Born to be Wild…
Love this candid shot of Luca, he was looking up something to show me when I took it, I did not notice his t-shirt until after, he was indeed, born to be wild!
He arrived into this world in the middle of a Manitoba winter snowstorm. It was at least minus 30 degrees Celsius; we drove an hour and a half while I laboured, Rich was adamant I was not having him on the kitchen floor! The hospital was literally in the middle of nowhere deep in the Prairies, the Rural Municipality of Stanley, it was built there to service the two towns either side of it, no one could agree which town deserved it more, so everyone had to travel. Funny to look back on, but at the time I don’t think Rich found it very amusing, I hardly remember any of it of course 😂.
Currently Luca is on school holidays, he has 1 full term of high school left, the last term is mostly exams. Next term is all about finishing up assignments and of course the Formal (Prom), he and his friends are making the most of this last blast of secondary education and having lots of fun.
As we head into the middle of winter, I am starting to think about Spring planning. Planting for the bees is important to aid them in their honey production. A lot of local hives have been struggling over the past few years, I do what I can to help mine, they have been doing remarkably well since I have had them, but I am aware the struggle is real.
On Winter Solstice, Rich, Pica and I did our usual walk up and over the hill and through the Careys Bay graveyard, it was a perfect winter’s day.
The sheep shelter is favoured by Wha, she uses it often, the others only when it is really pouring. Here she is contentedly chewing her cud admiring the view, she came to us flighty and scared having been a bit picked on by her previous paddock mates, I am now able to pat her while feeding them their barley, it makes me happy 😊
We have a WhatsApp group that all the family contribute to regularly. It keeps us up to date with each other despite the physical distance, gotta appreciate the way technology allows us to do this, it’s so great!
I love this recent photo taken just before Father’s Day in Canada. Richs folks enjoying a lovely summers day.
Another favourite photo of mine is them with Luca when he was 4, a quick shot in the backseat captured perfectly 😊
Our early mornings are spectacular, the winter allowing us to see the village more clearly as the leaves have fallen off the deciduous trees. The drive has really packed down; it is so smooth and easy to travel on these days, no more slipping into the ditch! The early misty morning glow is lovely and gives me a boost for the day ahead.
This view is from the chook house looking back towards the house, the chimney seen gently spilling smoke into the morning air.
I had strongly “suggested” that Luca clean his room; it had got to that point! Under his bed was the old mattress from the stretcher he slept on before we built. It was collecting dust and not being used so I pulled it out and put in in the pig house. The boys absolutely love it! The first morning after sleeping on it they were late for breakfast as had both slept in 😂. Speaking of food, they are doing well out of my colleagues. I have set this up at work and take it home for the boys Friday treat!
The last weekend of June was a beauty. Luca was away for the weekend, so after Rich cooked breakfast…
we took Pica and hit the beach, another perfect day for it, the winter continues to surprise us! Purakanui and Canoe Cove this time, we are so lucky to have so many gorgeous places just down the road.
So here we are in July, I have today off which gives me a long weekend and am about to head out to the animals, this is the view currently, predicting another glorious day ahead…
