When I first moved to the Okanagan I moved in anticipation of enjoyment of the summers especially, and condoning the other seasons.
That’s because it is a region of orchards, vineyards, lakes, and beaches. My parents had first brought me to the Okanagan as a child and we tented in provincial camp grounds north of Summerland. The trees have grown a lot since then but families still come every year to create memories and learn the lessons of too many cherries in a single day. ♥
The Okanagan became my home in 1992 when I moved with my young family from the Vancouver Lower Mainland seeking a life with more family time and less commuting time; and I found it. Very soon thereafter trading a second car for mountain bike to commute to work.
I learned that every season in the Okanagan has its own attributes to appreciate and enjoy.
After the first summer I learned the quieter seasons of autumn, winter and spring could be savoured in their own way. The coming of winter with the its days getting shorter, and vibrant autumn leaves somehow made the warm autumn days even more special to embrace.
I loved walking through the fallen golden and crimson leaves in autumn. The cooler mornings, the warm but never scorching days are always there to be relished in the dying days of summer and appreciated.
The first frost feels like teaser to winter ahead, and my mind turns to the anticipation of silent streets and yards covered with snow in the days that lead up to the closing of the calendar year.
Then “over the hump” in late December, (winter solstice) and before long I can feel the budding of my optimism in spring, like the new buds on the trees and the return of the robins.
I quickly learned that each season of the calendar year holds the promise of happy moments, special memories, and invitations to smile both inside and out.
I realized over the years that I had cultivated in myself an appreciation for the Okanagan not only in the summertime but in every season.
Perhaps that is part of life, self cultivating lessons and encouraging those parts of our life, as in a garden, the plants that need encouragement and nurturing or even removing plants of the garden that are less desirable.
Each season of my life I think now is a time to be enjoyed at it’s own pace, less inclined to compare one season to another.
Each day the best day of the year, because it’s now, each season of my life is to be enjoyed now, neither looking forward or backward.
Older, and hopefully wiser, I will try harder now to be attuned to, comfortable with, and hopefully in harmony to the season of life I am experiencing.
I am grateful to have come this far as I know many don’t get the chance, and my mind and attitude is all in life I have the actual power to influence.
Thinking out loud today, thank you sincerely for reading. ♥ David
Life and Random Thinking 
Every season has its merrits. A wonderful post, thanks.
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Thank you Darlene. I probably posted it a little quick but I edited some more now. I love having feedback and encouragement from you. Hugs, David
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Good thoughts and good reminders. 💜
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thanks Linda. I had the nicest drive today. It felt like the desert today 38 degrees Celsius and drove back roads to Keremeos to the Similkameen river and a favorite fruit stand run by two sisters. Lovely ladies. I saw horses, donkeys, osprey, a bald eagle, and miles of sagebrush. I also passed the White lake Dominion Radio Astrophysical observatory which I suspect you would find interesting. – best, David
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Sounds like a fun day. I particularly enjoy donkeys, and I am interested in observatories. I’m glad you were able to get out in those great temps.
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The donkeys were a pleasant surprise. It’s interesting that you are fond of them. That observatory has been the location of a number of movies due to the desert landscape and huge dishes. Always look forward to your comments. sincerely, Dave
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Great post, Dave. I think as we grow older and survive difficult times, we’re more appreciative of the seasons. I’m certainly enjoying every day of this summer, and am grateful that the Lower Mainland has enjoyed a mix of sunshine and rain. My heart breaks for the people of France and Spain, and of course, for those who’ve lost so much in our own province’s wildfires.
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Thank you Debra. I imagine we have some things in common and my post was intended to also refer to the seasons of our lives. It’s sweet to hear you are having a nice summer. I enjoyed a trip to the Richmond area recently and rented bikes to ride along the dyke in Steveston, fun sunny day. I also took the skytrain to QE park and took in a baseball game at Nat Bailey stadium. Sweet time! I will have to find out more about the weather and crisis in France and Spain; I am not up-to-date. It sounds tragic.
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Glad you enjoyed your trip! Steveston is lovely. We were there for a walk in June, a place I hadn’t been to in about 40 years. Yes, the France and Spain situation is horrific. And now Greece is dealing with major fires and evacuations.
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