Hey, they really are swans

I saw these swans in a pond just east of Shepard AB. Not 10 minutes from my house. I was driving down the highway from Langdon this  lovely Friday morning.

What I did on my one week Fall Vacation

This has been a crazy week.
Firstly I volunteered to do the timing at a horse event adjacent to the polo grounds. My friend Donna was an entrant with her cart, groom and horse. I don't know how many gates there were but my gate was really cool. An over and under bridge with deep gully turns which could cause spills and cart turning. But didn't.

Donna came in first

Then we were invited out to a football party at Walter's father's place, on the top of Cochrane Hill and we took a tour of the property on shank's pony which nearly killed B. What magnificent jaw dropping views.

Erin said, what if we went to the Icefields tomorrow and I said yeah, that sounds like a good idea and so off we went. Just the two of us. Up at the crack of dawn with lunch in the cooler we were at the Icefields by 1:00p.m.

This is a once in a lifetime experience. Mostly because the cost is prohibitive, $100 for two, and the Athabasca field is dropping and the access to the glacier will be too difficult for the huge cats to manage. I don't know what is happening on the mother glacier, the Columbia, but when I google map it,  seems absolutely massive compared to the little finger of ice that is the Athabaska. Note the little line of intrepid ice walkers in the first picture. We were home 12 hours later, I had a terrible case of road buzz and I had to get up early to show properties, take a couple of listings etc.

And then I was on my way to Spruce Meadows,to meet my sis and her gang and my friend L.
The Sun Newspaper Photographer was there and when he saw Gwennyth he HAD to take her pic. Several shots and poses later....she made it into today's Sun Newspaper on page 25.

Finally on the last day of the week.... I had been called to jury duty and sat in the court room at the crack of dawn with 200 other people waiting to be called for 12 person jury for a MURDER trial.
You can imagine how thrilled I was. Yeah I know, I have my civic duty to do as a member of a free society and all that. But, I didn't really want murder in my head for a month. Yes, the judge said that it would be a very very long trial. (It was a particularly grizzley one and the accused dude was sitting in the dock watching us.) The judge wouldn't accept my plea for exemption because I make my living from commissions, so I waited to be challenged by the crown or the defence and the defence objected and I was sent back to sit with the rabble in the back of the court. Whew! However we all (except the 14 selected) have to go back to the court for another 6 jury selections of 6 people. These trials may only last a week. I won't know anything until I get there.
I will keep you posted.
My family is amazed that they would consider me, judgy judgerson with my libertarian beliefs. I will wear my 'hang'em' tee shirt when I go back. No?

This hare is chillin'

Hot august night or early evening and everyone is belly down in the grass. Best place to be. Just had to be sure to dodge the golf balls. This hare is a baby, the grass is still green all around and the carrots are growing in the garden. Life is good. I don't care who eats what now. The crazy designer carrots seeds I put in this year were a disappointment, they were only to grow to the size of a marble but the package didnt say that they were also as hard as a marble. Bunnies don't care.

Family connection

partytime getting ready for the party

Gwynneth, Bethany and Shelley



a feast that worked out surprisingly well

Jason and Bethany...she was quite alert for a while.

Little Miss B. This was her first big party. At least the first one that she told she had been to

Bethany getting a cuddle from Erin

Walter hiding behind his pink cupcake phone.

Sanding the patio. Hey we had to get the labourer from somewhere so we put her to work.

Me and Some Friends of Mine

At Ptarmigan on the Highwood Pass

Maggie going on 30.



Endless wrestling, these two were deserted by their mother and have ingratiated themselves into the human domain.
Couldnt be becaused they are so darned cute.

He looks so much like my Ginger.

A day with the Girls

It was a sunny hot day and apparently the hat was essential

Until the new skirt appeared and hat was off

This series of pictures cracked me up. She was watching her first Disney Winnie the Pooh and Tiger movie. I am glad no one photographs me when I am watching a movie. So much emotion,,



The trestle bridge

Quite a wonder trip. The weather is wonderful and sunny

Tonight we may get lucky and see the stars on our eay back to Melfort. Right now we are at Bennys bistro in Nipawin. Wow are we impressed. Fantastic food. B is eating baby back ribs and enjoying himself so much he wont look up from his grub.