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.

Going through some photos this evening, I came across this gem.

L to R: Me, Mikey, Jamie

Those were some good times...good times indeed!

On that note, they do make footy pajamas for adults still.

John Denver and Robin

One of my favorite Christmas albums is John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together. Listening to these songs never fails to bring back sweet childhood Christmas memories. Things like dancing around the living room in my new footie bumble bee pajamas with Jamie (who also had new footie bumble bee pajams). Rushing to turn the tape over in the old cassette player and always getting a static-shock from the big round silver volume button. Singing at the top of my voice "Go tell it on the mountain" and pleading with mom for yet another Daffy cupcake. The deeply spiritual love present. So many memories. Wonderful, treasured memories.

Listening to my iTunes yesterday, lo and behold, but on should shuffle John Denver and Robin singing "When the River Meets the Sea". I have always appreciated this song; it has a hauntingly simple yet slow and beautiful melody which makes my ears tingle. Yesterday, I listened harder to the lyrics then I had previously. For your reference, I have included them below:

Robin: When the mountain touches the valley
All the clouds are taught to fly
As our souls will leave this land most peacefully
Though our minds be filled with questions
In our hearts we'll understand
When the river meets the sea

John Denver: Like a flower that has blossomed
In this dry and barren sand
We are born and born again most gracefully
Plus the winds of time will take us
With a sure and steady hand
When the river meets the sea

All: Patience my brothers
And patience my son
In that sweet and final hour
Truth and justice will be done

Robin: Like a baby when it is sleeping
In its mother's loving arms
What a newborn baby dreams is a mystery (a mystery)

John: But this life will find a purpose
And in time we'll understand
When the river meets the sea
When the river meets the almighty sea 

This has not been as easy two weeks at work. So often people will tell me "How wonderful for you to work in such a happy place" without realizing just how devastating it can be. Colleagues have told me that the saddest cases we ever receive always seem to happen at Christmas time, and I wonder why? Perhaps it is because at this time of year many of us seek to reconcile ourselves with a sense of a deeper meaning - be that faith or family - and God knows that with this connection, we will have the strength to carry on.


Though our minds be full of questions
In our hearts we'll understand
When the river meets the sea.


Until this day, I carry on and live for the moments of a vigorous cry, smacking lips, fulfilled birth plans and a new father's tears. My heart understands these. Thanks for reading: this writing has been cathartic.

Chai tea, snowflakes and cat purr.

I just got off a night shift. The first 11.75 hours of which was awesome, the last .25 hours of which were terrible. In my line of work it is always good to be reminded that no matter how uncomplicated things appear initially, I must always be on guard. Good to be reminded of, but never an easy lesson.

The love of my life was waiting for me this morning with a warm truck, a licky puppy and open arms. Smiling, I accepted the gifts of love and made it home to my warm bed and a good sleep. Upon awakening, dusk was beginning - but the sky was clear brilliant blue. Tonight I shall walk the aforementioned licky puppy under a canopy of twinkling stars while my boots and long-johns keep me toasty. Until that voyage, I type and reminisce while drinking hot chai and enjoy the hypnotic rhythm of a striped cat.

Thanks Be to God.

Bah-bah-dee-dah

Eric has been digging up some great tunes lately. One I have been particularly enjoying is a remix of a 1950's original "Pa-Pa Amerikano" performed by the artists Yolanda Be Cool and DCUP and renamed "We Speak No Americano". This little diddy makes me smile and is a great tune to cook supper too. Check out the YouTube video below.


My favorite part of this video is the chase sequence at the very end. Makes me think of the Ministry of Silly Walks...if we could only all be so awesome.

The 5 Browns - Rhapsody in Blue

A dear friend of mine recently recommended I should check out this group. They are five siblings, all trained at Juilliard and all playing Steinway pianos...it's absolutely mind blowing and ear tickling all at the same time. Turn up the volume and check out the video below - enjoy!

Snurgflorbakaflatz

Yes. That is what I said. Actually, that's what my sinuses just told the pain receptors in my head. I'm sick. And feel like complaining about it.

*mumble-grumble*

There. I have that out of my system for a while. In the meantime, this made me laugh, so I will share it with you.