He is Risen

Happy Easter to everyone. Christ is alive!

We had a wonderful Easter service today - even had the organ playing - that's something from by-gone days for most of us now. It's nice to hear though once in a while!

The sun is shining, the snow is melting and the grader is out in our cul de sac clearing away the snow and slush. Well, not clearing away all of it but even-ing it out! we still have lots of snow.

Anyway, just wishing everyone a good day!

Beautiful Day!

It is a beautiful day here...+9 C and really feeling like spring with all the snow melting, the roadways now being seen again and water dripping off roofs and rolling down the street gutters.

I had to go to the west end of town today so stopped in to see my friend who has Alzheimer's. I had not seen her for a few months - seems like there is always something else I am doing instead. Anyway, she was in the lounge area and was fast asleep. I could not get her to wake up no matter what I did. She mumbled something to me each time I shook her and called her name - it was like she was in a dreamworld and couldn't come out of it. I was hoping she might be more alert today and I could take her out into the sunshine and fresh air but...it was not to be. As I walked across the street in the sunshine and enjoying the fresh air, I remembered last summer when we sat outside on the bench beside the entrance and with her eyes closed she turned her face towards the sun. She said "I miss the sun" and smiled. I truly felt sorry that she missed it again today. She is in her own little world, so maybe, she's thinking of sunshine too.

Happy family

The final night of the Easter Musical production was last night. Our daughter and family arrived early for it and I was able to take a picture of her with Caiphus in costume right after! It was difficult to do as there were so many people who wanted to have their picture taken with him. The church was full to overflowing 3 of the 4 nights. About 100 people watched it in the foyer on closed-circuit t.v. monitors! Congratulations to the cast and many people behind the scenes!

John (Caiphus) with the family!

Year by Year

Well, yesterday was quite the snowstorm. We had about 30 cm of snow and it fell continuously all day long. About 160 accidents in the city - likely most from going too fast for the conditions. The QE 2 was shut down as was the Anthony Henday as too much snow, traffic and just plain 'nasty' conditions.

Today it is beautiful. Bright sunshine, blue sky and lots of white stuff!!! If you are not travelling in it, it's great to look at.

In 2012 our backyard looked like this on March 22nd.

March 22, 2012

Things look a lot different this year. Way more snow. You just never know in this country!



March 22, 2013



What a difference a year can make.

More Snow

Our daughter is coming from Vancouver - the land of sunshine and rain - and innocently asked if she should bring snowpants and boots for the kids? hahahahahaha. She also asked if I thought there would be enough snow here to go toboganning. Another long hahahahahahah Of course, we have more than enough snow as we have had nothing but snow for the past 4 days! I thought we were finished with it for awhile but I woke up this morning to another thin layer of it on the driveway but assumed it would be 'nothing' to clear off. By the time I had washed my face, it was snowing again! Those big, fluffy snowflakes that you want when you go skiing! Hopefully, they won't last long. Sometimes we get a burst of snow and then it tapers off to nothing. They said maybe another cm over the day but it seems like they are actually meaning to say 'inches'!



Front yard - clearing the neighbours driveway too!




Back deck

Of course the backyard gets more snow from the snowblower and is always the last to melt away in the spring. However, the lower part of the deck always gets cleared off and you can see we got enough snow piling up at the end of the deck from what was naturally ON the deck, so snow accumulation was definitely high this past week! Winter is planning on 'going out' like a lion!!!

Another Day

We went out for supper and to the ESO (Edmonton Symphony Orchestra) last night. Supper was at the Bistro Praha which has been around since 1979. Nothing has changed - well, that's not true. A few years back there was a fire in the block it was located on and everything was shut down, including our favourite restaurant! After a two year + wait, it rose from the ashes but at a different location a block over (now on 101 St.). It looks the same, and many of the old European tables had been saved (mostly smoke damage) and someone donated back to the restaurant, the wall mural that has been in the origianl place for years! It has the same look, feel and style of the other location and even our server is the same from the 70's (I think he became manager or part-owner or something like that).

We are a bit into the deepfreeze these days but it is supposed to warm up on the weekend which is a good thing, other than it always causes melting, re-freezing and big ruts in the road. Just as the roads clear up, another big snow dump comes along and we start all over again. That is why we always plan a trip to someplace warm in the winter. We all 'need a little help' to get through it!

Speaking of warm places...here's another nice reminder of the ocean we were so happy gazing at each day....

Curious shapes - taken from our 14th floor deck



On the beach - mid-afternoon calm

 It's always interesting to me to see the different colours of the ocean depending on the angle, the wind, the tides, the sun...no two waves are the same - I know...I watched them come in and go out for long periods of time!! Loved it.

Sunshine

While I am back at home after a wonderful holiday, my mind still skips to all the sunsets and  beautiful warm days on the beach. Even during our last moments in the Honolulu Airport the sun seemed to mesmerize me! Enjoy.





Beautiful.