The dark cloud hasn’t lifted Saturday morning from when I arrived in Kelowna last night.
The persistent ray of sun peering through what looked like a massive grey mantle battled to gain at least a teensy share of celestial presence. But no matter how shiny that solar ray, it wasn’t enough to burn the melancholy scattered above the Okanagan sky.
I used to live in the Okanagan in British Columbia. It’s a beautiful part of the country.
On Saturday I remember why I don’t see myself residing here again during winter.
I rarely saw the sun.
It drove me crazy. I began painting in blues and purples.
Yes, you may be surprised to know that I used to paint.
That was almost a decade ago, the same time that I was going through some serious questions about who I am, and who I wanted to become.
I was living in Vernon then. The little city was pretty, during the summer.
But when winter came, it turned gloomy.
I felt like it was always going to snow, forced us indoors, where it was safer.
I missed the sunny winter days of Edmonton.
But Edmonton was bad for me at that juncture of my life.
I had to endure the sad, winter of Okanagan, so I could find myself.
I did survive that 1999-2000 winter and left Vernon with a whole bunch of paintings, most of which got sold, but some I still own, others recently found their way in the garbage bin.
My partner and I decided to stay in Osoyoos overnight, instead of Kelowna. The chance of having a sunny weekend is far higher.
We’ve been to this town one time one summer. It’s a pretty little town nestled in the Okanagan and it has a microclimate, that’s why there are several vineyards and tons of orchards.
It’s a promising weekend and I hope I get to taste some wine.
Dec. 4, 2010
