Sabbatical

I had a true vacation while I was visiting my friend in Blind Bay, B.C.; no television, no internet, no distractions other than the ones we made for ourselves.  The weather was not as nice as former visit but we made the most of it, snatching quiet time on the deck in between the showers that visited upon us.  Rose and I nestled down in our lawn chairs with our books, tucked a blanket around our legs and just read and read and read.  Perhaps sipped once or twice on our glass of wine, sighed as we looked out at the gorgeous view of Blind Bay and then went back to our book.

      The garden centres were as lovely as ever, the big deal this year in petunias is the black one with the yellow or pink stripe.  And this year I brought home a gorgeous rose bush for my mother which we have decided will go into a big pot rather than the ground.  The challenge will be to see if we can winter it any better than we can the miniature tea roses (not at all successful there).  It’s a case of try, try, try again.  As I wandered in and out amongst the plants I thought that it was impossible to have angry or bitter feelings while you were there.  I’m thinking it would be a wonderful place to work if you wanted tranquility.  After all, how many people go into a garden centre feeling nasty or mean and would perhaps abuse as an employee there?  I would be shocked to think anyone would.

      On our last day we visited our favorite wineries and again; how can you be miserable after a sip or two of wine?  My friend told me that in Ontario the wineries charge for every taste of wine which greatly surprised us as that doesn’t seem to be a good way to make sales.  Only one of the wineries she visited there deducted the cost of the tasting from any purchase made; at least that is a good sales pitch.  All I can say is that all 4 wineries that we visit enjoy our full patronage as we never leave empty handed!

      Reflecting back on my visit I feel the same sense as past years that I have really given myself a chance to wind down and simply enjoy the senses.  I feasted my eyes, ears, nose, mouth and sense of touch in the beautiful views, the gardens, the flowers, fruits and wines of British Columbia.  Everyone should have that girlfriend time when you simply appreciate the good things of life with good friends who can laugh with you, not at you.  I am blessed.