now for just under a week but busy with work and doing a seminar this weekend, so pretty zapped and little time to post.

But the good news is NO FROST so looking forward to time in the yard and already have been out on the bike with the dogs!

A good stopping point on road to University of British Columbia Parked the car and did a brief hike down some of the trails. Emerging fern fiddle heads New buds and simple flowers Lovely late afternoon light looking up through the canopy of leaves About 5 PM...immerseed in the tall redwoods, junipers, cedars of the park paths Old and new growth and lovely light patterns

Wisteria plants... lovely blue flowering vines

A Thursday afternoon in May....sail boat taking off Downtown Vancouver from end of Alma Street

Love the colors and sense of movement in these pieces of old stumps and drift wood Whether placed or embedded these stones caught my eye and later became the subject of my attempt to put the movement and color on canvas

Near Spanish banks in Vancouver

Again textures and footprints in the sand but about as clothing optional as I ever get despite the signs here!

 The weather here is definitely warmer than Edmonton..... in fact everything is very lush green with bountiful flowers.you know what the pacific west coast is like.

Amelia's convocation was lovely early Wednesday morning with caps, speeches etc. mostly others in health care such as medicine and med. lab science. The most meaningful one I think was a smaller reception on Tuesday at a club over looking the harbour for the Science and Rehab. grads Masters and PhD's. ...less than 20, more personal.

Have been helping my daughter pack up including cleaning fridge and stove!

Off to Victoria on Friday.

as winter again has arrived in Alberta. With all the work one does in yards and gardens May snows are inevitable.

Here are a few shots of what we woke up to. The tulip near back steps before and after.   ...the dogs sniffing around bowls and side yard including blooming choke cherry tree.and another minature sign of spring.

Knew there was a story when both dogs suddenly disappeared down the back lane and Nanuq returned upon my call toting a softball in her mouth. Dysis was no where to be seen.  So what was the "rest of the story?"

Two blocks over in the local school yard encountered a rather bemused softball team who acknowledged ownership of the ball. Apparently both dogs had bolted across the field chasing a rabbit and unable to catch the rabbit, decided that the nicely hit soft ball was a good substitute. Nanuq promptly captured this prize and brought home for my approval. Dysis eventually showed up, both dogs panting madly!!!

.....It better not snow as predicted as a possibility on Wednesday have spent too much time in the yard and on plants but alas one does not control the weather.

Tuesday.. Cloudy. 60 percent chance of showers late in the morning and in the afternoon. Wind becoming northwest 40 km/h gusting to 60 late in the morning. High 13 with temperature falling to 6 in the afternoon.
Tuesday night.. Cloudy. Clearing near midnight. Wind northwest 40 km/h gusting to 60 becoming light overnight. Low minus 4.

Still working on the plumbing puzzle and the ever mounting costs but alas the realities of an older home.

Gone all next week as is Amelia's convocation and then off to the island returning on the 25th....no alases here!

Compost delight!

Okay I have to admit that my daughter is right, I probably take far to many photos of my plants and garden and yard preparations and why? ...probably for the simple reason that it brings me joy.

Personally I find gardens constantly changing, creative, earthy, sensual, keeping one in touch with the seasons, physically exhausting, amazing to consider the intricacies of a leaf or flower petal, an appreciation for our food sources and a way of working out and simplifying alot those thought processes that whirl around in the brain.

Each of us has our passions often not understood by others.

This hit me today as I was with satisfaction digging out the bottom of the compost heap, nicely decomposed into rich brown textured flakes, the product of over a year's collection, ready for mixing into the beds, how many others get delight out of fresh compost?

As I was bent over on hands and knees digging a spot for a clematis near the garage wall and lamenting a broken trellis, my house mate arrived and asked if I was renovating or remodeling the yard...well i suppose as gardeners we are constantly re modeling as we try different plants in different spot each year.

Now of course some of my remodeling is being helped by my " girls " who insist on spot to dig and settle, not always to my approval.

Another repair job as I did the front beds was the escape route or a potential one, renailing a fence slat. Along the front north facing, the tulips are coming up nicely 2-3 inches and added some marigolds, love the splash of yellow on green. Dogs cannot invade these spots.

Muttart conservatory run by the city is currently under renos but had their annual bedding plant sale shown here in the green houses. Two sets of glasses one for the sun and the other to read the details of the plant labels...sun or shade.

God's blessings and enjoy...
JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.  

"What I mean is," explained the recorder,  "do you have a job or are you just a .?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.

"I'm a Mom."

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,"
Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.  
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it?  I do not know.  
The words simply popped out.  
"I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. 

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,"just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
"I have a continuing program of research,
(what mother doesn't)
In the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out). 
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters). 
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). 
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are
more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. 
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.  
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! 
And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."  Motherhood!  

What a glorious career!  
Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers
"Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations"
And great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates?" 
I think so!!!  
I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants."

Please send this to another Mom,
Grandmother,
Aunt,
And other friends you know.

May your troubles be less,
Your blessings be more,
And nothing but happiness come through your door!

AMEN!
 Happy Mother's Day!!!

May is one of my favorite seasons with rain storms, lacy green networks of budding trees, lengthening days, warmer temperatures and NO bugs to disturb the outdoor pursuits.

Among these pursuits are culinary and social ones....the first outdoor meal on the front deck of yams, spicy chicken breast, peppered brussell sprouts, coucous, local Alley kat beer followed by an outdoor fire and chat with new neighbours or.... a farewell dinner for Kevin who just landed a head brewery job back in  the cottage country of Ontario after 8 months in Allberta. Black beans and rice enjoyed by Makayla, our first get together since my return from the north, stayed overnight and dropped her off at the new school this morning.

Robert did the chicken frahitas and I the fruit salad.

There were shared stories of teaching experiences in northern BC to how Jr. High gym & Home Ec. classes have changed over the years ( what was your first sewing or woodworking project? ) to details of hops, grain and malt production and travels in Germany and Czech republic.

   In the few stresses of the past week including work and repeatedly backed up basement sewers and expensive plumber visits, I have lost some of my centeredness and forgotten to celebrate some of the simple blessings of this time of year., such as a walk through the ravine after the Sunday volunteers did a clean up ( kudos to you all ) or evidence of beavers at work.

The dogs always provide reasons to laugh ( splashing in the water ) or slow down ( now where did that squirrel go? ) Here are a few shots of pursurers  and chattering pursued.