The other day Calvin came upstairs and saw the kitchen was all clean and tidy and the dishwasher was running and said, “livin’ the dishwasher life, eh?” And I said, “oh yeah.” I had a dishwasher that didn’t actually clean anything, so was skeptical that a machine could do it. But this magical implement comes with a channel whereby you can add softening salt, so the well’s minerals are finally defeated.

I had a marvelous time at the Ya Ya reunion at Maryjoy’s little house on Osoyoos Lake. Five of six remaining women attended, and all slept there except me. I wanted to sleep at Mom’s as I had the dogs with me, but I also got a last-minute call from Carol the realtor saying she was holding an Open House and asked if I could clean up the joint. I gave it seven hours and then decided that was all I could do in between social events.

The weather was very hot and sunny, so on Friday afternoon we hopped into kayaks and paddled to Haynes Point and back. Penny, Alison and Mary swam, but Phyllis and I wisely decided against submerging ourselves into cold water. They insisted it wasn’t. As a reward Alison made Ina Garten’s Panko-crusted salmon for dinner and I made a burned prune tart for dessert.

I blamed the oven for that. I also made us a breakfast casserole that I thought was overdone and again, pointed at the appliance. On Saturday night we had Greek food at the Diamond Pizza and Steak house. My earliest memory of that place is eating there with my boyfriend Tom Schmidt, so that would’ve been in 1972. The place is a legend to locals.

Because the weather was so great we took a couple of nice long walks. One around Haynes Point and the other along Lakeshore Drive. The town has amazing paths for walking and biking. On Sunday we had brunch at an adorable place called the Best Cellar Bistro, Books and Tours. They make delicious stuffed waffles, and its walls are lined with used books. Very cute.

Alison had bought a music book, so we hung around Mary’s piano and sang old songs from the 1930’s and ‘40’s. Not sure why that endures but Alison and I learned them from our mothers and can’t let go. Since the other three women were sitting there going, “um, what’s maresy dotes and dosey dotes mean?” I said to her we really do have to move to at least the 1960’s and get some Beatles music.

Next reunion, for sure. Everyone enjoyed themselves so I’m sure we’ll have another quite soon. Penny proposed walking a part of the Camino Trail and we all said sure! Watch us require ambulances after two days of it. But at least we think big.

Donna, Sharon and I went to the Eldorado for High Tea. They have the tables set with mismatched cups and saucers and a variety of tea pot styles so it looks very eclectic and cute. You do have to want an awful lot of sweets, which I’m fine with, but if you want mostly savoury, you’ll be disappointed.

I finally stopped asking Luke when he was going to make a website for Mom’s property. He was the one who had offered to do it, as I never even thought of the idea. But after a month of asking I went to Calvin who said sure and made this for me. Please check it out and let me know what you think. https://osoyoosbohemian.com