The Squamidian Report – May 14 / 05
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Hi All,
A couple of Squamidian readers from Kitchener dropped in for lunch last weekend. Ron and Maggie were out visiting relatives here on the coast and doing the tour of the area. They stopped in on their way down from Whistler as they headed back to the airport. Don’t know for sure if I’d ever met them before but I’ve met then now so there you go.
You know, if it weren’t for the fact that we get visitors dropping in and therefore proving we are actually here, we could have been faking the whole west coast living thing. With the help of the Internet and some tall tails we could have gotten away with living in an apartment over some all-night variety store in down town Hespler, spinning a completely fictitious existence. No one would ever know the difference. However, we are out here on the west coast as proved by visitors and I just wasted a whole paragraph.
And speaking of things wasted, BC is holding its provincial election this coming week. So of course there are election signs all over the place. Can you imagine my shame and embarrassment when I found myself putting UP an NDP sign? And right on our town’s main street at a busy intersection. Didn’t want to but really had no choice. I had taken down a whole row of signs from all the parties so I could grade topsoil over the corner lot. It is town property and had become pretty messy so we are fixing it up. Our instructions were to remove the signs, do the work and then put them back up.
Taking down all the signs was easy, they are not well built. Putting them back up was hard as they kept falling apart. Having to struggle with putting up that NDP sign was almost more than I could stomach. It would have been so much easier and so very satisfying to simply run the excavator track over it. Oh well, the crosses we must bare.
BC politics is wacky stuff to begin with. There is no Conservative party. The Liberals are the Conservatives in every way except name. They make the kind of policies needed to help a province grow, the political right. The NDP are the same mindless free spending socialists buttinskies that you find screwing things up all across the country. There is a third party, the Greens, but they don’t really say much.
*
And just as wacky, we often hear a sound that sounds like a cat in heat. That plaintive haunting cry. Could never see the cat, just here the noise. Then one day while I was on the balcony the cry could be heard very clear and very near. It was a crow. It would make the noise then sit there looking around. When I returned the sound as best I could it looked at me quite surprised and got louder. It then got fed up and left. I must have ruined it’s fun or something.
d
****
Ron & I recently became Squamidian subscribers and have thoroughly enjoyed all the interesting news and pictures that come each week. We have especially enjoyed Doug's stories of the West - and his pictures. Well, last week we had the pleasure of meeting the master Squamidian himself and were thrilled to share some of his world.
Ron and I took a much needed holiday to visit his daughters. Tami lives in Vancouver, and Heather lives in Duncan on the Island, so we had the opportunity to see a lot of the area. Our trip included going to Whistler and also to Squamish for a great lunch with Doug, Sue and Ryan. For those of you who haven't been to Doug's, he really does live in a little bit of heaven, and the view from his back deck really is to die for. Where in the world can you have the lush green vegetation with magnificent rhododendrons in bloom, and still have magnificent snow capped mountains as the background? It seems that the BC we saw has this no matter where you look.
Our adventures included going to Whistler and riding up the gondola to the highest point you can possibly go to and still get down the mountain without skis. From the point where we were, there were still two chair lifts up to the top of the "Saddle" for the many adventurous skiers. Apparently the "Saddle" is some kind of precipice that only the brave of heart attempt. Meanwhile, down in Whistler Village, tourists bumped arms with skiers and the avid mountain bikers. The lower part of the un-snow-covered mountain has been turned into a mountain bike trail that to me looked like some form of death wish. It was very strange to line up for the gondola and have people getting on with bikes, skis or just wearing shorts and sandals!! The Village was hopping with all the usual pricey shops and restaurants, and the Chateau Whistler hotel is reminiscent of the grand old hotels like the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. The private homes in the area were quite amazing with price tags that were more than most of us earn in a lifetime. Ah! A little taste of the lives of the rich and famous. Ryan and Emily - you have jobs where the scenery is another part of heaven, and maybe life seems a little unreal. As Ryan said to me "Where else do people spend $100,000 on an evening party?"
The best part of our trip was Vancouver Island, travelling to the West side to a little place called Toxin. THAT is heaven. Where can you stand and have the Pacific waves pounding on the shore of miles of sandy beaches, and then you can turn your back on the ocean to look at lush green rain forest with snow capped mountains as the backdrop? It leaves a person breathless. To get to Toxin, you have to travel through old rainforest, where the trees are reported to be 300-800 years old and are hundreds of feet high. I was very impressed. Though Doug did tell me that there are stands of magnificent trees and rainforest throughout his area, but they have to hiked or biked to. These Douglas Firs are majestic, and we saw them on a rainy, misty morning that added to their mystic. I felt as if I were in the middle of a fantasy movie and I expected a troll or some such creature to amble through the forest. The vegetation on the ground was like a jungle and the trees were hanging with moss. But the smell ...........you could smell everything growing. I have included some photos of our Toxin/rain forest trip. The view of the sunset is from our deck at our hotel. Heaven! We spent an exhilarating day on a Kodiak boat whale watching and saw whales, seals, sea lions, eagles - wonderful!
Coming back to Ontario on Monday, I thought that the land was so flat, and that the air was so smoggy, but then on Thursday, Gale and I went for a walk to the top of Mount Trashmore (A.K.A. the old garbage dump on Ottawa St) and then wandered through the forest to gaze at a carpet of trilliums. Yes, I envy the 'heaven' of the BC scenery, but then even in Ontario, as spring struggles to come alive, I marvelled at the beauty of the green haze of new growth as we stood at the top of 'our' mountain. Yes, another little bit of heaven!! It may not have the splendour of height of a BC mountain, but we sure had a great view of the city. Besides, I don't think BC has carpets of trilliums!!!
Editors Note: I have posted Maggie’s pictures at:
http://members.shaw.ca/doug_b/Pictures/Others/R&M.htm
****
I don't know how articulate this report will be. I've just had a nice long soak in the hot tub and I think my brain is as relaxed as the rest of my body. In a week full of high points, the delivery of the hot tub is perhaps the highest. The tub was included with the chattels when we purchased the place, but it's been away at the repair shop getting a new liner since before we moved in. But I must say, the wait was worth it. The weather's turned cold the last couple of days, so it's especially nice to have the tub now. There's nothing like sitting immersed in hot, bubbly water while a chilly wind blows fresh air overhead. Divine.
The timing is also appropriate since Jim and I are nursing some sore muscles and achy bits. We've been busy hauling furniture and boxes all over the place. From a borrowed trailer to the garage to the guest house to various parts of the main house. The great news is we've finally started to move in! We're still sleeping in the guest house but expect to move into our bedroom sometime next week... or as soon as our bathroom is put together. The big thing holding us back from moving into the main house is the lack of any kind of running water. I don't mind roughing it to some extent, but even I have to draw the line somewhere, and indoor plumbing is it.
The plumber finally showed up today (Friday). I told him my biggest priority is getting water in the kitchen so I can stop doing dishes in the little bathroom sink in the guest house. Jim and I had to go out this afternoon and leave the plumber to finish up on his own. We came back to--halleluja--two kitchen sinks and faucets with clean running water at the lift of a finger. I just should've been a little more specific and requested HOT water be available. Arg. I guess I've got another weekend of dishes in the little bathroom sink and a clawfoot tub as my dish rack.
So the house is getting closer to finished every day. My new appliances, courtesy of the insurance claim, were also delivered this week. All the painting is done, except for final touchups of any scratched areas. The sofits are almost done. The new pipe for the woodstove is still missing a couple of sections and the lawn has to be cleaned up and reseeded in areas. The big task remaining is the bathrooms but we've got the sinks and toilets here and the plumber will tackle those next week. Then there's the little stuff like attaching the handles for the kitchen cupboards, hanging the mirrors and towel racks, cleaning up the basement. It's so close now, it gets harder to wait the closer we get to the finish.
The process of moving some things in and unpacking has been good for us. Simple things feel wonderful, feel like home. Like sitting on our couch, which we were finally able to put down in the living room this evening. Snuggling up in a throw blanket that's been packed away all this time. Taking out little ornamental pieces that are tied to some memory or experience. With such limited living space these past three months, we could only unpack the barest essentials. All those useless or redundant things--the mementos and pretty pieces that could serve no definable purpose--were packed away all this time and it's amazing how liberating it feels to me to finally bring them out of their dark boxes. But, my goodness, we've got a lot of things and a LOT of work head of us to make this house into a home, and a business for that matter.
Speaking of business, we had our second B&B guests stay with us last weekend. Another success! They were a very nice couple from Sudbury who decided to drive to Parry Sound and then bicycle here along the Seguin recreational trail! The trip is about 60 km and they weren't worried about the length since they regularly cycle long distances. The problem was the trail was nearly all sand, which is about the worst medium a person could cycle through. They said they had to work for every inch they gained. In the end, they didn't make it all the way here. They phoned from just beyond half way to say they'd be late and that they're having a rough time. I told them to phone back if they need a pick up. They phoned about an hour after that so Jim borrowed our neighbour's truck and went and picked them up along the highway just past Sprucedale. They were VERY grateful and appreciative. We served them dinner, as previously arranged, and they recuperated in front of the fire. Their plan was to bike back the next day, but Jim and I drove them over half the way to give them a fighting chance. Again, they thought we were the best thing ever. They say they'll be back, but in a car next time.
We didn't mind driving them. On our way back, we took the opportunity to explore the area. After a few failed attempts, we found the Seguin Falls, and it's quite lovely and secluded. I just need to remember how to get there so I can send others. Our guests also inspired us to get out our bikes and go for a spin.
So Sunday late afternoon, we had the brilliant idea to cycle the Seguin trail to Sprucedale, a nearby town to the north west of us. Our neighbours had already invited us to the Sprucedale Tavern for dinner and a little bluegrass entertainment, so we figured we'd just whip over on our bikes. The trail is supposed to be in much better shape at our end, and indeed the parts of it we've walked have been nice and firm-packed. Well, that might be so for bits and pieces, but man, there are some stretches of deep, loose sand. It was so bad in some parts we had to get off and walk our bikes. What a slog. After about 45 minutes, I was mentally filing this in the "it seemed like a good idea at the time" department, and nearly giving up hope. But we kept going and eventually made our way to the town, and a couple of cold pints. Our neighbours drove us all the way home and I think they should be sainted. Actually, I'd love to do the trip again, but leisurely, without a date to keep at the other end. The scenery was beautiful. We cycled past a couple little lakes, rivers, rocky outcrops, boggy moose-loving areas. Cycling or hiking, I have to do that again and really take it all in.
Not only are the trees and greenery coming to life, the animal world is active and amazing to witness. No deer or moose sightings, just lots of tracks. Although I've spoken with many people in the area who have seen the big animals. We got our first hummingbird visit. Those are the coolest little pilots. We have lots of different birds at our feeders, and I should probably start figuring out what kind they are. I only recognize the high-profile ones. We've got a pair of bluejays, a woodpecker, lots of little chickadees, some mourning doves, a cardinal or robin, and some other red birds and blue birds. Like I said, I gotta figure out what's what.
Rabbits are apparently abundant this year. The other day I was sitting on the deck with one of the work guys and three rabbits came bounding across the lawn within a few feet of us, ran in a few loops as if they were playing with each other, and then bounded off. Saba will catch sight of them sometimes and chases them into the woods. She knows what to do with the big ones that go hopping off, but she doesn't know what to make of babies. She found two baby bunnies earlier this week, in a little bit of woods beyond the guest house. I don't think she quite knew what to do with them. I saw her with one in her mouth (of course I didn't know what it was) and she put it down, then gingerly picked up something else before setting it down too, and then looked at it with a cocked head, sniffing it. I then saw that it was some animal so I called the dog away and put her in the house. I called Jim to come out and see. I was afraid of what I would find. There were two little babies, about the size of 6-week kittens. I think one was hurt, as it didn't move alot, but the other one must've been okay because it hopped away somewhere while we were checking on the first. I'm not much of a country girl yet, as I was in tears over the future of the little bunnies. Everyone else up here thinks of rabbits as pests, but I think they're cute. I'm sure that will change once they start eating my flowers and digging holes in my lawn, but for now, they're all Thumper to me.
The only dark cloud over the past week has been the bugs. The black flies are out but they're not biting yet as they don't bite for the first few days. I never knew that. They do, however, swarm around heads and faces in the meantime. It's quite unnerving, actually. Like they're getting all pumped up and just waiting for the word "attack" to issue from some high-ranking General. I can't help wondering when the word will come and how vulnerable I'll be at that moment. Should I carry my bug jacket at all times? Should I douse myself with Skin-So-Soft as a defensive measure? I must say it's a cruel and effective form of psychological warfare. I had no idea the nasty little things could be so devious.
But we'll tough it out and make it through with as few battle scars as possible. There's so much wonderful stuff to see and do, we'll figure a way of working around this little challenge. If we can live three months in a couple little rooms and survive major renovations, we can survive anything. Right? Wish us luck!
****
Hello my fellow Squamidians!
We’re closing in on June and the big Brubacher
celebration is drawing near. From all indications things are organized and
ready to go. I’m sure you’re all looking forward to getting together again as a
family. Carole and I are looking forward to meeting a few more of the clan that
we have yet to meet face to face. No matter what Doug says, I just know that
the Ontario weatherman will be good to us that day for sure. The Goodrich
Foreman’s club is the perfect place for such an event. Lots of distance between
the party sight and it’s nearest neighbour. At least that’s how I remember it.
It’s been many years since I attended a function at that location. For all I
know, there’s a subdivision on either side of it by now! Oh well, if anyone
drops in to complain about the loud music or dirty language Carol will just have
to assign someone diplomatic to deal with them. I know……. how ‘bout Doug? At
least he can turn around and head for BC after ejecting the complainers. They
wouldn’t likely go all that way to serve the arrest warrant would they?
Hahahahaaaa…. I’m sure there won’t be
any need to worry about complaining neighbours or physical confrontations
anyway. We all know that the Squamidians are a peace loving bunch. Besides they
say music sooths the soul and hopefully there’ll be plenty of that to go round
that day.
*
Well, now that we can sort of count on the weather
staying respectable Carole and I are into the gardening. She does the planting
and arranging and I do the digging and soil work. I called a company called
Compac Sod and ordered one of those big bags of topsoil last Friday. The girl
told me they couldn’t deliver it until Monday morning sometime. Well, Monday
came and we had decided that we didn’t need the load of soil. I called the
company at 7am and told the woman that answered the phone that we wouldn’t be
needing the delivery. She said that she couldn’t cancel the delivery because
the truck had already left the yard. I said doesn’t your driver have a cell
phone? She said no, I have no way of contacting him. I said that I would just
tell the driver that I didn’t want it when he arrived and she said that would
be fine. After puttering around the back garden for a while, Carole decided it
would be ok to take the load because after taking a look at the gardens, they
could use a top dressing after all. I decided to call Compac Sod out of
courtesy just to let them know that I would indeed be taking the bag of soil,
which by the way, was costing $113.86 for one cubic yard. When the same woman
answered the phone and I gave her the news, she said she was sorry but I had
cancelled it an hour ago and the best she could do is deliver it next Friday or
Saturday. A little surprised, I said “but, you told me that you had no way of
contacting the driver and he would be stopping in here anyway”. She paused for
a second and said “well, he might still stop in, I’m not sure”. I said “Which
is it? Did you tell him of the cancellation or not? I thought you said you
couldn’t get hold of him?” She wouldn’t give me an answer on that one and
finally said “If he stops in at your house, just tell him that you’ll take the
load. If he doesn’t arrive today, then you’ll have to reorder the soil for
later in the week.” Obviously I had caught her with her pants down and she
didn’t know how to get out of the lie she had told me in the morning about no
driver contact. I decided to wait and see if he’d arrive with the soil. By the
time lunch rolled around we had done as much as we could without the new
topsoil. We had a bite to eat and I went out front to wash the Jeep while I
waited. At about 3:30pm I was almost finished with the wash job when I spotted
the flatbed transport from Compac Sod slowly passing by on the street beside my
house. He putted past the turn onto my street so I whistled to catch his
attention. He heard me and stuck his head out the window and looked back at me.
I waved to him and motioned for him to come back. As I pointed at the driveway
to indicate the location for the load drop, he popped back inside and kept on
driving. After waiting for about 3-4 minutes, I decided to jump in the Jeep and
go after him. Well, let me tell you, this truck must have been driven by
Houdini! I scoured the entire subdivision and he was nowhere to be found. How
the heck can a big rig like that disappear in that short a time? I went back
home and waited another 10 minutes or so thinking that he must have another
drop close by and he’d probably be around shortly. Wrong, he never showed up
again. I took another run around the neighbourhood and still had no luck
finding him. However, I did find a dump truck from R M Adam landscaping. I
asked the driver if he was delivering top soil and he said yes. He told me to
call his office and they may be able to bring a load yet that day. I went right
home and phoned and was told that the best they could do was between 8 and 10
am the next day. I placed the order right then. The lady told me that their
price was $78.00 per yard and if I took two yards it would be $96.00 for two,
so I ordered two yards. Even with taxes included, they were $2.00 less total
for twice as much soil than the Compac Sod Co. This got me thinking of the
genius of the Compac employee that thought up the idea of the bagged soil. What
a marketing ploy that is! Not to mention what a RIP OFF it is as well. Their
big selling point is the lack of mess on your driveway when the soil is in the
bag. Big deal! It doesn’t take much to rinse the little bit of soil remaining
once you’ve finished with the pile. I guess in this day and age of pre packaged
everything, people think the bag is a great idea. You know what, I’ve asked a
couple of my neighbours who’ve had the bags delivered if they had any mess on
their driveways afterward. They both said yes because there is inevitable
spillage when transferring the soil from the bag to the wheel barrow. I watched
as they both got out their hoses and cleaned up the leftovers once the bag was
removed from the driveway. Pretty clever of the person that dreamed up the Bag
of Soil idea. Compac is getting rich off it.
Well, we’ve had two good weather days and have been
able to use up about half of the soil. We still have enough room for the rest
of it in the gardens. We’ve got a forecast of wet weather for the next few days
and we’ve also got lots of other activities on our agenda. That means the rest
of the soil will have to sit under the tarp on the drive until sometime next
week. I’m sure it’ll still be there when the next opportunity arrives. I’ve
noticed during our gardening efforts that you seem to get a lot more dirt out
of a hole than you can put back in. Why is this? Hmmmmmmmm… one of life’s
little mysteries! Carole seems to be enjoying the whole ordeal but I still
think gardening is a pain in the ass! However, as much as I’d like to crack
open a beer and sit on the patio as a spectator, I can’t bring myself to be
that heartless. Besides, look at all the things I’m learning while I’m helping
her! How to tell the difference between plants and weeds! How much water to put
in the bottom of the hole before placing the new plant in it! How many shovels
full of dirt fit in a standard wheel barrow!
I’m tellin’ ya, the revelations go on and on and
on………! You never know, I may just get to like this gardening thing after
all…..NOT! Oh well, at least I’m getting to spend some quality time with my
lovely wife and that ain’t all bad. Besides, after we’re finished with the
gardening for the day, she let’s me wash her Jeep before I take out the garbage
and cut the grass. What more could a guy ask for? LOL!
Better sign off for this week. I’ll see you all
again next time in The Ontarion Report.
Thanks for tuning
in! GREG.
PS: Something To Think About>
Confucius Say: A woman has two views about a secret.
Either it’s not worth keeping or it’s too good to
keep.
Hmmmmmm… I wonder if Confucius was married?
****
The Family and the Squamidian sites:
http://members.shaw.ca/doug_b/ and http://www.thedougsite.ca
Have a good one..
the
doug
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