August 7, 2010 - Chemainus Accordion Festival
Such excitement in Chemainus this weekend...there was an accordion festival. Accordion players and bands came to Chemainus from all over and played on the streets, in cafes, and they planned to have a concert in the park on Sunday.
Faunette and I were so excited to be going out to see
them and Lynne told us that Jonesy and Ken from Victoria were coming too.
Jonesy plays the accordion too and she brought her accordion with her and ....
she brought an accordion for both of us! We were so excited because now
we would not only see them but be part of the festival.
I vaguely remember tickling the ivories with my feathers a long time ago, but an accordion is like a sideways piano!...and you have to remember to pull it in and out. We practiced and practiced, and when I started singing, the darn garden egret started to sing and she was a bit off key! We sat on the porch of the B&B and as passersby heard us, they even applauded. We knew we had done real good!
We were ready to hit the big time!
Saturday arrived and we were ready for our debut! Because it rained (for the first time in 6 weeks!) the concert was held in the Church Hall instead of the Park Bandshell. They didn't have our names on the program, but we wowed everyone with our harmonizing! We even had Lynne and Jonesy up dancing! What great fun it was!
Jonesy, thank you for giving us our first accordions and helping us to play.
Playing with Steve Cramaro from Powell River and Mary Ross from Victoria. They are really accomplished so it was a good thing we practiced ahead of time with Jonesy. Faunette kept falling down because she wasn't holding her accordion properly. Or it could have been all the practicing that tired her out, but we were having a good time anyway. I can't wait for next year!
July 27, 2010 - Letter from Alice
Lynne, I hate to tell you this, but I've received an email from Faunette, who is extremely put out about not being included. This is what she wrote to me:
"Dearest Creator (I keep
telling her she CAN call me Alice, but she says she has too much respect for
me to call me that)-
Lynne didn't take me to meet the CAMPers, who I believe are relatives of
yours. Being a miniature, she COULD have tucked me into her purse and I would
have been MUCH easier to bring than that huge space hog, Fauna. But did she
even mention NOT bringing me? NO!
I know that Fauna is older than me, but why oh why must I be the forgotten
second bird? The sight of a flamingo lady crying is NOT pretty! With all that
hot pink mascara running down her beak. sniff sniff...."
PLEASE tell Lynne that I love it here in Canada, especially as I hear you are
having a hellish summer in Florida and the hurricane season is here. I'd hate
to have to threaten to fly south for the winter if she doesn't pay attention
to me. (To tell the truth, I think she's taken my passport and hidden it!)
I hope this finds you in the pink!
Faunette"
July 28, 2010 - Kinsman Beach
Dear Alice:
I can't thank you enough for coming to my rescue. Lynne was so scared
about being reported to the SPCA that she took me for an afternoon at the
beach today. I'm sorry to hear that your summer in Florida is not very
nice. I hope the hurricanes stay away from your house this time. I
miss you but not the hurricanes
.
We've
had a gorgeous summer in Chemainus. I only knew that from hearing the
guests in the B&B talk but today I got to see it for myself. Kinsman Beach
is only two blocks from here so it was a short trip and more time to spend in
the sand. I had to keep my eye on that seagull out there because I
knew I was no match for him.
Lynne put me on the swing but I was so scared she had to hold me. One
swing and I'd be lost forever in that sand.
The tide was way out today and there were shells are all over the beach. I wanted to bring one of them home for a bathtub but Lynne says leave them there for everyone to enjoy.
I was visited by two young ladies admiring my shells but they don't live here so
I probably won't see them again. Maybe they'll write to me. I like to get
mail.
Thank you for beachwear. The hat worked nicely to keep the sun away and protect my complexion.
I'll remember you always,
Faunette
July
25, 2010
I was a wee bit put-out that I didn't go to Victoria to meet Molly Cromwell and the miniaturists on the Alaskan cruise. However, I understand that I might have met some people from 'my past', and so perhaps it was best that I didn't. I was very pleased that Marie in CAMP had sent a 'portrait' hat of me to Lynne. However, since it was supposed to be a replacement for the halo Lynne usually wears around here, I don't think Lynne was too pleased. I thought that a flamingo hat was very pretty, and if it was in a smaller size, I would have scoffed it from her. Perhaps there will be another opportunity to go to Victoria in the future {sigh}. I haven't seen Jonesy since the day I arrived and she lives in Victoria so maybe one day I can go when Lynne goes to visit.
Canada Day & the 4th of July
I don't think anyone else celebrates the 4th of July here. This is when I miss California and my friends there.
Hank and Donald were good friends and I liked Lucy too. We visited together sometimes but I usually hung out with Hank and Donald.
Faunette got into the spirit too.
Wednesday Afternoon Market Day
I didn't have money to buy anything but it felt good to get back amongst
the flora.
June 16, 2010 - Karen's Uptown Bistro
Finally! I was able to top up my betacarotene levels. When Barb Jones visited
here from California, she said that Karen's Uptown Bistro made the best carrot
cake in the whole world so I knew that was the place to go if I wanted to keep
my beautiful complexion.
And
she was right, I can still taste it, drizzled in caramel sauce, and topped with
nuts. Um-um! The restaurant was crowded so it must be a popular place to eat in
Chemainus. All around me, the dishes coming from the kitchen smelled and looked
so good, but I knew I needed to save my appetite for the carrot cake.
And the other diners kept looking and smiling at me, what a friendly place to eat.
June
10, 2010 - A guest from Washington came to stay at the B&B. Lynne
called her a Camper but I think her name is Cherie. Cherie was very sweet
and nice, but her friend, Judy, is more of a party girl I think. I like to
party too but I have to be more demure to keep up a good reputation for the B&B.
They all went to Victoria for the day where I heard them say there were 20,000 sailor boys in town celebrating. I would have liked to go too but I think Lynne was afraid of taking me. She said something about meeting up with Jonesy, another Camper Girl, and I guess they worried there might not be enough sailors to go around for all of us.
And I'm always worried about running into people from Nevada or California
whom I'd rather not know I'm here. I did leave some good friends in
California that I miss and would like to see them again, but I remember it was a
very long car ride coming here and I can't fly. Maybe they'll come back to
visit sometime.
May
4, 2010 - From
sunny California, USA to Chemainus CANADA, in the trunk of a car. What a
time I had, being stuffed into a suitcase, quite naked, and then brought into
another country. Hmph!! The indignity of it all! I could almost feel the
colour draining from me from lack of betacarotene. When I finally saw daylight
I couldn't believe that I was in a man's workshop! "Oh, dear" I wondered...is
this a good thing or not?
I peeked as I was carried into the house, and oh, what a beautiful garden. I truly hoped I could stay here.
I was taken into a nice warm kitchen and ladies gathered around me, admiring my wardrobe as they unpacked my suitcase. Well, it was about time I was appreciated!
I understood that this was to be my home and that my job would be to greet guests as they came into the Bed & Breakfast. In return, I would be treated with the utmost respect. That sounded wonderful to me, and I look forward to my adventures.
Then, a woman came in and was most insulting to me. Hmph!...I don't think she'd look very good neither if she had been shunted around in a suitcase. However, having been brought up with good manners, I kept my opinions of her to myself. Thankfully, she wasn't one of the guests and soon left.....
May 12, 2010 -
I
am very happy in my new home. I sit on a desk in the front hall and greet all
the guests and anyone who comes in the front hall. I've made so many new
friends that often those coming in the back kitchen door come around to say
hello. Apparently I'm getting a reputation as a fashion diva in Chemainus! I
definitely need a new wardrobe as the weather is so much different here than in
California. I heard whisperings of some of Lynne's friends that they are
planning to make new clothing for me! I'm so excited about that! I'm glad I
don't have to wear a daily dull, drab uniform!
Speaking of clothing, although I'm not a mother, I heard of others buying a Mother's Day Gift for themselves. I was feeling a bit chilly, and so indulged in a new outfit, and 'someone' gave me a diamond!! I'm wondering if I have a secret admirer?? I'm not sure if it's a real diamond, but I sure do love that bling!
Some guests came today and they admired my outfit. They asked if I was the Canadian version of the Brussels, Belgium tourist attraction, 'Mannekin Pis' fountain, where the 'peeing boy' changes his clothes every week. Imagine!
This weekend I have been invited to an afternoon tea. I think I may go shopping for a new outfit, as I want to make an impression on these small town people. Not meaning to sound conceited, but they are impressed with this California gal!
C: Oh, VERY nice Fauna....
You look more elegant than when I met you in California...but then California is
very casual, isn't it?
J: Fauna, I think you're wonderful and will be a real asset to
the B&B!
May
16, 2010 - My new friend, Nanny, invited me to a tea
party at Twisted Sisters Tea House. Lynne's friend made me an outfit for the
occasion and I was so excited to get out of the house. I do love my work at the
Bed & Breakfast, but all work and no fun could make Fauna a dull "chick". There
are a lot of things to see and do in Chemainus and I like to dress up and paint
the town.
If you are in Chemainus and get a chance you should
visit the Twisted Sisters Tea House or maybe not. It isn't
called Twisted Sisters by chance. John warned me to pick a day when they've
taken their medicine that morning or you may end up with tea where you don't
expect it. I guess this was a good day because they seemed okay to me, but then
how would I know?
Nanny introduced me to the sisters, Debra and Teresa, and picked a table by the window for us. She lives at the restaurant so she knows her way around the place. While we sipped our tea, Nanny told me about her charity work, raising money for the local food kitchen. I had heard that she is an Olympian but we didn't have time to talk about that today.
Teresa served the tea at the party from a fine china tea pot. Nanny chose Buckingham Palace Garden Party tea flavored with bergamot and jasmine for the occasion. She's had more experience than I in that field. Lynne has some special teas at the B&B, but I don't get to eat with guests there. John does, but not me. Go figure!
It wasn't a private party. There were other guests at the restaurant too. Debra was serving the lady at the next table a yummy dessert called Ginger Apple Cake with Caramel and her friend had Lemon Buttermilk Cake with Chocolate sauce. It looked so good and we were tempted but Nanny and I are still single and have to think about our figures while they probably don't worry about that anymore.
I'm not the only one who likes "bling". Nanny has a ring that will dazzle you. And she wears ear rings. I think I'd like some ear rings too. She wouldn't tell me how she got the ring but I could guess. She looks sweet and innocent but I could see the twinkle in her eye. Debra said she found Nanny one morning with a smile on her face. Now what does that tell you? I think we're doing to be good friends.
Nanny and Fauna, best friends forever.
Hello Fauna,
I wanted to say thank you again, for coming over for tea yesterday. I enjoyed meeting you and know we will be good friends. It is also nice to meet more classy girls in the neighbourhood. I forget to mention my hedgehogs name. It is Pursy. I know that most elegant ladies carry a "purse dog", but I have always liked to be a bit different.
I agree with you on the "John thing". It doesn't seem fair to me either. Things can be a bit unfair around here as well. They made me stand for almost three months over the winter, selling Christmas trees during the Christmas season and displaying my Olympic talents during the wonderful 2010 Olympics. The fundraising does keep me busy.
The day they finally removed the stick from up my butt, and let me sit down, my real owner, Kate, came for a visit. That put a smile back on my face.
I look forward to following your adventures on your blog. And please do feel free to drop in for tea anytime. Bring Lynne. I liked her too.But don't bring that John fellow, he sounds like trouble. Don't forget we are closed on Wednesdays.
Nanny
M: Fauna, I love you! Your home is one of my favorites.
If you have comments or questions for Fauna or Faunette, send them here.
If you want to read more about Fauna's adventure in Chemainus, check out her blog here.