It's furry outside

It has been one of those weird freezing but foggy nights. 

An almost colourless day - and look, someone stole the mountain view again.

The dampness in the air creates a heavy hoar frost

which coat the trees in an icy layer - it looks like white velvet.

Boring suburban wire fences are five times their usual size

and the sun desperately tries to break through 

the frosty haze.

The grass looks alien

and the urban landscape portrays beautiful silhouettes.

And, of course, if you lie on your back, 

you can lick the snowflakes.

Smudge is not well

Some of you may be familiar with my fellow author, Smudge. Our cute bundle of black fur has not been a well woofer in recent months.  

 Although only 8 years old he has been getting progressively more slow and stiff in the hind quarters.

Several trips to the vet, a specialist vet, a plethora of tests and some $2,300 later, they think he has a form of arthritis.

We embark on an impressive array of pills and potions tomorrow, under the realization that only about a third of dogs respond well to them.

He's a sorry figure right now - won't hardly get up, drink or eat and has lost about 3lbs which is a lot for an 18lb dog.

I love my dog very much, but will not be embarking on extreme measures or going to the extent of building frames and wheels for him.  Let's see how the next month or two pans out and if he appears to have some quality of life and can manage a little tail-wag or two.

Feeling a bit sad right now.

27 degrees

27 degrees - that's how much the temperature dropped in just 24 hours.

Saturday morning - nice and sunny and about 11 or 12 degrees Celsius.

We put up the Christmas lights outside as we had been warned of a snow storm a-coming.

 Sunday morning - bang! 

Hello winter, my old friend.

And down to -16 degrees.

And to anyone who watches Game of Thrones, I just have to add my little cliche.

Stay warm out there.

Healthy Living - Pah!

We all know we should be doing more to 

achieve a long and healthy life.

I'm still working on this, 

but there is just so much to remember.

First rule; I know that we should all try to 

eat well...and that usually involves 

eating bowls of green stuff 

- you know, leaves.

Secondly - very important (apparently) - exercise regularly.

Limit your alcohol intake.

Try to laugh and have a little fun, everyday. 

But you know what?  Being mentally and physically healthy all the time is hard work.

Sod it - you're amazing, just the way you are.

Halloween fun

Canada loves Halloween.  

Are you ready for the doorbell ringing incessantly 

on Friday night?

Here's some tips to keep it fun.

Don't get in a fuss about all those trick or treaters.

Keep your pets safely indoors.

and remember to park all your vehicles out of the way.

It's that time of year, when little people dress up, and big people should know better.

We know it's almost Halloween here, because the temperature plummets.

There has been much discussion in the news this week about inappropriate sexy costumes for kids and tweens...

but here in Alberta, it's too bloody cold to look sexy.

Anyway, come Saturday morning, we'll be trying to donate all the leftover Coffee Crisps

and putting up our Christmas lights!

Happy Halloween.

Weather fronts

Here in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in southern Alberta we have the opportunity to watch weather fronts rolling in - sometimes for an good hour or three before they actually hit us.

This week it has been the warm chinook winds.  The distinctive lines in the sky are the giveaway.

So far, it has been a quite lovely and mild autumn - and longer than usual because the temperatures have been kind.

So we have been able to enjoy the hues on the leaves for about 6 weeks.

This rarely happens because we either get a mammoth windy storm that blows all the leaves away, or an early dump of snow that freezes the leaves and they drop off instantly into a soggy mess.

We did have a two-day dump in early September, which caused untold devastation to weak trees around the city - but right now, we're slated for another mild week, so I'll take that thank you!

Happy SkyWatching!

Cell-phone skies

It's been reel purdy round these here parts. 

I jis' luuuuuv September.

You know it's a bootiful sunrise when ya have to pull over on ya horse(power) during a busy morning commute

And some of the sunsets ain't been bad neither.

 And they don't call this Big Sky country for nuttin' - Montana's more northerly cousin.

I know the quality of the photos is not great - it's the best a quick cell-phone shot can get on short notice

but ya gotta admit, they sure are purdy....

Happy SkyWatching.

Trees, and a plug

I posted this photo back in 2009 - a favourite tree positioned in the middle of a field with a gorgeous Rocky Mountain backdrop.

The tree has become infamous in our family now, and even has it's own name.

It is the PPPP Tree.  

The Pride and Prejudice Perfectly Positioned tree!

On my way to work the other morning I saw a guy at the side of a road with his tripod and camera.  The tree was sitting in a blaze of canola and I thought to myself that this was going to make a stunning shot.  

I wasn't wrong.

Here is a plug for a local photographer who has taken some sublime shots around Calgary and further afield across Alberta.

His name is Neil Zeller and here's a plug:

http://neilzellerphotography.zenfolio.com

Check out some of his other gorgeous photos.

Camping near Banff

The summer weather has been fab - time to dust off the trusty yellow tent again.

First, put up tent in the only rain shower that has materialized for four weeks - someone was watching us and thought 

'Ah, yes, just in time for a wee downpour!"

Try out the newly purchased kayak.  So serene.

The skies have a been pretty hazy on some days due to the forest fires in Banff National Park.

Some of the wildlife is a little shy...

...and some of it is not. At all.

White Admiral butterflies, I believe.

Smores are essential when camping of course.

The dogs are well and truly pooped.

And it rains again, but we don't mind at all when it produces stunning rainbows reaching across the mountain vistas.

 Even a hint of a double rainbow.

Family photo album

and I even allow a rare photo!

Heading out to Vancouver Island next.  I get to play in an ocean for the first time in years.

I am SO excited!