Tag Archives: inspiration

nature, Photography

Then and Now

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Then: a quick January flight to Edmonton; it was -45C (-49F). There was a lovely sunset and beautiful clear air but I didn’t stay long. There’s definitely a main reason why we live in the Okanagan Valley!

Now: a springy 12C (54F), windless, bright and beautiful …

… with some real warmth coming from the sun.

Happy Tuesday.

nature, Photography

February 27’s Friday Fleurday

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It’s great to once more be posting recent floral finds for Friday Fleurday (try saying that fast three times 😉). Two weeks ago I found the tightly closed hellebores shown in the next two pictures.

Hellebores take their time blooming and when I recently walked past their location again, I found that they had begun the opening process.

Those that have opened are mostly a creamy white with a red border at the petal edges …

… although I did find one that was fully opened but did not have that distinction.

I apologise for the quality of the last two photos; it was extremely windy out and I had trouble focussing on the flowers. I’ll try to update these again as they bloom more fully. They’re such a lovely early spring find.

Happy Friday.

Commentary, musings, Photography

Ahead By a Century

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In this time of turbulent uncertainty, where we once again see a military behemoth threatening a much smaller, peaceful country, we sometimes need to remember what we have and what we can give.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahead_by_a_Century

I think this iconic Canadian song from The Tragically Hip encapsulates that idea. It’s a song with a broad sweep as it weaves together past, present and future. It is about time, memory, loss, disappointment and desire, but it’s also about Canada’s identity and the politics of hope. Generally, it’s song in which we’re asked to drop what holds us back, and to imagine a future unharnessed by personal drawbacks.

Most of all, we’re urged to rethink the present, and to imagine a more generous and accepting future that should not be ahead of us by a century.

It’s very sad that we lost Gord Downie so early, but he and his band mates gifted us with an incredible body of heartfelt, lyrically beautiful music; this song in particular. It’s a huge reminder of all our advantages and why it’s necessary to help a friend who’s fighting a massive, vicious bully.

Glory to Ukraine. 🇺🇦