Another Pictorial

This was going to be a recap of our Easter weekend, spent with both Jay's and my families. It was just how it should be, good food, good company, cousins having fun, egg hunts and chocolate. I could post some pictures from that but they have my nieces and nephews in them. And they are not my best work.

What can I say, I like a stationary object. So instead, I am sharing a few of my favourites from the time I spent playing with my camera.

One of the multitudes of abandoned farm houses scattered along every stretch of Saskatchewan's highways. What stories these walls could tell, if only they could talk.

Who toiled in the soil here trying to make a go of it in a new land?

What joys, what sorrows were shared within these walls?

Each one is a testament to our forefathers and mothers. Their sweat, tears and triumphs built this province.

I spent part of Saturday afternoon walking around my parent's place shooting random sights. These rails are part of the riding ring my parents built for me a number of years back when I was all about horses.

A fuel tank that Dad has big plans for. Someday. (Can you hear my Mom snorting?)

The pasture fence. It is part of this place, a place that is home to me though I don't live there anymore. I love this fence and its weathered boards. There are so many memories of chasing horses to ride them, pail of oats in hand, halter poised and ready. I always outsmarted the little buggers. Imagine that.

Here's a real horse's ass.

Sorry. I couldn't help myself when he meandered away having realized I did not come bearing treats.

He's pretty handsome from the front too. Internet, meet Poco. Poco, meet...never mind. If it's not a carrot or a pail of oats you aren't interested.

And lastly, the weekend was full of blue skies with big white fluffy clouds. I love them. They are one of the big pluses to living here in this place that can be so inhospitable.

I hope your Easter weekend was filled with chocolate, family and much joy, not necessarily in that order. Okay, maybe exactly in that order.

Spring Means Wheels

Today is what I thought was my annual spring post, however, a quick scan through my archives tells me it's been two years since I did this. What?

Lots has changed since two years ago. This little man was 3 and riding a trike. He has now graduated to his big brother's two wheeler.

He has pretty much mastered two wheeling, though he does have a somewhat uncoventional dismount. As in, he dismounts while the bike is still moving. If you know Kamden, this will not surprise you. It's just kind of part of his personality.

If he wants to stop, nine times out of ten, he stops pedalling, jumps off to the side and lets the bike fall where it is. He hardly ever gets hurt.

I have provided my instructions on how to, you know, use the brakes but he just looks at me like I am from Mars. Wait, it's actually Venus, isn't it?

Jack has loved riding his bike every since that day back in 2006 or so when he finally mastered the fine art of pedaling. The faster the better is his motto. I used to be able to speed walk while he rode, then I could jog, now if I don't want to eat dust (or cough up a lung or two) I have to pull out my old two wheeler (my butt complains for days after though, is there no such thing as a bike seat that doesn't hurt like hell?) if I want to keep up.

As with just about everything else, they love to do this together too. I kind of love to watch them. Today I ditched the laptop and the neverending work to snap some shots. After all the first (shh, this is actually the second) ride of the year only happens once. A year.

This was my idea. I told him to ride straight towards me. Yes, I had to change my shorts after I quickly snapped this and jumped out of the way. I mean, look at his face, he's gonna mow his own mommy over. Actually, he was a lot farther away than it looks, I had my zoom lense (55-250mm) on.

However, being the amateur that I am, I did not realize this until I jumped three feet to the left and looked. What's life without a bit of excitment?

We were also loitering in the local church parking lot. Hopefully we'll be forgiven. And me too for my crazy "I have no idea what I am doing but this kind of looks cool" method to photo editing.

Spring seems to have sprung and while it will likely snow and get cold again, we are sure out to enjoy it while we can.

Redemption

Winter, beautiful if viewed from a safe, warm distance, like your computer screen from Texas

Kamden and his best pal, Logan

The last two days winter has redeemed itself in my eyes, if only slightly. It has warmed up, the snow has started to melt and the sun has been shining with a warmth we haven't felt in months up here in the Arctic.

But don't worry, the forecast calls for winter to rear it's ugly yet familiar face yet again beginning tomorrow.

If you need me, I'll be giving winter a wedgie with a handful of snow thrown down for good measure.

Sum-sum-summer Time

You all know how much I love Bon Jovi’s latest album, Lost Highway. Or maybe not but humour me a little today, kay.

One of my favourite songs on the album is called Summer Time, to hear it go here . Blogger doesn’t seem to be able to support audio files.

The song is perfect since it compares those fantastic moments in life to summer time.

The sand in between your toes….

The lemonade in your glass (add vodka if you wish)….

Sun kissed skin from days at the beach….

The insane itch of mosquito bites…

Wait, not that, ignore that. There are no mosquitoes here.

Back to the beach….


Honestly, I could live at the beach. What is your favourite thing about summer?

I'm Ready

Today I completed a mission that I have been on for the last 3 summers: to find the perfect beach chair. Today as I stood at the check out at Linens 'N Things I saw it.

Low to the ground - check
Adjustable back - check
Folds up for easy transport - check
Beach weather - um, well, only if you want to freeze your tooshie off.

Can't have everything now can we?

Look at the cute kid who came with the chair, what a steal for $35.

Bonus, he's got the cheese ball smile, he'll fit right in around here.

Summer? I am ready when you are.

Spring... sort of

The snow is mostly gone, and for that we are all very greatful for however, the wind? That could also go. I know, I know, beggars can't be choosy.

The departure of the snow means it is now BIKE RIDING SEASON!

This elicits much joy in our household. But don't just take my word for it.



Little dude requires much concentration to ride his trike. Or one would assume given his tongue placement.

And apparently he comes by it quite justly.



Oh he's a catch that one! He's all class. And so I am.

We are perfect for each other.

Winter Wonderland

I took these the other day at my parent's acreage. My photography skills are megre at best but when the scenery is so fantastic, the pics are not too bad.

The trees are covered in frost and it's particularly prominent here when it's butt crusty cold. I ran out quick and shot these and then hightailed it back to the fireplace.

Jumbled

This photo represents how I am feeling of late. My thoughts are all jumbled and I can’t seem to get them organized. I am really busy with work, more busy than I am used to. I am not one who thrives on being busy for this very reason. I feel jumbled and out of sorts.

But I enjoy my work and have gotten into the habit of having difficultly saying no. Not because I feel guilty or obligated because with this gig that I have, there is no obligation. It’s all done on contract which means if I don’t accept I don’t get paid. I have said no to things in the past and if anything else comes up in the next 3 months, the answer will have to be no. Either that or I give up sleep and any time with my family. That’s not an option and right now, it’s the family time that’s suffering.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining because this work at home thing, it’s sweet. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. The only thing missing is more time but really, doesn't everyone feel like that?

What is getting me is that I am stressing. This is not normal for me. I am not a worry wart, basically because I find it requires far too much effort to worry about every little thing and frankly, I’m lazy. However, I am out of my element. I was asked to do something that I feel is WAY over my head. I accepted but with trepidation, because well, it requires “leading” people that are, in my opinion, much more experienced than me. Talk about overwhelming.

I can’t decide which is worse, NOT being asked to do it again or being asked to do it again. You see if they don’t ask me to do it again, that means I will have failed. If they do, that means I have to go through all this again.

See what I mean?

But I am also looking at it as a challenge, to succeed despite the odds against me and the fear of not being good enough. Because I have to.

Or become a stress pot.

That’s not appealing.

And these pictures, well they make feel calm when I look at them. I shot them the other day in between catching the kids sliding down the hill. It amazes me that something so stark and cold can be so beautiful.

Maybe there's a lesson in that for how I'm feeling?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Yesterday, we woke up to this:

So this morning we embraced winter...somewhat reluctantly I might add.... and headed down the street to do this:

And then this:
WHEEEEEE!

Okay, so winter isn't THAT bad.....