles

An entertaining nature show welcomed me home, yesterday evening. It began with a black squirrel scampering over the grass to the patio, then promptly stopping, dropping down onto its back, to soak in the last of the sun's rays. A short time later, I noticed another squirrel help itself to some small, green strawberries, unwilling to wait a week for them to ripen. Then, just before dusk settled in, a young skunk sniffed its way along the path beside the huge glass doors, before sauntering off across the yard. This late spring evening, verging on summer, offering up a smorgasbord of opportunities to smile.

Tiny Taste

Now deep into fall, with its cool nights and noticably shorter days, a most welcomed sight endures in my garden.  Heading into this last week of possibly the sunniest October ever, the raspberry canes continue to produce luscious, red berries.  Sweet bursts of delight still offer themselves up for the taking.  A tiny taste of summer lingers.

Summer Storm

Shortly before midnight, I was awakened by a rare summer storm.   It was not the rumbling of the thunder that lured me out of the comfort of my bed, but rather, the intense lightening.  So extreme, that each flash lit up the inside of my entire house, due to the full glass walls at the back and numerous clerestory windows along the sides.  Light spilled down through the skylight, as well.  

I ventured outside in my robe to fully experience the magnitude of Mother Nature's show.  Rain poured down the rain chains into the stones below, creating a vertical river in my backyard.  In the absence of any wind, the gigantic evergreens seemed to stand at attention, each lightening flash flooding them fully.  It was as if the trees were posing to have their majestic presence captured by a heavenly photographer. Viewing this entire spectacle with awe, I briefly wondered if I would meet the skunks or bear that had recently visited here.

Within the hour, the storm had passed, and the darkness returned.  The river, reduced to a trickle.  I wandered back to bed and considered how fortunate I was to have witnessed such unexpected beauty.  This morning I recalled that just before going to bed, I had entered a contest to win a winter storm watching getaway.  Perhaps last night was just a taste of things to come. 

Summer Storm

Wakening to a hot and sunny Okanagan morning yesterday.  Feeling the weight of the building thunderstorm.  Likely the reason behind the previous night's restless sleep.  Getting out for a long swim.  The first of the year.  After lunch, settling in on the mat, overlooking the lake. Practicing yin yoga.  The atmospheric pressure finally releasing in the form of thunder, lightening and heavy rain.  This summer storm playing out all around me.  Breathing in that cooler, moist, sweet summer air.  Simultaneously releasing deep internal tension while holding those long poses.  Soon after, witnessing a magnificent rainbow.  Reflecting the very colours of the chakras.  Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.  Grateful for such a rich and vibrant day.

Long Weekend

Another long weekend begins.  Always appreciated.  Bringing the gift of an extra day for playing in the sun.  Whispering a quiet goodbye to the summer that barely was.  Subtle hints of the approaching season now waiting in the wings. 

Geronimo

Summer holidays.  Ideally, time for students to enjoy carefree adventures, daydreaming, and exploring their world.  While watching a young teen ride his bicycle along the trail, I was reminded of Michael's love of biking.  The hours and money spent customizing his prized mountain bike, all on his own dime.  Arriving home one summer evening with the bike noticeably worse for wear.  Explaining what had transpired.  Hoisting the bike atop a large storage container parked on the school field.  Riding right off it!  Testing his suspension.  Me, cringing while listening to his story.  Picturing him flying helmetless through the air.  Now smiling as I reflect upon that escapade.   So typical of who he was.   Wondering about the possibly of him yelling "Geronimo" as he took to the air!  Calling out the name of his fearless spirit guide. 

Sublime Summer Day

Saturday, so much fun.  Under cloudy skies, we set off on the motorcycle.  A day for meandering, no agenda.  Up on the ferry deck, the very welcomed appearance of the sun.  Then off to a friend's ocean side cottage for a short but cherished visit.  Back on the road, made our way up the coast.  Bodies caressed by the warm summer breeze.  Exploration of nooks and crannies along the route before stumbling upon the perfect spot for a late lunch.  Painted Boat Resort.  Quaint name, delicious food, idyllic setting.  Filled with gratitude and contentment, it was time to head back.  A stop for coffee and desert en route.   Seaside stroll as well.   Return trip on the ferry, followed by a short ride for the last leg of our journey.  Interrupted by an impulsive stop along the way at the outdoor wedding of a daughter's friend.   To give the young bride a hug.  What a sublime summer day.

Sign of Summer

It felt closer to winter than summer while walking in this cool rainy weather.  And then I spotted them.  The salmonberries had arrived.  A welcomed sign of the season since childhood.  Those glorious orbs of orange and red adorning the bushes along the path.  A little later this year, and a little less sweet but there they were.  Some for me, a few for the dog, the rest for the bears.  As a child, picking these berries in the forests of my neighbourhood always brought such delight.  Thankfully, that joy of such a simple pastime has remained.