Growing Apples

Posted on September 5, 2016 by dfolstad58

Today I am reblogging an inspirational post. I read it and it spoke to me, I hope that it speaks to you also. Thank you each of you for encouraging me to write.

morningstoryanddilbert's avatarMorning Story and Dilbert

Vintage Dilbert August 23, 1993 Vintage Dilbert
August 23, 1993

One day I stopped to think about growing apples. I was munching a delicious, juicy apple and took a big bite. As a result I got an apple seed into my mouth. I spat it out into my hand, with the intention of throwing it away. But instead I looked at the apple seed. Really looked. It was dark brown, almost black. It’s shape reminded me of a candle flame. A little dark brown candle flame…

I realized I was holding an apple tree in the palm of my hand. A little seed with the potential to become a beautiful big tree; a tree that could grow thousands of apples in its lifetime. Thousands of apples, each containing several seeds, each capable of growing a new tree which again could produce thousands of apples. Why then the world wasn’t filled with apple trees?

It is…

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Where is summer?

Posted on September 1, 2016 by dfolstad58

 

linden garden viewI should not complain but I want Summer to last longer. The cooling nights, and windier days are harbingers of frost, and dates with a snow shovel.

To be fair, the days are still in the high 20’s celsius but now when I jump in the lake I look around at 7:30 and I am a lonely Canuck braving the waves. You can’t count the odd child, as they are immune to temperature – I don’t know why, but  it is truth.

I know many of my readers are not that knowledgeable about Canada. It’s not all snow and ice, especially here, you might think you were in Napa valley when you visit my home town. Vineyards, lakes, and beaches not lions, tigers, and bears! Oh my, see here the aerial view.

Summer, summer, linger longer please I beg you. I love not hearing my furnace run, wearing shorts and picking fruit in my yard.

Autumn, wait a little longer before you knock all the leaves to the ground, and bluster in fine voice against  my windows.

It’s been a good summer,  and I’ll grasp her hand as long as I can, and when she returns, I’ll be waiting.

long shadows
Giant’s Head Mtn in the distance
overlooking Okanagan lake
seaside rendezvous
friend share a plunge
Peachland BC across the street from Bliss bakery on Okanagan lake, just me
Okanagan Lake
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I have come unglued, finally

Posted on August 22, 2016 by dfolstad58

rio 3I suspect that I am not the only one that has spent an abnormal amount of time glued to the spectacle that is the summer olympics.

Soccer, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, rugby, diving, plus plus, and now I confess, at last the closing ceremonies.

It’s a people show. You watch teams win and receive a medal and, if you are like me, you wish both sides could win, that there were more medals for these amazing people.

rio 2Now it’s no surprise I enjoyed the beach volleyball, and for more than the reason you think (I saw those raised eyebrows!) – two people in great shape covering a court, making great saves and diving all over the place. It’s all action, and these athletes are in super shape. They know they look good and enjoy being young and admired, so they should. Those abs were earned!

What I also liked about the beach volleyball was the sportsmanship. The teams are always hugging their teammate regardless of whether the point is won or not. These teams travel together, share meals together, compete together, train together and win or lose together. At all times these partnerships are uplifting and encouraging one another. One bad attitude and the team is broken. rio 1Wow, I can learn from beach volleyball players. When you hit the sand, hit it smiling and get up, dust yourself off and play the next point. Enjoy the game, and keep supporting the team.

So much people watching, and many stories of huge athleticism. A marathoner from Argentina, Federico Bruno, stood out as he finished his marathon race in pain (read more here) but managed to finish the race. He ran the last 12 kilometres in intense cramping pain but finished by crabbing sideways and still finished the race in under 3 hours beating other competitors. An runner has strong leg muscles, those cramps would have been torture.rio 4 He managed to finish somehow. Another opportunity to learn for me.

Life may not go as hoped for but do the best you can, and in my marathon I will keep it in mind. glasses moving

How about you? What did you learn from Rio?

Thanks for reading, and commenting, your suggestions are welcome.

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Some things don’t change, Thank heaven

Posted on July 26, 2016 by dfolstad58
SAMSUNG DIGIMAX 420

Holding On.

IN the last 36 years, I’ve owned a whole bunch of different cars, moved strata to house to strata to house to strata to house again. Presidents, and Prime Ministers have come and gone. My career has changed. I have picked up, and changed hobbies and sports numerous times.  I have watched our beloved daughter and son go from swing sets to cell phones.

Almost everything has changed, but one thing hasn’t.

organ donationOver the years I have been healthy, in the hospital for months at a time, and been healthy for decades.

I have lost contact with old friends, reestablished contact, and made new friends.

Certainly I know I have changed, but not everything has. I’m a blessed man.

happy daze
yup, we were young
mice in the rain

It’s not my anniversary, that was 4 months ago. But this song reminded me of my lovely Susan. It’s been a long time (March 8, 1980) since we drove away from a church in our rusted out Honda Civic, but the journey still continues, and she was the one in 1980, and she’s still the one in 2016.

couple smileys cuddling

ah shucks

 

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Animals two by two – line up!

Posted on July 20, 2016 by dfolstad58

rain 1The skies opened up yesterday and a waterfall fell from the clouds. Crashes of thunder, flashes of lightning – the full meal deal!

I was rooting for a good rain, but not the full house, royal flush I was dealt last night. The gutters on my patio were overflowing, and the drains could not handle the volume. whoa!

My fertile mind envisioned animals lining up two by two, but thankfully there was no ark in sight.:)

Yes, I was hoping for rain because I had cut my front lawn and have enjoyed not manually watering the lawn for the last few weeks due to unseasonal rain this year. Lazy? Perhaps but I would prefer to call me a naturalist – mother nature is always thorough and the water is soft and pure.

But the storm gusts beat up my plants, topping over the ones in pots and my lovely wife was so helpful. Go! Your plants are toppling over, they should be moved. Thanks honey.

AmazinglyGene-Kelly-2 the waterfall actually increased as I moved my plants and then my helpful wife pointed out my car window was left open. (I did appreciate her pointing that out, just wish it had been before the rain started.)

Again I dashed out to close the window, and again mother nature turned it up!

Thanks MN, but I’m already wet and numb but no matter – I love the rain.

2013-05-31 14.02.33

Okanagan Lake

This morning the lawn was pleasantly saturated, the lawn sparkled. The plants are all watered and overall in the beautiful tranquil stillness I was now soaking up a magnificent blue sky.

The air smells great, and another day I don’t have to move a sprinkler around.

oh yeah! (fist pump!)

ducks

bye

Thanks for reading, comments and feedback appreciated.

 

 

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The Value of a Friend

Posted on July 18, 2016 by dfolstad58

It is often said “blood is thicker than water” meaning that family relationships are always more important than friends.

My blood relatives are important to me but I certainly have and do appreciate the many good friends I have had in my life that have been kind and supportive to me especially during the times I was sick or facing trials.

I spoke to my son and daughter when they were growing up about picking good friends, and how to be a good friend. I believe they have seen in my life how I have had special friends and the difference between friends and acquaintances. I have been blessed.

The value of a friend is priceless. They lift up when you need it, and no matter how long between get-togethers – the friendship is not diminished.

To you reader I wish the blessing of good friends, who call you up out of the blue to check on you, who drop in to give you a hug, who include you in prayer without being asked.

Yes, blood is thicker than water, but none of us,  I’m sure, underestimates the inestimable value of a good friend.

Thanks for reading, comments and suggestions always welcome.

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