My Garden – Mon Jardin – Mi Jardin – Mein Garten – Daily Adventures & Thoughts

No matter the language, my garden is my paradise. To watch the lovely birds that nest in the trees and bushes. The bees, butterflies are such a joy to see.

Tag Archives: sky art


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A Saunter through Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary and temporary bling on my fiddle .. oh, it was beautiful for awhile ..

Such lovely skies above .. more sky art which I love …

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I love the “wear two different colour shoe day” theme .. so a few days ago I did that theme again, only this time I wore the lavender on the left and the green on the right!July 26 10

I walked over to a restaurant to meet with long-standing friends of the Coronation Street variety.  And I succumbed to the sweet pleasure of going through the beautiful Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary.  Haven’t visited there for awhile and when I first retired, I practically lived there!  A most beautiful and tranquil place to be.July 26 14

Turns out this was a good time to be there … the walkers, groups, birders had come and gone, leaving only blissful solitude for awhile …July 26 13

Little birdies everywhere …..July 26 15

Oh I would love to have a yard like this .. no buildings to mar the view, no vehicles to crowd the roads …July 26 16

.This is where my little Hummingbird nest was recovered, after terrific storms had whipped the branches, causing it to tumble to the ground.  I used to love seeing the little mama zip into her nest, to settle on the tiniest of little eggs.July 26 12

The path meanders and I follow it .. so very happy to be there once again … so calming, so peaceful.July 26 11

Love the shadows on the boardwalk .. painting a temporary design on the wooden walkway, ever changing – ever beautiful.July 26 09

Seems that not so long ago, spring had just arrived, bringing with it the start of life on the trees and bushes ….which is rampant now, so lush and green.July 26 04

Having reached this boardwalk section .. I know that the exit is just ahead and I’ll continue on my merry way on the asphalt covered section of the Goose.July 26 08

Love this rock, unexpected and adds such a strong dignity and calmness, I feel.July 26 07

Feels marvellous to be here …July 26 06

Tranquility ..July 26 05

A few weeks ago .. I just had to embellish my lovely new violin with sparklies ..July 26 19

I just had to have bling on my fiddle so I covered the surface and the sides.  Even my bow didn’t escape this madness .. knowing it was best, I removed the bling and thought I would take a quick pic as a reminder.  There must be another way to add sparkle without damaging the finish and I will figure that one out at a later date.   It did feel great for awhile though.July 26 18

My special place .. where I practise my singing sessions, with the help of my tablet …July 26 02

Tiny little red dragonflies zipping about .. haven’t seen these lovelies before ..July 26 01

Ta da .. the skies seem to say …July 20, 03

Love the Beauforts from the ground and even more spectacular from up above .. when my DH takes me flying and we soar above the earth below.July 20, 02

Such marvellous decadently beautiful sky art …July 20, 01

Another beautiful day has arrived and I’m excited to go outside to see if I configured my  water timers correctly and the yard has been watered in four areas!  Fingers, eyes and toes crossed that it worked.

On with this most awesome and spectacular day!!

🙂

 


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Walking along Dallas Road on a windy day.

Yesterday I joined some friends for a lively walk around the Ogden Point area – lovely to be outside now that the snow has completely disappeared!  It was a bit of a windy day and the ocean was just rolling in waves, tossing huge logs around with such ease – nice to watch safely from above! dec08Walking along one section of the gravelly beach areas, more logs have been tossed into a pile.  Magnificent to see the waves splashing up and over any barriers in their way.  Can’t stop the power of a wave.dec13There are a number of stairways leading to the beach areas.  The wooden steps were a tad slippery, so it was good to have sturdy rails to hang onto, to catch one’s step. dec02After a cloudy start to the morning, the skies soon cleared and there was beautiful sky art overhead to brighten up our little world.  Seagulls happily flying overhead.  Watching their side-slips and swift turns made me long for the summer and high flights in the glider.  Just a few more months and then that will  happen, oh great joy! dec06Yummy .. yummy … kelp!  Good for forming baskets (keep them out of the rain, haha) or chopping up for the garden.  My pal D and I will go seeking seaweed in the new year.  Lovely for the garden!!  Adding zillions of minerals to the soil. dec-03A couple of seagulls taking a bit of a rest between flights.   Checking out the weather conditions and where is Charlie anyway?  He promised to join us here!  Lots of logs making their way to the beach area.dec-05Another set of stairs, the wood looking lovely and weathered by the salty air.dec01

More people walking along Dallas Road, enjoying the beauty and power of the wind and waves.  Snow covered hills in the background and there, to the left, is the beautiful walkway with (thank heavens) wire railings on both sides.  A safety net for those (like me) who are appreciative of such guides in open spaces! dec07

A closer view and lovely paintings all along the sides to add beauty to the surface of the cement walls.dec09

There were a few Cormorants in the waters – such beautiful birds, I quickly snapped a photo before this one dove down into the cold waters.dec10

A closer view of the wire “walls” or “fencing” that gives us the feeling of safety against the open vista of water.  Now I don’t feel as if I’ll tumble over the sides.  In the past I have encountered people, nervous like myself, as we gingerly passed each other on the walkway.   I didn’t notice any nervous people .. .everyone walked along confidently, happy in their walks.  Smiling as we passed each other.  Felt good.dec12

As we neared the end of the walk, I noticed this gull.  Perhaps this was Charlie and he forgot the rendezvous location and was seeking his two pals?  I wonder. dec11

So, a lovely hour and a half in the fresh air .. what a lovely experience after having had a miserable cold/flu!

And the days are starting to be longer!   Soon I will be outside in my garden.  Tidying up .. as I never did finish doing that in the fall.

I even left all the bean poles up – more places for the birds to perch and hide when necessary.

My garlic has been growing greens (photos tomorrow) due to the warm fall weather.  Some of the greens look pale and weather-beaten I hope that this doesn’t affect the quality of the cloves.

Every year I think that I haven’t planted enough garlic.  You know, lots for home, lots for friends and the largest cloves for planting.  Oh how I long for more property so I can start planting much more garlic.  Soon I hope.

Anyway, about 13 large containers with at least 10 (or more) cloves planted in October.  Instead of planting the various ‘stans of garlic purchased from Richters (love them!) I just planted Elephant (leek family, but, oh my, my Elephant “garlic” is very garlicky!)     And a ‘stan (I think Kazakhstan, from Richters many years ago).  These grow very well for me and the cloves are super easy to pull apart.

Dreaming of the upcoming days when I can be outside, watching the birds, loving the sky art above and perhaps doing some work .. I will enjoy, for now, the luxury of being inside.  Playing and creating with my millions of beads.  Practicing my fiddle.  More decluttering (does it ever end!)

Looking forward to my clogging, practicing dumbeq with a friend, beginning my study of the German language (something I’d started years before).

I find myself delving into interests that I had for so many years … activities put aside on the shelf till a later date.    And the happiness that I feel in doing so just fills me with such joy and satisfaction, that money just can’t buy!

🙂


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Loving the creative energy that Music provides. And watching the acrobatic maneuvers of the beans in the bean forest.

The skies above .. a few days ago .. fluffy and looking like cotton candy ..

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Ever changing and cheerful summer skies

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And here sits Lady JaneE Kat .. waiting for her treats.  A very patient little gal and a determined one.  She sits there till I put some treats out for her.   Listening to the lovely Scottish fiddle of Adam Sutherland.

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I have some gifted bean plants.  This one is performing the death-defying acrobatic head stand on the other bean.  A tricky maneuver but successfully done in this instance.

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And I caught a neighbouring bean, warming up to perform the same technique.  Guess I surprised them, they didn’t see me standing there!  Tricky beans.  What else goes on in the bean forest when I’m not there?  The mind boggles.

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This is a sunflower that I accidentally mowed down .. so I placed it in amongst some support stakes and the birds were still able to feast on the seeds that were forming.  That gives me joy.

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Cherokee Trail of Tears flowers ready to burst open.  I’d planted these very late and I’ll still get some beans from the plants, I saw a few yesterday.  And it is nearly mid-September so there are still a number of weeks left for them to grow.  October will share a few more weeks of growing weather.  I’ve seen people tearing down their bean plants but I’m a more optimistic type of  gardener and will  let them all grow till the frosts dictate their removal.

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“my favourite bean” .. I’m leaving at least 10 or more of the pods to let go to seed for next year.  These are very similar to the Blue Lake Bush Bean, round, firm beans that are deliciously crunchy.

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A cheerful view to cherish in the winter and to enjoy now.  Even if I don’t get a lot of squash fruit, I’m happy knowing that the bees are getting lots of nectar – as there are many squash plants flowering away luxuriously in the sunshine.  More joy.

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Same story for the Scarlet Red Runner Beans.  Many hundreds of flowers for the bees – such a lovely sight ..

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More bees .. there are many types that visit the yard ..

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Oops .. getting a bit crowded, time to leave ..

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Changing direction after departure, more flowers are sighted over there!!

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I’m being stalked by my Gardening Kat!  Sometimes she follows me around, wanting to know where I am, what I am doing.  Perhaps hinting for more treats?

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More sky-art above …

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There have been times in my life when I’ve been bored .. and when I think  of those times, I’m just amazed that I actually experienced that state.  “if I knew then what I know now”

Where does boredom come from?  I cannot even imagine ever being bored in my life, but I know that I have been.

I think that the times when I was bored – that there weren’t the possibilities that now exist.  I grew up in the era without computers .. cell phones .. digital cameras.   It wasn’t a time of self-expression as exists now.    I really like now.

And, like all kids, I dreamed of becoming a world-famous clothing designer, a ballerina, a world-traveller, brave and unafraid of visiting many countries as a way of life.  A writer and an independent thinker.  I dreamt of these things.

So now when there are the opportunities to explore new (to me ) worlds I have grabbed the opportunities as they arise.

The music, the clogging, the drumming, among other creative expressions.

Music .. is such a powerful energy, full of creative promise and dreams.  Music goads me on to work in the garden, the magical universe where miracles happen.    And Music guides me to imaginary worlds of creativity with my beads and writing and all things.  Music energizes me when walking on the busy paved streets, away from my beloved garden.

Music is a language from the heavens and speaks to us in many ways.

Gotta love music.

More thoughts on the joy of being in the garden are popping up but the morning has started and I must go and throw myself into this day of possibilities and magic.

🙂

 

 


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Sky Art! We flew to Comox Airport – and we met some very interesting people!

Another sunny Sunday .. and so we took the day for play and went flying up in the sky.  Such amazing clouds everywhere.   While DH navigated our flight, I just relaxed and enjoyed the scenery, madly clicking away to capture some of this beauty.  Love being a co-pilot 🙂0009

Honestly, the clouds were so dense in areas that they seemed to be just like cotton candy that one could just nibble on.  A firm surface that could be ventured on for exploring the mysterious caverns and pathways that seemed to exist there.

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Towering cumulus clouds everywhere .. this was a close-up of a much bigger area.0004

 

 

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Sometimes I did look down and noticed this fish hatchery.  At first glance I thought it was an irrigation method for watering crops, but DH did a bit of research and found out what it really is.

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Continuing along .. lost in the mystery of the clouds again …

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We went to the Courtenay Airpark .. such a place of beauty and friendly people.   Plus I had a lovely kindred spirit conversation about creativity and art with a young lady who works at the Cafe there.  I love those energizing types of idea sharing along the artistic wave length.

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Such beautiful surroundings … many people walk, run or bike by themselves, with friends, family, dogs (love them!) along the pathway that surrounds the marsh … so very relaxing.

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And we were fortunate enough to meet some highly interesting people!   http://www.daleerhart.com/     A fellow pilot was just telling us about Dale Erhart when himself arrived a few minutes later (in this plane that he built).  No sooner had he jumped out of the plane (the opening is not that large, so one has to be fit to enter and exit!)  .. then he was on his phone, calling his wife … That is sweet!!!

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I noticed his enthusiasm and energizing, positive manner, so when I went searching online for more information (from his business card) .. I really wasn’t surprised that he is a motivational speaker.      Here he is .. living the dream, with a highly diverse background of flying and now  still flying, building aircraft, travelling and sharing his passion of flight.  Inspiring people.  http://www.challenger.ca/gallery_crankin’n’bankin.html

He, along with 3 other pilots – one of whom lives nearby and was an instructor at Cold Lake, Alberta, where one of his students was Chris Hadfield (yes, that Chris Hadfield!). .. will be taking their planes to France next spring,  “that will fly a formation of 6 replica WWI fighters over Vimy Ridge in tribute to two anniversaries of nationhood: the Centennial Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Commemoration of 150 years since Confederation” (from their FB page).  For more information you can visit their FB page:  vimyflight.ca

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And shortly after this, he departed, to join up with the other members of the group of 4.

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DH & I then left the airpark to return back home …

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And soon were in the “land of clouds”once again .. flying amongst the sky art that I normally see from the ground ..

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Back home .. loving the sweet Robin and Sparrow who rest atop our first Christmas tree .. over 30 years ago DH planted this tree in front of our house.   It provides privacy and a haven for many birds to live in.   Provides me with joy and happiness because of that.

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Beside this tree is a cedar that I also planted .. perhaps a bit too close, but what did I now way back then?  All the trees live well together.

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A lovely ending to a wonderful day.

Now on with this day .. lots to do!!

🙂

 


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What does a turtle on the runway, spider webs, tree frogs and sky art have in Common? They are just some of the many things I love!

Today is a rainy, overcast day.  The sun came out for a nano-second and the skies are grayed over.  Perfect time to look through some photos from September, 2013!

This is a morning picture of a web that a spider had worked industriously on during the night.  Such delicate strands, pattern by Nature, instinctive in the spider.  How could a human being create such beauty and delicacy?  Only with much study and hard work and certainly not in the time that it took the spider to create this.  Humbling? You bet.  Impressive.
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As I went to move our lounge chairs into the sun .. I noticed a tiny little tree frog had taken up residence.  So sweet and so confident, not afraid of my presence. Calmly resting on “his” chair.  I left him there to relax.

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We noticed this turtle wandering all over the runway and I tried to guide him on a straight path so he would reach the other side. Really, why was I worried, as he must have made this trip many times.  Travelling from a trickling stream nearby to the forest on the other side of the runway.  Let me mention (and this is important) .. the runway was not active at this time.

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However, I did breathe a sigh of relief when he was at the other side.

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And then the excitement was over, he’d reached the field and made his way to a destination that only he knew. Back to the wife and kids?  Out for lunch?

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Later on I spent some time watching some industrious bees foraging for nectar.  These plants are growing in very hot countryside and they are very tiny.  Nevertheless, there is sufficient nectar to attract the bees.

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Morning skies are filled with low clouds at Mt. Arrowsmith.   Later that summer, I flew up there as a passenger  in the front seat of the PW-U6 and we flew so close, I clicked away like mad and have lots of photos from up there.  I’ll post them at a later date.  I was filled with awe at the proximity of this most magnificent mountain.  And I felt truly grateful at having the opportunity to be up there.

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Later in the morning, the clouds begin to lift and the Beaufort Mountain Range is becoming more visible.  What a view.

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See what a difference a few hours make.  I’m enamoured of skies and clouds and have many hundreds of photos to look at.  This one is another spectacular sight.

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These photos don’t need words.  These priceless works of sky art are beyond words.  Their beauty is infinite.

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2006

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While stopped in traffic, I noticed this licence plate .. a reminder of my lovely Muscovy Drake, Huggers, Hugs for short.  He was a great little duck.   I used to keep a silver tray at the kitchen window.  On it I had a little bowl of water, some grapes or strawberries.  He liked to sit at the window outside.  When I opened the window, he would eat and drink as if he was at a fast-food restaurant.  He was a character.  He grew up with our 2 dogs and he really thought he was one.   Anyway, this reminded me of him.

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Beauty is everywhere .. we are surrounded by it .. if we only look.  Here I like the shadow of nearby cedar boughs, outlined by the sun onto the dash of my car.

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And, while looking through my photos .. I found some terrific views of my squash plants growing away.  Awesome .. from a small seed we obtain this delicious food.  Miracles happening all the time.  In particular, non-GMO, no pesticides …. ever!

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I was outside, every single day, looking at my treasures, so proud!

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And this is a lovely sight!  A little pricey, but you get what you pay for and non-GMO is worth it.219I am so glad that I am able to take so many photos of things that I love .. for days like this, I can look through them and relive the joy of every day.  And they are also incentive for the next year of growing, watching sky art and finding beauty in everything I see!