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talktodiana

~ Igniting the power and passion in others…

talktodiana

Tag Archives: 4th Street SW

Come on another walk with me?

01 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, Out and About

≈ 57 Comments

Tags

17th Ave SW, 4th Street SW, Alberta, Calgary, Canada, Diana Schwenk, Elbow River, happy, Hump Day Chronicles, joy, living in the moment, moody, photos, Spring, walk

IMG_20150327_133450 (2)

“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.”
― Pablo Neruda

I had so much fun sharing A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words with you that I would like to invite you along on another walk, so to speak.

Forecasters had called for a sunny day on Friday, with temperatures possibly rising to 20c/68f. Although it was warm enough for me to go out wearing only a jean jacket over my jeans and t-shirt, the sun was losing its battle with the clouds.

A moody sky with a sliver of a chance for sun

A moody sky at noon with a sliver of a chance for sun

I don’t remember why, but my mood was dark. It seemed to be reflected in the sky as I headed out. Walking usually lifts my spirits, so with my BlackBerry in hand, I set out to capture photos of places I hadn’t shared here yet.

On the corner of 17th Ave and 4th Str SW

On the corner of 17th Ave and 4th Str SW

If I had a nickel for every time I saw a tourist pose with, and in the same stance as, this piece of art – well, I’d have a lot of nickels!

St. Mary's Cathedral

St. Mary’s Cathedral

I crossed over 4th Street and turned south toward St. Mary’s Cathedral. Up the road, just a little past the FCJ Centre is a bridge that crosses the Elbow River and leads to pathways that follow the river. Back before Michaela was born, I used to ride my bike all through there. Calgary has an amazing pathway system, you can get most anywhere by bike.

Backyards along the way border the Elbow River

Backyards along the way border the Elbow River

I love the reflection of the house and trees in the water. If you click on the image, you can see that damage from the 2013 flood still remains along the riverbank.

I wouldn't sit on this bench!

I wouldn’t sit on this bench!

Last week I showed you my thinking spot. That photo prompted Don over at Candid Impressions to write Thinking Spots.

Don I thought of you when I shot this bench – I wouldn’t recommend sitting on it though – see how the bank is completely eroded under it?

The pathways are shared by geese and people alike

The pathways are shared by geese and people alike

It’s like they don’t even notice people. These geese didn’t even flinch or glance at me when I passed. I continued on toward the bridge (top right)

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View from the bridge

This was my view from the bridge. When I stopped to shoot this picture, a woman walked past me. I soon caught up to her (I’m a fast walker) and said a cheerful ‘hello’ as I passed her.

Westways B&B

Westways B&B

I’ve lived in this city 25 years and have never noticed this Bed and Breakfast before.  I took a few shots and settled on this one to share with you. My Smartphone doesn’t do it justice, the B&B and its property are so pretty. While I stood there, the woman I’d passed earlier walked by and said, “See you in a bit!” We both laughed.

Recycling, compost and trash bins

Recycling, compost and trash bins

On my way back home, I saw these bins and immediately thought of Mark’s post, Binished Fusiness.  Mark, this is what our bins look like. Blue for recyclables, green for compost and black for trash.

One of my writing spots (13th Ave & 8th Str. SW)

One of my writing spots (13th Ave & 8th Str. SW)

On Sunday, notebook and pen in tow, I headed to my outdoor office (above) to write my Tuesday post for my other blog. Often, writing in long hand helps the words flow better or maybe it’s just my age and it’s somehow more familiar to me, comforting, reminding me of an earlier time.

A Rickshaw on 17th Ave

A Rickshaw on 17th Ave

I also saw my first rickshaw of the year that day – like budding trees, rickshaws are evidence that spring is here!

Well I hope you’ve enjoyed your second tour of my city. It’s been fun having you along!

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Walking does me a heap of good. How do you snap yourself out of a dark mood? Which of the above pictures do you like best?

Calgary’s Lilac Festival 2014

28 Wednesday May 2014

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, Out and About

≈ 50 Comments

Tags

4th Street SW, Alberta, Calgary, Canada, community, Diana Schwenk, Hump Day Chronicles, Lilac Festival, living in the moment, Static Shift, Tourist in my own city, Urban Living

One of the plusses of being an urbanite is the easy access I have to a host of activities that happen in downtown Calgary in the spring and summer.

On Sunday I walked to the Lilac Festival, an event that I attend every year and why not, it’s only 4 blocks away!

City life can be dangerous as in the case above. Some common criminal made off with the letter R and caused many a person to raise their brow!

City life can be dangerous as in the case above. Some common criminal made off with the letter R and caused many a person to raise their brow!

Um, I’m not in the market for one of those, but thanks to this sign on the way to the festival, I was totally ‘In The Know’  about its availability.

Yup, that's right. Spring has sprung in the land of ice and snow.

Yup, that’s right. Spring has sprung in the land of ice and snow.

Ahh… that’s more like it – the smell of those blossoms were intoxicating. I haven’t seen any lilacs yet this season, but this tree sufficed. I am ELATED that spring has found its way to Calgary and we’re almost at the festival!

4th Street is closed to traffic making room for all them pedestrians.

4th Street is closed to traffic making room for all them pedestrians.

It was a great day weather-wise for this festival, not too hot, not too cold. (18c degrees or as my American friends would say, 65f).  I was able to get my phone out of my front pocket to take pictures when I reached this opening in the crowd.

Just a moment earlier we were all pressed together like sardines in a can and I think somebody touched my bum!

I decided to keep my phone in my hand after this shot.

An awkward shot, but this is the only way I could get close to Los Morenos.

An awkward shot, but this is the only way I could get close to Los Morenos.

There is something seductive about Latin music. You can’t help but sway to the rhythm.

I was trying to get a candid shot of this space cadet, but he saw me and struck a pose.

I was trying to get a candid shot of this space cadet, but he saw me and struck a pose.

So much for my stealth and discretion. I guess I can cross International Spy off my list of ambitions!

The day before, I had made arrangements with my friend Adele, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, to meet on the corner of 4th Street and 23rd Ave at 4:30. Her nephew’s friends, members of the band Static Shift, were scheduled to play.

Brady Mitchell, Isaiah Stonehouse and Keone Friesen make up Static Shift.

Brady Mitchell, Isaiah Stonehouse and Keone Friesen make up Static Shift.

Adele’s sister, Ellen told me that they recently opened for Collin James – what a privilege that must have been for them.

And what a wickedly cool band.

They sound like Led Zeppelin with a twist of Blues. 


Their music took me back to when I was 16 and listening to records very much like the original music Static Shift played on Sunday.

Static Shift closed their set with a hauntingly beautiful tune which they dedicated to their previous drummer who tragically died in a horse-related accident. It was very moving and a great way to close The 2014 Lilac Festival.

One thing that I’m sure of is that these guys are gonna make it big!

You must check out their website here! 

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

So what did you do on the weekend?

Talk to Diana


"I RELATE WITH, PROMOTE AND SPEAK COMMUNITY WHEREVER I AM..."

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