MY PLAN FOR CANADA DAY

 POST # 460

 

 I could never be accused of shying away from a new adventure, and if all goes according to plan, I will be embarking on another one this coming Thursday, which happens to be Canada Day.

If there was any day on the calendar when a Canuck  might expect good treatment at the border crossing, Canada Day should be that day.  However, we live in anything but normal times, so I really have no idea what to expect when I arrive. 

By Thursday, I will have been here in the USA for six entire months.  With every passing month, I wondered if the border situation would change for the better.  It hasn't.  And perhaps it never will.  That being the case, I made the decision to give it a go mate, as the Aussies would say, and deal with the consequences as best as I can.  At least it will be a new experience, and whether it turns out good or bad, one must try to accept the situation as it presents itself.

According to what I read on the Government of Canada website, I should be able to cross at the Pacific Highway border, and seeing as I don't have a place to go back to, I will be forced to spend 14 days in quarantine in a government approved hotel.  That will cost a bundle, and even though I don't necessarily agree with how this is all being dealt with, it seems that I don't really have a choice in the matter.  Ah, the good old days, when a Canadian could return home, and be on their way.  It seems like such a long, long time ago.

But now it sounds as though I am complaining, and I suppose that I am.  However, I really don't have much to complain about.  My dear friend Mary has been so very kind and generous over this past six months.  Instead of complaining about the border, I should just count my blessings.  So that's what I'm going to do.

So come Thursday, this Canuck, Mary and of course Dora-dog will drive up to the Peace Arch Park in Blaine, and from there I'll walk to the border crossing and find out what happens next .  No matter how it all goes, one thing is for sure.  I know that I am going to be very sad to have to say goodbye.  Goodbyes tend to be that way, but with the border situation as it is, I do wonder when/if I will be able to return for my next visit.

So with just three more days to go prior to my departure, the best that I can do is enjoy my remaining time with Mary and Dora-dog.  We are happy to stay indoors together, because the heat outside at the moment is rather oppressive. The forecast for today is about 110F, so indoors is where it's at.

Finally, here are a few photos to enjoy.

                                                    SNUFFLEUPAGUS???

 

   WALKING THE DOGS ALONG THE WATERFRONT

                                             MAGNIFICENT CLOUDS

 

                                                      LAKE CHELAN

                                         CONFETTI AND DORA-DOG

 

grateful for every breath,

 

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

PS: If anything changes with this upcoming plan, I'll update this post with the latest information.

 

 

THE CUTE CONTEST

 POST # 459

This past week we were visited by Mary's daughter, Chani, and her bonehead, Confetti, aka Fetti.  As one can see by the above photo, she certainly is a cute critter.  The question is, who is cuter, Fetti or Dora-dog?  How does that old saying go, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."  If we could stand the two side by side and ask ten people who do they think is the cutest, there would likely be a 50/50 split decision.  Of course I am biased so I have to pick Dora-dog, with Fetti running an extremely close second.

Cuteness aside, I think that the two of them enjoyed their time together for the most part, and much fun was had running around the back yard, chasing each other.

Chani and Fetti departed yesterday, and as I look at Dora-dog this morning, I can't tell how she feels about the fact that her playmate is now gone.  But Dora-dog is like any other bonehead, happy to live in the moment.  She'll be back to her regular routine, and enjoying it as much as ever, as can be seen in this photo, taken a while ago, down by the water.  And perhaps she's just a little bit happier now that there isn't another bonehead to compete with on the cuteness scale.

So yes, Fetti is certainly cute, but my vote in this cute contest will have to go to Dora-dog.

grateful for every breath,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

A VISIT TO THE "JUNGLE"

 POST # 458

                                                             

A couple of days ago, while the sun was still shining, Mary, Dora-dog and I headed out to the "jungle" to visit her son, Ben.  He's not really in the jungle, but compared to here in suburbia, it certainly feels that way.  Ben is about an hour's drive from here, living on an acreage.  As can be seen from the photos that Mary took, it certainly is a wonderful slice of nature, especially when the sun is shining.

Ben is one of the very few people that Dora-dog trusts, and by the time we were on the approach road, she was already getting excited to see him.  An added bonus from her point of view, is that she has all of this land to run around on.  There are plenty of new smells to check out, and lots of room to roam.  She was a happy bonehead indeed.

After a side trip into town for some lunch, we returned to the property for the remainder of our visit, and then it was time to head back to La Conner.  

I know, I know, it seems like Dora-dog is beginning to take over (has taken over?) this blog, but hey, she's so darn cute, it's difficult for me to not include her whenever possible.

Perhaps next week I will be able to write a Dora-free post, but don't hold your breath.

 And speaking of breath, I'm...

grateful for every breath,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer

 

LUCY COMES TO VISIT, AND THE PAINTING IS COMPLETE

 POST #457

                                                   HAPPY BONEHEADS

Late last week, Dora-dog's old friend Lucy came by for a visit.  They hadn't seen each other for a couple of years, so when the reunion came about, there was an abundance of tail wagging taking place.

Lucy is now ten years old, and she likes to sleep a lot more these days.  I think Dora-dog was hoping to spend much more of the weekend running around the backyard with Lucy, but that was not to be.  However, all things considered, I think that the two had an enjoyable weekend together.

They both enjoyed their time spent on squirrel watch.  Even an old dog such as Lucy can still participate in this activity.  The watching part is easy, however I doubt that she would have had much interest in chasing them.

While all of the canine visiting was taking place, I managed to finish off the painting of Mary's house.  Here is a view from the roof, while I was doing that part of the house.

The job was completed just as the rain began to fall, so my timing was perfect.  

That's about all to report for this first post of June.  What will this next week hold in store?   Stay tuned.

grateful for every breath,

Paul

The Thoughtful Wanderer