Radar! Unbelievable!

If this doesn't make your head spin, check your pulse!

Winter!

Well, that was fast... Fall doesn't ever seem to stick around too long in Saskatchewan. As my friend Paul always says, it should rather be called "Blow" for the way it's hot one week, then incredibly windy for a couple of days, and then suddenly Fall is over. The picture above is the view from our patio door. October 9, 8:45am.

The first snow actually came yesterday. I was at work, north of Moose Jaw by 30 minutes, and around 2pm, snowflakes the size of Loonies were falling so thick that we could hardly see 20 feet in front of us!

I'm still holding on to some optimism because there are still some leaves on the trees. But out there in the wind, they look like they are shivering, and about ready to give up... And with highs of -5 C for the next while, that doesn't really shout out "Summer is coming back!"

Anyway, Winter brings other things to our lives that aren't bad at all. It's a time to sit inside and watch hockey, to order books and read them, and to be even more glad than I usually am that I live indoors.

If it's Winter where you are, take care and bundle up! It might be here to stay!

This is wonderful.

If you like Flight of the Conchords (and also if you've never heard of them --) you'll love this!

These are a few of my favorite things...

sung to part of "Raindrops on Roses..."

Kayaking in summer and fruit topped with candles,

Picnics by lakes and fresh farmer's markets.

Watching the sunset with Luke at my side,

These are a few of my favorite things!

When it's over,

and it's time to,

go back to work!

I simply remember my birthday divine,

and then I don't feel, SO bad.

Jenn

I'm not a book thief!

My name is cleared. For weeks (actually months) I searched high and low for two items I had borrowed from the U of R's libraries. I use a lot of books. I usually go to great lengths to ensure that I know what I have and when it's due to be returned (such as Google Calendar, email reminders, a homemade website with library login info, etc).

So, it was very bewildering to discover that, despite my efforts, I had lost two books! When my last renewal had expired, I emailed the library and explained that I had lost their books... But not two days later did they email back, and tell me that someone at their end had incorrectly scanned the returned books, and placed them back on the shelf, while my account showed them as still in my possession! All this time those books were safe and sound on the shelves, and here I was in a panic (or at least with a little pinch in the back of my brain, constantly reminding me that I failed the library).

I felt like Dr. House in that episode when Dr. Cuddy lets him believe that he had wrongly diagnosed a patient. For weeks after that, House was insecure about his diagnostic ability -- that is, until it got out that he was right. And so, much like House, I feel reaffirmed in my care of borrowed books.

I am not a book thief.

Remembering Ryan Chute

This afternoon I took in Ryan Chute's funeral along with thousands of others. It was a beautiful service. I was able to chat with his 4-year old son, Rhett. He's an amazing little guy, who loved his dad and wants to be just like him. When I found him, he was drawing on a pie plate. When I asked what he was drawing, he said, "A picture of my dad."

Click here if you'd like to read Ryan's eulogy from the back of the funeral program.

"Super" weekend in White Bear

This past weekend Jenn and I set out for White Bear along with Paul and Darcie. We had a great time staying at the Kenosee Inn, eating at the Moosehead Lodge, playing 54 holes of (mini) golf, eating lots of ice cream, playing with some petting zoo animals, exploring the artistic side of Kenosee, and checking out what's to be had at the Red Barn Flea Market (such as that 'Man of Steel' you see above). We didn't have the warmest weather, so we weren't able to hit the Super Slides, but maybe next time. Check out some pictures here.