Putting up the Xmas Lights.

Well, I did it. Okay, I'm only part way through, but I did get some Christmas lights out (but not on) while the weather was still temperate. And I did (drum roll) get up on the garage roof to do it. Since my dear departed spouse was the one who always got up on the roof, and the kids are not quite old enough to do it by themselves, that tradition fell to me.
Problem was, I don't do roofs. Only five or ten minutes after assuring a friend who drove my daughter home from choir that I did NOT do roofs, I decided I would do it anyway. Heck, I survived the Tower of Terror at California Adventureland twice - and I did (finally) ride California Screamin' roller coaster this year. . .
The garage was easy, now I wonder if I can, or need to get up the nerve for the upper roof, on the house. Maybe I'll just outline the window. All LED. No Clarke Griswold energy drains here.
That is a great movie.

Skunk

Heading out to pick up my son from Scouts last night I saw a long haired black cat that seemed to be struggling to cross the road in the snow. Then as I approached it was clear that it was a skunk, trying to get away from the lights and noise of the vehicle, trying to get around or through the wire fence around the playground. I was relieved that I didn't hit it, and I pray it will not choose to live under my deck. I am reminded once again that even in urban areas we are surrounded by wildlife. I know Stettler is barely urban, but I stand by my assertion. We and our pets are not the only living things on the planet. I have over my short stay in this town, seen snowshoe hares, merlins, pheasants, quail, muskrats not to mention the house sparrows, warblers, ruby-throated hummingbirds, chickadees, magpies, bohemian waxwings, downy and hairy woodpeckers, nuthatches, trumpeter swans, canada geese, mallards all within the town limits. I know that there was at least one badger in town.
I suppose I shall get my winter supply of sunflower seeds out soon. The early snow still covers the ground. I still haven't got my carrots out of the garden. I did get the onions out. The ground isn't frozen, but digging in the wet, cold snow for a few small carrots seems to be misplaced energy. A friend says that they will make good compost in the spring.

Late Hot Summer, Early Winter.

What happened to our fall?

Late September we had temperatures in the 30s in the day. (That's Centigrade -- about 90 Fahrenheit. )

Then a week ago we were plunged into mostly below freezing and snow. I have carrots, beets and onions in the garden yet. I have hoses filled with ice. Deck furniture and a trampoline covered with snow. Pipes froze at the cabin. Well at least I'm not alone. And I can stay warm and dry inside. And I have friends, family, food, clothing and a wonderful community.

I am, I find, thankful despite personal loss, and a life turned upside down. . . .

as we say in the funeral service. . . "even at the grave we make our song, "Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!" Sometimes it seems "a cold and broken, Alleluia." Having a family to support (me them, and they me) helps. And they are part of the blessings for which I, in my better moments, remember with gratitude.

Hope you had a good Thanksgiving weekend.

Shalom,
Mark

Foggy Day Chickadee

I was walking back to my car after checking out the location of the Wild Rose Gym in Bashaw early this afternoon. Saw a black-capped chickadee poking around in a softball sized hole in a tree in someone's yard. So I stopped and did what any self-respecting aspiring birder would do. I pished at it. Actually it's more like psh-psh . . . oh I'll spare you the details. I made the sounds that seems to call chickadees in closer. And it worked. The little fellow (or gal) came so close I spontaneously reached out my hand, wishing I had a peanut to offer it. But to my surprise the peanut wasn't needed. The bird actually landed on my hand briefly. Now I know that isn't a unique experience, but it was a first for me.
Way cool. Made my day.

I don't even live in Saskatoon

. . . but I did for a little while. A couple of years. Generally a pretty little city. But with some problems, which I will not speak of here, yet.

Saskatoon pie, however, I have enjoyed for much of my life. Saskatoons are a berry that grows all over the Canadian prairie. (They call them Service Berries in some places.) A berry used to make pemmiccan. Not everyone has a taste for them. Not often as juicy and big as a blueberry. But the flavour is to me the essence of a sunny prairie day spent in the brush along a river, or lake, warmth of sun, scent of earth and growth, berries staining my fingers and lips, friends and family picking nearby, finding the good patches. And then the pie. Best made in mid winter or early spring (like for my birthday hint, hint) with berries frozen or canned from the year before. With the first bite, the whole sensation of a summer day spent picking berries comes flooding back.

Can't do that when you're attached to a computer. Especially not a Blueberry.

Shalom.