July 30 - Reflections Upon Returning to Jordan's Vegetable Garden, Which We Started In May In Her Absence

These carrots and I
Go way back; the radishes
were sprouts when I left

July 29 - The Homeless Duo Arrives For A Quick Stopover In Courtenay

A valley welcome
In the cold rush of Nymph Falls
Tonight, the RV

July 28 - Pete And Karen Return, And The Relaxation Just Gets More Relaxing

The gods are smiling
One last luxurious day
G&Ts all round

July 27 - In Which I Try To Forget That This Afternoon Is The Last One We'll Have On This Deck For Quite Some Time

Eating bread with jam
We talk of things grand and small
And learn island lore

July 26 - What Happens Whenever I Go Into The Upper Garden To Do Some Quick Deadheading

"Ten minutes!" I say

Paul knows it won't go like that

90 minutes pass

July 25 - Kayaking Surge Narrows

We planned this moment
Right tide. Right time. Ebb for push.
Heavenly paddle

July 24 - I Paint "Beach Trail" On Cedar Boards And Am Struck By How Similar They All Look

I letter three signs
Wondering what font has come
Unbidden from me

July 23 - Our Least Favourite Project Turns Out To Be Not That Bad

Rain keeps us indoors
But first, we tidy the wood
Boards here, big slabs there

July 22 - Paul Continues His Big Beach Trail Project While I Tidy Up The Mountain Bike Trail

We clear trails until
Our arms and backs ache, until
Nature has been tamed

July 21 - There Are So Many Ways To Say, 'Damn, That Water's Cold!'

High tide: We must swim
Skidding down the prickly rocks
It's now or never

July 20 - I Think I'm Getting The Hang Of This Isolated Island Life

First, a book club raid
Then south to the fancy house
For wine and shoe sales

July 19 - Kayaking Around All Three Rendezvous Islands

With new tides knowledge
We paddle on tranquil seas
Seals splash a warning

July 18 - Projects Done, We Go Looking For Grey Pegs At A Blue House

Cloud days are busy
Paul bushwhacks; I move lumber
Then a seashore hunt

July 17 - The Freedom II Moors In The Bay, But Nobody Comes Ashore

Strangers have arrived
Paul says one's name is Basil
But he can't be sure

July 16 - And The Next Thing You Know, It's 6:30 P.M. And We're Still On The Deck, Although I Did Crush My Finger On This Otherwise Lovely Day

The projects can wait
They say the weather's changing
So today, the sun

July 15 - Craig and Vivian Pull Up In The Ruthie B

Surprise guests boat up
For a swim and potluck meal
Friends on land and sea

July 14 - We Pack The Cooler Full Of G&Ts And Head Off For Our New Afternoon Ritual

We strip off our clothes
And shriek at the cold sea, but
the deck bakes us dry

July 13 - We Pay An Afternoon Visit To Our Neighbours

Hands dyed berry-blue
I drink Judith's wine and think:
She's one tough cookie

July 12 - Evening Paddle Around The Rendezvouses

Glassy waters call
We cruise around the islands
In borrowed kayaks

July 11 - So Quiet You Can Hear A Common Nighthawk Courting

Up where we can't see
Birds buzz as they dip to earth
Heralding the dusk

July 10 - In Which The Afternoon And Even The Early Evening Slip By As We Lounge About

A long afternoon
Alternating sun and sea
G&Ts to go

July 9 - The Big Shop For Our Big Trip To Rendezvous

Modern pioneers
Our totes laden with dinners
And icy cold gin

July 8 - One Of The Six Of Us Even Knew About House Construction

Old friends and lovers
Come together to inspect
Chelle and Aaron's dream

July 7 - Our Next Adventure Takes Shape

The Cuso call comes
Nicaragua is waiting
We'll flee bad weather

July 6 - In Which Mother And Daughter Pass Six Hours In Hard-Core, Happy Shopping Mode

Wedding-dress shopping
Chelle looks fab in every dress
And the shoes! So fine

July 5 - Who Knew? Freedom Really Is Just Another Word For Nothing Left To Lose

Modern-day nomads
Car packed with bike, bags, shoes, books
We belong nowhere

July 4 - Getting Into The Feeling Of Stepping Into Someone Else's Life For A While

Bear meows for breakfast
I roll from the fluffy bed
And start the Bodum

July 3 - An Overnighter On Rendezvous Island So We Can Get The Hang Of Things

We skid down the hill
Where Karen waits to whisk us
To a seaside dream

July 2 - In Which 3 Boys And I Swim Across A Small Portion Of Comox Lake To Feel More Adventuresome

First, a ride with Jim
Then my water buddy comes
We're off to the lake

July 1 - Oh, Man, How Long Has It Been Since I Did A July 1 At Lewis Park?

Ducky 500
Draws the Canada Day crowds
Zach does the teen thing