MRS. WALKER

When we lived in the country we would often drive past a woman we named Mrs. Walker who reminded me of a character in a movie called 'Sarah, Plain and Tall.  Mrs. Walker too, was plain and tall, with gnarled varicose veins on her lean legs which strode with purpose along the country road. Her dresses were not fashionable, nor her hair, which had the 'I just took out the rollers look', but I always admired her determination to walk for daily exercise.

I too enjoyed walking those back country roads but now that I am in the city there are new incentives beyond the daily exercise. We are located so centrally to shopping and eating establishments I may become a high maintenance lady. I even walked for the first time in 64 years to a dentist appointment - 25 minutes one way!  (no, that wasn't my first visit in 64 years) Two of the best destinations are a linear park along a creek, only 5 minutes from our house and the local farmer's market just a 10 minute stroll.

I am the new Mrs. Walker.

The park paths extend for miles and miles through a forest of diverse vegetation. One night we named eleven different trees in our 45 minute loop.  There are  large bridges that cross the main creek which is rushing towards the lake and smaller bridges across little tributaries which become spawning channels for the Kokanee salmon. In the spring the air is fragrant with various blossoms, and always there is birdsong.

The farmer's and crafter's market is a wonderful destination on Wednesdays and Saturdays from April through October. Giving up our large garden wasn't easy, but this is the next best place to get fresh, local vegetables and fruit. 

 Last week I chose apple mint, basil, dill, asparagus, rhubarb, a pepper and cucumber. The asparagus and dill were part of the yummiest spring vegetable and salmon chowder. I love cooking so I'll be walking to the market again this Wednesday. 

LOVE BIRDS

Just a mere ten feet from my patio door sat this pair of Mourning Doves. Their coos sound sad or mournful but in reality this signals the beginning of the dove's habits of nesting, claiming territory, and raising their family. Hope to see their offspring soon.

Just need to get his attention

A little preening and fluffing feathers

Isn't he a keeper!

Soul mates

SINGIN IN THE RAIN

I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain
Arthur Freed
 1929

This blog post is to encourage my coastal friends who live under showers too many days. We were volunteering at Actors studio last night at the musical Evita. It had been a glorious day and so we were so surprised when after 10 PM we stepped out onto the street to a few drops of rain. The tune to Singin in the Rain was immediately on my lips and little did I know that it would pour all day today. Yes, we get rain in the Okanagan and it was quite welcome as the earth was bone dry. 

We have been enjoying the cacophony of birdsong in our backyard and even in the rain today the birds were singing, mind you it was a little less robust than usual as they skittered from bush to bush to find a momentary reprieve from the showers.

I chose to spend some time at my favourite local greenhouse where I perused the rows and rows of colourful blooms. And what did I buy? Green,  yes fresh green grasses to add to my attempts of using more xeriscaping plants. It is too cool to plant the colourful pots so I will be back to that popular greenhouse in a couple weeks.

This photo of my shadow sort of gives the effect of the dullness outside and yet I know that shadows can only be visible with sunshine behind me, and so it will be another day, but for today I was singing in the rain.