Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge are the Tri-Cities. I had to Google it :o

We have coyotes here in Toronto. There was a big to-do when one took up residence in a small local ravine (one block from my former family home) and apparently snacked on a couple of chihuahuas that someone had left in their backyard.

I had the poodle with me when I saw the coyote on a quite remote strip of beach which is hard to access. I take some of the dogs there solo when I am dogsitting them - it's a treat for us. The coyote, when he/she spotted us, went very quickly up the hillside and then stood there with head down, waiting for us to pass by. I grabbed the poodle and leashed her so she wouldn't spoil the moment. We walked past the coyote on the hill and it then came down and continued on its way along the shore. It was like someone lifted a curtain and gave me a brief glimpse into another world. Magical.

Dagmar :dizzy:

Osoyoos is a bit far to be a bedroom community, but it is a fave of retirees who don't want to head over the US border due to health costs. Winter temps, etc: https://weatherspark.com/averages/28...olumbia-Canada Frommer's and several other sites say it's the Northernmost extension of the Sonoran Desert, but Western Living magazine says that's a misconception, for what it's worth. http://www.westernlivingmagazine.com...Stay-Play.html

Silverbirch - the Okanagan IS an interesting and lively place and the more northern part of the valley gets lots of snow in the mountains but decent winter temperatures: www.skisilverstar.com and www.bigwhite.com and www.apexresort.com and www.revelstokemountainresort.com and www.sunpeaksresort.com
I live in daytrip distance of all these great places!! My DH & I spent our anniversary (in March) at Sun Peaks this year.
These resorts are summer/winter with mountain biking, golf, alpine hiking, wine festivals, and all the nordic & downhill stuff.
Kelowna is more a cultural centre as it is the biggest town in the valley... lots of theatre, a very talented symphony, and we have lots of very big name rock and country bands etc, come and play in the arenas. South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton is a biggie - purpose built for large events. Quite a few NHL stars also have vacation homes for the off season on some of the local lakes (and a few Hollywood people too from what I have heard, although those ones may only be rumours, lol)

allinall: There's lots of 'urban' wildlife in our country... My place is not so urban and we have coyotes and deer come through often; we once had a young black bear knock over our BBQ on the patio while we were asleep one night. Only saw 3 bears on the property in 10 years though, since there is a lot of 'wild' area surrounding us - they mainly stay to themselves.

You all are welcome to visit &/or retire here :D
Liana

Congratulations on remembering old friends. I am especially proud of you for befriending your friends who has cancer, many people are afraid of those with cancer,not necessary, it is not catching, just be yourself

I think most people just don't know what to say.I know I don't but I prefer people to be normal around me.

Liana, thanks for the invitation! That would be lovely. I'd like to have a bit more cross-country skiing in my life.

bargoo, thanks for checking in - it's good to see you! How goes the battle?

Loving the discussion on Canadian locales - have made notes for future trips!

On the coyote front, we occasionally hear them at night. Within the confines of our yard, we've spotted red fox, red-tailed hawks, DS claims a peregrine, a nesting pair of sandhill cranes, multiple rattlesnakes, lots of leopard (or grass) frogs, plenty of harmless species of snakes, and of course the $%^&* deer. For the most part, I think we're all sharing the space pretty well. :lol:

DS tested and passed for his yellow belt in Hapkido last night. He's also made significant effort to deal with his grades and is in close contact with his teachers. He has to decide this weekend if he wants to take the SAT in June - it's his last opportunity to see it with zero pressure since 9th grade is the last year for the program he's in. I'll give him props - he is seriously considering it even though it means half a precious Saturday.

I am just happy to have made it to Friday. DH should have one more week in KY after this. I can keep most of the balls in the air by myself, but it's challenging and there's no downtime. Hats off to the single parents! I am incredibly fortunate to be good friends with the parents of Alex's best buddies - we are truly a village!

Becky - I'm also happy to have made it to Friday. High five to DS on his yellow belt!

Liana - I'm in. Sounds lovely. :)

Bargoo - good to hear from you.

Bargoo, good to hear from you. Yes, we talked about their changing churches inopportunely, and having to adapt to a new minister and a congregation where they don't know anyone. And my job. And whether they'll rent a place on the Cape. And the migration of ospreys and owls in the salt marsh that their house overlooks. And daily walks and tai chi. And massages. And other topics, too.

And I talked with them a lot about my experience of caring for my father through his losing battle with cancer. They had a lot of questions for me. I answered completely truthfully, even about the ugly stuff, like my father's despair and anger, my mother's floundering and living in denial, my own bouts of remoteness and relief whenever I got to leave the house to run an errand, and even that greedy Russian Orthodox priest whom we had to summon, to try to bring him comfort -- he who'd been agnostic for decades.

I felt like I had to speak from the heart. People want the truth at such times, at least about others' experiences.

They're still in that early phase of incredulity: Did I really hear that diagnosis right? Is this really happening? You mean this can happen to ME, not just other people? Is this REALLY real? Will I wake up tomorrow & find out it's all been a mistake?

I have vowed to call my friends in Albany by the end of today and talk. I will try to reach them all weekend. I haven't spoken with them in months. There is a lot to catch up on.

I think you did everything just right. I have often wished I could read patients minds when they got the news. When they told me me, I sat there very calmy and nodded my head now and then but I was actually thinking,He is actually telling me I have cancer and there was a certain amount of incredubility in it. Sort of an "is this really happenintg?"

Just continue to be the good friend that you are and your friend will appreciate it.