365 Photo of the Day

Oops!  I lost a day. 

Today was (I believe but  I could be wrong)  my fourth day picking.   Even though my body is slowly toughening up to the task  I still come home with aches and pains from head to toe.   And I love every second of it.  

Picking  began at 4:30 AM.   It's nice and cool at that hour and very peaceful.   Once I fully wake I'm full of energy and picking goes quickly.   I look at the rows of trees and think I will conquer them.   And each day I realize I have learned new things.    Some things are shared with me by coworkers –  other things I have absorbed from experience.    I have learned that picking is as much seeing what you are picking as well as how you touch the plants.   My fingers have learned to twist and gently pull up words to remove the cherry safely from the branches.  

And the ladders!

I now find myself confidently scampering up big ladders like a monkey.   I no longer get dizzy looking down.   I've learned to hang my hail on the branches correctly and I'm even getting the ladder closer to the cherries before I pick them.  

 Yesterday was the hardest day at all.   To be honest I was a little discouraged.   I was so sore and tired.   And I got a huge cramp all the way down my leg last night which had me struggle out of bed like a zombie and do the crazy walk until it receded.    

But this morning brought me awake more eager than ever.    And I'm glad I'm sticking with it.  I'm feeling strong and confident. 

365 Photo of the Day

 

Happiness is finding a new friend 

Who is lovely, enthusiastic and fun

And just happens to be visiting our country

And had her birthday today

And we spent the morning hamming it up

At the local flea market

And then made a little picnic at the park.

Happy sigh!

 

365 Photo of the Day

Sometimes I wish there were a back-space in life. 

There have been a few times I've really messed up and wish I could back up a step and then get it right. 

There would be times I'd like to back-space to savour a moment I took for granted. 

But not having a back-space has caused me (with the wisdom of my many years haha) to appreciate life in the moment more. 

 

365 Photo of the Day

It is amazing to me to begin my day out picking in the fresh cool morning air (5:00 a.m. No less) and then to find myself in the latter half of the day at a graduation ceremony. 

This tree is just loaded and ready for me to pick. It might not look like ther is a lot of fruit on it, but there IS!  

 

 

These cherries are big and fat - and sooo tasty!  

I've learned how to wield both a smaller and larger ladder - a great workout. 

I've come to respect the trees, knowing I must treat them gently. 

Damage done now can effect next year's crop! 

 

All done. The tree branches spring up, relieved of their great weight. 

I picked more boxes today - I'm getting faster. 

 

The grad for YouLearn.ca is always inspiring. Just a handful of grads, but life changing for those who made it through. 

 

I just had to toss this photo in of the roof of the South Okanagan Seconday School where grad was held - it's such an architecturally beautiful building. Kind of like is appropriate for the grads in a visual statement of "The sky's the limit!"

365 Photo of the Day

 Like a great ball of fireworks perched atop a thin tall stem.

 

365 Photo of the Day

Oops I missed a day! Could it be the getting up at 4:30 a.m. To pick cherries messing with my inner calendar?  

 

The ladders go SO HIGH I feel like I'm above the canopy, high as the mountains in the background.  There's nothing like doing this which will make me think of how hard someone has to work to put fresh fruit or vegetables in our markets  

 

365 Photo of the Day

I tried Turkish coffee for the first time today.

 

365 Photo of the Day

Little dog, Big stick

I just love my little G’Dawg (grand-dog) so I’m going to inflict another two cute pics on you.  My Fancy is not afraid to tackle a BIG stick – something twice as long as her body.

And I don’t know why but this picture of her little wet paw makes me giggle!  It makes me think of a wild little critter. 

365 Photos of the Day

These are the last of my pics from Kelowna, where I spent some quality time with my beautiful daughter and my Grand Dawg, Fancy

Here we are, Fancy all wiggley bum about wanting to get the photos over with and the walk started…

There is a beautiful boardwalk along the shoreline of Lake Okanagan.

Winding past the small pond and daisies and grasses

Alongside the sandy beach, with the bridge in the distance

With Fancy exploring “off track” as well. 

And Melanie and Fancy took me (G’Merm to Fancy) out for a picnic dinner on the beach – sliders and ice cream for dessert.  We listened to folks play the pianos which the city have placed randomly along the walkway.  It was kind of a festive air. 

And then when darkness fell we walked back and by this beautiful dolphins statue. 

My favorite photo of Mel and Fancy!

Thanks for visiting!

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365 Photo of the Day

I'm going to divide up some photos I took in Kelowna BC over today and tomorrow.