For You Barbara

Our lilac trees by our house are in full bloom now. They are absolutely beautiful. Every time I sit in the back yard to do my morning writing I can’t help but think of you and how excited you were when you came to our place in Armstrong and you discovered the bouquet of lilacs we had placed in each of the rooms you stayed in. I wish I could send a fresh bouquet to you in Louisiana, to Paula in Georgia and to Pat in Ontario but I can’t figure out how so pictures will have to do - unless of course you get the urge to make your way down here. Our door is always open and I have no doubt that Andree would have the kitchen aromas tantalizing your nostrils and awakening your taste buds in no time. In fact you could count on that. She’d be living her essence while I’d be living mine.

Over here, Mother’s Day was a good day. Quiet. Sunny. Warm. Fun. Yes, I enjoyed it. I started by writing. I did a bit of reading. Showered. Ate. Then I went to spend a couple of hours with my Mom at the home. We bought her a little CD player for her room and some nice soft piano music with nature sounds. She seemed to be quite pleased with that and when I put it on for her the first thing she said was: “There are little birds singing.” Nothing wrong with her hearing that’s for sure. I think she will enjoy that. We asked the staff to put it on for her when they lay her down for her nap in the afternoon and at night.

When I got back I took my bike out and for what I thought would be a little ride but I ended up riding for close to 3 hours. I rode on the trail by Mission Creek all the way down to the Okanagan Lake and then across to downtown. I enjoyed every minute of it. My legs were doing pretty good but my butt – now that’s a different story. Those narrow little bike seats are not like sitting in a car that’s for sure. I’m not quite ready to jump back in the saddle.

My only regret in my little excursion was that I didn’t pack along the camera and wouldn’t you know it; my bald head eagle friend was perched up high in the branches of a dead tree, moving his head from side to side, looking around and posing as proud as could be. I didn’t see his partner this time. Last time she was there too. They have a nest up there and they’ve become quite the attraction for those who love eagles like me. Next time I go back I’ll have to see if I can capture them on camera. Just as soon as the saddle sores heal up that is. In the meantime I’ll stick to walking, at least for the next few days anyway.

And perched right behind me to seranade me as I wrote I had these two quails.