"Time flies when you're having fun"

2005-07 We are all familiar with that old expression and we can all cite examples that prove it really is true. Likewise, we can all cite examples of the other side of the coin- but that is an idea for another day. We have just had enjoyed a month of 'time flying' and are finding it hard to accept that it has now flown. Like many of our readers, we are grandparents with grandchildren who live far away. In our case our older daughter and her family are settled in Australia! That pretty well precludes the Christmas reunions, birthdays and the family BBQs. We do make full use of computers, emailing photos back and forth and writing letters and replies on a weekly basis. A blessing to be sure, but not a substitute for the real thing. Still, this was our year to enjoy our two grandsons, and enjoy them we did. We knew that the visiting days were numbered, so we resolved to not let one of them go to waste. When the month was over I'm sure there was not a flower or a tree left uncounted, or a stone or leaf left unturned by our two -year- old explorer. He soon discovered that flowers are made up of many beautiful pieces, and if they are slowly pulled apart the pieces can be scattered like confetti across the lawn. Even better, bugs live under stones and leaves, and few things are more interesting that the careful study of bugs. A two-year-old can easily spend an hour lifting stones, one by one, and watching which way the bugs run…. And a grandparent can easily be convinced to join in this engrossing project. Yes, the older boy is a 'terrible two' - all parents will now give an understanding nod and heave a deep sigh. A challenging age, to be sure, but with enthusiasm for absolutely everything -what a wonderful age to spend time with. An entire afternoon can be given over to throwing rocks into the lake or searching through the tall grass for bird's nests. Every chore, inside and out, can be made into a game. Watering the garden proved to be very popular, and if a few flower petals 'bit the dust' as a result of an overly enthusiastic application of water, well, there were plenty more where they came from. Feeding the birds was another popular pastime, and the word soon went out through the local feathered population that the bird seed was being spread inches deep at our house - the resulting flood of new quail, magpies, sparrows and starlings just added to the fun. Once our budding ornithologist was able to distinguish between the 'good' sparrows and the 'bad' starlings he took on the job of patrolling the bird feeders, telling the offending black birds, in loud and emphatic tones, that they were not welcome! It's a cliché to call two-year-olds 'sponges' but what other word fits as well? Every day new words are added to the vocabulary, and being a visitor to Canada, there were lots of new expressions to learn. A car has a 'trunk' and not a 'boot'. We use 'gas' and not 'petrol'. We wear 'sunglasses' rather than 'sunnies' and we drive on the wrong side of the road. How confusing it must be, and yet how easily youngsters adapt. His baby brother, too small to join in the games, just watched and listened and won hearts with a smile. At his age a month brings important changes, and he reached the milestone of rolling over unassisted, to great applause. A month in such good company is not long enough, as our fellow grandparents will agree. We were wishing that the boys could have been here for the RCMP Musical Ride, which is touring BC this summer. Grandparents in Kelowna take note that the horses are being housed at the Memorial Arena, and visitors are welcome to tour the site, see the horses, and chat to the riders. For those readers planning to see the Musical Ride in another city, phone and find out where the horses will be stabled in your town and drop by to say hello. Our permanent residents will know that summer schedules are now in effect at the senior centers and recreation centers. Indoors programs are giving way to outdoors as we all lace up our walking shoes and head out into the sunshine. Like welcome visitors, the summer days will pass all too quickly and none should be wasted. Now is the time to get that new bike and start riding or to buy that much discussed pedometer and start walking. Perhaps the idea of dancing through the summer has more appeal? The athletic folks on page 7 would endorse that idea and a quick glance at the recreation schedules will show how popular line dancing, pattern dancing, Ballroom dancing, Scottish country dancing, square dancing, etc. have become in our area. These programs offer classes from beginner to advanced, but many fill up quickly, so if this is your new fitness resolution be sure to register early. However you plan to spend your summer days, enjoy them. For those of you entertaining grandchildren, give them lots of ice cream and take time to smell the flowers. - Pat Archibald, Editor -

 

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