I've been a big fan of British rugger Ben Cohen for quite a while now. Here's why!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
It's over!!!
Well, if Camping is right, there are just 20 minutes left on Earth for us Belivers! Ah well, I guess Camping was wrong, nonetheless, this is a good clip from Last Night, a superb Canadian film:
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Bad Blogger!
Hey guys and gals,
Yes, I have been a very bad and derelict blogger. It's been, of course, in part due to mom's death, and also to all the activity going on around here in preparation for Brad's departure for the Appalachian Trail. He got away yesterday very early in the morning and is now somewhere in Georgia on day 2 of his hike! I tracked his flights on the computer and he called a couple of times yesterday to confirm that he had arrived safely and was on his way. Hopefully he'll call (or text!) a few times a week to keep be abreast of his progress. I put an exclaimation mark after text, as I have never sent (or receved) a text message in my life! He gave me a crash course (with notes) before he left and I am now responsible for his Canadian cell phone as he uses his American cell on his hike.
He bought the phone last month when we were in NYC with Don and Marlene and Shaun and Mary. We have a great 5 nights in The City and have vowed to return next Easter! The weather was so-so, cool for the first couple of days, then hot, and then rainy one night, but all and all, we had a terrific time. How can you not on the best city on Earth? It was good to get away and have a change of pace after mom's funeral and the attendant emotional and lifestyle changes.
Sunday was a bit difficult, being my first Mother's Day without one. Plus, it was Brad's last night here until the end of June, when he is coming home for a 4-night furlough. I continue to work at home and it has indeed turned into a permanent arrangement. They've given my window office at the office to someone else! YAY! She's welcome to it!
So for now, it's just me and Jasper minding the fort. I look forward to some quite time alone and to socializing with friends and neighbours as the weather (hopefully) get warmer. I put hopefully in brackets because today it's rainy and barely 5 degrees C. I actually lit a fire in the fireplace and am glad I did!
I'll end this post by saying that I still miss mom a lot and that I still find myself reaching for the phone to call her... This, I suppose, will pass in time. But I still feel her presence very close by. The orchid she had Brad buy me for my last birthday is blooming once again and the daffodils my brother gave her when she was in the hospital several years ago are blossuming in the back yard, where Brad planted them after a number of years of languishing in our basement. I'll post some pics of mom in the days ahead as well. I meant to do so on Sunday, but never got around to it. Stuff, eh. Today will mark the one month anniversary that I last saw her alive.
Be well my friends.
Yes, I have been a very bad and derelict blogger. It's been, of course, in part due to mom's death, and also to all the activity going on around here in preparation for Brad's departure for the Appalachian Trail. He got away yesterday very early in the morning and is now somewhere in Georgia on day 2 of his hike! I tracked his flights on the computer and he called a couple of times yesterday to confirm that he had arrived safely and was on his way. Hopefully he'll call (or text!) a few times a week to keep be abreast of his progress. I put an exclaimation mark after text, as I have never sent (or receved) a text message in my life! He gave me a crash course (with notes) before he left and I am now responsible for his Canadian cell phone as he uses his American cell on his hike.
He bought the phone last month when we were in NYC with Don and Marlene and Shaun and Mary. We have a great 5 nights in The City and have vowed to return next Easter! The weather was so-so, cool for the first couple of days, then hot, and then rainy one night, but all and all, we had a terrific time. How can you not on the best city on Earth? It was good to get away and have a change of pace after mom's funeral and the attendant emotional and lifestyle changes.
Sunday was a bit difficult, being my first Mother's Day without one. Plus, it was Brad's last night here until the end of June, when he is coming home for a 4-night furlough. I continue to work at home and it has indeed turned into a permanent arrangement. They've given my window office at the office to someone else! YAY! She's welcome to it!
So for now, it's just me and Jasper minding the fort. I look forward to some quite time alone and to socializing with friends and neighbours as the weather (hopefully) get warmer. I put hopefully in brackets because today it's rainy and barely 5 degrees C. I actually lit a fire in the fireplace and am glad I did!
I'll end this post by saying that I still miss mom a lot and that I still find myself reaching for the phone to call her... This, I suppose, will pass in time. But I still feel her presence very close by. The orchid she had Brad buy me for my last birthday is blooming once again and the daffodils my brother gave her when she was in the hospital several years ago are blossuming in the back yard, where Brad planted them after a number of years of languishing in our basement. I'll post some pics of mom in the days ahead as well. I meant to do so on Sunday, but never got around to it. Stuff, eh. Today will mark the one month anniversary that I last saw her alive.
Be well my friends.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
End of an Era
My mother entered immortality sometime during last night. She was 90 and a strong, forthright, and upstanding woman to the very end. She will be forever missed.
"The Last Rose Of Summer"
'Tis the last rose of summer left blooming alone
All her lovely companions are faded and gone
No flower of her kindred, no rosebud is nigh
To reflect back her blushes or give sigh for sigh
I'll not leave thee, thou lone one, to pine on the stem
Since the lovelies are sleeping, go sleep thou with them
Thus kindly I scatter thy leaves o'er the bed
Where thy mates of the garden lie scentless and dead
So soon may I follow when friendships decay
And from love's shining circle the gems drop away
When true hearts lie withered and fond ones are flown
Oh who would inhabit this bleak world alone?
Oh who would inhabit this bleak world alone?
"The Last Rose Of Summer"
'Tis the last rose of summer left blooming alone
All her lovely companions are faded and gone
No flower of her kindred, no rosebud is nigh
To reflect back her blushes or give sigh for sigh
I'll not leave thee, thou lone one, to pine on the stem
Since the lovelies are sleeping, go sleep thou with them
Thus kindly I scatter thy leaves o'er the bed
Where thy mates of the garden lie scentless and dead
So soon may I follow when friendships decay
And from love's shining circle the gems drop away
When true hearts lie withered and fond ones are flown
Oh who would inhabit this bleak world alone?
Oh who would inhabit this bleak world alone?
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Key West and Miami
Hey guys! Hope you are all having a good weekend! After days and days of rain, the sun has finally poked through the clouds and it's quite mild - like +10 C. The snow is melting, but there is still a lot of it left to go! I have some windows open for the first time in a long time and I bought some tulips, so it's starting to feel a smidgeon like spring!
My sister and brother-in-law fly back to KSA (Saudi Arabia) today. They've been in Canada for a few weeks and it was good to see my sister. My bro-in-law was only in Ontario and I didn't get to see him. Today was supposed to be the "day of rage" in KSA, but it didn't amount to much. Hopefully, things will remain stable there.
Am going down to see mom tomorrow and get her stocked back up on her favourites. She was been basically pretty good lately with just her usualy complaints of arthritis.
Here's some more pics of Key West and Miami. We're still wishing we were back there. The other day Brad was pinning for the beach to run on rather than icy, slushy sidewalks! Oh, I just about forgot! We definitely could have gone back for another week or so had I had one more number in the lotto the other night! I was one number away from winning $35,000! As it turned out, I ended up with $700, so I'm not really complaining, but the 35 grand would have been much nicer!
One of the hosts on our Sunset Cruise in Key West. I don't think she had one ounce of body fat!
Our captain, Mike I think his name was. He didn't have a lot of body fat either!
Some of the wine on offer
Rigging the sails
The sun is setting
Ever farther
A place we stopped for lunch on our drive back to Miami - On Isla Morada, I think
Ahhh... South Beach.. and the boyz!
Probably the best beach I have been on to date. Beautiful water, great for swimming (and taking in the sights!)
The large white tents in the backgound is where the SoBe Food and Wine Festival was held. We went on Sunday and had a blast!
The rest are pretty much self-explanatory... Unfortunately for our straight male friends, the day that all the curvy gals were on the beach, we forgot our camera! Sorry guys!
My sister and brother-in-law fly back to KSA (Saudi Arabia) today. They've been in Canada for a few weeks and it was good to see my sister. My bro-in-law was only in Ontario and I didn't get to see him. Today was supposed to be the "day of rage" in KSA, but it didn't amount to much. Hopefully, things will remain stable there.
Am going down to see mom tomorrow and get her stocked back up on her favourites. She was been basically pretty good lately with just her usualy complaints of arthritis.
Here's some more pics of Key West and Miami. We're still wishing we were back there. The other day Brad was pinning for the beach to run on rather than icy, slushy sidewalks! Oh, I just about forgot! We definitely could have gone back for another week or so had I had one more number in the lotto the other night! I was one number away from winning $35,000! As it turned out, I ended up with $700, so I'm not really complaining, but the 35 grand would have been much nicer!
One of the hosts on our Sunset Cruise in Key West. I don't think she had one ounce of body fat!
Our captain, Mike I think his name was. He didn't have a lot of body fat either!
Some of the wine on offer
Rigging the sails
The sun is setting
Ever farther
A place we stopped for lunch on our drive back to Miami - On Isla Morada, I think
Ahhh... South Beach.. and the boyz!
Probably the best beach I have been on to date. Beautiful water, great for swimming (and taking in the sights!)
The large white tents in the backgound is where the SoBe Food and Wine Festival was held. We went on Sunday and had a blast!
The rest are pretty much self-explanatory... Unfortunately for our straight male friends, the day that all the curvy gals were on the beach, we forgot our camera! Sorry guys!
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
More Tropical Pics!
A few more pics from Key West:
The sister ship of the one that we took the Sunset Wine Cruise on (Danger Cruises). Highly recommended!
Brad - sittin' on the dock of the bay
More cruise ship
Typical Key West architecture
A building down by the Old Dock
The sister ship of the one that we took the Sunset Wine Cruise on (Danger Cruises). Highly recommended!
Brad - sittin' on the dock of the bay
More cruise ship
Typical Key West architecture
A building down by the Old Dock
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Beautiful Break!
Hi gang! We made it back from sunny and hot southern Florida early Wednesday morning (2:30 a.m.) after a 2-hour delay with our flight home from Toronto. We had an amazing time and the weather was sunny and warm each and every day - just what the doctor ordered! We landed in Miami just before 2:00 p.m. and we were on our way to Key West by 2:30 after picking up our rental car a few miles from the airport. It took us about 3 and a half hours to reach Key West and we arrived just after 6:00 p.m. How wonderful it is to leave winter far behind and stroll around in shorts and sandals and a light shirt where everything is green and blossoming! We thoroughly enjoyed the four days we spent in Key West and we met some friendly locals (who pointed us to a terrific restaurant) and some fellow travellers. We encountered a lot of other Canadians - I think the strong Canadian dollar is tempting an increasing number of us to head for warmer climes. In any case, here are a few pics to get started and I'll be posting more in the days ahead:
The pool area where we were staying. Most days, especially in the morning, we had it totally to ourselves
Our private patio just outside our room complete with hot tub, which we never used - I'm not big on hot tubs, having got jock itch from one many, many years ago
Our room - viewed from above. It was large and spacious and had a kitchenette
Down by the port where all the cruise ships dock
Yours truly with a cruise ship behind - they are really massive!
The pool area where we were staying. Most days, especially in the morning, we had it totally to ourselves
Our private patio just outside our room complete with hot tub, which we never used - I'm not big on hot tubs, having got jock itch from one many, many years ago
Our room - viewed from above. It was large and spacious and had a kitchenette
Down by the port where all the cruise ships dock
Yours truly with a cruise ship behind - they are really massive!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Endless winter...
Just a quickie to let you all know how sick I am of winter! We've had a very old-fashioned one here this year. Freezing temperatures, numbing wind, tonnes of snow... The last couple of days have been fairly mild and we had rain yesterday. Ugh. I literally can't wait for spring! But at least Brad and I will get a break from this bleak, dingy winter when we fly to Miami on Monday! I can't wait for that either! We'll be renting a car in Miami and then drivng to Key West for 4 nights. After that, we drive back to Miami for 5 nights! We're staying in great spots in both places and I've already got some restaurants picked out, of course! We're also going to take in a Miami Heat basketball game and an event at the South Beach Food and Wine Festival. Should be a lot of fun, and I'll return with lots of warm and sunny photos to post here.
Then, before you know it, it will be time for Easter in New York City with Shaun and Mary and Don and Marlene! We're really looking forward to that as well!
I'll leave you with a couple of pics that Brad took at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine a few weeks ago. He and his did with on a 5-night ski vacation. Brad likes winter!
Then, before you know it, it will be time for Easter in New York City with Shaun and Mary and Don and Marlene! We're really looking forward to that as well!
I'll leave you with a couple of pics that Brad took at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine a few weeks ago. He and his did with on a 5-night ski vacation. Brad likes winter!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Rolling in the Deep
Man! I LOVE Adele and especially this song! She is one very talented gal... I've been listening to Radio Bruno (link in the sidebar) out of Italia for the last couple of days and it's getting lots of play on there and I've also heard it on Hit FM out of Moscow.
I'm dedicating this one to my good friend Marilyn in the US. Hope you like it, bellina!
I'm dedicating this one to my good friend Marilyn in the US. Hope you like it, bellina!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Birds!
Pretty Amazing video of a huge cluster of birds. I think it was taken somewhere in Russia. Amazing. I'm not sure what kind of birds they are... Brad and I have seen a similar display put on by sandpipers along the Bay of Fundy. Just a beautiful and intricate ballet... Hope you enjoy:
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Brand New Year!
So, it's been 2011 for 9 days now! Wow! Things are gradually getting back to normal after the holidays. We hosted our traditional New Year's Eve party for friends and neighbours. Don and Mar weren't able to make it as one of Don's uncles had died and the funeral was on Jan 1. We missed you guys lots! Many other friends and neighbours dropped by, however. Most people brought some nibbles to eat and I had made a raspberry pie, a gingerbread cake, and baked Brie. Brad made Swedish Glög, which is a potent concoction of red wine, port, brandy and a lot of warm and aromatic spices. It was quite a hit! Our very good frineds Shaun and Mary ended up staying the night with us (as we had suggested they do) and we all turned in around 3:30 in the morning!
Monday (Jan. 3) was a holiday, so I started working again on the 4th. It's been just over a month now since I started working from home and I continue to love it. I am also finding that I am WAY more productive at home than at the office. I guess it's because I'm generally happier and there are far fewer distractions at home than at work. Plus, work has picked up considerably since I started working at home. I am busy from the start to the finish of my day, which is also nice. Last fall had been particularly slow, and the workday goes by much faster when you have something to do.
Other than that, we are planning our trip to Miami and Key West next month. I totally can't wait for that and am going to try to drop a few pounds before we go, so wish me luck! And we've bought tickets for a Miami Heat game when we're there! That, too, will be exciting - my very first professional basketball game in person! I have to say, though, that the tickets were WAY more than I thought they'd be (I thought OPERA tickets were expensive!). Oh well, it's only coloured paper, right!? I'm also looking forward to booking some good restaurants both in Miami (South Beach) and Key West. So if any of you know these cities and some good spots to eat, by all means, let me know!
We are also heading back to NYC at Easter this year with Don and Marlene and Shaun and Mary. Should be a LOT of fun! We're renting two apartment and are staying for five nights! Then, of course, shortly after that, Brad will be off on his 3-month hike! And after that, we'll be going to Ontario for the wedding of one of Brad's neices.
So I think 2011 will be quite a travel year for us. And that, in my books, is a good thing.
Happy New Year!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Merry Christmas!
Hey all - er... well, anyone who still clicks onto this blog occasionally! Just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. This has been a crazy busy month with all the parties and gatherings. And I've spent the last few days buying things for my mother to give to people. My sister from Saudia Arabia was here for a few days last week. She had been taking the Cambridge English Second Language course in Halifax for the last month so she can teacj English when she goes back to the Kingdom. She had a good visit with mom and with me and Brad. She's now in Alberta for Christmas with all 3 of her sons.
Outside, it looks more like October than December. We've has so much rain lately that there isn't a flake of snow left on the ground. But we're supposed to get snow on Sunday and Monday, so it will probably be looking like December again just in time for January.
Brad and I aren't exchanging gifts this year. Instead, we're splurging on a 10-day holiday in February in Miami and Key West! Can't wait for that! Brad hasn't been south in ages, but he's agreed to go this time, since I have agreed to stay put and keep the home fires buring while he takes a 3-month leave of absence from his job next May to hike part of the Appalachian Trail! Can you imagine! He will come home after about six weeks or so for a conjugal visit, and I will go to the States and meet him some time after that for a few days. It's something he's always wanted to do and this looks like a good time to do it! I'll keep you posted!
The other big thing that has happened in our lives is that I have FINALLY started working from home!! I started on December 6 in fact. It has been absolutely wonderful! Brad works at home as well (for the last 14 years in fact!), but we each of our own office and so far, so good! We're not annoying each other too much at all! Officially, for me, it's a 6-month pilot project, but I don't anticipate going back to the office full-time ever again. I may have to go in for a few weeks or a month or so when other supervisors are away on vacation, but basically from now on, I'll be working from home. I haven't really gotten into a routine yet, because every lunchtime I've had to go out and run Christmas errands, but I generally get at least an hours more sleep every day and I sure do not miss the bus ride to and from work.
I'll leave you with a pic of new new workspace. Merry Christmas from our house to yours!
Outside, it looks more like October than December. We've has so much rain lately that there isn't a flake of snow left on the ground. But we're supposed to get snow on Sunday and Monday, so it will probably be looking like December again just in time for January.
Brad and I aren't exchanging gifts this year. Instead, we're splurging on a 10-day holiday in February in Miami and Key West! Can't wait for that! Brad hasn't been south in ages, but he's agreed to go this time, since I have agreed to stay put and keep the home fires buring while he takes a 3-month leave of absence from his job next May to hike part of the Appalachian Trail! Can you imagine! He will come home after about six weeks or so for a conjugal visit, and I will go to the States and meet him some time after that for a few days. It's something he's always wanted to do and this looks like a good time to do it! I'll keep you posted!
The other big thing that has happened in our lives is that I have FINALLY started working from home!! I started on December 6 in fact. It has been absolutely wonderful! Brad works at home as well (for the last 14 years in fact!), but we each of our own office and so far, so good! We're not annoying each other too much at all! Officially, for me, it's a 6-month pilot project, but I don't anticipate going back to the office full-time ever again. I may have to go in for a few weeks or a month or so when other supervisors are away on vacation, but basically from now on, I'll be working from home. I haven't really gotten into a routine yet, because every lunchtime I've had to go out and run Christmas errands, but I generally get at least an hours more sleep every day and I sure do not miss the bus ride to and from work.
I'll leave you with a pic of new new workspace. Merry Christmas from our house to yours!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Sunday, November 07, 2010
More France
Grape vines on a building
Rouisillon
Ile-sur-la-Sorgue - Great little town where we went to the market
Garlic graters - we brought some back for our friends
Free-run French eggs
Gordes in Provence
Murs (the "s" is pronounced) a little town across the way from where we stayed
Gorgeous Gordes
Oh, and Brad and I celebrated 20 years together this week! Here's to at least 20 more sweetie!
Rouisillon
Ile-sur-la-Sorgue - Great little town where we went to the market
Garlic graters - we brought some back for our friends
Free-run French eggs
Gordes in Provence
Murs (the "s" is pronounced) a little town across the way from where we stayed
Gorgeous Gordes
Oh, and Brad and I celebrated 20 years together this week! Here's to at least 20 more sweetie!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
More Dordogne and Provence
The beautiful Dordogne River
Hot air ballons above the Dordogne
Near the caves where prehistoric drawings were found at the beginning of the 20th century
Foie gras and truffle shop in Sarlat
On a walk in the Dordogne
Me, Mark, and Kathleen on a 2 and a half hour walk during which we ended up in the middle of a wild boar hunt. We never saw any boars, but we heard lots of gunshots and dogs baying
A beautiful house we came across during our walk. We decided we could easily live in France!
I petted the horses and got quite a shock - the fence was electrified!
Pastoral France
Our home base in Provence - about 6 km outside of Gordes
One day while in Provence, we took a cooking class from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It was on this beautiful property owned by the descendant of a French viscount and his partner, the latter of whom gave the cooking class. The place was actually occupied by the Nazis during WWII, but they took pretty good care of it.
After preparing our meal, we dined al fresco under the plane tree in the warm sun
The reflecting pool
The servants quarters
Hot air ballons above the Dordogne
Near the caves where prehistoric drawings were found at the beginning of the 20th century
Foie gras and truffle shop in Sarlat
On a walk in the Dordogne
Me, Mark, and Kathleen on a 2 and a half hour walk during which we ended up in the middle of a wild boar hunt. We never saw any boars, but we heard lots of gunshots and dogs baying
A beautiful house we came across during our walk. We decided we could easily live in France!
I petted the horses and got quite a shock - the fence was electrified!
Pastoral France
Our home base in Provence - about 6 km outside of Gordes
One day while in Provence, we took a cooking class from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It was on this beautiful property owned by the descendant of a French viscount and his partner, the latter of whom gave the cooking class. The place was actually occupied by the Nazis during WWII, but they took pretty good care of it.
After preparing our meal, we dined al fresco under the plane tree in the warm sun
The reflecting pool
The servants quarters
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