QUEST FOR THE WORLD’S BIGGEST MUSHROOMS

AFTER WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO OUR FAMILY ON MONDAY (THEY HEADED HOME TO VANCOUVER) WE DECIDED TO TAKE A DRIVE TOGETHER TO CHECK OUT ANOTHER ‘WORLD’S BIGGEST’ STATUE. THIS TIME WE ENJOYED A TWO HOUR DRIVE NORTH EAST TO VILNA, ALBERTA , TO SEEK OUT THE BIGGEST MUSHROOMS IN THE WORLD. HA HA.

WE ALSO HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO FIND A HUGE PUMPKIN PATCH IN SMOKY LAKE.

THE DAY WAS SUNNY AND WARM AND WE LISTENED TO THE REST OF OUR AUDIO BOOK, “AMERICAN DIRT” WHICH IS A VERY CURRENT AND DIFFICULT TO READ(LISTEN TO) STORY ABOUT THE MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS TRYING TO MAKE IT TO AMERICAN SOIL TO ESCAPE THE HORRIBLE, BLOOD THIRSTY CARTELS . WE REALLY ENJOYED IT DESPITE THE DISTRESSING SUBJECT MATTER.

WHEN WE NEARED OUR HOME CITY AGAIN, THE SKIES HAD CLEARLY BEEN THROWING SHEETS OF RAIN DOWN FOR SOME TIME AND WE ENDURED SOME FANTASTIC THUNDER SHOWERS. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL IF UNNERVING SHOW AT TIMES.

WE BOTH COULDN’T WAIT TO HAVE A WONDERFUL DINNER , GET IN OUR P.J.S AND HAVE AN EARLY NIGHT AS THE DAY HAD STARTED (FOR ME) AT 4 A.M..

IMAGINE OUR SHOCK WHEN WE DISCOVERED OUR BASEMENT WAS FLOODED….(MORESO OF A SHOCK AS WE COMPLETELY HAD TO RENOVATE AGAIN LAST SUMMER BECAUSE OF A FLOOD DOWN THERE!

LUCKILY, WE ARRIVED HOME IN TIME TO ‘SHOP VAC’ MOST OF THE WATER UP IN SHORT ORDER AND ONLY ONE , LARGE CARPET TOOK THE BRUNT OF THE WATER…LIKE A GIANT SPONGE. BUT IT WAS SO DISTRESSING BECAUSE WE JUST HAD MOST OF OUR RUGS AND FURNITURE AND WALLS REPLACED OR REPAIRED DUE TO FLOOD DAMAGE.

WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE CHANGES WE HAVE COME UP WITH (ANOTHER SUMP PUMP, LARGER EAVESTROUGHS WITH ARMS AWAY FROM OUR WALLS, ETC.) WILL FINALLY AND FOREVER AFTER PREVENT THIS YEARLY FLOODING.  THE WEATHER IS CHANGING SO MUCH.  WE NEVER USED TO GET THESE INSTANT, MASSIVE RAINSTORMS THAT HOMES AND CITIES CAN’T HANDLE BECAUSE OF THE SHEER VOLUME OF WATER IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. 

2020 : WHAT A YEAR!

 THE WORLD’S BIGGEST MUSHROOMS TO THE CITY’S BIGGEST STORM. WHAT A DAY!