Ken and I went down to Southern Alberta, to kayak the Milk River. We stayed the Friday night in a tent (!) at Writing on Stone Provincial Park. In the morning we got up and headed to Coffin Bridge, where we "put in". We floating to Weir Bridge with a lunch stop at Poverty Rock. Great trip. The water was more technical then I expected; given that I did not expect technical water - it was a bit of a shock. We didn't go in - but boy - we got soaked - you wouldn't know the difference. One of the best little surprises, was being taken to see some early Blackfoot people petroglyphes on the rocks. These are outside of the park - and without going with someone who knows where they are - you would never see them. This is a deer, which has been killed - the arrow can be seen in the deer's heart. My favorite picture of the weekend - is sage in bloom - but I thought I might spice up my blog - by foregoing yet another flower picture.
And while I take pictures in Victoria, and I am more than technically capable of blogging from Victoria - it didn't/doesn't happen. I am back. I am tired. And I go to Victoria - again on Tuesday.
For future reference, these are the flowers in Celeste's front yard - name to be determined at a later date. Since Thursday - dinner in Olds until today - it has been non-stop. A great day in Olds, followed by a day setting up the garage sale, followed by the garage sale, and today - catching up to fly to Victoria - barely time to catch my breath.
Today, I ran by myself, trying to catch up on some miles, because I was light training last week. I ran my route through the university, x Crowchild, down 24th - instead of turning at 19th St - all the way to 14th - start heading back - sure that I have run close to 10k - chart it out on google earth - 7.53km - Ugh! (Well on the positive side - all the way 5 and 1 - and a lot of sweat!)
Celeste and I ran into this good looking mallard, as we ran east from Eau Claire heading towards the zoo - on our optional Tuesday run - 6 kms - nbd!
This is Ken's boathouse - at end of day 3 of construction. We spent last weekend, in the rain - working for one day. This weekend, there were 6 of us, and it was sunny and hot. Currently the boathouse is looking exactly like the plan. Looking forward to seeing the finished result.
I walked into the bathroom and caught the cat sitting on the scale. As soon as I grabbed my camera, she did walk towards me, and I did have to coax her back on the scale - for the shot. She is strategically covering up the fact that we think she weighs in the neighborhood of 14 pounds. One of the ladies in my bookclub pointed out her weight, and when I tried to duck any responsiblity for the sloth-y-ness of my pet - she kindly reminded me - that I am the one feeding the cat!
Yesterday, I came flying out of the garage, and straight into my friend the local rabbit, who has taken up residence in my vegetable garden. Apparently, this year, is going to be a bad year for gardens with an aggressive bunny population staking claim, early in the season. And talk about bold - this specimen, just ignored me, whilst I grabbed my camera and took multiple photos. In actuality, this is probably not a bunny, but a hare. And, it is either a snowshoe hare or a white-tailed jackrabbit. Apparently white-tailed jackrabbits are keen on the local university, and given my proximity to the university, I am going to go ahead and say - pesky white-tailed jackrabbit varmint.
Nazar boncugu - the evil eye - from turkey. A gift from one of my ESL students! Love the evil eye symbol! Interested in more information:
Celeste and I ran at lunch - well it was 1:00pm - the regular route. It looked a little ominous - as we headed out there were some geniune raindrops; yet we made it through the whole route and had forgotten all about the threat of rain, until I was driving home and we had a hailstorm! Here is Sven surfing the storm on 16th Ave!
Celeste and I ran today - the regular route - through Crescent Heights. We ran past a house with a great yard and the sprinklers on, and a flicker having a bath. He took off before I even had my camera out of my pocket. We ran on to the almost half way point, and there was another (the same?) flicker trying to get some food from the grass. There was enough time to get a decent photo while Celeste held off the rest of the walkers/runners from scaring the little guy and ruining the shot.
Every night this week, there has been a frost warning - not for Calgary - but for the surrounding area - how crazy is that - in June. So, for the first time ever, I started some of my seeds - in these little peat pots. And I have from right to left: Labrador beans - 2 rows, zucchini's - 1 row, pickling cucumbers - 2 rows, and ornamental pumpkins - 1 row. The biggest plant so far - is one pumpkin plant. The second runner up - is one massive bean plant. These need to be planted before the weekend - so here's hoping they survive - both until they get planted in the real garden - and once they are there!
The Tervis Tumbler bag continues to provide significant pleasure to Samantha. Makes you wonder about all the money you pay out in toys for cats/pets/children.
I have many things to say today. Like, yesterday, I forgot to post - and yesterday was a monumental day - in that I ran 9.18 km - yup - nbd. I think I immediately came home and lay on the couch and had a big sleep - but I did indeed run it - no stopping - no whining - no - I'll just walk this little bit here - and go back to running. (As I was focused on the running thing - no pictures were taken - even though their was picture worthy graffitti on one power pole that I ran past - twice). The second thing I want to say is that I did not take this picture today. I get all "tense" with myself, if the picture doesn't happen on the day - because as I work with this - this is about celebrating the small things - in any given day - that I can celebrate - and this picture was actually taken on Saturday. Now, about the irises - they bring me joy - each year, when they bloom. First, of course irises bring joy - look at them - what is not to love? The joy with these particular irises - is their color - they are purple. I bought these irises, by their name, with the expectation that they would be red - like the color of my house - red - not purple - clashing with the color of my house. Their name - "Berry Red Bearded Iris" and if you could see the picture - from when I bought them - RED! Yet, when they bloomed - PURPLE - I loved them - I loved that they were messed up - by me, by the greenhouse - whatever. These blooms peaked out on Friday - and were in full bloom Saturday - and it was crazy beautiful warm on Saturday and Sunday and so - they have bloomed - and been magnificent - on a very quick timetable - which is so fleeting - that it sometimes make me wonder about blooms - yet, I did smile - at the purpleness of it.
Last night we went to the opening night of Man of La Mancha, at Rosebud Theatre. Great play - great quotes. When we got into town - someone had put a lot of quotes on the road (and by road, I mean the numbered highway leading into this small town) and the sidewalk around the theatre. I really thought this one was great - and very true to the summer that I have planned. The other one - that was a contender for today's post was:
This is the MayDay tree in our backyard. And how appropriate - on almost the last day of May! I don't remember it ever being in this much flower before. Now, previously, there was a birch tree right beside this tree - so perhaps. we didn't notice it - because of the competing birch, or perhaps, until I focused on the simple things - it was always here lurking. Anyways, absolutely nothing getting accomplished at work today - just not feeling the love, so I went for a run at lunchtime to see if that would smarten me up - and - well - I got this pic and I am now going to hit the shower to see if THAT will make me feel the love for work - this Friday afternoon.
Sublime - adj - of the most exalted, grand, or noble kind; awe-inspiring. Found this great panel on a new building site - on 11th ave se - downtown - driving back home from meeting with Barb and Susan at Fratello. I confess to having used the word sublime "from the sublime to the ridiculous" but not really knowing what it meant - til I looked it up today.
Today, I went walking in Edworthy park with Alice. As we started out - barely into the walk - there was a snake on the path. Of course, not anticipating anything picture worthy, my camera was in my pocket. And so we chased the snake into the woods - and of course - no good picture was to be had. Instead, we did come across some wild clematis - pictured above. There were also a few tired crocuses - didn't see much else - from a snake/wild flower perspective - thought the clemitis was early?
I went to Erika's slowpitch games tonight - where they let me keep score. The first game was great - benches - nice weather - a family of geese came by - all good. The second game - no bench - and a big ole thunderstorm came by with a double rainbow - but this was the best that I could get - from Brandon's truck/keeping score.
GTS - group training session today - running from 4th St. SW to "Sandy Beach". First, I grew up - within 5 miles of Sandy Beach - and all I can say is "Who knew". Second, finding photos when running - is a great excuse - to rest. The first time past this graffiti today - my camera wouldn't work - the second time it was fine. I really like graffiti for many reasons. I don't seem to be able to take scenery shots - not my thing. But - the different graffiti on the different runs - that is something that I am all about. The thief part - that is what it says to the left of this photo - but I couldn't get it all in.
I ran past a school today - and first - let's just acknowledge the run. Without Celeste. Even if it was more of a ralk than a run - I did it. And on my route was this elementary school, where a good portion of the sidewalk was decorated - some of it really well done. Never one to focus on the big picture - this one panel caught me eye. I did take a minute to think how much fun the kids probably had - with a big bucket of chalk - and all that area to cover.
A complete day of feeling out of sorts. Whilst trying to ignore said sorts. And accomplish anything. So, after driving to a meeting - and missing it - I came home - and at least began to plant my garden - progress - one step forward - three steps back. Ugh.
... and Icelandic Poppies and an enriching Mastermind meeting at Susan's house!
Spent the long weekend - with Anita and Heather and Agnes -at Goldeye - Northwest of Nordegg. Day one - straight up; Day two - a nice walk - all good! Oh yeah - and my back up picture was a tick -yup - another May long - and more encounters with ticks.
This picture looked way better - on the camera - right after I took it - here are Celeste and me - happy to be training for our half marathon in Maui in September in the SNOW!
Here is a photo of my Mother's Day card from Erika - love love love it! Hence the photo of my computer screen - to capture for posterity. For more cards: www.someecards.com
Five of us, are sharing a community garden this year in Olds. How would you know that? Why - we drove FIVE cars to the garden, silly!
Erika and I participated in the Forzani's Mother's Day 5K walk this morning. This is the 4th time Erika and I have done this for Mother's Day - and the second time with Celeste and her daughter Bret. This is the first time - we did it by "the book" - took up our positions - in the appropriate section of the race. All other times - we were slightly ahead of the race - and joined in - really at the beginning of the race. This starting with the mob is for the birds. It was very overwhelming with people. And we stayed with this great collection of people - for the full 5K. At a much slower pace - than our norm - over 1.5 hours - for the 5K. Oh well - it is all about the journey...
I interrupted him having lunch in the front rockery - and then as I was unlocking the back door - I saw him watching me. This is such a classic Beatrix Potter shot - I can almost see his little blue jacket.
Jobert from the office sent me shad beads from the Lambertville ShadFest! "Each year the festival highlights our region's arts community, the City of Lambertville, the Delaware River, and of course, our favorite fish, the Shad! The Shad Festival has evolved from a local art show into a nationally recognized award-winning event. Shad Fest features the area's finest artists and crafters, great food and family entertainment, but the two-day extravaganza also serves as a venue for local non-profit organizations to raise necessary operating funds."
I have a certain fascination for flowers past their prime. If I could paint, I would like to do a study of flowers just like these.
I have wanted pussy willows - in my house - for years. Many years. As far back as when I lived in Sundre - and that is almost 15 years ago. So, on Saturday, after we painted two bathrooms - and no one had the energy to argue - I got Heather and Agnes and Anita - to go hunting for pussy willows with me - and here they are. I perhaps took the WORST pictures ever - of these pussy willows. They are in this interesting vase that I made in ceramic class - and any of the pictures that include the vase - are painful. Hard to explain here - but trust me. The pussy willows made it into the vase last night - after spending 24 hours in quarantine - in the white bathtub - so any bugs/ants/ticks - could show themselves and be appropriately dealt with. The pussy willows are now in the living room - where they belong - and may be found - hanging out next Christmas - with little fairy lites - appropriately applied. When I came in the door with them - even Ken - had to touch them - says he hasn't see pussy willows in years. Wild ones - at that!
Yesterday, I was driving South on MacLeod Trail - heading to lunch with my friend Alice - at The Taj Mahal Restaurant. When I got to the intersection of 39th Ave and MacLeod Trail, I stopped at the red light - looked down - and say this little toy delivery van. I managed to snap a picture - that you can see - enhanced slightly - using Microsoft Publisher! I looked for the van on my way back North after lunch - it didn't look like it had made it through the lunch hour!
Yesterday, a friend Jeanne dropped off four new tervis tumblers for the sailboat. Samantha was nosing around the bag today, so we were sure she wanted to get inside the bag. The bag is a little bit of a tight squeeze for the size of Samantha these days - but it is one of the best photos of Samantha - perhaps ever - no red eyes!
I spent the weekend with my friend Barb, at a Women's Retreat. One of the last things that we did - was release helium balloons. It was a nice ending to a nice weekend - and quite a scene - with 25 balloons taking off.
Okay - if I am honest, I am a day behind. This is really yesterday's picture - all the more obvious - when you realize that it is currently snowing - and the lawn in this picture - is covered with snow. Yesteday - Brandon and I were treated to the best bird bath ever. This little robin - not caught in action - was totally all about his bird bath. Yes - you are right - that is the middle size mixing bowl - from the kitchen - which now - may never be able to be back in the kitchen - but - okay - it was worth it - if you could have seen the bath - that we got to see!
Today I went to the Eagle Hill Community First Annual Ladies Day put on my the Eagle Hill Quilting Group - and while I probably do not have the name correct - the day was excellent - even if I hadn't won a marvelous door prize and I hope they made lots of money for their new community center.
This evening right at dinner time, what appeared to be the same mallard, that was in the front yard, brought his lady friend around to check out the real estate. We are not sure if they are moving in permanently - just real interesting to see them walking around and checking things out.
Erika and I went to the movies to see Sunshine Cleaning - quirky - yet just lacking a little something.
Yup. It snowed again. I think if the temperature could only have been a few degrees higher - this would have been rain. It was a cold wind. The lawn ornaments - that got washed yesterday - were not amused.
These bunnies are actually from Victoria - where there is a problem with the bunny population. I found these on a walk on the Lochside Trail with Suzanne. Today was all about a day off from work - and - getting caught up on STUFF. Success.
I forgot to take my camera to the excellent Easter dinner at Anita and Gordon's house - so instead I share a photo of the live lawn ornament, that decorated our front yard two days ago.
For years, I have talked about composting with worms. Talked about it lots. An awful lot. Two weeks ago, I went and got the "stuff" to compost with worms - without the worms. Today, I went to a vermiculture class - and brought home the worms. I vacilate between being completely grossed out - and thinking this is incredibly cool. Having made their home - and fed them coffee - like any great hostess - I am feeling cool - talk to me next week - ahead of feeding.
