Wonder tree!

A wonder tree!  She may not be in an ideal location, considering her 125 year old ‘twin’ that came down in a wind storm earlier this summer--and has now been rendered into rounds for splitting to keep the house warm!--

But she’s a wonder when it comes to long pine needles.  Hers are nearly a foot long! This is an ideal length for learning the art of pine needle basket making!

And that’s what I’ve been up to this week! 

Oh, there was a hike too—a re-run to the Smallwood overlook to introduce Jim to the view.  This could become our new ‘Scout’ Mountain hike; it’s the closest to home.

It wasn’t raining this time.  The panoramic views were pretty spectacular, other than the smoke!

Forest fires to the South are keeping the lid on our sunshine these days.

[Photo taken at 7:30 AM]

…all the better for staying indoors and finishing up my first basket!

--LS

And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food… [and baskets!]  Gen. 2:9

Delightful Rail Trail

I am fast revising my attitude about rail trails… After last time’s rushed and  bumpy journey of twenty miles on a shock-less bike it was time to try one on foot!

A friend and I  did just that this morning first thing.  The trail was strung along through forest shade on the slope above Kootenay lake.  It was level and lovely and we were in no rush…

Unfortunately, it dead-ended at an active railroad bed

But thanks to my trusty guide we found our way down to the beach along little side trails, including an  abandoned railroad bed…

…surprising an eagle on his roost along the way…

(I know, he’s hard to spot in this poor photo…maybe next time I will take my good camera along….)

The lake was as peaceful as the morning… A lovely destination!

It’s a definite must-come-back with Jim! 

Just over seven miles round-trip will be a breeze on a bike, right?

We shall see. ( :

--LS

You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Ps.139:3; 16:11

Discovering the Kootenays…

Well, though my photos this week do a dismal job of depicting where we are, they’re the best I have for now…

We got off our tandem this week and did the unconventional--  a HIKE together up Morning Mountain.

It was too hot, too dry and I was too on the edge of coming down with a bad cold to appreciate it fully, but we did discover a possible reason for this trail’s name—best hiked in the morning in the cool of day.

 

The following day we got really unconventional and took to ‘half-bikes’ (otherwise known as singles, in the tandem world) and did a stretch of the Rail Trail.

  That may be a first and last such ride until I get some shocks!  Twenty miles was a lot to tackle considering the terrain—and my impending cold…

 

Then, not one to pass up a hiking opportunity, the following day I straggled out of bed early to join some local gals from church for a hike. 
(The droopy green one on the left is me.)

 It was super great to share our ‘stories’ and get to know each other over the five mile trek with a 1,400 mile elevation gain (Thanks Strava for letting me know!).

 

But upon arriving home I was ‘shot’—the cold had finally caught up with me, despite the high-90’s heat of summer.  I’ve been taking it easy ever since. And that’s been my week in the Kootenays!

--LS

“Bless the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy…” Ps.103:2-4

Things bloom here too…

I have loved portulaca since my childhood in NJ where they bloomed with abandon.  They did not do so well on the coast, but here once again I have portulaca blooms to enjoy.

French Marigolds are up for the job most anywhere…

And Nasturtium have answered the call bravely in this hot dry space. 

The ‘Pot Marigold’ (officially Calendula) blooms here too, with that classic ‘bloom where you’re planted’  look.  I hope that I shall do as well.

There have been no travels this week, so I’ve taken time to finish up a picnic quilt for Rachel’s (just past) 20th birthday...

… made from old jumpers, jeans and skirts from our family’s  past life.

And I’ve commenced my second-ever illustrated journal.  The first page is a joint celebration of the harvesting of the Black Currants and the purchase of some Crayola markers just for fun!

and the next is my official just-learning-to-Doodle page….

And such have been the ‘blooms’ of my week.

--LS

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph.2:10