A morning scene from a dog-walking ramble.
Beautifully clear and lovely.
Happy Monday.
Morning Reflections
Category Archives: musings
Ice Unsafe
There is some ice along the edges of Skaha Lake. In the shallow parts right next to the beach, the water is frozen all the way to the bottom, but about 10 metres (approximately 30 ft) further out, it’s a different story as I could see the ice undulating with the water’s movement.
The city has put up a sign reminding people that the ice is unsafe, but humans being humans, further down the beach I saw three people at least five metres away from the shore, walking on the unstable ice. Had they fallen in, they were too far away for quick help – someone else would have had to creep or crawl on the weak ice to get to them – and would likely have rapidly developed hypothermia.
Sometimes, safety isn’t only about yourself; it’s about others, too.
Happy Friday.
Doggie Fun
We have been looking after a friend’s dog over the break, and the weather has finally been nice enough (no wind gusts to 70 km or frostbite warnings) to take her to the dog beach.
Our temperatures here in Penticton are now well above 0°C (32F) and the snow we received is sloppy and in many spots, completely gone. As a northern girl, she found a snow patch and a stick and was a happy pooch.
Meanwhile, the humans had a nice view down the lake, including a bit of sun.
Happy Tuesday.
Boxing Day
Here in Canada it’s Boxing Day. It has nothing to do with boxing gloves or rings but rather with an old tradition that came down to us from the U.K. and through our Commonwealth ties to that country.
On Boxing Day, you are supposed to box up the leftovers from your Christmas meal along with presents you don’t want or other items you no longer require and give them to those who are struggling. As a small child, I remember vestiges of this old tradition when my parents made sure there was a box of goodies to give away to a family we knew. Another aspect of the day was to provide time to a charity.
The charitable origins of Boxing Day now seem to be completely lost in an overload of after-Christmas sales that are akin to a shopping orgy, mostly for things many of us probably don’t need.
Too bad. A little selfless charity is a good thing, and especially in this tight economy. I won’t be spending any money today, but maybe some time.
Happy Boxing Day.
Season’s Greetings
Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, I hope you are warm, safe, healthy and having an enjoyable holiday, whatever shape that takes for you. Cheers!
Sundown
The sun goes down behind a hill …
… before being obscured by a winter storm cloud.
We got to enjoy the sunset anyway, despite the cloud.
Happy Friday.
When the Weather Outside Is Frightful …
… there’s lots of stuff inside that’s delightful!
Whatever makes you feel cosy and comforted, now is the time to indulge! Here’s Michael Bublé singing that famous song: https://youtu.be/Mk6ZzzWWJ1A
Happy Tuesday.
December Candle
A nice bottle of wine, a good meal and cosy candle light is one of winter’s lovely little advantages.
Happy Saturday.,
When the Flu Drops in on You …
… and doesn’t want to leave …
This flu (not covid) that’s going around right now is a nasty one. I think I have experienced every symptom, in progression, that you can possibly get.
After a week of fevers, coughing, aching, fatigue and tummy upset, I’ve reached the congestion and sneezing stage. And believe me, these are record-setting sneezes.
I’ve never experienced such sets of violent, successive sneezes, ever. Five in a row isn’t uncommon. I’m worried my shoes will pop off or my teeth might fly out. If you’ve recently felt some slight tremors, that might have been the vibrations from my sneezes.
Of course, this means that my body is getting rid of the virus and despite boxes of hankies and bottles of sanitiser, I’m probably still expelling enormous clouds of particles with a radius of at least two kilometres. I did go to work at the end of the week, but I had to wear a mask and quarantine my office. Not that it mattered all that much since most people were at home with flu themselves.
I’m slowly getting better and over the worst of it. But do try your best to avoid this one, as it’s dreadful.
Happy Sunday and good luck to Canada’s Soccer team! 🇨🇦
Do You See Me?
While walking last week, I passed some underbrush that was full of little quail. But because they are so quick and blend in so well, it’s hard to get photos of them.
I was only able to get this shot, although I stood watching their busy busyness for about 15 minutes. They’re very adorable, if somewhat elusive!
Happy mid-week.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 