Lynx

This was the first day that the temperature warmed up and the snow began to really melt, but it was just a teaser and there is a winter storm warning for tonight.
The picture was taken by a friend in her back garden. The first is the lynx' tracks and the second is the lynx. I think that this was captured on a cell phone. This is one reason why cats stay indoors.

Cochrane

I went to Cochrane for a three day Presbytery meeting. Cochrane is a railroad town and the district seat. There was no time to see the town, and the church meeting went on as church meetings do. This is my last Presbytery here in Northern Ontario. I'll be in a new Presbytery in New Brunswick the next time I have to attend a meeting. I am not a great meeting person. They seem to deplete my energy. Perhaps I am too introverted.

9 days

It's been nine days into spring, and there is not a murmur of it here. Winter is wearing a little thin.

disappointment

We had driven to Truro for a soccer tournament, which, when we got there, we found that it had been cancelled. So here are my son, Alec, and grandson, Hugh, refueling for the journey home. This is the last of my Nova Scotia pictures until I return at the beginning of May to reclaim my home, before I set off for a work stint in New Brunswick. Each day I pack a little more for my return. Excitement is in the air. The cats survey it with some suspicion

fancy hopscotch

Eileen had set herself up to draw "fancy hopscotches" Her mittens and the chalk box are under the umbrella. This is Halifax in the the 9th of March.
I arrived in the city and was greeted by this little endeavour. Of course, I had to try out the hopscotch. I have not lost my touch at all. Eileen is my youngest grandchild and the first girl, and so she is very special.

Muggins & Briar

These are some delightful dogs that we visited whilst in Nova Scotia. We actually

spent some time with their friend, too!

cat and rabbit

Miss Johnson posed by the white chocolate rabbit for her Easter portrait.

Christ is risen

Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed.

Alleluia

It is always in the present tense. It is always today.

I am in between services. The Sunrise Service started just at the break of dawn at -21 degrees. After the service we were buoyed up by hot coffee and three Easter breads from different traditions.

Now the sun is shining brightly and I must head into town for the Easter Eucharist. Happy Easter!

welcome home

Two weeks ago today I was back home, and we had a dinner party at a dear friend's. It was a pot luck and everyone, except myself, contributed to the spread. The conversation went on for hours: religion, politics and a little sex - all the good important stuff. I am so privileged to know these wonderful people. So here are my pictures, but, as you can see, I was not the only one with a camera.

Good Friday

While this has been a lovely, sunny, cold day, I did the service this morning and went out to lunch with the congregation, but my month plus long bronchitis caught up with me and I have taken to my bed of pain, getting up just to send this to you. And there's a run-on sentence!

main drag

The month of March without the snow just has to be the worse time to snap a photo. But this is my Nova Scotia town, and so it looks beautiful at any time of year.

coming home

Going back to my East Coast home - not so much to the unfinished old house that I am reclaiming, but to dear friends and a future. In the spring, in just over a month, I shall migrate, with goods and cats, and begin again.
The birdhouse hangs on the out building where I was staying with a friend. Without friends would life have any meaning at all?

no snow really!

From the frozen north I arrived in Annapolis County, Nova Scotia to find - wait for it - no snow! So I had to take a picture of my friend's garden. Now, I know, that winter is not over, and there will be storms to come - but no snow! I went over to what will be again my house on the shore - and no frost - I could pull out the weeds. This is Paradise.

Halifax Airport

I am back. Early this morning I arrived at the Halifax Airport and was sitting in the departure lounge staring into my paper cup of coffeee, when I looked up to these two from Tourism Nova Scotia. Then I realised that it was Saint Patrick's Day. The biggest smiles come from the Maritimes!

I mislaid my camera cable when I was away and had little time on the computer, so I shall endeavour to play catch up for the next few days.

souvenir

Before I left here I thought that I would buy one souvenir, something flat that would fit easily into the car. Since I am surrounded by bush and it's fairly flat here so there are no commnding vistas, this oil is pretty representative of the north.

I am packing to spend the March Break down east, starting tomorrow. So these blogs will happen when and if I can borrow a computer.

melting

It's melting a little, not because the temperature is warming up, but because the sun is higher in the sky.

portrait

They need a photo ( 8x10) of me to put up in their rogues gallery of previous ministers. So a friend who had to take portraits today for her photography class practised on me. She's very pleased with the result. But today I went to the studio and had the real thing done - and I'm pleased with that result, but, not being digitalised, I can't put it up on the blog. So this will have to do.

laundry day

It's Monday and it's laundry day. I try to dry as much as I can by hanging stuff in the bathroom. Firstly I'm trying to reduce my ecological footprint, and, secendly, being as I live in a manse and am dependent on the good will of the congregation, the dryer does not turn off and has only one temperature: "cook". Actually, with some creativity, I can hang up two full loads, and some much needed moisture is going into the house.

Winter headframe

This is a shot of the headframe in winter. I drive by it several times a days. Actually I drive by more than one, but this is the most photogenic. There are several drilling platforms on the lake looking for more gold. Thre's supposed to be a storm coming in tonight, so I'll not be going out again and I'll see how things are in the morning.

tail

I take a picture of the cat in a really good pose, where I can really apreciate her beautiful face, but as soon as the flash goes off the cat turns and the picture dissipates. In the other hand, at the other end, the tail has a life of its own, and the cat does not seem to remember where it is at all.