POST # 109
Well I've had some low stress housesits along this journey but this one would have to rate right up near the top, hence the title. This place is very chilled out and it's been easy to settle right in, after a week of wandering around.
The location is approximately 12km south of the main township of Chilliwack, along the Vedder River, right where the Fraser river delta butts up against the hills. It's rural, and quiet and that pleases me. I'll be here for a couple of months so it's a good thing that I like the location.
Along with the location, I have the pleasure of taking care of Austin, the hound/beagle cross who is as chilled out as this place is. Austin is about 10 years old, he's seen it all by now and so he doesn't get too stressed out about anything, and likes to spend a big chunk of his day snoozing. In that respect, he's more like a cat. Austin is also a very lucky dog, because the property we're on is totally fenced off on the south side along the road, and the north side opens up to the river valley where he has free range to roam wherever he choses to go. So the procedure is as follows: Austin stands at the back door which means he wants to go out, and sometime later, maybe five minutes or an hour he stands at the front door lets out a big "woof" which is the signal to let him back in. How easy is that? Of course I like to join him every now and again for a wander along the river. The terrain is uneven with rocks everywhere, however as long as I am careful, it's actually good therapy for my ankle as it gives it the opportunity to bend in many different directions.
As an added bonus, the owners have supplied me with a bicycle to get around on, so I'm all set. The owners are on their way to Yuma for the remainder of the winter. But looking outside right now, it doesn't look much like winter any longer.
Austin has just returned from his second morning stroll and has now taken up his favourite spot on the rug in the living room so that he can have another nap. So we're both chilling out for now, and later I'll join him for a wander down by the river and just enjoy being out in nature.
Happy Trails
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
THOUGHTFUL: showing consideration for others; occupied with or given to thought; contemplative; meditative. WANDERER: moving from place to place without a fixed plan; or having no permanent residence; nomadic.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
BLANK
POST # 108
The title today describes the state of my mind regarding what to write for this blog. Instead of spending valuable moments in front of the computer, I think my time would be better spent enjoying the winter sunshine outdoors.
Perhaps a walk in the park, or along the beach would be in order. Of course, there always is the option of a bike ride to soothe the soul.
I will let the day unfold as it will and savour every moment.
Happy Trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
The title today describes the state of my mind regarding what to write for this blog. Instead of spending valuable moments in front of the computer, I think my time would be better spent enjoying the winter sunshine outdoors.
Perhaps a walk in the park, or along the beach would be in order. Of course, there always is the option of a bike ride to soothe the soul.
I will let the day unfold as it will and savour every moment.
Happy Trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
Friday, February 14, 2014
RAIN AND DROUGHT
POST # 107
A view out of my window this morning showed scattered cloud cover and some rain falling. My plan was to head to the library to write up another short blog entry, however the thought of riding in the rain made me pause to consider whether I would go or not. Thankfully, before long the sun was shining again, and this convinced me to carry on with my initial plan.
Speaking of rain, I should consider myself lucky in comparison to what's going on in the UK at the moment. One storm after another has been dumping copious quantities of the wet stuff, and has resulted in significant flooding and infrastructure damage. Even the old Queen can have a ring side seat view from Windsor Castle. I wonder if she thinks about climate change and the meandering jet stream? Probably not. But whether you are the Queen of England or just a cab driver, whether you buy into the science or not, the effects are all around. Ironically, the Thames barrier which was built to prevent flooding from the incoming sea, is located on the downstream side of the Thames, east of London, but the majority of the flooding is west of London. So much for technology.
It's been interesting watching the politicians talk about solutions, or who is to blame. All their talk is just so much hot air, and that's about it.
Over in this neck of the woods, in the southwest US, particularly California, the drought continues to get worse. I sure wouldn't want to be living in southern California, what with all those people and a deepening water crisis. It could be a long hot summer, and I wonder if tempers will flare right along with the heat? Time will tell, but having witnessed normally sensible people getting into fist fights over bottled water in Vancouver a few years ago, over something that wasn't even an emergency, I suspect that if conditions continue to deteriorate in California, it won't be a pretty picture. I think I will keep California off of my housesitting calendar.
Back here in Nanaimo, things are rather benign in comparison to other locations on the planet, and Piper the furball and I have been fortunate to live a rather comfortable existence. It's time yet again to count my blessings, something I do on a daily basis now.
The computer clock is ticking, and so I had better get this wrapped up, edited and "in the can" as they say. The sun is still shining out there, and the bike beckons.
Happy Trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
A view out of my window this morning showed scattered cloud cover and some rain falling. My plan was to head to the library to write up another short blog entry, however the thought of riding in the rain made me pause to consider whether I would go or not. Thankfully, before long the sun was shining again, and this convinced me to carry on with my initial plan.
Speaking of rain, I should consider myself lucky in comparison to what's going on in the UK at the moment. One storm after another has been dumping copious quantities of the wet stuff, and has resulted in significant flooding and infrastructure damage. Even the old Queen can have a ring side seat view from Windsor Castle. I wonder if she thinks about climate change and the meandering jet stream? Probably not. But whether you are the Queen of England or just a cab driver, whether you buy into the science or not, the effects are all around. Ironically, the Thames barrier which was built to prevent flooding from the incoming sea, is located on the downstream side of the Thames, east of London, but the majority of the flooding is west of London. So much for technology.
It's been interesting watching the politicians talk about solutions, or who is to blame. All their talk is just so much hot air, and that's about it.
Over in this neck of the woods, in the southwest US, particularly California, the drought continues to get worse. I sure wouldn't want to be living in southern California, what with all those people and a deepening water crisis. It could be a long hot summer, and I wonder if tempers will flare right along with the heat? Time will tell, but having witnessed normally sensible people getting into fist fights over bottled water in Vancouver a few years ago, over something that wasn't even an emergency, I suspect that if conditions continue to deteriorate in California, it won't be a pretty picture. I think I will keep California off of my housesitting calendar.
Back here in Nanaimo, things are rather benign in comparison to other locations on the planet, and Piper the furball and I have been fortunate to live a rather comfortable existence. It's time yet again to count my blessings, something I do on a daily basis now.
The computer clock is ticking, and so I had better get this wrapped up, edited and "in the can" as they say. The sun is still shining out there, and the bike beckons.
Happy Trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
Friday, February 7, 2014
PETER PIPER PICKED A PECK OF...
POST # 106
... frozen icicles.
It's chilly in Nanaimo, and riding along the waterfront to the library, I noticed that even the sea water has a coating of ice upon it. Brrrrr!!!!! Seems like we're not quite done yet with that meandering jet stream mentioned in my last blog entry.
Piper, in this instance, refers to the one (and only??) Piper the cat, who happens to be my current house-sit companion. Like most cats, he spends a significant amount of time curled up sleeping in various locations around the house. With the deep freeze outside, he has been very reluctant to go explore, which is ok by me as I enjoy his company.
I arrived here about ten days ago, and with the exception of a recent bug which I picked up from somewhere, I have no complaints. Cats are so easy to care for, especially ones that come equipped with a cat door. My chores are few, feed, water, pet, repeat.
For some reason, the computer at my current house-sit won't allow me access to my blog, hence the bike ride here to the library. I only have an hour to get this written, so it will be rather brief. This time constraint plus the fact that this computer is EXTREMELY SLOW won't allow me the luxury of contemplating writing much more.
Suffice to say, that I am very happy nestled here in Nanaimo for the next two weeks and I plan to make the best of my time.
Piper the cat will no doubt continue with his quest to set a record for the most amount of hours slept by a cat on any given day, and Paul the house-sitter will be content to watch him attempt this feat. In addition to that, I am responsible for daily feeding of the birds which has been going fine until the last few days for the hummingbirds who have literally been frozen out from their sugar water bird feeders which have turned to blocks of ice.
The computer is now starting to get even slower, so it's time to say so long.
Happy Trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
... frozen icicles.
It's chilly in Nanaimo, and riding along the waterfront to the library, I noticed that even the sea water has a coating of ice upon it. Brrrrr!!!!! Seems like we're not quite done yet with that meandering jet stream mentioned in my last blog entry.
Piper, in this instance, refers to the one (and only??) Piper the cat, who happens to be my current house-sit companion. Like most cats, he spends a significant amount of time curled up sleeping in various locations around the house. With the deep freeze outside, he has been very reluctant to go explore, which is ok by me as I enjoy his company.
I arrived here about ten days ago, and with the exception of a recent bug which I picked up from somewhere, I have no complaints. Cats are so easy to care for, especially ones that come equipped with a cat door. My chores are few, feed, water, pet, repeat.
For some reason, the computer at my current house-sit won't allow me access to my blog, hence the bike ride here to the library. I only have an hour to get this written, so it will be rather brief. This time constraint plus the fact that this computer is EXTREMELY SLOW won't allow me the luxury of contemplating writing much more.
Suffice to say, that I am very happy nestled here in Nanaimo for the next two weeks and I plan to make the best of my time.
Piper the cat will no doubt continue with his quest to set a record for the most amount of hours slept by a cat on any given day, and Paul the house-sitter will be content to watch him attempt this feat. In addition to that, I am responsible for daily feeding of the birds which has been going fine until the last few days for the hummingbirds who have literally been frozen out from their sugar water bird feeders which have turned to blocks of ice.
The computer is now starting to get even slower, so it's time to say so long.
Happy Trails,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
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