Thanksgiving Brunch

Thanksgiving Brunch with Ken and Audrey, Ken G., Nora Lea and Richard. Helen was behind the camera, having just moved from behind the stove!

Caught Napping

Otis and Rascall get caught napping together under the coffee table!

Harbour Upgrade

Our small boat harbour, known as the North Harbour, is undergoing a major overhaul. All the pleasure boats had to be out of their berths by October 1st and there's now boats of all shapes and sizes parked in driveways, alleys and on lawns all over town. In the past week a lot has been done starting with the ripping and lifting of the old "fingers" onto barges to be hauled away. We will follow the progress.

TV Stars

We left Red Deer Wednesday, September 29th and after landing at Comox we drove to Victoria to keep a medical appointment on Friday. We stayed at the Inn at Laurel Point that has a gorgeous location on the banks of the Inner Harbour. On Thursday we saw a TV crew in the hotel lobby, along with a Chocolate Lab pup and his handler. We learned Cliff is the newest hotel employee who will have the job of greeting guests to the hotel as soon as he finishes his training. The TV folks were there to introduce him to the community. Of course, we didn't need much coaxing and Grandma was soon down on the floor scratching his ears and rubbing his belly while the cameras rolled. The tape aired on CHEK TV's Island 30 show this past Friday evening. Follow the link to CHEK. He is soooo cute!
http://www.cheknews.ca/
Once you get the CHEK web site you'll see a button for Island 30. Click it choose October 1st to click to see the program where Helen appears with Cliff. That segment starts at 17:25 so you don't have to watch the whole 25 minute program. There should be an easier way, but there seems to be a faulty link on the CHEK site.

Steveston Sockeye Salmon

We were in South Surrey August 28th when the news of the day was about the incredible number of Sockeye Salmon making their way from the Ocean up the Fraser River to spawn. They say this was the biggest run in at least 100 years. The news broadcasts also told of the fresh salmon being sold right off the fish boats at Steveston so Kevin, Jared, Helen and I, at my urging, decided to check it out. Not necessarily as good an idea as I thought. We got clogged in the traffic from the Massey Tunnel to the village, the crowds at the village and the return trip! Then there was the fact that by the time we got there the Sockeye were all sold out! We did pick up a flash frozen 10 - 12 lb. Coho that we took to Kelowna with us where it was polished off in good order. Here's pictures to give some idea of the crowd we encountered. It's sure a good thing the docks at Steveston are in a lot better shape than ours in Powell River.

Hockey Dads and Moms

Does anyone out there have young hockey players in their family? Are these future NHL'ers looking for ways to raise money for tournaments, extra ice time, etc.? If so, check out the link for    Fundraising Ideas: Hockey Spirit Fundraising Calendars, listed at the right side of our blog page.

Smoke 'n Sun

Here are pictures taken at about 7:20 this evening as our sun begins its descent into the horizon. The air is filled with smoke drifting in as the result of a large number of forest fires burning inland and "Up Country". The weather people also say we have a "marine layer" system caused by heat and high humidity. It's quite different than we're used to.

"Big" Garden

Our backyard veggie garden consists of a few pots, grow bags and cedar boxes. But, boy do we get some big plants.

At the lower left there are potato plants and yes, we've had some already. There is a huge tomato plant in the centre and, yes, we've had fresh tomatoes. Then, climbing the trellis are Pole Beans that are blooming but not yet bearing beans.

Sweep peas are climbing through the roof.

Finally, another cedar box containing potatoes and more Pole Beans climbing the fence.
There is a huge crop of Blackberries ripening on the other side of the fence.
Grandma loves her garden!

Thar She Blows

We went back to Grief Point about 7 PM this evening. A tug boat had a line on the still grounded barge and was busy pulling it side to side to slowly work it off the rocks. The wind was still blowing from the North West which meant the tug had to buck the wind as well as keep a taut line so the barge could be pulled away from the beach as soon as it floated clear. The plan worked and about 7:20 both tug and barge were on their way. Not sure where they were going but we have a feeling the tug boat skipper would be glad to get as far away from Powell River as he could get. A pair of eagles came along to watch the proceedings. There were lots of human birds there as well.

Barge Aground

Strong winds developed overnight causing a barge to break free of its moorings near Grief Point. This weather event was in conjunction with a 0.8 foot low tide around noon leaving the barge in its ebb! There will be a 17 foot high tide this evening that should float the barge enough for a tug to pull it into deeper waters. The pictures show the barge sitting almost level on the beach with what could be taken for a wheel on each corner. These "wheels" are in fact large rocks. It's almost like the barge was picked up and sat down in this position. According to a tug boat worker we spoke with there is the risk of the hull being "holed" as it rocks and scrapes on the rocks before the tide comes in sufficiently for it to float free. We'll see!

Yellow Jacket Wasps

John, our neighbour across the street, noticed this huge Wasp nest buried in his hedge outside his front door. Of course, he called me to see if I could deal with it right away! NOT! He called an exterminator who arrived after darkness had fallen. He sprayed stuff into the nest until it collapsed. The wasps died in the process! He told John there were 2 entrance/exit holes which was pretty unusual. The next morning John was out on his step having a look when he heard some rustling around in the yard below where the nest had been. A small racoon was there cleaning up! Begs the question, "What happened to the 'coon if it ate the poisoned Wasps?"

Alberta Bound

It always snows May-long in Alberta!
Dad, Mom, Garrett and his escort
Proud Grandma
Dad, Mom and brother Josh patiently waiting for Garrett. Especially since he's got Mom's Mustang Convertible!
Proud Grandpa, too!
This guy was chowing down along the highway at Sask. River Crossing as we went by on our way home.

We embarked on our Spring trip to Red Deer May 19th on the 0720 ferry and stayed the night at Sicamous. Red Deer appeared on the horizon at about 1600 Thursday after an uneventful day of dealing with construction and traffic. The stretch from Golden to Canmore was the worst and the decision was made not to use this route on the return trip unless absolutely necessary.
We attended Garrett's High School Graduation May 28th. Where has the time gone? We left on the return trip at 0630 May 30th via Highway 11 west to Saskatchewan River Crossing and then south on Highway 93 to the Trans-Canada. We made such good time that we spent the night at Hope and were home by 1800 hours May 31st. Of course Otis and Rascal traveled with us in their new Car Seats! They were as good as gold and did a good job of making sure we took lots of stops for walks along the way.

PS Otis and Rascal in a Lip Lock!