Sunday, May 19, 2013

A Cat Bed for Stick Tail

Stick Tail settled right into cabin life. Wayne and I were amazed how relaxed he was, and how he remembered things from his visits over two and a half years ago. The couch with his afghan from home and our bed upstairs are his favourite hangouts.

The first night he slept with us, but later jumped down to sleep on the hard floor next to the foot of the bed. I remembered this habit from his last visit. I decided I would make a softer cat bed for him to make it a little more comfortable for his old bones.

I got an old bolster I never used and cut the flannel covering to match the size of a larger afghan Mom had made for him. I stitched it into a large rectangle and stuffed it with fiberfill, also from the old bolster.  I put it on the floor where he likes to sleep and covered it with the afghan.

It's nice when things work out. That night he started in bed as usual, but quickly jumped down to his new spot. Doesn't he look comfy?


Camera Critters Thanks for visiting my Camera Critters post this week. For more great animal pictures click here. -- Margy


Friday, May 17, 2013

Off-road Humour

I saw this older SUV parked at the Skagit Regional Airport after a ground soaking spring rainstorm.

It's owner is either a local farmer with wet fields, or a backcountry enthusiast. But what really caught my eye was the GOT MUD? message etched into the encrusted dirt. And, of course, theon the gas cap.  Someone has some great off-road humour.

Orange You Glad It's FridayI invite you to stop by Maria's blog Life's sweets and spices for more orange pictures and share one of your own. -- Margy

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Stick Tail's Long Journey

What an exhausting trip. Early in the morning, we left the Bellingham condo where I've lived for six and a half years with my dear lady friend Louise. Wayne and Margy explained I'm going to live with them from now on, mostly at their float cabin up Powell Lake.

Louise and I've made the trip by car and BC Ferries many times for vacation visits. This trip it's just the three of us. When we arrived in Powell River, it was raining and windy, so Wayne and Margy decided to stop at the condo in town. A nice overnight rest stop for all of us.

The next leg of the trip came the following morning. I had to ride in my carrier. Margy explained dogs frequent the boat docks. It was all a bit fuzzy in my memory, but once Wayne cranked the boat engine it came back in a rush. Margy held my carrier in her lap and opened the corner so I could look out.  She was right, it was less scary down in the bottom.

Wayne carried me into the cabin. Once Margy had my food bar and litter box set up, I got out. It was just as I had remembered from the last time Louise and I came for visit two and a half years ago. I'm always thirsty after a long ride, so I went right to the food bar. Margy was amazed I remembered so well. What did she expect?

The litter box is in the new bathroom right next to their compost toilet. I've heard some humans say they're almost the same. At least you don't have to crank mine when your done with your business. I impressed Wayne and Margy so much they let me outside on the first day. I always check out the flowers first.

Then I walked counter-clockwise around the cabin. That's the way I used to follow Louise. At the back, I jumped down to the lower deck to look underneath the float. Margy suggested I keep that for another day. My old legs wouldn't let me jump back up again, so Margy showed me an easier route back to the front. I'll remember that for next time. After all, I'm a smart kitty. -- Stick Tail

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Rocks and Rockhounding on Powell Lake, BC

R is for Rocks

For as long as I can remember, I've loved rocks. They don't have to be fancy or exotic rocks, just rocks that are pleasing to my eye. When I travel, I like to collect rocks that remind me of where I've been and what's I've seen.

Dike (black) running through granite.
The rocks then become decorative items for my home. But of course, some rocks are too big to collect.

In addition to collecting rocks, I like to take picture of rocks, especially those in streams, at the beach or along the shores of a lake.









Powell Lake and the other deep fjords in British Columbia were carved by ice age glaciers moving over the land's surface. Rocky surfaces still record their passing.

Glacial striations on Powell Lake's shoreline.

If you like rocks, here are a few websites of interest:
You might also be interested in an event that occurs on the second Sunday in September.  It's International Rock Flipping Day.  Here's a link with photos from last year on Flickr.  Also, here's a link at Susannah's Wanderin' Weeta (With Waterfowl and Weeds) blog with more information. Check back in late August to get an update.
    Are you a rock hound? Let's hear your stories.

    For more ABC pictures from around the world, stop by the ABC Wednesday blog. This is the twelfth round of the meme originally established by the Admirable Denise Nesbitt. -- Margy

    Sunday, May 12, 2013

    Heading Home

    Wayne, Stick Tail, and I are heading home to the float cabin this week. This will be Stick's first trip since Summer 2010. After that, he's stayed with Mom at the condo in town. As an indoor only condo cat, he should enjoy the outdoor freedom.

    This will be a poignant trip, the first in Mom's Buick we lovingly call Big Bertha, but without Mom. However, she'll be going with us in spirit. Mom will always be an important part of our lives. As I looked through some old photos, there are some great ones of Mom and Stick at the cabin.

    I'm so glad I was able to share float cabin living with Mom in all seasons. Winter was the hardest. We had to keep the fire going day and night to keep the interior warm enough. But as I've said before, Mom was a trooper. Plus, she was a long-time camper with Daddy and me.









    Mom always loved her glass of red wine at happy hour. Chin-chin!

    When we get to the cabin, I will be excited to see what has happened in my float garden. On our last trip, I planted new bareroot strawberries, onion sets, carrots, beets, spinach, and lettuce. In barrels on the deck, I planted Yukon Gold potatoes from my own sets, Scarlet Runner Beans and Snow Peas. We've had both rain and warm sunshine, so in the last three weeks lots of growth should have occurred. I'll keep you posted. -- Margy

    Friday, May 10, 2013

    FREE Kindle Science Fiction Books

    Each month I offer FREE book days for my Kindle readers. Don't miss these exciting science fiction offerings for May, June, and July.

    Click Here on May 11
    for a FREE Across the Galactic Sea

    Description: Spaceship Challenger is on mankind’s first true galactic voyage using a high-tech blend of space jumps and cryogenic hibernation. Captain Tina Brett leads her ship towards the ultimate goal, first contact with alien intelligence, until a navigational glitch changes everything. Then a mutiny, the nemesis of crews since ancient ships plied the high seas. Or is it something more than anyone could have anticipated? Six individuals on an epic journey work together, and occasionally against each other, for the good of mankind. Free for Amazon Prime members to borrow, or just $5.99.

    Special FREE Kindle Days for EVERYONE! May 11, May 27, and June 9.



    Description: When our Milky Way merges with the Andromeda Galaxy in 4.75 billion years, Earth will be facing even bigger problems than a cosmic collision. Two parallel worlds confront an uncertain future, while an astrophilosopher and a modern shaman struggle with decisions that will establish the fate of intelligent beings from both colliding spiral arms. Worlds separated by thousands of light-years are suddenly thrust together with challenges humans have never imagined. Free for Amazon Prime members to borrow, or just $5.99.
      
    Special FREE Kindle Days for EVERYONE! May 26-27, June 15, and July 4


    Check here if you need a Kindle 
    or free Kindle App.

    Happy reading! - Wayne

    Thursday, May 09, 2013

    What's In a Name? Longnecker's

    Saturday was Opening Day for boating.  The Bellingham Yacht Club (BYC) hosted a boat parade that left Squalicum Harbor and headed to Historic Fairhaven. We didn't make it in time to see the parade, but did notice some of the aftermath. Lots of sailboats were sporting flags, fluttering colorfully in the breeze.

    Wayne and I headed to a small cove on Lummi Island called Inati Bay.  This is a private outstation of the BYC and only members can go ashore. But we only wanted to drop a day hook and enjoy the warm sunshine onboard.


    Boats are decorated for the parade. This year's theme was Derby Days. Opening Day was the same day as the running of the Kentucky Derby. But we didn't learn this until after we got home.

    Sitting at anchor in Inati Bay, we saw a boat heading our way. It was hard to make out what it was.


    At first I thought it was a fishing boat with little cubicles for fishermen to stand in while trolling.

    As it got closer we saw a starting gate, complete with horses and jockeys. On top a jockey rode a long-neck Geoduck clam. Longnecker is also a family name, so I'm left wondering if it was named after the clam, the family, or both.

    The decorations were amazing. When the boat turned around, you could see the horses' rumps and tails hanging out. Click on the large picture and you can read the horses' names. There were bails of hay and a full-size horse riding on the bow. If this boat, didn't win first prize, I can't imagine what did.

    I didn't get a picture of the boat's real name, but for Opening Day it was definitely "Longnecker's." -- Margy

    Wednesday, May 08, 2013

    Quad Riding in Powell River, BC

    Q is for Quad

    At the beginning of this round, I posted "A is for ATV Enthusiast." I told how I got started with quadding with a 2-wheel drive Honda 250, then upgraded to my current 4-wheel drive Yamaha 450. When I ordered my quad from Danny at Quality Parts, I had to have the hard to get (at least in Powell River) silver model.

    Wayne and I've been riding the trails in our area for several years now. Here are some of our favourite trips.


    Giovanno Lake and Marg's Manor
    Giavanno Lake and Poki's Place
    The Head of Powell Lake
    Granite Lake Trail
    Misty Beach
    The Blue Trail
    Tony Lake
    Elephant Lakes
    Mt. Mahony
    Appleton Creek
    Lakes Loop
    Khartoum Lake
    Khartoum Lake (video) 
    Blue Ridge Viewpoint
    The Washout and Fred's Trail

    Want to read more about riding the backroads and trails in Powell River? Here are a few links:

    Powell River ATV Club
    ATV/BC 
    Up the Main
    Farther Up the Main
    Western Forest Products Logging Roads (PDF map)
    Westlake Woodlands Logging Roads (PDF map)
    Powell River Community Forest (map)
    ATV Trail Guide (available at Powell River ATV stores)

    For more ABC pictures from around the world, stop by the ABC Wednesday blog. This is the twelfth round of the meme originally established by the Admirable Denise Nesbitt. -- Margy

    Saturday, May 04, 2013

    Good-bye Mom, I Love You!

    You may have noticed for the last two and a half years I've written about Bellingham where Mom lived.

    Mom became paralyzed and needed 24-hour care. Thanks to caregivers like Bonita, I could go home to my float cabin once a month. Caring for Mom at home wasn't easy, but the right thing. She stayed in familiar surroundings with the ones she loved.

    Last week Mom passed in her own home, in her own bed. While I miss her terribly, I can't think of a better way to leave this stage of life and begin the next.

    Mom loved a party (with her pretties), so we've chosen to celebrate her life by remembering the good times. I'd like to share some with you.

    Mom was born in 1916 and just celebrated her 97th birthday. She was proud of her natural brown hair (flecked with gray), and her own strong teeth. She said she had strong genes, but getting old wasn't for the weak. She was always a trooper, never gave up, and always had a positive attitude. She worried more about others than herself.

    Mom grew up in Compton, California, when it was farm land, not a suburb of Los Angeles. She wished she had a nickel for every ear of corn she packed on her father's truck farm.  She went to Compton High/Community College (when it was one campus), and UCLA to become a teacher. It was at Compton CC that she met my dad, Art Leeming. Mom made him wait for marriage because she wanted to teach. In those days teaching jobs were reserved for family bread winners. They finally married before Dad's military service in WWII.

    I came along in 1949, an only child spoiled by both parents. But I learned about caring for families when my grandparents came to live with us. Then it was time to take care of her brother Bill.

    Mom and Dad retired from education and enjoyed travel, cooking, gardening, jewelry and furniture making.  They always worked and played together as a team. Daddy passed early with cancer. Mom met and married Jack Agnew later in life. Both had lost their spouses and shared a special kind of love and companionship. And I got two sisters and a brother that I'd never had.

    After Jack passed, Mom moved to Bellingham to be near Wayne and me. It was the closest city with good senior services to the Canadian border and our new home in Powell River, BC, where Mom enjoyed vacations with us at our cabin and condo in town. And wherever she went, her beloved Kitty Cat followed behind.

    At first Mom lived alone, then I stayed with her. Wayne was a huge help, taking care of things in Powell River and coming to be with me as much as he could.  After a few months of recovery after back surgery in 2010, Mom was back in good health and able to travel, but now in a wheelchair. In Powell River we arranged for caregivers to stay with Mom overnight to let Wayne and I enjoy cabin life. And I know Mom enjoyed the change of scenery even though she could no longer go with us up the lake.

    These last six months Mom's health didn't allow us to travel any more, but her spirits were good and she enjoyed dinner visits next door to our good friend Jeanne's. A glass of red wine before dinner was her favorite. Chin-chin, Mom. After a good meal, there was plenty of time for the Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

    It was only in the last two weeks that Mom's health really declined. We knew we didn't want any more hospital visits, so were getting ready to start Hospice, but there wasn't time for that. In a way we created our own hospice-like environment.

    Mom was a wonderful woman, a strong woman, even though she didn't see herself that way. She loved us with her big heart and generous ways. Kitty Cat misses her too. He looks for her in all the usual places, her living room recliner and the bed where they slept together each night.

    You were the best Mom in the world. I love you and miss you. I'm so glad those were the last words I said and you heard. Mom is on her way to be reunited with Daddy in California for her final rest here on earth. Good-bye for now, Mom.

    Louise Leeming Agnew
    Beloved Wife and Mother

    Lots of Love (she always said that at the end of a phone call),
    Margy, Wayne, and Jeanne

    Friday, May 03, 2013

    Powell River Books Science Fiction Website

    Powell River Books has a new website highlighting Wayne's science fiction books.  It's called Wayne Lutz, Author.  Here's a sneak peak.


    You can get there by clicking the image above or the link here.

    I've used the Powell River Books Blog to help promote Wayne's science fiction books, but with five titles it seemed they deserved a home of their own.
    I hope you'll head on over to take a look and let us know what you think. - Margy