Missing my Dad

I woke up to the rooster crowing this morning. Bright and early. I still smile everytime I open my bedroom curtains and see my view. I want to pinch myself to see if it's real. I am still in awe of the ocean and can't get enough of looking at it. 

I have been fascinated with the nature here on the island. So very different that back in Ontario. But it would be at 4445 km apart. The first thing that amazed me were the hawks, turkey vultures and bald eagles. I see them all the time. They fly around like sparrows do back in Ontario. And they fly in multiples. They are vultures so they are circling critters. But they are quite awesome to see. The first thing I noticed was their wingspan. A good 6 to 8 feet. And when fly right over top of you it is quite a sight to see. Dianne was telling me about a time a turkey vulture attacked a duck and without thinking she tried to save the duck. It had flown over and dropped the duck and when she picked it up to save it she had to become very aggresive to scare the vulture away!! She saved the duck but these birds have 3 inch talons and just hearing that story made me afraid of these birds. Just last night, Dianne and I were looking out the kitchen window and we saw a hawk steal an egg from the chicken coup. Just carried it away in it's mouth. I feel like a child at times becasue everything is new and exciting to me. I am just full of wonder of it all. 

The whole landscape of vegetation is different too. Living in a rain forest everything is different than it was in mid-Canada. Everything is so green. But the gardens,... all of the gardens out here are gorgeous. Flowers everywhere. It's like being in a tropical country sometimes. I am constantly asking Dianne "what is that,..." 

But unfortunately, all of this is making me miss my Dad. My adopted Dad is a photographer. And I know that everytime I see something beautiful ~ I right away think Dad would have loved this,... I wish he were here. His family is here,... and I know he would have loved taking pictures here. He was also a great british gardener. His gardens were something the neighbourhood raved about. So when I see all the lovely gardens here, I know he would have loved it too. It just seems everything I see and do - reminds me of him. It makes my heart a little melancholy. He passed away several years ago now so its a little surprising to me that I am suddenly missing him so much. I think it's just 'his' enviroment here and I know he would have loved it.

Another thing I learned today is that Pamela Anderson lives 20 minutes down the road. Dianne drove me past her home. It's beautiful. Apparently everyone here is very protective of her and dont' allow tourists, etc,... to bother her so she can live a normal life here just like the rest of us. So who knows,... maybe some day I will be grocery shopping and I may end up passing Pamela Anerson in the aisle.

I have to stop here as I have to jump into the shower to get ready. We are driving into Ladysmith later today.