Monday Miscellany ...

The Boarder and I thought there may have been a nearby house fire during the night, but apparently not. It is very good those winds did not shift before the long races yesterday morning. Congratulations to all Race Weekend runners, and many thanks to the volunteers who make it all possible!

Other than the smell of smoke, The Boarder is pleased to report that there is an air of normality around 123 these days. I haven't yet mentioned the Flowers Sea Swim to him! In the meantime, here's to normality!



As usual, you may choose to click for a Bigger Boarder.

Bits & Bobs

The Race Weekend folks have a good morning — almost 9:30 and it is still 16 degrees with cloud cover, but no rain. And here at 123 the house has cooled to a much more normal temperature, and muffins are in the oven while the baking's good!

While I was away the garden kind of exploded in the heat — the mustard greens bolted, the alliums pretty much finished up, the hydrangea leaves burned — so now I'm poking away trying to get things in some sort of order. Although how that is possible when milkweed blooms on the 28th of May I'm just not sure! Luckily a monarch was sighted yesterday, so perhaps they're going to keep up with the plant material!



I do love these Siberian irises — they don't do as well as bearded iris in my garden, but they are lovely surprises when they do manage to put on a bit of a show.



This is my favourite of the ornamental onions — Allium christophii.



Finally the tail end of what was once Allium siculum but is now known as Nectaroscordum siculum — I missed almost the whole show!

And now for some very bad news on the subject of things horticultural: it was announced last week that Algonquin College has slated the horticulture program for a phase out. There is but a short window to offer contesting arguments — dissenting opinions must be offered by June 1st! Anyone wishing to voice an opinion can leave me a comment and I'll forward you the link available for public comments.

Earliest Pond Swim To Date!

Who would have thought that on the 29th of May a dip at Meech would be so delightful?!

I confess I am spoiled, as Fiona and Bruce are not just kind enough to pick me up, there is coffee waiting for me in the back seat cup holder! We chat along the way, although today my voice is still AWOL so there may have been less chatting than usual. As we approached a familiar dip in the road nearing our pond, we saw that "our" pair of Canada geese had returned to nest there and were crossing the road with four goslings — the youngsters still downy yellow with tiny wings held almost straight out but moving in time with their very large feet!

At our pond, we gathered, some deciding on the merits of wetsuits or not. Some of us had already decided against — and they were most certainly unnecessary. There was none of that sharp feeling as the cold water somehow sucks the breath out of you as your face enters the water. In fact, especially out by the island, the water felt ... warm! It was absolutely perfect for swimming — three weeks before the beaches even open.

Two quite magical loops (with fishes!) to begin open water season! And this afternoon I plan to head out and pick up that bikini for event on Cayman!

Beaufort Picnic Site

In Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, on the west side of Cameron Lake, Vancouver Island.











Feel free to click for a better view!

P.S. Note the train trestle in the second to last image.

Home Again!

Coming home was a bit of a shock to the system. Not too long after arriving I had a sudden hankering for the cool damp days of the left coast (that I complained about while there)! It was wickedly hot for late May here when we arrived back — much more like late August really. The temperature reached 34°C and higher in the area yesterday, with the humidex pushing the "feels like" temperature to 110°F. Certainly nothing like when the two Pats, Margaret and I hightailed it off to Qualicum Beach!

Rhodies!

The rhododendrons were out in Nanaimo! Close-up above, full shrub below, with teammate for size and scale. The images are, as usual, clickable.

Nationals Day 4 ....

The important bit first — Technosport won the meet for the third straight year! My small part yesterday was:

♦ 800 free — 13:43.18, ninth place

♦ womens 200 free relay, age group 200-239, bronze

♦ mixed medley relay (fly leg) age group 200-239, bronze (Warren, Gen, myself, and Phil)

Oh, and the same team from the womens 200 free relay (Sylvie, Gen, myself and Fiona) also won bronze in the 400 free relay the other day!

Nationals Day 3 ...

So my 100 fly in the relay last night was 1:45.89 — my 100 fly in the individual event today was 1:46.00 (moving up two places from my seed as two women scratched). So I've got consistency going for me! And my 100 fly in the 400 IM was 1:51.06 — the 400 IM time was 7:38.47 (maintaining my seeded 4th place). I'm pleased enough with that as I seriously have No Legs Left. The proof of my leglessness: in my 200 IM my 50 back was less than 2 seconds slower than my 50 breast, in the 400 my 100 breast was only 8 seconds faster than my 100 back. And I never want to climb another flight of stairs in my life! I also swam two relays — a :38.60 for the 50 fly in the ladies 4 x 50 medley, and a 4 x 100 freestyle womens relay (the results are not up yet).

Nationals Day 2 ...

Not a brilliant day, but an acceptable one.

♦ 50 fly — :39.3

♦ 100 fly in 4 x 100 medley relay — finished legally

Another long one on the deck, with relays starting about 7:00 p.m.

A Pretty Picture ...

Taken in Cathedral Grove on Thursday. Click to enlarge.

Nationals Day 1 ...

Well, that was a LONG day. Warm-up was at 1:00, we left the pool at 11:00.

My 1500 was a little slower than I would have liked (26:24), but it felt good, so I was happy enough with that. However, the officials forgot to ring the bell lap for me — so I got an extra 100 warm-up for the 200 IM because not getting the bell caused my to suddenly question my ability to count!

My 200 IM, however, I was very pleased with at 3:17.4 (?). It was followed by the 4 x 50 mixed free relay, but I can't tell you how we did because the results are online.

Up today is the 50 fly and the 4x 100 mixed medley rleay ...

Wednesday ...

Naturally, I was still on Eastern Time. About 8:00 Pacific I walked to the grocery store and back, about 4 kilometres total. Are they hills, or are they MOUNTAINS? I also sought out Jenny's opinion, then downloaded Swimming to Antarctica to the netbook. Kindle for the PC!

Other teammates have been filtering in ... many will arrive today. Our apartment is now complete! None of us swam yesterday, but six of us did have a wonderful dinner here in the Old City Quarter of Nanaimo. Most had the table d'hote, but I had the grilled wild Pacific salmon — because I can't come to the west coast and not have salmon!

This morning we plan to swim, though ...

No Matter Where You Go ...

There you are!

After a long travel day yesterday I'm here in our residence apartment at Vancouver Island University. It comes with a coffee maker, kettle, toaster and free wifi. Right now the latter is the selling point. Especially as I'm still on eastern time!

I had thought I might swim this morning, but have now revised my plan. At the moment fueling is a higher priority. The breakfast bars won't last much longer! The nearest grocery store is about two kilometres away, so I think picking up food may qualify as my workout! Also, there are sunny breaks forecast this morning, so it may be the best time to pop out. And depending on how the other ladies feel when they get in, there may be an easy late afternoon/early evening lane swim in the offing. Or not.

Well ...

Did you ever have one of those workouts where Nothing Went Right? We all have 'em ... I just would have preferred it hadn't been last night! But I am officially taking the position that the lousy swimming is out of my system, and it's all good from here on in!

Right now I'll go do an easy swim, have a dunk in the hot tub and ideally erase whatever that was yesterday! Well, okay, part of it was the yard work earlier in the day — I had muscle spasms that were really quite unpleasant.

And, as it has been some time since I brought you a shiny thing, here is a little something curious from Luxist.

Friday Recap

Pizza, followed by Ironman 2 with pals was a fine way to end a Very Busy Week. It was really a good romp, and a nice visit too! In the morning I scooted down to the opticians, as the optometrist wrote a new prescription on Thursday afternoon. I also did some rushed shopping and made a pit stop at the drug store so meds can come off the Things To Do Before Leaving List.

In other news, Coach Duane sent out the room assignments for Nationals — the two Pats, Margaret and I will be bunking together in one of the apartment residences at Vancouver Island University. It should be a boatload of fun! Aside: I ran into the same Nepean Masters swimmer at the Sportsplex on Thursday and yesterday at Plant. Her comment to me? "Do you think we're cramming for this?"

The Boarder Would Prefer ...

That I Just Stay Home! But in fact, I am going to scoot downtown to find out how wildly expensive new lenses will be. The optician told me last time that my frames would last one more prescription, so lets hope he's right, as both my prescriptions have changed (distance by less, though). However this year the nice young man who examines my eyes told me it was wisdom not age that hardens lenses! Then if all goes well, I will return via the drug store and pick up the remaining prescriptions required to go west. If my luck holds, I will swim this afternoon. And maybe have something more interesting to say tomorrow. ;-)

No Name Chicken Dinner (For Cats)

Lise spontaneously burst into laughter on the way back to my place in the car. "I'm thinking about ..."

I interrupted, telling her I knew exactly what she was thinking about. She was thinking about my father at Loblaws.

You see, at the grocery store I go to we have been unable to find the larger tins of No Name Chicken Dinner for Cats lately. And you know what fun it is finding wet food The Boarder will eat!

Now the 156 gram tins are 49 cents a piece. We have only been able to find new 85 gram tins at 39 cents. Also, for some reason he eats the little tins faster, and seems to think he should have more than two a day! I have been calling this change of product a Conspiracy to Take My Money. After I told my parents this Sunday, my Mother mentioned that my Father would be going to Loblaws Monday morning. So she wrote down the particulars of The Boarder's Preferred Food.

Monday morning Dad called from Loblaws to check what exactly The Boarder was hoping for. We went over it very carefully. It was his second trip to Loblaws that morning, because at first he had picked up the wrong kind of tin.

Fast forward to yesterday -- Dad had a bag of about 20 tins for me to bring home!! After I noted that The Boarder sure won't starve, he told us that the lady at the checkout commented that he must have a very hungry cat. For the record, he probably went through that cash twice, too.

"Oh, no," he replied, "I don't have a cat." Long pause. Then he said, "That's really good stuff, that chicken dinner!"

I was laughing, of course, when he told us this, because I knew how he would answer my questions. "Oh Dad!! You didn't set her straight, did you? You left her thinking you were one of those cat food eating senior citizens, didn't you?" And that's exactly what he did!

Spokin'!

So I am gradually organizing and packing. I think. Well, more organizing, really ...

Today Fiona and I got our long suits taken in to be shortened (to be picked up Saturday after 2:00), I ordered something so I can support Cayman Swimming (and not embarass myself), and the folks at Forbies are also going to reinforce a seam on an old Speedo Endurance suit for me (the fabric goes on and on, but the seams have lycra in them!). I picked up some TRISWIM shampoo and conditioner (that NYC Swim turned Gen, Fiona and I onto after we went swimming with Jenny last fall.) I also squeezed in some other errands and a visit to Dr. Susan. But enough about me!

For your viewing pleasure I bring you a little bent spoke and bespoke!

If At First You Don't Succeed ...

Well, Fiona and I are going to try that swim suit thing again today. On account of when we got there yesterday, we discovered the outfit doesn't open till noon on Mondays. However, it worked out, because we had parked near Lululemon, and there were some things that happened to fit us on sale. I got this dress, in this colour even! Just think, I can wear a non-black dress on Cayman! It also has a drawcord in the bottom, so can be converted to a blouson type top.

The plan had been to swim long course this morning, but an EPC has torpedoed that option! So it may be that today has reverted to a rest day, and tomorrow will also have to be rejigged.

Monday Miscellany ...

Friday afternoons at Plant might be a thing of beauty, but in Jenny's words, "If two's company and three's a crowd, Sunday lane swim is basically the population explosion nightmare!"

But, moving on to a new week ... it is one full of errands and appointments! Dr. Susan, general pre-Nationals running around, a chance for the optometrist to write me a new prescription, and finishing up with a Saturday evening practice (and trip to the pub afterwards).

Momentarily Fiona and I will head out to see if we can get our full leg suits shortened to a currently legal length! Never fear, we have suits that are currently legal, too. And of course, I teach this afternoon ...

The Jellybean Challenge

Well, the psych sheets are now up! And Coach Duane has issued us a Jellybean Challenge. We are to note our placings on the psych sheets before going to nationals. Each time we move up a placing in the results, we get a jellybean. Of course this means anyone who sandbagged will be rolling in jellybeans! So, for the record, here's where I sit at the moment:

1500 free — 6
200 IM — 11
50 fly — 13
400 IM — 4
100 fly — 9
800 free — 8
100 breast — 9

And how in the world did I become a distance freestyler instead of a flyer or a breaststroker I ask you?? I really don't foresee a great deal of movement in terms of my placings — I think I entered pretty honestly so we'll just have to see what happens.

A funny thing happened at the end of practice yesterday, though. For warm-down I decided to swim energy conservation fly, and at the end of a hundred I could have kept going. Maybe struggling through long course fly is starting to pay a dividend or two!

On the organizational front I've already packed instant oatmeal and some granola bars in my suitcase — as I explained to my mother today I will be on Eastern time when I get there. I have doubts as to the availability of breakfast at 03:00 next Wednesday morning — especially when school's out!

How To Spend A Rainy Day ...

The weather here has turned cool and damp (with snow flurries in the forecast for tomorrow!), so many in the region will turn their attention to indoor activities. You can see which one The Boarder favours! Not exactly as busy as a beaver — especially the ones that built this dam.

Yesterday Fiona was treated to my favourite lane swim. Friday afternoons are a thing of beauty at Plant — when I slipped in there was but one other person in the lane, and most of the time we were in there were but three of us.

Today we are to make a pilgrimage to Carleton U at noon — and I'm certainly not complaining about the having a brief lie-in on a Saturday morning, especially as Carleton will still be long course. That will be three long course swims for me this week — next thing you know I'll be feeling like an age grouper! Now it's time to bring on the taper ...

P.S. As usual, you should be able to click for a bigger Boarder!

On Mice and Birds ...

There was a minor tragedy in this household recently. Mickey launched himself off a high drawer unit onto the floor. Okay, maybe I knocked him, but I really didn't intend to. The back came off and watch parts scuttled across the floor.

Now, in 1992 it was not the fashion for ladies to wear larger watches. I really had to fight with the Disney employee behind the watch counter to buy this watch. Oh, there were more feminine watches with graven images — but it's not a Real Mickey Mouse Watch unless Mickey's hands go around!!! Eventually I came away with a Real Mickey Mouse Watch — and I guess, really, 18 years is pretty good for an inexpensive timepiece ...

On a happier note, The Boarder reports his pretty red birds were both visitors yesterday! The female came and had a drink from the bird bath, hopped over to the near deck rail and cleaned off her beak on it. Then the male joined her, they rubbed beaks and were off! The Boarder, who is very serious about his birdwatching, was very attentive to their behaviour!

Oh-Oh!

An item of some concern appears to have arisen. And Jenny and I both plan to be on island at that time. Of course Brent actually lives there!

Although I will point out that I don't own one. So maybe I have an excuse. Not to mention that I am not in good enough shape. And may never be ...

More Bits!

Today I bring you still more bits!

♦ A Globe and Mail article on the benefits of swimming, with a plug for MSC!

♦ Proof HGH is performance enhancing. Oh, surprise!

♦ A link obtained from the USMS site about a study on swimmers' life expectancy.

♦ I am prevailing upon the kindness of friends and neighbours to set up a Feeding, Watering and Loving schedule for the Boarder. I am very lucky so many people are willing to lend a hand! The current Boarder Security Threat Level is Blue, in case you are interested.

Banner Day!

Here are some close ups of the banners that celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy today.





In other news, it was clearly Unofficial Technosport Day at the Sportsplex, with eight of us at lane swim + lane swim buddy Chris! And no, still no psych sheets.

Just Bits!

♦ I think this would be fun! Maybe a reverse crossing? Thanks to Brent for forwarding the article.

♦ Here's a wonderful examination of experiences on the blocks!

♦ I invested in one of these. In the pewter colour.

♦ Today was Music Monday!

65th Anniversary — Battle of The Atlantic

Today across the country there were ceremonies marking the sacrifices and accomplishments of Canada and our allies during the Battle of the Atlantic. The naval, merchant marine, and air force and army personnel who were lost and who served from 1939 to 1945 in the North Atlantic were remembered.

In Ottawa the ceremony took place at the War Memorial. The banners flying in the area are in honour of the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy. It was unusually hot and humid here today, with the humidex reaching 30°C — it took a particular toll on those standing throughout the ceremony.

Flagbearers for the Battle of the Atlantic veterans:



The veterans on march past:







Emma was part of the Ottawa Children's Chorus that sang the hymns at the ceremony beautifully. Here she is with one of the flagbearers in the first picture:

Saturday Snippets ...

Summer's back! Okay, not exactly, but it's heading to 25°C today, so it will at least be a facsimile thereof. Well before noon the back door and front window were in the open positions, much to the delight of The Boarder. And I wasn't complaining either.

It is, however, not as balmy at Ironman St. George — wishing the best to the competitors there, and to those facing the heat in St. Croix, too. Best also to all those running this weekend!

On the off chance some reading this will be in Vegas June 27, this could be a hoot!