For awhile I thought that I made the wrong decision. You see, I work the next three days and I should have gone to enjoy some outdoor time today. In fact my skis are at the back door. 

The snow stopped falling, the sky cleared and the sun came out but I chose to stay inside and light the wood stove. I made it as far as the couch. After hearing the snap and pop of the sap in the logs and watching the flames dance in the fire box, I decided that my decision was okay. There was no need for me to change out of my comfy pants and there was no driving involved. It was going to be a time to reflect.

2018 was the year for change. I left my full time job on December 31, 2017. January 01, 2018 marked the first day of 'retirement' as it is known today. That means the beginning of a new beginning.

I thought why not. You only live once. Gone were the days of working three, then two and then one job. The decision was based on the fact that I now only have to look after me and my needs are very simple. Give me trails, a pair of hiking boots, my camera and a good cup of coffee and I'm happy.

As the winter snow melted and garden and flower beds emerged, the planning began for what to plant in the spring. My days began on the back deck in my lawn chair, listening to and watching the birds. The garden flourished because I actually had the time to care for it properly. 

Halfway through 2018 I began looking for a part time job that would get me out for some social interaction a couple of times a week. Little did I know that I would be working the week after an interview and that it would be full time for a couple of months.

Once that little stretch was over and my part time hours actually appeared, I began to enjoy the fall and winter which are my favorite times of the year. Now I have a nice balance of work and play.

Sadly there was no camping excursions except for some backyard naps in the tent that I had set up for just that purpose. I was able to go on a couple of road trips. One involved kayaking in a mountain lake with painted turtles and loons. It was wonderful. 

There were many memorable photographic opportunities and first time experiences this year.

1. Kayaking amidst the turtles and loons was a first.
2. Watching two bull moose sparring on a frozen creek was a first.
3. Witnessing live, the life cycle of a ladybug was a first.
4. Growing and harvesting ground cherries in my garden was a first.
5. Harvesting sea buckthorn berries off a tree that once was just a foot tall little stick was a first.
6. Finding a red necked grebe resting in the middle of a hiking trail was a first. I came to within three feet of it.
7. Coming across a skunk as I came around a corner in my yard was a first. Thankfully it didn't turn into a smelly situation.

This is just a sample of some of the many firsts in 2018. I also had the time to finish some stained glass projects that I had started and set aside due to lack of time. I found time to make burlap wreaths and some of the Christmas gifts given this year. Many of my photographs submitted to the local paper got published.
2018 has come full circle and I ask myself again if it was the right decision to quit working full time and the answer is a resounding YES! 

I am hoping that 2019 offers up more opportunities for creative endeavors, more camping and outdoor time and above all the capability to enjoy them all.

Happy New Year! May your year be filled with all the things that you love to do.

I got to watch the life cycle of ladybugs in my yard.

Beavers were busy in the spring.

I found a red necked grebe on a hiking trail.

Butterflies were plentiful on the spring flowers.

My daily dose of wildlife in my yard.

It's the final year to visit the Leduc Country Lights. This display lights up the night sky. I'm sure every person leaving there has a big smile on their face.

As you turn off the highway and head toward the acreage, it is as dark as it can be. Soon you begin to see a glow in the sky. The colored lights are bright against the night sky.

I can't imagine the effort it must take to set up the pathways, the displays and coordinate the volunteers that help. That is a major undertaking. It is no wonder that the family has pulled back from spending so many hours on the event; hours to be spend with friends and family in the future.

When we pulled into the parking lot last night, parents were getting sleds, wagons and strollers ready to take excited children through the Christmas wonderland. We were in awe with the display of colored lights, displays and animation. It makes you feel like Christmas.

I hope someone steps up and offers to continue the tradition in another location. It was a great spot that people looked forward to visiting every year. 

The weather was perfect last night for a leisurely walk in the crisp night air. The lights twinkled. The carols could be heard over the speakers and laughter echoed through the yard. What a wonderful way to spend an evening one week ahead of Christmas.

They were everywhere. I heard them before I saw them. Each tall spruce held a portion of the waxwing wave that swooped over the field and that eventually came to rest atop the trees. The Bohemian waxwings arrived to be included in the Christmas bird count.

Watching them was like watching a ballet in the sky. They left as one big wave, tree by tree. I could see them land in the distance in the empty grain field. They gleaned the remaining grass seeds and grain. Once finished they swooped up again as one big wave and converged in the spruce tops until it was time to feed again.

After hearing and seeing them in action, I had to dig out my bird book to determine if they were Bohemian or Cedar waxwings. The red under tail feathers were signature markers of the Bohemian waxwings. According to the book, they are common winter visitors to this area.

I've seen Cedar waxwings clear a mountain ash tree of it's berries in a matter of hours but I've never seen them in such large flocks. To hear and see the Bohemians in such numbers was a first time treat and it was a delight to watch them in action.

The next time you are out for a walk and hear an amazing number of birds, look up. You may be as lucky as I was.

Outstanding, that's the word for the dump of snow that happened over the weekend. 24 hours of fluffy flakes falling yielded some snowy trails that were calling my name.

I took my x-country skis along but when I saw how much snow covered the trail, I decided on snowshoes instead. It seems that I've been the first out, except for the wildlife, every time it has snowed. Breaking trail doubles my time out. It usually takes me 12-14 minutes per kilometer when I have the snowshoes on but breaking trail doubles that.

There were moose, deer, coyote and mouse tracks crisscrossing the snowy trail. The tracks went down the pond bank and across the frozen surface. Crow calls echoed through the woods. The sun was behind the clouds but it came out by the time I was halfway through the trail loop. It was postcard perfect.

I made sure to stop a few times to admire the wintry scene and to take in a few full breaths of that crisp clean air. It was glorious and that's exactly how I felt when I got back to the parking lot.

How did you do with your outdoor time last week? Did you pick an activity and give yourself that little push to get outside?

"I'm not a winter person."  I hear that a lot, especially when I say that I love winter. The usual excuse is that it is too cold or too icy. Well, winter is a fact of life here in Alberta so you might as well find a way to enjoy it. It is going to happen every year.

Let's see if we can get you more comfortable by discussing how to dress. Your head and extremities must be covered. A warm touque that covers your entire head, including your ears, is important. As you begin your walk/hike, you don't want your body heat escaping. 

Mittens are better than gloves because your fingers are not separated. They stay together, keeping your hands warmer. I usually have two layers; a thin pair of gloves inside the mittens because my hands usually start overheating about halfway through my outing. The gloves absorb perspiration so I remove them and put the mittens back on, keeping my fingers toasty for the remainder of the time that I am outside.

It's important to have a good pair of boots for walking in the snow. Removable liners allow you to dry the boots out quickly. I have removable felt liners in my boots that are rated to -40C. They keep my feet toasty warm.

Make sure the boots have soles made of rubber that stays soft in cold temperatures. They act just like snow tires. If the soles on your boots are not soft, the cold temperatures will freeze it solid and you will not have sure footing on the icy patches. You will tend to slide around on the ice and snow. 

For added stability, wear some cleats on the bottom of your boots. My cleats are multi-purpose. I can use them for summer hiking as well. 

Inside the boots, I wear long socks. They usually are made from a wool blend and reach my knees. The only reason I wear socks that are that tall, is that I don't like hiking and having my socks slide down to my toes inside the boots. This doesn't happen with the long socks!

Now that your head, fingers and toes are taken care of, let's discuss the rest of your body. Layering is the way to go. If you dress in layers, you can add or subtract them as required. The layer closest to your skin should be a wicking layer to keep wetness from your skin so you don't find yourself getting chilly after working up a sweat.

I use a wicking layer that is 100% polyester. On top of that is a thin merino wool layer with a thin fleece over that. The outer jacket is windproof and rated to -25C. This keeps me toasty. Most often I am opening zippers or removing layers as I heat up.

Last but not least, I don't like having cold legs. My layers depend on what I am doing and where I am going to be. Most often I wear leggings under a pair of fleece lined nylon pants that are windproof and water repellent. They are also wide enough to fit over top of my boots so snow doesn't fall into the top of them; especially if I am snowshoeing. 

Add a neck tube if it is windy so you can cover your face. I find it better than a scarf as I can adjust it better for the conditions. I put the neck tube on over the touque, holding it secure.

Last but not least, don't forget sunglasses to take care of the glare off the snow, hiking poles for added stability and some sunscreen if you will be out for a long while. Take a package of hand warmers with you. If your fingers start getting cold, you can always add the warmers to your mittens.

That sounds like a lot but a winter outing is much more enjoyable if you are warm, comfortable and safe. Will this convince you to venture outside this week?

Fleece lined pants

Cleats over rubber soled boots

Fleece lined touque and mittens

Enjoying a wintry day

17.49km, that's my mileage on snowshoes last week. I certainly don't need to have an outdoor prescription. That's a real thing these days; doctors prescribe exercise and outdoor time. I make sure I get outdoor time in every day. Most days I don't want to come back inside. The day just doesn't feel right unless there is an hour at minimum of outdoor time.

I was working on some customer service training and came across an article that described maintenance and repair anchors to keep a positive attitude when having a bad day. The first thing mentioned was going for a walk. Physical activity helps people relax and cheer up. It 're-sets' you.

Outdoor time improves concentration and sharpens focus. It is good for mental health as it calms the mind and can help with seasonal depression. Memory is improved and blood pressure lowered. Nature helps us find peace and calm. It reduces stress and anger and increases pleasant feelings.

You may have seen or heard the term 'forest bathing'. It is the act of being immersed in a natural environment. This aids with all the above mentioned ailments in addition to weight management if your activity of choice happens to be an active one done on a regular basis.

Therapeutic hikes and nature walks can be enjoyed alone or with friends and family. There is no wrong way to be outside. Just do it. Replace screen time with outdoor time. Turn off the devices and be in the moment with your senses. Concentrate on the sights, smells and sounds around you.

If you are not in the habit of spending time outside, start with 10-15 minutes each day. Enjoy your coffee or lunch outside. Go for a short hike or walk your dog. Here's a list of ideas to get you started:

Eat lunch outside. Find a spot for a picnic.
Enjoy coffee on the deck or outdoor patio
Gardening
Biking
Snowshoeing
Sledding
Ice skating
Bird watching
Backpacking
Camping
Play horseshoes
Go for a swim
Kayaking
Canoeing
Play tennis or pickleball
Build a snowman
Play golf or disc golf
Go fishing
Try nature photography
Try lawn bowling or croquet
Kicksledding
Walk a dog
Roller blading
Walk around the block
Cross country or downhill skiing
Snowboarding
Snow shoveling
Build a snow fort

If you live in an area where there is snow and cold temperatures through the winter months, don't hibernate. Dress for the weather and head outside. Layer your clothing. Wear a touque, mittens and warm boots. If the cold air bothers you, be sure to use a scarf or neck tube over your mouth/nose so you are breathing through the fabric. If you are afraid of slipping on icy walks/trails, wear cleats on your boots and use hiking poles for stability.

Bundle up and head outside; no matter for how long. Let nature surround you. It does a body good.

I've taken full advantage of the snow. During the past week I was on the trail with the snowshoes a total of 4 times. What fun!

Early morning was the best time to head out. The forest was silent and the animal tracks from the night before were still visible. I got to see moose, deer, elk, coyote, squirrel tracks in the fresh snow in addition to numerous mouse tunnels and the only sound was that of the snow crunching under my feet.

My other go-to outdoor activities require more snow and colder weather. There isn't enough snow for x-country skiing but the local trails are being groomed so there is a good base ready for the next snowfall. The temperature isn't cold enough to start laying down water for the outdoor ice rinks. I'm looking forward to the days ahead when I can get the skis and ice skates out of the garage.

The backyard bird feeders have had numerous visitors. During the day the nuthatches, chickadees, downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers and bluejays were busy feasting on seeds. The magpies were plucking the berries off the sea buckthorn branches. In the evening the deer wandered in the yard to see of there were any leftovers in the tray feeders.

Now that it appears that the snow is here to stay, I will have to get some more feeding stations set up in the backyard to try to entice the pileated woodpeckers to visit.

The shorter days of winter may make one feel like hibernating but I choose to make the most of it by spending as much time outside as possible. I can layer up to make myself comfortable no matter what the temperature and there are no mosquitoes!

If you are one of those hibernators, why not consider an activity that will get you outside? X-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, hiking and bird watching will get you active and those gloomy winter days will pass by more quickly. What will you try this winter?

Magpies enjoying the berries

Black capped chickadee and a downy woodpecker sharing a meal

White tail deer visit the bird feeders in the evening

What season is it? I had a difficult time deciding when I woke to the sound of rain pounding against the windows on Sunday morning.

The temperature kept dropping and the raindrops began forming icicles on the leaves that were still clinging to my neighbor's willow tree. Not long after that huge fluffy snowflakes began to fall. They kept falling through the day and overnight. On Monday morning I woke to a blanket of white. Snow day!!

A blanket of white makes me incredibly happy. Yes, I know that I am in the minority for loving winter but it's my favorite time of year. The snowshoes were ready and so was I. It was going to be the first snowshoe outing of the season and it turned out to be a beauty.

The landscape was postcard perfect. Each little crook on the tree and shrub branches held a layer of snowflakes. The forest was silent except for the crunch of snow under my feet. 

I was the first on the trail that morning which meant breaking trail in about 6 inches of fresh snow. I just wanted to take it all in; the beauty, the fresh air and the silence. It was a great workout and I felt like a million bucks when I got home.

A return trip to the trail is on the agenda for tomorrow. Here's hoping for another amazing trail adventure.

Life took me to a place with no internet. Yes, it is true, no internet.

Since October 8, the date of my last post, my 93 year old dad took a couple of tumbles so I went to spend a few days with him on the farm. I think we figured out the root of the problem so I am home again and connected once more.

A photo in my previous post was witness of the heavy snowfall that fell a few weeks ago. It blanketed the crops that were still in the fields.

Since that post, the several inches of snow melted due to some amazing temperatures. The sun shone and the wind blew. The fields and crops dried out under temperatures that ranged in the +14C to +24C range. This allowed the farmers to bring in the harvest that they thought they had lost.

During my stay at the farm, Dad and I went on a road trip to a favorite park of his. We took the fishing gear along and he spent the morning trying to catch the elusive trout that were supposed to be in the pond. There wasn't even a nibble. It was a good thing that there were lots of ducks, geese and muskrats to keep us entertained.

On the way to and from the park, we enjoyed the scenery and noted who was or was not done harvesting. We came across a number of fields filled with farming action; something that I don't see on my travels close to home.

Most of the fields are empty now. The swaths are gone and the hay has been baled. There was a good run of sunny days so the farmers can sigh with relief.
Since coming home, I had a few days where I was able to get out on the trails to see what was happening. Most of the ducks and geese are gone from the ponds. I saw a few grouse strutting their stuff in the underbrush.

My last hike was at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre. I decided to try geocaching for the first time. What a green horn! I had no idea what I was doing or looking for when I started out but managed to find two caches. What fun! Now I have another activity besides my camera to draw me outside. Have you tried geocaching? If so, have you got any tips for someone just starting out?

Lots of geese.  No fish.

The fall harvest is happening.

The very first cache that I found on my first attempt at geocaching.

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday I hiked on a carpet of colored leaves, taking in the sights and sounds of autumn, following moose tracks on the trail. Today was another story.

A blanket of white covered the ground this morning. Six inches of snow fell last night. It was snowshoeing weather. I should have put them on but instead I trudged through that deep snow with snow boots alone and it was quite the workout.

It was really beautiful out there. The branches were laden with snow and the air was fresh. I had to make sure that I didn't brush against the trees that were bent over the trail. One slight movement caused the snow to come tumbling down from overhead.

Over the past week, I saw a couple of beavers splashing around in the pond, grouse on the trail and two black backed woodpeckers. A family of moose moved through the trees. Ducks and geese flew overhead. I don't think they were anticipating the blanket of white either.

I kept watching the weather forecast and it was supposed to be warm all week. I was looking forward to checking out all the autumn colors at the Riverside Nature Trail during my days off this week. I guess I'll be checking out the animal tracks in the snow instead of the colored leaves on the trees.

I love winter but I also love the fall colors. They were not around very long this year so I'm glad that I did get a few photos when I ventured out between shifts a week or so ago.

I gave up looking at the forecast. It changes hour by hour so it is what it is and I'll enjoy what ever happens to be the weather of the day.

I went exploring. I was trying to think of what to do in between shifts when I was scheduled to work splits. There was 3.5 hours that needed to be filled. The first day I decided to go home. That worked fine until I added up how many kilometers I was putting on in a day.

The second day I decided to check out a new hiking trail. It officially opened recently and wasn't too far out of town; the Riverside Nature Trail. It's part of the Trans Canada Trail. What a gem! 

The hard packed gravel trail meandered through some magnificent autumn colors. I wasn't dressed for a hike but I had my camera with me so decided to take a short walk. 

There is a trail head close to the North Saskatchewan River. A couple of fishermen had their lines tossed into the water. The trail takes hikers through some tall aspens. It opens into little meadows. One had a pond that was covered with geese. This was only in the first kilometer.

When the forest opens, the trail is within sight of the river. Geese flew overhead and I could hear the water rushing by. 

This was just a teaser. I have another split shift this week but I'll be going prepared. The hiking boots are already packed and I'll be heading there immediately after the morning shift. What a great place to have lunch and see some new sights at the same time.

Stay tuned for the second installment.

I had to settle for a day. I can usually get in three to four camping trips to my favorite campground but with starting a new job, there were no trips this summer. I had one day off last week so I took advantage of that and decided on an impromptu road trip to Nordegg.

I left at 8am under a cloudy sky. On the way to Rocky Mountain House there were showers and fog. When I turned west on highway 11, the showers turned to a mist. This didn't stop the wildlife from roaming the ditches.

I noticed ravens and magpies along the roadside. That to me signaled some roadkill in the ditch. As I got closer, a white head appeared in the middle of all the birds. It was my lucky day! A bald eagle was feeding at the carcass. I crept up as close as I could in order to get a photograph but a semi trailer came from the opposite direction and scared up the birds. The eagle flew to a treetop with meat in its claws.

What a beauty! It ate what it brought from the carcass and was ready to fly down for more. I could tell it was ready to fly and had my camera set for a shot. It wasn't to be. Another semi came by and scared the huge bird away just as I pressed the shutter button.

I continued west and came across three separate groups of white tailed deer and some feral horses grazing in the ditch. 

I stopped at my favorite campground but the rain started up shortly after I arrived and I wasn't dressed for hiking in the rain. I stayed close to the day use area where a pair of my favorite birds were swimming close to shore. The loons loved the showers and put on a show for me before I left.

This little day trip didn't really satisfy the longing for time spent at the campsite beside the lake but it will have to do until next year.

Surprise! There is snow on the ground and it isn't even officially autumn yet.
The forecasted snow arrived and snow it did; non-stop for 4 days. It was a good thing that the ground is still warm. Most of that fluffy white stuff melted. We sure needed the moisture but the timing of it was really bad for the farmers that are trying to get their crops harvested.

The snow blanketed the uncovered lawn furniture and woodpiles. It stuck to the shrub branches and bent them over. It made a mess in my yard but it sure was a beautiful sight on the hiking trail.

Most of the waterfowl from the pond are gone but the local birds and animals didn't miss a beat as the flakes flew. A bull elk grazed along the shoreline of the pond. A black backed woodpecker flew from tree to tree in search of a tasty snack. Squirrels scampered up and down the towering spruce.

Back at home, the perennials are still blooming but were wearing a coat of white. The blue jays were busy hiding snacks in my flower pots. The rain barrels were overflowing with water coming off the roof as the snow melted. I couldn't do anything in the yard so it was a great time to light the woodstove and cozy up inside.

Today was the first day in the past week that I could get out and empty those full water barrels and put away the garden decor. There are a lot of tasks on the to-do list to ready the yard for winter. Here's hoping that this was just a little teaser and that winter doesn't decide to arrive early.

I had to give in. Over the weekend I managed to keep the house toasty by using the woodstove but today I did it. It's September 10 and I turned the furnace on. I opted for a nap after work instead of stoking the fire.

The forecast is for snow this week. I wasn't counting on that. I was hoping that the beautiful autumn colors would be around for a few weeks. My favorite hiking trail is pretty colorful these days but the leaves have started to drop. 

The garden beds are almost cleared out; only a few carrots remaining. Most of the perennial flowers are finished blooming so I've been collecting flower seed for next year. There's one hardy bunch of lavatera that the frost hasn't kissed yet. It's providing me with some beautiful blossoms for indoor arrangements.

My drive to work these days is in total darkness. I had to use a flashlight this morning to be able to see the path to the garage. I don't know where the summer went.

Here's hoping that Mother Nature is just giving us a little teaser this week and that there are still many more autumn outdoor days to enjoy.