Big Sky

I remember being a little girl and learning that the phrase "Big Sky Country" belonged to Montana and feeling a little disappointed. You see, when I think of Alberta, I think of sky. Of sunsets, sunrises, mare's tails and thunderheads. I think our new provincial motto could be "Alberta: Land of the Wild Rose and Big Sky". Admittedly this may prove difficult to write on a licence plate.

A dear friend of mine has encouraged me to be a bit more selfish this year. Not to the detriment of others of course; but to ensure I take a little bit more time for me. Time to develop and grow and reflect. Eric and I have been talking a lot about that too, about how we can take care of our relationship and nurture our happiness. One of things we have been trying to do this year is to get out and do some things - get back to the roots of what makes us...well, us. One of those things is to be outside more. Another is to take photos. Yesterday we both had time off together, so we took our silly puppy to Nose Hill and spent the afternoon scrabbling around, visiting with porcupines, making bad jokes and reminiscing about some of the first hikes we ever took together.

Sleeping Poplar

It was a very nice afternoon. I remember a particular sermon from years back where the pastor spoke of "Making God Smile" as a focus for daily life. I felt God smiling and I was thankful. Following my near sister's blog I am also reminded of God revealing himself in moments of epiphany. Yesterday was a divine game of hide and seek, except there was no hiding - just me seeking. And finding. Lovely.

Wild Rose

Big Sky (and unfortunately some smog...tsk tsk)

Goofy Puppy

On a total side, I have decided to re-enable the comments part of the blog. I had originally taken it off as I found myself writing to what other people may say and found this censorship to be constraining. So now I am challenging myself to wear big-girl pants and just be brave enough to write. No matter what the comment may be.