Thursday, June 23, 2011

SkyWatch Friday - Dodging the rain

It's been a real sunshine-and-showers week.
We have listened to rumbles of thunder and watched the lightning in the distance.  And have mostly, somehow, managed to stay one step ahead of the wet stuff.
Loving this angular cloud.

Happy SkyWatch Friday folks.
Click here to see some more wonderful skies 
from around the world.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Pay attention to your surroundings!

This is posted near Moraine Lake 
(Banff National Park), Alberta.
I had never seen this particular sign before 
- but if I wanted company on my hike, 
this "cute" fella wouldn't be my first choice!

So - to calm your nerves, 
here are some pretty scenery pictures instead.
I've posted about Moraine Lake before, 
but it's such a lovely drive.  We have family visiting from the UK, so this is an obligatory day out.
Castle Mountain, as seen from Highway 1.
And this little tree made me laugh 
- gotta love it's determination for choosing this slab of rock upon which to place its faith for life.

It seems to be doing remarkably well!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Old dogs and new tricks

School in the morning.  Pay attention to the lessons now.
Lie down nicely - OK, this isn't so hard.

Then off to the hairdressers.
Woah - cropped!  
Anyone else think it's a bit chilly in here?
Back to school in the afternoon. 
Pay attention - remember what he taught us earlier?
Such good behaviour deserves a tummy tickle.
All this hard work is quite exhausting.
School and beauty parlours are very tiring.  
Time for an afternoon nap.

My World Tuesday - Downtown Calgary

Downtown Calgary can appear a very glossy, glassy affair.
Calgary Tower looking east along 9th Ave.
On the bright sunny days, reflections bounce around...
and the sky rebounds back to you in high-rise images.
A few older, more traditional buildings still exist from the early 1900's - and have held their ground as the diggers and cranes created glass towers around them
The old fire hall - now still in use as office space.
The true downtown area is fairly small - only a few blocks squared.

By early evening and especially at weekends, the business core of this oil and gas city can appear deserted.

One thing I do love here is the many sculptures, art and statues positioned around what can sometimes be a sterile environment.



A collection of funky wind veins.
A strong naked man - in broad daylight no less.
CP Rail history along 9th Ave.
There are little surprises of super modern architecture 
and pockets of culture and fun dotted around.  

The casual and light-hearted ambience of this city in the summer, versus the frigid, gritty greys of winter 
is dramatically different.

I'm kinda lovin' it right now
Come visit My World in Calgary in July or August!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Dances with Humans - A "Ruff" week


Hello there, it's Smudge here and it's been a ruff week for me.  I've been feeling a bit sorry for myself.

I'll come back and explain those sexy little socks (yellow bandages) in a moment.  So first off, I had my annual barber shop visit for a professional hair cut.  I don't mind the wash and blow dry bit  - it's those clippers I'm not impressed with.  Once again, the shave was a tad too close and all week, I've been twitching like I've got fleas (which I haven't) and been licking my itchy bits!  The Reluctant Dog Owner has finally agreed that I don't have to go to that parlour again.



Then on Friday, The Boss whisked me off to the vets where they shaved my front paw and inserted a sleepy drug and next thing I know, I come round, feeling all groggy - and a bit drunk really.  
This photo has been unapologetically uploaded for the sympathy vote - some oohs and aah's please.


I've had some claws removed because they were continually annoying me, growing all curly, and The Reluctant Dog Owner couldn't get the nail clippers in around them to trim them for me.  So after a few years of trying to make this work, they decided to cut them off.  Bit drastic if you ask me - but they didn't ask me, so....  


I'm OK now of course - I have bravely and valiantly battled on through the pain and the embarrassing ritual of having Ziploc bags tied over my feet (man, they are slippy to try and walk in), and I've been a bit bored too.  No ball chasing, no river-dunking, no bird-harrassing...
... the shame of it, I've had to wear that ridiculous cone on my head. Again. And Honey has been no help whatsoever.


It was a double dose of hell - not only could I not get at those bandages and start nibbling, but I couldn't lick my itchy bits either.  What's a dog to do?


I've milked this for all it's worth of course, and have been pampered with so many cuddles and ear-tickles - it's almost been worth it.

SkyWatch Friday - Spring skies

A mixed bag of weather this past week.  But fab big skies.
Three days of non-stop saturating rain, followed by a few days of clear blues and welcome sunshine.  
And what a difference a month makes to the greenery.  
You know I am happy when the landscape changes to this!
And two hours after a spectacular thunderstorm, the skies open up again and the clouds pass by the mountains and head east.

Have a very happy SkyWatch Friday.