Tag Archives: Canada

Commentary, musings, nature, Photography

Ice Unsafe

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There is some ice along the edges of Skaha Lake. In the shallow parts right next to the beach, the water is frozen all the way to the bottom, but about 10 metres (approximately 30 ft) further out, it’s a different story as I could see the ice undulating with the water’s movement.

The city has put up a sign reminding people that the ice is unsafe, but humans being humans, further down the beach I saw three people at least five metres away from the shore, walking on the unstable ice. Had they fallen in, they were too far away for quick help – someone else would have had to creep or crawl on the weak ice to get to them – and would likely have rapidly developed hypothermia.

Sometimes, safety isn’t only about yourself; it’s about others, too.

Happy Friday.

musings, nature, Photography

Doggie Fun

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We have been looking after a friend’s dog over the break, and the weather has finally been nice enough (no wind gusts to 70 km or frostbite warnings) to take her to the dog beach.

Our temperatures here in Penticton are now well above 0°C (32F) and the snow we received is sloppy and in many spots, completely gone. As a northern girl, she found a snow patch and a stick and was a happy pooch.

Meanwhile, the humans had a nice view down the lake, including a bit of sun.

Happy Tuesday.

Commentary, Happy Holidays!, musings, nature, Photography

Boxing Day

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Here in Canada it’s Boxing Day. It has nothing to do with boxing gloves or rings but rather with an old tradition that came down to us from the U.K. and through our Commonwealth ties to that country.

On Boxing Day, you are supposed to box up the leftovers from your Christmas meal along with presents you don’t want or other items you no longer require and give them to those who are struggling. As a small child, I remember vestiges of this old tradition when my parents made sure there was a box of goodies to give away to a family we knew. Another aspect of the day was to provide time to a charity.

The charitable origins of Boxing Day now seem to be completely lost in an overload of after-Christmas sales that are akin to a shopping orgy, mostly for things many of us probably don’t need.

Too bad. A little selfless charity is a good thing, and especially in this tight economy. I won’t be spending any money today, but maybe some time.

Happy Boxing Day.