Friday, September 23, 2011

Beyond Belief!

 Hey Ho!
Sandy noses
Were wolf eyes
Blond high lights!
It's me
on 
Prince Edward Island!
 Absolutely gorgeous sunset greeted us on the beach
when we arrived!
 The water churning
winds ripping
 ~~~ 
Hurricane Maria
although far away
has set the stage for
an excitement
beyond belief.
What a time I'm going to have!
 Galloping
Swimming
and
meeting my
western cousin
Shelby!



Monday, September 19, 2011

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Invasion of the "Butterfly" Kite Surfers?


Hi, everyone!
Come here and take a look at what we saw today.




I just had to stop, take a breather and soak up all this action.

 We ran into this kite surfer dude, a couple days ago.

 After showing us what he could do...

 He gave us his email and we sent him some pics.

He knows his stuff and thanked us for sending them.

For their information,
I have so much more to do on this beach
than to watch butterflies 
flying all over the ocean blue!


Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Acadia University...My Dads' Alma Mater


This is the university where my Dads met in the summer of  '73.

The campus is covered in lawns, well-manicured green expanses which make the place feel rural and peaceful.

 This is my first romp on the lawns in front of University Hall and did I take advantage of it.

 Jim prepared to take quite a few photos under the mammoth elm trees that dot the campus.
(The University saved their
 elm trees from the dreaded Dutch Elm disease 
that wiped out hundreds, if not thousands of trees in the Annapolis Valley)

These are the front steps of U Hall which Ron used to coast down in the winter.
Oh BTW, Acadia University is in Ron's hometown of Wolfville,
so there is a lot of history to be shared at some point.

 This vantage point shows Jim and me.
You might notice the flag above us is flying half mast.
An unfortunate incident happened with a student last week
during Frosh Week and he lost his life.
The University is in mourning right now,
but I still wanted you to see the beauty
and peacefulness of this campus.

 On these steps many moons ago,
Ron was walking up these stairs to his graduation.
Now here are Jim and I walking down,
is there some kind of weird connection?
Could be.

 To the left of U Hall is the Manning Memorial Chapel
perched on the top of the slope.

 This Japanese Maple used to reach as far as the first set of windows.
It's amazing how tall it has become in 50 years!

I decided to collage the remaining pictures because I know this venture
down memory lane is only for my Dads.
I hope you get a feeling for this campus
from the style of architecture to tree lined walkways 
to green expanses and peacefulness.

 University towns are unique 
in that you have an influx of student population every September and 
an exodus every late April.
So much goes on if you are interested in partaking
from athletic games to symphonies 
to musical presentations and plays.
Families growing up in this environment are
exposed to a small sampling of 
what the world has to offer.
I trust my small world has opened your eyes
and you have learned something 
fresh and new.







Tuesday, September 13, 2011

LOOK INTO MY EYES, JIM!

 As I've mentioned many times before,
 this park is 90% off leash 
which means you'll see all kinds of dogs 
taking their owners for walks.
In this case 
Monsieur Poodle 
happens to be taking (faire une promenade)
Ms Cyclist along our trail near the water in the pictures below.
Love it!

Sail boats meander along the shoreline returning from a day of leisure on the ocean blue!

Many have moored and are probably on the 19th Hole!
(you know that Golf term) 
~~~winky wink~~~ 

Well, I'm still trying to con Ron into throwing my ball.
BTW, I know how to puncture and destroy my new ball now!
~~~LOL~~~

Jim just sleeps!
What's with him anyway!?

OK, maybe if he looks into my eyes he'll succumb
to my every command.
LOOK
INTO
MY
EYES
JIM!
DO 
AS 
I
SAY!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Wannabee Kite Surfing Pooch!


This guy was kite surfing this afternoon nearby in the river that flows into 
the Atlantic Ocean.
I just couldn't contain myself when I see action and in particular 
this kind of action.
Something happens to me and I want to "SAVE" people.
My Dads think I'm worried about the person and I fear for their life.
Could be!
In any case
I got my exercise and was totally exhausted
when they decided to leave the beach.


How's this for played out, exhausted and ready to hit the back seat of the car.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Inner Peace

Be Blissful~~~Be Happy~~~Be Content
Find Serenity~~~Be Calm
Become Enlightened

~~~

My Daddy Ron's 911 story is but a small piece of the puzzle that unfolded that day ten years ago. He worked at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Being off work that particular Tuesday and finishing the mundane grocery shopping, he heard on the car radio the horrendous event. He hurried home to call Jim who was down the shore working with some students. Jim was in disbelief and after some convincing turned on the radio to hear the truth.

Within minutes, a phone call from work explained that we...the university....were going to take in passengers from one of the many planes that had landed at Halifax International Airport. This would mean that we would need the qualified and volunteers to assist on the front lines in helping the large numbers of people from numerous countries.

The next four days were consumed with assisting anyone and everyone who asked for help. This community became very focused on helping with whatever they needed. So many frightened people were put at ease that day as we listened and supported their needs and concerns...a good laugh, a comforting hug, a good meal, directions to the park or city center, anything to relieve the anguish.

Ron thinks about these times occasionally. He has found a place for this experience neatly tucked away and easily accessed for whenever anybody asks or is inquisitive. It is a memory now, that shines albeit tarnished.
Foremost to know that many people were taken care of with kindness and love helps with the overall story that evolved that day.

~~~