Let the Un-Olympics begin!

Now I'm not saying that it would be possible for Olympic events to take place in every single community in Canada but out here in the Gulf Islands, it's a bit like welcome to the un-Olympics.

On Salt Spring Island, you wouldn't even know the 2010 Olympics were taking place unless you were trying to take a float plane from Ganges Harbour to Coal Harbour in Vancouver and then you'd have to go through "security". 

They've set up an airport-like security screening check-point within a bus-like structure called the Cobus Scan 3000 presumably so that the most creative thinking and ineffectual  terrorist in the world (whose flight path of attack included a Gulf Island detour) wouldn't be able to infiltrate the games I guess.

Unlike Vancouver, I don't think there is a big screen TV being set up anywhere in the community so that one could watch the events to generate some form of community enthusiasm. And, I wish there was since I gave up my TV. Olympics banners are non existent.

I'm not aware of any cultural events that have spun off as a result of the Olympics. I haven't noticed anyone wearing Olympics pins or sporting Olympic clothing. Inukshuks haven't sprouted up any more than usual in souvenir shops. I haven't even noticed that  fuzzy wuzzy creature - Quatchi -  for sale, or Sumi and Miga.

The Driftwood is beginning to put in a story a week about islanders who are doing some form of volunteering or participating in one way or another. 

And, all I'm doing is heading over to some friends' house to watch the Opening Ceremonies. I might wear the T-shirt that ZAZZLE banned when I first made it about a year ago but maybe not. Afterall, I have to admit, now that the big event is finally here, I'm a little jealous that I won't be in Vancouver, not because of the sports, but because of the energy of all those human beings converging into the city and the excitement in the air that's sure to generate.

What are you doing to celebrate the Olympics? Got tickets? Cultural Events? Clothing? Geography means that I'm an un-olympic participant  and I want to live vicariously through you! How is it affecting your life? What's different for you in Vancouver? I really want to know because I'm not there to see for myself. Tell me! Anybody?

Did you say Black Sheep?

Was out wandering around Ruckle Park yesterday and much to my surprise the fields were alive with sheep and their little lambs. I didn't know that would be the case in February. I thought it would be too early for little babies. Aren't babies supposed to arrive in the Spring?
I thought this photo was a pretty good example of the term "black sheep of the family." Nobody I know could relate to that description right? (joking)!

In the Country

This picturesque scene was taken on a friend's property on Salt Spring Island off Cranberry Road. I love the way the side of the building complements the rustic boat and the reflection of both makes the photo about a million times more interesting than it would be without the reflection.

Their property is like a mini park with Arbutus trees and rocky bluffs and their house is perched right on top of a rock overlooking a valley. In their bedroom it feels as if you have just walked into a treehouse because all you can see looking out are Arbutus branches.

A deer quietly picked it's way across the ridge backdropped by evergreens as I wandered near the pond with my camera. It was quiet, so quiet and in that quiet there was space; the kind of space I need right now after being confined too much in too many small spaces during my week.

Natural beauty communicating to the soul.

"In the wintery darkness of February, new growth is beginning to stir beneath the ground. Just as plants grow in the darkness, unnoticed, so do our souls continue to grow even though we may not see the progress, day by day. One day we will awaken and our leaves will lift out of the darkness and touch the sky."

From the book Pocketful of Miracles by Joan Boysenko.