A friend who lets you know they’re thinking of you. Words of true friendship always bring joy.

  • A silly five year old Australian Shepherd who continually makes me smile.
  • The sheer pleasure of spending time in the forest.
see note A at end of blog post for explanation

old man’s beard lichen
some trees form symbiotic associations with fungi, especially at cut sites
decaying leaves always intrigue me
Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park
the Lower Falls – see Note B at end of blog post
salal grows abundantly in the rainforest
  • Scanning some old photographs to have printed — for giving to my new-found brother. Plus … my first roll of film in over two decades developed and in my hands.
photos reproduced for giving to my brother
first roll of film developed in over 20 years

So tell me dear friends, what has given you joy this past week?

NOTE A: Bearded lichen, also known as Methuselah’s beard and old man’s beard. This species is a pendant lichen that hangs from tree branches. It is a light yellow-green lichen with a central cord and short branches coming off of the central cord. It’s normally found in open or shaded forests that are near bodies of water such as lakes or rivers. This lichen is extremely sensitive to air pollution having died out from most of its range. Air pollution affects many lichens, overwhelming their bodies with toxic chemicals, blocking their normal metabolic functions. Certain cultures have used this lichen as bedding, for medicine plus straining pitch for canoe sealant. Animals use this species and other species of Usnea for forage and nesting material.

NOTE B: A favourite destination on Vancouver Island for residents and tourists alike, is Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, which straddles the Little Qualicum River and incorporates the entire southern shore of Cameron Lake. Impressive waterfalls, particularly in spring or after heavy rains, cascade down a rocky gorge in a beautiful forested setting bordered by steep mountain peaks at this park, one of the most beautiful parks on central Vancouver Island.

4 thoughts on “moments of joy”

  2. your forests are so beautiful!

    as a young child, my family went camping in Canada, but not in your part of the country. i do recall that the campgrounds were in forestry areas.

    love, love the bokeh in the mossy images

  3. Well, I’ve been a bit of a grump lately and found it hard to muster up the energy to appreciate the good things in life. I was becoming overwhelmed by the sadness in the world and forgot to notice what is right beneath my nose. Don’t worry, I am back on track. A little more time in nature will have me good as new(ish).

  4. What has given me joy this past week is realizing that I was COVID-free. My oldest brother tested positive less than a week after Christmas. Four of us were with him at our small Christmas. So when I had a minor sore throat that wouldn’t go away, I decided to get tested. Spouse thankfully tested negative which needed to take place pre-surgery anyway. Brother has been doing well symptom-wise. Just been very tired and exhausted. He went through some “infusion” treatment last Monday. The next joy will hopefully come Tuesday afternoon.

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