Crowflix February 03 2019, 0 Comments
Sometimes the best way to tear yourself away from binge-watching the TV is to drag yourself outside and tune in to the always entertaining Crow Channel. I’d planned an archival Ken Burns-style documentary for this blog post, going over everything that’s happened with the local crows since I last did an update last fall. After …
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Crow Gossip November 10 2017, 0 Comments
Just in case you tire of human news, here’s a “celebrity profile” of a different sort. I’m not sure “who” this up-and-coming power couple are wearing this fall. Their lives seem to be pretty scandal-free, although you’d have to listen to the roost rumours to be sure of that. Politically, I’d say they’re pretty apathetic …
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This wasn’t supposed to be a blog-writing day, but I feel I have some “stop press” news that must be shared, along with photographic evidence. I almost hesitate to share this wild idea, but I think there is a small chance that … dare I even speak the thought? … spring might have arrived. I …
Continue reading Possibility of Spring
This wasn’t supposed to be a blog-writing day, but I feel I have some “stop press” news that must be shared, along with photographic evidence. I almost hesitate to share this wild idea, but I think there is a small chance that … dare I even speak the thought? … spring might have arrived. I …
Continue reading Possibility of Spring
Pardon the rather overwrought title, but it’s true; an elementary school “Nature Collection” assignment changed my life. It was also, at the age of 7, my first bitter taste of academic failure. On the face of it, it was a rather fun assignment — go out into nature and make a collection of pods, seed and leaves …
Continue reading Birth of An Urban Nature Enthusiast
Pardon the rather overwrought title, but it’s true; an elementary school “Nature Collection” assignment changed my life. It was also, at the age of 7, my first bitter taste of academic failure. On the face of it, it was a rather fun assignment — go out into nature and make a collection of pods, seed and leaves …
Continue reading Birth of An Urban Nature Enthusiast
Sometimes a little dip into nature does the trick, but sometimes, nothing short of full woodland immersion is going to work. Most days my spirits can be revived by a quick dog walk round the block, appreciating the changing leaves, a bit of moss here and there. The crows, of course. Last week though — I’m …
Continue reading Forest Bathing
Sometimes a little dip into nature does the trick, but sometimes, nothing short of full woodland immersion is going to work. Most days my spirits can be revived by a quick dog walk round the block, appreciating the changing leaves, a bit of moss here and there. The crows, of course. Last week though — I’m …
Continue reading Forest Bathing
Not literally, of course. Crow hugging is fraught with peril at the best of times, but especially in spring when nesting season has them a bit tense. But I do suggest that you give the crow (or pick your favourite bird, plant, patch of moss or mollusk) a special thought today. It’s Earth Day so, ideally, …
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I love colour. I really do love colour. But there is something very beautiful in a landscape stripped down to shades of black and white. Stark and simple. Here’s a little photo essay on a lovely world almost devoid of colour.
Insomnia can be a drag. I don’t think I’ve actually had a really solid night’s sleep since my first child was born almost 26 years ago. First of all it’s the usual – feeding, teething, nightmares. Then it becomes a habit to wake up every few hours. After that, the teenage years come to keep …
Continue reading In Praise of Early Mornings
Here’s Hank June 26 2015, 0 Comments
First there was Eric. Then there was Hank. Now there are Hank and Eric and Vera and Eric’s mate and some babies. That’s a lot of crows for a small area, but they seem to have worked out a way to keep things civil. They key is that certain rules have to be adhered to. Eric and …
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It started as a normal Monday in East Vancouver. The dawn made it’s spectacular appearance (an hour late due Daylight Savings). Birds began to reappear in the sky, taking their posts for the coming day. Eric and his family arrived at their spot — in my garden, waiting for the first peanut handout of the day. I …
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I took some time to appreciate the last dawn of 2014 – and such a dawn it was. After a festive season of heath challenges, it seems even more important that usual to appreciate the small things that are big. Being with family, good friends, health (it’s all relative), moments of quiet loveliness, every dawn, …
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If you’re anything like me, the list goes along these lines: Why is my computer displaying that “fatal error” message? Where the heck did those extra cell phone charges come from? What should I pick up for tonight’s dinner? How soon, exactly, will the world arrive at hell in a hand basket? These are all very worthy concerns. …
Continue reading What Did You Wonder Today?
It’s a rainy day here in Vancouver. The first of many, I suspect. But, to quote one of my mother’s many handy sayings, “every cloud has a silver lining.” These grey, wet days are perfect for heading out and adding to my “texture” photo collection. I think it started with the battleship linoleum on out bathroom …
Continue reading Pattern, Pattern, Everywhere
The Blog Hop project is a world-wide thread in which bloggers talk about their creative processes. As I’m pretty new to the world of blogging, I was honoured (and a wee bit intimidated) to be asked to participate in this blog hop project by Canmore artist and brilliant blogger, Linda Cote. I’ve admired Linda’s work online for …
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Astonished July 04 2014, 0 Comments
Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect? Let me keep my mind on what matters, which is my work, which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished — from the poem, Messenger by Mary Oliver (Thirst)
I was reading a blog the other day about “bucket lists” and how too many of us put off doing things on those lists, getting too caught up in the day to day to organize and save for that trek to Katmandu, or sailing trip around the world. In many ways I sympathize with the …
Continue reading In Defence of the Commonplace
