Tomato Mystery

Strawbale House Update: Kitchen cabs are installed and awaiting hardware and counter-tops. The hole in the wall (in the kitchen) now makes sense, I hope, and can be seen in picture #1 as a flush pantry cabinet. Snow stops have been secured to the roof and today (in the rain) drainage trenching was done. Dusty and the mini-excavator also dug the greywater catch basin. This will keep me outside laying drainage pipe on nicer days and I can continue interior work, like painting, when the weather is bad. Most of the hard painting has been done... inside closets, under the stairs etc. Progress on the house is slowing slightly as I've taken on a new (part time) employment venture. I'm leaning how to install, service and repair dental equipment.... last week I helped set up a digital x-ray machine. Seems pretty basic so far, and everything comes with instructions. (I just have to learn how to follow instructions).

I'm loving horse ownership! But it sure takes up a lot of time. Lindero is settling in nicely and we're working on getting to really know each other. He is still young in horse years and has some maturing to do, but he's really intelligent, curious and willing to learn. (I just have to try to keep up) The two geldings are still trying to figure out where they stand with each other. Mikki is quite dominant and Lindero is willing to let that happen as long as it's respectful. However, he will not back down from a direct challenge, this creates some political imbalances in the horse realm. They can now share time in the same paddock for several hours amicably, but we're not sure if they can be trusted without supervision. Kari and I went on a more challenging trail ride during the week and Lindero did great. He also showed me a whole new over-drive gear that I didn't know he had. Wow! (Still has not broken gait, but maybe this was a sobreandando)

During our ride, there was a Fire Dept. call-out for a horse rescue. A horse had fallen down a steep embankment, (sans rider). All ended well, as a path was cut the rest of the way down the bank to the beach and the horse was led down.

Over the last couple of weeks, tomatoes left in our fruit bowl, (on the kitchen counter) have been gnawed by an unknown assailant... at first we suspected Ashley... then perhaps a voracious mouse. The mystery was finally solved when we offered a slice of tomato to each of our cats. Boo Radley readily accepted. The tomatoes have a new secret storage location.

Lord of the Flies may recall Virk scenario

Victoria News - Updated Lord of the Flies may recall Virk scenario

Quote of the Day

"I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that." -- Thomas Edison, 1931

Quote of the Day

"So, Gordon (Pinocchio) Campbell is at 12 per cent "popularity." I'd like to know who the hell the 12 per cent are! They must have just been aroused after a lengthy coma". Rafe Mair

Lindero CR

No time to blog in the last week as most of my spare time has been spent shoveling horse shit. Last weekend, Lindero CR arrived at his new home on Denman Island. From the moment he stepped off the trailer, he began stealing hearts. Once you get past his good looks, (a difficult task), his people friendly personality wins you over. I can tell he's going to be an amazing companion.
After a three day rest, it was time for a short ride and an introduction to some of the other island residents. He's met other horses, cows, dogs and horse eating pigs. His initial caution soon falters and curiosity gets the best of him and he just has to investigate.

Today, we went on our first trail ride with Kari and Mikolas. With (his older step-brother) Mikolas taking the lead, Lindero did very well on the narrow forest trail, (a very scary place for a young horse). Once out on the dirt road, it's gait,gait gait... he has an amazing amount of energy and never breaks gait.

The end of Summer nears

Ah, Labour Day weekend... after which, things can return to normal on a gulf island. On Hornby Island, there is an annual event called the "wave-off" in which the residents say goodbye to the last of the beloved tourists, who then can drive like mad across Denman Island (known as the "Hornby 500") only to line up yet again, for the Denman West Ferry. As the summer sun has inadvertently fried all brain activity, the tourist parade then lines up for the ferry in the middle of the road, effectively blocking anyone else that may endeavour to travel to or from the village. Apparently tourists have some natural aversion to pulling over to the shoulder of the road.

Labour day is also the traditional day for the Denman Island Blackberry Faire. The weather Gods were with us this year, sunny and in the high teens. My role was unofficial Parade Photographer and Burger flipper at the Fire fighters burger booth. More parade shots can be seen on the Island Equine site, or my Denman Island Picasa-web photo album. (Yes, that's Kari and Mikki in their first parade)

The Firefighters held their own during the annual slow-pitch game... squeaking out a narrow victory.

Blitzed down to Victoria to see #2 son perform during the Victoria Theatre Fringe Festival. The show was a Canadiana piece called "Thank you my Love, Goodbye". The cast was great! Some highlights from the Times Colonists 4-1/2 star review.... "If Thank-you were a Hollywood drama, it would be Academy Award-worthy.... the cast's acting abilities are brilliant. The chemistry between Robbie (Curt) and Mary is perfectly captured, their dialogue sharp and delivered with sentiment."

I Have to see a man about a horse!

A Lot can happen in a couple of weeks. The highlight was a short trip to Bonanza, Oregon to see a man about a horse. Some old frequent flier points came in handy earlier this month.... as I made my way to Curry Ranch. I was the guest of the most gracious host, Dr. Henry Curry and was able to spend some time (although not nearly enough) talking Peruvian Paso Horse with Henry and his trainer, Jaimie. Best of all I was introduced to Lindero, a very handsome gelding with pleasant ground manners and a smooth, ground covering gait. In a couple of weeks Lindero will become a Canadian citizen and a resident of Denman Island. This means that Mikki will have a trail partner that can keep up with him.

This weekend, there was a horse camp-out, trail ride, and soccer game on Denman Island. Mikki, (with Kari) and several other horses and riders took part in a trail ride on Saturday, which was followed by "happy hour", a pot luck dinner and impromptu line dancing. The next day we introduced the horses to soccer balls. Most of the horses had never experienced the game, but soon got the hang of it. Mikki was a natural and within minutes could "dribble" the ball the entire length of the field. His high leg motion is a definate advantage. He's now ready for some serious competition. Pictures of the weekend can be seen on the Island Equine site.

Strawbale Houe Update: Continuing on with the fir flooring upstairs. The gutters went on last week. (only pictures of horses this week)