AND THE WINNER IS

Kimberly Ateah!  She won the Eagle Spirit Award.
Congratulations!  !

            
One by one we are very proud of our children and grand children and the greats too!

They each have special talents and abilities.  They work hard to do their best.

Dad and I are so very proud of Kimberly for the enthusiasm and team spirit she shows and pleased that she has been acknowledge for her efforts.

Way to go Kim!  !  Love you!  May you continue to have success in your new endeavor
Thank you Oliver for being such a good host and doing so much to give us a super happy time.
Dad and I are proud of all the things you have over come and achieved so much now.
Love you! 
May your future bring you wonderful surprizes and your surfing be a blast!

BALANCE

Balance is so important in life.
Balancing work with time to relax.
Balancing on a surfing board.
Or just balancing when you walk.


These are the waves that crashed all around Ben while Oliver was teaching him how to surf.  He tried really hard but a few more lessons will be needed to be able to balance on a surf board like his Uncle Oliver.  The bigger the waves the more exciting it is for him.  He certainly lives in the right place for riding the waves!

On the way home on the ferry Ben and Morgan find these games which took their total concentration.

A game of keeping the car on the right side of the road and    not to crash into other cars etc.  They took it very seriously.

Yesterday it was sad to see one of the ladies I visited has lost her balance and is afraid to walk alone.  She is taking her meals in her room and I hope her daughter comes soon to see why this has happened.  It is sad to see how quickly they can start to fail and it is also a reality check for me.  Of course none of us know what our future will be which I guess is just as well.

Bit by bit we lose the optional balance of neuroplasticity  in our brains which affects our memory, our coordination, attention span, information processing, problem solving and social decision making skills.  Our brains dry up.  My book talks about the benefits of meditation and how it can help the aging brain.  I really must read the next chapter!

Also we take so many things for granted that we do each day.

Dad worked on fixing a drain pipe today so did not get out on his bike. 

To balance the stress of a day I find a relaxing bath or the serenity of quiet prayer helpful.

WOW

 

Wow amazing view of mountain clouds and sky.

 

We are all so small even when we climb up high about everyone else, compare to the wonder and majesty of nature.

I believe in the transcendent experiences that reveal to us the deeper dimensions of life.
There is an awe in the greatness of huge trees, high mountains and crashing ocean waves that create an experience of WOW in our souls.

Children also color our world with joy and love.

 

I would describe God as love and yet love is so hard to describe.  Feelings of love increase neurological activity in our brains.  I would describe God as spirit, hope, inspiration, life, love and truth.  Also as a creator,  friend teacher and guide to teach us how to love.

 

Today I must make an effort to go for a walk, visit Gundy and Jim.  Yesterday was a rainy day but not as heavy as the rain I experienced one day in Ucluelet.  Morgan was prepared with adorable rain boots (darn I should have taken a picture) but I was not.  Lots of puddles here too.

Dad and I want to make am effort also to do some weight lifting as we find our arms are so weak.  First we have to hunt them, not our arms and legs but the weights down and lug them out of hiding.

 I know life is an effort for most of us, at  some time or another, whether is trying to break a habit or fighting tiredness or making decisions or just having too much to do, having  aches and pains etc.

Wow everyone I visited had the miseries but I can only hope they felt better after my visit.

THE BIKERS IN THE SKATE BOARD PARK

The ferry ride was very smooth and it was like being on a million dollar curse ship!  We were on the look out for whales or seals but the sea was calm and sparkling.  The land quickly disappear behind us but we were surrounded by very green inviting islands.islands.

Right near to Oliver's abode was a neat skate board park.
I followed the young at heart which included Carol, Morgan and Ben.  They had a blast until the time came to get up and out over the very high wall.  Such colorful decorations!

  I must have missed Ben maybe he was having surfing lessons.

Tired but happy we made our way home to cuddle up by the blazing fire.  Another fantastic day!

The discussions were lively too and as usual dad was in a good story telling frame of mind.

It was hard to come down to reality when we returned home.  Laundry to do and lists to write for groceries although lots of vegetables, some unnameable in the frig.  Dad picked up a few things like milk and apples and eggs after going to the eye doctor.

The left eye could not see the little dot but he knew it was not so good.  He did not see the doctor but will see her in April.  The left eye had laser surgery.

I went to my Jet Lag Bible study and there was laughter and learning as usual.

Still more pictures of waves to come.

THE WILD OCEAN

It never stops pounding the shore and hitting the rocks creating noise and huge sprays of water.  I wish I could capture the amazing energy and uniqueness of the natural beauty.
It was spiritual and awe inspiring as well!


Everyone was happy to relax. 
Ben and Morgan wait for directions.  Morgan will go to the store with Grams Carol and her mom.
Ben posed for a picture of chopping wood.
With a little practice I know he could do it.

Oliver gathers his own wood and keeps his home warm and comfortable.



Windy and cold outside on the ferry.  The weather was wet when we left Delta.

Just happy to be together and to leave all worries behind!

THE HAPPY WANDERERS

Yes the happy wanderers have returned,  Dad and I had a wonderful holiday and want to thank our family once again for arranging and paying our way.

We all piled into Theresa's car the children way at the back.  Carol and dad in the next seat and I was up front with Theresa.  She is a extremely good driver and took all the twists and turns like a professional and I never felt car sick at all.
My goal is to take  pictures that are natural but not always polished!


I took lots of pictures but mainly the family was important.



Finally we arrive at Oliver's house and fell in love with it.  It is a perfect size and he has it fixed up so creatively.  I was too excited to really stop and take this happy moment,  Oliver had just come back from surfing and was trying to polish up a very clean and neat and tidy place.  A cottage feeling that welcome you in with it's warmth and charm.

Lots of windows create beautiful light.
He has a small eating area in the kitchen and a cozy sitting area with a fire place.
He chops his own wood and does his own cooking.  He surfs everyday when he is not working on the Coast Guard boat.  He plays music with a band when he can and also does yoga.  The right girl has not come along yet!

Everyone helped to shop and cook the meals and clean.  What delicious meals we had starting with stew and baking powder biscuits for supper and in the morning bacon and eggs and French toast.

Lots more pictures which will tell how I lived every minute of it.  Looking at the glowing faces surrounding me I had pinch myself to believe it was real.

Oliver you were a wonderful host and made us all feel at home.

Ben was so excited when you took him surfing in one of the best surfing places in Canada.

Dad and I are so blessed to be loved with so much consideration and thoughtfulness.

Thanks to you all.  Have a good sleep I know dad and I will soon be snoring in tune of course.

MARCH MADNESS

Brave flowers keep growing and blooming.
So far the weather has been mild and wet with some sunshine. We have lots of warm clothes. 

I had my M.R.I..  Your  head is in a vise and it is the worst noise I have ever heard. There was hammering and vibrating etc. It took an hour and I prayed for you all and sang Jesus loves me.

I came home to pack our suitcase and have no idea what is in it because I had a headache. 
Hopefully I have dad's meds.   Dad  leaves everything to the last moment!  Sigh!

The trip on the ferry will be very calming and maybe we will see a whale or a big fish.  I have not been on a ferry since the last time I went  to visit our friend Dorothy.  That was the ferry from the North Shore.    

"God of blessing, you call us to venture into the unknown and to trust that you know the way.  We are often afraid, reluctant to listen and take the next step. 
Give us faith to overcome our fears.  Remind us of your Power to sustain us when we are weak,
Heal what is broken, forgive us and bring us back to life!
Heal and touch the lives of those who are sick and suffering.
May we live in the midst of Your Blessings, ever rejoicing in your love.  Amen
-by Ann Weens

At every age there are problems and disappointments but for me now it is the aches and pains and limitations of growing older that I refuse to let them drag me down but try to be quick to forgive myself and others, and quicker to laugh!  Yes I had a big hole in my sock when I was up on the x-ray table.  The thing is that if you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.
  
I know dad and I will have an amazing adventure.  We return Tuesday.  Love you all very much!