SkyWatch Friday - August closing

There is a perceptible shortening of the days 

as we head into September, 

so it is lovely to actually be awake to witness the sun rising.  

A couple of very different gifts this week.

Happy SkyWatching folks.

The Discovery of Witches

I am no accomplished book reviewer, but here's a blatent plug for my latest read.


I really enjoyed this.  And it's part of a (yet to be finished) trilogy - and would make a sumptuous film.  I can't wait for the author, Deborah Harkness, to hurry up and get Part Two published.

If I say there is a hint of Twilight - but without simpering, angst-ridden teenagers (I never could work out why Edward fell in love with the humourless Bella) - would that put you off?  But if you were to throw in some good-quality mystery and modern-day romance with a twist, fighting and flying, killing and kissing - you are halfway to understanding the essence of this book.  All the characters are either witches, vampires, daemons or wizzards.  (There is the odd human thrown in for good measure - and it makes me wonder where I would fit.  You know, it's not a totally proven fact that I am human you know).


Mystery and intrigue, action and world travel, magic and lurve.  C'mon - what more do you need?  Enjoy.

SkyWatch Friday - a short storm

A six-minute hail storm erupted this evening.  

The size of peas on steroids perhaps.

Just long enough to start trashing the baskets and pots.

Just long enough to add a crunchy topping to tables, 

and to provide a slushy for dogs to lick off the deck.

Just short enough that moody black clouds move on quickly and the sun bursts through again moments later.

Just short enough to provide an icy jumping beans game on a trampoline.

Fifteen minutes later, what hail storm?

Woah - weird cotton-wool cloud formations left in its wake.

Happy Sky Watching.

Wash your mouth out ....

Three different people today have used the "F" word.


I speak, of course, about "frost".  Have they no heart? 


It became a little chilly last night, and apparently the F-word appeared on the outskirts of town.


La la la la la.


It's been a gorgeous sunny 21 degrees C today and I am in no way contemplating using the F word.

Well, not this week anyway.

This is My World.  See more worlds here.

Have a great week.  Free of the F word anyway.

RIP: Klaus Peter - 1960 to 2011: Founder of MyWorld Tuesday.  
Thank you Klaus.

SkyWatch Friday - Alberta morn

An early morning Sunday drive highlights the summer beauty of the southern Alberta foothills.

As the Rockies give way to the Prairies, farms and farmland rule the landscape.

I post these photos for your interest, to show you my world - but selfishly too, as a reminder how gorgeous this place can be.  Mid-winter it can quickly lose it's charm and spectre in brutal temperatures, and grasses in ten shades of brown that convince you death has won, and nothing will ever be resurrected again.

But of course, the seasons bring about the thrill each May when the colour and new growth re-appear.

I admit to believing this land was pretty boring and barren when I first arrived.  No large trees, no hedges, no thatched cottages.  All I was used to from growing up in England.


Time has healed my first impressions.

Now, I relish the open landscapes and skies, and greedily breath in great lungfuls of space.

Happy SkyWatch Friday folks.

Reading about all the shameful behaviour in the UK right now regarding riots and looting, this photo made me smile today.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixel-eight/6024429000/

I love the use of the riot shield as a tea-tray!  Brits, eh?!

Only a multi-million selling artist

About 18 months ago, I was flicking through the television channels, desperately looking for some inspriration and distraction.  Not much doing, I have to say.


Then I clicked onto one channel and there was this guy singing this song.

At that time, I had never heard of Josh Groban before - but you know when you sometimes hear music and it just clicks for you?


His voice - while singing live - was just astounding.


A quick search on Google and it turns out he's a little bit famous afterall.  Where had he been hiding?


Josh Groban is coming to Calgary in September - and I have tickets - and I'm just a little bit excited.


Funny how much my tastes have mellowed from my late teens/early 20's - where seeing The Clash at Brixton Academy in London for four nights in one week was my distraction of choice back then!


Maybe I am growing up after all.  But only a little bit.

Hummingbird

I saw my first hummingbird today.  Many bloggers across Canada frequently catch great shots of these speedy little birds but I had never noticed one in Alberta before.

A little wing maintenance

Sitting still for a nano-second, but still blurry

And a wings-a-buzzing bum shot

Flippin' hard to photograph!!