Here I sit on a glorious July 1 long weekend Monday. How did it get to be July 3rd anyway? Sitting on my deck, just enjoying the quiet of my backyard. Listening to columnar aspens rustle in the wind (listening to the neighbors dog howl as another neighbors cigarette smoke wafts over the fence to assault my nostrils). Nothing’s perfect. The birds chirp happily as they feast on seeds from our bird feeder and pansies I didnt plant continue to grow in the back corner of the grass. I entertained the idea of going out and doing something exciting today but what’s left?
On Friday we had a beautiful drive through the mountains to Langley, BC to pack up Andrews treasures and bring them home to reside with him here for awhile. There is nothing that takes my breath away or conjures up happy memories for me like the mountains. Not even the Eiffel tower. Friday wound down with a delicious BBQ at my brothers place. July 1st – Canadas 150th birthday – was divided between a water ferry to Granville island for the afternoon and meeting friends at White Rock for the fireworks in the evening. Granville was its usual hum of activity with the luscious and colourful market, musicians, jugglers, sailboats and seagulls. Saturday evening we parked the car about 10 blocks above sea level and descended to the boardwalk in anticipation of the fireworks. Just a few million others had the same idea. Parallel to the boardwalk and the water are train tracks. We watched a father and his sons while away the time waiting for fireworks by placing coins on the tracks repeatedly and collecting them after the train had passed and flattened them out. (4 trains while we were there). And finally fireworks lit up the sky to oohs and awes. Sunday was another Rocky Mountain drive home in brilliant sunlight and warmth. Stopping in Kamloops to have coffee with my aunt and uncles who drove in from their cottage (which we will visit later in the summer). What’s left? I mean what could top those 3 days? I returned to my power walking this morning. Lexie is baking cookies for a baby shower. Andrew is engaged in one of his favorite pastimes – video games and Mike is out horseback riding with a friend. And I’m listening to Anastasia because Lexie can’t bake without watching a movie.
Yes there are others with more exciting and glamourous lives than we. Some people are out boating on a azzure waters today. Some are on vacation in Greece, some are swimming in the new pool in their backyard, some have climbed a high mountain and are enjoying the view, some are enjoying cottage life at the lake. Some are getting married today and some are on honeymoons. Some are attending their favorite concert. Somewhere, someone is falling in love. Some are having babies. Celebrities are out making headlines doing what ever it is celebrities do. But I’m at home, just sitting on my deck hoping Mike returns before the thunderstorm my weather network warned about hits. And that’s ok. I’ve been and am blessed. And I’m so grateful to have a home and a deck and my loved ones close by.
Ah… I can hear the thunder beginning to rumble and see the dark clouds start to gather overhead. The rain is here. I go in.
The Red Plaid Apron 