Commentary, musings, nature, Photography

Okanagan Valley

29 Comments
British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley …

… is a special place.

As I continue to work in the Northwest Territories, I always miss it, but it seems that because of the lockdown, now more than ever.

I hope I am able to go this summer, but there are no guarantees.

In a world that seems to be turning in on itself, (or is it just turning on us? Is it human arrogance to think that because humans are suffering, the Earth is suffering?) missing home is a very minor thing, but it’s an important touchstone and foundation for us all, even if home is a backpack.

On this June 1, I wish you all a lovely and safe month with good weather, rain when you need it and no lower back pain. 🙂

29 thoughts on “Okanagan Valley”

  1. That looks like a facinating and beautiful place, Lynette. Hopefully, you’ll get back to enjoy it soon.
    As for the world, the planet will continue with or without us; humans are only one of millions of species living here. We may well make the place unihabitable by ourselves, but other life forms will thrive and take over the role of prime species. Nature has ways of balancing the harmful and the good; let’s hope we, as a species, come to recognise we are currently a harmful pest on the planet and change our ways before nature does it for us, eh?
    Still hot here. Possibility of a spot of much needed rain. And my back pain is definitely diminishing, at last!
    Have a great month, all those reading here.

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    1. Thank you very much. In spite of all the missing I’m doing, I know that I’ll roll with what I have to do during this pandemic.

      I agree. Life finds a way; nature finds a way. We are behaving like an invasive species that will soon devour itself out of house and home, and something else (or many other somethings) will replace us.

      No back pain is a very good thing!

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      1. My guess is that pragmatism like yours is a pretty essential quality for anyone living and working in the enviroment you occupy, Lynette.
        The back pain has been with me for 18 months – a trapped nerve that was damaged, I think during surgery the year before. The late treatment seems finally to have fixed it again. I can work in the garden once more!
        Keep safe and stay well.

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        1. Yes, that’s an astute observation, Stuart. Practicality is a necessity.
          Back pain is a bear, especially lower back pain. It really seems to wear me down, and I’ve been experiencing it quite a bit lately. Glad to hear that yours seems be resolved now.

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          1. If posible, have your back looked at by someone who knows about these things. I had a year of ineffective physio until another physiotherapist thought it was time for an investigation. The MRI scan that resulted showed up the nerve damage. Continued physio would probably have exacerbated the problem, but neurophathic painkillers worked to help heal the damaged tissue. There is also the issue of ‘learned pain’, in which the brain continues to send pain responses even after the source has disappeared.
            We’re complex organisms, and back pain is much misunderstood even within the medical community, so it’s best not to ignore it.
            Hope they can sort yours out soon, Lynette; it’s a draining condition.

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          2. Hi Stuart, thanks so much for your suggestions. I have a form of arthritis in my back (I am ex-military and collected quite a few injuries when I was younger) and every so often it will act up. I avoid taking medication for it because I can usually get it worked out through exercise, especially walking. I figure I have to keep the medications in reserve. With this lockdown my walking has been curtailed but I’m now able to go to my office and can use the exercise room there. It’s slowly starting to turn around, thankfully. 🙂

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  2. Take care Lynette. I welcome the wise words of Stuart. Cannot agree more. We do more harm than good to planet Earth. Even the good that people try to do are to repair the damage humans have already done. Good wishes for a healthy and peaceful June 🙂

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  4. I love the wish for no lower back pain! Sorry, that just made me laugh because it is so true. When your lower back hurts, it seems as though everything is miserable, even if it is just a little sore.

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    1. No apologies. 😉 I was hoping to lighten the mood a bit after my more serious musings. But, I couldn’t agree with you more. Lower back pain makes everything miserable, and for me it’s been occurring quite a bit lately. I would love to see the back end of it!

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  6. Here’s an old saw about human arrogance: I may not be the most important person in the world but I’m all I ever think about. There’s the root of the rank weed that chokes the good out of our world.
    It’s cold comfort (ironically) but in the end the sun will take it all. My advice: Don’t be a jerk but try to have a good time.
    I hope you make it home soon, while it’s still light at 11:00 PM/

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    1. I haven’t heard that before but it certainly captures where we are, I think. You’re right. There’s a lot of fun to be had without being self-centred.
      I won’t make it home until after the solstice, but Penticton is too far south (and surrounded by too many mountains) for 11 p.m. sun. That won’t matter. Just being able to go will be precious enough. Thanks, Kenny. 🙂

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  10. Every day now feels like a vivid reminder that humans have brought a lot of the pain and suffering upon themselves. Your little snapshot of home looks incredibly serene. Hoping you’ll be able to return soon.

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    1. It is very serene – a beautiful spot and probably the most temperate in Canada. All the more valued given that I work in one of the coldest spots!
      We have brought a lot of suffering on ourselves, and we can’t seem to learn anything from the repeated experience, either. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results? The definition of crazy?

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      1. Absolutely. Our institutional structures don’t seem at all concerned with change. “Business as usual” is still the rallying cry. My comfort remains nature and fellow individual humans steadfastly working for change in small…though seemingly insignificant ways. Take care.

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  11. First time visiting your blog Lynette. Thank you for sharing your life in Canada 🙂 Have a great day and take care!

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