End of August

Well it’s been an unusual August. I haven’t had such relaxation since adolescence or Saipan.  I so enjoyed tanning.  Actually lying on lawn chairs in the sun ‘soaking up the rays’. It was spectacular after the damp and cold and darkness of winter and fear of Covid. I so felt the sun was replenishing and healing .I felt in Europe my soul was uplifted with the great works of art and the old country history but this August my body was healed. I worked. I walked the dog. Weekends more walks and sun tanning. I’m bronzed brown. 

I also gave time to my healing my back.  Months of suffering pain stoically then actually taking action.  Minos Antonious took the X-ray that confirmed the old fracture and that it was indeed safe for chiropractics.  Lydia Watertown reviewed it and reassured me I really needed stretches. I have to change my couch and chair.  But most seeing Dr. Ready at the Klein Clinic gave me hope, each adjustment making my back less painful and more flexible. I began doing tai chi in the kitchen again.  I even danced in the living room.  August was my month of healing.

I loved the Pride Parade, dressing as Amber and enjoying the anonymity and freedom. A lightness of being au femme.  Girl’s just want to have fun.  I reflect on a lifetime of fighting the corrupt authorities to do the right thing.  It was also something to be 25 years clean and sober in June.  Turning 70 years old in spring was a major milestone.  Virtual work and continued ‘suiting up and showing up’ was good. I enjoyed saving and felt that work I was contributing but no longer demanded perfection of myself. Mostly I did psyvhopharmacology and helped out.  I was part of a loose network and was satisfied with ‘spiritual progress’ for myself and others.  I prayed a lot, daily, hourly. I meditated too.

I barbecued.

My new Weber is a joy. the back yard barbecue , it’s name, fell off the table and broke a leg. It was repairable but I enjoyed the excuse to replace it. I love the Weber. I’ve had them before.  

Kelvin from Travco replaced my waterheater and the shower drain repairing the leak.  My awning is off and being replaced.  Maintenance. Lots of things that were just not done during covid. I got by. I survived, 

I loved the two cleaning ladies coming for the day and then returning next month.  

I had my hair coloured at Chaterers by Sharon and had my nails done at Professional Nails.  I love the comedian doing an imitation of the Vietnamese nail ladies.

It’s been a good summer,

I enjoyed meetings with George.  Loved talking with Dean. Loved hear Hugh and so many other fellows.  

Laura was house sitting all August. We kept in touch on Signal and facebook. Now we’re off for a week of bow hunting in the Caribou with Madigan who had matured. He’s not so much the crazy puppy. He does better when I take him to Docside or Royal Columbia. He sleeps here when I’m on the phone or computers doing work and has taken to sleeping in the clinic when I’m talking to patients there,

It’s been an immensely good summer. I just met Pierre Poilievre and hope he ‘ll be the next prime minister. The Media continues to lie and be more propaganda than truth but I get moments of hope.  International intrigue waxes and wanes with globalists and patriots.  Roe vs Wade was cancelled and Big Brother and Big Sister were forced to deal with their community not the intellectual idealism of adolescence.  Its still herding cats.  I’m so often surprised that the whole illusion remains, the order seems to withstand the chãos. War in the Ukraine against Russia, Chinese built up in Taiwan.  War and rumours of war. The industrial military complex and all the fuel and metal going into destruction. Meanwhile we’ve paper straws wrapped in plastic.  But thankfully the Mars and Moon expeditions progress.

I’m moderately happy. Someways the deep sadness rears it’s head.  I’ve had such moments of despair this last year but now I seem to be able to cope better. Listening to the patients anxiety and depression and intransigence.  Learned helplessness and incomprehensible demoralization and lives of quiet desperation. I try to be optimistic but the seething anger and frustration is peircing.  So many lies by government and media.  So much trauma. Prolonged lockdowns for political control and abuse and death and mismanagement on a huge scale.  The increasing censorship and middle class truckers attacked by martial law for a peaceful demonstration while aggressive left wing terrorists and globalists are embraced by the ridiculous PM. I don’t even say his name without getting nauseous. Creepy slimy little psychopath. Betrayal and corruption.  I’m so disheartened by central government and the communist take over of once free society.  I was so depressed by the phony election and the scab voter influx.  Selling off the country to cronies.

Oh well the fact is I forced myself to think of my health and to avoid thinking of the world stage. I felt fragile and began taking it easy. I ate well. I didn’t exercise enough. I may have lost weight. I stopped the gain of covid.  I read lots of novels and surprisingly kept up with continuing educations. 

I have managed,  I’m 5 years past retirement and enjoying working. I imagine another year or two. The big event is this planned Yuma trip this fall. A month in the sun working 30 hours a week to pay for it. But having dry heat to heal my lungs and joints. I was scared when I couldn’t breathe after India. I felt like I’d been in the scuba diving accident when I ran out of air.  It was a wake up call.  I have felt so much better with the sunshine this summer. I need more. I fear my lungs and body couldn’t tolerated another winter as well as work. January and February were so depressing and sickening.  I’m thinking my own health and caring for myself rather than putting my health last.  I recognize that I’m old and could live to be a hundred and can work another decade if I pace myself.  I have to do this .  

I reduced the storage locker giving all the excess furniture to the god kids.  I’ve stayed in touch with my nephews.  I share and gift. I’m still a positive force. I don’t want to be a burden or need. I want to give and care.

I’ve grieved George, John, and Vivian.  Deaths accumulate.  The old die and there are not so many new to replace them.  Even Misha died and these are surprises.  Lights going out and it’s my job to make more room and add lights to fill those spaces. I’ve not during covid. I ‘ve sat in the gloom too many nights .  I’ve cried so long for the loss of friends.

I attend a couple of meetings and enjoy the men on Wednesday , the doctors on Friday and Sunday.  I didn’t make it to church much.  I am a winter Christian.  I enjoyed going to church in Seattle when I had the amber weekend and enjoyed all the walking and sightseeing in that city I’ve so often visited,

This month I’ve tickets with Laura to the VSO with Canada’s astronaut Colonel Hadfield. 

August has been a good month .  I’ve ridden the Vespa mostly but had the Harley out for a few rides.  Madigan is up to doing an hour as a passenger and really enjoying being a biker dog. I’ve progressed on the book about dogs in my life.  I’ve continued to blog and make progress on books.  I continue to have adventures and think that’s better than the charting.  I blog.  That’s good.  I’m writing. I haven’t played guitar as much as I’d like but there’s not enough time in the day.  Too many Netflix movies and western books.  Life is good.  I really am blessed, God is good all of the time.  

Life and cleaners

Cleaners are coming today. Merry Maids.  Strangers coming into Madigan and my space. It’s exciting. I love being clean. I loved last year when post covid a couple came for a day and cleaned the floors and got the dirt behind things.  I loved when I had a cleaning lady once a month before covid.  It’s wonderful.  But the clutter here concerns me. I’m due for a trip to the storage locker. I’d like to minimalize. I’d like to be able to stow everything in an hour and be on the road. But right now this is a home. I’ve no intention of leaving now. I image though if it was less chaotic I might get it together to be able to tow.  I think next year maybe but then I also think trade this in for a road version. My little house becoming a bus.  A complete overhaul of dreams. Last year I was all set to trade in my harley and then I enjoyed it again and my strength improved. This year I love the Harley.  

But the camper remains in Limbo with the evil machinations of Frazerway RV and insurance companies.  I carry on.  I called a lawyer but he’s not returned my calls.  

This is the world of post covid, delays and shortage of staff and lack of local parts.  Transportation and communication problems

I should be simply grateful. It’s sunny. It’s summer. I have a “reasonably happy life’.  I know joy. I have th comfort of a cute companion Madigan who ever day grows more adorable and endearing.

I wonder what to do when I grow ups. I am technically post retirement but this life I’m leading is fulfilling. I can continue to do as I’m doing.  One day at a time I celebrated 25 years clean and sober Aiming for 30 now. I’m 70 but feel like 40 except my back which feels a hundred at times. This week it’s been much better. I called a Tai Chi school and am on their books for their next in person courses.  I’ve been swimming more. I need to exercise and stretch more. I’m seen Dr. Ready the chiropractor tomorrow.  That helps.  I’m less anxious about my back. Mina and Lydia have leased my psychosis.  No spine cancer.  Stretching in bed before getting out prepares me for the crush of gravity standing.  I suppose it’s significant I have an old spinal fracture. I’ve been through a lot. My life has been a grand adventure. Today I naturally look at the lack of children and dwell on the negative of the abortion and the cruelty of women and the abuse by men.  Here I am today though blessed with moments of joy and all the manure of the past has given rise to the flowers in my garden.

I’m faced still with what will I do when I grow up.

1. My boat is set to sail the Great Lakes or go down the inside passage to the Caribbean. I’d like that.  

2. I’m a virtual doctor and I enjoy that.  I like virtual reality especially for psychopharmacology. I feel like a Lordco parts guy. I know what is best and have this knowledge though I miss the psychoanalytic psychotherapy and hypnotherapy and general medicine diagnostics. I imagine that I’d like to develop a teaching blog on utube perhaps.

3. I’ve three books well in progress and would love to sit in libraries again with my dog and have access to the books and my ipad. I’d love an editor.  I’ve all this ‘data’ and yet I’m less motivated to put it into a ‘form’. I’ve lots of material.  

4 I imagine writing and travelling. I’d thought to do that with the camper.  Write a couple of hours a day and drive a couple of hours a day and hang out a couple of hours a day.  I wanted to see the history of the US>

5. I thought to travel to South America. I could have done that with the camper or on my motorcycle.  I can’t take Madigan on my motorcycle

6.  I thought to have a sex change I just want breasts and to wear dresses and present as an eccentric entity. I don’t want bottom surgery. I just want the different identity, But I don’t particularly like gay people . They are so liberal and ready to be offended and so angry so often. I am afraid of LGBT people often though I have individual friends an I have patients I enjoy but overall I find them ‘prickly’.   There’s certainly some adventure but a lot of narcissism .  I rather like the mundane by comparison.  Perhaps its competition. I’m he unusual one in most crowds.  I don’t vy for the spot light but don’t enjoy the Pride and drama but I like the acceptance of sexuality and diversity.

7. I don’t want to be a monk but I want to continue my spiritual journey. I think of Laura and I and our mutual love of God and our fun under the sheets and I simple enjoyment of life together. She likes my love of church’s and art and I enjoy when we are on the road with the dog. She has this whole other life and is winding down whereas frankly I’m winding up.  I’ve served in work for decades and now I’d like self care, retirement as a new adventure. I imagine I’m good for  another 30 years and she’s talking like she’s not here for another 10. I was thinking of going back to university and formalizing my theology degree. On a bad day I think of getting a law degree.

8. I am looking forward to the cleaners and the organization imposed.  It’s a beginning.  

Thank you Jesus.  YESHU.

Hunting weekend, Similkameen River, Riverhaven RV Park

Laura makes me feel ‘manly’.  I enjoying camping and hunting and feeling no shame in masculinity.  Toxic feminists seem to breed in the urban cafe but dwindle out where masculinity is appreciated.  Laura loves being in the camper and Madigan and I love being out on the Honda ATV in the woods.  It’s a lot of work to manage all the aspects of daily living. Water systems, heating and refridgeration, automotive, community, electricity, sewage.  It’s a whole different thing to be sitting in a space station city apartment with all the services vaguely ‘miraculously there.”

We’re not roughing it by any means. Laura stoically joined me for all the tenting days when I’d leave her with a rifle and go off bear hunting in bear country.  She stayed in the truck one time. Another time a freak snow storm collapsed the tent roof and I found her sitting inside beside the heater read. She loves to read.  Another time while myself and the guys were out hunting grouse one landed on the picnic table and she shot it with her 22.  We were skunked and she had the grouse.  

I love this Riverhaven RV Campground. It has all the services, electricity, city water supply, sewage.  We can also access the ATV trails and back woods off the RV site.  There’s a beach and all the kids are down there all day. Yesterday was hot and sunny. I’d thought to jump into the cool stream but missed my opportunity. Today it’s overcast. Lots of folk are down swimming and playing by the water. But I’m passing. I only like cold water when it’s hot and sunny outside. I did just get out of a heavenly hot shower in the Adventurer camper. I love the Adventurer Camper.  

It was all day getting out here on Thursday. We had errands in the morning, and had to load the camper at John’s.  I also had to hook up the Lowe’s Store Utility Trailer with the Honda 420 Tracker ATV.  There’s keys and locks for everything so it’s always a mental Alzheimer’s test trying to remember all the details.  I keep meaning to get a flight checklist but forget to do it only to have to remember again next time.  We’d stopped at Cabelas on the way out only to find there was almost no ammunition.  None for my rifles.  Thankfully I found what I wanted at Canadian tire.  30:06 180 grain Nussler Partition.  What a find? I bought four boxes.  I’ve not been able to find any for a year but luckily have had leftovers from previous years.  The 300 Win Mag Short is all sold out too.  

It’s bow hunting, dear and elk but rifle for bear hunting. I found the bear banger gifts but the ammo was sold out.  I got a solid lock for the new electric bicycle. I hadn’t brought the Vespa so if we didn’t have something we’d have to do with out.  I was thinking this when we got to Hope to provision.  At Chilliwack we noticed the price of gas is way up.  Being older and knowing the country before Trudeau’s waste and mismanagement I remember $100 paid for a weekend of gas. Now it’s more like $400. All the food prices have gone up too because of all the taxes on primary processes and inflation.  I’m okay.  I’m still working yet I no longer feel clean paying taxes. Paying the terrorist ten million dollars for killing the American medic never sat well with me. When my taxes went to roads, defence and hospitals I was okay. Not okay but now it’s scandalous.  All the people who don’t work and don’t want to work are being rewarded and we’re suffering more and more taxes and less and less income. Same with legal gun owners, high costs and impeccable behaviour while the criminals get a pass from the government. 

Oh well, I’m far from the maddening crowd.  I love it here. Families and children and no loud music. A really well run campground.  Lovely owners.  So helpful. 

At Hope I really loaded a lot of food.  People are stockpiling canned food again as fall is coming on and more and more shortages are appearing in the stores.  Other than ammo we’ve been fortunate.  I’ve used Amazon to get some sweet items for camping.  Motion sensitive portable lights.  Also a soft Kolpin ATV gear bag seat that’s just skookum.  I like Kolpin.  

The ride up through Manning Park was a delight on a sunny day.  It wasn’t at all like the smoky surreal world I passed through last month. There was still some smouldering fire at East gate. There had been major flames before and black billowing smoke. Now it was just a little grey smoke.  A last stop at the Princeton store for sandwich meats. That’s all I’d forgotten at Hope.

The refridgerator is working well again thanks to Nick at Far Out RV in Hope.  

We finally made it to Riverhaven at dusk. A beautiful river side site. Lots of room. I was able to put the trailer beside the Camper and Ford F-350.  We’d had MacDonald’s from Hope so weren’t hungry. I did eat a cold cheese burger left over and that satisfied me. Laura wasn’t hungry after the quarter pounder late afternoon. It was so quiet and the stars were out.  

Madigan cried half the night. He wanted to be on the bed. He was bored. He was upset. I woke at 2:30 am with a cramp, took him for a walk and downed several Alleve.  I slept in. 930 am.  

Yesterday was a great day.  I actually went through all the gear and sorted it out.  It’s the first day of hunting and it’s always like this. I did get the net tent up.  Laura doesn’t like mosquitoes so I got this skookum net tent with bright lime roof. Caravan Canopy Screen House10 ft by 10ft. I put it up myself. Only takes one person. Modern design and really light weight. I love it. Laura loves it. 

When I was all set up I headed out with Madigan on the ATV.  I had to go through a rancher’s field and open and close the barb wire fence.  Magpies and steller’s jays were in the trees. Maybe even a whiskey jack. I’d see all of those and more.  Lots of birds. We stopped where we did in the spring. Madigan is fine with rifles. I sited in the Ruger and it was good enough. Nice pattern a hundred years. A couple of inches high and to the right.  It was okay.  I tried the old and new ammunition and it was okay.  Then I shot an arrow from the Excalibur hitting in the second ring from bullseye, first shot standing, 30 yards. Good enough.  Madigan was having fun running around off leash.  

I just rode the Honda 420 all over the mountain.  I saw a rabbit.  I raised a covey of grouse and got pictures.  Grouse season opens in a week. I saw one doe climbing up the mountain.  No bear.  Lots of cows. I was surprised by two beautiful young women in a Jeep wearing cammo. I’d not heard them as the ATV motor the Jeep’s quiet engine. They stopped and smiled and we shared about seeing lots of cows. I don’t know if they were hunting but they could have been. First time then for me seeing two girls out hunting together.  Always two or more guys or a couple.  I came across them again near dusk when I was heading back. I’d stopped to scope a  black lump on a mountain side. They passed me while I was stopped. 

It was 8 pm when I got back.  Dark. I barbecued some steaks and we used the cold salads I’d bought in Princeton. A lovely meal.  Not much longer we were in bed and Madigan slept well.  The park was really quiet. I ‘d walked Madigan before I went to bed around 10.  Everyone was turned in by then except for a couple of campsites where folks were sitting around the dead fire pit talking quietly. There’s a fire ban. Madigan slept and I slept and Laura slept. It was a glorious sleep.

This morning I was up at 6 am but I didn’t get going till 7:30.  Dawn was 630 . Supposed to be in position ready to ambush the dear at dawn.  I actually got up the mountain and find a place to watch for deer.  Madigan was learning how to walk behind me and did his best to sit still. Not very good. He would get 3-5 minutes before his attention broke and he had to look at something or chew a pine cone or climb on me. He did well. Normally I’m meditative and don’t move at all waiting for deer.  I was distracted but last an hour and a half before I got back on the ATV.  I drove all over the mountain after that. I stopped to let Madigan have some pond water. I had a couple of stops for coffee. Scanning the valley an clearings.  It was chilly at first but warmed up.

More grouse.  a Rabbit .  Doves. No elk, deer or bear.  But. I was there.

I came down the mountain after noon.  It feels safe here and I didn’t mind leaving stuff on my ATV. I put the bow and rifle in the locked truck but didn’t feel the need to unload.  I’d just put a tarp over the ATV the night before and found nothing disturbed in the morning.

I’d been hankering after eggs and bacon so barbecued some back bacon while Laura made scrambled eggs. We ate together outside under the Screen Tent. 

I had a lovely shower.  It’s so dusty on the back trails.  I loved getting clean.  

Now I’ll head up for evening hunt in an hour or two.  I might have a nap first. It’s so peaceful here.  

Hunting weekend, Similkameen River, Riverhaven RV Park

Laura makes me feel ‘manly’.  I enjoying camping and hunting and feeling no shame in masculinity.  Toxic feminists seem to breed in the urban cafe but dwindle out where masculinity is appreciated.  Laura loves being in the camper and Madigan and I love being out on the Honda ATV in the woods.  It’s a lot of work to manage all the aspects of daily living. Water systems, heating and refridgeration, automotive, community, electricity, sewage.  It’s a whole different thing to be sitting in a space station city apartment with all the services vaguely ‘miraculously there.”

We’re not roughing it by any means. Laura stoically joined me for all the tenting days when I’d leave her with a rifle and go off bear hunting in bear country.  She stayed in the truck one time. Another time a freak snow storm collapsed the tent roof and I found her sitting inside beside the heater read. She loves to read.  Another time while myself and the guys were out hunting grouse one landed on the picnic table and she shot it with her 22.  We were skunked and she had the grouse.  

I love this Riverhaven RV Campground. It has all the services, electricity, city water supply, sewage.  We can also access the ATV trails and back woods off the RV site.  There’s a beach and all the kids are down there all day. Yesterday was hot and sunny. I’d thought to jump into the cool stream but missed my opportunity. Today it’s overcast. Lots of folk are down swimming and playing by the water. But I’m passing. I only like cold water when it’s hot and sunny outside. I did just get out of a heavenly hot shower in the Adventurer camper. I love the Adventurer Camper.  

It was all day getting out here on Thursday. We had errands in the morning, and had to load the camper at John’s.  I also had to hook up the Lowe’s Store Utility Trailer with the Honda 420 Tracker ATV.  There’s keys and locks for everything so it’s always a mental Alzheimer’s test trying to remember all the details.  I keep meaning to get a flight checklist but forget to do it only to have to remember again next time.  We’d stopped at Cabelas on the way out only to find there was almost no ammunition.  None for my rifles.  Thankfully I found what I wanted at Canadian tire.  30:06 180 grain Nussler Partition.  What a find? I bought four boxes.  I’ve not been able to find any for a year but luckily have had leftovers from previous years.  The 300 Win Mag Short is all sold out too.  

It’s bow hunting, dear and elk but rifle for bear hunting. I found the bear banger gifts but the ammo was sold out.  I got a solid lock for the new electric bicycle. I hadn’t brought the Vespa so if we didn’t have something we’d have to do with out.  I was thinking this when we got to Hope to provision.  At Chilliwack we noticed the price of gas is way up.  Being older and knowing the country before Trudeau’s waste and mismanagement I remember $100 paid for a weekend of gas. Now it’s more like $400. All the food prices have gone up too because of all the taxes on primary processes and inflation.  I’m okay.  I’m still working yet I no longer feel clean paying taxes. Paying the terrorist ten million dollars for killing the American medic never sat well with me. When my taxes went to roads, defence and hospitals I was okay. Not okay but now it’s scandalous.  All the people who don’t work and don’t want to work are being rewarded and we’re suffering more and more taxes and less and less income. Same with legal gun owners, high costs and impeccable behaviour while the criminals get a pass from the government. 

Oh well, I’m far from the maddening crowd.  I love it here. Families and children and no loud music. A really well run campground.  Lovely owners.  So helpful. 

At Hope I really loaded a lot of food.  People are stockpiling canned food again as fall is coming on and more and more shortages are appearing in the stores.  Other than ammo we’ve been fortunate.  I’ve used Amazon to get some sweet items for camping.  Motion sensitive portable lights.  Also a soft Kolpin ATV gear bag seat that’s just skookum.  I like Kolpin.  

The ride up through Manning Park was a delight on a sunny day.  It wasn’t at all like the smoky surreal world I passed through last month. There was still some smouldering fire at East gate. There had been major flames before and black billowing smoke. Now it was just a little grey smoke.  A last stop at the Princeton store for sandwich meats. That’s all I’d forgotten at Hope.

The refridgerator is working well again thanks to Nick at Far Out RV in Hope.  

We finally made it to Riverhaven at dusk. A beautiful river side site. Lots of room. I was able to put the trailer beside the Camper and Ford F-350.  We’d had MacDonald’s from Hope so weren’t hungry. I did eat a cold cheese burger left over and that satisfied me. Laura wasn’t hungry after the quarter pounder late afternoon. It was so quiet and the stars were out.  

Madigan cried half the night. He wanted to be on the bed. He was bored. He was upset. I woke at 2:30 am with a cramp, took him for a walk and downed several Alleve.  I slept in. 930 am.  

Yesterday was a great day.  I actually went through all the gear and sorted it out.  It’s the first day of hunting and it’s always like this. I did get the net tent up.  Laura doesn’t like mosquitoes so I got this skookum net tent with bright lime roof. Caravan Canopy Screen House10 ft by 10ft. I put it up myself. Only takes one person. Modern design and really light weight. I love it. Laura loves it. 

When I was all set up I headed out with Madigan on the ATV.  I had to go through a rancher’s field and open and close the barb wire fence.  Magpies and steller’s jays were in the trees. Maybe even a whiskey jack. I’d see all of those and more.  Lots of birds. We stopped where we did in the spring. Madigan is fine with rifles. I sited in the Ruger and it was good enough. Nice pattern a hundred years. A couple of inches high and to the right.  It was okay.  I tried the old and new ammunition and it was okay.  Then I shot an arrow from the Excalibur hitting in the second ring from bullseye, first shot standing, 30 yards. Good enough.  Madigan was having fun running around off leash.  

I just rode the Honda 420 all over the mountain.  I saw a rabbit.  I raised a covey of grouse and got pictures.  Grouse season opens in a week. I saw one doe climbing up the mountain.  No bear.  Lots of cows. I was surprised by two beautiful young women in a Jeep wearing cammo. I’d not heard them as the ATV motor the Jeep’s quiet engine. They stopped and smiled and we shared about seeing lots of cows. I don’t know if they were hunting but they could have been. First time then for me seeing two girls out hunting together.  Always two or more guys or a couple.  I came across them again near dusk when I was heading back. I’d stopped to scope a  black lump on a mountain side. They passed me while I was stopped. 

It was 8 pm when I got back.  Dark. I barbecued some steaks and we used the cold salads I’d bought in Princeton. A lovely meal.  Not much longer we were in bed and Madigan slept well.  The park was really quiet. I ‘d walked Madigan before I went to bed around 10.  Everyone was turned in by then except for a couple of campsites where folks were sitting around the dead fire pit talking quietly. There’s a fire ban. Madigan slept and I slept and Laura slept. It was a glorious sleep.

This morning I was up at 6 am but I didn’t get going till 7:30.  Dawn was 630 . Supposed to be in position ready to ambush the dear at dawn.  I actually got up the mountain and find a place to watch for deer.  Madigan was learning how to walk behind me and did his best to sit still. Not very good. He would get 3-5 minutes before his attention broke and he had to look at something or chew a pine cone or climb on me. He did well. Normally I’m meditative and don’t move at all waiting for deer.  I was distracted but last an hour and a half before I got back on the ATV.  I drove all over the mountain after that. I stopped to let Madigan have some pond water. I had a couple of stops for coffee. Scanning the valley an clearings.  It was chilly at first but warmed up.

More grouse.  a Rabbit .  Doves. No elk, deer or bear.  But. I was there.

I came down the mountain after noon.  It feels safe here and I didn’t mind leaving stuff on my ATV. I put the bow and rifle in the locked truck but didn’t feel the need to unload.  I’d just put a tarp over the ATV the night before and found nothing disturbed in the morning.

I’d been hankering after eggs and bacon so barbecued some back bacon while Laura made scrambled eggs. We ate together outside under the Screen Tent. 

I had a lovely shower.  It’s so dusty on the back trails.  I loved getting clean.  

Now I’ll head up for evening hunt in an hour or two.  I might have a nap first. It’s so peaceful here.  

Easter Monday

Easter Monday. Holiday Monday. My alarm went off set for work five days a week.  Gilbert cried to be in bed. I rose to the task. The little licky squirmy rolly bundle of cockapoo got right between beautiful Laura and me, belly up,  intent on getting dual pets, We indulged him. I fell back to sleep. Napped another hour.  Got out of the camper bed because I love coffee.  Stove top expresso.  Cream and honey. A cup for me and a cup for Laura.

I was reading a Griff Hosker Men of Sword “Blood on the Crown” novel, medieval historical fiction.

 I’ve read 3 novels this weekend. I had a new little neurology text I opened then quickly shut.  G.Michael Hopf, the Lawman.  Great fast read.  I love a good western when I’m camping. I read a Greg Loomis Thriller with his ex CIA,  Husband and wife, Lang and Gurt  team and their vulnerable  young son. The Chinese trying to put missiles in Haiti, the superstitious Creole president wanting the remains of Alexander the Great, Atlanta, Port Du Prince, Venice and Egypt shoot outs and chases.  A well crafted intrigue easy to read with good characterization.

The last was a WWII Battle of Britain Spitfire book with alternating chapters one of the English pilots the other of the German pilots. Sad tales of young warriors and men in love with pretty girls in time of war. Such waste. Good action. Sweet romance.

I was reading on my Ipad and hadn’t downloaded more from Kindle. We’re without wi fi so was fortunate to have those to read. I also had to use the generator to charge our phones and ipad.  During that time I read the paperback, Trudy Turner ‘s  Packtrains and Airplanes, memoirs of her and her parents homesteading Lonseome Lake near Bella Coola, BC.  Great read. Hard life but good fun.  Laura has read others of Trudy Turner’s describing the simple but robust isolated life the family had.

The first day here we just set up. We’d arrived late afternoon so I just heated up Stag Chilli to have with the  the fresh buns I’d bought at Superstore.  We read and sat about outside. no mosquitos. But ants bit both Laura and Gilbert. I saw there was an ant hill nearby.  Both of them must have frightened or irritated the ants  Gilbert yelped once. I assumed it was an ant. Laura startled and stepped on the ant that had bit her, probably in self defence.  She just put her feet up on the picnic table after that.  Gilbert lay down further from the ant hill. There weren’t any flies either. No hornets either.  Saturday was an easy day. I had the lawn chairs out and we sat and read in the sunshine and warmth.

We had a neighbour with a dog. From the distance we couldn’t tell if she was a he or he was a she.  Slim short haired androgynous looking with pink running shoes. Girlish face from a distance but tomboyish mannerism.  She’s been alone camping.  I felt like My Favourite Martian’s neighbour, just curious.  It had all started because at first we thought there were two.  A boy and a girl. Because of the clothing changes.  In the end it seemed the was just one.  And the dog.

Our other neighbour was an old couple with a satellite dish. I wondered if it was wi fi or tv, especting the latter because they were white haired and old. No ageism here, and they at most have a decade on me. Probably have satelite phones and high tech in the bus.   

Things were so slow at our site that I actually suggested I get out the binoculars to study the neighbours. Some bikers on Harley’s had a pup tent out one night. Another very fat couple in a van sat by their fire all day. I saw them roasting marshmallows. I must remember to get some marshmallows to roast.

Laura read Reader’s Digest and did crosswords.

I unloaded  my KTM 690 from the front of the truck.  Laura wanted some flameless candles she bought each time we were here at the really terrific Princeton Home Hardware. She also wanted some liver treats for Gilbert she’d got there the last time we visited. He’d really liked them. I had the rifle in the hard case but decided I should have a soft case to make the rifle even more politically correct when I’m riding the KTM.  I carry it on my motorcycle with a trigger lock. But nowadays with so many fragile urban Huffington Post readers I didn’t want to trigger an offended screamer.  I love visitting the hunting store in Princeton. I’ve got knives, ammunition, guns, fishing gears and cammo hunting gear over the years. The couple that run it know their stuff.  

Our toilet seemed full but we hadn’t used it then I realized it was just plugged a bit as the water line descended.I’d decided I needed a bucket to drain off the black and grey water a bit if a problem like this arose. As it was there was lots of capacity. All it took was a stick to plunge it but “I needed” a pail for the future.  We don’t drain the black water though I did once dumping it in the outhouse year’s back with a pail when some of us guys stayed a week in the trailer.  We have run off the grey water , just from washing, under the RV, soapy smells, but a pail would do better.  

The fact is I love the ride into town along the winding Old Hedly Road. It’s beautiful scenery, wild wilderness along the Similkameen River then cattle and horse country.  I’ve loved riding that rode every time on an enduro.  It was just made for the KTM.  

In the town I even got a Nexteck power bar to store power to use later to charge the iPhone’s and iPads.  I like running the Honda 2000 generator a couple of hours a day. The  double RV  batteries on the Adventurer  would last a few days with the little power we use, mostly furnace and lights but I just like using the sweet little machine.  I carry a jerry can of fuel back up but it runs for hours on the fuel in the tank.  I filled it  at the gas station while Laura was selling a spare kidney to buy Trudea Carbon scam Canadian gas. It’s advertised as kissed by Sophie to justify the extortion.   I have the jerry can to top up the KTM too.  I had to give my left testicle to fill that. 

In the town after the little shopping I did, the excuse for the glorious sunshine day ride, I filled up the bike and headed back, my new poop pail bungee corded to the paniers.  After I dropped off the pail  I drove to the nearby wood supply paying $5 each bundle and carried these back bungee corded to the panniers.  The meat store that had been there was moved, a dissappointment because we so like their sausages.

I barbecued beef hot dogs for our dinner.  I’d made a fire and the combinations of  wood smoke and barbecue smells were as good for us as they were for Gilbert.  He was rolling around on his back in dog heaven. Taking him for walks has been another big event in our tedious days.  

Fresh air and Pink Moon sleeps in the camper are awesome.

Prayer and meditation Easter Sunday.  

More bacon sandwiches for breakfast.

I actually got my rifle out and cleaned it then loaded up the KTM for an afternoon backwoods ride, target practice and supposed bear hunting. I waited till noon to head out since that was the least likely time to encounter bear.  I am a serious grouse, deer and even moose hunter but I’ve only shot bear rarely.  Other than the ham I’m just not that great a fan of bear sausage. I have a rug with the head mount of the first bear I shot bullseye in the forehead when it suddenly walked onto the same log bridge I was crossing at Knights Inlet.  I’d had a taxidermist fix it up  mostly for that hole in the forehead. I had it on my wall for a number of years too.  Not that I have ever succumbed to vanity. 

The drive up the gravel logging road was a pleasure.  Each year I’ve a period of time when I’m relearning. Sliding gravel.  Balance. Not to fast.  Not to slow.  I did a dozen miles up to the top of the mountain then headed off on a muddy side road.  I found a great place to stop and set out targets.  50 and a hundred yards.  I had the Winchester Coyote with 300 win mag shorts. I shot off 3 shells at 50 yards all grouping 1-2 inches around the bull’s eye.  At one hundred yards. I put two shots side by side an inch apart a couple of inches from the centre. I adjusted the scope but found I had only a dozen more 300 win mag shorts as I’d brought the 30:06 shells by mistake. Not too smart. I could have shot more and got more accurate but after a year not shooting then shooting that accurately I was confident I could hit a bear well if needed. I’d a good excuse now to go back down and get more shells and have another coffee.

That’s just what I did.  Returning I decided to take the Creek road and met a couple of the local ranchers I’d met previously driving down the rocky hill on their quad’s.  They said they’d not seen any bear but I’d already seen some sign on the other logging trail so would go back to that one.  Ranchers are generally happy to have bear hunters take care of a threat to their spring calves.   

I saw a grouse on that road and bones of a calf which I guessed had died in the fall, it’s bones stripped white. I startled a Mule doe when I came back down and headed up another logging road. It turned on the road and began heading back down the hill, thought better of that, turned and ran back up the mountain, crossing in front of me at most a dozen feet away.  I could see the nostrils flaring and the strong muscles propelling her uphill. Nice encounter with nature. 

There seemed like a lot more magpie, the black and white bird with long tails than I remember. I saw another Mulie out in a field a ways off.  I was delighted to come across the rose grosbeak.  I’ve only seen a few over the years. A Badger was sitting by the side of the road as I passed.  I love the wildlife I see just driving around the back woods. The streams were up high and there was still old snow in the valleys here and there. It got colder as the day got on and I rose higher in the mountains.  Coming down the mountain took all my concentration with the gravel.  The quad really was the best hunting platform. On  two wheels coming down I only had eyes for the road.  I sure was tired and chilled when I got down.  Coffee never was better, just for the warmth.

Barbecued steaks and Caesar salad with another big fire for the evening.  Laura had turned off the furnace but I’d cranked it back up to get warm after riding.  Now after a feast eating a chocolate Easter bunny reading my Kindle book I was warm and content again.  

Laura told me that the girl next door had been wearing a pink tank top and had a definite girl figure and was dancing with the dog.  “She’s definitely a girl.” She said. The great mystery of the weekend solved.  I still don’t know for sure if the satellite dish is for tv or wifi. The old couple might be CIA too with a satellite dish.  Reading Loomis I considered that.

Another great sleep. Though I woke at 1 am for some unknown reason. Gilbert and I took a walk about then. Laura in the morning said she’d not even noticed.  I had some yoghurt and Perrier and gave him some bacon treats before going back to bed. 

I’ve had great dreams. I ‘m on my peninsula with my boat in the harbour and am meeting friends in the church. Loved running into Art. Normally we hug but in the dream in the church surroundings we bowed namaste style.   I joined a Bible study but didn’t know what page we were on.  I had that embarrassment in church recently ,slow to get to the communal readings.  Family were in the dream and others.  I wake so refreshed and happy, comforted by these after death images, the future beyond the grave.  The place I’m going to in my mind at least.  Mansions in heaven.

Now we’re doing more nothing.All I have to do is load the KTM and we’re be nearly ready to leave, Laura stowing the interior, Gilbert observing.  I’ve made a couple of cups of coffee and may have more. We’re out of bacon.  The plan was barbecued steak sandwiches. There is just too much to do on these camping vacations. The stress of decision making and neighbour watching is just overwhelming. We’re have to get back to work tomorrow for a vacation.  

Sunday Morning Hunting, Princeton

It’s pouring down something fierce. I just got in from hunting when the drizzle began.  Laura told me she’d read they were having monsoon wind and rain in Vancouver.

The Maverick camper is leaking.  Laura found the pillow and top of the mattress wet when we woke this morning.  My duct tape and gorilla tape patch wasn’t wide enough. I’d planned to fill the hole with silicone putty today but now I can’t with the rain.  When it lets up I’ll do so and reduce the flow of water into the camper.  We worry about mould.  After hunting season I’ll get it in for a proper repair. I don’t know how the front got bashed.  A bird hitting it seems the best explanation. It was old and second hand.

The rain on the roof is really heavy.  It was cold up in the high country on the KTM 690 this morning. Dark clouds.  Sinister.  I was blessed to shoot a rabbit.  It stopped on the side of the road. I was too far away but blasted it with two barrels of 20 gauge 4 shot.  Then I crawled unceremoniously off my too tall motorcycle, my ballet splits getting better by the day.  I missed Gilbert the cockapoo.  I figured the rabbit was wounded and that it had crawled under a wood pile in the ditch.  Gilbert would have found or flushed it. As it was I went over the side and there sitting still a little ways away was the rabbit.  I blasted it, glad to have reloaded the shot gun.  It was smaller like the grouse yesterday was smaller.  The grouse was a good meal.

When I gutted the rabbit I saw that my shot had taken out the centre like a single shot, I was that close. There were pellets in one leg from I figure the first shot. Three legs and 2 shoulders and 2 thighs were in tact still.. . Not bad. I thought. A 22 would have been better but the 20 gauge is best for grouse.  The year I’d shot a lot of rabbits, a couple of years back, I’d made head shots with the Ruger Mini 14 223.  That turned out to be a perfect rifle for the rabbits that sat on the grass roads way up ahead. If I got any closer they’d spook so the 20 gauge and 22 were not nearly as appropriate.

I was up late and only on the back roads at 830.  A downpour had struck at dawn so I went back to sleep.  I was out riding around the back woods for three hours.  It’s incredibly tiring holding oneself upright off road trying not to slip on the wet and bumping along up and down. I almost lost it twice with riding over wet logs.  The  back end of the bike slid out but I recovered.  I was tired and wet and figured I was pretty exhausted so stopped for a Starbucks cold coffee and a can of sardines.  The drizzle had begun and I rode back doing the greasy gravelly downhill in first gear with back and forward breaks at times.  15 km.  My arms are shaking a bit still.  

Yesterday’s barbecue grouse with Canadian back bacon barbecued on aluminum foil and a 6 egg scrambled made on the inside propane stove with barbecued whole wheat buns was delicious.  I gave Gilbert and George tiny pieces of barbecued grouse and they were both in heaven. Gilbert is accommodating well to being blind, a little over zealous in his new job as guard dog but not too disappointed when I go off alone.  He sure lights up when I return and takes an active tail wagging part in my cleaning and cooking game.  He knows he’s still part of the hunt.  He also knows Laura and George couldn’t defend themselves against zombie attacks without him.  

Now I’m loving the heater and Irish Breakfast tea with honey. Life is good.

It’s Sunday and I found myself thinking a lot about God out riding in the beautiful wilderness. God the creator.  Jesus is such a personal and perhaps community God with the churches.   Jesus helped the fishermen with their catch.  He would help hunters and fishermen.  I prayed for his help and safety. Mostly I was thankful I didn’t crash the motorcycle or go over one of the cliffs..  I wasn’t doing anything silly.  Just putting along watching either side of the road for game and keeping down around 15 km/hr though returning I was doing 25 km/hr.  I feel I’m in God’s creation.  Like a dreamer inside a dream.  

The rabbit was surely a gift.

Thank you Lord.