Faces of Joy

If you would like to see what joy looks like, take a look at this photo, taken at the moment it was announced that Team Ontario had won FIRST PLACE (yes I’m shouting) in the Engineering competition at the Solar Decathlon.
Solar Decathlon 2013That’s Mike, 3rd from the right.

The Solar Decathlon, officially 10 days in California, but really years in the making, is over and Team Ontario placed 6th overall.

We just got back from a 10-day road trip to Portland where we met up with Mike after the Solar Decathlon was over for a little R&R before he headed back to Ottawa to rejoin his life there. More on the road trip to come no doubt, but meanwhile, a few more images of the event, including the house itself and off-site activities. One can’t go to California without hitting the beach, no?

Well done, Oh Son o Mine.

Changing Seasons

Fall Japanese Maple Viridis

I’ve taken to calling this just-passed summer seasonĀ  The Summer of 40 Days and 40 Nights, referring to those weeks and weeks of blue sky, rain-free, lazy days. It was followed by Soggy September when along with the fall equinox, the weather shifted, forcing me out of my seasonal denial (aka flip flops). September brought heavy rains and the first of what will be many gale-force winds out on the water. I heard that Vancouver was reporting the third wettest September on record. Over here on the island, we don’t get as much rain as Vancouver, but it was clear that summer was over.

Fall in Qualicum Beach means never a dull moment. Most days are a combination of everything – fog, clouds, drizzle, sun, blue sky, more rain – which actually is kind of cool. I grab those moments of sunshine to go walking and exploring – carpe that diem – then watch the clouds roll in from the mountains safe by the warmth of The Bunkie fireplace. Continue reading