Fall Driving, Time Change & Tropical Storm Noel.

A few weeks ago we drove from Ontario back to Nova Scotia. Yesterday, work had us drive down to Cape Breton and back to Halifax in one day, before Tropical Storm Noel arrived. Both trips had vivid fall colours and great scenery. Of course it is also hunting session, so there are lots of vehicals along the side of the road. Each time I see one on the side of the road, I have to take a second look to ensure noone is having car trouble and needs a helping hand.

So we delayed setting our clocks back becasue the USA decided to try and save some money. IF we had not of made that decision, our economy, would not have been timed properly and cost us more than it's worth bucking the trend. I read someone's comment that the winds from Tropical Storm Noel would blow hard enough to set our clocks back by and hour. Apparently this was too true. *grin*

There was ample warning for post-Tropical Storm Noel before it hit Atlantic Canada. The core path of the storm was overland, but the effects of the storm cut a 900Km swath through the region. Winds in some areas gusted upwards of 167km per hour. The reason is it not classified as a Hurrican is that winds must be sustained at a minimum of 110Km per hour vice gusting.

No doubt, the storm held the potential to do far worse damage, so the area is lucky that the worst problem is some power outages. Most locations will have power back by the end of the day, some specific places will have to wait as long as Tuesday. A few trees crushed some cars, a few blocked roads and some relativly minor damage to some buildings. The region walked away from this storm with some good luck.

Enjoy!

Travel & Old Friends

Well,

I had an enjoyable trip out to Ontario for two weeks. There was a last minute call for me to head out to instruct four courses and to certify some instructors. It was a learning experience, that's for sure. Depending on what is needed, I may be asked back for another course in Feb 08 and a second one in Mar/Apr 08 as well.

I ran into someone I knew over the past 16 years and had a stunning shock. He had just got out of hopsital from having cancer sugery. They removed a tumour the size of an orange from his throat. He's only 4 years older than I am. I was speachless with this news. He hardly had time to let anyone know about it. After a week of thinking about it, I'm still unnerved by the news.

The drive back from Ontario was beautiful with all the fall colours. The weather held off and we were able to enjoy the sun and changing trees the whole way.

Enjoy!

Fall Colours.

The month started off with co-teaching on of the new courses being offered. The Training Director wanted to have a couple senior people on hand to handle the extra classload and to get feedback on the workings of the course. It went well with three of us, but the equipment would fill three vehicals. This is NOT good for a course that has to travel any distance. The entertaining part of this story is that work wants me to pay $30 to attend a formal course to become qualified to instruct said course. [roll eyes]

With no other courses the past few weeks, I have spent time learning cross-stitch. I have a pattern with three labradour dogs. I have finished one of them last night and have already started on the next one.

Earlier, I noticed some grass growing from the eaves trough of our place and I laughed. Well the grass is still there, has three more strands and is long enough that it would have to be mowed if it was part of the lawn. *laugh* This week, I watched crows digging clumps of grass out of the gutters for nesting. We asked the landlord if they would have the gutters cleaned for safety reasons. They did no think it needs to be done. I think it should. If there is enough in the gutters for grass to grow and crows to make nests, then any water overflow and ice flow in the winter makes the sidewalks, ect unsafe.

Those are my recent thoughts for the past while. Enjoy!

Humming birds and the Bees

This time last week, the hummgbird feeder was filled to the top. After 7 days of feeding, it is already to be refilled. I figure they are getting ready for their flight to wherever they live for the winter. This is the faster all summer that the feeder has had to be refilled,

Part of the entertainment watching the humming birds feed, is that a wasp has taken to hanging from the bottom of the feeder. Most times when a bird comes to feed, it has to fight and combat it's way past the wasp. It is hard enough catching a good photo of a humming bird in flight, I would like to catch these short arieal combats between the humming birds and the beeds.

Well, work has gotten in the way again. It looks sound like we will not be able to attend the regional golf tournement due to work demands. *shrug* Oh well, it was just for fun anyway. On another note, I have my first civilian course the first couple of days this week since my change in jobs. So things are good all around.

Enjoy!

Stay in touch.

The course in New Brunswick went very well. At the start, I had a surprise with one extra student, but by lunch things worked out and I actually had 2 less students. Those two did not have the required prerequresits. At the end of the week, one student was certified based on his expereince and training. The remaining six students will need to co-teach before being monitored.

The reunion last week was a smashing success. There were over 36 people from across Canada. The day was perfectly sunny for the outdoor BBQ. The young ones headed down to road to the river for a swim after the meal. The dog enjoyed all the attention. And I enjoyed meeting some old friends. The house was full, so we brought our tent along and put it to good use for the week. Note to self though, bring extra blankets.

My next big thing is looking forward to the Golf Tournement at the end of the month. Sadly, right after that the family in NB want me to paint the exterior of the house. *sigh* Oh well, Enjoy!

From one to another

After 27 months, the job in complete. Over the past few months I have passed everything on to the new person who took over. I'm happy with the work I did, and have not doubts about completing this past job.

Things on the other end are looking good as well. Those that know me at the national, regional and local levels are all interested in getting me to work with them. I already have a job in NB for two weeks next month. So this year looks like I will be traveling much more than I have in the past. For those that know me, this is not a problem.

I really like hearing the birds singing outside, seeing all the green and flowers. We are inside the city, but the way we are situated, it feels like we are in cottage country. Needless to say, I am really enjoying this summer weather.

So next month a big family gathering is planned with people coming in from across the country. At the end of August, we are taking part in another regional golf tournement. We've participated in this before and it's a fun way of meeting up with others that we have not seen for some time.

Summer is here?

Summer has arrived and it is very rainy. While there has been all kinds of rain, it has given us lots of reason to put the fireplace on.

Work has changed so much since April that I finally put in my memo to amend my contract. The end of my position will now be 31 July. I already have a couple job offers and I am still looking into a few more leads. I will still be a part-timer in the Reserve.

With the change in job coming up, we had to put our vacation on hold. This is not terrible as family will be coming over from out West this August. While here, we will be taking them from NB and visiting NS and PEI for some camping and tourist stuff. So it makes more sense.

I volunteered to spent the past two weekends instructing. So this is the first weekend that I have had to myself in a little while. This week I have two more courses before I use up the rest of my leave, prior to the end of my contract. Followed by three more courses before I am done.

That's where things stand at the moment. Enjoy!