We heard that the U of A Botanical Gardens had a spectacular event. So we spent the ‘big bucks’ and finally headed over to this held over event.

Although I’m pleased to show you the few photos I captured of the walk through, I have to say it was a very ‘underwhelming’ experience.

It was a lovely, sunny day yesterday and I was going a little ‘house bound crazy’ so we decided to get out and take a walk together in the river valley.

I looked out of my kitchen window into my back yard and noticed that everything was coated. Coated in another layer of snow.

Chairs that gleefully welcome visitors in summers past lay still beneath their burden. Grasses bow down under the weight.

I love tea.

If you could come into my home you would have plenty of choices of flavours, cups, pots, and creamers.

The sun is slinking away and in her place she leaves a temporary gift… this long shadow.

How early does a person feel compassion for other people? Well, in the case of one of my grandsons I can assuredly say….five years old!

Free will. Each of us has the ability to make choices about where our path will take us.

Well, our lock down has just been extended. Not a surprise really but if you’re like me this is becoming a very long time without hugs from extended family and friends.

I’m thinkin’ about my buddy, Marie, today.

And praying for a peaceful transition.

We live in a time of anxiety. Not just because it’s 2021 . Not just because we lived through 2020. But because we live.

Have you ever been on a winter picnic?

Yesterday I was preparing myself for yet another day of hunkering down in the house during this lockdown period and Terry suggested we pack up our gear and head out to Elk Island for lunch.

Yes. It’s already been a long ‘winter’. Eleven months of Covid (that we know of….) and we’re still one world divided by this pandemic.

I’ve been working on my photo albums this week.

Not gonna lie…I’ve had a few tears as I look through photos of our families and friends near and far. I miss them all so much and I try not to let my mind go to that dark place of fear. Covid news is scary, constant, and real.

The other day I finally got back to rehearsing my new music. I’ve been working on other artistic ventures (illustrations for a new children’s book) and/or cleaning the house from the Christmas finery removal.

My bestie, Rose, sent me this Sarah McLachlan song which I have heard many times. Funny how I sometimes only really ‘hear’ a song if I can see the words.

 ” I used to wonder why my mom was always the last one out of the house. I thought for a while it was because she took the longest to get ready.I figured she sometimes waited until the last minute.I had the suspicion she didn’t want to go out in public without her hair done or lip liner on, even though I couldn’t imagine why a mom would care so much, really.

Happy ‘Baptism of the Lord’ Sunday!

What a first week of the year!

I think most of us followed the mandate to stay home this Christmas and isolate from our families(in Alberta at least) and although it was tough we got through it and are still hopeful the Covid numbers will go down.

Yesterday was the holy day of Epiphany.

Epiphany means “manifestation” or “showing forth”. It commemorates the mainfestations of the divinity of Christ ,which are sometimes called ‘Theophany’, which means the showing forth of God.(Catherine Doherty).