Wild Orchids of the Okanagan

Thirteen Wild Orchids Bloomed.

Each Orchid, a Sacred Gift From the Universe.

These gorgeous wild orchids are native to the Okanagan mountains. It is a miracle that amongst the tall grass and shrubs that surround a steep slope in my front yard, these lovely orchids found a place to grow. What started out as one orchid, over the seasons has now become a cluster of thirteen flowers this spring! I treasure these orchids as a lovely gift from the universe. Their scent is fresh, sweet and gentle heaven.
I am considering moving home locations in the near future and when I saw that my lovely wild orchids had all bloomed today, I felt a pang of despair. How can I protect these flowers from future owners? How can I ensure that they leave a small patch of the grass long and unkept and the bushes untrimmed so that these lovely orchids may survive and bloom again and again? And that they never use yard chemicals?
I can leave a house, a shelter, but the wild plants, the majestic magnificent trees and rose bushes. I feel it is my duty somehow to protect these plants from other humans and their careless destructive ways. And don't get me started on the mole that lives in our back yard--the giant, chubby Townsend mole. I have never seen it but it leaves giant mounds of earth all over our yard each and every spring.
I actually feel heart sick and concerned for all the humans out there who refuse to share the earth, and specifically their yard with wild flowers, and wild life. If one poisons the ground and destroys all dandelions, kills all ground creatures--they destroy all possibility of ever having a lovely gift such as a bunch of wild orchids, ever grace their land, their lives.
Toss aside the need for a manicured, artificial yard and embrace the nature that will begin to appear and bless you with its grace, beauty and wonder.

After the Rain in My Secret Garden

The last few years I have found a wild orchid hidden amongst the bushes and shrubs. But this year, six wild orchids! They are so lovely and delicate.
I finished my last official class for my MA on Saturday. When all is said and done, I admit to feeling relief. I found the two years personally challenging--not being a  current BC teacher, I felt a little on the outside. But it was a good lesson for me--social lessons are invaluable.
Planning the Malaysian trip. Borneo is out for 3 reasons: threat of kidnapping of tourists in east (where the orangutans live), time is short--two weeks to do the entire Malaysia leaves little time for a trip way across the ocean to Borneo, and malaria threat and other diseases much higher threat in Borneo than in Malaysia. Instead it looks like this:
Singapore--Jungle Railway to Endau-Rompin and Taman Negara (giant national parks for trekking with wild rhinos, monkeys and elephants)--to Perhentian Islands (for a week living on the beach and snorkeling/diving/jungle exploring) and then to Kuala Lumpur and then to Panang to finish our trip--fly home through Hong Kong.
Girls all well. Gearing up for a month of piano recitals and dance recitals. We leave for a family 5 day trip to Vancouver/Victoria on June 5th. We'll stay at Hotel Vancouver and the Empress in Victoria.
I have a tummy bug-- for 3 days now.
Fernando still challenging me. I think I have him all sorted and then he lunges and tries to bite every person on the street that wants to pat him. Oh, he'll sit and put up with the first pat with my insistence and praise but they the person stops patting him and relaxes and that's when he decides to lunge for the fingers and bite. Also, I can never do enough for him. If he thinks his walk was too short, or I left him in the yard too long--in he whips to poop and pee in the house in protest.