June 2013 Hot and Sunny

Second of June 2013 and today it is summer - hot and sunny.

ROUTINE - So far the only routine we have established is that Sadie and I go for a walk first thing upon waking up every day. Sometimes we go to Drummond Park, othertimes to the beach down the road the other direction. (I don't yet know the name of that beach. it must have one, right?)

This morning we met another Sadie, who is owned by Ann, our neighbour. That Sadie is a Burmese Mountain Dog X Golden and she is lovely. She laid down so my Sadie could jump all over her and play.

My Sadie played in the water - springing like her name implies, and chewing shells (apparently delicious).

The other routine developing is an afternoon nap. I like that one a lot. Sometimes we sleep in the sun in the yard, othertimes in the cool of the house. We really sleep too. At least an hour, maybe two. And then we have a late lunch - no supper.

The other routine seems to be thinking about weeding but not actually doing much about it. Hm. Must change that one. Today I will plant something instead of weeding, or perhaps planting will lead to weeding. Kind of a gateway activity, so to speak.

MY GARDEN - I have a lot of work to do to keep up this increibly beautiful parklike garden - plant some veggies, weeding, watering and enjoying. Sitting and enjoying. Standing and smelling and looking and showing it to other people.

Carol says it reminds her of the Secret Garden. The word garden must be used when describing it, regardless.

So much to do in the yard - weeding and planting veggies and the tomato plants I found yesteray at our fabulous SAturday market. Two heritage types - one is actually orange and she told me makes great dried tomatoes (note to self: get dehydrator to make sun dried tomatoes with. Mmmmm.)

I am planting Patty Pan squash, Scarlet Runner beans, lots of Nasturtiums everywhere, there are volunteer potatoes and kale and chard (from Elsy, one supposes.)

JOYS OF LIVING IN PARADISE - So many visitors so far - At my birthday before I had even fully moved in or retired, Diane and Maryann and Vivian came to stay and many people came for a party - Susan Buie, Deb and Clare, Carol and Ryan, Janet Clouston, Bill, Razali - it was an awesome night. I made Saltspring lambstew and there was plenty of wine and laughter.

Then Stacey and Rick and the girls and the dog came for a visit. I went home before them. They had a great time.

Then Staacey and the girls came back in May and we had a blast. My new puppy was in heaven with two girls running with her in the yard and playing on the beach.

Nancy came for a weekend and helped me bring in the first rhubarb of the season and put away some of the books and got the second bedroom ready for guests. And we spent some time with Susan Buie, too, because they know each other also. Small world.

Now that the sun is here, I'm sure we will have an even better time. But really - can you have a bad time here? I don't think so.

There's now a brewery with a tasting room, as well as a new tea room called Beas and Teas near Burgoyne, next to the vineyards where you can also go for tastings. Next time I have visitors, we could make a day of it!

Diane pretending to be an evil forest creature (or something).

Hollie, me and Diane

Stacey and #1 daughter, Ruby Nicola

SADIE - Today Todd and Guy are busy building Sadie a skookum dog kennel behind the shed, in the shade. for my little puppy, Sadie (Pawmarc's Saltspring Sexy Sadie).  I will be able to leave her at home comfortably - both her physical comfort and my emotional comfort.

I fear I am turning into one of "those" dog people who worries about her baby all the time. What the hell. She is my only family here.

Loneliness has vanished having her. Amazing, isn't it? She doesn't talk, she doesn't even really listen. But she cuddles anytime I ask, and she is so joyful about everything. It's infectious. How happy she gets finding a new toy to chew! Or jumping in the ocean and running on the beach. Or meeting a new person. And she is so relaxed - every joint loose and sleeps that deep sleep of the innocent.

The cake presentation moment.