My Needy Animals.

After surviving the wedding and everything it entailed,

And the trip to Vancouver with it's great and hard elements,

It felt great to have a rather unplanned lazy week to recuperate.

The weather started to turn great, finally, and a novel was purchased.

Nothing planned but lots of rest and with some errands thrown in.

The dogs didn't know about the recuperating plan and they both became needy.

Poor Moose has been needy so long it's just become everyday life for him unfortunately.

That ear infection has kept resurfacing for well over a year now despite all sorts of intervention and money thrown his way.

He walks around shaking his head and looking pathetic.

Sometimes when I take him out to play ball he just stands there in the grass,

Looking lost and confused with his head held at a strange angle.

I'm sure his ears in their endless infected state make it sound like he is caught up in a roaring

plane engine or spinning in a huge wave on the ocean.

At the end of June I got fresh energy to attack the problem and I thought I would cure him with a home remedy prescribed by a vet

But it made Moose cry and once again I was apologizing profusely to this big dear sweet doggy.

Sometimes I would get up in the night and would hear him crying in his bed.

Well, that was just too much for me. I just hate to see an animal suffer and especially one as kind and gentle as Moosey.

So I bit the bullet and made an appointment, this time with a naturopathic vet, for Moose.

Meanwhile dear Ladybug began to act very unladylike and was constantly licking her netherquarters and wanting to do the bum drag on my carpet which she is strictly forbidden to do.

So I hauled them both in to the clinic and the vet tended to Ladybug's infected hind quarters and Moose's infected frontal region.

I have great hope for the future but until then I am busy tending to these needy canines.

Squeezing colloidal silver down the Bug's throat twice a day and holding a compress to her hind end three times a day. She is not coming so eagerly when I call her anymore.

Moose is back to antibiotic ear drops for the next week with some purple "thunder" solution which will be administered in the following weeks.

Now I know why I graduated as an RN those many years ago!

These pups are going to get so flippin healthy!!

And last night I figured it was about time for me to have a good night's rest since the spasms are visiting more frequently again. So I drugged myself up and woke up in the middle of the night feeling like someone had just shot a gun behind my left eye. Usually I feel these migraine's coming on and can catch them before they turn into all out warfare, but due to my drugged state I missed the little twinge behind my eye that usually alerts me to the impending danger.

WOWSERS.

After I realized it wasn't a bad dream I quickly took my pill and began counting the minutes.

Usually it kicks in after half an hour or so, but by then I was in the dark bathroom trying to throw up and holding a wet cloth against my temple. After taking a second pill I dragged myself into bed and thankfully fell asleep till almost 9:00. So glad when those nights are over!

So... here's to the rest of the summer!

In between tending to the wildlife and my own needy body, I am LOVING LOVING LOVING SUMMER!!! Somehow my trees all got really big this year and have provided this beautiful canopy around the house, my flowers are blooming, the fountain gurgles happily in my vines and the sun has been shining, providing warmth and all manner of shadows and light and glow.

I live in paradise and I am very aware and thankful.

Vancouver Again

My dear girl and I did another quick trip to Vancouver.

We've decided to make these trips into little holidays.

Because our treatments are interspersed throughout the day we have time to do touristy things. Like drive around Stanley Park and glory in the ocean and thick green massive forest before heading back to Melville Street.

Today we ventured through Gas Town.

There we had a chance to quickly view the famous Steam Clock, bump along the cobblestones and admire old buildings, listen to buskers and enjoy an amazing lunch at "The Rogue" in the old Train Station building.

The lunch was so fun - out of character really for me to order a trio of three different kinds of French Fries (oh the ones with gravy were heavenly!!) and the daughter ordered a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a "Nice Little Salad" which really was nice in so many ways and not too little to share!

Yesterday we went to Granville Island which was so familiar; full of energy, color and sound. The public market is just outrageously fun with it's colorful assortment of fruits and all the other delicious deli's and desserts and amazing ethnic food selections.

We shared wild rice salad and spinach quiche and bought a bag full of fruits and veggies to tide us over in our hungry hotel moments.

Because I nearly caused a big accident while trying to access the Burrard Bridge stressing my dear daughter out entirely, and because we were both completely exhausted by the day, we treated ourselves to dinner at Earl's.

We just went all out and even had special drinks which I rarely ever splurge on.

A bellini for me and an albino rhino for her.

To take the edge off life.

And the meals were over the top delicious.

God is taking care of us girls.

Even when my driving leaves something to be desired.

I hate stressing my girl out and will continue to pray for divine protection.

Obviously I need it and so does she when she's with me.

We had two or three rainbows on our way home.

Okanagan Lake is a beautiful sight to behold after that long trip.

And we're so glad to be here.

So many delays on the road home - took us 6 hours from downtown Vancouver to here.

Goodnight.

Water into Wine

My dear son's wedding ceremony was simply magical.

Weather warm, with blue sky and white clouds

Towering pines, sounds of squirrels and chipmunks, a horse neighing not far off,

Green bushes, pink flowers and hills surrounding

the sacred ground

Where friends and family gathered to witness a covenant before God

Between my dear son and his precious bride.

We watched, spellbound as the the groomsmen escorted the beautiful bridesmaids through the trees

Music, ethereal and heavenly, swirling around us.

Little flower girl in white smiling sweetly as she wandered through the forest path,

gently announcing the arrival of a most beautiful radiant bride and her proud father.

My son waiting, emotional.

Expectant. Eager.

Receiving her as her parents gave their girl to become his wife.

Reminders from Genesis, the original story of man and woman

Becoming One.

Laughter, tears, vows and the registry was signed.

My boy...became a husband and everything has changed.

I blessed him to "leave and cleave".

Marvelous mystery,

The Creator smiles

Thinking of another Bride and her Waiting Groom.

As much as we had prayed for "good" weather for the reception,

God just pulled out all the stops and gave us every kind of weather imaginable!

The closer we came to the meal time the darker the clouds became and they poured forth torrents of rain on the arriving guests.

Umbrellas, raincoats, bodies huddled under the two small tents and gathered in the house to wait out the rather long rainstorm.

We smiled and God clapped His thunderous approval.

Thunder, lightening, rain and finally some sun and clear sky,

Tableclothes pulled off, wrung out and replaced.

A meal shared, kisses by the bride and groom,

A time of honoring where each attendant stood to speak out stories and love and affirmation of these two whom they were standing up for.

It was precious and rich.

The parental blessing where all four of us gathered around our children.

To speak out God's blessing and anointing on this new union of love.

Miracles fell out of heaven.

The water turned into wine.

Jesus showed up and touched us.

In the rain and in the sun.

The hearts of Father's turned towards their children

And the hearts of the children towards their fathers.

The cry of the Father's Great Heart thundered forth

And the rainbow appeared!

My heart was full.

The dancing was a celebration of delight.

Movement and joy.

The bride and groom running together from the music and dancing,

Driving off into the dark night.

One at last.

Emotions

It's the day before the wedding.

My heart is swollen... so much emotion.

Tears fill my eyes but not enough to spill over.

Cause it's not that kind of sad.

It's a different kind.

Loving that little sweet boy that became a man in so few breaths.

Wishing for more time with him in that innocent time,

But grateful that he has chosen well.

He has become a gentle, strong, capable, kind, wonderful man.

Amazes me who God placed into my womb as a surprise those many years ago.

Undeserved gift and grace.

And the dear gal that he has chosen as his life's partner is already my friend.

And she loves Jesus.

That's all a gift of grace as well.

So this morning I started to fill containers,

Expecting Jesus to come and making a place for Him

So He can turn the water into wine for this wedding.

There are wine bottles full of water in the vines...

And one mason jar so far.

Smile.

I felt His pleasure with that little act of faith.

It's sunny today, in the midst of these turbulent days of wind and rain and clouds and cold.

There are tall poles in a big circle in my backyard, strung with tule and lights.

Preparation.

May our hearts be ready.

To welcome Jesus in the midst of what He loves.

Celebration, Covenant, Unity.

Maranatha

Friends to the Rescue

I knew I was waiting for my dear laughing friend to arrive.

I just didn't know exactly how badly I needed her and the incredible joy and presence of God that would accompany her.

She is so very good for me and her faith is such a catalyst for mine.

She and her son arrived almost at midnight and we had a sweet reunion around the kitchen table. The reunion got even sweeter when my son arrived and to see those two friend from childhood embrace was a wonderful thing. They have so much history and in this season they are both standing up for each other in their weddings.

How time has flown and how my dear friend and I have witnessed answers to many prayers prayed for our children over the years.

More answers to come but we're thanking Jesus for the miracles that have already unfolded.

We talked and laughed and shared our sorrows and joys long into the night and when we awoke we entered the presence of the Lord in such a powerful way together.

Proclaiming the promises of God over this property and the upcoming union that will be celebrated here.

Praying for relationships that are broken to be restored and for Isaiah 43:18-21 to break forth.

¹⁸ “Do not call to mind the former things,
Or ponder things of the past.
“Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.
“The beasts of the field will glorify Me,
The jackals and the ostriches,
Because I have given waters in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert,
To give drink to My chosen people.
“The people whom I formed for Myself
Will declare My praise.

New beginnings for the dear son and his bride, but also for so many who will be present. They all got to drink that water that was turned into wine!

The best was saved for last.

And the wine is representative of the life-giving, healing, restoring blood of Jesus.I've felt over and over to ask that Jesus will turn the water into wine at this wedding.Not that we won't have wine bottles on the table - we will, but in the Spirit I am asking for Jesus to show up and turn our figurative water into wine.

And tonight my dear friend drove with me to the site of the ceremony and we anointed with oil the stage where the covenant will be made and the land around it.

In faith.

All things are possible.

Exceedingly and abundantly MORE than all we can even ask or imagine.

My cup is full and I am no longer sad about the upcoming wedding, wishing it was already over.

I can enter into each occasion with joy.

Bless when I feel slighted and practice thinking the best of others.

And it hasn't been hard to think the best of my dear friends and family who swooped down onto the property yesterday to weed whack, mow, plant shrubs, prune, weed, put down fresh bark mulch to get this place looking incredibly lovely and groomed.

And the sweet gal who lives with me has rescued me repeatedly by running errands, preparing a big meal yesterday and being there for me in so many ways.

I am incredibly blessed. And...

The best is yet to come!

One Week To Go

The days are slipping by and THE WEDDING is now almost within arm's reach...

Slight tummy flip - so much will happen this week.

There's joy and anticipation and some nervousness in the air.

The dear son is simply exhausted from trying to renovate their little "old" house.

Today the toilet went in which was the cause of much relief... and rejoicing.

Makes the place livable even if there is no sink or cabinet in the bathroom yet.

This week I went on a pre-wedding shopping trip with MY TWO GIRLS!!!

Yes, I will have two daughters as of next Saturday and it was so fun to go shopping with both of them.

None of us are big shoppers. At all.

BUT, on this occasion we were all on a mission.

To get me properly attired for the role of "mother of the groom".

The girls were lovely, finding me all sorts of "flowy" cool tops, but none of them were quite perfect until we were finally getting a little weary and finished with most of the mall.

Then we amazingly happened upon a lovely, casual but dressy, flowy soft cream colored embroidered top that we were all happy with.

If the girls love it and one of them is the bride, I love it! Simple!!

We celebrated by going out for Greek food. OPA!!

Patrice then got her hair cut and straightened (I had another coupon- haha!) for a loooonnnggg time. I know this because I was sitting in the car waiting in 35 degree heat. I drove to Macdonald's to get one of their large 1$ iced teas to help me pass the time and weather the weather!

And I had my hair colored and cut with a coupon I purchased on the internet this week.

Me who loves a deal and hates to spend much on something so... transient.

Anyways, I forgot that my hair sucks in color like a thirsty desert sucks in rain and instead of ending up with a soft brown which wouldn't make my new grey hair stand out quite so boldly, I got a real brunettey dark brown.

WOWSERS. I was shocked every time I looked into the mirror but I am adjusting and have had lots of compliments. The compliments have helped the adjustment.

And the bride really likes it. So I like it too!

The wedding is not the only big event happening this month. We all just came down from celebrating Henry's 50th birthday up at Big White.

It was so fun. Eating, visiting, laughing, playing crazy games and singing the famous out of tune rendition of Happy Birthday once again to celebrate one really amazing life.

Henry is one of my hero's. Truly one of the most Godly men I know who lays down his life for others on a daily basis. And thinks nothing of it.

Kinda like Jesus.

It's been a good week and an even better one is coming up!!

Hidey Ho!!

Praying that the weather will be as nice in one week as it was today!

Summertime

Oh the glory of these long lazy hot summer days.

They were so long in coming with that tempestuous Spring

and the hesitant, uncertain entrance of Summer.

But it's here.

Air conditioning blowing in the car as I drive down those 5 winding kilometers,

through vineyards and orchards with the lake shimmering off in the distance.

My garden makes me happy, colorful and growing, hanging baskets bursting with brilliant little blossoms and life.

The promise of my little sunflowers, now several inches tall reaching for the sky.\

Tiny tomatoes flourishing in a protected little corner soaking in the long afternoon sun.

And down the hill the garden is apparently springing up and I'm hoping for some fresh peas soon.

The Lille Gard music festival, in it's second year was once again an absolute delight.

Music under the tall pines, surrounded by good friends and nature in all its glory.

It's a great way to kick off the season and my cup gets full from seeing so many that I love all in one place at one time.

Those foretastes of heaven, little glimpses of the goodness to come.

And we march steadily towards the wedding date.

11 days to go.

My son is so busy trying desperately to prepare his new home that he isn't even counting.

Hopefully the toilet will be installed soon and then it's livable.

Funny how I can hardly wait till the wedding is over, for the sheer relief of it, but at the same time I'm so much looking forward to the beauty of it all and the wonderful comradarie of having so many special people all in one place at one time to celebrate my boy and his girl.

Trusting and leaning.