They're weeping....

At least that's what it looks like.  My two little hanging baskets are looking a bit bedraggled and teary-eyed after that heavy downpour but I know it will be for their betterment.

I went out on the balcony after the rain while it was still heavily dripping, attempting to capture some pretty scenes...a rainbow in particular.  No rainbow.

I did manage to get some dainty droplets quivering atop some geranium petals and a few hanging from the plant hanger, etc.  It was difficult to capture the rain on the petunias though.  On them, it just seemed to slide right off.  Still wished a rainbow had appeared.  The conditions seemed to be perfect.....alas......

Click on the pics....

I attempted to capture a drop hitting the railing.  It's the best I could do:(

 The bright green of the new needles.

 Now the chairs need washing!  Dust + rain = grunge.

By the forecast, it looks like we're in for more of the same. 

On another note, husband just announced that Boston is leading Vancouver 3 to 0 in the third period.  I know one fellow who's going to be very happy....Mr. David E.  Guess you picked a winner, Dave!  Way to go!!!

I do think that my flowers are weeping in sympathy of the Canucks not bringing home Lord Stanley's cup...perhaps I'm a bit ahead of myself.  We shall see.

I remember Moose....

In all our approximately 43 years of camping and flitting here and there throughout the P.A. National Park, we have never come across a moose......other than one single time.

This picture is of a slough which lies on the right side of the highway on the way to the Heart Lakes...on a curve and a hill.  In that, it's difficult to stop and get a picture.  I managed to do it one day because I wanted to remember this spot.  About 35 years ago, right in the middle of that slough was an enormous moose.  His back and head were above the water and of course, his magnificent antlers.  His head dipped down into the water coming back up dripping while his jaws munched on some sweet stuff that only a slough can offer a moose!

It was an incredible encounter with that ever-so illusive species.  Pretty ugly...but spectacular!!!

Even though I didn't capture him with a camera, I can still today, see him in my mind's eye...right there in the middle of that "pond".  Oh, the days of  'pre-digital'!!!  I won't give up hope of ever seeing one again, but the chances are pretty dang slim.

I suppose if I were really savvy with photo-shop, I could have "placed" one in there and no one would have been any the wiser.;)

Don't forget to batten down the hatches...we may be in for a tumultuous night....flash.....rumble....rumble...rumble...flash.....

Easing into it....

It's what Travis, my physiotherapist does.  He begins with a fairly light massage of the knee then gets me chatting about various non-knee related subjects while doing so.  After fifteen minutes or so, he's got those fingers on that sore tendon and much heavier on the touch than when he began.  It's a case of easing into it when I'm not paying attention.  A pretty good method.  But by minute twenty though, I was wincing and yelping like a pup being beat up by her brother.

He says it's all good.  Of course, I can see that I am progressing much more favorably than even I realize.  A few weeks ago, he wouldn't dare have touched that under-the-knee tendon for fear of his life.  But today, he took a chance and I didn't kick him.  That's progress.

Then we picked up Brittney from school and we treated her at "Ice Cream Delight".  That was fun and I got to catch up on all of her comings and goings and exam schedules and the little comments about how wonderful it will be to be at Waskesiu in ten days!  Her employer wants her working full time and she is so happy about that.  No little 4 or 5 hour shifts.  She has proven herself  to be highly personable, friendly and honest and a very hard worker so that will go a long way for her.  So exciting to see her grow up and become a responsible working gal.  That is a blessing!  But first, final exams!!!

Just chatted with Matt too.  He and Thais will be coming in a couple of weeks and we are excited about that.  Just hope Shannon gets to take some days off during their time with us at the lake.

I sat outside this afternoon with my petunias and geraniums and made mental lists of things that need packing a week from this Friday.  It was a good feeling.

There was another headache last night so it was more Advil to the rescue.  When I take that stuff I dream such weird dreams, so hopefully this night will find me dreamless....NOT sleepless!


That hope goes for you as well.  'Nite all......

The clouds rolled in...and around...

And up and down.  Not really settling over P.A. until supper time.

Then it boomed and crashed and the heavens opened up and my plants got watered.  Good stuff.

I love an electrical storm.  And I love the clouds and how they gather and change and move.  I could make a lifetime of cloud watching....you know, like bird watching.  Just as interesting, to my way of thinking.

So, here is how the storm played out....in pictures....from our balcony.

 The storm appeared to be coming up quickly but it veered off 

to the east and north.

 I love the layers and layers of thunderheads readying themselves

for what is to follow.

 Some of the clouds looked like they held hail....and most likely did!

 These clouds were moving fast and circling...getting ready for

that exciting "funnel" look.

 It turned blacker by the second....

 It took a while but when the rain came....

 It came with a vengeance!

 The balcony umbrella was tied up....just in case.

And then a bit of blue sky reappeared. But I'm thinking it's not quite over yet.  I'm still hearing rumblings.

I love nature's spontaneity.  You just never really know what you're going to get dished up but whatever it is, it will be beautiful, raw, and filled with power from on high!

And it's Pentecost Sunday....a good day to see God in all his intensity.  Just glad there weren't any flames descending on our balcony!

Heating up...

Well, it's nearly the middle of June and tomorrow will be a rousing +24C!  It's getting hotter by the week!

Not only that, the ice is heating up, too.  Strange...

Seems so odd to have hockey in June, but it's an institution in Canada.  I suppose if it were played 12 months of the year, it would get the same solid backing and freakish hysteria as it gets 10 months of the year.  What's two extra months of playing this game, I wonder?  I think if I were paid their salaries, I may want to play 12 months of the year, too.  But wait!  When would they get vacation.  I suppose their wages cover those two months off every summer.  Don't get me wrong.  They probably deserve two months off.  They're sports stars, after all!!!

Like anything else, it's supply and demand.  We NEED events like sports to excite us and make us buy products that are advertised on TV during these events.  Don't we all go out and buy a vehicle, or drink a certain brand of beer or whatever it is they advertise during these games.  The more we buy, the more fun and excitement and entertainment is provided to the masses. 

Big corporations are truly behind the machine.  I wonder what would happen if our resources dried up and no one bought the advertised products anymore.  I wonder what kind of society we would become?  Less self-sufficient, perhaps?  More communal.  Less dependent on 'things'?

Those are a few thoughts and musings as we await game 6 of the NHL playoffs. 

There is something though, about fans these days....they either keep you cool or they heat up excessively under pressure.  I think both will be evident in our home on Monday night!  At least I think that's the next game.....???

Go Canucks!!

The barometric pressure...

It must be falling.  I've had this blasted headache for most of the day.

Dang.

It would be nice though, to have some rumbles of thunder and a bit of a shower but I don't think that is forecast anymore.  Our last bit of rain was good.  It greened everything up nicely.  This is what it looked like after that shower last week....from our rain-spotted bedroom window.

It would be far better to wake in the night from thunder than barking dogs or drunks yelling their way down the street. 

And a few minutes ago there was a boat roaring down the river.  Can't imagine putting a nice clean pleasure craft into that slime and scum, but they did!!!

So, that's all the news from Casa Grande for Friday, June 10th.

And now for some nice Advil gel caps.  I should sleep like a baby.

The purple made me do it...

Purple is a color I don't often enjoy.  I know folks who love purple and their wardrobes are purchased accordingly.

I have, however, taken to the color recently.  I can see why purple has been chosen as a color for royalty.  It's rich looking.  It makes a statement and the deeper the hue, the greater the statement...like it's shouting "Look at me!!  I'm rich and powerful!  I'm beautiful!  I'm the queen/king of the castle!"

So, as I sat on my balcony, with my lovely new hanging purple petunias, I couldn't help but yearn for a cup of tea from a Royal Albert tea cup and wanting to dig out a crumpet from the freezer.  Not every color makes me do certain things, I might add.  Just this purple.  Perhaps tomorrow they may get me wearing a fancy hat and white gloves...who knows!  I'll stop though when I feel the urge to wave at the passing traffic as I summon my man, making him call me Your Highness and requesting him to go and purchase me a diamond tiara!:)

Yep, purple can do funny things to a gal!

Enjoy your evening.  The wind is keeping the bugs at bay.  Yay!