Gratitude Monday --The Day We Have

We took a drive yesterday.
Our original intent was to have a look at the Brazeau Dam about 60 miles away with the real point being a hope to see wildlife, such as owls, on the way.
We left before 8 a.m and took with us a lunch to enjoy somewhere as we intended to take our time.
It was early when we were done with the dam and we hadn't seen anything so we decided to go a bit farther and check out the Elk River campground.
This meant going mountainward on a gravel road and that meant a greater likelihood of wild things.
I got to see an open industrial camp that was on the way called the Pecos Inn. I was grateful for this because when my husband was driving truck he'd  had to stay there a few times and I'd been curious.
Open camp means that various companies can use it as well as the general public if there's room.  If we'd wanted to we could have gone in and bought a meal.
We were headed toward the Forestry Truck Road which would take us back to Nordegg, Highway 11, and then home.
But it was still early and a nice day. We'd packed food. We started with a full tank of gas. Mike suggested instead of turning south toward home that we turn north, go to Jasper, and loop home on the Parkway.
We did.
My first thought was to just go home, but then I thought: why?
Home had nothing compelling to offer other than a possible afternoon nap. Exploring is better, and this was a grand opportunity to do it.
Yesterday does not offer a second shot.
Tomorrow is a theory.
Now is what we have.
Now is what we work with.
We turned north and I am so grateful we did. We saw plenty of wildlife including, but not restricted to, a magnificent mountain goat and an equally magnificent bull elk.
I try to focus on the now in life. Yes, one must prepare for the future, but at no point should one ignore living today.
Yesterday we took the day as it was offered and used it to the best of our abilities.
For that I am grateful.

Lunch at Watson Creek. A relaxing break in a wonderful day.

Photo-Finish Friday --Tangled Up

Tangle Falls along the Jasper -Banff Highway in Jasper National Park.

May I suggest clicking to get to Flickr and then clicking to get to full screen? It'll look way better there.

Again With The Bragging

Along the Columbia Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park

The Mountaineer newspaper has seen fit to put up my latest freelance piece on its website.

It's a story on two sisters, Lane and Amanda Green, who left Rocky when they were young to study ballet at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. One is now a member of the professional company while the other recently joined the Alberta Ballet after several years dancing in England.

I did several stories on them over the years and was very pleased to catch up with them.

The photo above has nothing to do with the story. Even though it's a wee bit fuzzy I like it.

What Do You Have To Do?

From Whistler looking north. Jasper is to the east.


Lately I haven’t had time to read the paper. Oh, I’m not so terribly busy. And it’s not like the Edmonton Journal is so thick that it takes forever to get through it.
No. It just seems like other things have gotten in the way.
Generally, the other things take precedence for a reason. They’re either way more interesting or time–sensitive, like taking a day trip to the mountains.
That has to be done when the opportunity arises, the weather and light are right, and specific to last week’s adventure, when Mr. Goat’s Lunch Pail is available to spend the day with me. Take the chance to do things together when you get it.

But when I’ve got plans and need some time it’s my time with the newspaper that gets sacrificed. This is my choice so in that respect I am not complaining.
My point is when I don’t read the paper I feel as though I haven’t gotten anything done. It sits there folded on the table taunting me with its promise of quiet information.

Somewhere back in the 80s a friend mentioned she’d learned that we have certain things we need to do each day in order to feel as though we’ve accomplished something. If memory serves it was three things we needed to do to get this feeling.
I have from time to time asked myself what I needed to do. I don’t know that I have three things, but I have one and it’s reading the daily paper.
I read it with breakfast. I eat. I read. I relax. It’s time dedicated to immersing myself in the outside world while remaining quiet. I need quiet. I get ruffled when surrounded by noise.
When I was working I’d read some at breakfast and finish the rest with lunch. I like to eat while I read. I find it satisfying.

Now, when I have all this time I find I don’t get the paper read every day. Last week I finally finished Wednesday’s newspaper on Sunday, along with Friday’s. I did it outside on the deck in the morning sunshine. It gave me a wonderful sense of accomplishment.
What about you?
What do you need to do to feel as though you’ve done something?