Canadian Spirit Newsletter / July 2010 / Newsletter No. 13
It is the August long weekend (Monday is British Columbia Day) and the weather in Penticton has been hot, hot, hot these past few weeks! This weekend is the height of the summer tourist season and the hotel rooms and beaches are jam packed.
The Patrick family is having a very pleasant summer this year. The cherry crop is the best I have seen in many years – huge, plump, juicy ripe cherries abound and I’ve eaten way too many! The apricots are in season now and the peaches are here too. I cannot wait for the nectarines (combination of a peach and plum) as they are my favorite (see Blog for photos).
We had three Japanese visitors in late June and early July, and two of them were professional musicians. One was Atsuko’s former “koto” (Japanese harp) teacher and the other was a “shakuhachi” (bamboo flute) teacher who is one of the top shakuhachi teachers in Japan. We set up about 5 performances for them in the south Okanagan and everyone loved hearing the live traditional Japanese music (see Blog for photos).
The third guest who accompanied them was very interested in Aboriginal culture. At the end of the visit we set up an Aboriginal sweat lodge experience for him. A sweat lodge is a ceremonial sauna which includes prayers and offerings to the spirit world. It is a unique experience and he loved participating and learning about this traditional ceremony. He also participated in an Aboriginal canoe journey which is held every year to show solidarity among the Okanagan First Nations people (who were one people years ago but now live both in Canada and the US). During the second part of the canoe journey he was invited to paddle in one of the canoes, and he was so thrilled to be part of such an important historic event (see Blog for photos).
We had a high school girl stay with us and with our friends and she had a terrific 3 weeks in Penticton. She had the chance to meet many people here and travel to different parts of British Columbia as well. She had done homestays in the US and Australia but she told us her English improved so much more during this homestay because of all the people she met and the many social activities we arranged for her. She was a wonderful guest and we hope to see her again soon.
Last week I took the kids on their first camping and fishing trip. We camped at a small campground beside the Ashnola River which is near Keremeos (west of Penticton). The scenery was beautiful and since it was Thursday there was only one other camper at the campground. The kids spent the entire time fishing and swimming in the gorgeous Ashnola River. The water was cold but so clean and refreshing (see Blog for photos).
We have a bit of a break in August so I hope to take the kids camping and fishing at other wilderness spots. It is a great education for the kids and an experience they will always remember.
A final note…
July 17 was Duncan Keith Day in Penticton and he brought the Stanley Cup to town.Duncan Keith plays for the Chicago Black Hawks and is our home town boy. He had a good year too: a Gold Medal in the 2010 Winter Olympics, a Stanley Cup Champion, and a Norris Trophy for best defenseman in the NHL. Oh yes and there is his 13 year, 72 million dollar contract with the Black Hawks.
On that note, I wish everyone the skill, grace, and good fortune of Duncan Keith!
Latest Canadian English I’ve heard:
“Have a good one” (this means “Have a nice day” and everyone in Penticton says this)
“I’ve been owned” (this means I’ve been ripped off or burned)
“Oh, burnage!” (used when something bad has happened to you or someone else)
