How long can this weather last?

Some things are beyond your control. It has happened. Only one week from the big 5-0.... 49 51/52 of the way there and it happened.... the first grey hair. There it was just the other morning. It was attached, not a random pet hair inadvertently picked up during the night, but attached. Well, the tweezers made short work of him, but a couple of his friends have since appeared. They must have been laying low in the thinning underbrush. "aargg" (Charlie Brown.)

Monday evening you'd have found us at the Denman Island Community Hall for an evening of Japanese flute playing and an inspirational speech by a visiting Tibetan Monk. Perhaps not the Dalai Lama attracting fifty thousand at BC Place, but about 100 at the Denman Hall.. not a bad turnout. OK, so Japanese Flute playing by a "master" is not my thing. Although I can appreciate the skill involved, I can't get past the fact that if there was a bad note played, no one would know the the difference. I think this is an acquired taste, (like a kindergartner eating paste). I did enjoy the speech once my ear became tuned to the speaker's accent and manner of speaking, (which was, kind of an oriental William Shatner). His message as I heard it...
- Without trust, there is no relationship.
-Happiness cannot be provided by the outside world, (it is within you).
-Modern technological inventions make us busier and make it difficult to relax and enjoy life.
-Compassion and humility are the keys to inner and world peace not to mention harmony within the family.

Wednesday, Clay was finally diagnosed and a game plan is in place for his recovery. Hopefully, within a couple of weeks he will be out of the hospital and gaining back some of the thirty pounds (and strength) he misplaced during his ordeal. I'm looking forward to his company as soon as he's up to a little R&R on Denman.

Wildlife update... We dropped off a love seat to Suzanne who lives across the island, she introduced us to her resident deer, two bucks and four does. One particularly friendly doe could be hand fed pieces of apple. Also while on her property we found a newt. I'm sure it was the same kind that we see swimming in Chickadee Lake in the summer. Once we returned home, Ashley was determined to find one in our creek bed. Five minutes later she returned with newt in hand. No, he's not staying on as a pet. This picture (i stole off the net) is the Rough skinned Newt, the only one native to this area. For more info:http://www.carcnet.ca/english/tour/glossary/rsnewt/rsnewt.htm

Rumour mill has it that the Infamous Denman Island cougar has cat-paddled his way to Hornby. Most, (including local livestock), won't be sorry to see him leave. It's a little like passing a cold onto your brother. You feel guilty for passing it on, but glad you don't have it anymore.

While picking up the mail on Wednesday I saw a flock of about fifty wild turkeys at West Isle Farm. Although they are common here, this is the most I've seen at one time. Again, someone forgot the camera.

Saturday Morning, a morning to sleep-in day as Ashley is at her dad's this weekend. (she had a pro-D day yesterday) So, why am I blogging at 6:45 a.m.? Well, it seems this is the first foggy morning we've lived here. Apparently, the ferry must blow the horn upon departure and every two minutes thereafter. A small inconvenience in paradise as it promises to be yet another outstanding day. I swear you could count the number of rainy days per month since May on a catcher's mitt. The day deserves a walk on the beach with Sienna, whom, by-the-way has a new bed just like her cousin Tanu. She liked Tanu's bed so much on the last visit that she just had to have one of her own. (enlarge pic to see her nicest smile)

Where else in the world can you go and see one of your favourite bands, in an intimate venue, a mere 4 1/2 minute walk from your front door, for fifteen bucks? Two weeks from today, (November 4th) 54-40 plays the Denman Island Community Hall. Guess where I'll be. This could be the preamble to the Birthday bash planned in Ukee the following weekend.