The weather outside is frightful...and so is my hair!

Ahhh the joys of static electricity.  Hair stands on end, in a Tesla like fashion as the moisture is sucked from the atmosphere - and static cling is your new nemesis.  Cold dry weather, skin that is no longer silky smooth but is sandpaper and horrid...that's winter in Alberta.

How hard can a static shock snap? Well lets try the sock and cat trick...rub your stocking feet on the carpet, then shuffle up the the cat.  YEOW! And usually the one howling is you - the cat, nonplussed, might give a perfunctory swat at you for trying to annoy it.  Surrender, go to the light switch to see what is happening in the world. and SNAP you get it again.  Yup, just for thinking evil thoughts about your furry friend.  Let's not even go to the pet hair sticking to everything you wear issue, no just sigh in defeat, get a dryer sheet out and try to amend the clothing that is waaay to friendly and stuck to you like velcro.

Winter is a tough season.  I mean where I live, it can, and given a chance will kill you.  Friends who were ill prepared for our winters have lost feet, been frozen and scarred.  Not a nice thing.  So my motto is Be prepared! Over prepared if you can, why just depend on one set of gloves when you have plenty of pocket room for a second pair.  Scarves?  Just how many is too many? I keep a full change of warm wear in my car - just in case!

So all this might give you the reader the idea that I don't like winter.  Well let me just be specific here - I don't like being cold.  I like winter.  I like bundling up, snow crunching as I struggle to get those decorative seasonal candy canes to stand up.  In -25C  weather.  Did you know plastic breaks really easy when it's that cold? Well you do now.  So my 6, nay 5 candy canes are listing but lovely in front of the house.  They go well with my single antlered deer...LOL

The thing is, I'm a pretty social gal.  I am blogging now, preparing to watch netflix and preparing to watch a movie downstairs - I'm going big tonight, 2 movies!! (where the electric seduction of the toasty fireplace awaits me) but here's the scoop: should I feel like I'm missing out on weekends once The Big Elf gets booked?? I mean, yes I have a beer open on the desk, yes I've eaten about a third of a miserable excuse of a frozen pizza, but come on!! Where are my peeps? My buddies?  The truth is - I'm old.  and so are my friends.  And Saturday nights are no longer for going out and dancing in the streets.  Living in a rural village means that no one who I hang with lives here.  Ok there are a couple of folks I would actually love to hang with tonight, but that would mean getting dressed into something more presentable than old baggies and a tshirt (and a cap, since well, who has time to shower every day?)  But I know they have their families and lives and so I must be inventive and find alternative ways to spend my energy.  What there is of energy!!

Tonight I am keeping a promise and blogging.  I love to blog - why is it so far between installments?  One word.  Santa.  He is a big demand on my time these days - from rushing around looking for white gloves, to chauffeuring him through wind and snow to a waiting audience (occasionally while I'm dressed as the Mrs in Red)  to tonight - he leaves on time, I wave good bye in the -19C weather, and hustle back into the house.  Only what to my wondering eyes did appear?? Oh snap, he left his thermos cups on the counter - I forgot to pack them! So hustle out of flip flops, into boots, grab one of the plethora of touques and jump into my trusty Kia! 30 minutes later I'm delivering his hot drinks, while he sits incognito waiting to get on the Polar Express!  And this happens every weekend, some week nights, and occasionally twice in one day!

Yup the life of the Claus's is not all chocolate and sugar plums, no there is also late night laundry, inventive snacks that will withstand subzero weather, but on the up side many afternoons are spent in "a long winter nap" which could become one of the highlights of winter for me.  And we aren't even at the big day yet - which this year involves family from the US of A and a lot of movies!! Did I mention chocolate? mmmmm

I know there are days when I just wanna hang up the suit, be a tourist in winter, perhaps make it to some of  the Christmas parties going on - we'll see what transpires.  But for now, how can I resist?  He's handsome and jolly, a little naughty but really nice...worth a few SNAPS when I shuffle over to him for a smooch - and now, to get some chocolate to take away the taste of cheap frozen pizza.

Gotta go check those Christmas lights and the timer - until next time
Stay warm!

Hinterland who's who: one hump or two?

Yesterday I was introduced to Jamal.  Young, athletic,  calm.  Long of leg, lovely "coat"...not a bit disturbed from his late morning snack by this very curious woman stopping and fumbling with her phone like a hill billy paparazzo.

You see, we don't see a lot of newcomers like Jamal in this neck of the woods.  But the real headsmacker was..one hump?  Is Jamal a camel or a dromedary?

Oddly, southern Alberta is not generally known for camels, tho I've heard they were employed to take prospectors to the Yukon during the gold rush.  And indeed some escaped, living like weird looking moose, until the last one was hunted.

Jamal, his two caretakers cheerily explained as they pulled up, and in typical prairie fashion rolled down their windows to say howdy, Jamal is a pet.  This should not have come as a surprise,  I mean people have pets right?  And, they went on to tell me, all wide grins and windblown hair, Jamal is a sweetheart.   Fond of apples and neck rubs.  How cool is that!
The owner, a young fellow who's fortune was initially made selling Thompson Ground Squirrels aka gophers...to the Japanese as adorable pets..rumour has it a mattress lined vac truck was originally employed to amass inventory. .has a business in exotic animals.

This might explain the 3 Ibex, one 5 horned sheep, 2 large Yaks and a whole bunch of mini (and I suspect fainting) goats.

I always linger near the paddocks when passing...its a treat!  Whether a speeding herd of baby potbelly pigs, or a pair of stately Japanese Cranes calmy strutting by, it never fails to amaze me!  One thing for sure, Jamal won't lack in companions, love & attention, or admiring passersby.

Country living..whats not to love!

Jack? Is that you?? You're right on time!

Oh yes it's happening.  Jack is back.  

September 7, 2016 - Frost warnings! Good grief I say and here I haven't even gotten my head around having a flower bed or garden!  Let me explain.

It was spring, that joyous season, full of promise and dreams.  Dreams of a tranquil space, filled with the scent of delicate blooms - green lush lawn, and bunnies hopping about... oh ok no bunnies.  How about lucious tomatoes, feasts of fresh green beans, shelling peas, mmmmm baby potatoes.  And of course in my minds eye I saw a bountiful herb garden, dill and cilantro, rosemary and sage...oh my.  

Lawn furniture was purchased, there were the early days of the season under the shade of the apple trees, dozing, book in hand, in the warm gentle breeze.  Bees buzzing contentedly in the blossoms, a robin perhaps singing off in the distance.  

And I looked towards my perennials, bright and abundant, flowering shrubs and attractive foliage.  Yes this was the time to day dream.  It all sounded so good.

Fast forward, ambition taking over, unruly raspberry canes being pruned, weeds under control, really who needs to fertilize, it's a lawn.  Late nights at the office.  Companies coming and damn the borrowed lawnmower isn't really rolling along - one wheel going on it's own journey.  Throttle is stuck on off - ok just call the neighbors kid, pay him to tame this jungle.. Phew, snuck through on that one!

Now let me explain the setting - we have a huge yard.  Like three regular yards worth of yard,  There is the boulevard - actually the village owns this and to say it's ample - well we could run a couple of cows on that grass.  The redeeming factor here - it's green.  That's about it.   The  grass just doesn't stop growing, doesn't slow down during a drought, it just keeps going like the ever-ready bunny.  I always pray that the sound of a riding mower in the neighborhood means some soul will take on the challenge and whip around the front and give her a trim.  Sometimes this works, sometimes it looks unruly.  

Then there is this wee strip in front of our house.  Should be easy you say? Radishes, marigolds and spinach, and three holy hocks from the neighbors surplus of perennials. Small space, it was deceptively easy to weed - in  the beginning! Then the seeds sprouted and radishes and spinach appeared - we had a feed, then another and then? A month of rain. Torrents.  The weeds emerged!  Thistles, yellow things that might have been a relative of dandelion only on steroids? Kosha??? WTF?  Radishes can only absorb so much moisture, then they burst! And the spinach? Bolted like a scared pony! Oh dear.  So a summer of tall leggy veg, the radishes kind of looked like a flower when they bloomed before going to seed, but the thistles ruled over all! Weed eater to the rescue! And the marigolds?  They are like steady relatives who just keep on growing and bloom for all they are worth! Today the weed bed is unruly, but with a perky yellow border.

Now lets wander to the side yard - oh look at the lovely fire pit and the lawn chairs - so beautiful! That's because the yard has finally been mowed (nearly hayed!) and the majority of the apples - rather the windfalls - have been collected, bagged and taken away.  The perennial bed? Now home to young mourning doves and voles.  A bit of a tangle I'd say - but it's happy and who am I to interfere with nature?

Journey with me on a safari into the back yard .  My red rose is full of lovely crimson blossoms. Living happily cheek by jowl next to two large yellow clovers.  See where this is going? Crimson in Clover - over and over.  The lily I planted with great hopes did come up eventually - a whole 5" in height with one large pink blossom.  Which something ate most of the petals off of.  Damn those Voles! As a side note - this year apparently has produced a prodigious crop of rodents.  Mice and voles are loving  the overgrown flower patch - as indicated by the cat presenting me with two rose leaves - and a wounded varmint the other day.  

The many many sunflowers however thrive! Blooms are yellow, orange, rust - a plethora of colour! All hale mighty Sol!  But the lawn? Ok it's green - again a couple of heifers would keep it in check.  Our 5 grapes have gone wild - like undisciplined teenagers - they are all over the place right now.  Hubster has a plan to control them, to bring order to chaos, and this fall we'll put up the camp,,,er I mean the trellis and arbor and zey vill obey!! 

The veggies we planted there - lets say that a dozen potato plants yeilded one full colander full of beautiful albeit small spuds.  The peas - yeah not so good - lots of pods, but if one doesn't pick them on time they become garbage.  The beans?  Again, there is that picking detail.  The dill and cilantro and morning glories? They were there somewhere under the giant thistle patch.  This my friends is why weed eaters and herbicide were invented!

But all this is minor in comparison to the strawberry and raspberry garden. Delivering us with buckets of fruit, more than we can consume, the reality of needing some strict controls has hit us.  We took out 2/3 of the raspberries last year - it seems this is like telling a cranky 2 year old No don't and they've shown us who's boss.  So this fall, I'll put them on the block, "free to good home" and see what is left over.  

No one can accuse us of being quitters! The reality is - we are not 30 and full of dewy eyed energy to garden after 8 hours in the office and an hour commute.  We are over 60.  We need a new plan.  Now there is a new garden plot in the planning stage (the plot thickens! hahaha) where we take a few specimens out, destroy the remainder and start again with large containers hubby found on line. The Big Bag Bed.   We will prevail and bring order to that dang garden if it kills us! Yes it's us or them! 

And next year?  I'll have a nice domesticated strawberry patch, a wee herb garden and a SMALL patch of contained raspberries!  Ah spring, the handsome prince, who introduces us to his dashing brother summer, then the swarthy bad boy autumn comes along all in a hurry, while old man winter sits in his goose down waiting, chuckling....another year!

What the? Did you see that? Out of left field!

I sometimes think I'm getting too old for this shit.  Seriously.

Ok you all know I've been "dabbling" in economic development over the past couple of decades or so.  Had some pretty awesome achievements if I do say so.  Ran a successful Chamber of Commerce,  on the northwest coast of Beerish Columbia.  Made "the Band" a cool million on the island. Even managed an office for the largest private construction company north of 60.  It has been an adventure.  A career thats taken me from the financial district of Vancouver to the Alberta foothills to tropical paradise of the Caribbean.

To quote the ever self affirming mensch in the blue sweater, Stewart Smalley, "I'm good enough,  I'm smart enough and dog gonnit, people like me."  So have I become a people pleaser?  Am I, as a good friend accused me "too nice.  Stop being so damn nice"  It's cause to self assess and figure out where I've gone astray.

Ok as far as ec dev goes,  I'm  pretty sure im hitting the mark.  Ive brought tons of awards back to my gig-de-jour.  Economic Developer of the Year...well that was significant!   Recognized as Outstanding by Federation of Canadian Municipalities. ..They're kind of a big deal.  But on a smaller scale?  Well small town politics are just not working out for me.

Now I'm no dummy, but I sense in myself some wide swaths of Freakin Oblivious.   And I may have mentioned this in previous posts, but once in a blue moon God comes and Smacks me in the head before I go "Oohhhh Never saw it that way before".  D'oh!

So Smack...I'm now gainfully unemployed.  I was shocked! Embarrassed!  How to tell my hubby? My family?  Friends?  Business clients?   Well how shocked was I, when the responses were supportive,  people saying You look great! Or "what were they thinking letting you go?"  Kind of the reassurance I crave.  I know, I thrive on the praise of others,  I need pats on the back.  Because I'm too nice! lol Kind of sad when I say it out loud.

So whats next in the Big Book O Marlean?  Im gonna jump...and become (brace yourself) a consultant!   Armed with enthusiasm,  a cell phone and a huge network of those smarter than I, I wanna make my mark, and have a good time.

This morning,  as I was motoring down the highway I had another Smack moment. D'oh a consultant can travel to appointments on her bike!  Uhuh.  Now we're cooking with gas. I've been pondering this - how can I get paid to ride my bike!! This might be it! Next step, register my company  name..MacArthur Park Group,  Marilyn MacArthur Team Leader.  My team? Husband and a cast of hundreds!

I'm excited!   I feel my mojo coming back, after a 6 month retreat.

To lose the joy of my career was a bigger destroyer of self confidence than I cared to admit to myself.  Thank God it only took a couple of Smacks to bring my thinking around. I'm gonna rock!   Gonna take a bit of work, but I'm feeling very Mary Tyler Moore!

If I had a tam, I'd toss it in the air and do a wee twirl.

The World is my Toy

May 16, 2016.  4 days of Holly:

What is this??? a slipper!  its my new toy, what's THIS?? A flip flop! my NEW TOY!  oh man o man this foot - I LOVE IT, MY FAVORITE TOY.....a bag of $10 worth of toys...WOW I LOVE IT...MY FAVORITE!!! 

Run run chew, bounce wrestle, bounce, MEWWWW purr purr....this is my new reality.

A Kitten: Oh it sounded like a great idea on paper, yes a companion for our older cat, a wee ball of warmth and softness so Mr Big wouldn't be so lonely.  Uhuh. I'll name her Holly.  a 7 week old kitty, a striped, little whirling ball of energy. Silvery and black, with a wee orange 'bindy' on top of her head.

Holly or "the never ending ball o energy" has only been a member of or family for a few days.  What has become pretty obvious is that Mr Big does not consider her a companion.  Or anything more than the great annoyance.  At least on day 4 he's stopped walking around the house hissing and growling.  Now that job is up to me.

Also kittens don't stop moving.  Or playing.  And they never seem to sleep.  They always have something to meow about.  Whether insistent MEEEow or little growly squeeks...rrrwwowl

Nothing is out of bounds - kittens want to play.  and play.  Computer tower - play!! The base of the office chair...ATTACK!!! a binder on the floor - best toy EVER!  The zipper tab... well you get the drift.

So far I have wondered many times if this is going to work out the way I envisioned.  The two cats, curled together napping in a sunbeam. HAHAHA that isn't the way its worked out at all.   In the mean time Mr Big naps relatively undisturbed in his bed, while Holly wanders about the office, meowwing full voice like a furry little veloceraptor on a search and destroy mission.

Let's see how this all unfolds - I'm hoping for the best.  Right now I'm kind of resentful - on vacation, been up since 4:45, morning chores, coffee is COLD and mini maniac had not settled down and just dumped her water dish into her food for the 3rd time.  Sigh.  Oh well she'll sleep eventually.

The urge to migrate is upon me?

¡Hola!

Could it be the heady combination of full moon, sprng rains and greener pastures?  I can't say, but recent travels over the past few months are under my skin.  Visions of a quiet existance in a small town, calm days, reading in the warmth of the sunroom with a cat sleeping nearby are luring me to South America.  Let me expand on this.

Have you ever felt there was somewhere you should be? Something more you were meant to do, to be?  Life is short, and perhaps now that I'm nearing "senior" status, I want to take a new direction.   One where I am the ruler of my day rather than others who hold the reins.  Perhaps the fact that my husband and I have both been working abroad - me to the Caribbean and he to Columbia,  where many live a hard life.  Is this then a mission quest?

No not for me - tho I have a strong altruistic steak,mI'm not out to save the world. Sadly He who is much Greatter than I is the One in Charge of that. What I want is to retire..in a country that is beautiful,  mosty peaceful and affordable.

Sadly, (or fortunately) where I am now fills most of those qualities but not the affordability.   So lets see what else is around.  Surprisingly South America might just be the ticket!  $1500 a month for a couple of pensioners is what it takes tomove to Panama. I'm sure its not that simple,  but it was an encouraging start.  Now to learn Spanish...ot helps to chat with the locals.

For today, I keep dreaming of a retirement, in my perfect world in 5 years.  and who knows what The Big Plan holds for me and mine?   Today I feel good, enjoying the spring and hanging out with the hubby & cat.  Life is good!  Tomorrow. .gonna go for a ride on our bikes...adios!

Winter Wink! Pfffst You Were Gone!

Last thing I remember was someone on the cul de sac picked up all the apples - the ones I was leaving as windfalls for the deer this winter.  But came home - boom they were gone! Ok, I understand, people (neighbors with really nice trees and gardens) didn't want their pears and saskatoons and roses nibbled to the dirt.  But hey that was months ago.  We had maybe half a dozen snowy drives to work? The odd slick of ice - nothing to write home about.  Leo was making a movie in Calgary and started crying when he felt a chinook (he was terrified - global warming was out to get him) but he feels redeemed after his "lecture" and moral message at the Oscars.

A quick opinion *mine of course -  about this whole celebrity being better/smarter than me.  No, they are actually no smarter, they are just luckier, more attractive and subsequently richer.  Like WAAAY Oprah richer.  Doesn't mean they are better - they just get manicures more often and show up in magazines more often than I do. And rent zillion dollar private planes.  I mean how many mansions does one person need?? LOL

Never do I feel "unsuccessful" due to the lack of private yachts, or personal entourages.  I mean I have some really awesome close friends (fewer than I'll admit) and an outstanding amazing husband, and a grouchy yet lovable cat.  And I feel positive - that I'm where I want to and should be, that I  have a bit of control over my life in terms of where I live and who I hang with. I'm relatively healthy, I love my profession and am damn good at it, and never balk at a new adventure!

This winter I had the incredible opportunity to travel - I mean 5 Star Jamaican all inclusive - while facilitating training for Local Economic Development Officers - most of whom made eye contact and were told that was their new duty.  Social workers, long range planning staff - these were not eager voluntolds...but I embraced the challenge and along with my new found compadres in Jamaica I had them laughing and keen to share their stories by the end of day one. 5 Star was eye opening - I didn't have to do more than lift a finger, and someone was there to help me!

Through FCM-CARILED I had the amazing opportunity to see how what we did could transfer to other jurisdictions, how we have more commonalities than differences. It was definitely one of the most unique and rewarding experience of my life!  The weather was HOT +36 and 100% humidity - my specs fogged up when I left my room!  I returned this time to Kingston and facilitated a "sensitization to LED" session for planners.  Kingston is a big scary place but it was a positive experience.  Always driven by my stomach (I'm a Cancer) I immersed myself in local cuisine both times, from curried goat (delish!) to braised oxtail, to crispy jerk pork and mouth watering jerk chicken - it was all good mon.  And a fried fish in Port Royale that was totally out of this world.  I'd go back in a heartbeat!

 And now? Back to the reality of budgets, a struggling Alberta economy, and tense municipalities.  A lot has changed since we first landed in Albeeria 8 years ago.  But we shall survive!
Early March shows 4" of tulips, buds filling up on the trees, poplars have the "pregnant green" look to them - like bright green signs of spring about to pop out any minute!

Easy winter - lots of fog and so does that mean according to the old adage that March and April will be wet? Fog means rain 90 days after - April May might  be the months! No snow in my part of the world - however not everyone is in this boat!

And what of May when a young at heart woman turns to motorcycles, open roads, etc etc?? I can't wait - rumour has it if the stars align we head west to the coast.  Ah Victoria and perhaps south to Washington state - so many adventures, so little time.

Farewell Festive Follies...wonder what awaits?

January 8 and now our home has returned to its normal state of comfy warm pandemonium.   The smell of Nuremberg Wurst and crisp baguettes and sweet grainy mustard...mmmmmm memories of Germany. Lovely dinner remenicent of a Christmas cruise a few years ago.   Now its a little naked looking in here after our wonderful tree was stripped and carted back to its box in the basement.

I like the whole process of packing it all away.  Taking each decoration and lovingly wrapping it,  placing them in their boxes...I recall the tme, where, and our conversation of each wee purchase.  Mushy, poignant, emotional silly moments. Every one precious to me. 💖

Some of my favorites are from way back when I was a lass, watching the golden deer as it swings in an ornate pear.  The bright plastics,  shining thru the branches of our tree.  Or the soaring snowy owl, a gift that suprized and delighted me a year or so ago. Thanks Brigett!   So many lovely memories.

While wallowing in days gone by, I remember grandmas tree, coloured bulbs festooned in 'angel hair' and bubblers perculating  on every branch! Miles of tinsel everywhere.  All adding to the magic glorious sparkle of Christmas!

Now, relaxing with my feet up, I find it odd to be planning next year; maybe move the guitars and amp into the basement, allowing the 2nd big tree in our livingroom!

Maybe I'll sit and sip and ponder,...or perhaps say good night!