Sweet Song

A cardinal sings outside my window this morning. I am delighted.

The Inaugural Trek

We got our new snowshoes out this morning and spent over an hour trekking through the woods at a park less than a five-minute drive away. How convenient is that?!

A few pics ...

D lacin' up

Steph's girly snowshoes

silent snow

Nature's latticework

berries

Scenes from a Sunday Bike Ride

D. and I took the bikes out for Sunday Bikeday along the Ottawa River Parkway today. We played with my camera ...

rest stop view of the Ottawa River

lace

action shot

savetheparkway

back home

Chickadee Heartsong

Watching the Chickadees flit about my backyard canopy makes my heart sing. Simple. Happy. Peaceful.

Hostas: A Study of Shadow and Light

no 62

no 64

no 71

no 73

no 74

Just Playin' ...

backyard canopy

intoxicating I

forget-me-not

backyard jungle

twisted shadows

intoxicating II

Happy Earth Day

Hear a bird, notice a flower, hug a tree. It's Earth Day.

For a list of local happenings check out Green Living Ottawa or Ecology Ottawa's April calendar.

Saturday Morning Sweetness

Sitting on my deck with my laptop, breeze brushing against my bare feet.

Leisurely waking up with D. and Cassie at my side.

Savouring scrambled eggs, homemade hash browns and toasted fresh bread.

Listening to the shrill chirp of the House Sparrow, the throaty clickety-clack of the Starling, and the soft mating call of the Chickadee.

Sinking into an Adirondack chair with my coffee and a good book.

Walking in silence across the Experimental Farm, noticing the contrast in noise as we take the pedestrian bridge back across and over the busy 417.

Watching a woodpecker make its way up a nearby tree.

Discovering the new 'hood.

Knowing that the day's only half over.

Is It Hiking Season Yet?

I'm pumped. D. signed us up as members of the Rideau Trail Association and bought the Guidebook. I've spent the past two mornings engrossed in detailed descriptions of each section, tracing each one on the map that accompanies it. Three hundred and five kilometres later, I'm done reading the book.

I can't wait to meander, climb, and work up a sweat under the sun; to reflect, discover, and bask in the beauty of Mother Nature.

We're toying with the idea of becoming end-to-enders this year - hiking the entire distance between Kingston and Ottawa. Because it's a hefty commitment (305km divided by approx. 15km/hike = approx. 20 hikes) and we expect this year's hiking season to be shorter than usual due to the snow, we've decided to work towards it but not let it become an obsession. I'm totally pumped at the possibility of completing this though; in January it became an item on my Mondo Beyondo list.

On a related but slightly different note, this morning I was reminded that Mother Nature is ever present in the city right here, right now. From the comfort of my sunroom I heard and/or watched Black-capped Chickadees, Blue Jays, a Cardinal, a Downy Woodpecker, and what I think was a Dark Eyed Junco. I am blessed.

Reconnected

snow diamonds and shadows

We finally got our home Internet connection. Hurray! After almost three weeks away it feels good to be back. I'm tired tonight though and not particularly inspired to write so I'll keep it short. I just had to post on my first night back so I thought I'd share a favourite photo from a sunny Sunday morning spent discovering a nearby park.

See you soon.

Sister Moon, Harvest Moon

The moon and its beauty struck me tonight. I felt a deep connection to its hazy presence amongst the clouds. Tomorrow it will be full - the closest full moon to the autumnal equinox, which makes it the Harvest Moon. May it light our path as we slowly transition to winter's blessed slumber.

Why Did the Turtle Cross the Road?

I had to brake for a turtle on Queen Elizabeth drive yesterday. I thought it was a twig with branches then I saw it move - slowly - making its way towards the Canal. Poor little turtle, I do hope it made it across in one piece.

Odds & Ends VI

I haven't been posting much lately. Since my return to work, I've been struggling to find a way to do all that I want to do during evenings and weekends. I'm not sure my expectations are realistic. But I digress ... this post isn't about lack, it's about abundance.

Even if my recent focus has been incorporating my return to work into my life, a lot of other things have been happening around me and I've taken note:

A Running Kudos
Congratulations to Sis and Bro-in-Law who were off to the races last weekend! Sis met her goal by running her first 5km race of the season under 30 minutes and Bro-in-Law performed another Personal Best at marathon #8 (I think - I've lost count) with a chip time of 3:25:19.5. You guys inspire and rock!

Mud Lake: A Nature Lover's Paradise
Sunday morning, D. and I spent over two and half hours exploring the wonders of Mud Lake / Britannia Bay Conservation Area, just east of Britannia beach. What a find! Not only did we spot over 10 types of birds, we saw turtles, an otter, catfish and a snake. Most of the time we couldn't even tell we were in the city. This place is truly a treat for the nature lover's soul.

Simple Living and the Environment
While reading Your Money Or Your Life, a classic book in Simple Living circles, it dawned on me that one of the by-products of Simple Living is often a newfound respect and care for the environment. Perhaps this type of education or rethinking of our lifestyles from the core would have a longer lasting effect than pushing environmental legislation through quickly because it seems to be the "in" thing to do - a way to gain political support? Hm. I'm still thinking this one through, more to come in another post.

Tulips, Tulips, Tulips
I'd forgotten how beautiful the tulips are along the Canal and Dow's Lake. Not only is the Canal flowing again, reminding us that summer is around the corner, the tulips are out in full force. I had the pleasure of walking among them on a gorgeous evening, their beauty enhanced by the experience of gabbing and giggling with a good friend. I highly recommend you do the same if you can.

Hope you enjoyed this version of Odds & Ends. 'Til the next one!