Cal's Journal

Springtime in the Okanagan burst forth this week.  Sunshine and blue sky embraced the world below and it was time to stop and smell the flowers blooming in our wonderful valley. May long weekend arrived and there was a vibrant feeling of renewal filling the air.  After a couple of weeks of struggling with work and with my teenage daughter’s angst, I feel I have crested the wave and will try to swim like hell to stay on top. Life Read more

Barrman awoke at his mountain home.  He was excited for the day, he felt refreshed and invigorated. The blue sky looked like he could reach out and touch it. He stood and embraced the view. The silence enveloped him as he breathed in the clear air. Peace filled his soul and he held the moment. There was a sparkle in his eye as he turned to go. With a grin, he jumped aboard his Honda ST1300 motorcycle. His body groaned Read more

It was another Monday in the coronaverse. Has anyone noticed how short everyone’s fuse is lately? Or is it just me? Or my fuse… Many of us are starting to get covid burnout and it doesn’t take much to set people off. I know I have been guilty of it myself. My fuse is short and I am starting to have a tough time living with myself. I’m sure it’s not easy for my wife.  I have had a few Read more

It was time to plant the garden. Life is quite a bit different than it was a mere one year ago. The local nursery was crazy busy and things have been going full steam ahead. Feelings of anxiety and stress have taken over last year’s feeling of peace in spite of the pandemic. It was a release to get in the garden and feel the dirt sift through my fingers.  The heat soaked into our skin and the intense May Read more

I got the jab today. I felt nothing – until later on. Then I started to feel the nanites spread inside my arm. Microscopic creatures were reproducing inside my body. It began with a dull ache, a burning sensation inside my arm. I could tell it was beginning to spread its influence throughout my veins.  My entire body began a dissonant throbbing. I felt nerves from the tips of my fingers echoing down into the end of my toes. I Read more

“Abdullah go to suite 2905 and put on a harness. I need you to paint the bottom of the balcony.” A crackling voice came through Abdullah’s phone. “What’s that boss? I think you said a harness? Outside on the balcony?” Abdullah looked down at his iPhone and checked the number. Sure enough, it was Raj, his boss, telling him to get a harness to paint a balcony. The young painter did not like the sound of those instructions. “Ok, where Read more

Mom stood at the door and stared longingly at her daughter. The little girl was no longer a small bundle of joy and excitement. She was now a blooming teenager filled with emotions and turmoil.  Where has the time gone? It seemed like only yesterday mom was holding her little girl to her bosom, nurturing the tiny precious baby. Then in a flash, the two of them were sitting together holding hands and playing with dolls. She will never forget Read more

Barrman stood at the bottom of the towering glass and concrete structure and looked skyward. The bottom of the balcony felt like it was a mile above them. He prepped the stage and looked over at the young Spaniard standing there. The unfinished spot stood out like a blotch of ugly grey on the white concrete. Their job for the day was to prep the concrete and help finish another piece of the newest skyscraper that jutted thirty-six floors above Read more

Today was Cinco de Mayo, May the fifth 2021. It’s a day like any other day in much of Mexico, in the rest of North America it’s an excuse to drink Tequila and Cervezas. For the last five years, our next-door neighbours have had a party to celebrate the day. We would pack up the margarita maker and go sit in their back yard with a group of people and celebrate Mexican culture and cuisine.  This year Cinco de Mayo Read more