Thoughts on Being Canadian

Today is Canada Day, which marks the joining together of the colonies of New Brunswick, Canada (present day Ontario and Quebec), and Nova Scotia into a federation of four provinces on July 1, 1867.
Tim and I celebrated by visiting Fort Rodd Hill Historic Park where red and white t-shirts, picnicking families, and festivities marked the day. 
The park is also home to Fisgard Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. The building is beautifully maintained, with interactive displays for visitors of all ages. 

 Wandering through the somewhat crowded space, I was struck most by the gorgeous vistas seen through sparkling glass held by pristine window frames. A lot of care has gone into the caretaking of this site. 

A rather strong wind blew the clouds away and we lifted our faces to the sun and welcomed the warmth. I hope it returns every day.

Fort Rodd Hill was constructed at the end of the 19th century, in conjunction with Britain who feared war with Russia. No shots were ever fired in war, no battles ensued here. The gun emplacements, one of which is seen above, are now empty. Children climb on the embankments. Families play games, couples lounge on blankets spread on the grass.

As part of the festivities, there was a shooting display. I recently re-read Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front, and when the machine gun stat-stat-stat sounded, I thought how terrible it would have been to exist in the trenches under such a barrage of noise and fear for days on end, as the soldiers of World War I experienced. 

How fortunate are we who live in peace. Much of the world is not so blessed. The UK is celebrating the Queen's Jubilee Year and the Olympics. Later this month both the USA and France celebrate their Independence and Bastille Days. Let us celebrate humbly, knowing that freedom is precarious and hard-won. 

Happy Canada Day! 

Linking to Mosaic Monday, hosted by Mary at the Little Red House.

Happy Canada Day!

Although our weather is a little unsettled, we'll be enjoying this wonderful land in which we live! Camping, barbecuing, some beach time, good food, great company. 

Wherever you are, I hope that you take the time to appreciate your country and the freedoms you enjoy.

A Fun and Full Weekend

My Mother's Day celebration began on Saturday afternoon. We met all the children at Thetis Lake and went for a hike. The water was calm, the air warm. Sunshine and shadow danced along the trail.

My wonderful children - three of whom I gave birth to, and two more added in love.

My husband walking with the kids. They all kept looking for me but I was busy taking pictures and had to run to catch up!

Wildflowers. I do love the colour blue.

I tend to talk with my hands a little (ahem) and my husband caught this picture of me in action. I think I was demonstrating the American Sign Language motion for Holland - something I learned this weekend from my hard of hearing cousin who stayed with us.

Trees standing like silent watchers along the lakeshore. Long shadows filtering through leaves and branches. Glints of sunlight sparkling on the water.

Then to my daughter and son-in-law's house for a barbecue. Hmm good - hamburgers with mushrooms, cheese, carmelized onions, tomatoes...a delicious Mediterranean salad with roasted veggies...and a wonderful raspberry cake dessert with vanilla gelato and chocolate raspberry crumbles. Oh my.
My son-in-law loves tulips and their yard is filled with them - all yellow and red. They make a statement!

I didn't take any more photos - we were sitting outside by the outdoor fireplace and I was too lazy to go inside and get the camera. It was so comfortable sitting around the fire talking, listening and just being with the people I love most in the world.

Mother's Day Sunday involved a trip to the ferry first thing in the morning (my cousin and a friend had stayed with us over the weekend), then church, then my husband took me out for a yummy lunch at Milestone's. I had a grilled seafood salad, lots of salmon, prawns and shrimp. For dessert we shared a wedge of chocolate ganache pie that swam in a puddle of warm burnt sugar sauce. Decadent!

Then, mid-afternoon, my children drove me UP the WALL! Literally. Ashley has become quite the rock climber, and Cristal and my husband, Tim have recently begun going as well. Gerry, Cristal's husband and I went out with them to the climbing gym and had a blast. There's a lot to learn about trust when you climb - can my 100 lb daughter really support me up on that wall? Yep, she can. I did three full climbs and then spent some time bouldering. Afterwards, my arms quivered from the exertion. But oh, what fun!

Last Roses of Summer

There's been a touch of frost on the roofs at night. These are some of the last roses from my garden.
This is Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada...family gathering, out-of-town guests, turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie! We have much to thank God for.