Sun Dog

Mum used to tell us that these sky phenomena were called sun dogs. Whether or not that's an accurate name, it's what I've always called these beautiful round rainbows - usually seen in pairs - one on either side of the sun. They seemed to predict a change in the weather - usually cold weather.



Driving from Edmonton to Lethbridge this weekend, Mickey and I spotted this sun dog, and since we're both scrapbookers and neither of us had ever taken a picture of one, we stopped the car on the side of the road and snapped our pictures. Sometimes you just need to do what you need to do.

And the sun dog was true in it's prediction. The weather turned nasty while we were in Lethbridge. Today the 5 hr. trip took us over 6 hours because of wind, blowing snow and icy roads.



In one 115 km stretch of road we counted 25 vehicles in the ditch, some upside-down and others right side up with the drivers still sitting in them. Thanks to Mickey's excellent driving, we made it home just fine.

And yes, winter is still with us, with all it's beauty and ugliness. Surely spring can't be far behind.

Getting Tired Of The Snow

Snow seems to be the topic of everyone's conversation these days - even the news up here in frigid northern Alberta is reporting on the snow in sunny, hot, Georgia. North America has gone snow mad. It wouldn't be so bad if you didn't have to drive in it, be out in the cold, bundle up in heavy coats, boots, hats and mitts.




This is the street my daughter Sara lives on, on the right at the bend at the top of the street. It hasn't been plowed, and maybe will be once before spring thaw in March. It's up to traffic to beat the snow down. That works fine if you like ruts, bumps and streets that are a third as wide as they are in the summer. You must admit it's beautiful though. The frustrating thing is that if residents don't have their sidewalks shoveled down to bare cement within 48 hours of a snowfall the city fines them. Too bad residents can't fine the city for neglect of snowy streets. It's been tried and failed.

This is the first year for this trampoline. Do you think maybe we should have put it away for the winter? The kids love it. Lets hope there's still some spring in it come spring. Just look at that saggy bottom.

The swing set fares a bit better than the trampoline. They don't mind being buried for awhile.

Is it any wonder that skating, cross country skiing, sledding, curling, and hockey are a big part of life here. The motto seems to be 'don't fight winter, embrace it.' It'll be over in a few months and then we'll be complaining of the heat.