You’ll recall I was hoping to catch a homeless cat, only to be told by one of its owners that it’s not a homeless cat after all.  I was walking Louie and we ran into the cat and as I petted it a boy rode by on his bike.  He said “that’s my cat” and I asked where he lived and he pointed in the direction of their house.  Quite the wanderer that cute lil’ tabby cat is.

I’d bought a pet carrying case at one of the thrift stores, and checked to make sure I had a litter box and cat litter.  So I was ready for this cat, and then the cat didn’t need adoption after all.

I’ve been browsing the SPCA site, and then today on the residents of Hall Road Facebook page, someone said they had two kittens to get rid of immediately.  If they weren’t adopted today they were off to the SPCA.

I looked at their photo and though not crazy over black and white cats, I made the fatal error of asking if I could see them.  Naturally I brought them straight home.  Unfortunately they hate Louie and Fuji happened to be visiting, and they really hated him even worse as he’s so rambunctious.

They’re currently holed up in my bedroom.  Right after we got home I went in and they hissed at me as they associated me with the dogs.  I then returned with a can of cat food, which they’ve eaten, and now they’re acting nice to me again.  I just have to be sure they don’t see Louie.

Mango has no idea there are kittens in the house which is a very good thing as I’m sure he’ll loathe them.  When he was brought home as a baby Wrecks was already one so he’d beat the kitten up just for sport.  So I think Mango’ll want to pay it forward.

I shook hands with our PM, otherwise known as Mr. Dreamy, at a Liberal event here in Kelowna.  I know, you’re thinking she met the PM and is talking about kittens?  But I’m always about the immediate as you may already know.

But anyway, it was a fab event, held on the rooftop of the new Innovation Centre downtown.  It was a hot evening, but sadly the whole Valley was thick with forest fire smoke so the views weren’t great for the visiting dignitaries.  Every single person from the cabinet was here, and our MP was so hoping to show off the Okanagan at its best.

Our riding executive and some big donors were invited, so it was quite a small event.  I had just one goal: to be photographed with Justin Trudeau.  As he entered the place, I was one of the first people in line.  And joy of joys, he shook my hand and spoke with me.

We only chatted briefly and he said “I need a beer” and headed for the bar.  Undeterred I followed and said “Um…” as I held my camera.  He said “if you want a photo, just ask.”  So here was my one chance, which only I could blow by having my eyes closed.  Dear God.

And so the summer of 2017 comes to a close with a boating trip, a meeting with the PM and two new kittens.

Luke’s home from the rigs for a couple of weeks, and when he’s here he likes to lash money around.  He decided to rent a boat, and invited Denis, Nicky and I to join him and Jan.  Haruka had to work so couldn’t come.

We were laden with beer-filled coolers, and met the person dropping the boat at the launch near the yacht club at noon on Labour Day.  Luke was the captain, so he was given a few instructions and we all hopped aboard.

Can you believe I’ve lived here for 27 years and have never been on the lake?  So I was quite thrilled with the whole thing as we roared off, headed under the bridge, and off to Rattlesnake Island.  I’ve only ever seen it from the highway, and so was quite intrigued to go up to it.

There were people standing on it, obviously no snakes live there any more, and there were a few kayaks about.  We cut the motor to float and watch the planes scoop water to dump on the Peachland/Summerland fire.  It was actually a rare day of decently clear skies so we could see quite a bit into the distance.

I had the common sense not to drink anything, but I saw Jan down an iced tea and thought oh oh.  Denis soon had to pee, as did Nicky and Luke.  Luke easily stood on the back of the boat, balancing himself while peeing.

Nicky and Denis each tried this stunt, but couldn’t do it.  It was great fun to see these two standing there trying to coax pee out of their bladders.  Nicky had to jump into the lake, swim to shore, and pee behind a boulder.  Denis just toughed it out for the rest of the trip.

As we all complained we had to pee, Luke said this was the last time he was inviting any of us to do anything as we were just so terrible.  I said why is it terrible to have to pee after 5 hours?  I said Jan’s said she has to pee, too and you didn’t include her in the list of people never to invite.

But aside from bladder issues, it was a hot day, the views were spectacular, and we were generally in good spirits.  I adore experiences like that.  And after boating all over the lake, we all agreed renting is the way to go as it’ll likely be another ten years before we want to do that again.  And then of course the fee and the gas are the kicker.

Then the next evening I was one of the privileged few to be invited to the Innovation Centre in downtown Kelowna to hang with the PM.  Yes, you read that right.  I don’t think there were more than a hundred of us there, so there were no people mobbing him and he could just move about the room, talking to folks.

Being the aggressive Hun that I am, I was the first person in line for a photo.  Unfortunately he didn’t know that’s why I was there, so he shook my hand and I had a few moments to blurt out I was a Trudeau girl in 1968.  He then replied, “I’ve got to get a beer” and headed off.

Never one to be deterred, I walked back up to him and said oh, I actually want a photo, and he replied “just ask.”  He’s so adorable.  Sadly, I had to close my eyes at the very moment of the photo, so look stupid, but he looks fab, so I went home feeling satisfied.  Two great events in one week.