BC - DAY 12

Migraine, again. Not happy. :(

Parents did partial Giant Head and then ate out for breakfast. I did a kayak lap around pinky and then out to the floating dock before heading back in. Reading, blogging, mostly staying out of the way as the parents did their final final packing.

Went through the book where mom had written all the instructions for keeping the place alive while they are gone. Many doggie rituals to adhere to, plants to water, loud noises to ignore.

Left the house early afternoon to return Sliding Doors (so I would know where the video store is), then lunch at Quizno's in Kewlona. Dropped them at the airport with a "See you next year", as I will have headed stateside before they return.

Headache which seemed to be in remission had advanced to a new level of pain, so I stopped at a Starbucks for a chai. Almost done with Valiant, and am enjoying it very much. Want to get a copy of Tithe, but the big bookstore is on the wrong side of the road where lights do not have advance greens and I'm not able to handle complex traffic patterns right now.

Headed home with slightly less pressure in my head. Anime OP/ED and OST tracks to keep me company. Sweetie is confused and upset. She was still looking at the car as I was entering the house, as if waiting for my parents to come out of it. There was a message from my aunt about meeting up for dinner, so I puttered, folded laundry, read email and then began the process of leaving the house. I don't think I got all the nuances of the doggie leaving ritual correct. I'll take her up to Giant Head tomorrow morning, although it will not be a daily event. Unless the sibling decides she wants to do that every day.

Had dinner at the hotel casino in Penticton with a lovely view of the lake. Menu has a bit of everything, and the honey garlic ribs were great. And will be great for dinner tomorrow. Extreme lemon posset, although the raspberries made it manageable.

Home to see the dog actually did eat her dinner, which is a relief. Off all of the dogs my parents have had, Sweetie seems to mope the least (at least, so far), and now I know that self-starvation will not be something I have to deal with.

Reading more of Holly Lisle's website, writer's section. Started the Goals Workshop and got distracted about half-way through (which is about par). But I do have a spiffy Excel sheet with goals, steps, and dates for the rest of this year. And even some titles, although I'm not completely satisfied with some of them.

Did the going-to-bed doggie ritual which seemed to work out ok. Poor little canine: the parents leave, I'm here. Sibling will show up, I'll leave. Parents will come back, but that's not for another 2.5 weeks. Messes with a doggie's mind in a big way.

First time I've stayed up to midnight and it felt really good, even if my head does still hurt a bit.

BC - DAY 11

SUNDAY
Woke up with migraine. Not happy. :(

Did the kayak route around pinky, and the whole southern sky was a mass of dark clouds. Completely clear to the north. Choppy, warm, black water. Shore was cold; about 70F. We dropped almost 20 degrees overnight. Had to wear jeans (not that I'm complaining).

Am mentally very slow due to the massive pain in my head, so didn't want to take a chance driving since I know my reaction time is running at sloth-speed right now. Besides, what visit to the parents would be complete without asking to be driven to the local mall? Got there too early, so went and sat at the Starbucks (yay Starbucks!) for chai and fruit bar. Had nice talk with dad, and then went to the bookstore. I think they've seriously cut down their YA section. Picked up the next Artemis Fowl book, the Arctic Incident, The Dark Hills Divide, book 1 of The Land of Elyon series, The Foreshadowing by Marcus Sedgwick, and a bargain book called the 7 Lively Sins by Karen Salmansohn because I flipped through it and loved page 166: "Behind many a successful woman is someone who pissed her off". And I need to lighten up a bit and enjoy stuff more, more stuff. ;)

Passed a little picket sign advertising an estate sale, and having nothing else to do (if we went pack to the house too early we would likely be vacuumed over or thrown in the washing machine), we stopped by. It was the first estate sale I've ever been to, and it was a bit unsettling. Not creepy, in a horror-movie kind of way, but walking through someone else's house, looking through rooms and clothes and crafts that used to be part of a life that didn't exist any more ... it was an odd feeling. She loved to paint, and had a room with a huge desk surrounded by cubby holes filled with every color of acrylic paint. Albums of patterns. Magazines of ideas and how-to's. I found a mat with 6 sketch postcards from New Orleans, 2 sweaters, and a National Geographic that had an article on cheetahs and the Brothers Grimm. Dad went home with pieces of wood, a $5 computer, and rolls of vellum and tracing paper. He also found a barometer like the one at the house which he gave to me.

Decided it was safe to go home, where we unloaded and had lunch. Took a nap, but woke up because my head hurt too much to lie around any more. More reading, then a run up to the condo to get one of the parent's walking sticks, with an initial stop at a local fruit stand for raspberries and ice cream (espresso chunk and maple walnut). Cold on the mountain - 42F on the balcony!

Leftover lasagna for dinner. Started to watch an ep from the first season of Stargate Atlantis, but they had already seen it, so we switched over to Firefly. Head still hurt, but I stayed up reading Valiant by Holly Black until I reached a passage that hit home a bit too much and went to bed.

"I hate not being good at this," Val said as she flopped onto a stool.
"You are good. You hate not being great."

BC - DAY 10

SATURDAY
Woke up without an alarm clock, which is one of the true indicators of being on vacation. It was 7:03 am, but I can live with that, since it's actually 9:03 am my normal time. ;)

Did standard kayak out and around pinky and back. Hot tub and breakfast. And then the migraine hit. And stayed with me all day. Not happy. :(

Went to the Pendicton market in the morning, then spent the rest of the day reading, since that allowed me to be somewhere else and (mostly) avoid my headache.

Sliding Doors movie with frekedela. Gwyneth Paltrow did a great job as the leading lady (in both timelines), and I like John Hannah was fun as the leading man.

BC - DAY 9

FRIDAY
Intention was to sleep in while the parents went sculling. Too windy for sculling so they decided to change their mattresses and box sprints instead. So after several large thudding noises, I was quite awake at 6:30 am. Checked some email, then went out in the kayak. Different waves than before - these were much closer together, in more of a hurry. The north was clear, the south covered in clouds. No headaches, so that was nice.

Hot tub then breakfast (sense a theme?). Tried several things to help clean-up dad's computer but it didn't work, and I don't feel comfortable messing with anything more than I did. It's pretty screwed up. IE only works for about 2-3 clicks, and sometimes blue screens when you try and get of it. Firefox was doing fine, then he accessed Outlook express from it and it started popping dialogs as well. He also said some of his other programs are starting to act up. He tried to re-install Windows ME, but it wouldn't let him do that. Sucks to lend your computer to someone and they get it infected.

Spent 2.5 hours finishing up the Karas amv I started months ago. Editing is truly the fun part of creating a music video for me. Then, once it gets down to title screens and fixing flash frames, I'll avoid it for months. Anyway, my anime music video for the year is now up - Prospero's Speech, by Loreena McKinnett to Karas - The Prophecy DVD. I hope the second Karas DVD still comes out in September since it is definitely on my list. Amazing visuals, lost of story, not all of which is told in the first DVD, although the little comic that is included helps clear a few things up.

Drove up to the Summerland Ornamental Gardens before lunch. Very spiffy place, although at this time of day (1 pm) it's hot. Fortunately, lots of the trails were in the shade. Awesome views of the canyon and trellis.

Lunch and mid-afternoon nap (yet another vacation theme). Reading the first
Sisters Grimm book, The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-Tale Detectives, and enjoying it a lot. Will be reading more of this series as well.

Run to Pendicton with the parents for travel and garden needs. Stop off at the house to drop of bags and pick up the dog for an ice cream run to Summerland Sweets.

Very hazy, to the point you couldn't see across the lake. Thought it was initially just heat, until we realized it smelled like smoke. Checked Google news when we got home and there is a 87 hectacre fire up in Falkland, which is north of Vernon, which is north of Kewlona, which is 1 hour north of us.

BC - DAY 8

THURSDAY
Been here a week and it seems so short. Giant Head trek again, and this time I made it to the top. Met one of the local councilmen on his *2nd* time to the top that morning and his tired little dog. Went down the road backward on the steep parts since it was a lot easier on my ankles. I can check that 2.5 hour hike off my list now. ;)

Hot tub, then breakfast. Skipped the mid-morning nap to go out the lavender farm. Did the self-guided tour, resisted the oh so soft teddy bear with blanket and heating pack teddy bear, did buy a lavender body wash for myself and a wand kit for mom. Over to the Toasted Oak restaurant in Oliver for lavender cheesecake. *very* subtle taste. Liked the jasmine green tea much more.

Saw signs for a local art gallery (Handworks) and caved in. Lots of neat stuff. Most impressive was the bridge hand quilts made in the style of famous artists (van Gogh, Matisse, Dali, etc.). No prints available, but the curator let me take some pics. Also picked up a wire horse that captures the curves and spirit of that animal superbly. Thought about the book, but know that I wouldn't get around to making anything with it any time soon, or any time far for that matter.

Back home, pulling off the road to let the crazy fast tourists pass me. The Prius has a 6 CD changer, but I didn't know how to skip whole CDs, so once my anime burn finished, I popped out each of the other CDs until I got mine to play again. Something to look up while not driving.

Lunch and mid-afternoon nap. Errands in Summerland with the parents in the evening. Saw an osprey with a fish on a lamp post. Went by too fast for a picture, but it was a darn cool sight.

Hamburgers, the second DVD of Northern Exposure, and then tea and a bit of snowball for everyone.

BC - DAY 7

WEDNESDAY
2nd attempt at hiking to top of Giant Head Mountain. Passed last end point and went father, although not to the top yet. Feel it in my ankles, and as far up as we go, there's still a lot of down to do as well, and this time I felt that in my thighs. Will try again tomorrow to reach the summit.

Hot tub break before breakfast. Gang of ducks heading over the hill toward me but they veer off and head back down to the bay. Mid-morning nap after breakfast. Kayaking in the single after nap. Out to the last orange buoy, over to the hammock house, back round the pink buoy, stalked by jet skis so I continued out past the seagull covered floating deck, round the white plastic bottle buoy and back to the home bay.

Finished No Plot, No problem by Chris Baty, the guy who started NaNoWriMo, the National Novel Writing Month. I didn't read the sections intended for the actual writing weeks, as I will very likely be using them come November. Not that I have time for such an adventure, but it really would be a good exercise for me. Writing for quantity and not quality is going to shake my little writing world, as that is completely foreign to my edit-as-I-write m.o.

Lunch and a mid-afternoon nap (hey, it's vacation after all ;). Woke up with a headache, although not near as bad as yesterday. Got online, answered some email, ignored others, blogged.

Run to Tinkleberry for chocolate-covered raspberries (like an Okanagan Snowball without the cream cheese), something I can take back with me to TX. I also picked up some Ogopogo Poop for a friend. Ogopogo Poop is more than just watermelon jelly beans, it's an awesome story about 2 teenage girls, their ideas, and a wonderful example of goal-setting and follow-through.

Back on the far side of the lake and a stop at the Blasted Church. Picked up some raspberry sparkling wine and the parents got a bottle of the real stuff. Interesting history on the origin of the 'blasted church' name, and a side paper I read about wine makers going to screw caps (Stelvin if it's that particular brand) over corks. And apparently that 'cork must breath' thing is a myth. Not that it really matters to me since I'm allergic to alcohol and don't drink the stuff.

A quick run through downtown Pendicton to orientate me for when I'll be on my own. 2 bookstores I definitely want to check out. Tourist everywhere. The parents have such a spectacular place, no wonder they rarely want to venture out amongst the lake-bathing masses.

And I'll admit it's getting a bit hot here. The Prius actually said it was 100F in town. The back of the house, however, doesn't seem to get above 90F, and the downstairs is still mighty comfortable. So regardless of how "hot" it gets here, it's still better than in my part of the world. According to ForecastFox, it's 97F in Irving right now ... and that's at 12:37 am at night. ^_^;;;

More Northern Exposure tonight, with the plans of getting up at 6:30 am for another attempt at the peak of Giant Head.

Ah, vacation ... ;)

BC - DAY 6

TUESDAY
Slept in. Caught up with the parents for breakfast.

Kayaking with mom in the 2 seater. We have very different styles. She's all about the rowing. I think it's from her scull training where you're likely to fall out if you stop with the paddles. I'm more of a paddle, drift kind of person. I also did a lot of steering, as she has a wickedly strong right arm which kept us aimed out toward the center of the lake. Bit of choppy water from the passing motor boats and jet skis, but nothing too tough.

Finished reading the first Artemis Fowl book. Hmmm. Interesting, easy read. Artemis is the classical super-shonen often seen in anime, which drives Tonbo to distraction and I can usually tolerate if there is something more to it later. Which means I'll be reading the second book in the series, Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident. Because Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was also an interesting, easy read. It wasn't until the second book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets that you saw how much worldbuilding JK Rowling had done, and how much more there was to this incredible 7 book arcing multi-generational plot. With Artemis' father "missing", I'm hoping there will be some of that scope in the Fowl series.


Migraine in the afternoon. Using the Head On stick and Advil, as I tend to keep the Zomig for absolutely-have-to-be-coherent times, which don't really apply while on vacation.

Went with parents to run errands, including the acquisition of 3 Okanagan Snowballs, and the consumption of 1 said snowball. My ultimate favorite dessert: fresh raspberry puree separating 2 thick layers of dark moist chocolate cake which in enveloped by cream cheese icing. Big enough for 3 to share, although dad went with low-fat ice cream and mom and I enjoyed the snowball all to ourselves.

Dinner was knackwurst with ketchup & curry (recipe recommended by the local butcher) which was better than I thought it would be. Entertainment was the first 2 eps of the first season of Northern Exposure.

Headache was large, bedtime was early.

BC - DAY 5

MONDAY
Up early to kayak. Mini-white caps so I only made it out to the last orange bouy. Final pink bouy looked a little too far, and my arms were already tired, so I headed back in. Clean-up and have breakfast before drive w/dad to drop the relative off at Vancouver airport.

Good time, even with the obligatory stop at the Hope Husky Cafe. On the return trip watched several cloud streets develop, and then drove under 2 of them. 80F, 66F, 74F, 68F, back to 81F by the time we hit the Okanagan Valley.

Movie (Pirates of the Caribbean - a spectacular movie for having been based on an amusement park ride and who's main character is the inspired mix of Pepe Le Pew and Keith Richards, brilliantly played by Johnny Depp, of course) and a pizza.

BC - DAY 4

SUNDAY
Up at 7 am to hike giant head. Started from closed gate. Did 3 shortcuts and stopped and retreated at large boulder and cement rock w/rusty pipe. Did 1 shortcut down and then road. Sweetie loves chasing the chipmunks, which have really long skinny tails up here. Parents have gone from the gate to the top of the mountain thrice, although they also only made it this far on their first attempt. I am happy with this for now, being from the obviously not mountainous region of plano. Determined to make a trip to the top before I leave this time, however.

Back to house for low-carb breakfast of eggs & bacon. Then a mid-morning nap. Up a walk to a local fruit stand for fresh raspberries (imagine Kaylee and her strawberry) and then on email. Lunch outside downstairs because it's extremely warm these days - mid 90s. Watched stranded sailboats and duck butts.

Out in double kayak with mom. She has an extremely strong right arm which kept us headed out for the middle of the lake. I did intermittent rowing and steering to keep us near shore and out of the way of motorized water vehicles.

Filled in book lust journal with Heroics for Beginners and Blink. Doing load of laundry. Was going to start reading Artemis Fowl book 1, but got distracted by the code at the bottom of the pages. Easy to crack, then a lot of decoding to get the message. Eventually was almost able to read like my native alphabet. Stopped deciphering around page 47 and got on email.

Sent fb on btb sketches. Caught up on this trip's blog. Need to shower and want to nap before dinner. Relatives are taking immediate fam out for dinner, as this is the relatives' last evening here. They are also taking us out to the gasthaus, a very nice gesture.

BC - DAY 3

SATURDAY
Packed-in sandwich lunch at Thornhill Winery. Entertainment by Velvet Elvis and Terry Clark through the years. Fun. Hot in the sun, nice in the shade. Eventually leave around 2 pm so others can use the umbrella. Purchased winery doors poster as reminder and potential story generator.

Shopping with Mom in town - Tom's and IGA. She let me drive the Prius and didn't scream too much. I need to learn where everything is for when I'm on my own for that single day.

Got sketches of BtB via email - very exciting and proves yet again that I do not ever need to illustrate one of my own (or anyone else's for that matter) writings. Showed dummy BtB book PDF to parents. Mom offered to shop it around her tennis friends as well, since some of them have grandkids in the right age range, and it will be out in time for some good XMas shopping.

Dinner of bison kbobs and potato salad which turned out rather well considering I haven't really made or cooked food in several months (a year?). Hot tubbing with Dad. No bat flyby tonight. Bed early for early next morning hike.

BC - DAY 2

FRIDAY
Drive out to mine, but didn't take 4 hour tour since we had the dog with us. Up nickel Plate road, which requires 4 wheel drive and I don't know how those people in the little Volkswagen Rabbit made it down in one pieces. Photo stops, and a short hike through the meadows to a spectacular view - complete with engine-less rolled Plymouth (?!). To Apex, but nothing open today, even though it should be according to the calendar posted in the window.

Afternoon nap. Errands with Dad. Shop to fix shower head. Crappy Tire for extra lock for boats. 2nd try for sun shade but they are also out of stock and won't get any in for a few weeks. Summerland sweets for ice cream (chocolate ship) and to re-stock on fruit strips.

Dinner on deck and then Dad took me and the relatives out on the power boat. My first time. Amazing sunset - up lake was a golden sky and yellow water, down lake was a red sky with scattered phoenix clouds and pink water. Have never seen yellow and pink water before, and realized how the water didn't really have a color of its own - it completely took on the hue of the reflection. Did my Titanic impersonation (sitting down) when Dad gunned the boat up to 30 mph. Couldn't see much for the wind, but it was a lot of fun.

Back in dock to see a large raptor soar off to the side. It was hanging out on the neighbor's mast when we came in. Mom thinks it was a goshawk or osprey. We hope it comes back for a definitive identification. Hot tubbing and a bat flyby. Pack of Spike cards and to bed.

BC - DAY 1

THURSDAY
7:30 am flight from DFW to Seattle. Hang out in airport until connector flight to Kewlona. Happy to have the extra time, as I would have missed the original 9:55 am flight. Sit on floor and plug into wall to finish watching Pirates of the Caribbean since my laptop battery died in the air. Working on finishing Karas amv, but still need to take care of some flash frames that are showing up.

uneventful flight to Kelowna, which is always good. Took some pics from the prop plane of snow-capped mountains. Picked up by parents and caught up on their past 3 weeks with the relatives from Denmark.

Home. Am in the bottom guest room since the relatives are in the cottage. Unpack a bit, read, dole out requested items and collect colored cash in return. Lots of improvements in the front lawn/flower garden. Complete floating dock with power boat in the water out back. Inside window trim almost completed.

TR250 ride with Dad. Ice cream at Robert's fruit stand = french vanilla. Apparently a "small" around here is 2 scoops - must remember to order "kid's" portion from now on or I'll never get out of the fat jeans. Walk Main Street. Purchase 2 Wade Red Rose Tea figurines from antique shop, since I didn't get one while up here in March. Order 3 Okanagan Snowballs from The Sweet Tooth, which will be ready on Tuesday. My favorite dessert, her own concoction - raspberries, chocolate cake, cream cheese covering - oh my!

Dinner is lasagna with freezer leftovers for when they are gone. Every meal is taken outside on the top deck and it is lovely.