Monthly Archives: June 2025

Capturing Magic Moments in Nature

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I have earlier written about magic moments in time, small and large. Some moments are so small and wee, they get overlooked. Then, there are other moments that are moments to pay attention to, to sit up, to notice and share.

Years ago, I went on one of my first trips abroad. I traveled with a friend, Kat for three months to southeast Asia. There were moments on that trip that reminded me of National Geographic , The Smithsonian and other magazines. I started to call them my National Geographic moments.

Wat Suwan Kuha

We traveled off the west coast of Thailand by boat to see the largest reclining Buddha in the country. It was in a cave out in the water. As we walked into the cave I noticed a large white sheet. It extended from high into the cave to the floor. Near it was a rope ladder that disappeared into the upper reaches of the cave. We saw people high in the cave. I said to Kat, jokingly, National Geographic is up there filming.

When I was back home I saw a copy of the latest addition of National Geographic. There was an article about the Thai men climbing high into the cave to collect nests for Birds Nest Soup. It was a National Geographic Moment. And I was there.

There were so many other moments like the above one on that three month journey.

Over my lifetime I have experienced many more moments that bring back instant memories.

Helliwell Provincial Park

Two days ago I was visiting Hornby Island in Vancouver BC. I took a hike in Helliwell Provincial Park. This was a wonderful hike, through forest to the ocean and a hike along the cliffs.

At one point I decided to stop and enjoy the view out across the water. Far out in the water, I noticed something. I thought it was a seal making its way to a spit of land. Did I have my binoculars with me? No. Did I have my long lens with me? No. The small spot disappeared and then became visible again.

A Borrowed Photo from the Internet. This is what I saw from a distance. Thank you Julia Tanncer (photographer)

As it approached the spit of land it became clear to me that it was no seal or sea lion. An eagle appeared out of the water dragging what I can only guess was a fish in its talons. It dragged the fish up on land and slowly dragged its catch higher onto the spit. I imagine it had to dry off before it would even try to fly. Somewhere nearby was another eagle. They were calling to each other.

Reaching Dry Land
A Pic of the Fish
Finally Airborn

Even without binoculars I felt for that moment in time, magic had come alive. It definitely was a National Geographic Moment. I never expected to see an event like this, even from a distance. It was an honor to be there to watch nature up close (kind of) and personal.

Moments like this make me wish that someone had been with me. We would have discussed what we were seeing. We would have been amazed together. It would have been fun to have shared this with another person. And maybe between the two of us we would have had a long lens or binoculars. Sigh.

Alone or with someone else these moments are so magical. It takes me out of thinking and acting and puts me in the here and now. For a moment everything else stops. It allows me to absorb fully what I am seeing. It can easily take my breath away. And just for a moment I am there.

Have you ever had one of these moments? Please feel free to share. I would enjoy hearing the magic of small or big moments in time.

Today I am thankful for the majesty of nature. I am grateful for stopping to se amazing things happen before my eyes. Today I am thankful for magic in my life.

Today I am thankful.

The World of Stanley and Sitka: A Cat’s Perspective

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Meow, Meow

Hi. Today we found Janet’s computer and decided we wanted to say hi.

We are Stanley, the Orange One and Sitka the “Water Boy”.

We live in a house with our friends. We are Canadian Kitties. One day a long time ago (or so it seems) our friends disappeared and Janet showed up. We don’t know where they went and we don’t know where Janet came from. Just like that, there was a change of people. This change was made to guarantee that our lives go as uninterrupted as possible. And, we are good with that.

I am Stanley. I am an orange boy. I have heard people say that I am different because of my color. I would like you to know that I am different because that is how I was made. I am a mush. I like to be petted and skritched. Sometimes I follow Janet around. This way, I can be sure to get enough of everything I need at any given moment.

Janet appears bothered when I try to chew on this machine. This also happens with other machines that she has around. I know I wouldn’t chew on them if she paid more and more attention to me. Today she had a serious talk with me about my chewing on her hands and arms. I laid there and looked at her with defiance in my eyes. Ha, I will show her. (I do like her….just don’t tell her that). Excuse me but I have to go curl up next to her.

Oh, one more thing, I have the best whiskers. They are long and curly and strong. It is one of my best features well, except my belly and my color. I am a handsome boy.

I am Sitka and I am a White Water Boy. I love water. I really, really, really love water. I like it in the sink, shower and toilet and anywhere else I can think of finding it. Water is my life blood. When Janet turns the sprinklers on outside, I go and sit under the spray. I stay there until I am wet all over. I really love water. Janet told me the other day that she had to ring my tail out before I can come in side. Hee Hee.

My coat is always clean and white and I bet you know why. Water. It keeps me so clean and fresh. When one is a white kitty this is important.

I like being aloof and independent. I will never be like Stanley, he grovels way too much. For the first several days I let Janet let me in and out. I even let her pick me up to come into the house. I don’t like to come in when I am outside. Other than that I stay out of her way because I am aloof. I am a kitty.

Now that Janet has been here for a while I am warming up to her. She is actually pretty nice. I found out that if I lay on my back on the sidewalk she will rub my belly. It feels really good so now I let her do that more often. I also like when she talks to me in her kind and soft voice. OK so she is not the bad. One day she brought us treats from the Farmers Market. Even though I usually don’t like treats, I found that I like those treats. Janet is not that bad to have around.

I like to walk the neighborhood. It consists of three houses and a walkway to the beach. Everywhere I go I meet up with water. I am glad I live next to the ocean.I love water. Sometimes if I wander too far the crows find me and harass me until I get back to my house. They can be such a bother.

From both of us…we are pleased to meet you and tell you a little about our life in the north country. Janet tells us our friends that live here all the time will be back soon. That will be fun to see them again. In the meantime, it is nice to have Janet here. She ensures we are loved. We are also taken care of in the manner to which we are accustomed.

We are after all, Cats.

Exploring the Northwest: Travels and House-Sitting

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I have not been very faithful to this blog lately. I have been traveling and enjoying experiences. Lately, people ask me where I am. I decided that it is time to let you in on my current spring and summer plans.

I drove north through Oregon and Washington, visiting friends along the way. It was nice to catch up with friends as I continued to Whidbey Island, WA.

I spent two summers house sitting for good friends on Whidbey. They went off camp hosting in the beautiful wilds of this country. I took care of their lovely home overlooking Puget Sound. Night after night the sunsets never let me down.

I met this little brown song sparrow while I was there, Birdy Boy. We have maintained a friendship over time and distance. We met on the deck in 2021. I have never had a friendship with a bird before. I returned in 2022. There he was, still waiting to resume our friendship. We picked up where it had left off the year before. Two years later, 2024 I returned and there he was just like I had never left. This year I spent two nights with Sandy and Jim and, yes, Birdy Boy. He greeted me with singing. He hopped onto my feet, knees, arms, and hands. He sang away and caught me up on the past year. I am amazed that this has persisted over time and distance. My heart delights in this unique friendship.

Oh Canada

May 20th I crossed the border into Canada. It was a quick and clear crossover. I was welcomed. Then, I set off to catch the ferry to Vancouver Island. I will be spending the next few months here. First stop was a beautiful campground near Victoria, Pedder Cove. I managed to slip into the water and kayak in this beautiful bay. I love all the hidden bays of the northwest.

Two days later I met up with 40 other Roadtreks at Sooke River Campground. Not a Rally, a Meetup ensued. For three nights and four days we gathered as a group and enjoyed each others company. I even found people to kayak with. It was fun to be around all the positive energy of a group of people. I reconnected with those I had met before and met new friends along the way. It was a good weekend and I am glad I encouraged myself to join up with this group of people.

Since the weekend I have been island hopping in the South Gulf Islands. Pender Island was a small outdoorsy island. When you go to Pender you look for things to do outdoors. I planned to put the kayak in the water. Instead, I hiked to the high summits on North and South Pender. Neither hike was long. Sometimes distance doesn’t matter, incline does. It is nice to know I still can do these climbs. I am thrilled to see the wonders at the end of the ascent.

My campground on Salt Sorings Island.

Salt Springs Island. was a much larger island. There are more people here, including many artists. People come to this island for the art. I managed to attend the Saturday Market. It was not a farmers market as much as it was an arts and crafts market. Did I find things to buy? Yes.

This past year I joined an organization, Trusted Housesitters. Starting this week, I will be taking care of two kitties, Stanley and Sitka. I’m house-sitting near Qualicum Beach, close to halfway up the island on the east side. It is a beautiful area. The best part is that I have a good friend who is a fellow photographer and lives there. Guess what we will be doing?

I am still new to this idea of house-sitting for people I don’t know. So the jury is still out on how much I will be choosing to do this. I am still deciding if this is a good fit for me. I like the idea of staying in one area for a more extended time. This way, I can explore more in depth and get to know the area. Maybe I will join a yoga class and have other opportunities to explore the local area.

Some of you have asked where I am. If you have been wondering, this is my current update on my spring and early summer plans. I followed the weather north. I enjoy meeting up with friends and like minded travelers. I like exploring the unknown.

Today I will meet up with the family that I will be cat sitting. The next day the owners leave for a cross Canada trip. I get the kitties and a home to nestle in for a few weeks.

I am thankful for my continuing adventurous spirit. I am thankful that I push myself to explore the unknown. I am thankful for family and friends. Even if they question my sanity, they continue to support me and my life choices.

Today I am Thankful.