Category Archives: Observations

January 1, 2021

So here we are. A new year. 2021. It’s nice out. That’s enough for now.

*There are still parts of the river that aren’t frozen over.*

I walked for just under two hours. Into the river valley via the golf course through Victoria park, River road, MacKinnon Ravine, Glenora, museum and home. Funny, when I got to the museum, the sky was already dusking with that wintry pink/orange horizon. It was only about 2:30 pm. The sun is setting around 4:24 but when the sun is that low, sunset is always close.

*In MacKinnon Ravine. One of those days that was blue sky or cloudy, depending on the direction.*

*Take care of your a Buddha and your Buddha will take care of you.*

*Killer view (neighbourhood adjacent to the museum)*

We’ve had pretty nice weather and virtually no snow for most of December. The grass is really starting to show on the south side of things, including the museum grounds.

*From the museum grounds…not lots of snow*

11,456 steps. About -2C.

Frosty and Blue

December 30, 2020

Drove over to Whitemud Ravine south (Westbrook trail head) to walk with Sharon, Vic and Stella. It was a frosty, beautiful morning walk under blue skies. It’s hard to stay inside when the sun is shining.

*Be-masked Sharon, Vic and Stella, who chose not to wear a mask*

If we couldn’t be together for Christmas, at least we can go for walks. And even though we were outside, because we were walking fairly close to each other, we all wore masks. It gave me a chance to bust out my “Tell Your Dog I Said Hi” mask. A ridiculously true statement. It’s also on my car.

*Prehistoric handprints on the guardrail?*

There were lots of folks on the trails, no surprise, and spikes were an absolute necessity since the Whitemud trails have lots of ups and downs. I don’t walk enough on that beloved trail. It’s as familiar to me now, and as resonant with sense memories, as my old favourite Mill Creek Ravine – another neglected trail. There are definitely some spectacular river valley trails where I live now, but I am missing the variety.

*At the far end of Whitemud Ravine south (next to Rainbow Valley Road*

-7C/about an hour

King of Glenora

December 27, 2020

A beautiful Sunday walk with the King of Glenora. Cool and sunny. Not the King of Glenora, the weather. But he can be cool too, and occasionally sunny…

-8C/14,758 steps

Christmas Day Walk

December 25, 2020

*What you can’t see is all the sparkle in the snow and snowmen*

Gorgeous Christmas Day walk with Tom in and around Glenora, Ravine Drive, MacKinnon Bridge, and Laurier Heights.

It was supposed to be cloudy and below zero, but it was bright, sparkly and just the right balance of festively nippy and sun-warmed. Altogether beautiful, in other words. Many people out walking, lots of friendly ‘Merry Christmas’ exchanges. It was very cheering, especially considering that I spent my entire Christmas without my family. Just Tom and me.

The Alberta covid restrictions meant that I couldn’t get together with my family as per usual, and by usual I mean, every year of my life. So even though Tom stayed over, I opened presents (from my family) by myself in the morning and made Christmas dinner by myself, just for Tom and I.

*A view from Ravine Drive that never disappoints….*

I am grateful for that relationship, but Tom isn’t very Christmassy. He indulged me by watching A Christmas Carol, Charlie Brown Christmas, and It’s a Wonderful Life, but it’s not the same as being with family, with all our shared histories. The bright spot was an hour and a half Zoom call in the morning, and the walk in the afternoon.

1C and sunny. 12,193 steps

A Mild December

December 7, 2020

*Heading into the far south edge of Glenora*

Went for a gorgeous lunch time walk through Glenora with Tom under blue skies. The clouds were very nicely shaped and rather friendly. At noon it was 6C but it went up to 11C!

*A vertical version of the first photo…*

We’ve definitely had some cold days, but December (so far) has been pretty mild. Right now, the sidewalks and streets have no snow. I’m sure that will change.

*More cool skies from the MacKinnon bridge*

*I definitely see a bunny sitting in that tree…*

December Sunset

December 5, 2020

*The road west of the museum, south of 102 Ave.*

Another gorgeous sunset (ho hum) walk through Oliver, the old Museum, Glenora to pick up Tom, and then back to my place. A very common walk for me now, which is great because it’s a walk, and the views are spectacular, especially if I catch the sun setting (at 4:16 p.m. now). Not much else to report!