The Goat's Lunch Pail

Enjoy The Day

2012-01-18T16:13:00.000-07:00

Athabasca Lookout, Sandhills, overlooking Horseshoe Bend

Come on over. Rest a while. The view is good. The weather's fine. Enjoy the day.

Gone With The Hard Drive

2012-01-17T03:08:00.001-07:00


Ruins yield treasures.

I dug out the hard copy of a manuscript yesterday. I had no choice as I'd only backed up half of it and the hard drive it was on is ruined. How it got physically damaged is a mystery. It will stay that way.

It may turn out to be a blessing in that I have to retype the story.

Retyping leads to rewriting.

Said manuscript had lain dormant for several months. It had gone to a beta reader whose taste and opinion I trust.

Beta advised. Beta is right. Betas words are gone with the hard drive, but I recall the gist and it is on a closed loop in my mind as I write.

Writing feels good. Rewriting does, too, because I am re-imagining. It's similar to starting from scratch, but with a good well of ideas from which to draw.

Yesterday's output was a few hundred words, but it included shuffling of chapters, perking up of dialogue, scene punching, all manner of good stuff that happens in the first excited blush of creation.

I'm still waiting to hear back on a manuscript I've submitted to agents and publishers. This will keep my mind occupied while I wait.

***

The photo is part of the house my granddad built. I live there the first year of my life.

Gratitude Monday--Meeting the Challenge

2012-01-16T03:15:00.007-07:00

There's always something to be grateful for, even when it doesn't seem so on the surface.

Last Monday afternoon the hard drive went on the computer. Nothing could be saved.

Much was lost as I had gotten sloppy with back ups over the years. The emails are gone, my recipe file, some general work.

And many, many pictures.

But I'd copied all our big trip photos, South America, Cuba, Egypt to either a flash drive or disk. In some cases, both. They're okay. Various other photos including my visit to my home hamlet, Fort Assiniboine, and our visit to Kootenay Lake B.C. were on Facebook. Those I copied back one image at a time to my computer and backed up. We still had some photos on our memory cards, too, so we've got those back and backed up.

My manuscripts were on diskettes with one exception. I've only got half of one of them. But, I also have all my manuscripts in hard copy. I can re-type the missing portion. It needed rewriting anyway. This is my excuse to start from scratch and not be tempted, out of sheer laziness, to think a passage is good when it could be better.

We've got a bigger, faster, and ultimately cleaner hard drive. My zeal to back up work is renewed. I will probably get an external hard drive for storage fairly soon.

I am grateful I'd backed up what I did. It appears I have most photos up to summer of 2008. I am happy my manuscripts are in hard copy and that the missing portion can be easily rebuilt. All it will take is time and a bracing cup of tea now and again. Time I have.

This is an annoyance of the first water, but that's all it is, an annoyance, and for that I am grateful.


No point being a bear about it.

Photo-Finish Friday -- Fort Assiniboine

2012-01-13T01:46:00.002-07:00

Here's an overview of my home hamlet, Fort Assiniboine.

Gratitude Monday -- Gratitudinal

2012-01-09T03:02:00.003-07:00

I've been getting shed of things I don't need. I found the following amongst some old writings of mine. I used to write quite often to the Universe and its assorted denizens. On occasion one would write back.
I suspect this is from one of those times.
#
That which must be...is.
That which is meant to be...is.
That which comes to pass...has been.
That which is willed...will be.
That which is desired...becomes.
That which we believe it to be...is.
We become what we believe.
We are who we believe we are.
We become what we think.
We are what we believe of ourselves.
That which is...is.
We believe that which we perceive ourselves to be.
What we think we are... we are.
We are all we can be. It is inside. When we believe this we are it.
That which we believe to be ... is.
#
I believe in gratitude, therefore there is always something for which to be grateful.

Do you?

Winter 2012

2012-01-08T07:01:00.000-07:00


Crimson Lake, Ab.

It's supposed to be winter.
Frankly, I'm a little disappointed.

Photo-Finish Friday -- Pretty Birds

2012-01-06T06:43:00.000-07:00

A pair of Trogons in a tree.
We came upon them at the crest of a very steep hill on a walk in Cuba two years ago.
The Trogon is the national bird of Cuba.

Gratitude Monday -- A New Year

2012-01-01T17:10:00.000-07:00

Sunrise near Abu Simbel

The year is new and fresh and, to paraphrase Anne Shirley, has no mistakes in it.
It's a Leap Year, too, so we have an extra day to enjoy, make mistakes and learn from them, rise out of bed, put one foot in front of the other, and get after it.
I am grateful for another year. Anything can happen.
The very best of 2012 to all of you.

Photo -Finish Friday -- Strolling Down the Avenue

2011-12-30T05:58:00.000-07:00

The Avenue of Sphinxes, Luxor, Egypt.

Gratitude Monday -Just Ducky

2011-12-26T02:52:00.010-07:00

We had roasted duck for Christmas Eve Dinner. I poured on pear schnaps near the end of the roasting and it worked out well. For that I am grateful.
I thought pizza would be a good home for the leftovers.
This is duck and portobello mushroom. I used duck fat in the dough and lightly sauteed the mushrooms in the fat before throwing them on the pizza.
I am glad it worked.

It required a counterflavour so I took some of the cranberry sauce I served with the roasted duck and added chipotle.
It worked and for that I am grateful.

We ate this Christmas Night with Greek salad to start and blueberry pie to end. Mike, after the salad course, said, "It's the perfect meal. Bunny food followed by different kinds of pie."

Photo-Finish Friday --Summer at the End of the World

2011-12-23T03:31:00.005-07:00

January 2009 off the south coast of Argentina.
Winter is cold here, but the summer there has a bite to it.

Winter Solstice Eve

2011-12-21T17:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome the light.

Good Yule, everyone.

Gratitude Monday --Quiet

2011-12-19T02:31:00.004-07:00

A quiet street on a quiet afternoon in a quiet town.

Silence takes a beating these days with everyone busy and believing they must be connected and texting, talking, or playing games.
In the constant communication of our too-wired wireless world we no longer hear ourselves think.
I like silence.
I like my own thoughts. Being out of communication when I am away from my hard line phone and computer is comforting, not terrifying.
Quiet is good, and for it I am grateful.

Photo -Finish Friday-- South American Cowboy and Tourist

2011-12-16T03:02:00.009-07:00


On an Uruguayan Ranch

Here's a proper Uruguayan gaucho pulling a cowhide.
We spent an afternoon about three years ago on a Uruguayan ranch enjoying the food, wine, beer, atmosphere, show, and various activities.
Riding a cow carpet pulled by a gaucho was one of most fun things I've ever done.
If you look behind the horse you'll see the cowhide carpet and my husband enjoying the ride.

Another Day To Celebrate

2011-12-14T08:06:00.000-07:00

Today marks the anniversary of this bit of nonsense back in 2007.

I was near death from heart failure. It is unusual for a woman in her late forties to suffer from this, but unusual is a common way to describe me.
I've recovered nicely.
In fact, I convinced my doctor to let me cut down on beta blockers last spring.
This is good for a variety of reasons including, but not restricted to, I can now get reasonably riled when some entitled driver bristling with self-esteem parks in front of my driveway. I haven't had to have anyone towed yet, but I am looking forward to it.
We like to celebrate Dec. 14.
Regrettably, Mike has been called away to work and will be leaving tonight. The celebration will have to be held some other day.
This does not matter.
The important thing is the reminder that life can get away from you when you're not looking. It's best to stop and look around and enjoy what you've got.
Oh, and embrace life for what it has to offer. If it scares you, do it.

Mike took this pic of me last January in Egypt with a scorpion on my hat. Once you've given death a right good ass-kicking fear plays much less of a role in life.

Gratitude Monday -- Bread Forgives

2011-12-12T06:15:00.000-07:00

The Unnamed Loaf

I made a hybrid loaf of festive bread yesterday.
It turned out reasonably well.
It's a mad mixture of Stollen, Panettone, and Kulich plus I threw in a few other things for good measure, including a wee glug of brandy.
The flours are barley, kamut, and coconut so I followed the instructions for the gluten-free Kulich.
It has almond slices and dried cranberries, cherries, pineapple, papaya, and apricot plus candied lemon, orange, and lime peel.
Although I had a few recipes in front of me it is mostly a creature of my whim.
It is tasty enough and it rose as well as any gluten deprived loaf.
Bread, once one has an idea of the rules, puts up with a lot.
Bread forgives, and for that I am grateful.

Photo-Finish Friday -- Port Stanley

2011-12-09T01:07:00.002-07:00

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.

Roasted Chicory Root Coffee Substitute

2011-12-07T06:59:00.002-07:00

Let's be clear. There is no real substitute for coffee. The best we can hope for is something reasonably similar to adjust to if needed.
Fortunately, chicory root comes close. I rather like it. I've grown it. I've been roasting it myself for 15 years or so and usually have some around. I hadn't had a cup in a few years, but the other day when I found we still had plenty in stock from my husband's garden it got me thinking about it. Since then I've raided the cupboard a few times until I found I was low on it.
This morning I roasted another batch.
Below is what it looks like as ground, dried chicory root. It is a very moist root. I've discovered over the years it is best to dehydrate it and then roast it.

If you've more patience than me, you can skip the dehydration step, but you'll have to watch the roasting very closely.

Here's the midway point. I did it at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes. I stirred it every 10 minutes. I cannot recommend using a higher temperature. The root is very finicky. I did it at 375 once. The stuff around the edges gave me a very dark roast.

Done and cooling.

Chicory root can be steeped like tea or made in a coffee maker. I've even made Greek-style coffee with it.
The above is medium roast.

Gratitude Monday -- Jerusalem Artichoke Edition

2011-12-05T02:24:00.032-07:00

Stemware was a feature of the gifts for my most recent birthday. Champagne flutes and liqueur glasses to be be precise. They're wonderful. I appreciate them. But it left me with the problem of where to store them as the cabinets where they should go were full.

Husband suggested the unthinkable: throw something out.

He had a valid point. Most of the cabinets and shelving in the kitchen are devoted to a wide variety of herbs in various forms. Most of these were what he grew in his garden back when he ran a health food store. Some got sold, portions were used, most were stored and forgotten.
I went through the jars and buckets and found much to be tossed and not without regret. Marshmallow root is a good gluten substitute, I discovered. I also discovered it wasn't for me.
I tossed out old gum weed and sage and horehound and hyssop. I could not part with many foundlings including some yarrow and labrador tea and licorice root.
Others were saved, many were tossed, and one treasure was found. We have Jerusalem artichoke both dried and powdered to flour.
I'd forgotten about it. It was still good and I decided it must be put to good use. A quick hunt around the IntraChoobs told me it could be used as potato starch (one of its nicknames is the Canadian Potato) and up to 1/4 cup could be used in baking.
This stuff works really well. I added it to the gluten-free flour mixture I use for rice bread swapping out the half-cup of potato starch for 1/4 cup each Jerusalem artichoke and potato starch.
It has an earthy, musty, nutty flavour that I found appealing and said loaf didn't fall as much as it commonly does.
I am grateful we have this in the house. I am grateful my husband grew them and I am grateful it goes so well in baking.
Here's a pizza with a crust that included Jerusalem artichoke flour. It's tasty and fluffy and we couldn't taste the musty, nutty, earthy flavour in it at all.

Gluten-free and cow dairy-free.

Photo-Finish Friday -- San Juan Hill

2011-12-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

A park on San Juan Hill, Cuba, to commemorate the famous battle of the Spanish-American War.

My Rocky Mountain House Anniversary

2011-11-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

The Bighorn Highway in autumn.

Today marks 23 years since I moved to Rocky Mountain House.
I moved here for work. It was a good move as I met my husband here and stayed.
Every place has its faults. We can spend all day complaining about what is wrong, or we can flip it over and tickle its tummy. When we do that we realize something important that we may not have considered earlier.
For all the bad things people can say about where they live it must be noted that we are where we are due to our choices.
I made good choices.

Gratitude Monday -- Feeding Myself

2011-11-28T03:17:00.007-07:00

I am thankful that I can cook.
Husband has been away since last Monday morning and that means I've only me to cook for. It also means cleaning up afterward is by only me.
It would be easy to slack off and eat nothing but cereal, or get a pizza, or other such fast food.
But what is the point?I have the skill to prepare food, the food to do it with, and the knowledge that what I cook is considerably better for me than anything I could get commercially prepared.
Commercial food has it's place. I enjoy it on occasion and when it comes to going out to dinner I rarely say no.
But I'd rather make my own and I am grateful that I have this skill.

Photo-Finish Friday--Discarded Tourist Attraction

2011-11-25T01:28:00.003-07:00

This is an unfinished obelisk. A great deal of work was done on it a long time ago.
It was left in the quarry after a flaw was discovered.
It's rose granite, and even incomplete it is magnificent.

Gratitude Monday -- Nature's Perfect Snack

2011-11-21T02:32:00.005-07:00

Carrots.
Crunchy. Sweet.
They help me write.
Thank you.

Photo -Finish Friday -- Edfu

2011-11-17T16:52:00.000-07:00

Relief carving on the Temple of Horus at Edfu with pussycat.

My Friday Post

2011-11-16T06:11:00.001-07:00

Earned me this.

But the credit really goes to my great-uncle.
Said post is here.
Please have a look.
My thanks to Hilary for the honour.

Gratitude Monday --In The Game

2011-11-14T02:53:00.004-07:00

The Edmonton Eskimos are on their way to the Western Final.
They beat The Stampeders yesterday to earn the berth.
The Eskimos haven't been in a playoff game in years.
Whatever else happens, I am grateful that
a)they made it to the quarter-final
b)they won the quarter-final
c)the reign of error of former coach Danny Maciocia is over. He's probably a fine human being, but he was in over his head as a CFL coach.

Go Esks!

Photo- Finish Friday -- Remembering In His Own Words

2011-11-11T04:11:00.004-07:00

This is my great-uncle's diary. I found it amongst other items belonging to my parents.
I scanned a few pages to give readers an idea of what it was like for an ordinary soldier in the Great War.
I'll let his words form the pictures for you.

Thank you.

An Eternal Now in the Flow of Time

2011-11-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

I found this photo the other day while looking for a different photo. I'd forgotten I had it and was tickled silly to see it again.
It appears to be a wedding photo of my Aunt Dorothy, seated, and her three sisters.
No year is indicated on it and neither is the event. I'm making an assumption based on clues in the picture.
I decided to share it with you because it is a wonderful picture capturing a happy moment in a life.
In fact, I suggest it is a happy moment in all four lives.
We all need to see those from time to time as reminders that life ebbs and flows. We need reminders of the flows to help us through the ebbs.
This moment is and always will be current because all who were there remember, and any who see it may feel the joy of a moment that while passed, is eternal.
#
Back row from left Pauline (my mother) Myrtle, and Gladys.

FATE Accompli

2011-11-07T05:30:00.000-07:00

Way back in the mid-1960s we had FATE Magazine in the house. It features the paranormal, the odd, the stuff that mainstream won't touch, and I found it fascinating. A few of the stories back then stuck with me to the point I still see a man in a fedora with blazing red eyes from time to time.
The magazine has a few departments including one where readers can submit their stories of ghostly encounters called "My Proof of Survival."
When I was eight or so I decided I'd be published in FATE and had in my mind it likely would be one of the standing columns.
In 2009 I submitted to the magazine, jumped through its hoops, and waited. And waited. And waited some more.
Issues come out bi-monthly making the wait that much longer. Contributors are advised they will not be told beforehand when their story is to run. All I could do was wait for the cheque and my contributor copy.
I'm patient. I know things take time. I take beta blockers so it takes more than a bit to rile me.
Two years passed. Nothing. I cut my beta blocker dosage. I contacted the magazine in June 2011, but got no response. I take some responsibility for that as I used the main email with no contact person's name. Those are easy to discard.
I stewed a bit then tried again in October after digging out the name of the editor I'd dealt with originally. I asked were they planning to run it and if not to give me back my rights to it.
Response was quick. My story had run in the July-August 2009.
To their credit they made good quickly. I received the contributor's copy and my cheque last Thursday.
It is regrettable I had to give them a nudge, but it is taken care of and I am grateful.
A goal I set 45 years ago has been met.

Photo-Finish Friday -- Athabasca Glacier

2011-11-04T03:51:00.001-06:00

Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Icefields, along the Jasper-Banff Highway.

Like Real Pizza, but Gluten and Dairy Free

2011-11-02T07:42:00.001-06:00

Shrimp and 'Shroomie Pizza

I discovered a recipe for gluten-free pizza crust that's so good it may have turned me forever.
It's made from rice flour with tapioca and potato starch and it tastes similar enough to white flour to pass.
It's from Bette Hagman's book More from the Gluten-Free Gourmet (Henry Holt, 1990). The recipe is actually for lactose and soy free crumpets.
The instructions for adapting it including spreading the dough on a pizza tin or the like and letting it rise for only 10 minutes. How easy is that?
Hagman has proper pizza crust recipes in a different cookbook, but I don't own it so I went with this one.
The first time I tried it I poured the dough--it's cake batter consistency--into pie plates and make three individual crusts.
It worked well.

Yesterday I decided to try a full-sized crust. This took a bit of thinking as the pizza pan I use has holes in it. It makes for a lovely crust, but batter would pour through. I set down wax paper on it and it worked fine.
It's supposed to be covered as it rises, but I
A) don't have anything large enough
b)couldn't come up with a solution
c)decided to see what would happen if I didn't
It was fine.
What I did:
I baked the crust for 15 minutes, let it cool, and then froze it. I was still debating whether to have pizza or not last night. Freezing it gave me time to think.
Commercial rice flour crusts tend to be smaller than what I made, and they tend to be sweet. Most commercial rice flour goodies be they bagels or crumpets lean to the sweet side and it's kind of off-putting.
This crust wasn't although I have to confess I likely used a bit less sugar than was called for. I'm not into careful measuring.
The point is, it worked well.
I'm gluten intolerant, not celiac, so I have the option of using flours like spelt and rye and kamut in my baking.
I can even have commercial pizza now and again.
But this crust was so good that it may have turned me forever.
For the record, the toppings were mushroom, shrimp, pineapple, onion, and green pepper, and soy cheese making it dairy-free as well.
Husband was so taken with it he thought he may want pizza every night unto eternity.
The crust is good enough to warrant it.

Gratitude Monday -- Halloween Edition

2011-10-31T03:33:00.001-06:00

It's Halloween.

I'm grateful for a great deal of things today including the opportunity to post this picture I shot of the moon and the societal directive to eat candy.
Why fight it?

Happy All Hallows Even everyone.

Photo-Finish Friday -- Life Along the Nile

2011-10-28T04:00:00.003-06:00

A typical scene we saw as we floated along the Nile.

Gratitude Monday--Grateful for Monday

2011-10-24T06:36:00.000-06:00

It's Monday again. That poor day is the source of myriad complaints throughout this land and others where it marks the start of the work week.
Get over it.
Harsh, maybe, but you are here, awake, reading, and therefore you are alive. Any day you're alive is another day to be enjoyed whether you like it or not. You can choose to complain, whine, moan, and generally live in the dark, or you can see the day for what it is: a chance to enjoy life, even a little thing about it, or change what you don't like.
I say there's something good in every day, even if that good is only the basic fact that I am here and can do something about my circumstances.
At the very least, flip things over. Instead of whining about something find something in your life that you are happy about. Even a simple thing like having a cup of coffee you can call your own.
Seriously, stop whinging and start thanking.
I can complain as well as anyone. In fact, it feels good sometimes. But if it's all you do, then it's all you'll find in your life to do and frankly, it's annoying as hell.
It's Monday, a new day in a new work week, be it literally or psychologically.
Say thanks and get on with it.
Does this sound harsh?
Good.
Because sometimes that's what it takes.
Happy Monday. I am grateful that you are here and that you read the above.
And yes, I do see the irony in complaining about complaining and I'm grateful that I do.

Photo-Finish Friday -- The Moon and the Mountainside

2011-10-21T01:02:00.006-06:00

The moon in the daytime against the mountainside offers an otherworldly cast to this scene found along the Jasper-Banff Highway.

Who's Feeling Seussesque?

2011-10-19T15:03:00.000-06:00

We found this lively character along the Jasper-Banff Highway during our Sunday drive.
By day it's a mountain dryad, probably a yellow one.
It looks like something Seussian which makes me wonder what it gets up to when no one's around.

Gratitude Monday -- Icefields Parkway Edition

2011-10-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

Yesterday Mike and I went for a drive north on the Columbia Icefields Parkway (aka the Jasper-Banff Highway) to Jasper. It's about four hours of steady driving, but few drive that highway without stopping.
Being off-season, there was hardly any traffic. This makes it easier to stop for scenic views.
The only wildlife we saw were a few whiskey jacks (gray jays) but that's fine. It's their off-season, too.
We had lunch in Jasper, walked a bit, went to the rock and jade store and came out both richer and poorer, and made our way home.
I am grateful for the day, for being within driving distance of Jasper, of being two hours away from the Banff Park Boundary and the parkway, and I am grateful for the time spent with my husband.

Photo - Finish Friday -- Around the Bend

2011-10-14T01:36:00.001-06:00

Who's coming with me around the bend?

Gratitude Monday -- How It Started

2011-10-10T02:37:00.005-06:00

I got the idea for Gratitude Monday after I did this post back in 2007. I'm repeating it here because it's October 10 and Thanksgiving again.

Lopsided Louie, our utility grade turkey, had one leg on one side and part of a wing on the other. It didn't stop him from being tasty. Above, Louie shows off his one good leg before dinner.

Thinking about this day and how I was behind the Iron Curtain-- briefly and at an airport-- set me on the course for being grateful for what I've got here every Monday.
Let the record show, I don't restrict gratitude to one day a week. I restrict talking about it publicly on my blog to one day a week.
I don't think I noted it in this post, but I am also grateful to have been in an Iron Curtain country though being at an airport isn't even an appetizer.
Without further ado:

It’s Thanksgiving Day in Canada today. I’ve got many things for which to be thankful, roof over my head, safe food and water, friends, love, something to do (writing) that makes me want to get out of bed each day.

Generally, most of us would agree that we’ve got a lot to be grateful for.
For example, if you’re reading this, then you are educated enough to be able to read, you know how to use a computer, and you have access to one right now.
If you can’t think of anything else to be happy about today at least you can chew on those three points with your turkey.

Those points, like so many others, really don’t take a lot of thought to list, merely a slight twist in perspective. So how about a big twist in perspective?

I’m grateful to live in a country where it’s okay to talk to strangers.
Granted, it may not always be safe, but at least you can’t get arrested for it.

That wasn’t the case in Bulgaria. Back in 1983 I was flying between Greece and Italy on the cheapest flight available, Balkan Bulgarian Airlines. The flight was Monday, October 10, and it included an eight-hour layover at the airport in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The in transit area of the airport had seating, washrooms, food, and a free English-language magazine. I still have it some place, I think. The lead story was about the Young Journalists and they came off sounding rather feisty. Another story was about a National who’d been charged in connection with the attempted assassination of the Pope two years earlier.
“A Bulgarian trying to kill the Pope!” scoffed the story. It turned out the magazine was correct to scoff.

Some information I found somewhere in the airport said travelers could take a bus into the city. I considered it, thinking, as a naïve traveler, that if I got lost I could just ask a local how to get back to the airport. I might have to do it by gestures, but it could be done.

But I stayed at the airport. I read, gazed at some mountains (if you add the appropriate vegetation it looks just like the scenery out of Honolulu airport), drank a cup of coffee that held the record as worst cup ever for four stellar years, and marveled at the fact that I was behind the Iron Curtain on Thanksgiving.

I was quite grateful to be Canadian. I was also very grateful to have some different currencies on me as the concession didn’t accept the Drachma.
And I was especially grateful that I stayed at the airport as I found out later that ordinary Bulgarians were not allowed to talk to Internationals.
Had I gone out and gotten lost I might have had quite the adventure.

How about you? What interesting or unusual thing are you thankful for today?

Happy Thanksgiving.
***
Things have changed so much. The Iron Curtain is gone. So is the Drachma. Today I am all the more grateful for having had the experience.

Photo-Finish Friday -- Serving Two Masters

2011-10-07T03:17:00.001-06:00

Kom Ombo is the only temple in Egypt dedicated to two gods.
Above, this side honors the crocodile headed Sobek. Crocodiles were once housed in the temple.
The other side of the temple is dedicated to Horus the Elder.

Gratitude Monday - Helping Friends

2011-10-03T01:52:00.003-06:00

Yesterday one of my husband's friends came by and winterized our RPOD for us.
My husband is away working. He'll be home briefly on Friday to take said RPOD in for a safety recall to put some lights on it. It'll stay at the shop for a week or two until he can get back in to Red Deer to collect it.
I did what I could to the trailer, but I have neither the physical strength nor the right wrench to open the hot water valve, and neither do I know how to pump anti-freeze through the pipes.
The friend stopped by and took care of it in about 10 minutes. I watched, I fetched, I tried to learn, and I am very grateful.

Photo-Finish Friday-- The Road to Autumn

2011-09-30T03:13:00.006-06:00

Fall comes to the West Country.

Two Sentence Tuesday -- Read A Banned Book

2011-09-27T03:15:00.019-06:00

It's Banned Books Week. Get subversive and read something they don't want you to.
On the whole I've been pretty lucky. I've read many of the books on the classics list and haven't had to deal with a banned book as such.
However, my one run- in with wanting to read a book that I couldn't happened when I was nine years old and I have no intention of getting over it. It galled me then, it galls me now. Until I find the book in question I will continue to be galled. And if I ever do find it and read it, I will remain galled that it was held from me.
Here's what happened:

We were on our way back from visiting family out in BC. My mom's brother, Rusty, had the most amazing collection of novels ever, the bulk of which were sci fi from the 1940s. We were given some to take home though I recall only two now. My sister and I could chose between these two for something to read on the way home. I don't normally read in the car, especially while going through the mountains, but I chose.
The books were a double novel Our Man in Space by Bruce W. Ronald and Ultimatum in 2050 A.D. by Jack Sharkey (Ace Books, 1965) and the single novel The Parasite.
I went with the double novel.
My sister started to read, or maybe even read all of The Parasite and it scared the living daylights out of her. She handed the book back to our mom and said, in near hysterics, that I was not to be allowed to read it. I don't recall her exact words now, but I know I didn't like them.
Did I fuss? Not that I recall. I may have put up a token argument, but there was no point to wasting energy. I knew I could find the book when we got home.
I never saw it again.
I have no recollection of asking either though I am sure I did.
A few months later a radio play or the like came on. A man's voice said something to his doctor about a thing growing on his shoulder.
My sister freaked and said, "That's The Parasite. I know it."
Okay, I thought, I finally get to know what the fuss was about.
Instead, my sister, in near hysterics, insisted it had to be turned off.
I've tried to find it by internet search, but all I have is a title. It's not alone.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has a story with this name. I have his complete Sherlock Holmes, but not his complete works.
If not this, then it is likely something from the grand science fiction era of the 1940s. I don't think I dare ask my sister as I fear she will be rendered hysterical at the mere mention, and has likely long forgotten the author's name.
#
In honor of banned and challenged books here are two sentences from a once-banned book:
"She took off her hat, and shook her hair. He sat down, taking off his shoes and gaiters, and undoing his cord breeches."
-Lady Chatterley's Lover by D. H. Lawrence (Signet 1959)
#
I'm still working on two stories, usually on alternate days. So far this is working for me.
From The Font:
" 'No.' Brundel tried to close her mind to it. Such use of power was forbidden."
#
Thanks for being here. For more please see the Women of Mystery.
And if you have the time, read a banned book or five.

Gratitude Monday --This

2011-09-26T01:46:00.001-06:00

I am thankful I can drive a few minutes and see this.

Photo-Finish Friday --A Night Scene

2011-09-23T03:57:00.008-06:00

In Egypt we went to Kom Ombo to visit a temple. When we walked up to it we had a chance to turn around and see what was happening below.
This plaza is geared for the tourist crowds. The photo makes it look emptier than it was.

Gratitude Monday -- Winding Down

2011-09-19T02:12:00.002-06:00

Summer is winding down. Yesterday morning the air had a bite to it and the grass beneath my feet was crisp.
I am grateful for the change of seasons for a variety of reasons, but the main reason is it helps me to appreciate the season as we have it.
Each season has its beauty.
Summer, for instance, had this:

Photo-Finish Friday -- Summer in Full Flower

2011-09-16T01:27:00.003-06:00

Giant Hyssop

With Autumn so near I thought this would be a good time to remember summer in full flower.
This Giant Hyssop is from our front yard.
Perhaps it's because I'm a Star Trek fan, but it reminds me of the Gorn from the Arena episode.

Two Sentence Tuesday--A Bit More Than Two

2011-09-12T17:50:00.000-06:00

I'm still working on two separate manuscripts. Perhaps one day soon I'll devote my energy to one while the other rests, but for now two works.
My husband has been away for two weeks so I do the bulk of my writing at night. He'll be back in a few days, rumour has it, so my rhythms will probably change. Until that day I will continue working after dark.
Last week I put in an excerpt from The Font. This week it's The Reluctant Psychopomp. Said soul guide has arrived to the death scene early and watches as her new client arrives:

" 'Oh, there's Mavis.' She turned and started a determined walk toward the door just as the clown was coming over to get a glass of something purple.

She wasn't watching. Bungles wasn't watching. She tripped over one of Bungles' huge shoes and struck her head on the cement floor of the arena."

#
I finished Lolita the other day. I hated to turn the last page because it meant Nabokov's delicious writing would end.
Here are two from Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita, (Berkley Books, 1981):
'An invisible hag's claw slammed down an upper floor window.
In our hallway, ablaze with welcoming light,my Lolita peeled off her sweater, shook her gemmed hair, stretched towards me her two bare arms, raised one knee:
'Carry me upstairs, please. I feel sort of romantic to-night.' "
#
Thank you for your time. For more or to get in on the fun, please see the Women of Mystery.

Gratitude Monday -- Pizza By Phone Edition

2011-09-12T01:17:00.003-06:00

I like delivery pizza. It's quick, easy as all get out, tasty, and fun.
Clean up after delivery pizza is also quick and easy.
We had a stretch of gloriously warm weather here last week. I didn't feel like cooking most days and neither did I have to. My husband has been working out of town the past two weeks. I am left to my own devices.

A homemade deep-dish pizza that husband and I made. He wasn't home and I wanted pizza. What choice did I have?

Yes, I can cook. Yes, I do cook. I even make cupcakes last week with the chocolate that my poor husband can't eat.
But one day I wanted pizza and it was too gloriously hot to make it from scratch. I checked a few of the local places out and decided that I'd have Panago*. I have wheat and dairy intolerances and I have really good luck with that company.
I had them make me a thin crust multigrain with goat cheese, spinach, and grilled veggies. In a moment of uncompromising self-sufficiency I drove over and got it myself.
It was so tasty that it is all I want to eat now. I almost got another one yesterday.
Thank you pizza and inventors of same, and Panago for being so easy on my food issues.

* I don't work for Panago. No one paid me to say anything good about the company.

Photo-Finish Friday -- The Lonely Fence Post

2011-09-09T01:50:00.002-06:00

This lonely scene is in the Falkland Islands.
The post has one end of a boundary marker on it to keep the tourists away from the penguins.

They've Lived Long and Prospered

2011-09-08T07:49:00.000-06:00

William Shatner at ComicCon in Calgary, June 2011

Leonard Nimoy in Vulcan, Alberta, April 2010

Star Trek premiered 45 years ago today, September 8, 1966.
It's my favourite show ever, and it was more real to me then than anything I ever saw on the news.
Full confession, it still is.
Thank you, Mr. Roddenberry.

Two Sentence Tuesday -- Two On The Go

2011-09-06T01:03:00.018-06:00

I'm back in the flow.

After a bit of a break I'm back writing some original material. I have two works on the go right now, plus I'm doing a hard-copy edit of BloodLovers.
I'm not sure what either WIP is really about yet. It's an odd thing to say as I am their creator, but I mean they haven't clarified themselves to me yet.
A few days ago I finally got a proper idea for a story that first occurred to me last fall. I let it rest as I was busy with something else.
I started it twice and let it go. Last week I realized I'd started the story too early and my character names were all wrong.
I'm more than 1800 words in on The Font. Another reason for abandoning it was it was stepping over the line into horror. It's leaning that way again. Instead of resisting I'll go with it and see what comes out. It may not want to tread there at all.
The other is The Reluctant Psychopomp. A psychopomp is a being who escorts the dead to the afterworld.
The reluctant part hasn't made itself known yet. All I can do is write and see what happens.
I worked on The Font yesterday morning, edited BloodLovers in the afternoon, and added a bit to the psychopomp's story last night.
It was a good day of work and I still found time to read. I started Lolita on Sunday. I bought it 30 years ago and for whatever reason I didn't read it. I think I may have read the first page, then set it aside. I'm kind of glad I waited. I'm not sure I would have appreciated Nabokov's rich use of the language back in my twenties.
Here are two from Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita, (Berkley Books, 1981):
"Last night we sat on the piazza, the Haze woman, Lolita and I. Warm dusk had deepened into amorous darkness."
#
And from The Font:

"The Mother faced them holding up a long, thin object that reminded Brundel of the knife her father used for deboning meat and fish.

What were they doing? This was a casting ceremony."

Thank you for stopping by. For more or to get in on the fun please see the Women of Mystery.

Gratitude Monday-- Phoning It In

2011-09-05T01:36:00.006-06:00

I'm grateful for the telephone.
Sure, we have many ways to have a conversation these days. Many of them are terrific.
The downside is with Internet chat or email we don't hear voices, tones, inflections. It's too easy to misinterpret a comment.

Phoning is almost mouth to mouth and ear to ear. It's like an intimate conversation though there's no face to face contact. But we can hear a voice and know the sarcasm from the sincerity.
It's as close to personal contact as we may be able to have, and that counts for a lot.

Photo - Finish Friday -- The Other Side of the Story

2011-09-02T05:59:00.000-06:00

The opposite bank of the Nile.
You'll notice the green belt is quite narrow.
Because of the dams, the Nile doesn't flood the way it did in the past. The silt from the flooding was rich in nutrients.
Those days are over.

Frost, the Other F Word

2011-09-01T01:03:00.004-06:00

Is the one in the middle waving?

We had a frost warning last night so I harvested our tomatoes.
There weren't many this year. I collected 35 of varying sizes and left about a half-dozen small ones on the vine as sacrifice to the frost gods.
They're resting comfortably under the bed in the spare room, covered by newspaper. At some point in the future they'll be ready to eat. And we'll enjoy every bite.
Happy September, everyone.

If At First You Don't Succeed...

2011-08-30T16:13:00.000-06:00

Dear Scammer:
If you are going to hose people, then at least have the decency to learn the language. You can catch more flies with proper grammar.
As opposed as I am to your operation, I feel I must tell you this.

Oh, and for dog's sake, lay off the exclamation points.
They are irritating as hell.

As Ever,
Not Replying To Your Email

Windows Live Team Account Alert!!!

ACCOUNT™ @ CONFIRMATION®

This email from Windows Live Customer Service® and we are sending it to all account user for safety. Due to the anonymous registration of our account which is causing congestion to our service, so we are shutting down some account and your account was among those to be deleted. The purpose of this email is for you to verify that you are the owner of this account and you are still using it by filling the information below after clicking on the reply button:

Username: ……………………..
Password: …………………….
Date of Birth: …………………
Country or Territory: …………

Make sure the details above are correct to enable us restore your account details, this will help prevent your account from been suspended.

Note: YOUR DETAILS WILL NOT BE SHARED.
Users have often told us that the more they use Windows Live! Service, the more they discover its benefits. We'll keep working on making Windows Live! the best email service around, and we appreciate your joining us for the ride.Sincerely,
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052

Potential victim's note:

I had to reduce the size of the screaming red alert banner else it wouldn't show all three exclamation points.

Gratitude Monday --Friends, Fun, and Fish

2011-08-29T02:23:00.008-06:00

I am grateful for many things this week, and every week for that matter. We have a friends we camp with and this past weekend was our annual camping weekend.
I am grateful for the time we spend with them, for the grand company, grand food, and grand times we have.
We camped at Goldeye Lake west of Nordegg and tried our hand at fishing.
Bob, below, caught one and made trout with sorrel sauce as an appetizer.
It was good.

There's a hiking trail around the lake. Bob fished while Mike, Sylvia, and I did the trail.

Here's Mike in his natural habitat examining what he determined was a bistort.

The lake is on the edge of the mountains and far enough away from light pollution that we could see the Milky Way. I am grateful for that, too.

Photo-Finish Friday -- Along the Nile

2011-08-26T01:01:00.001-06:00

A cow turns its back on the tourists cruising the Nile.

Young 'un

2011-08-24T10:51:00.000-06:00

The little guy was shy and scared as he explored on the steps of our garage.
Here he, or she, hunkers down and tries to be inconspicuous.
The squirrel stuck around a while and explored. I don't know if the raspberry got eaten or not.

Gratitude Monday -- Eggs

2011-08-22T03:06:00.003-06:00

They'll hold you together.

I am so grateful that I have eggs, that I can eat eggs, and for the fact of the very existence of said chicken babies.
I'm sure I don't have to list their uses, but I will say they're good in potato salads, in baking, and on their own, especially for breakfast.
They come in handy when you don't have anything else in the house or want something quick and substantial.
As my mother used to say, "An egg will hold you together."
The ones above are from my FIL. I'm tickled silly to have them. His chickens live a good life. Their progeny taste the way eggs ought.
If I knew where to look, and wasn't lazy, I'd research where humanity first got the idea that eating poultry eggs was a good idea. For now I'll just say, "Thanks."

Photo-Finish Friday -- Biker Man

2011-08-19T02:13:00.003-06:00

A man attends to his motorcycle in Aswan, Egypt.

Agatha Heng Thinks I'm An Idiot

2011-08-16T07:02:00.000-06:00

Somewhere out there a person going by the name of Agatha Heng thinks I'm an idiot.
Good for her. Or him.
My hotmail account had an email this morning purporting to be from the Windows Live Team warning me my account would be deleted.
I must send fill out a form with my password, telling them where I live, and a few other things and they will keep my account live. Oh, and I get a new password, too.
And I can do it all by hitting reply.
Sigh.
They don't do that.
It looks quasi-real.
Here's the meat:

"This email is from Windows Live Msn Account and we are sending to all our account user for safety. Due to the anonymous registration of our account, so we are shutting down some accounts and your account was among those to be deleted. To prevent your account from closing, you will have to update it below so we will know that it's a presently used account, or your account will be suspended within 24 hours for security reasons.

To do this, You have to click on your reply button to reply back to this message and then you fill the information below.

* Name: ................................
* User Name: ................................
* Password: ................................
* Date of Birth: ................................
* Country Or Territory: .................................
After following the instructions in the sheet, your account will not be interrupted and will continue as normal. Thanks for your attention to this request. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Warning!!! Account owner that refuses to update his or her account before 24hours of receiving this warning will lose his or her account permanently.

AFTER VERIFICATION,A MESSAGE WILL BE SENT TO YOU AFTER WHICH YOU ARE ADVISED TO CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD
IMMEDIATELY.

Sincerely,
The Windows Live Msn Team"
Some will be fooled.
I looked at the source and did a quick mouseover that showed it was from agathaheng.
I sent an email to the real Windows Live Team so someone could send out a warning about this nonsense.
It's very annoying.
I don't like you, Agatha. I want to say very bad things about you. Please leave me alone.
I hope no one is caught. I expect some will, but I still hope.

Gratitude Monday -- Peas

2011-08-15T02:59:00.005-06:00

Garden Goodness

The peas are ready.
They are tasty.
We prefer them raw.
For this, and other garden goodness, I am grateful.

Photo-Finish Friday -- Lake Sunset

2011-08-12T03:49:00.004-06:00

Premier Lake, B.C. at sunset.

Two Sentence Tuesday -- Rewrite Rewritten

2011-08-09T02:43:00.021-06:00

Wyoming. The Virginian is set there.

I finished rewriting BloodLovers Friday night. My husband had been away on a job for a few days so I spent a few nights all alone up late writing about vampires.

It was okay while I was doing the writing, but I did have the occasional anxious moment while getting ready for bed.

Said manuscript isn't really scary, but it sets one's thoughts on a particular path enhanced by a dark and lonely house.

I finished. His job was cut short due to rain and he was home Saturday. It all worked out.

Two sentences from BloodLovers:

" 'But those moments when the ache dancing inside me is about to be met… I take my prize, my blood lover in my arms… my body cries with need as I sink into the warm flesh. I feel the throbbing vein in my mouth as I hold the quivering body to me.' "

I've been reading The Virginian.

I vaguely remember the television show that was loosely based on the novel and I'd always meant to read the book.

It's been on my TBR pile for a few months now. I am glad I finally got to it last week. The characters are interesting, the setting intrigues me, and it is well-written.

Author Owen Wister started western fiction. From what I've read so far I am glad he did.

Two from The Virginian, A Horseman of the Plains by Owen Wister (Penguin Books, 1988):

" 'I wasn't right convinced till I kicked him off and you gave that shut to your eyes again,' said the Virginian.

Once more the door opened.' "

Thank you for stopping in. For more or to get in on the fun please see the Women of Mystery.

Gratitude Monday - Thinking

2011-08-08T01:21:00.011-06:00

I am grateful that I can think.

Specifically, directed thinking such as meditation and hypnosis. For readers who don't know this I am a certified transpersonal hypnotherapist.

I meditate or do self-hypnosis often. If nothing else the quiet time is great. It is a time of rest and shutting away the world.

This is good.

Often I'll do a hybrid, that is I listen to my taped self-hypnosis relaxation and then let my mind have at it. I like to see it will come up with as on occasion it has been useful.

About a week ago I was letting my mind out to wander and it brought back something useful. It formed a picture, a manifestation of all those miserable nagging voices that make fun of me and remind me that I'm not good at certain things like playing guitar.

The manifestation's name was Montgomery and he was dressed like a fancy 17^th Century French fellow: moustache, hat with feather, blue clothing, and sword.

One of my guides told me to start telling him off and he'd get smaller.

I did. It was fun.

Montgomery shrank until he made Tom Thumb look like a giant. He ran away screaming.

Now when I strum my guitar and the reminders start I see Montgomery fleeing and I laugh.

I am grateful that I know how to use hypnosis and meditation, that I practice it often, and that if given the freedom, my mind will construct the darnedest things.

Photo -Finish Friday -- Carved in Stone

2011-08-05T03:04:00.007-06:00

Sorry I can't recall for sure, but I believe this in in the ruined citadel of Kasr Ibrim, Egypt.

Two Sentence Tuesday -- A Few Extra Words

2011-08-02T03:20:00.013-06:00

The last week or so has been good for rewriting. I've managed to get quite a lot done and am currently happy with the results.
What more could one ask?
I'll cheat a wee bit and offer up a bit more than two from BloodLovers:

"A sound came from her grandfather that Eury could only think was a sigh. His voice lowered. It was almost sad.

'You hate me so much son, that when you married you took your wife's name.' "

I don't recall why as I write this, but I've felt the need to crack open the apocrypha and read about Enoch.
It's been interesting to read his trip through the levels of Heaven and what he found there including the creation of the zodiac.
Here's a bit:

"I have put every man's work in writing and none born on earth can remain hidden nor his works remain concealed.
2 I see all things."
(Chapter L. verses 1&2, Secrets of Enoch, The Lost Books of The Bible and The Forgotten Books of Eden. A Meridian Book, New American Library, 1974)
#
Thank you for reading me. For more or to get in on the fun please see The Women of Mystery.

Gratitude Monday - Computer

2011-08-01T03:19:00.004-06:00

I'm happy to have a computer.
I write with it and store my photos on it.
With it and an internet connection I can visit instantly, see what's going on in the world, and walk away when I want without being impolite.
For all of this I am grateful.


A computer screen and a disembodied hand on a mouse. That's all it takes to keep in touch. And a herd of overworked hamsters somewhere making it all happen.

Photo-Finish Friday -- Morning

2011-07-29T02:55:00.003-06:00

Morning on Lake Nasser, Egypt.

Abstraction

2011-07-27T14:35:00.000-06:00

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

(Hamlet, Shakespeare, Act One, Scene 5)

I've been giving creation vs. evolution vs. intelligent design considerable thought lately.

This is what I've concluded.

The chief problem with intelligent design is it is a compromise. Compromise is considered weak in our "I'm right" culture.

For an evolutionist the theory of evolution is an absolute. As a scientific theory it is provable. Things have been show to evolve.

For a creationist it is faith and the sure knowledge on a deep level that someone greater than us all is on the job looking after us. It is also an absolute.

As for proof, people create things every day.

Meanwhile, both sides maintain human beings are the top of the heap. We're the last word in evolution according to science. To a person who believes in a Creator, we are his best work.

My question to the creationists: Do you really believe we are the best God can do? Isn't that insulting to God?

To the evolutionists: What's next? In to whom, or what, are we evolving?

Intelligent design is the best of both views. It respects both of them and offers a logical, if faith-based, explanation for life.

In it, if I understand correctly, a Supreme Being invented all the ingredients the earth needs to sustain life and then let said ingredients have at it. In short, we're SB's science project.

It is a much broader view than either creationism or evolution, but it still stops at us. All three views have one thing in common: they are earth centric.

We're it. Not only have we either evolved as far as we're going to go, we're the top end of creation. For as vast and endless a being as SB's reputation would have it, we are as far as he got.

It's possible. We could be his latest work, but I have a hard time buying that we're his only like design. I am sure there are other people out there. I mean people in the broad sense of critters with whom we can identify including, but not restricted to Romulan, Gorn, or Ferengi.

This is what bothers me the most. Are our egos so fragile that we have to think we're the best? Or is it plain old gut –clenching fear?

Space does not end. Neither does it begin. Same with time. How can it?

What was before time? What was before space? Does it exist? Or do we have these measures as a way of coping with the infinite?

And may be that's what it is. My puny mind cannot conceive of many abstract concepts.

I can handle eternal because I see an implicit beginning to it. For me to cope I have to believe that eternal has a starting point. I can deal with no end if I have a beginning.

Infinite gives me trouble as there is no implicit beginning or end. It is impossible for me to put in words. I cannot conceive of no beginning

Perhaps that is why we like the evolution explanation. It gives us concrete measures. We can figure back to a beginning.

Maybe that's why we like to talk about the end of the world. It gives us a place to stop.

And maybe that's why both sides can't compromise on intelligent design. It gives an unfathomable infinity to science while taking away the infinite from creation.

I haven’t decided about it but it appeals to me for two reasons.

The first is it's a good compromise.

The second is we have a saying in the news business: if you get both sides mad at you, then you are doing something right.

Happy Birthday, Hatshepsut

2011-07-27T06:17:00.000-06:00

Temple of Hatshepsut, Egypt.

Today is the female Pharaoh's birthday.

Messymimi noted this over at her blog so I decided to steal it.

Gratitude Monday --Waterfalls

2011-07-25T01:58:00.005-06:00

Waterfall along Premier Lake, B.C.

Waterfalls are wonderful things. The sound of rushing water is soothing and relaxing. It softens a mood. And even as it calms it gives a boost.
Plus, they are pretty.
Even the smallest, meanest bit of running water has its own beauty.
I can live without a great many things, but it wouldn't be the same without waterfalls.

Photo-Finish Friday --A Pretty Product of Summer

2011-07-22T01:19:00.006-06:00

A columbine, grown and tended by my husband.

Two Sentence Tuesday -- Still Working on BloodLovers

2011-07-19T04:35:00.021-06:00

I've managed to get a reasonable amount done on BloodLovers these last few days. I've found that if I get to it before breakfast I get something accomplished.
It seems to be about the only time lately as errands and whatnot stretch out to take up most of the rest of the day.
Here's a bit of conversation Merelani is having with her daughter Eury:
" 'You haven't been interested in hunting anything. Is the silver tea working too well for you?' "
We're still reading Heidi (Johanna Spyri, Witman Publishing Company MCMXLIV, and MCMLV)as our bedtime story:
" On the fourth day, the cold was so bitter that it crackled with every footstep outdoors. Heidi, as she sat on her high stool eating her dinner, began her little speech again: "

Mountains and turkey vultures near sunset, for atmosphere.

Thanks for being here. For more or to get in on the fun please see the Women of Mystery.

Gratitude Monday -- The Bench That Mike Built

2011-07-18T05:26:00.000-06:00

The bench that Mike built.

It looks like something you'd happen upon in a forest.

Mr. Slivovitz and Mr. Utopian would like you to join them in the garden.

Mike carved this bench. He started work in the spring. It needed some lengthy curing.
It's done now and in its rightful spot in the back yard by the garden.
I think he did a magnificent job and I am so grateful to have it.

Photo - Finish Friday --Snoozing in the Souk

2011-07-15T04:30:00.002-06:00

Kitties enjoy the late morning sun in the Khan El Khalili bazaar, Cairo.

Juicy Treat

2011-07-14T11:47:00.000-06:00


Wren mom brings home lunch.

It's the season of the young, hungry birdies.
I've been playing with photo programs trying to teach myself proper cropping. It's coming along, but I need practice.

Scenes from a Tree

2011-07-13T03:27:00.010-06:00

Red-shafted flicker assesses the situation before venturing out.

Back, and he brought food.

Feeding the hungry beaks.

That's it?

Daddy?

Two Sentence Tuesday -- Now With Goats

2011-07-12T01:30:00.003-06:00

Heidi: You can't spell it without goats.

Last night we started reading Heidi as our bedtime story. We had to get the awful memory of the sequel out of our minds.
It's my favourite book. I've read it several times mostly just because I wanted to though the last time was due to an unignorable urge.
It was 21 years ago. I'd just met my future husband and felt I had to a) read Heidi again and b) go to Peru. Got to the reading in a few weeks. Peru was our first trip together.
Meanwhile, back on the Alm, here are two from Heidi by Johanna Spyri (copyright MCVMXLIV, and MCMLV, Whitman Publishing Company.):
"From the pleasantly situated old town of Mayenfeld a footpath leads up through shady green meadows to the foot of the mountains. Any one who follows it will soon catch the pungent fragrance of grassy pasture lands, for the footpath goes straight and steep to the Alps."
#
As for me, the editing/rewriting/ torquing up of BloodLovers is coming along. It's slow, but I am trying to do a good job of it.
Here's a sample:
"Volga tightened his hold and stared into Dilleman's eyes.
'No.' "
Thanks for being here. For more, or to get in on the fun, please see the Women of Mystery.

Gratitude Monday -- Of Biblical Proportions

2011-07-11T01:50:00.059-06:00

I am grateful that I have read The Bible cover to cover.
It raises a great many questions for me to think about like who were "the giants in the earth in those days?" (Gen. 6:4 KJV) and wherever did anyone get the idea that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute? Doesn't say a word about in the New Testament.

Biblical references show up in books, movies, and television all the time. I had an Aha! moment when I got around to the bit about the witch of Endor. (1 Samuel 28:7)

It must have been in the inspiration for the character name Endora, Samantha's mother on Bewitched. Now that I get the reference I can truly appreciate the name.
(In a moderately interesting aside I found in the Wikipedia entry I learned that in the Yalkut Shimoni she is anonymous but referred to as the mother of Abner. Mr. Kravitz, anyone?)
Bits of it are really tough sledding. Other parts of The Bible are so filthy I should have read them with my eyes closed. But it is interesting and it helps me understand the world around me especially those parts that are filtered through Christianity.

I get why fish is a Christian symbol and why the Pope wears the fisherman's ring.
Understanding is good.

Casting about at Premier Lake. Photo by Mike Mayrl

Photo-Finish Friday--In The Mosque

2011-07-08T05:43:00.001-06:00

Prayer Pose

A demonstration of praying at the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali, Cairo.

Chequing In

2011-07-06T10:53:00.000-06:00

I've been writing abundance cheques for a few years now.

They work.

Sometimes it is hard to see how. One has to keep an open mind.

If you are expecting to win big at the lottery because you've been invoking the Law of Abundance and haven't, then you may think said cheques are a grand pile of hokum.

Such is your right.

I've noticed in my life that people who think this way come from a base of scarcity and lack. If you think you don't have enough, then that's what you get. In reality you may have more than you need, but as long as you think you don't, well, you'll be right.

There's not much can be done about those people except ignore them. I refuse to have whining, negative, toxic people in my life. They are poison. Their poison spreads and makes it easy to believe in an ever-dwindling supply of good food, clean water, and fresh air.

Who needs those people? They're energy thieves because they hate the idea that someone has what they don't.

I'd tell them to go to Hell, but they're already there.

Open you mind and-–this is more important—your heart and become aware of the abundance all around you.

If comes in many forms. You have to be open to seeing them and appreciating them both in the sense of gratitude and of understanding a thing's true worth.

One of the first forms of abundance I noticed was I had more money. Not a great lot, simply more of it, especially loonies and toonies. ($1 and $2 coins.)

This was the universe's literal way of telling me it had worked.

We've had many trips, time with friends, I've had several manuscript ideas, my husband's father has blessed us with as many fresh garden vegetables as we need and then some.

I have really good health. Yes, I have an irregular heartbeat, and yes it does get in my way occasionally, but I'm still healthy.

Yes, without writing abundance cheques I may still have had all this.

Would I have noticed?

Probably not.

But it is my position that by writing these cheques I have opened myself up to the Law of Abundance, plus opened my mind to the other Universal Laws.

These are my beliefs. You can share them or not as you see fit. But if you're writing abundance cheques and have been disappointed, then please step back and take an objective look at your life since you started writing them.

Two Sentence Tuesday --Double Entendre To Go, Please

2011-07-05T03:54:00.004-06:00

We went away to southern BC for the Canada Day long weekend. It's always good to get away. It shakes up the thinking, gets some different air into the lungs, and puts new new sights before the eyes.
Among the sights seen that can't be unseen was a billboard somewhere north of Invermere, BC.
I regret not getting a photo of it.
I saw it on the way down with the intention of shooting it on the way home. But it was raining then and there'd been an accident in Invermere which held up the holiday traffic. Irate drivers and rain don't make for good stopping.
The billboard was an ad for Bull's Eye Barbecue Sauce.
The following slogan on the ad is my contribution to what I read this week:
"Sauce So Bold
Pork Will
Pull Itself."
The ad worked in that I'm writing about it, but I was so busy with the ad copy I didn't notice the sauce brand and had to look it up. That said, it did make me look.
My contribution to the cause is much tamer, and hope at least half as memorable.

From BloodLovers:

"An open place, an empty quarter but for the animals. A place where she could do as she pleased at the times she pleased and maybe there'd be a time when she'd be able to speak a coherent sentence to Jem again."
Thank you for your time. For more, or to get in on the fun, please see the Women of Mystery.

Gratitude Monday --The Neighbour

2011-07-04T01:53:00.005-06:00

Yellowstone National Park, U.S.A.

I am so very grateful that my country has such a friendly, attractive neighbour.
Happy Fourth of July, America.

Photo-Finish Friday--Happy Canada Day!

2011-07-01T01:07:00.004-06:00


Alberta Wild Rose

It's July 1st.
Happy Canada Day.