Dear Friends, Thank you for visiting and forgiving me my long absence. I am grateful to you for your blogs and comments as visit this way.
First a fast update:
This spring and summer has been a warm one and my cherry tree was ready earlier than usual. We were able to pick the tree when the cherries were really dark red/black and juicy. It’s been fun to enjoy them, give some away and can some for treats when days are long and furnace is on.
Where have I been?
My son and I did a fun road trip to Castlegar, Nelson, Greenwood and area a few weeks ago. We had a house on the river in Castlegar so we could have a bonfire and watch the swallows swooping over the river. There were herons also and it was a fun spot. I think a separate blog for this trip will be forthcoming.
Have you ever visited this area called the Kootenays?
Today’s Post
Laughter and Friends – we love them both!
Your lives no doubt have faced some days which were hard, we call them challenging time but they are more than that. Sometimes those days you might have felt weighed down, lacking energy and maybe just want to sleep to avoid reality.
Laughter is an underestimated force, will you agree?
When enduring months at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) I was fortunate to have family and friends who would come visit and help me to laugh. One friend who travelled from Langley, sneaking in Chinese food after visiting hours!
Our visits were filled with laughter, even during very tiring times.
Laughter with my friend, who brought it with him, always raised my spirits, and allowed me to put the day behind me.
Have you ever have your day turn around because a friend made you smile? or laugh?
Laughter releases endorphins and heartwarming laugh with friends has always been easier for than chasing those same endorphins with running, and without having to put on shoes!
Laughter has other health benefits; boosts immunity system, lowers stress hormones and gets rid of facial wrinkles (let’s hope that’s true).
I think the benefits of laughter are known to us all.
We know it makes us feel good.
We feel it physically when we laugh that laughter is healthy for us.
We miss it when laughter is missing from our lives.
Our day, our physical and mental self can be revived, has been revived by laughter.
That leads me to my final point; those people in our lives that bring us laughter.
Protect them, cherish them, keep them close – they are part of keeping you healthy.
Those sweeties with the tinkle in their eye, those best friends that understand us like no one else. That one person that makes you smile just by thinking of them. ♥
Stay in touch with them, as we get older sometimes it happens that we lose contact with friends that really are special.
Those laughter bringers could family members, friends, colleagues, or even pets.
They could be storytellers, or witty but somehow laughter is infectious as part of them being them with you.
Avoid the regret of lost contact with the friends who bring you the best health supplement of all – laughter.
My grandpa Ed Folstad had a wonderful chuckle and laugh. He’s gone but he loved to tell stories and when he did with me his eyes twinkled, his belly bounced and his voice chuckled.
I remember bottle feeding lambs at his farm and him chuckling while he milked the cow and squirted the cat with milk!
Please say hello in the comments – talk to you soon. hugs, David
Life and Random Thinking 
I hope the upcoming days are filled with good health and LAUGHTER!
LikeLike
Thank you Linda, I hope the days ahead are also filled with flowers, fresh summer fruit and beautiful sunsets to wrap up the day. There is a garden here in Summerland I would love to direct you to enjoy. It seems to be a hidden gem as many overlook it. There is a volunteer group that maintain it and it overlooks Okanagan lake and the train trestle is close by so when I am walking along the canyon side I can hear the steam whistle when the train is on the trestle. Explosive flower gardens and they do demonstrations relating to flowers there. Also they have music days and art exhibition days up there. I have met painters there and bought seedling tomatoes of a dozen types there on their seed Saturday. I think it’s quiet and flowers would make a nice day for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely, lovely pictures. You live in a beautiful area. Thanks for sharing them.
LAUGHTER … you can’t imagine how much we’ve needed it this entire year here in the US where chaos is the theme of the day, EVERY day. Laughter & friends have sustained us on many days.
Your BIG TOE bottom art made me laugh out loud.
LikeLike
That big toe pic makes me smile, I do live in a lovely area. Exploring my province has been fun this year and one of the highlights for me was watching sea otters frolic and float on their backs. They seem very carefree – if I could pick a spirit animal maybe that would be one for me.
The US has been part of my conversations for years now. I am glad you had friends and laughter to uplift you on days when there was chaos and your hearts felt heavy watching the news. Hugs my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi David. Such good advice! Thank you!!
LikeLike
You are welcome and thank you for reading and commenting. I always enjoy your writing. – David
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice to see you back. Those toes gave me a good laugh.
LikeLike
Everyone loves the toes! Hi Peggy. I was slow replying because I did a short “getaway” with my son to a small city a few hundred miles away. It’s called Kamloops which means “where the waters meet”. It’s the joining spot of the North and South Thompson rivers. It’s a beautiful valley filled with hoodoos. I met my wife there 45 years ago. Happy Friday to you!
LikeLike
Sounds like the perfect getaway.
LikeLike
Laughter and friends, two key components to living a wonderful life, both to be held with precious care and appreciation. Always love to see your posts in my reader💕
LikeLike
Laughter and friends are indeed two components Lynn.
Thank you for reading and commenting. I am encouraged by your kind feedback. 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you David for your blog. Many good thoughtful things.
Bless you always, Dan Nicholson
LikeLike
Thank you Dan for reading my blog and I hope you found it worthwhile of your time. I appreciate your kind words and encouragement. You have a kind heart. – David
LikeLike
I am happy you have returned! Welcome back!
LikeLike
I appreciate your welcome message !
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad to see you return.
LikeLike
Big Hug!
LikeLike