The Dry

It's been hot and by all reports, it's becoming even hotter towards the weekend.

There are many wildfires burning right now, in British Columbia, and today there were reports of a lightning Storm once more hitting the interior of the province. Parks in Vancouver have prohibited all barbecues and smoking...and people are confined to pathways only.


The Province is dry everywhere. In the Interior here, I can smell the Forest, during the day's heat. It is the smell of Fir branches, just before they ignite, in a bonfire. The Forest is tinder dry...any animal who wanders through can no longer count on stealth as branches and leaves break and crackle.


At night, lying sleepless in the heat, I feel as if there are bricks lying on my chest...it is hard to breathe. It rarely cools off; this morning at 7AM the temperature on the deck was already 21C.


It is difficult to believe how cold it was just a few months ago...I saw a photo I had taken during one of our icy spells and shook my head...was it really that cold?


The heat is enervating. I find Sun's rays to be very strong...much stronger than I remember them to be on the Coast. Perhaps it is my age, or perhaps it is global warming or even the clarity of the Cariboo's Air...but I can no longer challenge Sun's intensity and wander outside in the middle of the day.


Once upon a time, I could continue gardening, for instance, even during the peak of Sun's heat. But now, the strong rays of Sun penetrate even my trusty hat.


I find living here one of the most challenging things I have done, so far. The beauty of the central interior of the province to me cannot be denied, but there is a price to pay for the privilege of enjoying it.


For an Island girl, one used to misty, rainy mornings, I find what I call the Dry really difficult to handle. And even as I know the Island is also undergoing a heat wave, I dream of those Ocean breezes wafting through the house, at the end of a hot day.

I miss the feel of the moisture Wind carries from the Ocean on my skin. Here, we have a whole cabinet devoted to creams and lotions for dry skin care and eyes.



Weather is extreme, in the Cariboo. It is cold and sunny and dry in Winter and hot and sunny and dry in Summer.Yet, if one had an unlimited supply of Water, one could grow almost anything here during the Summer...the long days with Sun as a companion help to grow plants to enormous heights and widths, much quicker than on the Coast.


Learning to conserve Water has taught me much...both in how to do it, and then noticing when the plant actually needs it. Nature has helped where I faltered; Leaves on the plants here, even among similar species, are much thicker, glaucous, and in some cases, smaller than those growing in my gardens on the Coast.


Rarely have I seen flowers bloom with such gusto as I have this year, even with far less moisture than I am accustomed to giving.Plants will adapt to conditions presented, if I stay out of the way.


Yes. It is a challenge, living here. A challenge and an opportunity, if I leave myself open to it. There were many inherent fears I have faced, on moving to the Interior...as an insular Island inhabitant for most of my life, I am not sure where boundaries lie, here in this vast Land and endless, blue Skies, fierce Storms and unbelievable Cold.



Learning to face fears always propels me forward upon a path, and if this one appears to be rocky, meandering, with too many tricks upon it...well, it is gratifying to know I am acquiring knowledge from it.


Just as our Lucky is gaining acceptance of his fear of Thunderstorms, I will gain acceptance of my fear of Lightning and Forest Fires.

I will have the opportunity to practice this afternoon, as it appears another Storm is near.


Hot and dry...with Thunder and Lightning present.


Time for the Serenity Prayer.