June 2019

Where did that month go?  What happened?

June 1 featured the Cactus Jalopies Car Show, which was far greater than we imagined.  (Remember that Osoyoos only has 5000 residents.)  There were over 500 vehicles on display ranging from 1920’s Ford model T’s to a relatively new Rolls Royce, with everything in between.  A lot of chrome was on display,  There were a number of amusing and amazing vehicles there—a testimony to the lavish care and time some owners spent.  The crowds were generous.  There were also a number of hangers on:  a lot of motorcycles were parked nearby, and those vehicles are extremely popular here.

The wildlife nursery was seeing progress because by early June, the five phoebe babies were getting well-feathered, and they were certainly crowded in the nest.  On June 8, the chicks fledged, which was fascinating to watch.  First they fluttered down to the balcony, with limited ability to fly.  By the end of the day, they had fluttered down further to the patio, and found a marvelous sumac shrub to hide under.  For the next few days, they sheltered in the shrub while they strengthened their wings; in the meantime, it appeared that the parents were feeding the shrub assiduously.  A few days later they had all dispersed.  The parents have visited the nest a couple of times because they sometimes use it for a second clutch, but that hasn’t happened so far.  Perhaps they are remembering the amazing number of flights they made to bring food to the chicks.

Wildlife interactions continue to be fascinating.  We have a wren family nesting above our coffee deck.  What we didn’t know was how much wrens do not like chipmunks.  Our young chipmunks are all over the place, and one morning we watched the wren chase one vigorously 5 times.  A few efforts involved just a straight rush at the rodent, but one time involved chasing it all over the ground as well as up and down a tree.

June 17 featured the last day of radiation for Brian.  Unfortunately, the effects increase up to 14 days after the last treatment, and he has been suffering third degree burns to his neck.  He also has been very tired from the daily driving to Kelowna as well as the effects of radiation.  The last couple of days have been a radical improvement.  He has started his regime of immunotherapy with the first transfusion in Kelowna, to be continued once every two weeks for the next year, a long haul next to come.  On the other hand, we have both met people in the Cancer Clinic while waiting for his treatment, and their stories are so sad.  Things are much better for us, and the level of care he has received has been gold standard.

We were visited by the local bear this month.  The first clue was the rather awkward configuration of the pole.  The second clue was the absence of the peanut feeder, which was discovered a few days later in a somewhat rearranged shape.  Finally, the bear dug up a rotten log beside the house.  Unfortunately, we didn’t catch it on the game camera.  On the other hand, it hasn’t returned, which is good news.

Last year’s landscaping has taken well, and we are having the pleasure of cacti coming into bloom.  The delicate blossoms are so amazing given the sturdy and prickly leaves.