In the world of conservation, I have just committed a mortal sin. I have put a bag of papers, cartons and other recycling objects into the garbage and I am full of guilt.
Having been a conscientious recycler for more than 40 years, it is with great remorse that I am forced into this action. I wonder how we arrived at this stage after years of struggle to make people aware of their obligations to recycle. And we have been so successful in promoting the idea to recycle that most of us do this now without thinking about it. When we can, that is.
It poured rain on our blue box collection day and I could hardly walk because of an upsurge of arthritis throughout my body, never mind lifting the heavy bins. They were stored one on top of another at the end of my drive and had about an inch of water in the top bin. Plowing through the rain and getting to them with my walker while carrying bags of material was impossible. Keeping the mess for another two weeks was also not an option with wasps and other bugs about. So into the garbage the stuff went.
I am pretty upset about this as are so many other seniors with disabilities forced to quit recycling after using the blue bag system so successfully for many years. However, it is clear that this provincial government doesn’t give a fig about recycling, seniors or much else. I want to hear what the other parties say about this situation and how they would fix it if they were elected.
Last week, I revisited the Allan Brooks Nature Centre in the Commonage just past the army camp and once again marveled at this little piece of paradise.
From the outlook, you can see for miles and view all three lakes and the surrounding countryside, making it easier to see the whole geographic relationship. The plants are lush and abundant and specifically suited for our hot summer climate. Tours of the area are conducted through marmot territory, snake crossings and winding around the hill to the beautiful little pond full of salamanders and tadpoles. This path is wheelchair accessible as well.
The Allan Brooks Nature Centre has always been a great place to learn about the nature of the Okanagan and to experience it first hand. Recently, with their Aboriginal Appreciation Day and summer program plans, more integration with the community and cultural relationships are the paths they are exploring.
The centre is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Their website is abnc.ca.
Another great find on the weekend was the opening of Peter’s U-Pick Cherry Orchard on Rimer Road in the BX. After 10 years of planting, nurturing and maturation, this orchard was finally unveiled on the Canada Day weekend and what a beauty it is with row after row of delicious cherries.
Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day you can either pick or have Peter run out to the ripest row and pick for you, as he did for us. Apricots will be ready in a week or two as well.
On yet another positive note I have developed a love affair with Telus.
Do you remember what a hassle it was to get service when something broke down? Well all that has changed. When service shut down on my computer, phone and TV one evening, I called their service department and got to speak with someone directly, who understood every word, and after various tests determined
I needed a service person. By 9 a.m. the next morning, my hero, Ryan, was at my door and by 11 a.m. my problems were over. Not only that but I have Ryan’s phone number and an invitation to call whenever I have a service problem. Wow! Also, I had two follow-up phone calls to make sure I was satisfied with the service. Wow again!
Pat Black writes about issues of concern to North Okanagan seniors, appearing every other Sunday.
