Wednesday, December 26, 2018

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.

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

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.



Tuesday, December 11, 2018

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.


Tuesday, December 4, 2018

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.