Global Events

Thanks to advertising, enhanced by social networking websites, global events can now take place. We are maybe tired of hearing about global warming, but every so often it hits home. On a personal note, I was on holiday in Fiji once and drove my rental car back to the airport and returned home, no problem. But today many tourists are stranded there because of torrential rain which caused a mud-slide to block the airport road. Global warming? of course!

The Power of Sunlight produced these

 Wind and Storms come from the Power of Sunlight

Even Candles are possible because of Sunlight! Let's not forget to keep its power in perspective! 

Today the global event is Earth Hour, and I was encouraged to see an article written in Calgary about it. Even in Calgary, my old home town, seat of the oil industry! So tonight, at 8.30pm, you can all join in by turning off your electric lights and appliances and TV sets to celebrate! It started in Australia in 2007, and now has spread to 150 countries!

Messing with Colour

Here are a few images in which I messed around with colour. There are several ways, the ones I used were monochrome conversions and replacing colour on a black and white conversion.
The other thoughts I had were about Easter, so instead of Chocolate and Crucifixion this year it is Easter Island, named on Easter Sunday 1722 by Jacob Roggeveen....

Easter Holidays are upon us once more, so these are a few ideas for entertaining yourselves.....

Easter Island

Hanne in Red

Apex Ski Hill at night?

The Village at night

Libraries

Some folk think Libraries are on the way out. True, some local libraries are having a hard time, but looking around I found some interesting round libraries which are irreplaceable.

Canadian Parliament Library, Ottawa

Nice small round library

Bodleian Library Oxford

The one belonging to the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa built in the 19th Century has about 600,000 books and 300 employees. Then there is the famous Bodleian in Oxford. It is amazing how many round libraries there are in the world. The British Museum's Reading Room in London is round too. I think the one in Ottawa was based on its round design....

 I suppose it is easier to browse in a circle....?

Here are a few Google images of libraries.

Apex

Chad arriving

Karin and Randy ready to go, early morning.

Afterwards, mid-afternoon.

Interesting Carvings

The Village

Yesterday we all went up to Apex Mountain Ski Resort, the children skied, and we watched. It is a 40 minute drive from home, and there was lots of snow. Unfortunately the clouds came down the mountain, and it was snowing, making it difficult to see, so skiing was cut short mid-afternoon. It is interesting that white-out conditions can produce vertigo when you can't see the ground!

Visitors

Hanne and Karin

Chad found a big rock to climb

Rock colours

Hanne, Karin, Randy, and Chad on one of the new bridges at Lee Creek

Alder Catkins

Family visits are always fun. Hanne's daughter Karin is here with husband Randy and son Chad. We went to Lee Creek and climbed the canyon path, exploring a new area because of the construction of two new bridges, extending our range. The only sign of Spring here was the Alder catkins.

Lake View

It is interesting how the folk who sell waterfront properties emphasize the view. In fact some use the view as their primary photographic selling point. The same applies to houses built way up in the hills, with superb views overlooking a fabulous piece of scenery of course. But do you really want a hill to take a walk on every day? There was a chap in Nanaimo who had a house with a steep driveway. Very steep. One day he developed angina. He could no longer walk up his driveway, so he had to move! I suppose he could have installed a lift....or a funicular railway!

This view costs $2,850,000

Railway up to your hillside lakeview cottage

On the left is a bran new rental property for summers only on Skaha Lake

The Arizona Look on Skaha Lake

First Blossom Tree, Skaha Lake

Which house would you buy? The above examples are from around here, overlooking lakes. I think I would want to see the house first, then see if there is adequate shade in the summer, and shelter from winter winds. Then consider the view.

Great Grandchildren Visit

Yesterday was a highlight as the great-grandchildren came for a visit from Oliver. Nate and Miles brought their parents Paul and Jodi, along with their grandpa. We played games, went to the playground, then had strawberry open-faced sandwiches. A good time was had by all!

Hanne at the Playground

Paul and Nate playing the Tower Game

Nate 

Miles

Jodi with her Brood, eating Strawberry or Cheese Open-Faced Sandwiches

Papa and Miles