5.2

 By Maryanna Gabriel 

    Yesterday, it started as a rumble from afar that approached at lightening speed. 
        "Is that an earthquake?" I asked myself. 

QuakeWatch: two quakes off the coast of western Canada. 

    The windows began to rattle and the corner of the house where I was standing began to shake. Yup. Then the pause as I waited. Is that all there is?
    For now, it was.
    I was in denial of course. I thought maybe a 4. Then I looked at QuakeWatch. Technically, this was the strongest quake I have experienced. However, a lesser quake in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2012 scared me half to death when the floor I was sitting on rolled like waves of wobbling jello. 
    That sensory challenge was too much and I got on a bus, and left town as soon as I could with a huge sense of relief. 
    All is quiet again. Love coastal living. 

Love Bug on the Day Of Love

 By Maryanna Gabriel 

Jasper on the furniture. 

Having moved to the country, I often get asked if I am getting a dog. Truthfully, I have been considering it. One day, a furry friend showed up acting like he owned the place. Jasper is a true love bug, and has entered my life without a second thought. He winds himself around my legs with huge purrs and is forever jumping on the furniture. 

Shortly after I moved in, there was a knock on the door. It was Jasper's mother. 

"I was going to try to find you," I said. "Do you mind that he comes?" 

She was quick to reply that it was fine. She gave instruction on how to dispense treats and we are all right as rain. The dog question went on the back burner. In a way, he was like one. 

Late one night, I heard the most terrific cat fight. Gosh, I hope it isn't Jasper. For several days - no Jasper. I worried. Eventually he sidled up with a horrific gash in 

A sore tail. 

his tail. Oh Jasper. Did you get into a fight with a raccoon? He got double treats that day and lately is looking better.

Last night, I wondered where he was and called his name. Looking way up, I found him lying calm as you please, five feet in the air. He was on top of the hutch with his sore tail tucked tidily beneath and looking like he was posing for a photo shoot. Glad I had no Waterford Chrystal. This love bug keeps me on my toes. 

 

Posing for his photo shoot. 

A Day of Breakfasts

 By Maryanna Gabriel 

It has been a day of breakfasts. I looked out the window, and the ground was green. My weather report. No worries, I was headed off the island and into town for some much needed items and a precious back treatment. Besides, I had snows. By 10:00 am I was in a white-out surrounded by cars pulled over with lights flashing. The trouble with the west coast is the slick-wet under the snow.

Will confess. I prayed.

Got great service everywhere I went because... nobody was as idiotic as I was. Made it to a friend, daffodils in hand, who will be dying shortly, (MAID) for I did promise I would come, and thanked my lucky stars. She is so compromised she could not turn her head to see the thick flakes falling outside her window. Daffodils and encouragement for her in place, once on the ferry, I met an old acquaintance who told tales of cars jack-knifing, as I relayed my highway travel was a slow 40 mph. We, in the west, do not do snow well. 

Roses in the snow in my garden. 

Once home, I collapsed. My bones were cold. The next day, my body refused to move. All I wanted was breakfast, morning, noon, and night. No hard stuff. Okay. Done. Besides, omelettes for dinner are my fave. 

On the good side, roses are blooming in the snow.
And that, my friends, is the contradiction of where I happily abide.