When you drive west into Jasper National Park from my home town of Edmonton, Alberta, your landscape changes from the prairies to the rocky mountains. If it is a clear day, you begin to see in the horizon the tops of snow capped mountains. Soon you pass through the Jasper National Park gate where a stretch of highway is nestled between a river and various lakes as clear as sparkling water. Leaving the city behind, I breathe. All my worries, and planning, and goals, and life’s details ...
Striding with Faith
Leap and glide. They are the words I repeat to myself when cross-country skiing. I’m a beginner, so repeating “leap and glide” reminds me to stride on my skis. For if I just push my ski forward without the leap and glide, I don’t go far with more effort. Some cross-country skiers call this move “drop and pop.” Basically, you gain momentum in your stride to glide. But I am tentative because the glide scares me. Will I slip? Will I go too fast? Will I fall forward on my ...
Support and Influence – IWSG
February 2 question - Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn't around anymore? Anyone you miss? Mark and Susan, my brother and sister ’n law. My brother passed away from cancer in 2017 and my sister ’n law passed away two years later, also from cancer. I still miss them both. They met when working at the CBC; Susan a writer, broadcaster and producer; Mark a radio technician and photographer. Later they a production company creating award winning ...
An Intentional Year
"Snow has blown onto those trails I made a few weeks ago," he says. "But I kept my skies in my car just for this day." I say. I was determined to try out my refurbished cross-country skis. And after weeks of -20C temperature, we finally had a day without warnings of freezing exposed skin. At the perimeter of the field that grows acres of wheat in the summer, he says, "Well, those snowmobile tracks out there might work." Yes! Although not perfect conditions, I kept on with my intention ...
Gearing up for your Part
An axe, harness, and clippers. Three items required for ice climbing. Along with mountaineering boots, crampons, helmet and backpack, you're geared up to climb a frozen glacier or waterfall. All it takes is the gear to scale a slick and slippery mountain, right? When I was part of an ensemble cast for a professional play, to help get into my part, the seasoned actors advised me to wear the shoes that fit my character. I played a rich mother in the the late 1800's, so this meant low pump ...
Ice-Fishing Finds
Ice. Molecules sticking together when water temperature reach around 0 Celcius. Generally, it takes about four days of below freezing temperatures to form at least four inches of ice thick and safe enough to walk on. Or go ice-fishing. Although, it isn't recommended to drive your vehicle on the ice until it is at least 8 to 12 inches thick. So, when we stepped on the ice after a week of temperature below -20C, I knew the ice was thick of enough to hold us. And I trusted my experienced companion. ...
