BEAR, MISSING IN ACTION

Bear is going to be blog-invisible for a little while. No, I'm not going to be going on a holiday. I'll be right at home. 

But I'll be busy.

I don't know if all you have heard about the "Occupy Wall Street" movement. Basically, thousands of people are saying, "We're mad as hell and we're not going to take this any more." (That line is from the 1976 movie Network; the script by Paddy Chayefsky and direction by Sidney Lumet.)

There are many situations to which people are objecting. They're mad about the collapse of civil society, and the banks messing with the government "bail-out" money (taxpayers money that went, apparently, into profits and handouts, rather than helping the people who had put money into banks and were supposed to be helped.) There are a lot of other issues as well, including the misuse of power by police, and the failure of government to effectively handle problems facing the nation.

In North America, this process began on Wall Street the same day as my birthday. Slowly alternative media picked up the story, then mainstream media were embarrassed into following the events.

Here is one of my favourite pictures on the event.

Responses to the "occupation" have been very different.

In New York, billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg, has sicced the police on the protesters.

In Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa handed out 150 ponchos to protesters in the rain. Yesterday, seven of 15 members on that city council voted in favour of a motion calling the protest "A peaceful and vibrant exercise of First Amendment rights." The motion goes to final vote next week.

Which in a way, is making the protesters point. If there is difficulty, maybe its being caused by the politicians.

So far, the event has spread to 147 cities. In Barcelona, the activity has been going on since May 15, with major demonstrations almost every day.

And now, even to Canada, that quiet little backwater best known for it's chronic politeness.

Saturday, October 15, is going to be a nation-wide solidarity protest in Canada, supporting the Occupation of New York. It will be happening in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. And it will be happening in smaller cities, too, like River City.

So, Bear is going to be busy helping get things ready. Our first planning meeting was Wednesday night. Hastily called, primarily through Facebook, 52 people met in a church basement to consider options. Bear is helping with communications (which probably won't surprise any of you who are regular readers).

As I said, I'm going to be busy. If we do it right, it will convey a powerful message, and be a good time.

See you when the "fun" is over. Or we take a break.

Blessings and Bear hugs until then.

HANGOVER

It's Day 16 of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. Things got off to a bit of a slow start, but picked up — at least from the Canadian perspective. We've now won or are assured of 20 medals or so. Not the 30 that the politicians wanted us to win, but nothing too shabby, either. (I think this may be close to a "National Best.")

There's been lots to celebrate in the last few days. A gold and silver in Womens' Bobsleigh. Gold in Womens' Hockey. Silver in Womens' Curling, after a heartbreaking last shot. Back-to-back victories in Mens' Hockey (which means we will get either gold or silver, tomorrow, playing the USA). A chance for gold in Men's Curling tonight.

For those who are into celebrating, there's lots to celebrate. If Bear were into Mead, Bear would probably have a hangover, like a lot of other people.

But Bear isn't "into" Mead.

Bear's hangover is more troubling.


Spring thaw has begun. Water is dripping from the melting snow on the roof, then freezing at night. The evestroughs (gutters) are plugged; the water is falling on the ground, leaving a long icy path from front to back of house —


and coating the back stairs.


It is a challenge for man and beast (or, in this case, Bear and Dog) to come and go in safety.

So, how do we get out for our thrice a day walks?

VERY carefully.

§ § §

Hark! The kitchen timer sounds. The peanut butter cookies are ready.

If one cannot do useful things outside, once can attempt to do useful things inside.

LIFE IN THE FAIRY CASTLE

When the weather changes here, and we get very cold air meeting flowing water, our world is transformed.




We go walking in a winter wonderland.
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IT'S CRISP!

November in our part of the world was quite lovely: warm, sunny, dry.

December is, however, like Eric the Red -- a Norse of a different colour. Last night's temperature was down to -33°C (-27°F), the wind chill took it down to -37°C (-35°F). When Sadie and I tried to go for a very short walk, she would just stop and hold her paws up, one after the other. So we beat a hasty retreat home. I went out for a short walk by myself, mostly just to stretch out my back. But it was too cold for me to go very far. By then, the temperature was up to a balmy -31°C, when I checked it out.

Yesterday, the ice pans on the river were quite large. We could hear them scraping against each other. Sadie kept stopping and trying to figure out what this strange, new noise was.

Today, we're one step past that.


The ice pans have piled up, and river is frozen right over, except for a few open spots.


There is still mist coming off the open bits of water, and the sun lends an etherial quality to the scene.


But the geese haven't left!


Silly as a goose, or what?

This is pretty much what it will be like until spring. Makes for hardy stock -- human and animal. If you want to come for a visit, just make sure to bring your ice skates (we've got lot of skating rinks -- but no skating on the river -- too dangerous!). Or you could bring your cross-country skis.

Here's hoping you have a pleasant day, wherever you are. Sadie and I will likely sit on the sofa, beside the gas stove. I'll read; she'll sleep.

PHRIDAY PHOTOS

WINTER TRANSFORMATION

Temperatures hit -20°C last night (-4°F). Under such conditions, our world is transformed -- at least along the river. The cold air hitting the warmer water raises huge clouds of mist.



The sand bar on which the ducks and geese are accustomed to gathering turns into an island of snow and ice.


And the world around us is turned into something of a fairy castle -- suitable for Fairy Nuff, and others.


Ah, yes; it IS that time of year. Soon it will be too cold for taking Sadie out, except for the shortest of walks. Even the birds have gone into hiding.

GOOSE PARADISE?

Sadie and I went for our usual walk last night, just after sunset. It was dark, but we could still see things farily easily.

No fewer than seven flocks of Canada Geese flew over us, all heading for the sand bar on the river, just below our house.

When we walked this morning, the sandbar was covered with geese, and a large number had been resting along the shoreline (which they quickly left as Sadie and I approached).

This of course, got me thinking. Are there more Canadians in Canada than Canada Geese, or are there more geese than people? If anyone has any ideas, I'd be interested in knowing. If this fall has been any indication, I would think more geese than people. But I'm only a Bear -- what do I know?

WHAT SADIE LIKES

It wasn't so long ago that Nuala and Sadie came to live with us.

(Nuala at two months; 10 pounds)

Well, the puppies have grown up. Instead of just sleeping in the back porch, Sadie uses it as a guard tower.

(Sadie at five months; almost 45 pounds)

Sadie is (usually) a good dog; she has a lot of things she likes.

1. Going for walks.

2. Dog biscuits.

3. Sleeping -- floors, furniture, beds -- wherever.

4. Watching the world.

5. "Playing" with her sister, Nuala (though they play pretty rough).

6. Walkies.

7. Watching the geese on the river.

8. Dog food.

9. Fresh water.

10. Watching other dogs, and trying to play with them if they get close enough.

11. Trying to play with people, if they get close enough.

12. Playing "fetch" with one of her toys.

13. Playing with her toys, and chewing on bones and chew sticks (especially if someone else holds the end of the chew stick).

14. Watching workers in the community.

15. Chewing on spruce cones. (There are lots of spruce tress in our area, which grow seed cones. And seed cones fall to the ground. Sadie loves to pick them up, carry them around, chew them a bit, then drop them. And pick up the next cone she sees.)

16. Did I mention going for walks -- morning, afternoon, evening, or night?

And one other thing.


17. Chewing on things she shouldn't be chewing -- like window sills that are close to the floor. (But she only does that when bored, meaning I've left her too long).

NO! She is not for sale.

"LET'S GO FOR A WALK"

Those are magical words in Sadie's ears.

For those of you not familiar with her story, Sadie came to our home to walk me.

(Now, mind you, that's not the whole story, but it's a good beginning.)

So, three times a day, we go for a walk (unless I'm in a lot of pain).

"But where do you go?" you might ask.

Well, I'm glad you asked, because I'm going to show you.

We're one house from the end of the block (where there is a "T" intersection). So we go to the end of the block and turn right (head west).


At the end of this block there is a park, which I've mentioned before. (We'll turn left and head south.)

(Holiday Park)

On the east side of the road is Abbeyfield House, a home for seniors. I have known the manager for a number of years; one of the staff I have known (through Scouting) since our earliest years in Saskatoon.

Across from Abbeyfield, the Park continues. (You've seen the reverse angle of this picture.)


At the end of the block, we get to the Bowerman House.



This was the "hunting lodge" of Allan Bowerman, head of one of our city's early prominent families. It was quite a bit outside the city when it was built (in 1907), at the edge of a ravine, not far from the river.

Then, things changed.


It's 1925, and a Tuberculosis Sanatorium is built next to the Bowerman property. It was far enough out of the city to be "safe" but close enough to be easily serviceable from the city. Bowerman, a land developer, had sold the "lodge" a few years earlier, when the city went from boom to bust. The home became the residence of the Sanitorium Director. (That land from the Bowerman house, up to and including Abbeyfield House, held residences for other doctors at "The San." )

(Site of the former main buildings at "The San.")

When the buildings were demolished in the mid 1980s, the arrangement at the time is that this would stay a park, and no new buildings would go up, except where that had already been buildings. One building has now been put in place.


This is on the west side of the property, where the Nurses' Residence was located. (In one of the congregations I served in the city, there was a woman who had been a nurse at The San during WW2.) This building has some of the outline features of the old residence. (The architect must have done his/her homework.)

This is a low-rent public housing project. Very nicely done. Not at all your typical "Council flats."


We turn our backs on the housing, and walk the trail to the south-east, until we come to the river.


There are still a few geese who have not left, yet. In fact, there will be geese on the river all winter. A mile (more or less) upstream from here there is an electricity generating plant, named in honour of HRM Elizabeth II. The "Queen E Power Plant" (as it is known locally) used coal to generate power through turbines. Those were converted more recently to natural gas. But the plant still needs water (primarily for cooling, I understand). So cold water is taken out of the river, and it is replaced by warm water. No pollution, I'm told; just water exchange. Hence, the geese have a relatively nice place.

You'll also notice ice pans beginning to form on the river. That starts at about -10°C. If we get warm weather, those little thin sheets disappear. But in the cold of winter, the river will freeze right over, except for openings where the current is strongest.

From here, we turn left, and head north for about half a kilometre.


The "Turret house" is interesting. It was built as a modified A-frame house. The original owner, so the story goes, had a piano, which was to move to the upper floor. But the stairs were not big enough. Hence the turret was added on, so the piano could be hauled upstairs.

To this point, we've travelled about a kilometre. If I want to cut the walk short, particularly if I'm having trouble walking, we can turn left here. Our property is located across the back lane from the Turret House, so we're within 100 yards of home at this point.

(To be continued.)

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

SOMETHING NEW
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When Sadie and I were out walking yesterday morning (fairly early) we managed to flush a Roughed Grouse.



No, Sadie didn't find it, I did. And she's supposed to be the "gun dog" (category set out by various Kennel Clubs for Standard Poodles as a breed, along with other types of what most folk call "hunting dogs").

But that's OK. She's still just a puppy, so I'm still not expecting (or trying not to expect) too much of her. Besides, the only hunting I ever do is for stay sheep -- of the two-legged variety. She might be helpful when it comes to that. Who knows what life will bring?

SOMETHING OLD
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Canada Geese, just south of our house. A massive flotilla of them today, stretched out in larger and smaller groups along a half-mile stretch of the river. (Or three-quarters of a mile.) Every so often a group would let out their "group yell (or "group honk") and lift off the water. Sometimes others joined in; sometimes not. All heading north. (I didn't say geese were the smartest birds in all creation; I think they're trying to go south by flying over the North Pole. From there, everything is south, right?) I can't explain it. I suppose they wheel around and head south once they're out of the river banks, which are a bit higher along this part of the river.

Otherwise, just commenting on a provincial pandemic plan -- and trying to keep colleagues up to speed. And learning to cook yam, in order to have some ready for tomorrow morning. I've got a recipe of a yam and banana breakfast, done in a frying pan. It says you cook the yam first. So I had some for supper and will try something new for breakfast. It isn't hunny, but I guess is it will be OK. Hey -- maybe I should put some hunny on it! (We'll see -- Bear might be out of hunny tonight.)

PHRIDAY PHOTOS (On Saturday)

JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWE'EN!!

Oh the weather outside is frightful . . .

(First there was snow; then came the freezing rain)

The roads and walkways were quite treacherous.

But, inside, the fire is so delightful!

(It's nice to have a gas stove in the basement)

But by time the "Trick or Treaters" were out, the temperature had moderated some, and some of the icy spots were quite a bit better. When I took Sadie pup out for a walk later, things weren't too bad.

But the gas stove was still nice to have, in the meantime.

HEALTH AND FITNESS TIPS (4)

This is the latest in the series.

1. Take your 25 pound dog . . . for a walk. Start with short walks if necessary -- then go for longer jaunts when you and dog are up for the exercise.

This is enthusiastically recommended by the dynamic duo of Nuala and Sadie.

It really doesn't matter if you have done the earlier exercises (i.e., Health and Fitness Tips). Just don't overdo it the first few times. A walk to the end of the block is an excellent start. A walk all the way around the block is better. But remember - work at your own pace.

BUSY PUPPIES

The seasons are beginning to change on the Canadian Prairies. The greens of summer are slowly shifting to the golds of autumn, as you can see in our neighbour's tree.


The garden in changing, too, thanks to the help from the puppies.

(Just about everything has been flattened.)

In the meantime, Nuala and Sadie are still trying to sort out who's toys are whose.


Nuala usually "starts" things; Sadie usually "finishes" them. Nonetheless, Nuala walks around as pleased as Punch with herself.


The puppies get their first full checkup from their doctor (our long-time vet) next week, including their second shots. After that, they should (I hope) have sufficient immunity that we can take them out for short walks. We got Sadie so she could take me for walks. And it is she who will probably take me. (As I understand it, her mom weighs about 50 pounds and her dad about 80, so these will not likely be small dogs.) We'll wait and see.

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A DOG, A DOG; DID I REALLY WANT A DOG? (10)

The day dawned fair and clear. Blue sky, bright sunshine, temperature of 4°C by mid-morning. It's going to be a wonderful day. G3 and Uni-gal are taking Celtic Boy and Celtic Girl for swimming lessons.

Young Dog went home with his adoring mistress. As it should be.

Ol' bear, on the other hand, is not as he should be. My back and legs are so sore that I can bearly move. Getting up and down the stairs is a major accomplishment. I mostly have to pull myself up the stairs with hands on the banister. Getting to our congregation for Morning Worship today is just "not on."

But don't worry; I'm all right for the shape I'm in.

(Note to Bear: When first coming out of hibernation, do not attempt extensive, vigorous, regular exercise with a strong, enthusiastic, high-energy, active dog.)

BTW, if you don't hear from me for a few days, it's not that I've gone away angry. It's just that I haven't been able to make it as far as the computer.

Hope you're all enjoying spring. The snow is melting slowly; bits of the garden are beginning to appear. This is good. Soon the spring and summer birds will start returning. This will also be good. This year I will have little option but to sit in the sunshine, and watch and enjoy their presence. And that will be good.

Hope you all have a grand day and a good week.

A DOG, A DOG; MY ahhhh, owwwww, arrrgg . . . (7)

Having faced health challenges most of last summer, autumn and winter, I'm really not in good physical (or mental) shape. The plan was for me to get walking, now that the weather is getting nicer here, and it is easier to get around. Walk for fifteen minutes, three times a week, then up to four times a week after a bit, then finally five times a week. Good plan, approved by my care team.

Thursday night, Young Dog arrived. Since then, its been 15 minutes, three times a day -- way beyond the prescribed plan.

This morning (Thusday) I woke up with my legs feeling a bit rubbery. Took the dog for his accustomed walk, then worked in the yard. Came in to the house mid-morning, feeling exhausted; rested, had lunch and then slept. Woke up mid-afternoon almost totally immobilized -- in both my legs and back. Everything has stiffened up (almost rock solid and immobile). And the PAIN. Too much activity, too soon. Ah, well. I was trying to be a good sport about it; now I'm suffering the consequences.

G3 walked the dog after supper (having taken on that challenge for me). When she got home, however, YD came tearing down the stairs and I was bowled over "enthusiasm in four legs." I managed to crawl to the love seat across from the gas stove in the basement sitting room. YD hopped up, curled up against me, and allowed me to pet him until we were both relaxed.

Tomorrow, Young Dog goes home. He will be there to greet Uni-gal when she returns from her conference/holiday in the States. I hope to survive until then. (I certainly expect to do so -- though I'm not certain in what condition.)

A DOG, A DOG; MY KINGDOM FOR A . . . WAIT A MINUTE! (6)

The day dawned clear and cool; the god (make that "dog" -- I can't even type this morning!) woke up rested and ready for action; the bear could bearly come to -- except there was a dog licking my face. That'll teach me to lie at the edge of the bed. YD is just tall enough to stand beside the bed and lick, lick, lick.

Good grief; a three-times-a-day walker, a gardening assistant, an animated door bell (that barks when strangers get close). These I can handle, more or less, A four-footed alarm clock? Um, well, . . .

He was sick in the night. For some utterly unfathomable reason, he likes to eat sticks. Some tooth-pick sized pieces got stuck in his stomach, and he regurgitated them. I thought I had cleaned up after him at 3:00 a.m., but I missed a spot. Anyhow, cleaning up was part of this morning's list of things to do.

The list included walking dog, feeding dog, working in the garden (to clean up a mess AND entertain the dog). Not to mention getting cleaned up myself (locked the dog out of the bathroom while having a shower this time), plus taking time to talk to G3. (Fancy that; talking to my wife!) Yeah, the dog really has taken over. But seeing as we have to go out, he's gone home for the afternoon.

LET IT MELT, LET IT MELT, LET IT MELT

Young Dog and I have just returned from our third trip around "the circuit" for today.

That circuit takes us down some sidewalks, on the path through a park, and back home via the riverbank trail. The park was the site of a Tuberculosis Sanatorium from 1925 until about 15 year ago -- the buildings are long since gone.

It takes us about 15 minutes to make the trip of about one kilometer -- enough time for us to have as semi-brisk walk, but still allow YD to sniff around and do whatever. But having gone from little or no walking on a daily basis to three "circuits" per day has been a bit of a stretch -- particularly for my muscles. Fortunately, rest and meds have dealt effectively with the pain. (I know, I'm rushing things a bit -- but the dog won't wait.)

Last week, it was "tough sledding" through the snow. But above-freezing temperatures (in the range of 3°C to 5°C during the day), with good southerly winds, have been melting the ice and snow nicely, so the trek is a good deal less treacherous.Overall YD is doing a good job -- walking me regularly. (Yes, I've gone to the dog -- or, more correctly, with the dog.)

With this kind of weather, I hope to get my tree trimming done tomorrow. That would be nice. Then, my thoughts will start turning to the garden. But that's going to be a while.