Ann’s Weblog

I apologize to the kind folks who check my weblog for updates and have found none, for three weeks… again. I’ve just been busy and then too tired in the evenings to “report”. As well, it has been too hectic to take pictures of my valued pet customers, and I’m sorry about that. The real work of feeding, walking, cleaning up after, grooming and customized loving has to happen before I can consider grabbing the camera for the photo shoots; you can understand how that doesn’t always get done.

Today is not quite as fiendishly busy. I have two labradors (the bedbug and bomb sniffing dogs! I’m serious) and two basset hounds to bath and brush out. Taffy is here just for the day while her owners visit nearby Jasper, Alberta:

I plan to go to lunch with my friend Rhonda, who has taken care of our place on the rare occasions that Gary and I go away together.

I haven’t blogged since we had a wee vacation to the Shuswap/Okanagan region of B.C., to see our friend’s play in Enderby, Heebie Jeebies. That was the weekend of August the 4th to 7th (a Canadian civic holiday), and we not only saw the fabulous play in Enderby, but a production at the Caravan Farm Theatre in Armstrong as well. During the days on this trip with our good friend Mary, we also visited the Gray Monk Winery, the The Village Cheese Co., fruit stands and wonderful cottage-style shops in the country selling such things as garlic and pottery, baking and preserves. We ate at a well-known Fish & Chip diner and other meals at other funky, friendly restaurants. It was a treat from start to finish; we had left our home and businesses in Rhonda’s capable hands and she did a perfect job.

Yesterday I had a visit from a delightful 8 year old girl who wanted to help me with my work. We had a really good time. She and I bathed my elderly, retired stud dog, Buddy, so that he would feel and look better. As well, we walked the basset hounds and Sadie (a border collie who I’ve provided a home for “for now” or for always), threw the ball for Lady, and petted and talked to the others. We let Yuki the big white cat out of his kennel to scamper about the house, washed some green beans and chatted the whole time. It was a good visit and R. was lots of help to me. When her mom came back we had tea.

This past weekend, we took part in the Robson Valley Music Festival. I’ve written about the family who hosts this in past blog entries. They had an amazing line-up of talent, great food booths too, and the venue for this event is getting more and more sophisticated each year. The weather didn’t cooperate completely, but it could have been worse. Gary and I went on Friday and Saturday nights, and all afternoon Sunday. We got our money’s worth out of a weekend pass, but even ONE of those visits would have been worth the price.

While at the Festival, I spoke to someone who I’d avoided contact with for almost 10 years. Our friendship and intimate relationship ended with a huge and unhappy event at that time. He is a vendor and participant at this annual Festival, and I had spent too much energy making sure that I didn’t have to have a conversation (or even eye contact) with him. This weekend, I sucked up my courage and visited his “booth”; at first my “old friend” didn’t recognize me, and then, when he did, offered a big hug, which I accepted. Although of course I didn’t feel the same bond and chemistry that I did so long ago, I also realized that I had let go of hurt and resentment, and THAT was truly liberating. Now, I wish that person well, and can go on with my life, even lighter.

One of the few photos I’ve taken this month is of the dainty miniature dachshund “Pickles”. Here she is keeping Gary’s chair warm:

I need to get on with my day. I’ve picked some terribly big (mature) green beans which I will make into what I’ll call “Ceasar Beans” for my darling daughters to add to drinks as “swizzle” sticks (instead of celery or pickled asparagus spears). That’s just one of the tasks on my list today, in addition to dog grooming and care.

I’ve missed you and will try to do better at blogging. ~ Ann

This is how we “kennel” some dogs:

I should have taken a picture of Liezel scampering about. She is one of the easiest dogs to “board”; often she’ll just sit at my feet while I garden or pick berries. At other times she is playing with our dog Lady until both are exhausted and she flops down on Lady’s bed or leaps gracefully onto the couch (see photo). Liezel loves to go with Gary and Lady when they feed the horses.

This is Sophie, who went home on Saturday after a two week stay. She is a pleasant, quiet dog who didn’t seem to mind her home-away-from-home, with our company, but she was overjoyed, of course, when her mistress returned.

I’m the worst pet photographer and/or our digital camera is cheap and nasty. There is a delay between pressing the button and the actual shot… most pets have moved by the time the picture registers (is that called shutter speed anymore?). At any rate, Sophie is sitting beside the Annabelle Hydrangeas and the dark Landini Asiatic Lilies.

I groomed two little dogs today, and they’re both darlings… Magic and Cloe. I didn’t get the camera out.

Before and after the grooming work, I canned peaches (whew, they are all done up now), made Peach Daiquiri Jam and Raspberry Jelly. I’m going to try to get out of bed extra early tomorrow to pick raspberries for my friend’s generous order for raspberry jam.

My youngest daughter was here for part of the weekend. I felt really sorrowful as she left this morning, but she MIGHT be back for the Robson Valley Music Festival which happens in nearby Dunster. Gary and I have advance tickets for that event and are really looking forward to it.

Am anxious to check into my beloved Garden Chat. Everyone take care, and thank you for reading this weblog. ~ Ann

This weekend is the 75th anniversary of our town, although there were people living in the McBride area several years before that. The population has tripled at least, this weekend!

The Farmer’s Market on Friday (even though the weather was terrible) was great, for visiting and for sales. I sold at least four dozen jars of jam, twenty heads of garlic and several bunches of large green onions. I sold a few raspberries by the pint; I went out three times on Friday morning to pick, but ended up soaked and cold in the rain and wind. The berries are overdue to be picked and falling off the canes so I’m still trying to find time to harvest them. This week there will be peas to pick, and soon, also, green beans (actually burgundy and yellow beans).

Gary and I went to the “Homecoming” dance last night and there must have been 1000 people. Neither Gary nor I had very much energy for dancing. One of the highlights of the evening was finding the youngest son of a friend who died tragically in 1980; I last saw the “kid” when he was fifteen, and now he’s a handsome man of over fourty. We “caught up” briefly before being interrupted, and both of us were already hoarse from yelling over the music and other voices.

I’m still busy with boarders and some grooming work so I’ll have to check back here later… ~ Ann

I guess instead of writing in my blog, I should be running hair-straight-back getting things done. The dogs/cats and birds are all cared for, hubby too, but now I’m not sure which of dozens of tasks I should tackle. So I’ll sit here instead, as I wait for the first grooming customer of the day.

On the weekend we attended the 50th anniversary of friends of ours. How poignant were the speeches and the whole function… really, the honoured couple are still so much in love and so compatible, it was an inspiration. There was no sense of “hypocrisy” or irony as with some weddings and anniversary parties. We felt honoured to be invited, as the hall was practically filled with family alone.

Here are some of the bouquets I took over to the hall before the party started:

As with most photos in this blog, clicking on the thumbnail will yield a bigger picture. I’ve distributed several such bouquets around town, to businesses, the seniors’ lodge and the post office, so that the flowers can be enjoyed by more folks.

I’ve been pretty busy both boarding and grooming, but not very good at getting the camera out.

On the left is “Sugar” and on the right is “Pikachu”. Gary walked in just after I took these pictures, and asked Pikachu, “What are YOU doing on my chair?”. She just looked at him with adoration and trust, as his tone of voice was, of course, jovial.

I’m expecting a dear ol’ customer, Snoopy, today, and another little dog Michu, from Valemount. The dog groomer who worked in that town has closed her doors, so again I have a small following from Valemount; I welcome customers back with open arms.

Of course the situation in my beloved chat room still preys on my mind. I guess we can’t be liked by everyone, but the presence of my “attacker” in the evenings definitely colours my experience. Considering that he said I was “busted” by several people who I think are my friends (that is, they relayed something I supposedly said), I don’t know who to trust in that community. This person will not send me the “transcripts” that incriminate me. It’s hard to let it go, as I dislike being falsely accused. Also, I apologized for even trying to find out the facts in the dispute that he was involved in (thinking he probably had had good reason to “go off” on some other acquaintances), but not only did he not accept this apology, he threatened me with harm to my livelihood and family. Might be time to quit “chatting” altogether. On the other hand, I’m giving this guy exactly the reaction he’d hoped to get.

It was COLD last night! It feels like autumn already. I’d like to complain about sweltering heat some more before Fall. I went at 7 am. to take care of some chores at a friend’s house, and there was heavy cold dew on the windshield, and I needed my coat. Oh well, at least the mosquitoes are not liking the cooler weather.

Onward and upward! Talk to you later. ~ Ann