The View From Here.....

These were taken from in front of the house Saturday afternoon, up and down the street, to show how much snow we have left. The streets, driveways and walks are all clear as are some patches of lawn. Anywhere the snow drifted or was plowed into banks is still fairly deep....

...and truth be told it isn't really snowy anymore. Layers and layers of coarse and fine icy crystalline .... stuff.

These last few hours through the night have been mild with a steady rain so by the time it has stopped there shouldn't be much of anything left.

Here is the forecast for today; weebolly-wobbolly lightness followed by a hint of reddishness. Expect highlights toward dusk.

Helter - Skelter.......

....shotgun........blogarama......

There are a blizzard of topics I've been trying to remember to post about so, in no particular order....

signs of spring..... FINALLY on Saturday afternoon: I ducked my head out the side door of the house to check on the dogs and lo and behold - in the greenbelt behind the house 60 or 70 robins!!! They sat, they ate, flitted about a bit but didn't leave that field cuz they wanted to rest and eat some more.

Browsing back issues of 'Canada's National Newspaper' - The Globe and Mail - and found one man's remedy to feeling down in the dumps. "Whenever I'm depressed," he says, "I go find someone who is really happy... and then suck the life right out of them." Hey, whatever works for ya, bud.

Also in that edition; the next / latest global crisis - food inflation. Yes, everything costs more these days including getting the vittles on the table. Prices of three basic staples have more than doubled in the past year - wheat, rice and corn - due in part I learned to the fact that global crop production is quickly being altered to suit the production of bio-fuels. Less food for the relatively poor in order to transport the relatively rich. The ramifications of that statement are virtually endless so....let's just think about that one for a moment, shall we?

(Non)Smoking update. Yikes!! There are a lot of factors at play here, especially my screwed up circadian rhythms (yielding no sleep), but Sunday was definitely my toughest day so far. It was a yay / nay toss-up for a few hours there toward evening but I didn't have one. An unbroken string of 19 days... and my prediction holds true that it won't be a physical urge that gets me. It'll be a mental lapse where I don't like the state I'm in and want relief from that state through smoking. The lack of sleep is making me feel punchy and edgy - not a good combo - and is beginning to affect my relations with people about me. Just a titch snappy.

One of those good news / bad news elements to not smoking is my reawakening sense of smell; I think I might have noted this early on but..... Relating to my seizure disorder I have to be cautious around strong odours, both pleasant and unpleasant. That may also have something to do with why I had been somewhat deficient in my ability to smell a variety of things and distinguish between scents - the brain is a marvelous thing in all it's complexity (so much so that we don't even have to think about it). Anyway, the good stuff smells really, really good; the bad stuff not so good at all. Is that burnt toast I smell? No, really....?!?!

Early last week my first wife sent some pictures of our grandson to my mom but not to me so I emailed her to give her a hard time about it. She replied saying that if I had a mind to, all I had to do was register at Facebook and I would find all sorts of pictures on her page, our daughter's page, our son's page...... so, we are connected once again; electronically this time. It was her birthday yesterday. Stick around and one day you'll be as old as the rest of us Red.

A former client of ours tracked me down at home last Wednesday and we talked for about 45 minutes on the phone trying to get him sorted out somewhat. I called into work and recommended getting him back in for treatment, if only for a week or 10 days to get him re-established in recovery. I heard no more about it and was very pleasantly surprised to find him here when I arrived for work this evening. He'd made his way here early the next day from quite a distance away. It's a great thing when people commit to action like that...... to what lengths are we willing to go?? to ANY lengths.

Earth Hour. Where were you when the lights went out??? There were noticibly fewer lights on around our home in Oshawa; Toronto had a number of lights out events and hit their power reduction target; Canada had the largest per capita participation world wide beating even Australia where this originated just last year. Here is an associated video called Airsick - check it out.

Manana - have a good one unless you already have other plans.

It's Friday Night....!!!!!!

and no, it isn't that lush and green here (yet...)
but I felt like another splash of colour this evening.

Funny week. Low energy. Alright weather - a little snow the other day.
Otherwise, a dominant high pressure system and clear skies with decent temps.

I try to live in the present and appreciate the moment.
A bunch of us were standing outside after a noon time meeting
and enjoying the mild weather, sunshine and one another's company.
There were some powerful thought provoking messages shared around that table today.
A men's only closed discussion group - 25 to 30 in attendance. 3 of us from my home group.
One fellow completed treatment at our facility early this week; good to see him out doing the 'do's'.
A number of guys in excess of 20 years sobriety, a couple close to 50.

Hmmm.... let's see.... one day at a time.... at 50 years sobriety I'd be just shy of my 99th birthday.
A worthy goal.....


The mess is cleaned up from an early dinner and I've checked in to see how Lynda's day went.
Time to pack up my gear and head over to the house for the night.
There should be time to walk the dogs before dark if I hurry.
Later.

Sheer Laziness.......

..... and loving every minute of it.

Lynda is back on days and needed someone to tend to Milo for the day yesterday. (Pick me, Pick me) He is a perfect angel when sleeping as you can see. When he isn't sleeping it is difficult to get a shot of him as he is a busy lad - everywhere and into everything; where you want him to be, he isn't. Our visit at at mom's was a quick one as he was into all manner of stuff - balls of knitting wool, piles of papers - everywhere we were, he didn't want to settle.

Once over to my place he had to give the place a thorough inspection but eventually found a sunny spot of a carpet and used my shoes for a pillow. After he had settled it didn't take me long to find the couch for a rest of my own. (I can't seem to conk out at night but give me anything horizontal during the day and look out) You see, REST, that is the theme for the week. I didn't know that back on Monday and it is only becoming clear to me today, Friday, but that's okay. It may not have been the intention at the beginning of the week but that is how it has turned out. Ah, well... Sleeping hasn't been a great deal better but I've hung in there like a trooper with those sheets swaddled around me winning all the debates as to why I should be up out of bed.

Milo and I snoozed so Al, my boarder, cooked and we had eaten when Lynda arrived from her dinner date. Despite being stuffed she joined in and had a cuppa but declined the biscuits. Chicken!! Lynnie didn't stick around for ages - we had a nice visit but before too long she felt like getting on home. We continue to help one another with day-to-day pressures, outside relations, work stuff, finances, our kids stuff. Hmmm....sounds just like being married, doesn't it?

I just had a check-in call from a friend knows why I missed Mondays meeting and who hasn't seen me at meetings since; there's a 'men's only closed discussion' happening at noon - let's go. There will be some new idea floating about the room that I need to hear today.

Gotta go.... likely check-in later.

*Update* I can see I hadn't been up long enough to be writing anything here. Even after editing it's a mess. Mea culpa. Shut up Norm.*

Changes Underway.....

I've been threatening to change things up here a little and finally got around to the first couple of things. There were a couple of emails back & forth between Amuirin and I where I was asking if I could display a link to 'Stop & Wander'. Such a gentleman I am. Amuirin was having a rough day and told me explicitly just how bad it was - damned migraines. Oh, yeah - I mentioned about age and marital status being factors in being rid of them; there was also the relief of stress and complete change-up of diet that helped. Hope today is a better one for you.

As I was already into the template making that change I wasn't quite as polite with 'Miss Music Nerd'. I didn't request her permission - I simply informed her that I liked her writing and that I was putting a link up. Anyone who can compose music for the theremin is 'in', in my books. Damn straight. (Miss Music Nerd - please meet World Wide Glen. Also a blogcritic contributor.)

So for me that expands on writing, and writing about music..... now more photography and art. Which means a bit more digging and a few more messages to send before getting back into the template to fiddle some more.

BTW - I left 'callinitquits' active because the smoking cessation tools are still active there. Robin; I edited out the 'Life In The Bogs' link cuz I can still access it thru BH.

High Praise.....

.... and a few rough notes in regard to being on the receiving end of that.

How are you in reacting to compliments?? Handle it well? Find it embarrassing? Swell your head?? Does your reaction depend on the source (person) of the comment? The circumstance under which it was delivered? What does my reaction say about me? my self-esteem? how well grounded and self aware I am??

I had a few heady hours yesterday when someone I hold in very high regard paid me an immense compliment - got all puffed up for awhile there, I did. Then I thought 'you're an ass'; a thousand days can go by without anyone noticing you and all of a sudden you're someone special because someone did?? Get over it and yourself.

Not Lazy.....

.... just way too busy and tired.

The other night as I was leaving work I started getting chest pains.... and of course, being male decided the best course of action was to carry on regardless. You know, be sensible and self-monitor and take it easy but go to the hospital????... no, that would be a waste of time and money; mine and the systems. So, I made a couple of stops on the way home, sat and drank some tea and kept an eye on pulse strength & rate and intensity of pain levels.

Anyway, it all stayed the same through until I went to bed and was gone by morning. I think I was just exhausted as I had slept for perhaps an hour the night before and had been awake since midnight.

Funny though - I missed my meeting and called Lynda about the time the meeting would have been starting - 'What are you doing calling me now?? Why aren't you at your meeting; you never miss!' I told her what was going on, she gave me hell, we hung up and she was at my door in 15 minutes. Gawd, if I'd known that would happen I'd have used it months ago....... just for the pleasure of her company. See, she does care about me!! We had a nice but brief visit until she was satisfied I wasn't going to croak in any great hurry and off she went home again.

I would have posted last night but I was sitting here at the computer checking friends blog posts and some emails when the power suddenly shut off throughout the neighbourhood. After getting a couple of candles going and quickly getting bored - what! no electronics!! - I decided to catch another early night and get some much needed rest. I wound up spending 14 hours between the sheets; asleep for maybe 6 or 7 of them. Glorious!! The power outage was the result of a storm that swept through dumping several inches of very wet snow. Between the winds and the damp it managed to mess things up pretty good for awhile.

It's time to clean myself up and go find out what the day will hold. Ciao fo now.

Odds & Ends

Work for the week is over in a few hours; 70 some hours worth. I've taken it very easy last night and tonight; weary, weary. It's off to home and bed for a few hours and after a short sleep, back up to help Lynda with 'that' job.

When Owen and his parents went home Saturday Lynda jumped in the car and took off for a long overdue visit with her mom, Mother Mary. She's coming back around noon today and calling to wake me when she gets close.

Over a year ago I came down with one of these never-ending colds that I get. At that time my weight dropped below 140 lb and stayed there - usually varying by a couple of lb around the 135 mark. I'm just 12 days into this smoking 'quit' and my metabolism has begun to change already; I've gained weight!!!!! I'm over 140 again!!!! My system is undergoing some other sorts of adjustments to not smoking causing some funny / embarrassing situations that I needn't go into here. I just hope this isn't something that is going to last - the new normal??

We aren't experiencing any grossly overt signs of spring as yet. The weather has been fine lately - clear skies but cool temps making for a very controlled melt of the snowcover. I should have a chance to get out and about on foot.... maybe Wednesday ... to see what I can see in terms of 'spring' being on it's way. I know a couple of types of animals are coming out of hibernation; I've gagged passing by where skunks have been killed on the road. Gawdawful stench.

Yeah, my respite from work will be very short-lived. I get off at 6 this morning and my boss has asked me to be back for a day shift at 8 Monday morning.... and again Tuesday. No rest for the wicked and all that....

I'm going to have to do some research and reading up along the lines of 'Classical Music For Dummies'. CBC Radio 2 has been my constant companion lately and there are particular types of music writing that I don't understand a lot about. I've heard a few different 'requiems' just recently - Faure's, Webber's, Verdi's, Brahm's - all very different, very powerful, emotionally loaded..... Like I said I need to study up in order to understand it all better, how it fits, it's structure, it's place. ?? Calling Miss Music Nerd ??

Here, once again, for your listening pleasure: http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/. Go ahead - listen live. Check out the updated Concerts On Demand pages.

L'il Dancer

When I arrived yesterday afternoon Owen, his gramma and his mom had spent a couple of hours on the side patio - it was cool but sunny and shielded from the wind. Once again gramma was the focus of Owen's world and referred to her in everything he wished to do. Out of the blue he began to sing, then to dance and decided he needed a partner. Here, gramma gives him a whirl.

7 of us walked down the street, round the corner to the local pub for a belated birthday dinner for Lynda. As we ate a band was setting up equipment and doing sound checks and Owen was following what they were doing. He stopped a couple of the band members to ask questions as they worked. I watched him as they stepped up to the microphones to introduce themselves and then count themselves into the number. The expression on Owen's face was worth a million bucks as they quickly ran through the first few chords and began to sing. He was off his chair like a shot, running up to where he had the best vantage point and proceeded to stomp his foot, shake his leg, clap his hands and dance, dance, dance. When the applause died after the song was done the band members gave Owen a hand and high-fives all round. He was a hit to say the least. Such enthusiasm - what's the saying? dance like no one is watching? he did....

Lynda and I took Owen back to the house to give the kids a couple of hours to themselves and the chance to sit and talk over a couple of beers. Lynda and I still haven't told Owen we live apart - whenever I arrive at the house I'm coming from work; if I have to leave I'm going back to work. Simple; it works and doesn't upset his view of the world. I had a couple of additional hours with him before leaving for work - big hugs and squeezes and a kiss on the cheek; he doesn't like my whiskers. Got a couple of hugs and kisses from Lynda , too. Woo-hoo!!

Last night was exceedingly quiet; downright boring. I caught up on a couple of important emails, considered watching a movie but then surfed and followed links on friends blogs. Found lots and lots of good creative writing and excellent photography. I'm looking to update those I link with and want to add a few. I'm not really sure of the etiquette involved - should I tell them I intend to link and give them the opportunity to veto the idea? Input people???

BTW - the time spent at the house and bar were the worst I've had for craving a smoke. Neither are 'smoking' places but both were loud, confusing and loaded with stress (for a few reasons). I used some of the 'tools' I'd been told of and they worked in the short term. I kept fantisizing about that '1' smoke all night and was glad to get home to bed. hmmm.... 11 days now. Best regroup, review, renew or ... relapse.

On Arising.....

Here is the view that greeted me as I hit the bottom of the stairs today when I got up. Too nice a day, with all that sunlight streaming in the windows, to be sleeping it away. Gotta sleep sometime though.

I liked the two contrasting sunlit areas. One very structured with the shadows of the blinds creating regular bars. The other with its organic random shapes from the foliage of the various plants.

I would really like to get a higher, wider, deeper credenza piece for in front of the window so that things can be spaced out a little better...... but looking down on this crush is sort of interesting too, doncha think? (and no, that isn't a marijuana plant in the lower left; it's a money tree.)

Last night I didn't bother to write as I was overtired and not in a very good mood. Right now I need to get cleaned up and beat it out of here. Owen and his parents are supposed to be at the house for a brief visit and I'm dying to see the little (big) guy before I go to work later on tonight.

Oh, I received yet another wonderfully supportive email today from a friend in regard to my having quit smoking and for that I'm truly grateful. A terrific thing to wake up to and start the day with. I'm glad you're happy for me......

Diggin', Diggin'.....

Still around - just up for the day and catching up on friend's posts. Here are a couple of shots from a few days ago. It's been dull and raining here - not conducive to much in the way of picture taking.

I can lose myself in the zen-zone when I consider this one......

There may be something rattling around my mind worth sharing once I get to work this evening.... perhaps.

7 Days and Counting....

It's a week smoke free; a good week without many rough spots. I had a few more cravings than usual tonight but they came and went fairly quickly. On guard against complacency......

I can't recall what we learned in school about the withdrawal syndrome associated with nicotine but I would think 3 to 5 days would be the upper limit for physical effects. That tells me that it won't be a physical urge that will put me in danger; it will be a mental lapse if anything. On the phone with Lynda a few minutes ago to wish her good night - she says it takes 10 days to break a habit. That, according to the original 'old wife', her mom Mother Mary.

A few things about this interval: Mentally - I've been incredibly scattered. Really!! I haven't been able to focus or concentrate; unable to recall much of the week. Outwardly I've gotten on with people alright but inwardly I'm ready to snap. Bitchy, judgmental, critical, biting my tongue.
Emotionally - good, maybe a little too even in mood. Too controlled.
Physically - Coincidence?? I think not!! The same day I went for the hypnosis I also went to my MD and was prescribed a different puffer. The puffer in conjunction with not smoking has finally relieved the chest problems I had been experiencing for umpteen weeks following the cold I had. I can breathe again and don't wake myself hacking every time I move in bed. The pains from beneath my ribs are waning. Hallelujah!!

I'm trying to follow through as closely as possible with the list of recommendations the hypnotist gave me to do. Lots of water and certain foods to detoxify, bank (at least) a portion of money saved, listen to the cd of our session at least once a day, breathing exercises, positive affirmations, review work papers.

News that I've quit is getting around in dribs and drabs to family, friends, co-workers and extended (program) family. It's nice to be able to make declarative statements like, 'I no longer feel the need to smoke.' My kids are both in their mid twenties and the times in their young lives when I didn't smoke is beyond their memory; neither of them can believe it yet.

It took me more than a year of thinking about this; contemplating, anticipating, worrying, praying, discussing..... to finally put things into action. Thankfully I have lots of good supports around, both local and 'out there'. I was ready, I suppose, for a solid quit effort and the hypnosis made it 'do-able' for me. I don't know whether I'd have had this amount of success left to my own devices.

Please, don't let this end.....

...and Something Strange Here....

This blog doesn't get many hits but earlier today in the space of 5 minutes there were over 20 hits from all over the planet ..... that just doesn't happen by accident. Explanation????

There's Something Different Here.....

...here's Buddy....

.... Buddy and Libby........

..... and Freedom.

If you scan back a couple of posts to Milo's picture you'll see he was lucky to make it in the door - in that he isn't 'Black and White'.

Milo's coat is a nice medium brown at first glance but when you have a good close look it ranges from blonde to red. Regardless of colouring we can tell by his nature that he is a good fit with our other pets.

I, Me, Mine......

....in pre-thinking what I might write about those were the words that kept cropping up; pretty damned boring. And dangerous territory for me.... so I've held off posting anything. Responded to a few emails, sorted out some plans, posted a few comments, followed some links....

So - numbers game.... March 17; St Patrick's Day. Had wife #1 and I stuck this would have been anniversary #29. We've been apart now for 21 years which our children are very thankful for. She sent me some pictures last week of her most recent visit to see S, D & Z.

Later this week Lynda celebrates a birthday which will put her ahead of me numerically once again as she is 5 months older than I. In this part of the world your 'champagne' birthday is when your birth date and your age are the same; e.g. born on the 20th of the month, in the year you turn 20. Do we get anything for having been born in '54 and turning 54 this year?? A platinum something-or-other; or maybe a titanium doo-dad.

Have I mentioned lately that I quit smoking, I am a former smoker, I am a non smoker as of 5 days, 15 hours and 10 minutes ago??? I am shocked and amazed; awed and dazed; exhausted and tinglingly aware. One down side - unable to sleep... at all, at all.... even a little bit since the first night. But, Hey!... my sense of smell is kicking back in!!

Lynda and I spent the last few days together, back and forth between our two places but mainly at the house. As the weather has warmed a little Milo wants to be outside as much as possible and has to be coaxed in from time to time. He is still small but has grown noticeably. Freedom follows him out and about keeping him company and playing; Lynda follows Freedom, keeps an eye on Milo and plays with them both. I'm enjoying my time with all of them; Libby & Buddy, our cats, too.

What else? Sis returned from Cuba; Bro was in town briefly but I missed him; I forgot and missed a committee meeting Sunday; ah well. Gotta go.

Low Profile......

Another shot of Milo - pretty pup.

Spring is on the way (at long last) and the big melt is on.

I've been keeping myself to myself this week - lots of mixed up feelings and perceptions associated with having stopped smoking...... and I guess this qualifies as an 'official' quit now. Things have gone well but I haven't felt like inflicting myself on those closest to me, or distantly through this blog. There is plenty positive to say but I can sometimes put a negative spin on just about anything when I'm feeling off.

So - no one is more surprised than I about how easy this has been. Not a single cigarette since before walking into that office on Tuesday. Not that I haven't felt like one from time to time - I certainly have but, not as frequently or as strongly as I had imagined those cravings would be. Mom is pleasantly surprised and supportive; Lynda is shocked and pleased. One thing that worked in my favour is that I had the entire week off for a change - no distraction, no upset, no demands. I had one quick check-in call from the hypnotist to see how I was doing Friday afternoon. She was pleased to hear how well I felt and that I also have a referral for her.

I'm back to work tomorrow night - Sunday - so I'm hoping to be back in the writing groove again. I feel like I've been slacking. Giddy-up & go.

Better To Say Nothing....

....than to wind up sorry.

Ice Castles.

Doing okay; better than expected. Just a little off.....

Strange Daze.....

Hangover effect of hypnosis?? Nicotine withdrawal?? Sleep deprivation / exhaustion??

Yesterday was strange; by dinner time I could hardly keep my eyes open; I was in bed before 8 and I didn't get up until after 10 this morning. 14 hours - unheard of!!!!

It had been a mixed up day. First an MD appointment in the morning; yet another inhaler prescribed. Then it was off to Mom's for some shovelling of the lovely white stuff. There was a young guy who was supposed to be keeping up with all the snowfall and that was my understanding - that he had been by, done his thing and everything was okay. Not so; he stops by, does a bit, has reason to leave, charges for what he has done and splits. Meanwhile the driveway is still unnavigable and the snow is all crusty and frozen now. I managed to pull something in my lower back while shovelling but it is mostly done now.

The hypnosis appointment went well. The woman who did it ran through a thorough interview process with me before inducing the trance. After she brought me back out of it she reviewed what she had done, gave me a series of instructions to follow and also provided me with a copy of the session that she burned on CD. It's a little over 24 hours since I walked into her office and voila!!- no smoking. Incredible. I do have passing thoughts along the lines of 'I ought to have a smoke before I do....or, I'll have one after I've.......' and then I remember 'I'm a non-smoker - I don't smoke any longer'. There have been no serious cravings as yet and if things to date are an indication; I won't have any either.

Following the appt I had a few stops to make but by the time I made it home I was burnt. My eyes were really irritated, arms and back sore, and didn't feel like doing anything so I cancelled a planned visit with Lynda and headed to bed. Still can't believe that - 14 hours!! So, I'm still feeling kind of odd, discombobulated, don't have both feet on the floor...... etc, etc. I'm going to go review some of the reading material I was provided with and have a listen to the CD again. Anything to keep this run alive. Later.

Hocus Pocus

and shazaam!! Poof!!

So far.... so good; no problems. I kept that hypnosis appointment earlier on and although it has only been hours I'm pleasantly surprised. That is how I intend to continue with this quit effort - by the hour (or minute if necessary).

All prayers, good wishes and positive vibes gratefully received and acknowledged.

Today is son R's 25th birthday!!

More Pics.......

So, in no partiicular order because blogger is grinding away as it tries to upload pictures. These took about 10 minutes to post including a few time out errors. Above - the source for the icicles for the ice altar installations. The height of the overhanging snow is about 18 inches.

I lucked out snapping this one on my way to work from behind the steering wheel while driving as a number of vehicles were approaching. Initially during the storm the wind was from the west and temps were pretty mild; a few degrees below freezing. As the storm progressed the wind started to switch, blowing and gusting from the north strongly enough to uproot this tree frozen into the ground. Temps are diving; -10C now heading for -20C.

Before leaving for work yesterday from my patio door. I like the blue cast to this one.

Again from an upstairs bedroom window; yesterday after I got up in the afternoon. Not many people had bothered during the day to clear their cars off. I guess they were smart and stayed in. Like how the snow drifts right in tight to the cars??

From my living room - the fence, a shelf, solar lights. Looking out there now the level of snow on the shelf is up to the top rail of the fence.

The drive home this morning was relatively quick and easy. Roads have been plowed but as a result they are icy so I geared down and took it slow. The worst part was getting into the parking lot here and ramming the car into my uncleared spot. Should be fun getting it back out later.

These last few days have been wild weather-wise and hopefully I'll have something else to post about in days to come. The eastern sky is lightening now and skies are clear. Amen to that.

I need to be up early this afternoon to give Lynda a hand so I'm off to la-la land. Later - peace, love and groovy-ness.

Week-End

With the onset of Daylight Savings time tonight I get a short night - spring ahead; lose an hour.

The drive in tonight was a slow, deliberate affair. I had called ahead to work to say that if the driving was too bad that I would turn around for home. There were some rough spots and a few yahoos behind the wheel but I made it here in good time. The plows had quite a time trying to keep up with the amount and rate of snowfall but they did a good job. I was able to tell where I was on the road all the way here - it's when you can't tell where the lanes and the median or ditch is that things get tricky.

Once here I had to decide whether to allow the guys to board the bus for an outside meeting. Many of them had their visitors cancel because of the storm and so were antsy for something to do by this evening. Our driver tonight happened to be our best one so off we went. I honestly can't remember seeing snowfall like this since I was a kid - amazing.

I got a couple more pictures tonight so I hope blogger will co-operate today so I can post them. Glitches......

With a lighter workload last night and tonight I've taken it easy and done something I hadn't done in ages - watched movies. Last night -'In The Line Of Fire' and tonight 'Million Dollar Baby'; both Clint Eastwood flicks. Enjoyed them both.

For a change I don't anticipate getting any dayshifts this week unless some one comes down ill (or gets snowed in). Much as I like working with the guys in meetings I'm due for some down time; I'm weary. I get off in a couple of hours and intend to beat it straight home to bed. The plan is to have a shortened sleep so I can turn my days and nights around quickly, going to bed again by 11 or 12 pm and forcing myself up Monday morning. That seems to be the only way to do it or else it gets dragged out and I feel like cr*p for days.

Tuesday is my smoking cessation hypnosis appointment.......dun, dun ... dun, dun..... (wish me luck)

Hold On Newt.....

.....cuz we're into it now, fer sure.

Ah, damn - Blogger isn't allowing me to upload pictures. But just so you can envision just what it looks like stare at the screen below for a few moments and you'll see what I'm seeing from my window.













There now, that is pretty much it.

I'm seriously debating whether to go to work tonight. It is just a little over 20 km but that can seem like forever in these conditions. Why risk life and limb getting there only to face a worse trip home in the morning? Huh? Would you?

I'm already planning what all to take with me in case it is too bad to try driving home - a change of clothes, extra meds, clean-up gear, storm gear - high heavy boots and heavy down filled coat, a shovel. Damn. Insanity to be sure.

And So It Begins.....

The snow was just beginning when I got up around 2:15. Until then everything was clear but already the cars and roadways are getting covered. Environment Canada's weather prognosticators are predicting up to 15 inches of snow by Sunday morning. We're to get one storm moving through tonight, a bit of a break, then a second bigger front tomorrow into Sunday.

With today being the start of March break it is really messing up thousands of peoples travel plans as they try to leave town for warmer climes. Poor buggers...... not the sort of frustration you want to begin a holiday.

The vantage point for these shots was my upstairs spare bedroom looking south-east and south-west and I'll try to update these shots tomorrow to show the progression. Of course, those shots might be an overall indiscernible 'whiteness'. (Providing I make to work and back come morning)

Rattlesnake.....

Renowned as a prolific illustrator, painter, writer and sculptor Frederic Remington enjoyed a career which spanned the late 1800's into the early 1900's.

To my eye this is his best sculpture - Rattlesnake - capturing volume, mass, proportion, balance, detail, use of space and the implied power and motion of the figures.
Here is a detail showing the cause of the horse's rearing - the rattlesnake.

......and the artist's signature.

Following Remington's premature death unauthorized reproductions of his work were made from casts of his original works. Typically they were made in three sizes - small 10-12 inch models; medium 16-18 inch; large 30 inch. This one I own is of medium size. It was offered at auction along with another titled 'Cheyenne'; I won the bidding and had the choice to buy both or either one. I wasn't partial to Cheyenne and declined it, opting for Rattlesnake. It wasn't until after the deal was done that Lynda piped up and said she'd have liked to have had Cheyenne for herself. Argghh - too late.

Not long afterward we were in a small dingy auction hall in the country where we spied a large fullsized tabletop version of another of Remington's work - 'Coming Through The Rye'. The sale wasn't well attended and our hopes were that no one else would be aware of it's value and that there was no reserve on it. One other person began bidding against us and it quickly became obvious as the price escalated in $10 & $20 increments they weren't about to quit either. I opted out at $500. I still have no idea what I would have done with it as it was so big and heavy - it is cast bronze after all - but I wanted it so bad my teeth hurt.

Ice Altar Revisited.......

After our most recent storm we had a fresh selection of new icicles and one of our guys went to the trouble to make a new installation.... so I took a few shots. I don't know that these are any more successful than the last ones but it did give me something to do for a few minutes during the night. They sure are difficult to frame when you can't see what you're doing....


Look up; way, way up!!! This reminds me of antelope horns. It looks really interesting when you right click and 'open in a new window'.

Otherwise life is quiet. I went off on a major tangent on google, wikipedia and youtube after having heard a track on the radio - a duet of Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris - following links for hours, reading bios, discographies, special projects, bandmates, session players.... and on...and on.

Time to nod.

Sunny Days.....

A large high pressure system swept in on the heels of the storm making for a 'beautiful day in the neighbourhood'. (kudos to Mr Rogers) We're being told to prepare for another biggie in a couple of days which is brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. Temperature will dictate whether we are to be digging out from under another load of snow or we will get enough rain to wash the latest snow away.

These shots were taken from the spare bedroom upstairs showing the parking lot and more specifically my car. The vehicles to the right of mine haven't been cleared at all today. The residual heat from the engine kept the hood of my car clear but snow still managed to cover the windows and roof with what fell after I arrived home.

Time to get brekkie / dinner on - cereal followed by my favourite; baked chicken. Mmmm... Mmmm..... & then back to work. Hmmm..... maybe a quick pit-stop at Mom's on the way. We'll see.

Hell On Wheels

A couple of things which caught my eye in terms of line, form, surface planes and structure.

As for the ride home..... Well I can remember in years past after a drive like that where I'd have: a) walked straight in the door to the cupboard where I kept my bottle of rye,
b) poured about 6 oz into a tumbler,
c) thrown in a couple of icecubes,
d) topped it off with a couple of ounces of water.... and
e) in about a minute I'd be pouring another just like it, etc., etc.... ad nauseum.

The storm did let up for a little while through the night but kicked back into high gear again about an hour before I left to come home. There are now 6 to 8 inches of snow mixed with a good deal of ice pellets coating the roads. Some stretches have been plowed but not many; it makes for white knuckle driving. I think I'll sit drinking some tea for awhile and let the knots melt from my arms, neck and shoulders before I head off to bed.

Bits & Pieces....

I didn't post last night as I had a couple of very lengthy calls from people seeking treatment; lots of details to cover; lots of upset regarding needing help. Around the time those wrapped up I dashed off an email to Sarah cuz Tuesday Zeph turned 7 months old. She replied right back and then called me. We spent half an hour on the line; Sarah was feeling lonely because her Mom had returned home yesterday morning after spending a long weekend with them. Zeph was awake for part of the call and I was yipping away at him on speakerphone - he babbled back. Sarah says he is up to 18 pounds already!!! Hurry up June!! I can't wait to see him again! S & D get married on summer solstice and S asked if Lynda and I would look after Zeph on their wedding night. Hell, yes!

Weather: we had enjoyed a couple of milder days accompanied by a fair bit of rain. The groundcover of snow diminished quite a bit - lots of run-off plus the rain made for some localized flooding in low lying areas. It was cooling off when I got up for the day and overcast. After I arrived at work this evening the snow machine kicked into gear again and there is 3 to 4 inches of fresh white stuff blowing about and drifting. It started with huge flakes the size of sparrows, changed to much finer flakes, then to ice pellets and now freezing rain. Should be fun getting home.

I had a relaxing start to the day as I didn't have to be at work until a little later. One of the phone calls I made was to Mom as I hadn't checked in with her for several days. I was heading out food shopping and wanted to know if she needed anything. 'No, I don't need anything but I'm glad you called. Did your sister call and let you know she's out of town on holiday? She left for Cuba this morning.' {[>?^&*<]} could have called and ensured Mom was covered. Frustrating....


The shopping got done....when I got to the register I asked for cash back along with my purchases. I checked my bank after getting to work and realized the cashier ripped me off for $10. She must have been operating under the illusion I have money to burn or something.

Lynda and I have been enjoying some long, late night phone calls as she's doing another week of afternoon shifts. We look forward to our time together and miss one another when we're apart. I'm trying as best I can to help her through some stuff she's dealing with these days - some days are better than others. The multiple weeks of afternoon shifts are for Milo's benefit to ensure he has proper care early in the day when he is most active.

Cousin BJ forwarded some info last week about one of our cousin's kids. He's in a band that has been very busy writing, rehearsing, recording and touring. They were featured in a radio broadcast last Thursday night and that concert performance is now available as a 'Concert on Demand' right here. I happened to be out at a meeting Thursday night and missed all but their last song. I'm checking it out now and they are pretty good; no bias here, of course. The guy holding the acoustic bass is the spitting image of his father.

Night and Day...

This from through the night last night just trying some flash shots in full dark. Pictured here is how the snow settled on a broad boarded picnic table.

Here is the yard at the house while I waited for the b-b-q to heat up showing how the setting sun glistens in the icy surface of the semi-melted and refrozen snow - highlighting people and doggie prints.

These are a couple of Lynda's hanging ornaments which happen to be right under a leak in the eaves trough. As the water drips onto them they get a nice lopsided build-up of ice and swing in the breeze.

Up at the house there is a steep pitched roof that ends within arms reach which is always lined with icicles. One of the guys snapped a number of them off and arranged them on top of a snowbank like a little altar to the ice gods.

Since I got up I've been playing with these shots in Picasa - recropping and adjusting contrast and found I could upload them to the blog right from there. Woo-hoo!! The things you learn when you sit down and play about for awhile. But enough of that for now - it's time to get cleaned up and get some food into myself. Later ~-:)(x}

Hmmm.....Lemme See....

During a grand total of 33 hours off work I:

1) went home and crashed for a few hours, then cleaned up and...

2) headed to the house for dinner and the evening with Lynda......

3) we watched 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape' & enjoyed it, then crashed....

(and I enjoyed the best sleep I've had in weeks; slept like a dead man)

4) got up, did that job we do each weekend, dropped Lynda at the house....

5) landed in at home for a nap in order to get through the night....

6) cleaned myself up & re-joined Lynda for dinner, then came to work.

Before and during the movie it was a hoot watching our 7 year old dog Freedom playing with the new pup Milo. It was chasing Freedom's feet and leaping at her, nipping into her ruff. Freedom put up with plenty and played back very gently, nosing Milo around and occasionally laying a paw across him to hold him down. Freedom was also able to put Milo's entire head in her mouth.... a nervewracking sight at first. Free plays tag and follow the leader with him too. Milo isn't too coordinated yet so he did a fair number of somersaults and slid into a couple of walls - ouch!!

While Lynda and I worked we listened to CBC radio 2 and the musical theme for this mornings show was generally 'health' but more specifically hospitals and doctors. It made for some interesting listening with a wide range of music from a number of genres. When it was finishing Lynda remembered that the local classic rock station was featuring harmonica players all weekend - their 'Suck and Blow' weekend - so we switched stations to catch some of it. Wailing good stuff.

I've kept my camera handy lately so I'll share some of those shots when I have a chance to download them.

When I got over to the house for dinner we decided that seeing as how it had got a good deal milder it was time for a barbeque. Lynda beat it over to the store and picked up a couple of steaks; I grilled'em - good eating even though there was no time to marinade them.

Work has been good and reasonably quiet. We were at an outside meeting earlier and the guys were well behaved. We had to discharge one guy yesterday for cause - he threatened another client and there is no tolerance for that.

Re: AA stuff - I can forward on request, via email, a series of links of Bill W on video talking about early AA, his story, and the 12 traditions.

Time to check on my charges......

Material Reminders..

Friend Robin's mere mention of architect Frank Lloyd Wright got me all wound up making exclamations like 'Gadzooks!!' and 'Zoot Alors!!'. Why you might ask? Well, cuz in my humble estimation he is the Einstein of architecture, that's why. He was a revolutionary, a terrific mind who applied himself for a lifetime to his craft. I've read a couple of biographies on him and a variety of books describing his various projects. And of course he is famous for the design details which where integral to his overall vision for specific buildings.
Thus, pictured above is one of his designs in stained glass. I originally saw this reproduction in Minneapolis while on a training week down there. It was in a store called 'the Museum Shop' in Mall of the America's. Much as I wanted it at the time I made myself get clear of the store before heading for the airport and home. Not too long afterward while wandering Toronto's Eaton Centre I spied another Museum Shop and wondered if......perhaps they carried the same products???? They did and I walked away with this one - couldn't resist it twice. You can find one for yourself on-line at a variety of sites. They're beautiful !!!!!!!

Gawd awful picture but, this a FLW styled clock with similar (but less) detail to the stained glass piece. Mission style, pendulum works, birch wood. I happened on this at an auction several years ago and stole it at $35; I see them currently advertised for sale at $160 on-line. Also incredibly beautiful !!!!!

Nothing to do with FLW but I wanted to show the stained glass work on it. The figure is a dog waiting by the fence for it's master. It always reminds me of the 'RCA Victor' dog for some reason. This was also an auction buy; can't recall what I might have paid for it but a couple of years later I saw another just like it and would have bought it except the lamp support was broken and unfixable.

All of this seems sort of silly as I'm not really a materially motivated person but there are certain possessions that I appreciate and hold pretty dear. Something which I rarely look at anymore is my collection of art, photography, music, and architecture books - but I wouldn't feel quite right if they weren't here and available to me. Strange........but true.

Now don't get me started about Georgia O'Keefe's landscape work or Frederick Remington's sculptures. (Got a reproduction of one of those at auction, too.)... or I'll be here all day.

Let It Snow,......

Let it snow,.........

let it snow,........
We had a 3 day stretch of bitterly cold weather - daytime highs of -10, nighttime lows of -20+ - and thankfully most of the time winds were pretty still. When it did pick up the windchill was brutal like a saw. Yesterday afternoon it broke, got much milder and the snow began. It came down gently and steadily through the afternoon and evening lightening up by the time I went to bed. Depending on the region the accumulation was between 2 and 5 inches.

These shots were taken when I was leaving work this morning after running the staff meeting. Top to bottom they are scanning right to left across the grounds in front of 'the house' - my workplace. There was a little more fine light snow falling, partly obscuring the sun and diffusing the light so they aren't real sharp. It was peaceful in the neighbourhood at that early time of day with few people up and out clearing up after the storm.

Back when the house was built, I think by the way the trees are growing, that there must have been a circular driveway for horses and buggies, and early cars. Where the kitchen is located I believe was a carriage house originally.

March has come roaring in like a lion and so should leave like a lamb. Here's hoping for some warmer weather to come along soon. The new fallen snow is pretty and all but I'm due for some spring-like colour to zest things up.