I Love my Deck! Now if it Would only STOP raining!

I'm a little naive when it comes to building projects - I had no idea cement would be involved in the making of my new deck. 

I also didn't realize that my old cement steps in front of my patio doors would get

broken into a bunch of pieces and tossed away. But I am just fine with that. Over

the years many animal families (skunks, chipmunks, raccoons!) have lived in the hollow

area behind the cement steps. I'm not  going to miss them!

 Wasn't he a tidy worker? After each step of construction he would clear up the

area he'd been working in. Of course it was not a very big area so I suppose

he had to clear up to make room.

He thought my plan of maximizing the space made sense so he worked around the A/C but every other square inch went to the deck.  The floor was raised by 8" so that the deck would meet the bottom of the fence. And a lot of old materials - flagstones, smaller bits of broken up concrete, stones and rocks were buried beneath the deck.

Et voila! It's wonderful! 

 I need to take more photos as I've bought a couple other chairs, a new lantern, new table cloth

etc. As it's currently sprinkling that won't be today...but soon.

Some of you may recognize my hanging chair - I had it at my trailer hanging from a tree and also

in PEI on a tree. I hung onto it in the hopes of using it again someday - and found out a month

or two ago that there are stands you can buy to hang the chair from! 

So happy!

It's now my favourite reading spot :) 

Doesn't it look great?

We've had a LOT of WEATHER lately, if you know what I mean...pretty much everything

you can think of except for snow...and that wouldn't surprise me much. Even tornado warnings.

It's been very unsettled with lots of events being cancelled unfortunately. 

I haven't been hiking around Fanshawe Lake as much - just once this week - instead I've switched to my bike as I can't escape the bugs when I'm hiking but I'm a blur on my bike! ZOOM!

No flies on me! (or mosquitos)!!

Have you noticed the infestations of bugs lately in the news? 

Las Vegas is full of grasshoppers, Orillia and North Bay (in Ontario) had literally billions

of shad flies descend upon them!

UGH! 

The major news story at the moment in Canada is about the two teenage boys who are wanted in connection with three murders in British Columbia. They are on the run and were last seen in Northern Manitoba. This sort of thing doesn't happen too often here so the whole country is 

caught up in this awful event. Hope they are found soon!

Keep cool everyone!

It's my favourite day of the year - The PRIDE Parade!!

Take PRIDE

This year, more than ever, we need to celebrate PRIDE festivities with an open and loving heart. Donald Trump's hateful tweets, statements and attitude incites hatred towards people who are just trying to live their lives the best way they know how. Just like the rest of us. We all know gay people - what's wrong with them?

NOT A DAMN THING!!

This is one of a few rainbow crosswalks in my city. They make me proud. I'm also proud that London has a fantastic 11 day long Pride Festival with new events being added every year. This year The Royal Bank of Canada sponsored a 1km run and a 5km run which brought together athletes of all colours and was aptly called "Run with Pride"!  

The highlight of the festival is the parade on the final day - TODAY!!

So soon I'll be biking down town to cheer on all of the people who take part - the churches, the police, the fire fighters, the unions, the politicians (yes, even them!), those marching with family members who are LGBT - it's a blast!! 

P.R.I.D.E.

 I just had to share "a few" photos from the PRIDE parade that took place in London yesterday. Do you have PRIDE parades where you live? It's one of my most favourite days of the year! 

I love seeing all of the most "colourful" people in the city join together to celebrate our

differences and our similarities.

LOVE IS LOVE

There were people dressed up as furry animals posing for photos with the kiddies

- one way to lose weight in a hurry!

For one day you can let your love shine through without worry.

Usually there's a large contingent of "biker chicks" but this year only two.

Don't know the reason for that.

One of several teary moments happened when I saw a group of people

carrying signs with the names of all the Orlando victims.

This is my favourite photo of the day - this sweet sweet boy

is appropriately solemn.

Most of our police officers are good solid serious people. But even they

get into a celebratory mood and don't mind roaring around

in mini cars.  I had another teary moment

as members of our police force walked in the parade

and everyone around me started clapping to show their

appreciation for these dedicated folks who put their lives

on the line every single day. 

This was a big surprise for me - never before have any military

personnel been in our PRIDE parade. Yup, another teary moment!

I have to say it's about bloody time!

I also saw many more folks with disabilities in the parade. 

That makes me happy that they've been included. Feeling

normal only one day a year is NOT enough however.

It wouldn't be a PRIDE parade if we didn't LET OUR GEEK FLAG FLY!!!

I just thought this girl was so pretty!

The bubble machine was working hard!

This lady was walking with one of the many United Church's who

marched in support. This church definitely leads the way - they

are so accepting and inclusive. 

When I saw her I immediately thought of Joseph

and his coat of many colours.

Can't have a parade without music - these folks were 

fantastic on the steel drums.

The sign that summed up the day for me - LOVE IS LOVE!

Another tribute to Orlando carried by another differently abled person :)

I just loved this lady's creative skirt!

I suppose a PRIDE parade isn't the spot for me to get my FLIRT on!! 

"Macho macho man!"

My first (but definitely not my last) PRIDE cookie!

Oooh la la! She's holding up the scales of justice and looking

HOT at the same time :)

Can I just say I LOVE flamboyance?  She was having

so much fun posing for all of us! 

I wish I was as brave!

The geeks were well represented in their Comicon gear.

And finally, a lousy photo of Mr. and Miss PRIDE! 

I can't wait til next year!!