Sunday, September 9, 2012

Summer in all it's Glory

I haven't posted in a long time ... I think it was still spring. So much has happened in my life since, that I could write a book about it. Well, maybe a short story.

The summer started with the report that I am now three years cancer free. As you can imagine, that made for a very relaxed holiday period. Calgary was my choice to spend the summer ... three of my grandchildren live there with my daughter. I have other family, and friends there too.

My son and I took the two grand-daughters (figured grandson, at 20 months was too young) to the Stampede Parade, which happened on a hot, sunny day. We had to put the kids onto our shoulders for them to see anything, but I think the atmosphere was exciting enough for them. The crowd, the yelling of "ya hoo", the music, summery day was a thrill for any young kid, although some were a little overwhelmed. But not my grandkids. No, they shouted along with the crowd. Walking back to our newly bought condo, I could see they were pretty tired. We quickly hopped into Starbucks for coffee and juice, and were home soon after. It didn't take them long to revive.

The summer felt like it just shot past me like a bullet. Our condo is near the Bow River, and all the pathways and bridges criss-crossing it. I had a lovely time visiting with my daughter, niece and friends. We had lunches, dinners, movies and attended the Turkish Festival down the road, at the Eau Clair Market mall. The smell of the roasting lamb, and sweet baklava floated me to the market where I met some friends for the day. I shopped at Market Mall, Northill Mall, and Northlands Mall. All, old haunts from when we lived there years before, much changed. I bought our new furniture for the condo at Ikea, where I meandered along the pathways of the store. Can you beat their breakfast or lunch, in value and taste? I think not.

My son went home ten days after. He attended the Stampede several times, catching some of the bands highlighted there. I was alone (but, not lonely) until my husband arrived a few weeks later.

Now, I'm back home, with the first week of school behind me.

Yellow daisies

Yellow daisies
taken in Nanaimo

White daisies

White daisies
field of daisies taken in Nanaimo