Deka Lake Dispatches

My pictures are sometimes so touched up that they load slow. Please be patient...it's so much fun to do.

It's been a long while since I've been on the blog! Christmas, snow, construction..all play a part in keeping me away.

Light snow is falling. I'm learning that flurries is what I would call light snow and light snow is "lots"; then we are getting "snow" tonight. According to Cheryl our neighbour that means fat snowflakes. Bill was out this morning doing the wood thing so that we are prepped for the -31 weather this weekend! Cheryl was walking her part bear dog and stopped to talk. She invited us to their annual Boxing Day celebration; all the locals are invited but she wanted to make sure we knew about it. Yay! Our first party at Deka. We are very lucky to have Gary and Cheryl as neighbours. They have lived here for many years and know everyone and are aware of everything going on; they have been extremely helpful in making us welcome. Their daughter Amber is Kayla's best friend. They also have a son Coltan who we have yet to meet; we only see him and his friends in their cars. Their house is all decorated with lights and critters. Our road of two families is quite well lit now.

Most of the houses are decorated from Deka to 100 Mile. They are the only light except for the snow when you are driving at night.

The nights have been brilliant with the clear skies and upcoming full moon. It's as if someone has their high beams on all night. You can see at least a block ahead of you if you were walking. Twilight is my favourite time of night. The sun setting on the hills, the sky turning indigo with the trees black against it, the moon, oh the moon, turning the ground into a light show, the Christmas lights on our outdoor tree... Sigh.

It looks like we will be able to use our snowshoes (thank you Gallagher/Truters) soon. We now have over a foot of snow outside. Did you hear me???? A foot of snow and more on the way. We are arranging to have someone come clear the driveway as we can't do it all the time. Age does limit you sometimes.

Visitors came to help Bill and I shovel the driveway. Puppies is only a couple of years old and very active; Sadie is only 10 but she has arthritis and is a tad overweight. (Sounds very familiar) Sadie is the Alpha girl though. They will start looking for Jody and we are one of their stops. Puppies waited patiently for Sadie to walk back home with her but she finally left on her own full of energy. Sadie went to the front of the van and just sat there till we opened the back and lifted her in. I thought she would curl up in the back but no she moved right to the single back seat and sat there proud as punch. Bill drove her home as commanded.

Shopping for presents has presented many difficulties here at Deka. I've learned that if possible it will serve me better to take the bus to Vancouver, spend some quality time with Coral and do some early shopping in October. It's an excuse to go to Coral's, yes, but will help me a lot. Or, (and?) go to Kamloops to shop. I will not do online shopping again. So many things are available but only in certain sizes or they don't ship to Canada or if they do....$$$$$....some things you learn quickly. But I am done and am sitting here waiting for everything to arrive. It will come, right?

Bill is gamely building the frame and door for the bathroom; when you don't buy the pre-hung you have your work cut out for you. Time consuming but very satisfying; right, Bill? Gary our neighbour is going to help us with the bathtub taps/fittings this Sunday. Bathtub, bathtub, bathtub!!! Yay.

Still snowing, snowing, snowing....

Minestrone.

Loved the Dark Knight. Finally Batman the way I remembered the dark comic book character. And the very best Joker so far.