I’ve remarked many times, I can’t call myself an Albertan, but I happily call myself a Calgarian. You can read Part 1 here. Children’s Hometown When we had children, Amber and I had the strong urge to nest: settle into a community and provide a warm environment for our little hatchlings. Blaise turned 3 a … [Read more…]
Banking photos of new birds so that I can report 10 at a time. Common Redpoll Blue Jay Spotted Sandpiper Bald Eagle Great Blue Heron American Robin Black-Bellied Plover (juvenile) Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Evening Grosbeak Semipalmated Plover
1 sec/day 2025 There have been other big years in my life, but all others pale in comparison to this year. I am more myself than I have been since maybe 1983. 2026 feels like it will be a rebuilding year and I’m ready for that.
A 25th anniversary for being married together is worth celebrating! Our planned trip to Europe was postponed prior to my father’s passing and our move to the east coast. When we started planning our trip over a year ago, a summer in Europe became less appealing: hot, expensive and crowded. As teachers though, we are … [Read more…]
Losing my father earlier this year has brought grief into my life. I discussed the complexity of this in an earlier post. There is also a grief that has been welling up in me since we decided to move across the continent. As I say goodbye to my dear home and city, this is a … [Read more…]
I had a profoundly moving experience this past weekend at church. On my second visit to the Moncton Central United Church in as many months back in September, I noticed a Union Jack hanging on the right wall of the sanctuary. This disappointed me as I had seen one prominently displayed at the Shediac United … [Read more…]
Around 20 years ago, my father began planting nut trees. He knew that it would take more than a decade (sometimes two) before they would begin producing fruit. He planted a row of 4 and then added more over the years. Now there are about a dozen of them. The two largest ones are gorgeous, … [Read more…]
Today my father would have turned 75. I have been working through a kaleidoscope of grief for the past 7 months – brief bright pangs of loss, doubt, anger, gratefulness and laughter. This is the last photo I have of him and me. We had inadvertently worn the same outfit. Amber thought it was pretty … [Read more…]
***Photos by Amber Robichaud, Tey Steenbergen, Zaak Robichaud*** Another trek for the books is complete: Cycle the entire east coast of New Brunswick. I did this with my long time friend, Tey and Amber supporting us from the comfort of cafes, parks, info centres, and thrift stores. She definitely earned the leisurely week after a … [Read more…]
Over the last couple years my pass times have become few. I visit breweries. I go for long walks (typically to breweries). I watch films (at theatres when they are open). I play board games. And, I frequent record stores. Calgary has a wonderful assortment of centrally located record stores. Within 45 minutes walking distance … [Read more…]