Delayed Spring

It would be so easy to complain about the coldest, wettest April on record - and then mutter something about May following heartily in April's footsteps. I could almost justifiably complain about the hail this morning and the forecast of snow overnight.

But instead let me say that I took two hikes today - one on the Morden Colliery trail this morning and Cable Bay trail this afternoon. The greens of the new leaves and moss and grasses were so bright, it was like they were generating their own sunshine. Even in the rain - exquisite beauty.

What is important and to be celebrated is what is right now - not what I think "should be."

What is, is a long, green, verdant prodigal spring.

Letting go of everything except now. I may not be very good at it yet, but at least I'm making a start.

3 Cups of Tea

All right - I really have to speak up about this. I just read that two Montana legislators are suing Greg Mortensen, of Three Cups of Tea fame, because they bought his book and contributed to his charity.

What??????

Sorry - this piece of news just takes my breath away. True, the book compressed some facts to make it a better, more coherent story. As a writer, I can understand this completely. The fact is, that the essence of what he does and has done is true. Girls in Pakistan are getting an education because of him.

Now then - we have this huge outcry about a guy who is doing his best to do some good in the world - and people are suing him.

How come no one has sued the bankers who took billions of dollars from an unsuspecting public? Where are the lawsuits? Where is the outcry over their obscene bonuses? Or the bonuses for BP execs after their massive oil spill?

No - it's easier to go after a charity - no big corporate lawyers to battle.

Shame on you, legislators.

Day off

There's something wonderfully decadent and satisfying about a day off in the middle of the week - so today has been delightful. Except for the part where I took Abby for a walk at Colliery Dam this morning at the off-leash area where a couple of guys were fishing. One had caught a nice big trout and laid it on the ground. Big mistake. Abby had it in a heartbeat.

So I hustle her away with many apologies and she's on to the next fisherman who has a jar of salmon roe bait beside him - yup - she got that too.

Payback this afternoon - good old fate - one of the new horses got into my raspberries - it took half a bag of carrots to get him out. (stick didn't work at all). I am philosophically telling myself that my raspberries needed pruning - lots of pruning.

So I was thinking that maybe I'll stay semi-retired at the level I am now rather than take on even less work. Life is good. Maybe this is just the right amount of work for me.

Might just be.

Happy Day!

Okay - one more puppy photo - the reason? Today is a happy day!

It's often (usually) the simplest things that make me dance inside. I had a doctor's appointment today. His office called me last week. And here's the thing - I figure it's never a good sign when a doctor wants an appointment with you rather than the other way around.

Happily, this new doctor just wanted to give me the good news that the biopsy was clean.

Very, very happy! I didn't even realize that I'd been feeling a tad stressed until I experienced the good feeling of wanting to dance in the streets after that news.

Good news came pouring in on top of that - funny how happiness attracts more happiness, isn't it? I have a bunch of unexpected expenses and the money for them appeared - just like that! More than enough in fact.

So - it's not just a good day - it's a great day!

The best part is knowing I created these results. They didn't just "happen." I am so f&**ing powerful!

post vote thoughts

Needed another puppy picture today.

Here is some information to make you think - specifically about the need for election reform. This is from Wikileaks:

• Quebec voters contributed 36% of the total votes cast for the NDP across Canada, but Quebec MPs will comprise 57% of the NDP's national caucus.
• The Bloc Quebecois seats were reduced by almost 92%. While almost 1 in 4 Quebecois voted BQ, only 1 in 20 of Quebec's MPs are BQ. (Previously the Bloc always won far more seats than their vote percentage would indicate.)
• In Ontario, the Conservatives increased their share of the vote by 5% but saw their share of the seats grow by 20%.
• The NDP increased their share of the vote in Manitoba, but their number of seats was cut in half.
• The NDP won almost a third of the votes in Saskatchewan without winning a single seat.

So the problem here is that we don't have proportional representation. We have a majority Harper government but he did not get a majority of the votes.

Well - rather than mope about it - I mean, what's the point? - we need to gird our loins and be delighted that the NDP are the opposition. We need to support them in any way we can... and do the best with the hand we've been dealt.

As in life, so in politics - it's not the hand you've been dealt, it's how you play the hand.

May 2

What to say today?

First of all, I felt that the day needed a picture of a puppy - so here's Abby at 8 weeks old. It seems so long/short ago. Today she's a big 70-pound dog, chewing on a raw marrow bone out on the deck.

Yesterday they killed Osama Bin Laden. That's the big news - it almost overshadows the election.

As Michael Moore said, "Can we now carry shampoo on the plane? Can we keep our shoes on? Can we not be groped any more?"

Of course, the fear mongers (war mongers, FOX news, far right wing, etc.) have already - minutes after the announcement - said, "Uh-oh - watch out for retaliation."

Come on people, give us a break. Stop it! You can you know. You can change your mind in a heartbeat and just stop. You can start smiling. You can start feeling hope and joy. Yes you can - you just have to decide to.

Back to the election. I will head to my polling station this afternoon. Polling Station - hmmm - sounds like a place I bring my Herefords to have them de-horned. Nevertheless, I shall go, sans bull and subsequently sans BS - and cast my vote. Then I shall subversively troll Twitter and FB to find election results in Eastern Canada before the polls close. I just have this irresistible urge to break the law - just to see what happens.

Oh Canada! (sigh)

May Day

May Day!

May Day occurs on May 1 and refers to several public holidays. In many countries, May Day is synonymous with International Workers' Day, or Labour Day, a day of political demonstrations and celebrations organised bycommunists, anarchists, socialists, and activist groups. 


So it's little wonder that my thoughts turn to politics - that and the fact that we go to the polls tomorrow. If you still wonder about the Conservative, you may want to read this:

http://members.shaw.ca/rick.borchert/TheHarperConservativeTrackRecord.htm

Please keep in mind that Harper's party is far right - as far right as the Republicans in the Excited States of America - let's make sure we get a Canadian government - one that reflects the will of the people!

Most important, Vote - this is our great privilege in this country - people die for this privilege in other countries.

Vote!

Make your voice heard.