Remembrance Day

I attended a Remembrance Day ceremony for the first time in many years, although it's not a foreign occasion to me because I organized so many assemblies on the subject in Saskatoon.  Yesterday, we had good weather for the event although probably the smartest thing I did was make sure that I wore long underwear because I knew we'd be standing near our breezy lake.  The laying of the wreaths took longer than I anticipated.  The views to the Purcells were spectacular.  We then marched back to the Legion Hall and that's the first time I've been in the building for a "formal" presentation.  The choir that I attend sang a couple of numbers; I think we were passable, but have sung the selections better in rehearsal.  It was a bit reassuring to see so many young people in attendance because I often wonder what the future of this day holds with my parents' generation, who participated in WWII, now in their 80's and 90's.

First Frost

Out this a.m. with the first actual killing frost in our domain.  I'd decided to empty the last of the deck pots yesterday because the weather was suitable for the activity and I knew frost would be coming soon.  It sure looks empty out there.  A couple of colourful stellar's jays are enjoying time at the feeder so that does help to fill a void.  One great thing about late fall is that yesterday I planted some sweet peas, :)  hoping they will be ready to grow in very early spring - last year several had self-seeded in the garden so what will happen when I do this with intent??  Thrilling to be gardening on November 7th!  Felt pretty cold at the beginning of today's run.

Musings

Hard to believe that a week of November is pretty much over and since it's a month that I don't particularly like, that's a good thing.  We had perfect weather on Monday, however - sun, no wind and a high of 15 degrees.  I also got a tip on the location of some wonderfully semi-composted leaves so we moved many to our bins.  The time change is what really hurts November; we're dark here by 4:45!

October 31st was a miserable day weather-wise as I recall and Callie had to miss her first Hallowe'en because Sandy has completely taken over events in their part of the world.  It was a good thing we skyped with her a few hours prior to Sandy's arrival because they haven't had power since and it is going on to day 9 now!  No monsters, witches or dragons graced our doorstep (a typical Hallowe'en in our neighbourhood) and I thought to myself the next morning that I sort of miss it.  As it a former teacher, it surprises me to be saying that because I'd had too much Hallowe'en by half partway through my career in the classroom.

Completely relieved and delighted that Obama was re-elected!  I watched many more hours than planned.

Things might be in enough of a schedule for us to make our weekly commitments to Miro and Atley.  Loved our day with them last Friday and their Grandpa so much enjoyed giving them their first doses of penicillin.

Totally agree with all who think it is too early for Christmas music.  Nothing before December, please.

Had the best bridge hands I've EVER had yesterday; didn't play them as well as necessary, but a fun day at the tables.

Common Sense

I just finished reading this book by Pamela Druckerman and really enjoyed it.  Originally, I'd heard her interviewed about a year ago on "The Current", but being busy as chief assistant to a mother of twins, I didn't really have time to read it.  (Druckerman is a mother of twin boys and a daughter).  The author writes in an amusing style and I smiled on nearly every page.  To me, French parenting simply seems to make sense:  a baby does not need attention ALL the time, and making the infant have "wait time" prior to getting attention can be a healthy attitude.  French children learn to appreciate the goodness of food.  Parents guide their children and the French are less likely to be helicopter parents.  It appears that a French child may have more opportunity to "discover" the world on his/her own, without assistance from a parent about the "value" of the experience.    Anyone who has babies in their lives would enjoy this book.

42

 Well, I managed to make my 42 trips to town before the snow flew so saved myself and the earth one whole tank of gas!  I think I intended to bike to town more than I did, but found the idea of biking BEFORE my run with the group was just too much to bear.  Unfortunately, I drove into town for a lot of those runs.  There's a good thing about running with a group - it's highly motivational and being coached has been SO good for me.  The down side is that I drive into town and no one from my neighbourhood is a runner.  The up side of the summer rides is that I did manage to ride to quite a few places during "the season" and I have really enjoyed the bike.  Had snow on the roof this a.m. and the forecast is lousy - but hopefully, I've got a few more rides yet before I go back to hikes into town.

Paulson-Castlegar Bike Trip

On Saturday, Dave and I finally accomplished one of our trip goals for 2012 and biked from Paulson Summit over to Castlegar.  The weather was perfect, although cool, and we spent a good deal of time in the shade.  It took us about an hour to reach the summit on the old rails to trails and from then on it was completely downhill.  The "long" tunnel was exciting - we needed headlamps and still had to walk it.  It's about 1 km long and it's wet and DARK!  After turning the corner and descending above Arrow Lake, we had 2 more short tunnels and 3 trestle bridges to cross.  It's an interesting bike ride (passing the bomb site that killed Peter Veregin of the Doukhobors) and very easy.  The trip is 60 km long and took us about 5 hours.  My only complaint would be the traffic!  We were surprised to see a few cars travelling the old rail grade and met up with several ATVs.  I'd like to think that our rails-to-trails are completely free of mechanized travel.  

It's Autumn!

 We hiked up to Monica Meadows on Sept. 23 and it was a perfect time for fall colour.  The bad thing was all the smoke in the air which made the mountains and glaciers not very photogenic.  It was a beautiful day in early autumn and the trail was being heavily used.  Considering that the road was closed until the week before, I guess it's not surprising that everyone wanted to get in one more hike before the snow flies in the high country.  This past weekend we did Sufferfest and grandparenting and this weekend we hope to get out on the bikes before we really have to get serious about the beginning of winter.