A favorite number, I have a few, do you?

   Our Christmas 🎄 in July was great 👍 

These were my son's favorite numbers, I didn't know till he passed, 13 was his jersey number, 76 for the amount of goals in his first year in NHL. Teemu Selänne is his name, this was Christophers favorite player. I didn't know this till Chris had passed. 

When I borrowed the table from our neighbors for our Christmas celebration, I saw as did Polly the number 13, Chris's favorite number. Polly and I talked about it, I said I'd make a 76 and put it on the table too, for Chris. Later in the day, when my sister and Dan, and Shayla and Carl were here, Polly reminded me, asked if I made the number? Right away I went and made it, painted it, then sanded and put it on. 

I believe Chris and Memere were here with us, in spirit 🤗 ❤️

4:33 and the rooster 🐓 crows this morning, coffee ☕ is really good today, I'm really well rested, knowing I'll have a nap sometime today 😄.

Yesterday we had Christmas ⛄🎄 in July, was a request by my daughter Penny earlier this year. I'd never really thought of it, but like many in our family I did miss the celebration we had at Christmas with family & friends at Polly's Mom's, "Memeres" house. So when we started to get the "ball rolling" as the saying goes, Shayla our granddaughter was excited about it too. 

We put a message on Messenger, to everyone we thought may come in our family, then others started adding people, till we covered all family and friends like family we thought of. Was a good sized group, just like we would have had at Memeres place on Christmas Eve. 

       I made a Christmas family tree 

Some couldn't show, one person was sick, other than that we had a good amount show up on a very hot afternoon at  Arrowvale, and our site turned into Christmas 🎄. We had a couple trees, and decorations, Polly cooked a couple Chickens, and meatballs, Penny brought a ham, salads were brought by many, and gifts were brought to, some very thoughtful, some were really spofs. 

We sat in the shade of the cherry tree, in a big circle, and talked, no formal announcements, just a really nice Christmas get together. Some went for a swim, I had 4 swims yesterday myself, was really hot out. We started at 4, but Shayla and Carl came earlier, to get a longer visit as they were leaving early to go back to the range for a shotgun shoot. 

Looking back now we could have arranged it in a different location, the heat was really tough on some, but overall was a fun time, will hopefully do again next year.

Dinner was great, so much food, yet not too much leftover. Everyone was hungry, and the choice's were many.

Polly baked, I of course watched, as she was in her creative mode, I love watching, and licking the beater's 😋. This time Polly really did a good job on the cupcakes, only one left this morning. They were a hit! Someone once said that's how Polly gives love, through her food. I believe that to be true as I watch her create, then watch as others enjoy her creations. 

Graeylyn had many choices for dessert 

When we would go to Memeres place Christmas Eve there were many people, and many conversations in different rooms, but we'd all collect for the gift giving in the living room, by the tree. 

This time we did similar, but in a circle, around the tree, everyone picked a present, was a fun time, as always the rules about how you could pick a others present were clear to some, and unclear to other's 😂. After the rounds were made, and presents were distributed, and Graeylyn, our youngest here, got her present, and her Mom's present, we all opened with surprise all around. 

I had my present stolen twice, others seemed happy to stay with there pick, but most were really surprised at the gift. Not long after this the party started to breakup, Shayla and Carl left, then most were ready for exit. The few that were left sat inside our trailer while Polly did dishes, and yaked. Conversation was varied, politics came into it, as often does. 

I'm happy to not watch most the news about what's going on in the world, I realized that it just bothers me to watch, especially as there is nothing I'll do to change what's happening. 

This morning be a little bit of cleaning to do, mostly putting things away, was a fun time yesterday, I'm really glad we did it, thanks Penny for suggesting it. Thanks to everyone that came, and thanks to all that made the food, and provided presents for the gift 🎁 exchange. Was a really fun time. 

5:14, not a long story today, rooster 🐓 still givin-er. I'm going to drink my coffee ☕, and think of all we enjoyed yesterday. 

Love our life ❤️ 

Why are we humans so driven?

 I looked at the dog on our porch yesterday thinking, why are we, humans, so driven to do! Giter-done attitude is something I operate under, yet looking at this older dog Penny, I think to myself why is it we are so driven? 

Doesn't really matter why, I just accept that that's me, I'm not driven all the time, especially when it's hot as it has been, I got a few good hours in the morning, up to about noon or 1pm, then I'm looking for lunch, a snooze, then later a swim, well really a soak is more like it. The river here is just the right temperature right now to cool off, but not shocking to dive in. 

I've started on a project I've put off till it warmed up, the drawer under the bed. Polly thought be good to have, rather than lifting the bed everytime we want to access the storage we have under. Of course it really warm, and the day I start Polly decided to make butter tarts too, so hotter than expected in the bedroom with oven on 🥵.

On goes the AC in the bedroom, and I keep tearing things apart. It's a struggle getting up and down, but I think I've got the worst done now, just have to make the drawer today, and install, then the button up finishing. Hopefully today be smooth, I started yesterday, didn't go so smoothly, the drawer I started on was too week of material, going to the lumber store today, gotta get better material. 

Penny of course will lay and wait for another milkbone, dogs life. Still she's a good friend. 

I can't start too early as many still sleeping, so I write this now. I know today is the day advertised for picture contest, pictures of Port Alberni today. I wonder who's photo will win? What's the prize? I saw a sight this morning that be nice, but when I went back and got my phone I got sidetracked, and forgot till the opportunity looked much different. 

The sky was pink, really bright, this doesn't really look like it did. Still I do like the mist over the field, and the light pink sky. My first thought when I saw it was how beautiful it looked, next came the thought, is there a fire 🔥? 

I sure hope not, although it's something we expect now as it warms up. I feel the trailer shaking a little, Polly be up soon, I hear the goats bleeding away, someone is there, they hoping more food I'm thinking. 

And the day at Arrowvale begins again, we leave in a couple weeks, I'm going to miss this place, been a really good spring & part of summer here. Polly's up, telling me she saw one of the baby goats rolling in the dirt, she's not really awake yet. 

Well off to the lumber store now, get the sides for my drawer. 

We both yawn, 😂 will get going soon. 

Love this life, our life ❤️ 

Sunday morning again, weeks are flying

We had a great Saturday, I had plans for so much, that I didn't do, as many other more important events got to take top priority. 

In the Cool of the early morning I went to my step daughters place, her wheelchair was not able to go up the sidewalk, too narrow. Also wasn't able to get onto the road as no ramp from the sidewalk to the road. I did get the top of the existing ramp patched up, so could get past that, then home to get more wood, and tools. 

After making the ramp to the road, I got after the boards beside the sidewalk to make it wider so the chair would go up the sidewalk. The test was going good, until she got to the existing ramp, the wheelchair started to go up then almost over backwards, WOW, almost onto her head, if not for the handrail I'm sure Catherine woulda been upside down. 

Back to the drawing board. Last week I was given a wheelchair ramp that was installed at a friend's home they had just bought, he didn't want it there, so with my help, Phil tore it down, I took the lumber, not knowing exactly what I was going to do with it. Ta-da, I'm sure I'll find someone that'll need it! 

This week I'll be building a longer ramp for Catherine. Funny how life works. Good I said yes to the wood. 

I had invited a friend and his kids to come out for a swim in the afternoon, as I got in the truck, I looked at my phone, Barb was asking if we were home today? Yes we are I reply, there coming for a visit. I get home, and tell Polly, going to be a fun afternoon. Barb & Chris showed up just after lunch, and during our visit Ted and his children show up too, so we all visited for awhile inside the trailer, as was just too hot outside. 

After we yaked it up awhile, told so many good stories, the river called, and we walked down for a swim. Barb and Polly stayed and yaked, but Chris came with us to the water. Ahhh, now that was just great, a dip on a hot day was just what we all needed. Chris stayed on the beach, while Ted his kids Claire and Carter and Bolt their dog & I got to enjoy the water. 

Made me happy to see them in the river. After awhile we talked about floating the river, Ted had never done it. We have a plan, all going well for a float on Sunday the 28th before we leave, be a good day for it, Ted's wife Sylvie be off that day, be a good day for a float down the river I hope. 

We also got plans for a visit at Chris and Barb's home, and maybe a trip to Creekers pub for a few wabllies. 

Plans, nothing like building plans for the future, even if just a beer with a friend. Sometimes talk of the past, then of who's not with us anymore, then the happenings of town. Laughs, stories, and more as we build our future plans together. Polly won't go down the river, but she'll drive us to where we start, and Arrowvale is a great place to get out. 

I didn't get any of the things I thought I was going to do done yesterday, but I did get plans for the future built, and the visits we really nice to have on a warm day. Oh yeah, as we yaked a woman pulled up in her car, she came to pickup a sign that her granddaughter ordered when she was at Arrowvale. No cash, ok e-transfer be great 👍 Ellen was her name, she told me she had 16 grandchildren, that they rented a place at the lake, 14 of them showed up this year. I can imagine the fun they would have. 

The sign was ordered last week, I thought maybe the woman would show, but never expected her grandma to show, she said her granddaughter didn't forget, just couldn't make it back, so being a good grandma she picked it up. 

Was a great Saturday, in the evening I got a text from a friend asking about the wood I'd got, how much of the 2x4, might want it for my fence. I'm happy to oblige, thinking to myself how funny life is, ya just never know the turn's that come on any one day. 

Getting light out now, I'm going for my second cup ☕, another beauty day ahead. Wonder what today will bring us? 

When I woke I got the coffee going, and picked up the phone, just about the time I started to think this darn FB is sure fulla crap I didn't care to see, this came up!

Hmm, this gave to a little bit of tears, it's amazing how life works. ❤️

Love our life, even the hard times❤️

Future is bright 😎 on a sunny Sunday 

Fidlers in the campground

I heard it from our campsite, the sounds of fideling in the distance, I finished my bench, then off I went seeing Donny and his son Reo, and Nathan and Ayla, all gathered just past the office, above the lower campground, with their chairs. I brought a chair, and a pop, and sat and listened to some of the most beautiful music 🎶🎻🎻

Where do you get a pop up fidlers concert while you're camping. I just thought, as a bald eagle 🦅 glided by, and the music played, and the park on the other side of the road, with kids yelling at each other as they played, just how freaking great this was. 

As I wrote another musician came, opened his kit, and out comes another instrument, at least 9 players I counted, so great. So far I haven't heard a squeak, or a note out of tune. All very good players. 

         so much goodness 🎻🎶🎻

This is a part of Arrowvale campground that I don't get to experience often, such great music, all in tune with the surroundings. A couple from Vancouver came an sat down in the chairs Donny and Rio were in, we talked about the music, and the campground, they just retired this year, so a camping around Vancouver Island this summer, and talk of Yuma next winter. Then another couple came by from Duncan, we talked about the campground, and the music, and Yuma, and many part's of camping all over. 

In the meantime the fidlers kept playing, kids kept playing too, and we yaked on. 

Back home now, sitting inside, wrapped up my shop, finished for today. Got the heart ❤️ done, and the bench I started awhile ago, I will put a finish on them both tomorrow. 

The bench sits fine, tested by a few already. 

Can't think of a better way to spend my last couple hours of Fridays evening. 

9:30 and I'm yawning now, I'll try to stay up just a little longer, but it's bedtime soon 😀

Another great day here at Arrowvale. 

Love our life ❤️

What's in a sign? Depends on you!

I've just recently had more requests for signs as more people that are passing through see my sign posted "pick a blank I'll make you a sign". The requests are different, some an address, some a personal love message, some a message to remind themselves. I'm learning there are so many reasons for making a personal sign. 

As I watch people pick the wood they want the sign carved into, I realize some are very particular about the piece of wood they choose, and some are more interested in the saying. Lately I've been saying to them, you write it down, I'll try to emulate your printing. Capital letters all, or capital start, with lower case after. Some like my style, and want that imperfect look. 

Yesterday I had a woman that's husband kept saying as he requested a sign, and I drew what he wanted, "I'll have to go check with my wife" he left 3 different times to check with her was it ok. Yesterday they stopped as they were about to look around Port Alberni, she made a point of coming and saying thanks, that I'd done a real good job of the sign,was just what they wanted. Made me very happy to know they were both happy with it. 

I didn't expect the good feeling's I get from making something that I really like doing, having such amazing gratifying experiences with the people that took the time to choose exactly what they wanted to be carved into the right piece of wood. 

This man brought this piece of wood all the way across the country, from the great lakes to BC, then had me carve his address and the saying in it. It felt really good doing this, I was really careful not to make a mistake, as was his own piece of wood. They are from London, Ontario.

This sign was requested yesterday, a couple that was off to spend the day at the lake, great way to remember a time in your life! ❤️

This sign was for a young woman about to leave her job, she was going to Australia, the sign was for her "Boss" she said. Nice parting gift I thought. As she paid me she asked "Can I give you a tip?" Of course you know what I said, $10. Was my tip, for a $25. sign, that's tip #2 for me. I'm happy to get it, but a little surprised, makes me think I'm doing what people want making the signs. 

Today I have a project I've been working on in my head for awhile, sometimes it takes me awhile to create something that's different. I like to take time on some, as the process isn't straight forward, it's creative, and that to get it as I'd like it, and the person I'm making it for likes it to it takes time, and thought.

As I was working on this yesterday, I took the pieces and tried a fit, this way that way, then as the pieces fell away from each other, I saw what could be. As they moved apart, I realized what I was going to make it look like. 

I can't reveal yet, as I don't want to spoil the surprise for this person, but one day soon I'll be finished, then I'll write again. 

Yesterday was cooler, as the last few days were so hot I couldn't talk myself into getting out and working on anything, just to darn hot. I started off with low energy yesterday, and got going, then low energy was forgotten. 

Dinner tonight with friends, friend's we've known a long time. Be nice, Polly has been getting it all together, I love watching her put together a dinner, creating it is a pleasure for me to watch. I get to lick the beater's, and spoons too 😁

Almost 7am now, still too early to start on anything, I have to always be careful about noise too early and too late, not like the rooster 🐓 he gets to crow early, nobody tells him he can't! 

Coffee ☕#2 now, off igofor a walk before it gets too hot. 

Loving this life of ours ❤️ 

Polly's up now, and the day begins 😀

Sunday morning thoughts.

I started writing this blog as we started traveling, we are getting close to travel again after being here at Arrowvale for 3 months, we are now in month 4. We leave here August 1st for a week at the Qualicum Native campground in Qualicum Bay. We both are looking forward to traveling again, even though will be spending a long time in Grande Prairie, visiting our family and friends. 

We have a plan in place, our stop's are laid out, with unknown stops between, this is where the excitement builds. We love all the planned stops, but the places between, that's the part that I really like, as you see another different area when you park in a place you've never been before, and look around there. Don't get me wrong, I love visiting with family and friends 🤗❤️

I woke to the rooster today, he's doing his job out there as he has to. I'm here doing my job. Do I have to? No I don't, lucky me I can do what moves me, what I want to do.

 Today I'm going to get the boards and plywood from a friend we met here, Phil. He and Val moved into their new to them home and the wheelchair ramp that was from the driveway to the front door was not needed for them. He said he'd give it to me if I'd come help him take it down, so yesterday after I finished a couple more planters, I went over at noon, and helped him. Was almost all done, then I was done, the days push to finish the last few planters had caught up, and working in direct sun was too much, 2pm I said, I'll take the last pieces down tomorrow, Phil had to be somewhere. I was done. 

Not Phil though, he took the last bit down later that day, and today I pickup all this ramp. What exactly I'm going to do with it? I have a plan, I think someone somewhere will be needing a wheelchair ramp as I'm writing, and this lumber will go there. I haven't advertised it yet, but I believe I'll get a buyer for this lumber and plywood. I'm not looking forward to building, or rebuilding a ramp, but I've still got some time here, never know what might come. 

Since the covid times, I've said yes more often than not, it's exciting to see what comes when you say yes before your sure the outcome. Today I move the lumber, not sure where I'll store it till next spring, or all going good I'll sell it before we leave here. 

We have new neighbors now that Phil & Val left, they came in the middle of the week, backed in right to the trees, setup, then as I saw him go by I said my usual, "Howdy 🤠 Neighbor" he stopped, then turned and came over we shook hands, and he said "Hi I'm Nick, I think we were neighbors last year!" Yes we were I remember now, he came with his son and set-up last summer. I look forward to seeing him and his family again. The family will show up this week I'm thinking, him and his wife been there on there own so far. 

The rooster is quiet now, light is coming fast now, so is the cool of the morning, was 70° inside our trailer when I woke. Going to be even hotter today.

We spent the late afternoon and evening with my sister Joy & our brother in law Dan, at the Shady Rest for dinner. Was a really fun time, a great visit, one of those needed and wanted times. We sat inside, looking out at the water, tide was coming up, Dan and I both woulda loved to go for a swim, water I'm sure would be warm as it just came over the sand that had been in the sun all day. 

We watched as people paddle boarded, and kyacked, and some had their 🛟 float's, some just swimming. Was a very relaxed dinner, loved every moment. Polly showed Joy how to gamble with Keno, wasn't a success. 🤣 

After we took a short walk along the boardwalk, water was right up then, sat on a bench in the shade and yaked some more, we had lots to talk about. Joy & Dan had just bought a new to them home in the same area as Phil & Val. They had much to look forward to, as they showed us the photos of the house, beautiful place, we are excited for them. 

Joy asks a one point, "do you want to store your small trailer of tools at our place?" I'll see what comes, they don't move in till July 26th, and we leave the next week, so be in the middle of their move in, I won't bother them at that time. 

5:30 now, I'm going to go for a little walk about with my second cup ☕ and look at the views of Arrowvale. We had two baby goats 🐐 born Friday, so many are wanting to see them, Polly had a good look yesterday before we went to dinner.

Always something happening at Arrowvale farm & Campground. 

Well of for a walkabout with coffee ☕ ☕ 

Very content right this minute.

Sure love our life ❤️ 🤗