Louise lay in her bed, too weak to move. When would this life be over so she could have an end to the pain? End to all the pain. She was at peace with herself. She hoped her kids would be at peace with her as well. She loved them but it was too much. It had been so intense when she saw them last. She’d said her goodbyes to them. Now it was time to take care of her Read more
“Zing!” The rod bounced and the fishing line began to spin out. I jumped from my seat and reached for the rod. Fifty yards behind the boat I saw the fish leap from the glassy water. Fish on! My heart began to race and I calmed myself while I held my fishing rod and began to bring in my prize. It’s been a while since I felt the thrill of the jiggle on my line. I began to play with Read more
Paradise has been invaded by greed. Our beautiful Okanagan Valley has become a place for the wealthy and well-to-do. And it makes me sad. The latest casualty is our friend’s beach lot. For over fifteen years they have been able to spend their summers at their RV on the water on the shores of West Kelowna. The Westbank First Nations were the owners of the land and they rented out a series of lots on the water for seasonal camping. Read more
It was like a dance, a renewed romance. I leaned my machine into the corner and spun it back up again. The gleaming waters of Okanagan lake reflected the mountains above, it was the perfect backdrop for the undulating highway known simply as Westside Road. Everything was right in the world. I was back on my trusty Honda ST1300 after a winter off of it. I could breathe clearly for those precious moments in time. It was a great reminder Read more
I am feeling a lot of pressure these days. Our little city is growing and changing. And not in a good way. The boat is being evicted from the Eldorado and the city has implemented a draconian fee to the boat businesses of $ 2000.00 per boat to use the facilities. The cost of everything is going through the roof and I have an ache inside whenever I turn on anything resembling the news. Oh ya, and there is a Read more
This week the hockey world lost two of its greatest goal scorers. Mike Bossy passed away early this week and was followed to the hallowed halls of hockey heaven by Guy Lafleur. I’m sure they are sharing a toast to great careers. Two men gone too soon. Fucking Cancer. My memories of growing up in a simpler time were punctuated by watching Saturday night Hockey Night In Canada with my parents. I will never forget watching the Montreal Canadians sweep Read more
Pain seared through Louise’s body and racked the fibre of her being. It was agony like never before. Yet somehow she knew it would end soon. The feeling came in waves, like a storm breaking on the shore. When the pain ended she knew it would be a beautiful beginning. But a new ache would fill her soul afterward. Her physical anguish disappeared from her memory like a phantom. Her mental pain would last much longer. A pain that was Read more
A pulsing ringing circled his head, the world spun into consciousness. Barrman rolled over and his eyes peeled open to greet the day. His body ached and his head felt like someone was squeezing it between their hands. The only hand on his head was his own. Barrman felt every one of his fifty-two years, he pushed to his left and forced himself to move. He was motivated not only by the urge to ski but the urge to… never Read more
I arrived at my mountain home for the last weekend in the ski season of 2021-22. My wife was already there and our friend Karen accompanied me to spend the last day on the hill. It has been a season to remember, a season that lacked snow but had a lot of sunshine. The last weekend saw the world coated with one last blast of winter. No spring skiing on this April weekend. Nothing mattered except the fact we made Read more
Fifty-two spins around the sun… I remember when I was my daughter’s age how anyone over forty was over the hill. According to that, I am now over the hill and hurtling down the other side. Strangely enough, I don’t feel that much older than I did when I was in my twenties – mentally anyway. Physically, well that’s another story altogether. This was my first birthday since 2019 when there were no restrictions on my ability to go out Read more