Cal's Journal

A glassy sheen rippled off the lake and reflections of the mountains glimmered across the valley. It was a surprise late-season fishing trip, and I was showing the two men the beauty of Okanagan Lake. We had three lines in the water and were enjoying the peace of an October afternoon. Until it almost crashed in a sudden collision. I saw the boat approach from the north. At first, I wondered if it was fish cops coming to check us out. Read more…

The driest 90 days on record. That amazing statistic caught my eye this week. Victoria recorded under 2 mm of rain since July 19. That is less moisture since record-keeping began in 1898.  2 mm would barely cover the bottom of a child’s sippy cup.  And yet some people deny that climate change is real. June and July were very wet so there is that… We, as a society, continue our culture of consumption as if we have an unlimited Read more…

It was municipal election day in British Columbia. A day when people in the cities and towns throughout the province went to the polls and elected their local leaders. In my previous life, I may have run for office in this election.  In this life, I’m not ready. I am trying to find my way and write my story first. Part of that journey involves getting my body in shape so I can run period. I wish running didn’t hurt Read more…

The man couldn’t believe all these people standing with their signs chanting. Why were they still protesting? What were they protesting? Covid was over, wasn’t it? He had come out every Saturday since it all began two long years ago. In the beginning, he understood why they were out in the park pushing their conspiracy theories – sort of. At least there were actual restrictions to protest. But they were fooled by something or someone. The pandemic was real and Read more…

Day 7 of 30 So far I have done pretty well on my challenge for better health. I have not had any alcoholic beverages in seven days, no fast food, and no junk food. I have however slipped up a couple of times on the no weed. Or does hashish count? I also had one late-night snack. Strangely that was the same day I had a puff of the herb… hmm could be it connected? I tell myself, no but Read more…

The fall weather has been some of the warmest I have seen in the Okanagan. Sunshine and record temperatures have blessed us, so it wasn’t surprising when the phone rang and the person on the other end of the line said they wanted to get out on the lake for a tour.  Thanksgiving Monday and a family from Manitoba was excited to get on the lake and experience all the Okanagan had to offer. I received their payment and booked Read more…

Sunshine bounced off Okanagan Lake like a light shining into a mirror. The gleam of the warm sun’s rays heated the water and warmed the air to record levels. It warmed the souls of the four friends as they glided across the silky waters. Barrman, Kaydee, Cookster, and Crispie embraced the 25-degree temperatures on a beautiful Thanksgiving afternoon. Fishing the surface they cruised toward Hardy Creek south of Peachland in hopes of a jiggle on the end of their line. Read more…

Day 4 of my thirty-day challenge.  12000 steps, not bad for a fifty-two-year-old guy. That doesn’t include my workout at the gym. That’s right I went to the gym.  My daughter has been going to the gym for the last six months and this day she wanted me to go with her. It felt really good connecting with my sixteen-year-old girl. At the gym of all places. She led me through her routine and we spent two hours trying out Read more…

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. It is my last day as an employee. Strange how things work out in life. I have not enjoyed working for my employer since the new boss took over but I have done what I could to make it work. To say I have done my best would be a lie. I hate not doing my best. But in the end, life gives back what we put into it.  Read more…