Tag Archives: British Columbia

Winter Lake

When we left the Caribbean the temperature was about 30C (86F); here at home it’s 5C (41F), which is a rather significant difference but completely to be expected, of course.

A cold-looking Okanagan Lake.

Another big difference is that we’re now next to a lake, not an ocean, but I love how both bodies of water can exert themselves so strongly on our lives and consciousness, even down to their colour changes.

I very much like being close to large bodies of water (I was born next to and lived my early years near the Atlantic); I find them comforting and reassuring, even when they decide to whip up some good storms.

Breaks in the cloud cover allow shafts of sunlight to shine on an opposite bank – a beautiful effect.

I find it interesting that M finds the same sense of comfort and reassurance in the mountains; he was born next to the Rockies. Maybe we all have a sort of “birth set point location” that stays with us all our lives and for which we can unconsciously yearn.

Happy Sunday.

What a Difference a Year Makes!

I was recently thinking about where I was this time last year, both literally and figuratively.

November 7, 2022, Northwest Territories. A relatively small snowfall covering my truck.
November 28, 2022, Northwest Territories. The eaves of my house over the living room windows.

2023

I didn’t have a November 7 picture from this year, so here is November 9, 2023, Penticton, British Columbia.
November 28, 2023, Dominicana. Sand, but no snow!

I loved working in the Northwest Territories, but I am happy to be where I am now – a lot warmer, whether that’s Dominicana or Penticton.

It’s a Poinsettia Time of Year

Every Friday for the next month I am going to post a poinsettia photo; after all, even if you don’t celebrate any of the December observances, they are a lovely bright spot in a usually cold, gloomy weather period!

Sparkling Punch poinsettias on a greenhouse shelf.

I’ve seen many types of poinsettias before, but not this particular variant. They are indeed rather “sparkly” and the name is very appropriate.

Happy Friday.

Hello Rockies; Hello Home

As we returned to British Columbia from our holiday, we had beautiful weather over the Rocky Mountains before arriving in the Okanagan Valley. It’s not often that such clear weather occurs in December over the mountains, so I felt lucky to see this fantastic sight.

Approaching the Rocky Mountains from Calgary.
Viewing in quiet appreciation …
… of this truly spectacular sight …
… an amazing wonder of our beautiful world.

Happy Thursday.

Week of Flowers – Day 7

Over the past week, Cathy at Words and Herbs encouraged people to post flower photos to help chase away the winter blahs, but since all good things come to an end, today is the last one of the series.

I’m not much of a joiner when it comes to blogging challenges, but this has been fun, and especially seeing the posts from other participants. So thank you to Cathy for this great idea and also to Jude from Cornwall in Colours through whom I first discovered the challenge.

Today I’m posting a number of favourite flower photos from May, June and July – good memories of summer.

May azaleas.
June geraniums.
Pretty in pink June roses.
July daisies.

And last but not least …

… July ice cream roses.

Happy summer memories – it will soon be back.

Week of Flowers – Day 6

Cathy at Words and Herbs is encouraging people to post flower photos for a week to help chase away the winter doldrums.

My contribution today is lavender and lilies; the photos were taken in July in the garden of the Naramata Inn, a heritage hotel that has retained its charm (and fabulous restaurant). I can still smell the scent of both in the hot summer weather.

Do you see the bees?
A beautiful (and busy) lavender bee. I find the sound of them almost soporific.
The scent from this stargazer lily was heady.

And for good measure, nearby …

… there was a lovely snowball hydrangea.

If you would like to contribute your own flower photos, please do!

Happy flower week.

Week of Flowers – Day 5

Cathy at Words and Herbs is encouraging people to post flower pictures as a way of escaping, even only for a few moments, the winter doldrums.

Today’s contribution comes from last August when I found these cornflowers growing in one of the city’s flower beds.

I love this shade of blue – so pretty.

Happy flower week. 🌸

A Week of Flowers – Day Three

This post is inspired by Cathy at Words and Herbs to help chase away the winter blahs.

I love hydrangeas, including the panicle hydrangeas that bloom toward the end of summer.

Hydrangea colours are always interesting, but over the life of the blooms this variegated variety will eventually become more uniform.

I like how each frond is made up of tiny blooms.

Summer will return, but in the meantime we have great pictures!

Thanks for the terrific idea, Cathy.