Bad Roads, Easter Visit And Beauty Makeovers

Tags

Alberta, children, daughter, Diana Schwenk, Easter, family, friends, Hump Day Chronicles, laughter, Life's like that, living in the moment, love, Makeover, makeup, Michaela, Michaela's Beauty Warriors, Relationships, Rosalind, Spring

This past weekend, my daughter and I thought it a fine idea to spend Easter together at hers and her boyfriend, Werner’s place in Rosalind, Alberta.

The morning I was to drive out there, we talked on the phone about how bad the secondary roads were due to snow and we decided to meet in Camrose for dinner and then drive to the farm together afterward, in case my car got stuck.

Well as luck would have it, the roads were not as bad as we thought they would be and I arrived earlier than anticipated, too early for dinner, so we met at the Paint Pottery where I painted a mug, Werner painted an elephant and Michaela painted two plates. I can’t wait to see the finished products after they’re glazed and baked!

After dinner we headed out to the farm and parked my car about a kilometer away from the house at the old school because the muddy gravel road that leads to the farm-house would surely have swallowed up my little Toyota Tercel.

It was a wonderful weekend that included a stunning makeover for me by Michaela, a not-so-stunning, but fun as heck, makeover for Michaela by me and Werner, and a wonderful Easter meal shared by me, Michaela, Werner and his parents Claudia and Manfred.

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Michaela and Werner, thank you so much for hosting me this Easter, it was so good to see you again!

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

For more Easter fun, check out me and Werner doing Michaela’s makeover on the link below!

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F100010097341891%2Fvideos%2F442868522726389%2F&show_text=0&width=560

And, oh if you like makeup, you might want to head over here https://www.facebook.com/groups/1295392280541774/ and check out Michaela’s Beauty Warriors page. She really knows her stuff!

Babbling Like An Idiot

Tags

changing seasons, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, growing up, laughter, Life's like that, living in the moment, poetry, Spring

The other day I saw the following poem posted by my friend Ellen on Facebook. I knew immediately

that I would have to share it

here

with you.

Enjoy.

Spring

by Edna St. Vincent Millay

To what purpose, April, do you return again?

Beauty is not enough

You can no longer quiet me with the redness of little leaves opening stickily.

I know what I know.

The sun is hot on my neck as I observe the spikes of the crocus.

The smell of the earth is good.

It is apparent that there is no death.

But what does that signify?

Not only under ground are the brains of men eaten by maggots.

Life in itself is nothing, an empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs.

It is not enough that yearly, down this hill, April comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

Red Bricks and Spring – Two of My Favourite Things

Tags

Alberta, bike, Calgary, Canada, changing seasons, Diana Schwenk, happy, health, Hump Day Chronicles, laughter, life, living in the moment, outside, Spring, sunshine

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.

Margaret Atwood

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy – I love spring! It makes me so happy that if I were a dog, not only would I be wagging my tail, my whole back-end would be wagging.

In the spring, even when it’s overcast, like it was on Saturday, I want to be OUTSIDE!

So what? It’s overcast. Look at all the green leaves!

And pictures look sharper when it’s overcast, don’t you think?

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And then just when I’m thinking that it couldn’t get any better, Sunday brings with it the sun and now it’s flip-flop-summer-clothes-wearing-heaven!

So after I published my regularly scheduled DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES post. I headed outside to take it all in. And I’m so happy that if I were a cat I’d be purring so loud you’d think I was a tractor-trailer!

The red fake bike catches my eye!

Oh look at those bikes outside the Good Earth Café. It would be a GREAT spring day to ride a bike. Yes, a fine day to ride a bike. I WANT A BIKE!

Just around the corner I spotted Del and Doug, momentarily forgetting about bikes because I haven’t seen them in a long, long while.

After catching up with D & D I continued on down 11th Street to 13th Ave where I turned right and snapped this shot.

Carl Saffron Building

See those box looking things? I dream of convincing six strangers to stand on them one day, so I can take a picture of them. I think it would be cool, if they all do different poses, look in different directions – It would look like a 60s album cover!

I continued to 8th Street and turned left and then right on 11th Avenue.

I do love red brick with a touch of green!

The scent of blossoms here on 11th were intoxicating!

A wall mural of Calgary’s skyline

Flowers at City Hall

But the best part of the day, and oh this made me so happy that if I were a young foal I’d be kicking up my front, then hind legs and prancing all around the paddock, I bought a BIKE – a very cool bike!

And it WAS a very GOOD day for a BIKE ride!

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

What do you like to do in the spring? Do you have a bike? Has it been warm where you live?

Come on another walk with me?

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

“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 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

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

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

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!

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

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)

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

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

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)

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

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?

Spring is in the air!

Tags

believe, Calgary, Diana Schwenk, dreams, generosity, health, joy, kindness, life, living in the moment, mission, passion, Purpose, Spring, The Other Bottom Line, vision

I love easy surveys!

We’re finally getting spring in these parts and I can feel the vitamin D from the sun lifting my countenance.

Yesterday our temperatures hit 19c (67f) and I spent as much time outside as I possibly could. It was nice to see people sitting on outdoor patios and enjoying the sunshine.

17th Avenue comes alive when the weather is warm.

In other news, my business cards were delivered the other day and I’m currently working on content for a brochure for The Other Bottom Line.

I read somewhere recently, that if you have a good idea, people naturally come alongside and begin to help you.

And this has been happening big time. A good friend gave me a new computer and multi-function printer. A previous colleague and friend has edited some materials for me and another past colleague provided me with templates for invoices and contracts, sparing me the trouble of re-inventing the wheel!

I AM SO GRATEFUL!!

I now have two paying clients, with a possible third next month, and one client that I am providing services for as a volunteer.

So things are looking up work-wise, weather-wise and otherwise!

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Spring is in the Air

Tags

blossoms, Blues, Buddy Guy, butterfly, Chevy, coffee, Garden, gardening, humour, Latin lover, Mailbox, morning, pretend, Spring, Swing, veranda

Many of you have been writing about the ‘signs’ of spring.

You’re raking the remnants of autumn’s leaves, planting seeds and drinking coffee outside.

Your photos capture daffodils, budding trees and cute kids in pink sweatshirts playing in the yard.

You are painting such a beautiful picture of spring – I can almost smell the blossoms!

(Insert sound of needle being scratched across a record)

Out my window I see a blanket of white and although our temperatures peak above freezing (slightly above) and mostly during the workweek, our weekends continue to bring snow.

However, instead of complaining I’m going to revert to something I did as a child when things weren’t going my way…

Pretend

~

The warm breeze pushes past my drapes and caresses my face.

My eyes flutter open and I breathe in the perfumed scent of blossoms.

A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth as I glide out of my four-poster bed

(well I am pretending, remember?)

and walk to my clean kitchen (p-r-e-t-e-n-d-i-n-g)

where the coffee has brewed (gotta love those timer thingies)

I pour myself a cup and head out the French Doors of my modern kitchen to the veranda (that wraps completely around my house) and sit myself down on the porch swing.

I take in the glorious view while the birds sing sweetly by the quaint wooden bridge and the old oak tree by the stream. (again, I am pretending so why not?)

The mailman nods as he delivers my mail into my mailbox.

(you know the old-fashioned kind that kids knock over with baseball bats when they drive by? Yeah that kind)

He’s probably delivered a notification of a trip I’ve won.

I look toward a plot of ground recently tilled and contemplate a day of gardening.

Yes…

this is the life

I can already smell the life-sustaining soil and am relishing the thought of digging my hands into it.

I hear the rumble of an old  truck and frown.

“What the…?

Who is messing with my perfect morning?”

Annoyed, I walk around my veranda (the one that wraps around the house) and my frown turns into a smile.

It’s Juan.

My Latin lover.

And I think to myself

…the fecking gardening can wait. 😉

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Here’s a little something to keep you warm until spring is in full swing…

Waiting…

Tags

afraid, believe, Calgary, Diana Schwenk, dreams, excuse, faith, fear of failure, inner-voice, living in the moment, snow, spirit, Spring, too old, waiting, walk, weak, winter

The other day one of my friends sent the following tweet:

“Spring, you are such a tease. Let me know when you’re ready to commit and we’ll talk.”

Seriously, spring is a tease!

The boughs of this tree are weighed down with snow

Last week it was 19c that’s about 67f in American!

Her tweet made me laugh – mostly at myself and my own frustration with a winter that seems to be lasting longer than ever.

Waiting for Spring

I have been waiting for spring since February!

The truth is, winter isn’t lasting longer than any other year and I feel this way every year.

Get a grip Diana, after all you live in Canada – why are you surprised?

Well enough is enough.

I need to get out there – with or without spring!

So on Monday in -10c weather

8th Street SW, Mount Royal area

I dressed in layers

put on a hat

grabbed my way-too-expensive down-filled coat and with camera in hand set out for a walk.

Once out there I realized it wasn’t so bad after all.

The sun was shining brightly, causing me to squint and my legs were happy to be moving.

What else I’m waiting for?

Not a fan of waiting at the best of times, my frustration with winter got me to thinking about what else I might be waiting for and why?

If you’ve ever been in a place where you were doing exactly what you knew you should be doing

It used to be said that Calgary has 2 seasons: construction and winter. Lately the two just seem to blend into each other…

and something happened that closed that chapter in your life, you may be able to relate to what I’m about to tell you next.

For the last 2 1/2 years I’ve been waiting out a different kind of winter

waiting for inspiration

waiting for that next opportunity to present itself

waiting for a different kind of spring.

Could it be that it’s time to just stop waiting?

Could it be that I simply need to act and just go do what I am meant to do?

~

But here’s the thing.

I’m afraid.

The Calgary Tower on the right was the tallest building when it was built in the late 60’s. It makes me chuckle to think now that when one is on the observation deck, one can also look up at offices as well as looking down at the folks below.

I have self-doubt.

I could fail and make a fool of myself.

Maybe I’m too old to start something new.

These are not easy things for me to admit.

Even thinking these thoughts (never mind writing them here) makes me feel weak.

Yet I am often encouraging others to take hold of their dreams

to trust their inner-voice

believe in themselves and act accordingly.

It’s time for me to swallow my fears and take my own advice.

I thought items were knocking around in my pocket so I stopped. The knocking continued and I looked up to see a woodpecker and snapped this photo. But I can’t see it in the photo, can you?

Enough is enough.

I need to dress in the layers of my years of experience and believe that they have merit.

I need to adorn my head with all the knowledge I’ve gleaned and believe that it is useful.

I need to cover myself with all the skills I’ve picked up and the value I can bring to my community.

And just walk out that door and do it.

I bet I will find it’s not that bad out there

and when I take that first step in faith

my heart and spirit will just be happy to be soaring again.

I hadn’t been walking (a favourite pastime of mine) because I’ve been waiting for spring.

But on Monday I stopped waiting, dressed for the challenge, went out and enjoyed a long walk.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Is there something you haven’t been doing because [insert reason]?