It’s not a case of really bad dandruff.
It’s not dry skin.
It’s not an example of galloping exfoliation.
Nope.
It’s snow.
I know I’m in the north, but yikes. That’s soon even for here.
However, at least we don’t have a hurricane coming at us.
To those who do, stay safe. Good luck and good wishes.
Here in the north …
… the rivers are low. It has been hot and dry.
But it’s cooler now and the autumn colours emerge quickly and early.
The birches are lovely …
… and the air invigorating and fresh.
But soon, all this will be covered in snow. We have to enjoy the wonders of the north as they appear today. They will not be the same tomorrow.
Greetings and good autumn wishes from my home away from home, the Northwest Territories, at 61° N latitude.
The last summer days are coming to a close.
Unable to continue their slowing breaths, some leaves in this northern clime are already turning yellow.
So must we all.
And know the beauty that exists in the end.
Wherever you are in the northern hemisphere, happy autumn. 🙂
To you southerners, happy spring. 🙂
Well, not completely wordless.
I am back in the north now but took a photo of this lovely billow just before
leaving the Okanagan Valley.
Happy Wednesday.
The Okanagan Valley of British Columbia has the perfect environment for growing many types of wine grapes.
It’s very mild and damp in the winter and very hot and dry in the summer. Those conditions produce the right combinations of sugars and flavour profiles for many types of wines, especially “Bordeaux- style blends” (named after the region of France from where they originate), for which the Okanagan is also famous. In England, these blends used to be referred to as “claret.” Here they are often referred to as “meritage.”
One thing many people don’t realise about these grapes is that sometimes, a red grape produces a white wine.
In fact, sparkling wines (in France, it’s known as champagne) usually result from red grapes.
The Okanagan also produces fantastic ice wine. This is a dessert wine that results when grapes are touched by a slight frost. Ice wine is terrific with cheese – a perfect combination of sweet and salty.
Often, I enjoy a good Bordeaux-style blend or meritage.
With a steak or other hearty meal it’s heavenly.
Many people can be intimidated by wine and wine jargon. Try not to let that stop you, because finding a wine you like is one of life’s wonderful little things – and in moderation, it’s also good for you.
Do you like to enjoy a glass of wine?
Here’s a little tour of my home in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. When I am not working in the Northwest Territories, I am usually here.
Okanagan Lake is a very deep, very long north to south (135 km) body of fresh water with very different climates from one end to the other.
Even within short distances, there are extremes. Enormous sage bushes crouch in the dry soil in one spot, and a few meters away …
… there’s a vibrantly green apricot tree.
And then there are the grape vines. Many, many varietals. Some of these grapes will become very expensive bottles of wine while others are much more lowly, but pleasant and worthwhile all the same.
Part of this valley is classified as desert while other parts further to the north are made up of deciduous and coniferous forest.
Right now it is very hot (about 36°C) and dry and while the wine grapes might really like that, there have been some significant lightening-triggered fires as well. A few rain showers would be very helpful.
What are the defining characteristics of your part of the world?
We recently drove across Alberta’s northern prairies during a rain storm.
We passed beautiful canola fields.
And then we left the storm behind as we continued our drive through the Rocky Mountains.
The western provinces are very different from each other but very beautiful.
We are home now in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.
How is your July?
For the past few days, I’ve been working in Inuvik, NWT, which is at 68° N latitude. It’s very much the home of the all-night sun.
I found these pretty cotton plants.
And purple fire flowers.
And the Mackenzie River, which is so wide that it looks like a lake.
Greetings from the summery far north.
I am away in the far north at the moment: 68° north latitude, to be exact, in Inuvik, Northwest Territories.
We are in between the national days of Canada and the United States, so, I hope all you Canucks had a fabulous Canada Day, 🇨🇦 and to our great American cousins, I hope you have a brilliant July Fourth 🇺🇸.
Happy Fireworks Days!
It has been a rather dodgy spring and summer also has had an interesting start. Well, not really. Kind of alternating. A couple of days of cold rain followed by a couple of days of sweltering humidity. Really unattractive.
But …
There have been wild roses.
And interesting clouds.
And panting northern hot dogs.
And lots of green growing.
And more wild roses.
But my, it’s been rainy and humid and cold.
Not the best spring/summer, but lots to appreciate.
How about yours where you live?
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 