Rock yoke

Knock-knock...

Andy found these rocks on different parts of the beach on a walk last week and brought them home to me, a rock-of-all-kinds lover. He wasn't sure that they were mated, but it turns out that they are. What a marvel!

Inside looking out

Andy just called to me, "I think it's going to be a slow day." We're snow bound, wind whipping wet snow onto the windows where it's sticking making lovely patterns for viewing the outdoors.

Curious visitor

We haven't had moose near the house for a long time, well before Christmas, and in fact haven't even been seeing any sign, prints or scat. We worried that the warm weather and constant rain and terrible storms were affecting them, but today a healthy young moose came to visit and decided to come right to the house. We were relieved and delighted.

You can click on the photos to enlarge them.

Winter rituals

Winter brings its seasonal rituals to my life. Making the fire first thing in the morning, then taking Honey for a snowshoe, usually before I make coffee, which is my favourite ritual of all!

These are not morning photos -- the light of course is different, but are from my afternoon snowshoe in this lovely deep soft snow we have that will disappear or at least change tomorrow when the temperature warms and we get some rain. I love approaching our house from the back with the wide vista of treetops and ocean.

The garden in winter

First seventeen days

We started the year with a shockingly wonderful warm day, plus 10 degrees, no snow of course and a lovely walk around the Red Island Trail where you'll see in the photo we still found lobster parts strewn from earlier storms.

We've had snow now, first a bit, then some melting, then a bit more and over the last two days a delicious dump with knee-deep drifts like fluffy meringue covering all the melted dirty old piles of snow.

Money for Nothing

So, two ways to get past the silliness of banning Dire Straits' song, Money for Nothing. By the way, the Canadian Broadcasting Standards Council decision has all of the words in the song in the report, so how bad can it be.

1) Listen to An Hour On the John tonight (Friday) -- CFTY's community radio station -- from 7 PM - 9 PM Cape Breton time, 6 - 8 PM Ontario time. Just click on:

An Hour On the John

Once in the site, click on, "listen online"

Then click on the system you use to listen online and turn up the speakers.

2) If you are too worn out to protest yourself and too tired to complain about one more thing, listen to the Helsinki Complaints Choir and they will complain for you, rather melodically too.

Click here: Helsinki Complaints Choir

Irene Manuel

Today I received a sad message regarding a very special woman, Irene Manuel from Fonthill, who died today. Irene sewed the covering for the wings of the Silver Dart replica that was flown here in Cape Breton on the 100th anniversary of its first flight. To read the post about Irene and to see pictures of her and her work, just click on the post heading above, or here: Irene Manuel.

Irene Adelina Manuel

Visitation:
2-4 & 7-9pm Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Fonthill Lioness Service 6:30 pm

Service Information:
Thursday, January 13, 2011 11:00am
North Pelham First Presbyterian Church
Donations to:
Fonthill Lioness
Pelham Cares

Passed away on Monday, January 10th, 2011at home with her loving family by her side after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 66. Beloved wife of Bill and cherished mother of Connie & husband Rob Lywood of Beamsville and Abby & husband Mike Bolton of Port Elgin. Dearest grandmother of Sheena & Zak Bolton and Jamie & Breanne Lywood. Deeply missed by her step-daughters Joan Plant, Sheila King, Maureen Hartley, Julie Manuel and Brenda Graves.

Irene was very actively involved with the Fonthill Lioness, Pelham Cares as well as Saddle Up Niagara. Irene travelled great distances to be with her grandchildren and to be involved in their sports of hockey, horseback riding and horse shows. Irene was very passionate about sewing, gardening, her horses and above everything else spending time with her grandchildren. Her grandchildren have many fond memories of camping in tents, trailers and cottage time with Grandma. Irene leaves behind many family and friends who will miss her beyond words.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 12th from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the JAMES L. PEDLAR FUNERAL HOME, 1292 Pelham Street, Fonthill. A Fonthill Lioness memorial service will take place at 6:30 pm that evening. The funeral service to celebrate Irene's life will be conducted at North Pelham First Presbyterian Church, 602 Metler Road, Fenwick on Thursday, January 13th at 11am. Cremation will follow. A private family inurnment will take place at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens at a later date.

In lieu of flowers Irene's wishes were for donations to the Fonthill Lioness or Pelham Cares.

Online condolences may be forwarded through www.pedlarfuneralhome.ca