OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER BLEND TOGETHER

 So here we are with nine months of the Covid 19 pandemic behind us and I am sometimes afraid to look forward as this 'triathlon', as our provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry calls this journey, seems endless.

I have chosen to practice daily gratitude to maintain mental and spiritual health in this unprecedented time. 

"Gratitude doesn't change the scenery. It merely washes clean the glass you look through so you can clearly see the colours." Richelle Goodrich

So I continue to clean my glasses, pick up my camera often and look for opportunities that bring me joy which in turn creates a grateful heart. On dreary days when my spirit may feel a bit downcast, I will still practice Gratitude. About 6 years ago I penned my personal acronym for the word gratitude.

God's riches acknowledged today in Trudy's usual daily events.

A road trip to Oliver with a few photos along the way and a stop in Summerland for lunch at Granny's fruit market and patio cafe.

         Pumpkin soup, muffins and pumpkin butter filled my kitchen with wonderful                 spicy aromas.

 Turning colours

        Okanagan snow storm on October 23rd broke a 120 year record for the most                  snow in October.

         Completed these 1000 piece puzzles in 9 days. Now a break to read and decorate           for Christmas.

Captured this photo of a Merlin Falcon sitting on our patio divider. He had brought his kill to sit beside our little clay owl but had no response.

      This Pileated Woodpecker was sitting on a power pole about a block away from 

      our patio @ 50x Zoom

There were at least 30 Quail wandering across the lawn as I crept ever so                  slowly to the patio window scaring a few away. They will be around all winter fat and fluffy.

Tomorrow I turn the calendar page to the first of the winter months. Autumn has done it's work of gloriously transforming colours and of trees shedding their garments. A new beauty will arrive as the trees become a stark silhouette against icy skies.  The exciting season of Advent has come with its rich tapestry of liturgy and traditions of lighting candles as the days grow shorter and darker.