Where is Spring?

Spring has certainly not made its presence obvious here!

Last Sunday I was skiing in driving snow at the top of the mountain and a deluge of rain from midway down to the base.

Over the past week it has snowed one foot at the summit and rained daily down here in the valley. On these last three days of the ski season it does not matter if it snows!

The following is my I look forward to list for the final weekend of skiing:

I look forward to driving up the winding mountain road with my shirtsleeves rolled up, my windows rolled down and the breeze in my hair.

I look forward to skiing in slush and the hot sun.

I look forward to dodging rocks, scree and bare earth where the warm spring weather has exposed the true face of the mountainside.

I look forward to sporting raccoon eyes, a ridiculous-looking tan - the result of wearing sunglasses in the blinding sunlight reflected off the snow.

I look forward to burgers, beer and rock 'n' roll on the deck.

As it is now, a heavy mantle of fresh snow drapes the peaks and the gentle mountain wildflowers are loathe to present their fragile blossoms.

Although it is cloudy, windy and cool, we plan to persevere and make the trek back up the mountain three more times.

...we are still able to accomplish most of the items on the list - but not in the welcome warmth of the spring sun...

SATURDAY APRES SKI

These photos were taken on the deck at our ski resort last Sunday after the ski lifts had closed.

The first pic is of Neil Osborne, lead singer of 54-40, who not only resembles a young Neil Young, but he holds an uncanny resemblance to my ex who, in turn, resembles Neil Young...

I had trouble getting any more photos of the band because the floor was too crowded.
I also wanted to actually watch the show.

The next picture is of Jenny and me waiting for the show to begin.

My little Mona Lisa...

The following posts require reading from the bottom up...

SPRING SKIING ROCKS! or FINDING ANGUS

I spent yesterday afternoon chasing Angus.



There is nothing like an afternoon of skiing in the spring sun complimented by my beloved rock and roll!
When Jenny and I arrived at the base, the rhythmic chants of "Highway to Hell" were calling to us from the DJ's pit, bold and decisive, commanding the tone of the afternoon.


This is why we brave the winter's cold all season!

The temperature was warm and it was oh-so-close-to sunny with only a thin cloud layer.
The snow was what has been dubbed hero snow, where the consistency of the pack is such that it grips the skis so well that any fear of falling is non-existent.
It made me feel close to invincible!

In fact, it was so hot I was able to get my kit off... for all you Brits out there.
Of course, I did not take it all off!
That corn snow can be deadly on exposed skin and a single slip can turn one's arms, legs or belly to instant hamburger.

I had shed my helmet - not good - but it did give me an exhilarating sense of freedom!
My goggles were left in my sports bag - on purpose - so I had the wind in my face behind my sunglasses.
My jacket, a skier's delight, has all the fancy bells and whistles and the sleeves are removable, so I left them in my bag along with my goggles.

Then, of course there was the icing on the cake - la piece de resistance.

The MUSIC!

Ohh, that raw beat echoing throughout the hills...
Unfortunately, the higher up we skied, the less we were able to hear, so the occasional slide back down to the base was essential.

After the lifts had closed, the resort hosted two free live shows in the sun pit outside the main lodge.
The opening act was a very good local quartet from British Columbia called "Shag".
They played mostly tunes from two decades ago, as the theme of the day was the 1980's.
There was lots of big hair and neon being flashed...

The main attraction was the well known Canadian band "54-40", who's lead singer, Neil Osborne, strongly resembles a young Neil Young.
There was standing/dancing room only and the sun pit was very much like a mosh pit.
Jenny and I had the front row for a while and did well at holding our own, until it became far too big and bouncy, and I feared for wee Jenny's safety.
We dodged for cover to the back of the patio where we met up with our friends and had an excellent view of the show.
I can only severely understate the performance by saying it was superb!

It was 8:00 p.m. by the time we arrived home from the hill.
We were tired, hungry and very happy...


I not only found my Angus that day, but I tackled him as well!



*The photo credit goes to Mountain Eye Photography at Panorama Mountain Village.
Coincidentally enough, it is of last year's Sunpit Safari where a local band BC/DC, an AC/DC tribute band, was playing.

MY REAL LOVE

My husband and my children are my real love.
They are my reason and purpose in life.


On symbolic terms, Pete Townshend and Angus Young represent my alter egos.
Pete is my intellectual side that includes introspect, philosophical thinking and creativity.
Angus, on the other hand, is my wilder, fun-loving and cast-it-to-the-wind/devil-may-care perspective.

I also render a nurturing, maternal and compassionate manner upon my family, and my all-encompassing love of animals brings that instinct to the forefront, as well.

All of the above characteristics are strong within me and may cause some conflict at times. Therefore, I believe that balance is of the utmost importance and the ability to use all my "personalities" to create an integrated whole is vital.


My loves - to quote Val - are my joy and my bane...
But - to quote myself - the joy is what I remember!

MY TRUE LOVE...

This is a full view of the sketch I did of Pete a couple of years ago.

MY SECRET CRUSH

Now, ain't he just the cutest thing y'ever did see playing a guitar?

Forgive me - I digress...

He likes to play that Gibson because of the double cutaway -
he says it looks a bit like Devil's horns...

Louse Detail

Blood-sucking parasites!

Well, if that doesn't conjure up images of hostile aliens on the loose...

I just pulled four of them out of my younger daughter's hair this morning.

Hey, these things happen.

It's part of growning up.

It's also part of what we have to deal with as parents, in order to care for our children.

So, away we went...

Line up for the head check!

Poor little Jen was the sole owner of an infested head.

Thank goodness there was only one head out of our five in our household.

But, it was a rather poor substitute for spending the day on the ski hill in the snow and the sun.

I am done going through our hair with a fine tooth comb...

I am also tired of nit-picking...

DALE NEEDS

My daughter just Googled "Dale needs..."

Apparently I need to be recognised by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!!!

Move over Pete Townshend...

ROFL!

WHO IS THAT MASKED MAN?

She's a woman!

And she's me...

This was taken on my birthday where everyone sang Happy Birthday to me in Taynton Bowl.

Yippee!

TAYNTON BOWL

This photo was taken during one of my Chicks on Sticks sessions in February.

It is along the trail that follows the spine of the bowl, where we have to take our skis off and hike. That is me on the left.

The direction we took that day was to drop into the clear area behind us and down.

What a rush!

SUNDAY SPRING SKIING

We are having our coffee before the fire this fine Sunday morning.
The children are still dreaming, nestled in their soft warm beds, but soon they will awake to greet the day.

The night came upon us, crisp and clear, with a million flickering stars set into a moonless sky. This morning has dawned with the promise of warm sun upon the snow.

What an excellent opportunity to take in an afternoon of spring skiing!

I couldn't resist this photo...

At least the arrows are pointed in opposite directions!

JENNY BENNY (or God drives a boom truck...)

Yesterday, my younger daughter, Jenny, arrived home from skiing a few minutes before I got home from work.

She met me at the door, her big blue eyes open wide.
"Mum, I think there's going to be a thunderstorm!", she exclaimed breathlessly.

"Why do you think that?", I responded - puzzled.

"Well", she began, "there was a man in a big truck who came to the door and said that our power might be out for about ten minutes"...

SPRING SONGS

I awoke the other morning to the season's first robins warbling their welcome to daybreak.
For me, that is the true sign of spring.

At this time of year the temperature still dips below freezing at night.
The robins remain hidden until the ground thaws and the worms surface between the tiny new blades of grass.

The geese have launched their V's northward and I can hear their voices as they pass overhead.
Before long, at sunrise and sunset, I will be able to hear the cacophony from a thousand avian throats rising from the reedy lakeshore, posing as bookends to the lengthening days.

As the cool spring breeze creeps through my bedroom window, the sound of the birds' raucous callings will greet my ears as I rest upon my pillow.

I can only imagine that they are celebrating creation and new life!




We live in the Rocky Mountain Trench in an area sometimes known as The Serengeti of the North.
It is a wildlife corridor and wetlands, as well as a migration route and sanctuary for hundreds of species of birds, especially waterfowl.

FULL MOON TONIGHT

In celebration of the current full moon, I have posted this piece of artwork.

After reading the book Moon: The Life and Death of a Rock Legend, I literally felt compelled to do this sketch of Keith.

This was my first attempt at a human portrait.

BETH ROCKS

These two photos are of our teenaged daughter, Beth, when she competed in the British Columbia Provincial Finals Ski and Snowboard Race.
The event was held over three days at our local ski hill.

Beth's high school team came in second in the snowboard division and third overall.
There were sixteen teams from different schools across the province and the competition was tough.

One other item that added to the excitement, was that this race was being held at the same time the Canadians were racking up the medals at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy.

We were very proud when Beth came home with ribbons, prizes and several medals draped about her neck!


By the way, "Beth Rocks" is Beth's blogging name...

I am blogging now and why I am not responsible...

RACHEL MADE ME DO IT!




Ha Ha Ha !

CLIMBING THE WALLS

These photos, taken in July of 2003, are of my two youngest children on the climbing wall at the ski hill.

The top photo is of Jenny and the lower one is of Bobby.

Gotta love my little mountain climbers!

PETE...

This is another one of my favourite photos of Pete.

I want to be the little horsey/giraffe guy...



Pete is noticeably absent from my weekends, now.

I miss visiting his blog and reading a new chapter of his novel every week.
I miss the chat back and forth between the bloggers.
I miss seeing Pete's comments to us.

His blog is quiet now.

It's like walking the halls of school long after the last bell.
...silent echoes and faded voices...


It was a joy, Mr. Townshend...

'twas a joy!

OUT OF THE ATTIC

I am feeling blue because I am unable to watch Rachel, Pete, Mikey and the gang In The Attic.

Firstly, I have to work...
The computer at my workplace is fine on which to watch Towser TV, but when I am there I am otherwise occupied.

Secondly, I am unable to view it on my own computer at home, because I do not have high speed Internet.
Although I do have access to DSL in my area, my computer is old and has too little memory to run all the programs needed.

I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.

So, if anyone reads this, please feel sorry for me...

Just kidding!

I am thankful and consider myself extremely fortunate to be involved with Rachel's and Pete's projects to the extent that I am!