I had a lovely visit with my Dad and it was so great to see him again! Unfortunately since the last time I had seen him, his health has really taken a downward turn. Very, very sad to see and it was hard to say goodbye, knowing the distance that separates us.
My Dad still lives on his own, however has homecare coming in three times a day to prepare his meals and give him his meds. He gets lonely as he is on the Sunshine coast in BC, a 40 minute ferry ride away from friends and other family. Thank goodness for Karmi, his little pooch!
Unfortunately, I did not see many of Vancouver's wonderful sites while I was visiting (spent 98% of my time with Dad in his home). I did spend time in his beautiful backyard however and watched the large assortment of birds that visited the many feeders he has.
I also enjoyed the beauty of his many flowers. His backyard was like a sanctuary, I could go to and just chill when the need arose
Dad can't drive anymore, and a couple of times we packed his walker, walking stick, some water, and a few other essentials in the car for a short drive. Karmi, who always went anywere with Dad when he was driving, was the first one in the car!
On Thursday of last week, I was out with Karmi for his morning walk and ventured down a very narrow path lined with blackberry bramble bushes.
Unbeknownst to me, the bushes on the left hand side of the path were growing out of a six foot deep storm drain - and the edge of the path dropped off dramatically. The bushes were so dense and thick, it was impossible to know that there was no solid ground on the left hand side.
I soon discovered why alot of the blackberries on the right hand side of the path were picked, but there were still a fair number of berries on the left hand side.
Spotting a very luscious looking berry on the left, I went to pick it, got too close to the edge (where ground became JUST brambles and air) and fell into the brambles. Considering my weight and the depth of the storm drain from which they were growing, I was trapped....head down, face up, on my back at an almost 90 degree angle.
So, with Karmi whining on the ledge (path) above me, gravity working against me, bramble thorns on everything I touched (and lay on), I was thinking this morning walk had turned into a bit of a disaster. I could NOT right myself and felt and looked like this.....
Fortunately, within about five minutes (it felt like 60!) a couple came along the path and fortunately, Karmi had a super long leash on. The man had the foresight to use the leash to haul/hoist me up. I returned to my Dad's
(after my legs stopped shaking), with my arms and hands covered in scratches and blood, and the back of one of my favorite tee shirts covered in squished blackberries and blood. My poor Dad! He was ready to give me 'what-for' for being longer than I said I would be (he didn't like me being out of the house for long) and then he took a look at me.
Suffice it to say, I have developed a strong adversion to blackberries
♥
