Things are blooming!

The pansies are going strong. Such sweet little faces!


I moved my old rhododendron. Cross your fingers for me.


The new rhodo and the poppies in the background!


This is my unusual peony. It has a flower, again! There is another bud on the way, as well. We've been here since 2010, and it blossomed the first time last year.


This catalpa tree is really slow to develop some leaves. The other one is coming along. It was a tough winter. I lost a lot of plants.


OK, back to the flowers.


Up above, things are booming, too!

Helicopter from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Playtime, sparrow, forest play, pansies; joy in retirement

We took a walk down to the wetland the other day.
By 'we' I mean me and a cat and two kittens.

I think this a song sparrow. I am always corrected by those who know better! Hubby was looking for info on his stomach issue and all he found were contradictory pieces of information.

When I was researching my M.Ed. in curriculum and technology I read a comment by an expert who call cyberspace the great garbage dump in the sky! I've done a lot of writing about technology, as well other educational pieces. It was difficult retiring. From being out the door and at school by 7:15 every day. Keeping up to date on pedagogical research, internet safety, bullying and the like. Then there were new curriculum demands, special education reforms, computer generated report cards (which we piloted in 1991) but it was a rewarding career, despite principal bullying (which is more common than we may think).

• Tips for Parents with Children on the Internet
• What is the answer to bullying?

Then, upon retirement, I sought things to fill my time and keep me sharp, as well as being useful. I taught Creative Writing to men in the Beaver Creek Minimum Security Penitentiary. It was really interesting and a lesson in the penal system. We moved and I could not do that anymore, but I learned so much about teaching adults!

Now, I fill my time doing hospice volunteer work, giving palliative care to families, advocating for seniors by writing my blog on healthcare (e.g., Rate my hospital - CBC The Fifth Estate)
as well as this blog. It's a habit to be a lifelong learner, and I am grateful to be able to search out answers to puzzles in nature and the world around me.
This day's walk"
The cats were looking for mice friends in the dry leaves.
Dorah got bored and climbed a tree.
When we finished that project, me and my helpers planted some pansies.
There was a turkey out in the backyard, too.
A busy day!
It was a very warm day.

Dorah climbs a tree

Buster and Daisy huntin'

She's a tired, happy girl

I just missed a shot as he was displaying for love.
He was mad I stepped out on the deck.

 
She was hunkered down on a mossy rock

This pansy was a bit dry. 

Bleeding Heart are up quite high (~20cm)!