Go Fly a Kite

Imagine for a moment that you are a greedy gas company conspiring with other greedy gas companies about the best way to rip off consumers. There is a long weekend coming and right in the middle of it is a carbon tax implementation. The world price has hit record highs twice in the last week, but you know it takes at least 6-8 weeks for the increase to flow through the system and then whack the consumer. You also know that the long weekend, which has been a traditional kickoff for the summer driving season, will see less driving this year because of gas prices. So folks will not really be filling up on the Thursday or Friday before the weekend. Here is the 'kicker'. Everyone is learning to hate the carbon tax which will hit us tomorrow so naturally, everyone will want to deprive the government of the extra money and that can be done by filling up today. Well, surprise, surprise. This morning the price jumped 5 cents a litre! Tomorrow, another 2.4 cents with the new tax. I passed three gas stations early this morning and all three had jumped the price at the same time by the same amount. This does not bode well for Gordo.

Another Poppy

Early June brought record cold temperatures and now late June is bringing us record high temperatures. Other than for growing things, what good is 34C heat? Nobody is out in it, unless at the lake or ocean beach, and the rest of us are being resourceful at keeping cool. One person who is reveling in it right now is she who froze her buns on the Alaska cruise. In spite of the bad weather, she had a great time, but now, being out in her garden, she is truly in her element. How it did not wither and die in her absence is beyond my comprehension.

Feeling Neglected

I bothered my neighbours early this morning, with lots of noise, partly to let them know that I do not appreciate them bothering me with noise late at night. The main reason I fired up the lawn mower, trimmer, and blower so early was to beat the heat. The gardens have been neglected all week and she who loves her garden is coming home tomorrow.

I discovered that my nighttime suspicions were accurate and it was the possums, and they did eat the last of the strawberries. I yearn for the pre-gun control days. I am not much for possum pie, but this one, fattened up with sweet ripe strawberries might have been worth eating. Mmmm. A possum stew with a sweet fruity undertone. But I digress.

I feel like that truck in my photo. Old, tired, worn out, and just neglected. I think that perhaps Gordo's spies have been checking my blog because every single person I have talked to has already received their 'carbon tax credit' cheque but me. I filled the tank on my pick-up anyways, depriving Gordon of a few cents by not waiting until July 1st. I realised, as the counter on the gas pump was spinning like a swirling dervish, that I had just doubled the value of my truck by filling it with gas!

Strawberry Festival

My strawberries continue to be gnawed on by the slugs so this photo of luscious berries, which I took at a wedding, is supposed to represent what I just ate, as if you care. Actually, there was only one good one tonight and I gave it to my 90 year old aunt who came to town to visit some of the clan. She is one amazing lady! She may be hard of hearing and blind, but you would be hard pressed to know. She was accompanied by her daughter (my cousin) and her son-in-law. I saw these people only once in the last 36 years, but we picked up where we had left off as if no time had elapsed at all. We didn't even make jokes about how we had aged. After sitting in the restaurant booth for 2 1/2 hours, we all groaned about the aches and pains from sitting too long, except my 90 year old aunt. I think she was trying to prove something. I am convinced that age is a state of mind.

Tunnel Vision

She who abandons her husband in pursuit of Alaskan pleasures had an opportunity of a life time today, and turned it down. The helicopter left without her, landed on top of a glacier, and then cruised the mountain tops of Juneau. 'Fear of getting cold' was the reason. It certainly was not the cost because somebody else was paying for it. But life is full of mysteries so why should I ponder over one more.

She who is now richer than me, received her 'Carbon Tax Refund Cheque' today and I did not. Another mystery to ponder, especially if I don't get mine by tomorrow. If I get one, it will go to purchase enough fuel for 1 1/4 tanks of gas. Tanks, Gordon. Life's a gas. Now we can watch inflation drive up the cost of everything we require to live. But don't worry. It is 'revenue neutral'. I think I am catching on to that phrase. With inflation, my revenue becomes neutral. And just when I am considering retiring.

Spill

Today's photo is a scene I saw in a farmer's field in Bradner. I believe what happened is that he was carrying about one million buttercups in his wheel barrow, tripped on a root, and spilled the yellow blossoms all over his property. After examining the damage, he decided it was rather pretty and just left it and the barrow where they fell. If you have a better explanation, I would like to hear it.

She that cruises was in Ketchican this afternoon. I have never been there. Neither has she until today. Tomorrow she will be parked in front of the Hubbard Glacier, along with 1800 other cruisers, waiting to see some 'calving'. How a chunk of ice falling into the water ever became 'calving' is beyond me. This name was obviously not penned by a cattle rancher. I have never been there, but tomorrow she can say that she was. I stayed home and today I worked. I have been here before and tomorrow I will be here again. After work I will plop an ice cube into my Pepsi and be amazed. I will call it 'calving'.

Pansies, Not Strawberries

I have been looking forward to posting a photo of our strawberries ever since I posted a photo of the blossoms which held such promise. But, wouldn't you know it. Something happened. Actually, several things happened. The first thing was that even though there were a few ripe ones tonight for the first time, the sky turned really dark and the light was not good at all. The post regarding the night life of pansies was such a dismal failure that I rejected a night shot and more talk of the nocturnal goings on of berries. But actually, they do have a night life and that is the second thing that happened. They spend the whole night fending off the slugs, but to no avail. Would you really have appreciated a photo of a slug trail across a half eaten strawberry? I thought not. And, of course, the third thing that happened was that I tasted one, and immediately was afflicted with a strong desire to keep eating. If you eat them really quickly you cannot even taste the slug trail, which I suspect is a bit salty.

To make a long story short, something which I am not good at, there were no strawberries to photograph and I hauled out yesterday's photograph of the pansies, which, by the way, grow right next to the strawberry patch. That is as close as you are going to get.

That Which Was Once a Yellow Iris

"I have a flower blooming in the garden that you have never before photographed," her loveliness declared. So, I promptly photographed the Yellow Iris and after playing with it in Photo Shop, it became something else. She will not appreciate that, but so be it. She is on her cruise north to Alaska and will not see this abomination until next week. It may have changed back to yellow by then.

What Do Pansies Do At Night?

She who is beautiful had a red letter day today. For the last fifteen years she has worked Saturdays and today was her first official free weekend after the business where she worked closed down. We slept in. Yes, you heard right. We then sauntered out for breakfast, enjoying our mutual freedom, had a second and third cup of coffee, and then mosied on home, only to get on our walking gear and head out for our morning exercise. We walked Fish Trap Creek Park (affectionately known as Goose Poop Loop), met some friends and had a visit, and then headed home. We then took a quick trip to do some Saturday errands and ended up at an Outdoor Store and purchased some comfy lounge chairs with which to enhance our future Saturdays off.

Here is the clincher. There is always a clincher, isn't there? Tomorrow she leaves on an Alaskan Cruise, sans husband. It's true! The business owner for which she has slaved all these years is taking his whole staff on this little excursion out to sea, all expenses paid. Life is good if you pay the price.

In case you had not noticed, the photo, the title, and the text, do not always have a lot in common. Live with it. I am learning to. Today the title and the photo jive, but how can I write about Pansies at night. I do not sit up all night watching them, but because they have not moved by morning, I am assuming they do not do a whole lot at night. The picture only proves my theory. Mmmm. Maybe I could have written about the night life of Pansies after all.

News Flash

It has just been determined that my third grandson will be a grandchild.......er I mean, my third grandchild will be a grandson. Whew, I am a bit excited.

Pondering

Now that the jogger has passed us by, we can sit at the picnic table beside the calm waters and ponder the words of the young poet in the previous post. There is a sad truth that grips everyone who reads those words. Is it the human condition to be dissatisfied, no matter the circumstances? We can have moments of absolute joy and satisfaction, rarely, but then when we try to recreate them, or extend them, it never seems to work. Something is missing. A deep yearning that there is more. I know we all feel it, and in all the various areas of our lives. I believe it is in our DNA, put there by our creator, to help us realize that there is no true fulfilment in life apart from Him. I suppose that we will never truly live in the moment to the true and utmost joy we are capable of, until we have passed into the next life and live in the mansions of glory that are being prepared for us right now. So I will keep on yearning, not feeling guilty, but knowing that my thirst and my appetite for pure joy will someday be fully satisfied. And I will continue to savour the appetizers that come my way.

Living in the Moment

I usually post once a day, but today there will be a bonus post. I came across this poem written by a fourteen year old boy. I do not know if this is true (that he is fourteen) because such wisdom usually comes much later in life. Perhaps his dad helped him write it for an English project at school. In any event, it made me sit up and take notice.

It was spring but it was summer I wanted; the warm days and the great outdoors.

It was summer but it was fall I wanted; the colorful leaves and the cool dry air.

It was fall but it was winter I wanted; the beautiful snow and the joy of the holiday season.

It was now winter but it was spring I wanted; the warmth and the blossoming of nature.

I was a child but it was adulthood I wanted; the freedom and the respect.

I was twenty but it was thirty I wanted; to be mature and sophisticated.

I was middle-aged but it was twenty I wanted; the youth and the free spirit.

I was retired but it was middle-age that I wanted; the presence of mind without limitations.

My life was over but I never got what I wanted.

Tomorrow is Friday. Enjoy it. Live in the moment.

Off On The Wrong Foot

While the Irises continue to bloom, the world's eyes seem to be on B.C. these days as yet more feet are showing up on the shores of our fair province. Forgetting about the fake foot found in Nanaimo yesterday, there have been five so far. Theories abound, but no answers, yet. Were they hands, the explanation might be too much football. An often used play in that sport is the hand off.

But the real issue for me, what really got me off on the wrong foot today, was the Federal Liberal Party's new Green Plan. They are taking a page right of Green Gordon's playbook and the key phrase here is "revenue neutral". Our heating fuel and our electricity will be taxed to death in exchange for a few percentage points decrease in income taxes. Industries can buy, sell, or trade 'carbon credits' and what is the bottom line of all this insanity? We will prevent global warming! I could blog on the fallacy of this thinking for the next four years, but suffice it to say that this is lunacy in its purest form. These carbon taxes are inflationary and no amount of rebates or tax cuts will make up for the increase in the cost of living for each and every Canadian, let alone change the weather. I thank God that these Liberals are not in power, and the idea is so far, just that, an idea. When our provincial carbon tax hits in a few weeks, and the feds see the backlash, they will re-think this insanity. Already, the polls are showing 60% of British Columbians are opposed to it. Meanwhile, we are still in a record setting cold June.

A New Kit

I have been browsing through a British publication dedicated to Digital Photography. They call a photographer's collection of cameras, flashes, tripods, lenses, etc. his 'kit'. I have been toying with the idea of a new kit for some time now. To get really serious, one needs not only a great camera, but a few very expensive lenses and some new software programs to take advantage of the RAW format that allows the photographer to be super creative. As hobbies go, this is not as expensive as, say golfing, over the long term. Here is the problem. I want to get back into golfing in my retirement, and I just know that after a few years, the constantly changing technology in photography will 'force' me to purchase yet another new 'kit'. How can one continue this mad cycle with retirement income? Excuse me while I rush off to work.

A Memorial

Today I attended the memorial service for Eugene Reimer. Not only was it a wonderful tribute to Eugene, but it was also very God honouring. There were many recognizable faces in attendance and it was a credit to Eugene that he was not only well known in his community and province, but that he had an impact on so many lives. The tributes given to him by his nephew Colin, his children, and Rick Hansen were written and delivered in such a way as to inspire. His accomplishments as a disabled athlete are unparalleled. To see more, go here.
http://www.mem.com/Story.aspx?ID=2486096

A Glimpse Into the Future?

Look at the picture and imagine for a moment that the vehicle is not a flat bed truck from the forties, but a Cadillac Escalade or Dodge Ram 2500 Cab Plus of 2008 vintage. As the price of fuel skyrockets, will this be our future? I get the sense that life for all of us will be changing very rapidly in the next few years. Market forces will help alleviate some of the problems, but overall, things will have to change and change quickly. China, always referred to as a sleeping giant, has been roused and the impact on the world is being felt in a much greater way than any of us expected. A producing nation soon becomes a consuming nation and with its billions of people, it is proving to have an insatiable appetite. America, the mother of all consumers, will be taking a back seat very soon. And it will not be in a Hummer.

Hazy Daisy

Those of you who read ODB probably now think that I am a plagiarist. Truth be told, I did not read the Sunday entry until this morning and it was then I realized that my post on Father was so close to it that it looked like a copy. Pure coincidence, I assure you. The premise is not unique so that two authors would come up with the same idea on Father's Day is not really a stretch.

My Father's Day was the best. The loveliness of my life and my favourite son took me out for a really great Father's Day Brunch at a very popular local restaurant and we were very fortunate to even get in without a reservation. The day was sunny and bright and I later walked to my own father's home where I had a good long visit and gave him his annual new shirt. He liked it, or so he says. How could he not. It is blue like his other three. We then went to my favourite daughter's for the most wonderful BBQ on the patio. The chicken and shrimp skewers were done to perfection and after loading up on not one, but two amazing deserts, we had a good long soak in the hot tub, grandsons and all. I love my family and spending time with them is the best a father can do on 'his' day. Thanks, you guys, it was wonderful.

Father

Patient

Loving

Kind

Supportive

Mentoring

Forgiving

Longsuffering

Admonishing

Honest

Trustworthy

Protective

Helpful

Attentive

These are but a few of the desired characteristics of a good father. I am afraid we all fall short of the ideal. The most important task a man will ever have is raising his children, yet he enters into the job with virtually no experience. What he does have is the inclination to mimic his own father, the intelligence to glean the good aspects of that, and the resources to strike out on a new path if that is what is required. But, keep in mind that we all have two fathers. The perfect one, our Heavenly Father, is the one we should try most to emulate. Matt 5: 48

Stick Out Your Tongue and Say Ahhh.

The prolific Iris is dominating the views in our garden these days. This is their season and their kind of weather. Viewing this flower from all angles brings a keen awareness of its complexity and beauty. We have several that are sprouting jet black buds, but upon opening, the petals become a deep and solid purple. I would have made a good Bee. I am fascinated by the inside workings of the blossoms and am often caught gently peeling back the delicate folds of the flower to reveal the variegated yellow and black veins that are no doubt designed to lure pollen laden insects to the inner sanctum. I sometimes wonder if the bees simply stop at times, and marvel at the vibrant colours, on their way to do their task.

Pansies Love Company

It looks like my post of yesterday attracted a bit of attention. It was very high in the 'Google search' for Pierre P. who was lambasted for being honest. There were some hits from Ottawa so I am wondering if the 'correctness Nazis' will be at my door soon with a gag order. If I hear somebody say something outrageous, stupid, or even hateful, I will ignore him/her but will defend their right to have the freedom to say what they want. If I do not, I have no right to demand that I be heard when the right of free speech is taken from me. Great ideas are born of vigorous honest debate where the freedom to say what is important to the issue is valued. Fairness and good taste have degenerated into political correctness and we are all the poorer for it.