Author Archives: JeanEB

Homecoming

Posted on by

2015 Fireworks Qualicum BeachFour years ago today I arrived from Manila, coming “home” after living in Asia for 4 years. I had timed my arrival carefully, as I wanted to be sitting in my waterfront home away from home in Victoria, Haro House, looking across the water to the U.S. San Juan Island, to watch the July 4th fireworks – little pops in the distance, but still, borrowing those festivities to celebrate my arrival, finally, to Vancouver Island.

I just re-read a few of the blog posts I made at the time, July 2011, including a post explaining how we ended up in Vancouver Island on this piece of geography (Where It All Began). The excitement and happiness I felt at that time continues to this day. This felt like home long before I ever arrived to live here permanently.

I’ve always believed that this year July 4th would be significant as it marks the day when we have lived on our island home as long as we lived in Asia. Still, I really don’t know if 4 years feels like a long time or a short time. My sense of time is wobbly.

But forget all that. This is a significant day for another reason.There is a lot to celebrate today, as well, as this 4th of July our neighbors (well many of them) can find pride and joy in the fact that recently their Supreme Court has finally determined that all Americans can marry whoever they love, and all that this implies for rights and respect for all. They join 17 other countries, including ours, that have now recognized same-sex marriage. Congratulations.

Rainbow & US Flags

 

Amado Mio

Posted on by

Pink MartiniLast week we hosted what is now our annual Summer Solstice celebration in the garden for our friends and neighbours, a day that ostensibly marks the first day of summer, but here, this year on the left coast, full blown summer has been with us for the past 2 months. Traveling in these summer months is not possible, as caretakers of this jungle we have created. Mindful of water consumption we are careful to handwater, or shrubblify only those plants that need it – new additions still establishing themselves or the potted plants, which is still not insignificant – ~40 fuchsias, 4 brugmansias, 4 strawberries, 3 cherry tomatoes, a few agapanthus, cannas, giant red banana, 5 Japanese maples, GreenHouse hibiscus, window box annuals, a few potted bamboos and other assorted things I may be forgetting to mention.

Prisoners. Of Paradise.

Except when a Pink Martini is involved. Continue reading →

Land Snorkeling

Posted on by

“I go down to the shore in the morning
and depending on the hour the waves
are rolling in or moving out,
and I say, oh, I am miserable,
what shall-
what shall I do? And the sea says
in its lovely voice
Excuse me, I have work to do.”      Mary Oliver

Acanthus

I’m outside just about all the time these days, “working” in the garden as it explodes into green and blossom around me. They say that in the first year newly planted perennials sleep, second year they creep, and third year they leap. This is the 3rd year and everything is coming up enormous, helped no doubt by this year’s mild winter and strange spring. May was, by all accounts, the hottest in memory, and of course, the main topic of conversation in our town (the weather, no matter what it is, is always the main topic of conversation). “Isn’t this great?” people say. “This is July weather!” June has continued in the same way. And yet, despite all the warmth and glorious sunshine there is an undercurrent of unease to it all. The record highs also mean record rainfall lows.

I look up at Arrowsmith Mountain behind us to see that there is not much snow left on its peak. By the end of May It looked as it usually does in August, and now, there is no snow to speak of. River levels are low. Acutely aware of the drought problems of our neighbors to the south, we already have some water restrictions in effect including, get this, a prohibition on washing your driveway. Duh. Continue reading →