Butterflies aren't free...

I got my truck back today. Some of you may have missed the part where I gave Helios to Evan and bought a Mazda -Luna- pickup from D'Arcy. I had to have the engine replaced and that has been a titanic tale in itself.

But I digress. Today I took Tianna and the twins Connor and Eden to Deer Lake where there is an Insectarium. The kids were really excited about the idea and Eden was determined she would have a butterfly land on her finger - just like in Angelina Ballerina - her current favourite cartoon.

Well as the photo reveals the only butterfly that landed chose my behind.

Fortunately Tianna had her digital camera handy and was able to capture the moment for posterity.

Here's a shot I took of one of the more colourful specimens.

A work in progress...

Well my log cabin has finally become a work in progress instead of a dream. This morning I cut the other sills and after lunch I dropped the first two logs. And I am doing all of the cutting with an axe and a buck saw. I hate having the quiet of the woods destroyed by the noise of a chain saw.

This way I also don't need to lug along gas and oil and I am getting a great workout. I do need to bring lots of water though because it is hot work.

Evan will be here by Sunday so we will soon have some more digital photos for the blog. Don't get too excited - I have just barely started.

Battle of the flies and other things...

I went into the woods yesterday determined I would cut the first logs for my cabin. I soon discovered as I bent over to cut the first one that I was breathing blackflies and mosquitoes. They were not biting but I was eating them.

I dropped one log, hauled it into place and fled the woods.

But today I sent the next chapter of my journal off to my supervisor/tutor. Now I have to start filming to give me something to write about. That has to happen next week.

After lunch I watched my grandchildren chase soap bubbles and butterflies today. I also had an ice cream treat with them and then walked home while checking out every interesting stone and plant.

I just finished my stretching exercises for my back. I do it to deal with this nasty knot I have had for years. It has gotten progressively worse. One massage therapist recently told me "Stretch - stretch!" So I have been doing some yoga stretches I learned years ago - and they work. I don't wake up in pain anymore and while the knot is there still, it is getting smaller each day. I was reflecting on this as I was stretching tonight. I had this moment of true insight where I really understood that in the end we must heal ourselves. In my head I heard the phrase from the Charge of the Goddess written by Doreen Valiente:

That if that which thou seekest

Thou findest not within thee,

Thou wilt never find it without thee.

I felt a sense of peace and freedom then knowing that I was complete by myself.

Back on track...

After a couple of weeks in St. John's I have finally gotten back on track with my schedule. I spent the morning editing and writing my journal followed by a couple of hours in the woods cutting material for the weir.

I have it partially constructed now along with the beginnings of a new bridge across the brook. I will try to get some photos soon to show the work in progress.

Time is definitely slipping away and I am beginning to feel a certain level of anxiety about my project(s). The big worry of course is that I simply run out of money and have to look for work. Now that would be a definite drag.

A perfect day...

If I was to describe a perfect day it might go something like this. First it would be sunny and warm, say around + 23 Celsius. It would be mostly spent on a nice sandy beach. There would be a light breeze to keep it from feeling too hot.

The tide would be falling so that the water was warmed enough that you could wade or even swim if you had thought to don your swim wear. And you would be accompanied by your daughter and your grandchildren.

First you would take a leisurely stroll along the beach picking up sea shells. On the way back you would gather wood for a fire. Then you would build sandcastles and splash about in the water. Once you had worked up a really good appetite and taken a second stroll you would light a fire and cook hot dogs followed by marshmallows.

After lots of sun you would climb the big sand cliff and go to the house where everyone would wash off in nice cool baths or showers. This would be later followed by a nice evening dinner followed by bedtime stories for the kiddies and drinks for the adults.

The whole day would be topped off by a glorious sunset that painted the sky in brilliant reds and pinks with the promise of another wonderful day to come.