Happy Hallowe'en Everyone

Luckily we received a Thank You gift in the mail from Little Jenny.  It included a baseball helmet (is that what you call them in baseball??) which is just what Caleb was looking for.  He wanted to dress up as a pitcher for Hallowe'en.  After a quick serving from Second Cup coffee (he chews the coffee  beans) he will be energized for hitting the streets tonight.  Notice the CR on the helmet - it stands for Colorado Rockies .... or does it???

October 23rd First Snow

Snowfall Warning for Yukon and Northern British Columbia

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Active for next 15 hoursLocations: Whitehorse; Teslin; Pelly - ... Show more

Posted 1 hour, 5 minutes ago – Environment Canada

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The seasons first significant snowfall - 5 to 10 cm expected.

This is a warning that significant snowfall is expected or occurring in these regions.

A moist Pacific front will bring the seasons first significant snowfall to Southern and Central Yukon today.
 Snowfall accumulations of 5 to 10 cm is expected from Whitehorse eastwards to Watson Lake.
 Snow is forecast to spread further north later in the day with Pelly - Carmacks and Mayo
receiving 10 cm tonight.

This is what we have received as of 10 AM today.  It is still steadily coming down.  Well, it was expected.  Usually we have had our first skiff (yes Ontarians, skiff) of snow on October 11, so we are well overdue.  Have to have snow for Hallowe'en!  Need to put those costumes over snowsuits!

Hard to see how deep it is unless someone walks in the snow, so I did.

Snow:  means Winter is coming (or is here) with all the connotations that involves.  

Snow:  means the nights are brighter with the light (artificial - lamp posts or natural - full moon) reflecting off the snow, the ground is cleaner looking, garbage disappears, no one can sneak around as you always leave a distinct trail and on occasion up north, the snow is wet enough to create a snowman (see Caleb's Friend, February 15, 2013) and always good to create snow angels.  And my snow tires are already on my car, so I am ready to go!

Movie Week

The good movies seemed to have escaped our theatres for months, now all of a sudden, they come in droves.  

So, went to see Blue Jasmine, the movie Woody Allen wrote and directed which received excellent reviews.  Cate Blanchett was excellent, Alec Baldwin was typical Alec Baldwin which was perfect for his role in this movie.  The story of life with and without money and the effect it has on a person.  I thought it was an excellent slice of life movie.

Last night went to see Captain Phillips.  Taken from a real life incident, we all know how this movie turns out (I kind of wished I didn't already know).  Knowing there really are Somali pirates, it was interesting to see how a few poor skinny Somali's can overtake a cargo ship.  I wouldn't want to be a Somali immigrant as this movie does not show a good side of that country's people.  Although the beginning of the film tries to explain the reason they became pirates, it is still difficult to understand the callous mentality of the irrational machine gun toting pirates.  I enjoyed the film and Tom Hands played the part well, especially in the end when he was in shock.  One word for the movie - INTENSE.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Sunday dinner at Deb's house.  Rack of Lamb ... mmmmmmmm.  This Thanksgiving weekend it was a treat to have a lamb meal rather than the traditional turkey, especially good since the next evening I was invited out for a turkey dinner!  And good to celebrate with Joan too.  I haven't spent much time with her since her summer trip across Canada.  This evening she brought her brand new iPad Mini, so Deb and I were trying to help set it up as well as give a few instructions.  (Now we both want a Mini!!!!!!!)

And, as it is still nice weather, and I mean NICE weather (I don't ever remember it being this warm mid-October), Lily (whom I was dog-sitting) walked over for dinner and walked back.  A little exercise is always good.  

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

                           

October 8

Another grey day today sprinkled with drizzle.  We have had grey skies for a month now, but when I went outside, the autumn leaves that blew to the ground brightened my yard.  I know I still have to rake them up but for now they paint such a cheery picture, I think I will leave them there for a while.

Gravity

How could I NOT see the most talked about, highest grossing film of the century that took over 4 years in the making.  Alfonso Cuarón, the director invented a new way to light, shoot and direct this script co-written with his son.  The story is simple, the special effects are spectacular.  They apparently put all their money into the special effects, necessitating saving money on the actors, as there are only two (and a few dead ones that could be dummies for all I know) and of the 2, one was in it only half the time.  George Clooney is a very likeable character and Sandra Bullock (who was at least fifth in line to star in this role, behind Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson) slipped out of her comedic character to become a doctor struggling for survival.  It was pure entertainment.  I didn't walk out of the theatre mulling over any deep thoughts or philosophies (except to reiterate the fact that I do not want to go into space - sorry Richard Branson, you won't get my $200,000).  I was just entertained, especially visually.  What I liked most was the fact that she had trouble adjusting to gravity, just like Chris Hadfield was saying when he re-entered earth.  Apparently they did have astronauts advising on this film although from many many reports it is not totally accurate, but for me and you is it more than real.  One suggestion, see it on the biggest screen you can (Imax in your area??).  I could see myself enjoying it more if I didn't see it in our little theatre with the small screen, broken seats and my feet stuck to the sticky floor.
I give it 3.5 stars out of 5.

Many Happy Returns

It's that time of year again.  The air is crisp, the leaves on the trees have turned gold and crimson, it is almost time to once again give thanks (believe that is next week) and SR is one year older.  Had his birthday dinner a week early as he may be out of town and Brooke definitely will be out of town.  And as I am wheat free and did want to eat some of his cake, it was Pavlova this year.
P.S.  He is older than 6 years old  (or like my family says,  5 years old + one for good luck)

October

Dog sitting again, this time overnight.  Didn't know what to expect with the little one, but for a baby he was as good as gold.  No accidents in the house, sleeps through the night and comes when called.  What more could I expect.  Of course, Lily was just perfect as usual.

Drove to the liquor warehouse to pick up my order and what do I see heading in my direction?  Look by the black car - a gorgeous looking fox.  I don't know how he has such a nice coat so early in the season ... perhaps it is a warning of a cold winter - but I hope not.