the far end of my summer

Went back out to Bluerock on Monday morning. It was a warm sunny day. I arrived at the campground by 2:00. Deni and Anne pulled in at 4;30. They were happy with the site so we set up our tents. Out of 66 camp sites only about 5-6 sites were occupied. A big change from a couple of weeks before when I was out there. It was a very warm night and we didn't have a fire. The next day was also nice but very windy. We sat around and relaxed for most of the day. Even had a nap in the afternoon. The night was going to be cool as there was not any cloud cover. We had a great fire and cooked our chicken and steaks on my cast iron grill. It was a delicious meal. The night was great for watching the stars but not many meteors.

Next day there was rain on and off but we did manage to go for a hike on the Interperative Trail. Went across a scree field that totally freaked out both Anne and Deni. I couldn't figure out why they were walking so wierd. I'm looking over thinking that would hurt if you fell down they can't even look let alone think about it. We took an easy path down to the river. Very pretty litttle stream. That night was once again clear. We had another fire and saw a great meteor show. A mouse came up to Deni and tentively touched her finger. Good thing it was her totem! Anne or I would have screamed the forest down for sure. We knew it was a mouse because Deni moved away from the picnic bench that she was sitting beside and when we heard the scrambling on the bench we all shone our flashlights on it. Tiny little critter.

That night it started to rain and never stopped so we had to pack up in the rain. UGH! Tent was wet and tarps were wet. We were wet. Got home and slept for 4 hours. the temperature was 9 degrees. There was the feeling of snow in the air. Sure enough there was a rain/snow falling that night. Glad I missed that night and was home warm in my bed.

Friday morning had a call that our annual Babes in the Badlands campout had been cancelled due to a severe thunderstorm warning. I wasn't that dissapointed because my tent was still wet and I was still tired out. We got together on Saturday to share all the food we had prepared at Cheryle's place. It was fun but not quite the same. I'll just appreciate next year all the more next year.

been there done that!

Started this summer off thinking that I would plant a garden and stay at home to watch it grow. Got it planted with all my favorite herbs and a few new flowers. Then the youngest daughter came back to Cowtown to work at the Stampede. She was so much fun to have around. Prior to the start of Stampede we went to visit her daughter in Lacombe. It was a good visit because Lily-Ann is thriving in the other grandparents care. She is growing like a weed. Is more like my eldest daughter in her looks and size. It was a really good day for everyone. Funny how kids can adjust to any living arrangement as long as they are well care for and she is.

I wasn't going to travel but the Vancouver Island Music Festival had so many people that I wanted to see. Also it gave me the chance to visit with Kathryn and Kevin. Also to see Daryl and find out how he was doing. The 2 days in Vancouver were so cold and damp that I wanted to run back to hot and dry Alberta. On the way out to the Island the skies began to clear. It was warm and dry on the Island. The music was fantastic. It was so diverse. The best headliner was Arlo Guthrie. When he sang the Canuck lyrics to his Dad's song This Land is Your Land we all sang along and cheered when he sang "From Bonavista to Vancouver Island." He was so entertaining great banter with the audience. That's Arlo on stage between Kathryn and me in the picture of us.

The rest of the weekend just got better and better. One of my 2 favorite male singers, Martyn Joseph from Wales was fabulous. As always he is such a nice man. I had the luck of chatting with him a couple of different times over the weekend. The other music I enjoyed went from hip-hop beatbox, first nation drumming, singing and dancing, East Indian sitar, spoken word, on and on. It was a fabulous festival. The company was fun to be with. Kathryn and I got the giggles one night like a couple of teenagers. Of course we couldn't explain to Kevin what was so damn funny.

After returning home I went back to Lacombe to retieve a big travel trunk that Laura had left up there when she moved from Vancouver with Lily-Ann. They wanted it out of the house so of course it comes to me. It reminds me of Mr. Dress Up's tickle trunk. It gave me a really nice day to hang out with Candice and Lily-Ann. I feel much more comfortable with visiting them. Candice asked me if I would like to take Lily-Ann on the occasional weekend. Of course! That is what Grandma's do. They now have a guest room set up so I have a standing invite for any weekend to come visit. That way I would have to drive that crazy highway 2 on winter Sunday nights.

Went to a garden party in Calgary at Deni's place. We all got dressed up in our finery. Had my tea leaves read which was very interesting. She totally described Shauna coming to visit me. A young woman moving gracefully with her long elegant limbs with many ponytails in her hair. Who else could that possibly be? She also sees me living in a place with a wild garden of flowers and herbs not a formal garden by any means. It is in a very green landscape. She had asked me to think of 3 different things that I was looking for answers too but not to tell her what those questions were. One was when would I see Shauna next the second was thinking about retirement in 10 to 12 years where do I go the third was will I be on my own when I do retire. She said that she saw a change coming in December or January coming to me. Well I shall just have to wait and see.

That night was a BBQ at Brenda and Steves newly renovated house. As always an interesting mix of prople. Had a great converstation with Anne Marie about a retirement commune she has plans for. All us old hippies corralled out on a piece of land in the middle of nowhere.

Went camping with a couple of newbie campers for 2 days felt like 2 weeks as I listened to complaints about the dirt, the weather, the pit toilets, the bugs in particular the flies in the pit toilets. Then back to town before I did damage to friendships.

Back in time for 1 day of the Calgary Folk Fest. Nothing was going to top the VIMF I didn't expect much but Loreena McKennitt was magically. The best part of the day was meeting up with lots of friends. I even met up with Geoff the boss. He was totally incognito. I heard someone calling my name and I look over in the direction and there was a bunch of good looking guys. Then I realized it was Geoff's voice from the guy in the cool shades. He was heading for the beer tent where I had just come from. Not a good idea to drink with your boss. I had just finished have a drink in there with my former now retired boss. Much safer to have done that.

This week coming up the plan is to stay home. Off to visit Stewart in Red Deer on Friday. His new home in Red Deer is done and ready to receive his fussiest guest so Deni and I will check it out. Then we are off to the Crowsnest Pass to meet Deni's friend Barb. I have wanted to meet her for a while now. She has and loves horses. Apparently the home her husband and her have built is amazing. Then home for the week and then off to camp with my friends who know how to camp and do it well.

Then it's back to work. OH NO! It's too soon!