In like a lion ...

... out like a lamb. So, the old saying may be true. We started this month with a snow storm and ended with a sunny, relatively warm day (+17 today!). It must have been the other way around with eastern Newfoundland because they are having quite the snowstorm today. It's time I got outside and enjoyed this fine Winnipeg weather.

Morning Routine

Mornings here begin as one might expect. Usually, I wake up in the middle of the night. One of the first things I do is make a cup of coffee on my Kierig and give it a 10 second 'nuke' in the microwave. I like my coffee hot. Then, it's over to the laptop to check what happened since I was last there ... on Facebook, my Flickr page, the weather forecast, on CBC news, and, of course, my email.

Usually, not much has happened in the intervening 4 or 5 hours since I was last there.  If there has been any personal email, I'll probably answer it right away. Then, I turn to Flickriver to run through the 500 latest photos posted there. Some mornings, there are many great images to look at. If someone's photo really interests me, I'll go to their Flickr page and look at others that that person has posted. Once in awhile, I know a certain photo will interest a friend and I'll send an email with the link to it to that person.

Lately, I've been disappointed in Flickriver. The 500 photos are supposed to be the most interesting posted on the previous day. It's not always true. Some days, like this morning, there's an abundance of what I consider poor images. I know literally thousands of images were posted on Flickr in the past 24 hours that were more interesting. But, I continue looking each day because, as I said, some days, there are many really great images selected.

When I've done all this, I'll probably head back to bed, read for a little while, and try to get back to sleep for another hour or two.

Weird Wintry Weather

The prairies are experiencing winter's 'last kick at the cat'.  Rain, sleet, and light snow here in Winterpeg today, with the temperature hovering around the freezing mark.  So far, we've been missed by the heavy snowfall that fell west of us earlier today.

The grass here is greening up.  Lots of green buds on the trees and shrubs but no leaves yet.  It's just as well with this weather.  At least, with this rain, the early perennials will have lots of soil moisture for a good start to their spring growth.

I'm getting the spring urge to check the flower beds daily and to visit my favourite garden centre.  I want to get a few new house plants and some seedling herbs.  My thumb is developing a slight green tinge as I write this.  Maybe, now, I'll go look through some of my seed catalogues and do some day dreaming.

What more can you say?

It's  March. We seem to be alternating between 'good' and 'bad' weather. One day, it's  sweater weather; the next, it's parka weather. It seems we're being teased by Spring. One things for sure: it'll come. I keep watching the buds on my trees and shrubs, hoping Spring will come sooner than later. I'm so looking forward to seeing green again.

Both of us have been fighting a bug that we picked up on our flight home from Panama. Lots of coughing, sneezing, and lethargy. We're looking forward to getting over this bug soon. Fortunately, we have lots of books to read while we recover. The only ones really complaining are our dogs who aren't getting what they consider their necessary daily walks.

Gift Suggestions

Ever wonder what to give someone?  Consider the following:


To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.

Life is Hard

Many of you probably know that, over the years and for various reasons, I've come to hate travel. Not so much being in a new place as in getting there and back. I've been to several countries in Africa and Europe, to Iceland and Greenland, the Caribbean a couple of times, New Zealand, Alaska and most other of the United States, and, of course, to every province and territory in Canada.

It's the waiting to go to the airport, going through security, customs, and immigration, and finally being shoehorned into a seat in an aluminium tube called an air-plane for a long, boring ride. And then, on the way home, reversing the whole process. These days, I'd more happily ride an armchair.

All the places I've been to have proven to be interesting. Some more than others but each one has been a good learning experience. Travel has enriched my life. And my latest travel adventure was more interesting than most.

... the new Westin in Panama ...

... the Gamboa Rainforest Resort

Panama has a wonderful history, including the building of the Panama Canal. Most of the people who live there are very friendly and helpful. Where we stayed (first at a brand new 5-star Westin on the Pacific coast and second at a Rainforest Resort very close to the Canal), the food and drinks were great. Every meal was a varied delight. Special mention has to be made of the delicious fresh fruit. I think I had more fresh fruit over those 7 days than I've had over the the past 7 months, here at home. I never knew pineapple could taste so good.

I was also able to indulge myself in my photography. I took many of the usual touristy shots around the hotel and resort but I also was able to photograph some of the local flora and fauna. Soon, I'll be posting some of my shots of flowers, trees, birds, turtles, monkeys, slothes, and even a few insects to my Flickr page. If you're a friend on my Facebook page, you'll have noticed I've already started to post some images of the places that we stayed.

Panama is a must-see place to go. I'd recommend visiting this wonderful country to anyone.

She Won the Gold

Marg's niece, 15-year-old Sara Holmes, won the Gold Medal today in the 200 m snowshoeing event at the National Winter Games of the Special Olympics (1 minute and 20 seconds!). Her team also won the Silver in the Snowshoe Relay. She is one very happy girl this evening and we are all so proud of her.

This is a shot of one of the snowshoe races at St. Albert, taken from the Special Olympics website (http://www.stalbert2012.ca/en/):

Marching Right Along

Every day, I think, 'I must write a blog post today'. But, obviously, it doesn't happen. Sometimes, I can't think of any subject worth writing about; other times, I'm 'too busy' (read 'I have other priorities'). And, of course, sometimes, I just lose interest in blogging. I suppose that this occasionally happens to even the most dedicated bloggers.

So, now, it's March 3rd. We've just had a bit of a snow storm and now the skies are once again sunny and full of ice crystals. And, it's cold (-14) here in the Peg. I'm sitting at the laptop, wondering when the fellow I hired to clear my driveway after each snow will do his job. I suppose he's both busy and tired, dealing with all his customers. I'm learning patience.

Today, we have to run some more errands, getting ready for our trip to Panama. Yesterday, we got some needed vaccinations and both of us have two sore shoulders. But, prevention of disease is better than dealing with disease. Next, we'll have to start packing our new suitcases.

Deciding what to take and what to leave behind is always a challenge. Typically, like most people, we tend to pack too much. We also have to stock up the larder for our live-in house and dog sitter. Sometimes, I think (actually, I know) it would be easier just to stay home and wait out the cold winter. Soon, it will be spring.

Every day now, I see the photos of other photographers on Flickr. Many shots are now appearing of their spring perennials. This wave of floral excess slowly moves northward from the southern USA. By the time that I post some of my spring flower photos, most viewers will be bored with such shots. It's the price of living in a northern climate. Not that I'd trade places with those southerners. I do love where I live. It makes me think of that old saying 'bloom where you are planted'.