Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Monday, May 16, 2011
In Love with My House in the Spring
Recently, when people have asked if I'm still enjoying my house (I have been here seven months, now), I have been responding, "I love my house. ...I am in love with my house!" I think I really am. I want it to look good, I want people in it, I enjoy discovering things about it (even if it IS the way the door squeaks in the wind like a choking magpie)...
This weekend, I planted my garden. While not a part of my actual house, it is definitely a part of my home. Beans, carrots, cucumbers, snap peas, zucchini, lettuce, spinach, and dill. And the bonus rhubarb that the previous owner planted last year. It feels so good knowing that I am serving the earth that is serving me.
That evening, I celebrated the arrival of Spring with a campfire in my back yard. What joy to be able to share the space with others! My love for my house and my space clearly shines through in the opening up of it to others.
Still, it was not 24-hours later that I realized my passion for my house. We have had several days of extreme winds in Edmonton recently, and Sunday saw gusts of 60-80km/h (~35-50mph). Somehow, the wind managed to loosen the siding off one side of my house, and when I came home from respite that afternoon, three panels had been blown to the ground, and one or two more were hanging by only a few nails on my house. I was not impressed.
Amidst the frustration of having to shell out unexpected dollars for the repair, I was equally as frustrated at the wind for being wind. Which I know is silly. But as I duct-taped the dangling panels to the side of my house as a temporary measure, I thought to the wind, "you're hurting my house! Go away!"
The repair man came this morning, and put everything back together again. By the time I came home from work, it looked like nothing had ever happened to the side of my house. He'd even filled in a couple cracks and holes that had been in the siding previously. I couldn't help but smile. I care about my home. He obviously gets that, too.
This weekend, I planted my garden. While not a part of my actual house, it is definitely a part of my home. Beans, carrots, cucumbers, snap peas, zucchini, lettuce, spinach, and dill. And the bonus rhubarb that the previous owner planted last year. It feels so good knowing that I am serving the earth that is serving me.
Still, it was not 24-hours later that I realized my passion for my house. We have had several days of extreme winds in Edmonton recently, and Sunday saw gusts of 60-80km/h (~35-50mph). Somehow, the wind managed to loosen the siding off one side of my house, and when I came home from respite that afternoon, three panels had been blown to the ground, and one or two more were hanging by only a few nails on my house. I was not impressed.
Amidst the frustration of having to shell out unexpected dollars for the repair, I was equally as frustrated at the wind for being wind. Which I know is silly. But as I duct-taped the dangling panels to the side of my house as a temporary measure, I thought to the wind, "you're hurting my house! Go away!"
The repair man came this morning, and put everything back together again. By the time I came home from work, it looked like nothing had ever happened to the side of my house. He'd even filled in a couple cracks and holes that had been in the siding previously. I couldn't help but smile. I care about my home. He obviously gets that, too.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Just Three Days
In just three days, the weather has gone from warm and sunny to cold and snowing. Snowing. Wet snow for the last several hours and to continue into tomorrow. I have been keeping an eye on my flowers, and am not really sure what to do to ensure that they survive this crazy weather.
...In three more days, the forecast is sunny and 18C (64F). Oh, Alberta.
(Those blurry white spots in the background of the right image are snowflakes.)
...In three more days, the forecast is sunny and 18C (64F). Oh, Alberta.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Sweet Saturday
This day has just been too perfect not to blog about. It started early for a Saturday. I set the alarm for 7am so that I could watch my friend's ultrasound online. Technology rocks--to be able to be three time zones away and still be a part of things like these with people I care about. It was so sweet. Baby smiled, moved his hands, and generally just looked adorable.
Afterwards, my brain was quite happy to return to unconsciousness for a couple more hours, and I re-awoke later in the morning definitely more refreshed. I was mildly disappointed when I looked out my window and the sky was cloudy and white and not the sunny that had been forecast by Environment Canada. But by the time I met my friends at Transcend Coffee, the clouds were making way for glorious early spring sunshine. We chatted in the upstairs lounge near the window for a while before deciding to take advantage of the sun on a long, loopy walk through the UofA farm.
I returned home cozy on endorphins and vitamin D, and have settled into a relaxing evening of television, internet puttering, and cat cuddling.
Thank You, Lord, for such abundant blessings. The blessing of technology, and the blessing of life. The blessing of friendships, and warm spring days. Thank You that I live in a place where these are all realities for me. You would be worthy of praise and thanks, even if I had slept through the ultrasound. Even if it had snowed today. Even if I had spent the day in my condo doing nothing. But You choose to bless, and You do so abundantly. Thanks. Amen.
Afterwards, my brain was quite happy to return to unconsciousness for a couple more hours, and I re-awoke later in the morning definitely more refreshed. I was mildly disappointed when I looked out my window and the sky was cloudy and white and not the sunny that had been forecast by Environment Canada. But by the time I met my friends at Transcend Coffee, the clouds were making way for glorious early spring sunshine. We chatted in the upstairs lounge near the window for a while before deciding to take advantage of the sun on a long, loopy walk through the UofA farm.
I returned home cozy on endorphins and vitamin D, and have settled into a relaxing evening of television, internet puttering, and cat cuddling.
Thank You, Lord, for such abundant blessings. The blessing of technology, and the blessing of life. The blessing of friendships, and warm spring days. Thank You that I live in a place where these are all realities for me. You would be worthy of praise and thanks, even if I had slept through the ultrasound. Even if it had snowed today. Even if I had spent the day in my condo doing nothing. But You choose to bless, and You do so abundantly. Thanks. Amen.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Crazy Cool Seattle
I am currently very excited; I get to go to Seattle this weekend! (I was there for the first time back in September) The initial motivator for this trip was to see Rob Bell, who is on tour speaking across the country. Seattle happens to be the closest he will be coming to Canada. But of course, it being the Family Day Long weekend for us Albertans, and Rob Bell's talk comprising a mere two hours of the entire weekend, there will be ample opportunity to revisit highlights from the first trip and create some new adventures, too!
So anyway, I'm a geek, and have off-and-on over the last month gleaned information about Seattle for fun. This evening, I just wiki'd Seattle outright. While Seattle's weather may be dull most of the time, Seattle is anything but a dull city!
For example, did you know that Seattle is in a major earthquake zone?! Or that its original name was Duwamps (after the Indian tribe)? ...I already knew that Starbucks originated in Seattle (saw it close up). I did NOT know that, despite having a population of a mere 600,000, Seattle is one of the most congested cities in the US. I recently learned that a major fire in 1889 burned most of the downtown area, and the city was rebuilt ON TOP of itself. Seattle has an underground city!!! ...This is cool stuff!
I have quickly fallen for this city. When I was there in September, I could not get over the amazingly amicable people, and the beauty of the rolling hills and the ocean. ...Alas, the poor city only averages 58 sunny days a year, which is the main reason I could never live there. I grew up averaging 333 sunny days per year in Calgary (top sunny city in Canada), and living in Edmonton still affords me about 321 sunny days per year.
But a weekend road trip? Sign me up anytime!
So anyway, I'm a geek, and have off-and-on over the last month gleaned information about Seattle for fun. This evening, I just wiki'd Seattle outright. While Seattle's weather may be dull most of the time, Seattle is anything but a dull city!
For example, did you know that Seattle is in a major earthquake zone?! Or that its original name was Duwamps (after the Indian tribe)? ...I already knew that Starbucks originated in Seattle (saw it close up). I did NOT know that, despite having a population of a mere 600,000, Seattle is one of the most congested cities in the US. I recently learned that a major fire in 1889 burned most of the downtown area, and the city was rebuilt ON TOP of itself. Seattle has an underground city!!! ...This is cool stuff!
I have quickly fallen for this city. When I was there in September, I could not get over the amazingly amicable people, and the beauty of the rolling hills and the ocean. ...Alas, the poor city only averages 58 sunny days a year, which is the main reason I could never live there. I grew up averaging 333 sunny days per year in Calgary (top sunny city in Canada), and living in Edmonton still affords me about 321 sunny days per year.
But a weekend road trip? Sign me up anytime!
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