WINTER HAS ARRIVED

The cold winter winds have been blowing over our world for a while now

but today I found out just how cold it was.

While they caught up with all their blogging, facebooking, photo editing and 

whatever social media that grabs their attention.

I 'zenned out' on my huge mammoth squeak toy

shaped like a giant marshmallow.

I then began staring at the guys

which means in Doodle language

"it's time to vacate the premises

and

go get some exercise".

Well, it took the usual amount of time to get ready

after the guys put on all their layers

and

I put on my PURPLE JACKET.

The roads were super icy 

and 

Daddy Jim said he had everything under control

~ not to worry.

We made it there safely 

open the doors to brave the winds.

It was so cold,

a damp cold,

that chills the bones.

We began walking being vigilant of snow covered ice.

Heading for the beach to check out the waves as usual ~~

we noticed some odd snow covered grass.

The usual thin blades were clumped together with very thick snow.

Following the path along the dunes was the icing on the cake

so bitter the north winds 

that we immediately headed back to the car.

Then it happened my front right paw froze.

A quick defrost moment and a marathon run to the car.

"Hurry let's go"

was all I heard.

Phew, that was a close one.

PURPLE BOOTIES next time 

winter's unrelenting cold has arrived!!!

TIME TO READ

Last month I showed you, Daddy Jim looking way up the side

of this building. Apparently this is the new Halifax Central Library and my Dads

have been waiting for a very long time to get inside and read.

Finally this month, January they made the trek

parked their car 

(third row from left, third car in line)

and

began their odyssey.

Inside on one of the many crossover thoroughfares

Jim began taking pictures of Daddy Ron

who was doing the exact same thing.

(This photo has overtones of Alex Colville's painting

To Prince Edward Island ~ click and see!)

The walls are covered with 1000's

 seriously,

of these library card creations.

What a cool idea.

I must find out more about this endeavour.

Look who's sitting and reading

Daddy Jim.

What are you so wrapped up in?

Hey, don't forget your glove

by your foot.

Behind Daddy Jim is the architectural school, Sexton campus 

merged with Dalhousie University in 1997.

In the 1980's, the school was called 

Technical University of Nova Scotia

and

Daddy Ron managed an art and drafting supply store

very nearby,

 so spent a lot of time

selling architectural supplies to many students over the years.

The name may have changed but everything about it

seems so much the same.

Quickly below the third floor 

a person with cell scoots by

ducking into the building

to avoid the winter winds.

Jim really has found a magazine

that grabs his attention ~

 then without warning

up the stairs to the top floor

a few pictures

a whiff of coffee all around ~

back down the flights of stairs

passing one of the librarians' desks

to the parked car ~

and home,

but picking me up at daycare,

dropping off at MacDonald House

and 

the hill for a quick dance 

with Mr. Orangie and Daddy Jim.

I can't tell who's more excited

Can you?

JE SUIS SOPHIE DOODLE

Life can be an upward struggle

one foot ahead of another and another and another in my case.

Keeping your eye on the goal

and

never wavering

reaching my beach

my goal

and

feeling Mother Nature's super fresh breezes

with 

rumbling and rolling surf ~

no matter what day it is

as is the case 

in these two days of beachcombing

My view reaches far out over the waters

over the Atlantic

to my French friends

who are sad and mourning at this time.

WICKED GRAY & ORANGE

Yes I smell snow

I really do,

well maybe with a whiff of seaweed mixed in.

 These people are planning on visiting MacDonald House

because the winter coldness

has finally descended upon us

(enticing hot meal helps)

This evening's view is more than just breath taking

it's awe-inspiring at the same time.

The golden orange

is streaking across the blades of dried grass ~

and these globes of camera trickery

bounce off the waters into the dunes.

The surfers have finished and

are readying to go home ~

but I am so full of energy

especially with these snow clouds

dropping swaths of crystals

all over the point across the waters.

DAWN OF A NEW YEAR ~ 2015 !!

After eating a special brunch 

called a Hangover Brunch

at Emma's Eatery in Eastern Passage

on New Year's Day

we ventured out to the boardwalk to walk off the meal.

Come on you two,

if you are going to leave me in the car 

while you eat 

salt cod benny's

~~ YUM ~~

then you better have some energy

to get moving,

New Years resolutions and all.

The snow squall of an hour ago

beared down on us

and

disappeared as fast as it came.

Blue skies everywhere.

Halifax gleamed in the background

because the skies had opened up

and

let the sun shine through.

This ol' rusty structure stuck out

like a sore thumb

but really suited the place just fine.

The white sand isn't sand

but snow.

The tide is coming in and the white will be gone before you know it.

We are heading over there to Halifax 

very soon to Jim's brother's Dennis' place.

But before we head over I have to check out absolutely

everything that moves on this boardwalk.

Makes sense to me.

The other side of this spit of land really shows you

the snowfall amounts.

So before I knew it 

we had completely circled the boardwalk

and 

were heading for the car

and

so much fun 

at the New Years get-together.

WHO'S REACHED A MILESTONE?

Oh oh, something is spinning 

or is it someone?

around and around

without a warning ~ ~

I think someone needs to sit down

and take a load off ~~

OK now, just relax and be calm

 take a deep breath

really it can't be that bad

REALLY !!!

Comfort is what one needs 

in this household 

especially with one of my Dads ~~

HAPPY 65TH to RON !!

REALLY LICKS 

are needed

along with a good comfy seat

to let this all sink up.

I'll be charge for awhile.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE PARK

The snow started spitting as we ventured

 from our warm, cozy car in

 Point Pleasant Park yesterday.

 I hit the jackpot this day

checking out new friends 

as you'll see,

from this Newfoundland mix ~

to this scamp

 (the puppy that is, winks )

who did a speedy 360 sniff around me 

and 

then took off 

like a comet ~

to this Portuguese Waterdog

who spun around me so fast

that I almost lost my balance

Fast ~ is an understatement ~ my friends.

This feller was smaller than me

so 180 degree turns are super easy

without any consequences

like slipping or falling down ~

however the best part was discovering the park pond

covered in a sheet of ice 

with skiffs of snowflakes 

flying across the smooth surface ~~

but the coolest part was finding these words

floating under the ice near the waters edge!

Did I surprise you?

HAPPY NEW YEAR

EVERYONE!