Enjoying Summer!

 So, we'll start off this monthly newsletter with our Canada Day celebrations at Lakeside Rotary Park.  The weather was quite pleasant when we arrived, had our lunch at the Rotary concession and then settled in to hear the entertainment.  Just about 2 p.m. (which was when Dorothy and her group, the Glacier Harmony's were scheduled to sing) the skies opened up.

Just a couple of minutes before this photo was taken, the area had been crowded with spectators.  They scattered once the deluge began.  Several of the ladies who were singing had asked me to keep an eye on their belongings while they performed, so I stayed.  Eventually we lifted the bags in the above photo up onto the chairs  (you'll see why in another moment).

Here is the women's barbershop group, known as Glacier Harmony singing under the tent covering.  They later told me that they could barely hear each other (which is very important for a singing group) because of the noise of the rain on the tent roof.  Some spectators also took shelter under the tent, and you can see the "techie" moving the monitors up onto the stage and off the grass.

Before the concert ended this "lake" formed in front of the tent-stage.  Needless to say we packed up our belongings and headed home, dripping wet, once the ladies finished singing.  Even the fireworks were postponed until the B.C. Day long weekend.

Without even asking our permission, a pair of birds set up "home" on our covered front deck.  The nest was built very quickly, and very soon we could hear these tiny chirps.  We can't see directly into the nest, so I stood on a step-stool to take this shot of the 3 babies.  They will be gone in a few more days, and we will dismantle the nest.

 Here is my friend Arthur, with his gumboots on, standing on his sidewalk.  the boardwalk to the left of the photo is floating.

The Slocan River was so high that there was no beach at Crescent Valley.

Along the Kootenay River they continue to spill water as quickly as they can to draw down the lake level.

 Here is a home on the North Shore, just a few minutes out of Nelson.  The small cedar trees to the right of the photo normally line the yard.  The yard is completely under water and the trees are standing in probably 30 cm. of water in this photo.


A balanced diet is an ice-cream cone in each hand! *Ice-cream is happiness condensed.*

*~Jesse Lane Adams * 

The above quote was stolen from my cousin's blog.   Hers is always a very pleasant read about faith, family and life on the farm.  Feel free to check it out.  You're not really snooping.

Do You Know A Buyer For This Home?

This beautiful 4 bedroom, 4 bath home on a view lot in the Uphill neighbourhood is in excellent condition, and waiting for a new owner.  Covered decks on 2 levels, gas fireplace, double carport, landscaped yard and open patios at front and rear.  Check out further details at our web-site  $479,000

Next month I will be doing another bike ride.  If you would like, you can help me out with a pledge to the MS Society of Canada.  The ride is put on by the West Kootenay Chapter of the MS Society, and all proceeds raised will remain in this area.  There are a number of MS rides in Western Canada, and this is the first year that we will have one in this area.  It is a 2 day, 220 km. ride which starts in New Denver and rides to Nelson on Day 1, then back to New Denver, following Kootenay Lake as far as Kaslo, and then across a mountain pass to finish in New Denver.  I have set myself a fairly lofty goal, and would appreciate your support, if you are able.  The easiest way to is pledge on-line here.  That way you will get your charitable tax receipt immediately.  Thanks for considering this request.

Despite the amount of rain that we have seen, we have also seen some warm, and even some hot weather. This following piece came across my desk recently.

How hot is it?
The birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground.
The trees are whistling for the dogs.
The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
Hot water now comes out of both taps.
You can make sun tea instantly.
You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron.
The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a little chilly.
You discover that in August it only takes 2 fingers to steer your car.
You discover that you can get sunburned through your car window.
You actually burn your hand opening the car door.
You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 a.m.
Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"
You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
The potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper.
Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.
The cows are giving evaporated milk.
*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*

It may be summer, but it is the strangest summer I have experienced in my 35 years in Nelson.  Here is a 2 minute clip on the flooding in Nelson last Tuesday afternoon, when the skies opened up (again) and dropped 2 inches of rain in under an hour.

Here are some outdoor grilling tips from the folks at Pillar to Post Home Inspections.

Now that the summer season is kicking off, it's time to get back in the grilling groove. According to the National Fire Protection Association, gas and charcoal grills cause more than 8,000 house fires each year. Before firing up the grill, homeowners should consider these safety tips:

• Grills should be located no closer than 10' (3m) from any structure. Never use a grill under a porch, deck, overhang, carport, or in a garage. Make sure the grill rests on a stable surface and can't be tipped over.
• Never use a propane or charcoal grill indoors.
• Check hoses and connections on gas grills periodically throughout the grilling season. Replace any cracked or brittle hoses before using the grill. Propane cylinders should never be stored inside a garage or other structure at any time.
• Start charcoal fires using a chimney starter instead of charcoal fluid. Not only is a chimney starter safer, but your meal will taste better. If charcoal fluid is used, never add it to the coals once the fire has been lit.
• Once the grill is lit, never leave it unattended. It can take just a few seconds for a serious fire to erupt.
• While lighting and cooking on the grill, do not wear clothes that are loose-fitting or that have wide sleeves that could catch fire. Use long-handled utensils to handle food while cooking. Wear close-toed shoes while at the grill - you can always change to flip flops later.
• Control flare ups by lowering the heat on a gas grill. On charcoal grills, remove the food from the grill and distribute the coals more evenly. If necessary, a flare up can be put out with water from a spray bottle, but remove food from the grill first to avoid smoke contamination.
• To help prevent grease fires, remove any accumulated grease and residue from inside the lid of the grill at least every 5-6 uses. Baking soda can be used to extinguish a grease fire still contained within the grill unit.
• Always keep young children and pets away from the grill during and after cooking. The grill's exterior can remain hot long for a long time. 

If you are seeking more real estate related news, please check out my business blog, which has mid-year statistics for Nelson and the outlying area as the current posting.

Just as I was about to complete this month's newsletter, guess what?  The power went out in the office, due to (another) thunder and lightning storm.  Nelson's power used to go out regularly, but in the past few years outages have been much less frequent.  Anyway, this is now about 5 hours later than it would have otherwise been in getting posted.  The outage lasted for just under an hour.

Thanks for reading.  Hope you are having a good summer.  

Lorne & Drew