Erwin

We lost someone special on Monday.
He was a friend and colleague of mine for the past seventeen years and our extended families have grown close over that span of time.
Two years ago he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He and his family put up a brave battle and I have grown to admire their tanicity, closeness and ability to live every day to its fullest.
His entire family continues to be an inspiration for me.
Erwin, we miss you.

xo

The Blanket

This is not a happy story, but I feel compelled to write.
Yesterday, on the way home from Jenny's swim meet in Fernie, we came upon a tragic scene. The first thing I noticed was a red SUV nose down in the left ditch. In the next moment, a wave of horror washed over me as I saw a crumpled sheet laying across the centre line of the highway.
I knew instantly that it was not good.
There were people moving about in the ditch by the vehicle and several more on the other side of the road. Passersby had obviously arrived on the scene before us and were aiding those involved. I then recognised the single red crescent shape of a fender lying on the the pavement before detecting the remaining wreckage of a motorcycle several feet away. There were no police nor any rescue vehicles there yet, so it must have happened shortly before we rounded the curve.
We had pulled over onto the shoulder and were stopped as all traffic had come to a halt in the wake of the accident. A gentleman was speaking with the driver of the car in front of us before approaching our window. He asked if we had a blanket he could use. I told him that we did and retrieved my old, weathered car rug from the back of the van. He promptly carried it across the road and wrapped it gently around the shoulders of one of the victims beside the truck in the ditch.
To those unknown strangers who's lives were touched and taken, I wish you Godspeed.

Work in Progress

Wonderments and Theories

Have you ever wondered why it is that we are not permitted to spank our children, yet it is entirely acceptable to drug them?
Sadly enough, my theory is that there is no profit in spankings.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the H1N1 influenza pandemic?
My theory is it was discovered that Tiger Woods had several extramarital affairs.

I've been absent
So busy!
I try to keep up
yet fall farther behind
but remember folks
you are still on my mind!

Brand New

well I've seen clouds...

This song came to me as I looked out the window of my kitchen while preparing supper this evening.

The little peak of white snow in the middle is, what we call, the top of "Jesse's Monster".

It's way round back of Panorama on the far side of Taynton Bowl - a poached run, as it's out of bounds.

the guillotine

and still going

an old friend ...

Red and Me

Bow Valley Riding Club, Canmore, Alberta 1988

The trail to Carrot Creek between Canmore and Banff, Alberta

Carrot Creek Canyon

Carrot Creek trail

Red at home with his buddies, Earl Grey and Pheonix

The best paddock ever at the riding club!

lac des trois freres - circa 1957

It is here I learned:

That a bee will sting if provoked.
That a garter snake sunning itself on rock is harmless.
That if I hide beneath the warm, green beach towel I can enjoy the soothing rock of the rowboat with Dad's every pull of the oars.
That a dragonfly and a blue bottle are of different species.
That mountain climbing does not involve crawling on hands and knees on top of the trees while silhouetted against the sky.
That one can have a picnic no matter what the weather.
That on a hot day the heat will permeate the carpet of pine needles that cushions my feet and will rise again to greet me with a warm, sweet aroma unmatched by any other.
That newly-mown dry grass is pokey on little bare feet.

That the buzz of cicadas heralds a sultry day and no matter how far and wide I search, I will never find that chainsaw bug.
That at nap time I can study the worn blinds darkening my window and imagine its pinprick holes are bright stars in a night sky.
That the inside of a canvas army surplus tent is hot in the sun.
That ice blocks won't melt when packed in sawdust during the wagon's delivery to replenish the ice-box.
That draught horses are big - and have poops to match.
That when helping Mum with the laundry I must never stick my hand in the ringer washer.
That Mad magazines are for reading in the hootnanny - but not for too long, as the smell will take over.
That the cuckoo bird in the clock behind the heavy log front door does not want to eat me.
That lightning comes in all shapes and sizes.
That a baby brother, who is still only at the crawling stage, is a good companion when exploring the outdoors.
That valuable flashlight batteries have a habit of rolling out of reach beneath the couch.
That fire can keep us warm as well as fed.
That even when I sleep in my parent's soft, downy bed I can still have unspeakable nightmares.
That I will never learn the secret of Stripe toothpaste.
That Pocahontas is always watching over me.
That a beautiful garden can be an overgrown riot of colour spilling out of control down the hillside.
That I can actually catch a fish with a stout stick, a piece of string and a bent pin.
That I have to be careful when stepping from the dock into the canoe.
That bushes can grow in the water.
That upon waking in the top bunk to not to sit up too quickly.
That my favourite portion of bacon is the rind.
That a potty in the bedroom at night is very handy and helps to avoid midnight treks down the dark path to the hootnanny.
That birds of all sorts will appear once the feeder has been refilled.
That my favourite flower is the tiger lily and geraniums smell funny.
That good neighbours come with a candy bowl.
That the comfiest chairs are the ones with the most pillows.
That woodpeckers can be quite annoying, especially when hammering for breakfast on the tin stovepipe.
That the cellar behind the old double doors is a fascinating and different world with its pleasant earthen aura.
That humming birds can fly backwards and up and down.
That on a misty morning when I skip a flat stone across the smooth surface of the lake the ripples will radiate forever.

Memories are what make up a lifetime...

Dancing Tree

Fire and Ice

This pic was caught about ten minutes before the top photo was snapped. It is a view of the left sundog from above - the ice crystal layer was about half way down the mountain.

No fancy camera - I just pointed and shooted...

Hot Sultry Smoky

If you're looking for me ...

A Good Morning to All

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow...
I know, those words have been used before, but dawn today was beautiful and it put me in mind of the Christmas poem by Clement Clarke Moore - the words, dashing and dancing through my head, as I trudged through the snow with a pair of skis slung over my shoulder. Jenny is riding the mountain with her Grade Seven class this week and she needed help carrying her equipment to school - a miniature sleigh would have definitely come in handy.
The temperature dipped to minus twenty through the night - it was clear and the air had a particular zing to it. The sun was still well beneath the horizon and a bright half-moon hung high in the sky, giving a luster of daylight to the mountains below.
Tucker frolicked along with us in the waxing daybreak, running ahead and bounding back, only to dash away once more.

In the nearby woods, the deer watched with their soft, brown eyes - until they spied Tucker. Immediately, there arose a large clatter, and I could sense the prancing and pawing of each tiny hoof as the shy creatures took flight through the trees.
The cold air was refreshing and I was loathe to go indoors when I arrived home. So, I shoveled the rest of the snow from the drive before coming inside to stoke the fire and watch the woodsmoke rise up the chimney.

Earthenware

It is a difficult thing
to break the mould,
And all the while
remain intact.

Intent

Poetry clings to me
I must set it free

2010

I will look forward with the innocence of a child, bringing with me the wisdom of the past.

Happy New Year!

I would like to wish all my dear blogger friends the very best for the coming new year.
We will be spending this evening quietly by the hearth with family, as we celebrate the past and look forward to the future.
No pomp, no parade.
We will greet 2010 with gentleness, care and due respect for what Time has to offer.
May this year bring everyone the profound Joy that is gained through the calmness of Wisdom.

xx