Monday 30 October 2017

octobering


Late October Greetings dear viewers. Two and a half weeks away from my blog is something of a record for me.  My dismay over already low view stats ( blog viewing seems to be replaced by Instagram and other less "wordy" social media) has been aggravated by rampant "bot" views (automated views that advertise or can even infect a blog); they have caused some technical glitches over the last 2 years. But that's not why I've been away. Wally and I have gone into overdrive preparing our home for another person, my old friend Connie, who will be coming to stay for a week in November.

It was Connie with whom I went to Costa Rica, our epic trip, in 2012.

Now she will be coming to help us with our messy bookkeeping. (She has an extensive history in banking which will help, both technically and with bedside manner.) We want to treat her to a fabulous Nova Scotia holiday in return. She's looking forward, foremost, to exploring her family's landing in Canada at Pier 21 in Halifax back in the 1950's.  A lobster dinner is also on the books. We've got all kinds of sea experiences lined up for her, from walking the sea bed at Blomidon to exploring the World Heritage town of Lunenburg. But I still think the cherry on top will be Peggy's Cove which will be nothing short of spectacular this time of year. We've never been there in November.

Because we've been so busy (thank goodness for a deadline), I have a few pictures from 2 1/2 weeks ago that I took along the highway on our way to the new IKEA in Dartmouth Crossing (which was surreal; more about that another time.)

We were lucky to have good weather as we headed out with some lovely colour still left on the trees.

Passing the same brown farmhouse, I had mixed luck with my photographs taken from a moving car.

The new highway signage people have seen fit to put a sign at every lovely natural view. It was discouraging to say the least.  I've always enjoyed this rolling cornfield. Now I will never have an excuse to remember that it is outside of Grand Pre.

The Annapolis Valley is famous for its farming. Unfortunately I missed some prime shots of the apple orchards which once fed the world.

Some little farmsteads seem to sprawl into villages.

a little closer 

The country town sprawl of Falmouth

 A newer build , a bit like a Monopoly game house

An exceptionally long factory building from another era that I suspect had something to do with housing animals as it is so near the fairgrounds and the railroad tracks.

The trees are mixed making for some beautiful palettes.

The hills begin to roll again, part of the old Appalachian system of mountains.

another pretty tapestry

We're quite high now having climbed Mt. Uniak yet still higher mountains in the distance as the light fades causing for even poorer exposures.

As we come lower, a strange little road veering away from the highway.

It's been hard to find the time to prep pictures for the blog, so this is all I have for today. One last little squeeze out of October. But there's more. That will have to wait til a little later next month. I'll have plenty of catch up to do if I take my camera on those touristy jaunts to come.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you are cozy in this northern change of season. My friend in Saskatchewan is already experiencing snow. We're in the midst of another wind and rain storm like the 2 day one we had last week. That's late October for you!




love 






Friday 13 October 2017

october pop in


Hello dear viewers. Thank you, once again, for popping in. I know it's been a while...

Not much has changed around here. Muji is still his sweet, dopey self.

Many artist/illustrators have got on board with the practice called Inktober, honing their skills with ink for the month of October. I haven't got the discipline for such a long term commitment so
I just did this quick sketch with my Pitt brush pens and Crayola coloured pencils. 


I recently bought some water soluble pastels called Gelatos. 
I've done the Lion and the Lamb many times in my past, but this time I felt compelled to do
The Tiger and the Lamb

I do have an October project I am working on. Perhaps I'll share some peeks into it next time.


peace on Earth