WordPress now has an AI editor to help with writing. It can translate, correct spelling and grammar, which is helpful. Now it can simplify, expand, change tone and summarize.
Is that different from correcting spelling? I love a world where I don’t have to know how to spell.
Could I have ever put this to use when I was a youngster. Dragging on, hit simplify, not sure what to say, pick expand. Pissed or happy, pick change tone. It could have been my super power.
A wind storm blew through this evening. Rain was forecast. It never transpired. The wind sucked the moisture from the ground, drying the grasses and trees.
Campfires have been banned across BC as the back country dries.
Dry winds in the valley have been commonplace for many years now as the climate warms.
This year saw an abundance of grasshoppers, supposedly, due to dry conditions.
Forest fire season is just getting going.
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The Canadian government’s stance is; we must adapt, and ultimately buy our way out of climate change. We must switch to expensive, inefficient electric vehicles and solar electricity. The more people change the cheaper and more efficient they will become we are told. It sounds like a con in light of all the many things we could do right now to cut emissions. Unfortunately the cuts would only hurt the wealthy and that is not acceptable.
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The changes we are told we must make, electric cars, solar panels, etc. will also mostly benefit the wealthy who own the companies ready to provide these products. It is our only salvation we our told by government and media, so get on board!
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Meanwhile, on my little spot on earth, the government and business community, cater to second home owners. Homes only occupied for a small time of the year. BNB’s that put working people out of housing in favour of vacationers. Vacationers polluting with recreation vehicles such as boats that sully Lake Windermere and its shores, dead anyway from second homes. Canada welcomes tourists by the millions coming on planes and automobiles. Can there be a bigger excess of emissions than the well off and rich recreating?
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You will never hear a word from government or even staunch environmentalists, who make up a good portion of carbon emitting recreationists about this. Instead the mantra is we must buy electric cars. It will save and absolve us. We can buy our way out of this, giving our money to those same wealthy second home owners and recreationists who own the companies who provide the ‘solution’.
***
We have a McDonalds in town now. It’s just been built and opened. People love it. It’s like we have come of age. On one side of it, is Lordco Auto Parts store, on the other side will be a new gas station. It is a development built by Brett Wilson, Canadian investment banker and former panelist on the TV show Dragons’ Den.
I stopped at McDonalds on the way to work the other day. The drive through was two lanes and freshly paved. I was the only one in line. I ordered a breakfast sandwich and coffee. They took my money and gave me coffee and told me to wait in stall two where they would bring out my sandwich. I idled for 10 minutes, burning fuel, wondering where the next gasstation was, before figuring they forgot about me, risk being late for work, l left with my $9 coffee.
I shouldn’t have been there in the first place and it taught me a lesson. Brett Wilson reminded me hucksters are alive and well.
***
The climate is changing. I see it. If it is man made, as media and government say, and why take the chance it isn’t, there is plenty we could do right now to make a difference. But we don’t. I do know, beware of grifters saying it will be okay as long as you purchase the remedy.
Before bed I thought I’d better make sure the garden gate was closed. Walked outside into a warm evening. I never walk anywhere without boots. The garden is only thirty paces from the basement door. I figured I was safe to go barefoot. Half way there I stepped on a wasp and got stung in the crotch of the big toe and the tall one next to it. Damn. That’s seven stings this year! It could be my new record.
Little Big Dog.
I remember when I was about four, one morning, I took a stick and knocked down a nest in the shed. I was stung on the nose. That night I was with my Dad picking raspberries at my Aunt Elenor’s place and got stung on the ass.
Dad thought it was hilarious I was stung on the nose and ass in the same day. He laughed telling Mom when we got home. I couldn’t see the humour in it at the time. Now I am a Dad and Grandad it is damn funny. I can’t help laughing when I reminisce.
A good long weekend all in all. Lisa and I got out of Dodge early on the busiest days.
No shortage of entitled idiots from Alberta. They were everywhere. I believe they are something we have to accept like, dry summers, grasshoppers, wasps and forest fires.
Speaking of grasshoppers and wasps. The grasshoppers are everywhere, hitting you in the face and jumping ahead of every step.
On Sunday unloading wood I rearranged the woodpile. The grasshoppers started jumping. Before I knew it. I had disturbed a nest in the woodpile. Got stung about six time on the hand before I realized they weren’t grasshoppers. Angry bastards. I had to split the load of wood 20 feet away from the woodpile. More hauling later. My hand is sorer today than yesterday.
Still those fucking tourists are more of a nuisance, I swear to God/ 😉
Lisa and I were up early and heading for the bush to miss the tourists and second home owners, who are out in force.
Once we made the corner after the first bridge on the Kootenay we were free and never saw a soul, except the most important, a black bear, a murder of crows circling something dead, plenty of deer, bucks in velvet, a shiny muskrat and birds singing songs, so beautiful, that I will never understand no matter how hard I try.
We picked up a load of wood. Tomorrow I will split it. It is birch so the sooner the better. It will keep us warm. Summer is when you should think of winter.
Picked a litter of lettuce in the garden. The grasshoppers have wings but aren’t eating like they were when they were small. As far as I can tell they don’t like peas or tomatoes. Everything else has taken a shit kicking.
We sure have a good country. I may bitch at the folks running it. The country and citizens are so strong even the politicians haven’t been able to screw it up. 🙂 Aboriginal people are seeing a future where injustices are acknowledged. There is no making things right. There is no returning justice. MY small spot on this land belonged to someone who didn’t agree to sell it to me.
Our future is dependant on immigration, that’s a good thing. The ideas and hard work coming from abroad will make us strong.
Whenever I meet someone wanting to make Canada their home I think of my Grandfather coming from England in 1912 looking for a better life.
I live in this time in history when immigrants made my life easy in my youth and will help me in my old age. How lucky is that?
Most of the creeks are still high. I followed a spring, out of nowhere, a hundred yards through a grove of birch, then disappeared underground to cripes knows where.
The country is alive and beautiful. I can’t contribute like I used to. I don’t expect much. That’s how it is when you are happy.
Somehow we have to grab rocks, but instead of throwing them, we have to lie down on them and feel the warmth.
A few days ago I had the pleasure of taking five young co-workers on a hike into the back country. This is special for me because I get to show them places that bring peace to me.
Many of my young co-workers are new to the area coming from across Canada and other countries. They often don’t have vehicles nor do they know many spots to explore, so this gives them a chance to see some spots off the beaten path. They are very hard workers, their job is not easy making their days off precious.
The first lake.
To make the hike better my good friend Dave, after not being sure if he could come, signed on at the last moment. Dave is smart, being able to point out plants, animals, geological landmarks and also very funny. To top it off he is in great condition and can keep up the conversation on the hike while I am sucking wind climbing the mountain. The youngsters enjoyed his company and wealth of knowledge.
The young group of Jack, Payton, Kennedy, Wylder and Isobel were keen and wonderful hikers. Not a complaint and they watched over each other. That is so important on trips to the backcountry, you help each other, stay together and keep each other safe. It sounds easy but it is not always the way with young groups. Often people want to go out on their own. Sometimes when you hear of someone becoming lost that is exactly how it occurs, they are unsure of their surroundings and leave the group.
Jack from the UK was along. He hiked with Dave and I in the fall and is not only a great guy to work with, but a tremendous outdoorsman as well. If I ever broke an ankle on the mountain I am sure he would just throw me on his back and pack me down. To say he is as strong as an ox is an understatement.
Payton, Kennedy, Isobel and Wylder seemed at home in the mountains and had big smiles through the forest and on the rocks.
Payton never without a smile.
Payton now has a good friend in Willow as she made sure Willow had plenty of water throughout the hike, kindly sharing from her camel pack. I hope Willow does not expect the same treatment from me.
Kennedy finding a route through the moraine.
I am not sure there is a mountain big enough for Kennedy, as she tackled every rock and rise with unending stamina. I am convinced she could have ran the glaciers and been back while we had lunch.
Isobel making Willow think she will be carried the rest of the way.
Isobel was a great leader on the trail and was able to stay on route. I felt joy almost radiating from her while she looked to the mountain tops and blue water. I have a feeling hiking is going to be a big part of her life.
Wylder above lake one.
Wylder took the lead on the return trail off the mountain. He is a great young man, mindful and helpful to his companions. He also is well read and able to keep up intellectually with Dave, no easy feat.
Testing the water.
When we reached the top lake everybody jumped in for a quick bone chilling dip. It was decided females are much tougher than men.
Jack showing off before he takes the plunge.
Lisa, long ago, said to me the mountains are where I go to heal and rest. That’s true. She also said that isn’t the way for most people, so don’t be disappointed if other people don’t see it that way. It is true I get profoundly disappointed when I see reckless, careless and destructive behaviour in the bush.
Five wonderful young people and one old fart.
I am grateful this young group had confidence in Dave and I to take them out. It is my hope that these small hikes will show the joy the mountains offer. I really felt these young people saw it and got it.
The rising sun catches the ridge in the west. Dark storm clouds above, shaded valley bottom below. Taken about 6am from the garden.
Came through a good bit of rain. It was welcome. In the mountains it was snow.
We planned a trip into the high country last Wednesday, but postponed it to this coming Wednesday. The youngsters from work were disappointed. I didn’t welcome trudging through a foot of wet snow on the mountain side. The truth is I’d end up sliding on my ass coming down trying to dig my heels in yelling whoa!! It can be fun, but I’m too damn old for such hijinks. I didn’t want to lose face so told them the scenery would be better when it cleared.
The doe deer are busy with their fawns. A few days ago I freed a fawn that got caught in fencing. Today Jack shooed one from the pool court back to its mother. It was held up under patio furniture and was starting to gather quite a crowd of guests. Jack said he had done it plenty with lambs back in England. He is a good man that Jack.
***
Some warm weather is expected. The recent rain has done its best to cool the bush. That’s more than we can ask.
Bog Orchid. Although common I have not seen this species for several years.
Lightening with plenty of rain, so not so bad. We have postponed a hiking trip with some youngsters from work, because of snow in the back country. They’ll enjoy it more with the sun shining on the blue glacier water and I will not have to slip and slide off the mountain in 12″ of wet snow. There was a time I wouldn’t have been dissuaded by weather. That day is long gone.
Lisa and I were out looking for orchids a few days ago. Over the years we have found places where these wild flowers grow. It is always special when we find new spots with flowers.
The season is short for most orchids making when to look as important as where.
This is an excerpt from Orchids of British Columbia by AF Szczawinski published in 1959:
“The orchid family is unusual among the higher plants for a good many reasons, such as extreme variation, highly specialized flowers, and a great range of habitat. It is interesting that the number of seeds produced in a single capsule is, in many cases phenomenal. A count made at the Greenwich Observatory, England, showed that a capsule contained 3,770,000 microscopic seeds.”
“Unless the conditions of temperature, moisture, soil and shelter are ideal, failure for the seedlings is certain. There is only one chance in thousands that such conditions will occur. If only a small percentage of the seeds from each plant could grow to maturity, orchids would be as common as grass.”
***
We have been overrun by grasshoppers. The garden has taken a beating. They seem to go after the youngest plants first effectively killing them. There are other plants they don’t seem to be bothered with such as peas.
The grasshoppers are small and growing. I could use a herd of turkeys to take care of these buggers. Perhaps I should figure out a way to trap them and deep fry them, smother them with seasoning and sell them at the farmers market. Dirty Bob’s Spicy Grasshopper Crunch. It could be a hit.
The art show I was included in at CV Arts is now over. I went down and picked up my prints. Lisa and I had many kind comments about the pictures we chose to be part of the exhibit.
I want to thank everyone who stopped by, especially all of my family and friends who came to the opening. I am very uncomfortable in group settings and they made it bearable. Special thanks to Deb, Kurt and Brian for providing the wonderful music. Also thanks to CV Arts for allowing me to show.
Having never taken part in an exhibit like this it proved to be a learning experience. None of the photos sold, which was disappointing to me and also the managers of CV Arts. I would have liked to see them get some of their money back for hosting the exhibit.
The photos Lisa and I picked were closer to ‘fine art’ then most photos I take. We thought they would fit what CV Arts was looking for. The truth is I am not much a fan of fine art photography nor do I think I do it well. My composition is usually off and my processing and printing leaves much to be desired.
I prefer documentary style photography. There are many documentary photographers I admire. My Mother Isabelle was a fine documentary photographer. Most of the photos I produce are in this style. It may be the return of The Milky Way in February, a meteor shower or a conjunction of planets that is the subject and time I am trying to capture. They are often poorly processed and composed.
One of my favourite photos I included in the exhibit was of The Sacred Heat Church that is located on the Akisqnuk First Nation Reserve. The church is dilapidated. The door is open a crack and there is a set of footprints leading up the stairs in the snow.The sky is blue signifying morning. A telephone pole, crooked (bad composition) with a wire connected to the church with The Milky Way in the background. This photo is a testament of the role the Catholic Church has played in First Nation communities and an example of document photography. It is not fine art, nor would any one want to hang it in their house or cabin as a reminder of the atrocities the church has played in Canada and indigenous people.
I would like to say the show was a success, and in a way it was, my kids and grandkids got to see me in a different light. However, it was expensive and opening night was nerve racking. Will I exhibit in such a manner again; probably not.
It would be nice to make some money from photography, but it is far down the list of why I enjoy it. It is the getting out, seeing the stars, flowers or mountains and bringing a little piece home. Often I see something I hadn’t noticed when I clicked the shutter.
When my father lay dying I would bring him small pieces of the forest, a rock or a huckleberry blossom, something to remind him where his soul yearned to be, beyond his bed and walls, in the place he loved so much.
Nowadays, I do it with photos, but they are for me, my family, a few friends and anybody else who sees it that way. After all we are all going to get there sometime and need reminding.
It sounds lofty, but it isn’t, self gratifying; absolutely – it ain’t art, it’s a document.
Palliser Pass 