Oak Hammock Marsh

I may not be near mountains and waterfalls and all the lovely things Calgary had to offer, but I know Manitoba has its own beauty and today I set out with my camera to find some of it.

I'd heard about Oak Hammock Marsh... an Interpretive Centre that is a birding hotspot. Since it is autumn, and with autumn comes migration, it seemed like a good time to head out there. Not exactly a warm day, but at least there was no wind when I checked outside my house in the morning, and so I set off.

Oak Hammock Marsh is an hour north of my place, and the lack of trees, houses, etc, means it is also windier than at my place. I was very grateful for the extra jacket and the scarf in my car.


The sun cooperated most of the time, and the sky was very expressive. I love the combination of the browns and the blues on a day like this. The paths were empty. I saw one other person on the trails in the two hours that I was there. Others were in the Interpretive Centre, but evidently, few were venturing into the chill of the wind.

I include the photo of the geese in the sky just to show that I did actully try to take pictures of the birds. However, on a cold day like today, I did not have patience to sit quietly and wait for them to show up where I was. And my lens wasn't long enough to get any closer. Perhaps both these problems can be rectified in the future.


I may not have gotten near the birds, but I did manage to get a lot of the cattail and the various grasses. The wind is quite evident in a number of the shots.

There are enough trails to keep you busy for hours on the right kind of day, and in the winter, the trails are open for skiing.

I left this place with numb fingers but a refreshed spirit. A very worthwhile day!

Aging: Don't forget your sense of humor!

I am convinced that the one thing that is really important to keep intact as we age, is our sense of humor!
I have always been good at multi-tasking. I really don't think I'm losing that ability just yet... I didn't seem to have any problems dishing out the leftover rice and curry on Sunday while getting the pickles out for supper. At the same time I gestured (with my head - both hands were occupied) to the yummy cinnamon-raisen bread that was cooling on the counter, and suggested my daughter try it.
Apparently my brain and mouth don't multitask or coordinate as well as I'd like, though. When I looked up, my daughter had a very puzzled look on her face and asked, "Mom, what are rice pickles?"
Only then, did I do a quick 'rewind' in my mind, and heard myself telling her she should try my rice pickles!!

A Love (?) of Travel

I love travelling. Almost all of our travels are related to work (generally Einar's) or family, but if it gives me a chance to see something new and take some good pictures, I'm happy.

Yesterday something happened to dull that desire. It took me by surprise.

We met some new friends at a fundraising banquet. We were all there for one purpose (the organization doing the fundraising) and so it wasn't difficult to connect with at least 2 of the new couples at our table.

One of the men at our table may have been there for other reasons, though. Maybe his wife dragged him out. Or maybe he felt obligated to be there. Because he didn't really pay attention to any of the program. His cell-phone had his full attention after the meal was done.

Either way, he did hear Einar mention that he was from Norway. So he wondered how often we travelled there. Twice, is what Einar told him. Only twice? He'd be there all the time if he was from there. Why only twice? He didn't let it go even after I mentioned we had also travelled to a few other places. I should have just said we couldn't afford the trip more often. That would have been an honest reply. But he didn't look like he'd understand those words. So I mumbled something about not travelling all that much.

Well, he'd been to Europe (and he rattled off all the countries and the number of times he'd been to each of them) and Australia a few times - at least 4 or 5. All the while still focused on his phone as if he might miss something important if he looked up for a minute.

His matter-of-fact listing of his travels made me sad. It didn't sound like much fun.

I couldn't help but compare what I imagine our lives are like... they have the money to travel, I have a husband who pays attention to me and our activities. Hmmm... I think I'll count my blessings.

The Fear of Aging

I'm going to admit it. I can be very fearful. And one of my main fears has to do with aging. It is the fear of Alzheimers.
It is a legitimate fear. Three of my dad's siblings had Alzheimers before they died. My mom was showing signs of it as well near the end of her life.
The last time I was at Mom & Dad's before she passed away 4 years ago, Mom told me she was so glad she was my auntie. Our daughters were with me, and she seemed to know they were her grandchildren, and prayed for them by name that same afternoon. So her confusion came and went.
So does mine. If I've just spent time with my youngest sister, than my daughter Rachel becomes Eunice. I never do that with Kirsten for some reason. Maybe because Eunice is the only sister younger than me, and Rachel is my youngest. I look at her and marvel that my baby is all grown up, and a mother herself now.
Okay, I know that is common. Everyone complains about how many names it takes before their mother gets to their own. When I see young peoople having memory lapses, I often breathe a sigh of relief... it's not just me... even young people forget.
But I often can't complete my own sentences. Words that should be commonplace just won't come to my mind no matter how hard I try to remember them. That scares me.
I remember my dad fearing some of the same things. He's 94, and still doing well on his own in his own place! No sign of Alzheimers there yet!
I thought today about some of the things I want to live to see: more grandchildren, Haley & Josiah all grown up, their milestones, retirement with Einar, and much more. But if the Lord should take me home before the Alzheimers kicks in, that would be okay, too!