Kastle's Journey: First Week of June

WARNING ... Lots of Stella pictures. :)

Monday, June 1st

The sun is back out although a little breezy. The plane was flying again early this morning, spraying for the gypsy moths. Woke us up at 5:15 am.

Today some of the kids will be back in school. We shall see how the coronavirus numbers behave with this. Watching the news for Vancouver, traffic is still light in comparison to pre-Covid so I suspect a lot of people still working from home and not as many kids going to school.

There was a huge protest at the Vancouver Art Gallery yesterday regarding the killing of that poor black guy in the states. Certainly no social distancing there. Hopefully that does not flare up cases in the lower mainland. A reporter mentioned that he has covered rally's at the Art Gallery for many years and this was the largest one he had ever seen! Nope, no social distancing. I do agree with the protest though, enough is enough with the racial discrimination everywhere. Fortunately our protesters were respectful and peaceful unlike in Seattle, Washington.

VANCOUVER -- Thousands of protesters gathered outside the Vancouver Art Gallery Sunday, waving signs and chanting their support of the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd, the unarmed black man killed by police in Minneapolis last week.

Vancouver protesters rally support

There is a new subdivision going in up behind ours next to the park. Apparently there will be 49 houses/duplexes in there. It sure has not taken them long to mow down the trees and move a lot of dirt around. Fortunately we are screened somewhat with the trees along the forest trail outside our fence. Their access road will be some distance away from our gate as well.

Across the lake from us, the First Nations subdivision/condos, site is still in the process of moving dump truck loads of dirt. They seem to have taken down quite a bit of the hillside to make flat areas to build. It's been about 2 months now, and they are still trucking away dirt. They have 2 or 3 excavators working as well. The trees along the lake provide pretty good screening for us though. The plan is also for a small marina and a second beach. They have limited space so I'm sure it will be quite small. The floats for the pilings were dropped off a few weeks ago so We can see it will be quite small.This is the only access the Cowichan Band has to the lake. I believe the condos will be sold but the land underneath will be leased. The also have plans for a health centre and coffee shop.

Ray and I spent the day just "putzing around" eventually sitting outside in the front out of the wind.

Tuesday, woke up to clouds and wind. The forecasted rain is definitely on it's way for today. It started at 8am and stopped around 4pm. Mostly drizzly all day. Ray spent time in his shop and I made a seafood chowder for lunch and of course kitchen cleanup. That was our day. :)

Garrett's little Stella and Kira sleeping.

Wednesday we were out the door at 7:30 am to take the motorhome into Freightliner for it's oil change and generator service and general check up. Glad it's done for another year or so. Dropped it off at the end of Highway 18 and then Ray jumped in the car with me and we headed to Jason and Kristi's house in Nanaimo.

After checking out there new gardens etc. Jason took Ray to a "man's tool shop" and Kristi and I headed to Costco. My first time there since Covid. The store was not too busy going in but a bit of a lineup at the checkouts on the way up. That they manage quite well with 6 foot distancing and lines on the floor.

After shopping Kristi and I ordered sushi from our favourite place Nori's right beside Costco and brought it home to share with the boys. After a lunch it was time to head back home to the lake. A great day.

Baby Stella is doing fabulous according to the Public Health Nurse. She has gained considerable weight since her birth 2 1/2 weeks ago. She is now 5.5 pounds, another pound heavier. She is putting on 30 grams a day instead of the 20 grams expected. Both Kat and Garrett are figuring it out that she probably has a little reflux so now are elevating her head while she sleeps one or the other is up with her all the time. She doesn't fuss anymore sleeping in her nest. Garrett has the top end raised up with towels.

Tummy Time.

I'm watching you Dad!

Here she is all tucked in sleeping in her sleep nest. Such a cutie.

Thursday morning, clouds again with showers in the forecast so I guess Ray will be in his shop and I will be puttering in the kitchen. I ended up heading to Duncan to pick up some items ... mainly corn on the cob as that is my contribution to our "Nova Scotia Lobster Boil" at Roy and June's tomorrow night with Darryl and Pat for Junes's birthday. Definitely looking forward to this.

Stella:

No more pictures Daddy!

Story time with Mommy.

I decided to cook a "pub style" meal tonight. Chicken wings with Teriyaki Sauce on one set and Sweet Chili Sauce on the other. Yumm.

Everytime we tried to sit outside it would start showering ... so finally the sun came out after dinner and we sat in the sunbeams on the deck for a bit to finish our day.

Friday morning was sunny with clouds. This morning after having a video chat with Garrett and Stella I made a batch of peach jam for Ray and a peach pie. Now the house smells wonderful. Better than "Eau De Dog"!!!