I had a mission!

Off to Merrickville!

I did. We needed a new bookcase. We are both bookworms. Hubby's book favourites are often not available at the library. He is a history buff. I'm doing a lot of book reviews these days, and loathe passing the books on, as I have many that are reference materials. We have the space in the basement, and we've been hunting near and far. The new ones range from $800 to $2000! Solid wood, as we have a lot of heavy books, they look beautiful.

I bid on one at our REAL store, a silent auction at the Recycle store, but I lost! It was a large piece, with folding doors, but truly an entertainment unit built of barnboard.
Then there are MY books that remain to sell. I only have 288 left to go!

Thing is, the larger picture books hubby favours require a certain amount of shelf space!

In the spirit of reduce, reuse, upcycle, I was convinced used is the way to go.

Along the way we spotted some interesting pieces for sale.

these I love

looking for a corner shelf ($69 for one a bit steep)

My mom had one!
It's in my garden,
& painted green/blue.

We kept looking, then took a trip to Merrickville. They are having a closing sale at Miller's

Miller's is moving to Port Sydney, very close to were we lived in Bala, Muskoka Lakes region. I love their knack, in Merrickville, for appealing to tourists.

 

Here we go! I bought this shelving unit, delivery Sunday. Miller's is happy to have everything go, including their shelving units. 

Two drawers and big shelves.

Gotta love the homes!
Wee little semi-detached houses.

Stuff not included!

February weather 2015

February is about windchill! We had a few dumps of snow, but mostly just 1 or 2cm in a day. It's been really cold for weeks, with -20 C. most mornings.

February 18th

Predicted

February 14th

MTO Traffic Cameras

February 11th

February 9th

February 8th

February 2nd

We had 4"

The Duchess in Smiths Falls

Not THE Duchess, but non-profit Duchess Boutique.


Last year, before health issues compounded our schedule, I was volunteering with the Susan Shirley Program in Smiths Falls. I was popping in one day a week to tutor them.  Some were still in high school and others were preparing for college. Having volunteered facilitating a Creative Writing program in Beaver Creek Institution, I thought it would be a good use of my training and skills. Sadly, life got in the way and I couldn't commit to the weekly visits at Susan Shirley.

Nicole Anderson, Executive Director, runs an amazing program for young mothers. Staff take the pregnant women in, and provide them with training in many facets of a healthy life: nutrition, child rearing, as well as working on their own self-esteem. I have an M.Ed. in Curriculum, and I was astounded with the creativity of the women who created this program.

The Susan Shirley Program is currently accepting referrals & self referrals to our support program. If you or someone you know needs a supportive environment as they progress through their pregnancy or in the first few months after their babies are born, call today for a tour and information regarding the program. We currently have one opening, these will go quickly!Call 613-205-1643 Or www.susanshirleyprg.ca for an application.

The store profits are intended to be a sustainable income source for the program. We were very pleased to purchase some products. (I can't tell you what they were as they'll be 'Close Eyes' for our girls!)

iPad App: A new game, Never Alone - tribute to heritage and native culture

UPDATE:
The Mac version is out today!

I'm all for promoting new ideas. This is a fabulous new company. This game app comes out in the fall. Another new one, Art Alive also sounds exciting. It comes out in the new year.

Colin Campbell writes: A great company:
Pinnguaq

Inspired by media interest in a game about Alaska Natives, indigenous groups around the world are seeking ways to bring their own cultures to video games.

E-Line Media, Upper One Games and the Cook Inlet Tribal Council are putting the finishing touches to Never Alone, a game that draws heavily on the Inupiat culture of rural Alaska. Following heavy publicity for the game, including NPR and the Los Angeles Times, other groups that represent indigenous communities are looking to tell their stories through games.

"Our stories tell us how our world is ordered and our place in it, but what good are old stories if the wisdom they contain is not shared?"

Never Alone - Game Trailer from Never Alone on Vimeo.
Players will control young female protagonist Nuna and her arctic fox as they try to rescue her homeland from an endless blizzard. Upper One calls itself the first indigenous-owned video game developer and publisher in the U.S. and Never Alone's inspiration comes from the centuries-old stories and folklore of the Iñupiat people native to the region. Priced at $15, it comes out this fall for PC, PS4 and Xbox One. More here. 
This is a company with heart:

2014-07-03: Pangnirtung gaming firm offers new scholarship

www.nunatsiaqonline.ca

Pangnirtung gaming firm Pinnguaq has announced the creation of a scholarship in support of Nunavummiut students studying technology.

Inuit art comes to life with Art Alive iPad game

WWW.CBC.CA

Pangnirtung-based Pinnguaq uses Inuit art prints as basis for iPad game that is scheduled for launch next spring.

The depths of winter...

blankets of snow

It's been so very cold. The temps range from -25 C. at night to -5 C. in the sunny days. The sun is warmer in its equinox.

 The snow piles up, wrapping a blanket around sleeping spring bulbs. Evergreens have icing sugar dollops on their branches.

In the dark nights, which are getting shorter, I still have lights on a timer. They are so pretty.

Updates:

• Hubby's back is bad. Not as bad as it's been, but we're mothering him. I have several blog buddies who are in caregiving roles. We have to take care of the caregivers!
• I'm still taking physio for my Achilles tendonitis, but flexibility is increasing. I'm still able to manage my chores. After I snowshoe, I have to stretch like stink.
• The deer with the broken ankle is still managing in the deep freeze. No coyote tracks around, what with the roadkill down the highway.
• No sign of my Saw-whet owl. I've ordered a nesting box, which I'll get next week. I'll keep you posted.



38 cm (15") of snow cover
My metre stick behind the bird bath.

• Queen Sady cat's chronic rhinitis, which Hilary aptly named, is about the same. Lord Buster Brown is fed up being indoors. He's trying to play with Queen Sady, and it's not going well. We are sequestering the two of them at various times of the day. They are more trouble than the other three combined.
• The cats watch the squirrels from indoors. They going nuts ('scuse the pun), wanting to get out. I open the door, they sniff the air, shake a paw knowing the cold, and withdraw. We spend much time grooming them, playing games, and keeping them amused. I videotaped Annabelle and Daisy (below).
• The chickadees have changed their tunes. A harbinger of spring. March will bring us some goodness, and promises, I'm sure.

Red squirrel stares back!

Three cats in the window

Lady Annabelle watches squirrels

WHAT?

Feline Playtime from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Princess Daisy is under the footstool. Lady Annabelle of Ashton wants to play. The footstool has a hole in the top where we drop toys in. It's Daisy's favourite spot, we call it turtling. She's done it forever. We drop toys down the top.

They were more easily amused in the old days

In 2013 simple games worked

grooming her big bro

turtling in 2013

Feb. 2013 snow playtime