Miss Grinch

Not sure what is wrong with me, but I've been grinch-y recently.

I know it's December and according to the history of my life this means 

automatic elf transformation.

(if I wasn't elfin enough to begin with) but for one reason or another: 

Grinch Disaster Ensued...

It could be her head wasn't screwed on just right. 

It could be perhaps, that her shoes were too tight. 

But I think the most likely reason of all, may have been her heart was two sizes too small.

OR 

It could be there was no one to hold her tight.  

It could be perhaps that it was freezing at night.  

But I think the most likely reason of all, may have been that love still hadn't come to call.

I think my heart is plenty big enough... Possibly too big?!

So I put on lots of warm and furry clothing and forced myself to bake. 

And to listen to Christmas music. 

Forced. 

Then I gave up and listened to something else.  I decided country was better.  

Actually it can get pretty sappy, but if a man was dancing with me and singing in my ear

"Your Man" and he honestly felt that way,

I'd drink the sap right up and I'd come around and say,

Baby all I want for Christmas is you!

 But alas, my man still hasn't shown up, called or texted, 

or likely even noticed I'm alive, so to sooth my 'grinchyness' I watched Love Actually...

(My favourite Christmas movie. That and Home Alone.)

And the Grinch, with her grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow, 

Sat contemplating life... How could it be so?

It came without trying! It came without much wait! 

It came without worrying or angst it'd be late!

And she puzzled two hours, till her puzzler was sore,

Then the Grinch thought of something she hadn't before!

Maybe Christmas, she thought is about patience,

If I'm going to have to bear to live (part of) my life alone

Even if I grow impatient for a love to call my own

And when I feel that I, I can't go on,

These precious words keep me hanging on,

I remember Mama said,

You can't hurry love,

No you just have to wait,

She said love don't come easy

(Perhaps...) it's a game of give and take.

And she...

She herself.

The Grinch, listened happily to carols while nibbling cookies, 

thinking about the love all around her...

Thinking I need to find, find someone to call mine,

But meanwhile I'll enjoy the Christmas bliss.

That maybe by this time next year,

I'll have have a sweetheart to kiss...

I just knew Christmas had something to do with Motown!

After you watch the aforementioned movies just listen to the Jackson 5 Christmas and 

James Brown's "Santa Claus Go Straight To the Ghetto"

(that isn't a grammatical error just so you know)

and you'll be Christmas warm and fuzzy complete, too!

Just about love for a sec... 

Yes I know what else does this broken record ever talk about...

But still isn't it funny, both peculiar and laughable, that there always will be 

someone out there wanting you, but because they aren't your idea of the right fit, 

you just don't remember or care (sorry) and then complain and cry 

about the fact you have no one to love and no one loves you.  

LOL!

(Okay I sincerely hope I only do this in my head, because that could get annoying fast. 

So apologies to everyone who has had to endure any of my lamenting. 

However, I'll probably do it again!)

Love... Well it's all around.  Just take a look!

Reflection: Mirror, Mind, Me

I think I've been back in Canada long enough now to comment on myself and how it feels.

Canada is home of course.  I believe some places are homier though than others.  

And Calgary is just fine with me. Minus perhaps the minus temperatures!

I went to Vancouver for a birthday celebration. 

It was fun and important, as is the birthday girl, naturally, a truly lovely friend and person!

It was also completely overdue. So glad I went!

But Vancouver itself? 
I had to go to begin to understand... that I might be crazy, but maybe not...
It's possible I'll change my mind. I'll let you know if I do.
This is just the way I see it:

Cool name, nicest airport in the country, best sushi, the one and only Stanley Park, beautiful certainly and the air is fresh, 

but I realize the city is not really for me. 

And it wasn't even raining.

I'm kind of a contrast. Do you know what I mean? No?

I'm a BC girl, I know - but somehow I don't feel like that person is reflected by the biggest city in the province. 

Maybe I'm just an island girl... 

For all those people who can't believe I'd have ever left Vancouver for Calgary and not be dying to move back, firstly that wasn't the sequence of events, and secondly if you replaced Vancouver with North Saanich the question might have some validity. Maybe it's about creed, maybe vision, honesty?

Let's just say, bring on the Noise, bring on the Big, bring on Alberta, my arms are wide open! 

I'll even let all your money talk slip. I love your raw (crude?) nature and your entrepreneurial spirit! (Just let me fly in Econ at Optimum Altitude, don't worry we're still buying your gas) 

One thing I'm loving, here in Calgary, is my home. I finally moved into my room a few days ago. 

What a simple pleasure to turn the last light off from bed! 

And to know that even though it's completely dark, my room looks lovely! 

Now all I need is someone to share it with... Lol. 

No, that's not really an invitation. I already sleep with a pilot every night!

(Sorry that joke is getting old, isn't it?)

I'm missing a song that reminds me of myself at this particular moment in time... Usually I have one.  For example, when I lived in Steveston, it was "She's so California" by Gary Allen, 

and when I moved to Mississauga for the first year at least, 

it was, "The Long Way Around" by the Dixie Chicks. 

Interesting these both happen to be country songs... Coming home I've eased right into 105.3 in the car.  I like my country, and I like it loud!

Friday is time for Two Step. I figure I better learn how to dance properly if I'm here! 
When in Rome...

Nonetheless I need a new song.  Suggestions gladly accepted!

Have you ever noticed when your mind is made aware of something new, all sorts of otherwise unnoticed, unusual and separate things often appear and are randomly related? 

It's kind of odd, the power of thinking, but I love that!

The Highland Photos

I know I promised these photos and I love them, so here they are:

The Highlands!

Behind me is Glencoe. 

It was meant to be a hike but it was more of a mini walk, 

so we went uphill following our own way.

Above is my favourite shot.

I love the width of the lense on this camera and the crispness of the details.

One day I'll get myself one of these!

We were quite lucky with weather, 

though I'd really love to see these mountains without any cloud!

Below is the little river running through Glencoe. 

We walked to the signal point and concluded that a lot must have changed since the history 

of the place because no one could see us from there!

The amazing thing is that none of these photos has been altered either. 

I'm completely photography and photographer impressed!

Saturday Snowshoe

It's taken some effort to have become acclimated... I was surprised how much had to be done after being away for so long, but then again what did I expect? After six months of averting regular responsibilities there was considerable time spent collecting my shipping, unpacking, organizing, appointments, phone calls, parking passes and confounding computer issues... 

amongst about a million other things, or so it felt! 

Anyway, now I'm pretty much caught up, including having added a few flights to warmer parts of the world to my list of experiences. I still want to visit Huatulco, Mexico on my own time as it was even more convincing as viewed from the windscreen.  It's about 500 kms south east of Acapulco, or 270 nautical miles in case you're like me who still can't comprehend estimating most metric measurements, and it's quite lush with sandy crescent shaped bays surrounded by bluffs...  Oh! and did I mention it's probably 30 degrees there at this very moment. (metric temperatures are okay as it turns out!) 

Sorry I forgot to take any pictures... Next time.

At first it was so nice and warm when I returned to Calgary at 23 degrees, but then the temperature plummeted to minus 10 and we've had snow at least four times! In light of the old adage: if you can't beat them, join them, I went out to play in the snowflakes with snowshoes in Kananaskis today. The sun shone until reaching close to the top of the trail where it was rather windy and cold. Nevertheless, a great outing with my niece, who a big fan of the mountains and a great influence as this was her idea. I could have sworn the trail was a loop, and when I checked once returning home, it is! The trouble was someone ahead had broken a trail and I just followed. Next time I'd prefer to snowshoe down a less extreme slope as my wrists are currently begging me to take a long, hot, Epsom salt soak. The upward journey was, as usual my favourite part. Go mountain goat!

I couldn't help myself. I had to try out these cinnamon buns, because who can resist warm, gooey sticky, fresh buns from the oven? Not me. 

I'll save my will power for not eating them all at once, and sharing of course!

I've never had a Cinnabon cinnamon bun before for comparison, however if I make these again, which I likely will, I'll roll the dough thinner so there's more of a coil and more layers to each bun. 

The icing is perfect! I used lemon juice and regular vanilla...

While I was in Montreal, my friend John inspired my curiosity in macarons. 

Making them, and eating them, naturally.

I'd actually never before had one until three days ago! It was totally different than I'd expected. 

It was delicate, delicious and had amazing texture. I thought it would have been dry. 

Glad I was wrong :)  

My kitchen may be going French soon...

Until next time. Xo

Ich Liebe Wien

One last quick trip to Vienna to finish my season off right.

I ate amazing food.  Actually to be more precise I ate Knödel, Topfen, Struddel, Musli, Pumpkin everything, Schnitzel, Würst, Sauerkraut and Xocolat. And I had amazing company.  Martina and John in Vienna. Family of the best kind in Kindberg. Wunderschön!

So great I only took a few pictures. Lol. Just like me. Taking everything in via the eyes.

And look I made mitts! These are cozy thrum handwarmers of Canadian caliber. Thanks Fleece Artist!

Life's an Exciting Place at 18

I feel as though I'd like to live my last ten years over again and better with more of the positive energy force my cousin and her boyfriend have.  It's natural for the shine to dull a little over time, but their 'we can do absolutely anything' attitude added some gloss to my stride. What great people to be around! Maybe I can go back to school? Well maybe! Lol.

We visited the Crumlin Road Gaol (yes this says jail) and also watched a movie called "Belfast City" which were both quite interesting especially from our outside point of view.

We found out there were 17 death sentences carried out at this jail over about 100 years. I am actually surprised there were so few. Then we argued about capital punishment. Oh how quickly tainted adults become! Not sure I really want to be one. Then again it's all about attitude, and figuring out how to live your life keeping outside of confinement. And a noose. Yikes!

Best wishes to Imke at university and Tom in his civil service, until next year! Xox

 Minds open, faces to the sunshine!

My Wee Dotes

It's not that they're per say old, but if I am getting older they must be too. They joined me over here for three weeks. Aren't they cute? I think so.

In the Republic, near Letterkenny. If you look closely its in the distance on the left. Picnicking. Well eating out of the back of the car. We ate very well - Thanks Mama!

We did a lot of driving. Well I did most of it. So this photo sums up a great deal of time spent.

Evidence trees did exist, though there aren't many any more!

We stayed for two nights in Ardara, Donegal in this converted barn. It was fantastic and cozy during the cold wet nights. This area is particularly beautiful. My favourite spot was the beach, and more caves and a giant waterfall near Ardara. 

A hike in the Mournes, up from Bloody Bridge.

Dunluce Castle

This is my favourite Northern Ireland castle. It has a weathered appeal. 

You can pay to go inside or just walk down to the right and check out the cave. Because rules are made to be broken, right? Caves are intriguing, I must say. Just don't tell anyone we were there ;)

Edinburgh is Beautiful

This was a quick but grand tour of Edinburgh. Thanks to my fantastic host, friends of his, and the offerings of Scotland I saw and did a lot in a short time. It was pretty much the best city I've been to, but don't tell my colleagues that or they'll be bidding ahead of me for next year!!!

Day 1: The City

This lovely old bank, converted bar and restaurant is called the Dome. I was expecting James Bond to arrive for his reservation at any moment. This would be the place for a date, if I ever had a decent one. 

Day 2: The Highlands

Photos to come... All on memory stick and without a computer. 

Day 3: The City by Bicycle

I'd live here if I lived in Edinburgh. It's a gorgeous area... Sigh!

Famous living clock:

Only on the West Coast

Do we have floating concerts. I know what Torontonians are thinking, and also the rest of the civilized world, but until you've tried it you've really got no idea how much fun our afternoon was listening to live music while boating! I also had the chance to catch up with friends I hadn't seen in a long time. 

       

It was a sprint of a trip home and I am amazed at how much I was able to fit in. It tired me out before I even got jet legged on the two day return and began my visit with Martina. More on that next! 

I wish I took photos both on Salt Spring and in Toronto...  I keep saying things like this. I need to remember my phone has a camera already!!!

A Friendship Made in Heaven - Northern Ireland

Perhaps the best part of my life is knowing and spending time with the one person who always wants to do what I want to do to. Who is the smartest, kindest, most interesting person ever. Lucky me, I've got a best friend like that! Unfortunately we rarely get enough time together. Once a year is doing well.

                            

Our visit mostly included hiking and walks and food. And chatting all the way.

In the cave tunnel just north of Whitehead. A fun little walk. Sorry, though the town isn't much...

A pasta dish. It was ... delicious  :)

Made In Belfast was one of our restaurant outings. The food was great and interesting, the decor eclectic, indie, outrageous, awesome. I'd recommend it to anyone fun.

And like all good things, our visit sadly came to an end.