Dragonflies Dance

Dragonflies Dance
By Paul McCann

Between heaven and hell, where the dragonflies dwell,
There’s a garden filled with colour and light .
In a hovering way, they put on a disarming display
And dance to the king of flight .
Dressed in dewdrops of dawn, when the darkness has gone,
see how distinguished are these debutantes .
In the garden of the king, all the secrets you bring,
can be shared when the dragonflies dance .
So don't delay or dismay, at the end of the day ,
even dragonflies must fly away .
And as dragonflies say, you can dance all the way-
just be happy in a heavenly way . 

Water, Water, Everywhere

Well the summer appears to have left the west coast for now. It has been raining for the last few days and it has become quite chilly especially at night.

I sat here today watching the rain pound down on the balcony and thought of the nice summer that I have had taking pictures and playing at the lakes and beaches with Miss Lucy and Fred.

One trip they didn't take though that I did was a trip to Nanaimo. The weather was lovely and I captured some really nice shots on the ferry over.

This is what people all over the world come to see.

 View the rest of the pictures from this trip at Long Weekend Trip to Nanaimo

 We have the mountains seeming to rise right out of the sea. On a nice day the view is breathtaking.

What I personally always marvel at is the amount of green space that we have in this country. We are so fortunate to have miles and miles of pristine wilderness and tracks of land that are not developed. I hope that never changes. I often wonder what people in countries that are over populated think when they see these kinds of pictures. It must seem as though we live in the land of milk and honey.

We also have one of the most abundant clean water supplies in the world.  I cannot understand why anyone in my province chooses to pay Coca Cola an outrageous amount of money for a bottle of water when we have much cleaner and better water right from our water taps. How incredibly blessed we are because according to Water Aid America over  1 million children a year die because of a lack of clean drinking water. Hard to believe. In my country we don't even think about turning on a water tap or playing in the garden hose on a hot summer day, but for children in poor countries around the world it is a luxury they will never know.  All they ask for is clean water to drink everyday.

So next time you think about buying that bottle of water at the gas station, that costs more than a liter of gasoline, why not give that money to Water Aid America where for few thousand dollars they will help a village dig a well to keep them in clean drinking water.

The Beach on the Other Side Is Always Better!

 We have been taking Miss Lucy to a dog beach called Angus Beach. It is on the Fraser River and she loves it.  However, when we are there I can see lots of dogs on another beach across the river and I (of course) decided that we should check out that side because the other dogs looked like they were having more fun than Lucy. Well that is my excuse and I am sticking to it! Actually anyone who knows me well knows that I love to check out new places especially if they involve dogs, water and of course Miss Lucy having fun!
So last Sunday my very sweet partner decided to let me have my way. He has been resisting the my whining, but finally I guess I hit the right pitch because we went exploring to try and find it. After getting lost a few times we did find it and Miss Lucy and I were in heaven! it is a much bigger area for her to swim. As well it is a much bigger beach for us to walk so we can get some exercise as well. It is not really much farther to drive to than Angus beach so it all worked out for the good and even my partner is happy with my whining this time!

 I snapped this picture of Miss Lucy sitting  in the branches of a fallen tree just
before we left and she almost looks to be hiding. I don't blame her I didn't want to leave either.

I Love West Coast Sunsets!

August is one of the best months on the West Coast for sunsets. The colors are so vibrant. There is something about watching a sunset on a warm late summer evening that is so peaceful and calming.

 Scenes like this make you want the summer to go on and on!

The Impact of a Word - A Few Mountains to Climb

 This summer, despite my spinal surgery and intense physiotherapy  has been wonderful. Fred and I have spent days at the lake with Miss Lucy playing ball and eating picnic lunches. We have gone to the baseball game where our favorite team The Vancouver Canadians are in first place and should make it to the playoffs. 

I have taken hundreds of pictures with my new camera. It is such fun to learn new setting and see what happens when you work with them.  As everyone knows I love to take photos and wish that I had more time to learn how to do it all better. 

Then of course the really great fun has been planning and dreaming of my trip to New York in October.  Every spare minute I could I researched things to see and do. I have bored my friends and partner to death with facts about New York not to mention regaling them with all the food that I want to eat while I am there.

Yes, I have been having a great time this summer! I also have been getting my business back up and running now that I can turn my head better to drive. Life seemed to be getting back to normal for me. However, as you all know, life has its own schedule and idea of what is to come next in our life. 

I decided that I needed to get a check up including a mammogram. Here in BC we use a clinic that requires no referral from your doctor. You just make an appointment and pop in and get the screening done. I did just that a week ago and recieved a call telling me that I needed to go to the diagnostic center as my films needed clarification. This is not unusual. I had this a few years ago and went through the diagnostics and everything was actually cleared so I was not concerned. I figured that they had been unable to obtain my previous test results because I have moved and they sometimes need that to compare.   Shortly after arriving I realized that this may not be as routine as I thought. This time they had found spots in both breasts. They had me do the ultrasound and sent me off with the assurance that these films would be delivered to my doctors today and to make sure that I follow up with him in the next week.  

Can't be that bad I told myself as I went off to White Rock for lunch with a friend. We spent a couple of hours sharing. Catching up on each others lives and eating Greek food. I hugged her goodbye and was driving down the road planning out what I needed to do for the next few hours when my cell phone rang and it was my doctors office.   He said " I am watching the reports come in from your tests this morning. It is not looking good. It looks like it may be cancer. We need to get a biopsy as soon as possible. I am putting in the referral today." His words sent a chill down my spine and my heart fell to my feet.  When I think about it I must seem like a fool to him. I didn't ask any questions. I didn't say much of anything. I merely drove home in shock.

I have heard the word cancer a hundred times in my life, but never did I realize the emotional impact that word when used to describe part of my body would have on me and those around me. From moment to moment I go through so many different emotions. I was able to hold it together and plant a happy face till after my daughters birthday party this past Sunday and then late that night I sobbed and asked the universe  - why me? Why not me - I am no more special than any other person. Life happens.

I have come to the conclusion that for the better part of the time to come I will be spending my life waiting. We are in an agonizing waiting for a biopsy date right now.  Then we will be in more agony waiting for the results of the biopsy.

I usually don't write this type of personal blog post, but if it can wake up one fellow woman to consistently get a mammogram and do a breast exam then maybe my agony of the last few days will not be in vain. Even if you think there is a hint of something wrong bug your family doctor till they thoroughly investigate it.

I asked myself a hundred times how this could have happened? How could I have missed this?  Busy life for the last year or so and I was lulled into a false sense of security because I had been cleared of anything a few years ago and there is no history of breast cancer in my family. 
 I am getting on with life while I wait. I realized that I am still very happy. Despite all of this my life with my partner is wonderful. Filled with love and family and friends. What more can I ask for? I just have a few mountains to climb. Thats all. Who doesn't?