Green Power

It is nearly 2014. How is it that we have not managed to construct some form of cost effective power at airports? Why do we find ourselves relegated to sitting on the floor, next to a wall power outlet, to charge our devices? With the number of activities that take place in airports as well as the shear volume of rooftop space, surely someone could wire an airport with solar powered recharging stations. Rooftop wind farms anyone? 

Flying Among the Stars

It's been a long time since I've flown an overnight trip. And I don't recall ever seeing the stars on any flight. But they were out tonight as we crossed the invisible border between Manitoba and Ottawa. 

I saw a dipper, tipped up on its handle, right there, out the window to my left. I've never been at star level before (well, not that I've noticed). It was a beautiful sight. 

Early morning layover in Toronto. I've got 3.5 hours between flights and I'm not about to pay a $50 fee just to take an earlier flight to Atlanta. Really? $50 to switch me to an earlier flight at the gate? 

And so I've had the stuffing from a Freshii breakfast burrito (scrambled egg, avocado, tomato, black beans, cheese, & salsa) with OJ. Airport food is getting better. 

Now I wait and ponder the oddity of entering the USA through Toronto. Technically, I'm in the US right now, having cleared customs. Maybe a large coffee will clear my head. 2.5 hours of sleep just doesn't cut it. Who was it that told me I'd be a bear today? They missed the mark. Sloth is more like it. Ugh!

Fly Away

The dog is all tucked snug in his bed while I stand here in the 46F cold, waiting for a shuttle to the airport. What possesses me sometimes, I wonder. Oh, that's right! Adventure!!! 

5 days in Alabama with my wonderful cuzzie, Gayle and her kidlets, Michael, Kevin, James, and Kaylie (I'm sure I've spelled that wrong again, even if she is 12).

Stay tuned! 

Basa with Tomatoes, Leaks, Garlic, & Ginger

Ingredients:


2 Filets Basa (or other white fish)
2 Large Ripe Tomatos
2 Large Leeks
Fresh Ginger
3 Cloves Garlic
Fresh Lemon Grass
Butter
Salt & Pepper


Melt butter in pan over medium heat and add salt & pepper. Slice Leek into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick rounds and add to melted butter. Saute until soft.

Grate in 1-2 TSP Fresh Ginger and mix well. Add 2-3 cloves sliced or minced Garlic. Mix well.

Chop and add Tomato. Cover and allow to simmer until tomato is soft.

Grate in approx 1/4 TSP Fresh Lemon Grass and mix well. Simmer 5 minutes and then add fish. Season with additional Salt & Pepper to taste.

Cover and simmer until fish is cooked through.

Serves 2

Best Friends

I'm blessed with a best friend who texts me when I'm blue, makes me laugh so hard it hurts, and sends me this when I've got a headache and need a smile:

It's funny how life sends people your way. Without being overly cliche, yeah, certain people come along when you need them to. And if you are very lucky, they stay. 9 years 10 months from now, either way, I win. :D

Self Honesty

This falls into the category that "your mind is your own worst enemy". Your mind can come up with any rationale to support any scenario. And that is not always a good thing.

Take self improvement, for example. In my case, my desired self improvement includes mainly physical changes: increasing strength & flexibility, increasing endurance, decreasing body mass, along with avoiding processed foods, eliminating sugars, planning ahead and preparing the majority of my meals.

Getting started on my self improvement path was fairly easy. In fact, for 9 months I barely thought about it. I increased my activity level, I decreased my portion sizes, I eliminated processed sugars and foods, and I lost weight while building muscle.I was losing 2+ lb per week, every week. It was simply melting off.

And then what? My mind started creeping into the equation: "You can have this one soda. It won't undo everything you've accomplished. It's just one.", "Why don't you take the weekend off, you worked out most of the week. It won't hurt anything.", "You are still losing weight, don't worry about how little it is, the point is you are still losing. Your clothing is getting looser.", "You can stay up and watch this movie, it's okay if you don't get a full 8 hours of sleep tonight. Just go to bed early tomorrow.", "Just pick something up for dinner, it's easier and it's only once in a while.". BUT, it all adds up to "hurt" the overall program and lifestyle. How did it hurt? Yes, my clothing is looser but not THAT much looser. Yes, I am losing weight but not THAT much weight. Some weeks I'm outright stalled. I'm tired. I caught a cold.

The problem is that I know the formula that works and I've allowed my mind to talk me into ignoring it. I'd like to say that I came to this realization on my own but it was through a rather "rude awakening" that I saw what had been happening. I wasn't being honest with myself. I wasn't being true to what I want in life. I was making excuses, and have been for the past 2 months.

No more. And with that an apology to my "Online Dating" fans. I've left the online dating sites until I have what JR calls: "time to take care of a man". First, I need to take care of me. Thank you Jason for pointing that out even if that wasn't your point when you were telling me how I am not a fit for you.

Stay tuned, I'm back!

Take a Hike - 3

I've recently had the opportunity to take a couple of photo hikes through Chickakoo and on someone's suggestion, look for mushrooms and berries. It's funny how you never notice what is there until you look for it. I've hiked Chickakoo about a dozen times this season and rarely noticed anything beyond a few Bracket Fungi. but on these trips, fungi, berries, flowers, and lichen abounded!
Gives a bit of credence to "Stop and smell the roses."...

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Photos here

SPLASH!

Having been fished out of the proverbial pond, I was a bit surprised to find myself suddenly back in the water.

Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming... I'll get there eventually. For now, it is back to emails, wishes, and dreams.

SPLASH!

Come Walk with Me

Come and walk with me

What we'll see and where we'll go is something only fate can know.
The path may be steep and the obstacles plenty.
But I'd rather walk with you than one of the many.

Let's climb a cliff of amazing height, close our eyes and leap into the night. 
Like a star traveling the midnight sky.
We'll soar, we'll sail, we'll fly.
My hand in yours, we'll let destiny pick the course.

(unfinished)

9/11

9/11

We all recognize the date and to each of us it means something different.

For me this is a day of remembrance for those who perished and for all that was lost as the unimaginable became reality. But it is also a day of celebration. Celebration of the strength, courage, community, and compassion of a nation. My nation.

I will never forget where I was on 9/11/2001. I will never forget how I spent that day or the eery quiet of the skies as all flights were grounded.

We came together as a country & community. Let's remember the feeling of love, support, & compassion and take that with us where ever we go in life.

Walking Edmonton

New hobby - Walking around Edmonton!!!

I don't know much about Edmonton but there sure are some great sights to see, especially when there is someone special to see them with.

Take a walk with me?

View from The High Level Bridge

Another View from The High Level Bridge!

Soaring by the Sun

High Level Bridge

Grant MacEwan University

Mushroom Man

How can I even begin to describe the adventure that I have had today? I'm not sure that there are words enough in any language (or even in all languages combined) to paint an accurate picture of the amazing day that I am experiencing.

Some of my favorites will have to suffice: Joy, Excitement, Jubilation, Bliss, Ecstasy, Contentment, Sunshine, Butterflies, Dragyns, Smiles & Rainbows.