Photo-Finish Friday--Fancy a Hike?

So starts one of the many walks in the Siffleur area. It's about a 90 minute or so drive from where I live. It makes for an easy day to drive out, select a hike, and be one with Nature.

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I'm not sure why my photos from my Olympus have this fuzzy view. I apologize.

Gratitude Monday --Garden Fresh Edition

The best part of this time of year is the garden harvest.
I love fresh veggies and am grateful that I have a small garden in the back. I can collect a few peas and carrots now and it is wonderful.
Peas straight from the pod can't be beat and a carrot is best when the dirt is barely off it.
While the peas and carrots-- nature's perfect veggie combo--are mine, the corn is from southern Alberta.
It's Taber corn and it's about the best ever.
We were worried this year as the flooding in the south this spring set growth back a few weeks. It just arrived late last week and the fellow who sells it from his truckside stand said some producers may not have any. It's their livelihood. I hope they survive to plant again next year.
Meanwhile, who wants to shell the peas for me?

Gratitude Monday -- Close to Nature

This strawberry, along with several others like it, is growing along the edge of our back lawn. I may eat it one of these days. I haven't decided yet.
For now I'm glad it's there and I'm glad I know what it is.
Sometime in the mid-90s Mike and I were driving through Yukon when construction forced us to stay put for a few hours.
We got out and wandered around as did many others. Mike wandered toward the bush where he found ripe strawberries. He ate some and brought some to me to enjoy.
A woman  25-35 years old from a city in Ohio approached me and was mortified to see what my husband was doing.
"Those berries could be, like, totally poisonous."
I assured her they weren't and that my husband knew what he was doing.
Her horror continued. She was ready to scream or cry or possibly vomit in terror.
I didn't pursue the matter with her because I, too, was horrified though for a different reason. I suspect if I'd asked her where she thought such berries came from her answer would be, "The store."
If I pressed I suspect she might venture, "California."
Like so many others, this woman lives so far away from the natural world that it is strange to her. Perhaps the only strawberry she knew was overlarge, deep red, and as plastic tasting as the container it came in.
This is sad.
For my part I am grateful that I really know where berries come from, that I can identify them, and that I am not scared to feast on nature's bounty when I find it.

Signs of Life

Green is still out there though less and less of it is apparent.
I've seen a few smaller fields of it here and there the past few days. It's kind of startling to see green against the dried yellows of fall.
This bit of rose bush stood out against the dead leaves on the ground at Crimson Lake on Sunday.
Good to see life hanging on as best it can for as long as it can.
Nature is a fighter. She's a good role model for us.

Mountains and Marshes --Happy Birthday Canada

It's July 1st and that means it's Canada's birthday. If you're curious, but too polite to ask her age, she's 141 today.

Here's a view of a magnificent mountain scene. It's looking west on the David Thompson Highway from Abraham Lake.

This is a buckbean in flower and reflected in the wetland on the shore of Twin Lakes.


Another view of the buckbean because I really like this picture.


Canada is known for its mountains and the unspoiled beauty of nature.
This is why.

Happy Canada Day.

Gratitude Monday - A Short Drive From Home

Renders a scene like this.



Even the trees have someone to lean on.

I am very grateful to live where I do.
Turning a corner or climbing a hill opens eyes and hearts to a new wonderful view. Nature has so much to offer. We need only take the moment we are given and enjoy it.

Happy Week, Everybody.

Someone Sent An Owl

Whooo dares click to enlarge me?

We’ve been seeing a lot of owls lately. This barred owl was intent on lunch when we happened upon it on a recent Saturday along Highway 11.

According to Medicine Cards, by Jamie Sams and David Carson, St. Martin’s Press (1988 & 1999) owls are a symbol of wisdom in many cultures. In ancient Greece, Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, had one for a companion. Owls aid us in seeing the truth and we should pay attention to signals and omens when we see them.

We are paying attention, but what is the message?