ALL ABOUT AUGUST

 The long days of August yielded to the forces of nature, keeping us indoors with the air conditioner humming.  Forest fires blazed out of control in many parts of our province .... and then it struck our city and the surrounding communities. The oppressive heat which we were experiencing now had the added component of acrid smoke filling every space and ashes coating things outdoors. We were watching the news and grieving as homes were destroyed leaving a massive emergency. We packed emergency bags in the event we might be on alert or evacuated. The combined efforts of many fire stations and wildfire crews worked around the clock. Emergency services for housing etc were established and all in all everyone that served in this unexpected crisis did a phenomenal job. As I write this this is not over and many many families will be  devastated by their losses, and other will be relieved as they have homes to return to, and yet things will never be the same.

Before this very present danger we enjoyed many evenings at city parks where huge trees and the breeze from the lake made us comfortable.

The flowers in our small garden space brought me joy as each day petals unfolded or others needed dead heading.

The calendar was full of birthdays and anniversaries to remember and celebrate

In past summers we would be camping for several weeks but this year it was just about impossible to snag a reservation at our beautiful BC Parks.  So three night in June and three nights in August gave us much needed and appreciated escapes from home.

 It has been a long wait for hip replacement surgery, and once I had a date for early September I could be more mentally and physically relaxed and able to get out with our trailer.

Lost Lake near Faukier, BC

A first rock ding in our 23 year old truck became a work of art in my camera lens.

Ferry crossing over Lower Arrow Lake

                                      McDonald Creek Provincial Park near Nakusp

The water levels in Arrow lake are controlled by dams and this was the lowest we had ever seen it in the many times we have camped in this park. Sand bars stood 20 feet above the water exposing tree stumps and roots that appeared like creatures from another age. For me it was a slow hike down and up a huge expanse of soft sand for refreshing swims.

Quiet evenings around a propane fire pit and lost in out own thoughts.

Home again to the evening chorus of crickets, sheltering indoors from the smoke, and PRAYING for those fighting the fires and families grieving the loss of their homes.

Again I find that I have anticipated and reached the autumn before I have finished with the summer... ~Kate Trimble Sharber (b.1883), At the Age of Eve, 1911