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Poetic & Grounded

Where the Morning Opens Up Morning Notes From a Quieted Mind The dog was happy this morning, and honestly, that’s enough to set the tone for the whole day. Dixie and I stopped at our favourite spot and snapped a picture — she gave the camera that big, easy smile she saves for the moments when the world feels simple. I said hello to Tammy and Maze on the way; they were already geared up and ready to take on the day. It felt good, that small neighbourly moment, like the city waking up around me. Kim had her bag packed early for her trip to the bridal shower in Edmonton, moving with that calm purpose she gets when she’s got a plan. I grabbed my coffee from Tim Hortons and took a slow drive down University and Métis, just letting the morning settle in. By the time I got home, I was shaking the last of the ice in the cup — a tiny ritual that somehow feels like a reset button. My mind has finally quieted after the last five days. It’s a relief to feel that shift, that easing. I’m happy ...

Happy Days in a Strange World

Small routines, big thoughts, and the steady rhythm of getting where we’re going. Coffee, Sunlight, and the Strange Little Roads We Travel Some days start sideways and still manage to land in the right place. I was up at midnight flipping through fallacy and bias cards like some kind of philosopher gremlin, telling myself I should sleep, then ignoring myself completely. Finally crashed from 4 to 6, then dragged myself up for more coffee because that’s just how the morning wanted to go. Mom had a vehicle maintenance appointment, so we turned it into a small adventure. Coffee at Tims, sunlight hitting the windshield just right, the kind of quiet moment where you look up and remember the world is still turning even when you’re tired. My brother‑in‑law was around earlier, talking about going back and forth doing work — he was kind, steady, just doing his thing. It’s funny how those small interactions can anchor a day. Took the dog for a walk after, letting her sniff the world while I ...

Rain‑Soaked Thoughts & Heavy Hours

A Walk, a Headache, and the Strange Weight of the Day The dog and I got out for a walk today, even though it’s been raining nonstop. The kind of rain that doesn’t just fall — it presses on you, wraps around you, pulls you into its mood. I was already carrying a headache from work, the kind that sits behind the eyes and makes every thought feel heavier. My mind was busy, building and rebuilding things the way it always does, even when I’m not holding a hammer. Still, I love how I draw out my blog every day. It’s like the words walk beside me, even in the rain. They go out into the storm, battle the wind, and somehow come back serving me. I got soaked, but it felt like part of the adventure. Work had its own weight today. A school lockdown happened — that kind of thing always hits a nerve. And then I saw a goose get run over near the wetland. It bothered me more than I expected. Hard emotions, sharp and sudden, like a nail you didn’t see sticking out. The river is getting high agai...

Rain Dogs & Storm Talk

A Wet Morning, Two Little Dogs, and a Good Painting I headed out into the storm this morning, rain blowing so hard it felt like it was trying to peel my clothes off. Somewhere along the path, a guy with two little dogs said hello. We chatted for a moment about how dogs, when there’s three of them, just bark and bark like they’re arguing over who owns the trail. Funny how they get along by not getting along. We passed each other in the rain with a smile. I wasn’t planning to talk, but he was saying something loud and half‑incoherent, so I stepped closer and answered back. Just two dog walkers out early in a storm, greeting each other like it was the most normal thing. By the time I got home, my pants and shirt were soaked through. Straight into the wash they went. Dixie got the towel treatment — she loved every second of it, leaning into the rub‑down like it was a spa day. The storm’s hitting the whole province. I heard Banff is flooding. Wild weather everywhere. A friend of mine ...

Reflective & Grounded

Short Blog Post — Sunridge Steps & Small Wins Dixie and I took a walk overlooking Sunridge Park today, one of those dynamic little moments where the world feels bigger than the path you’re on. She trotted ahead like we were on some grand adventure, and honestly, it felt like one. I even got two smiles from strangers and a cyclist who gave me that focused, head‑down look only cyclists have. One hello on the gravel path. Small things, but they land. The day was good, even with the two dog dirts I had to pick up. Down University the traffic was busy, and I was out of breath more than I expected, just trotting along without even wearing my pack weight. Still hit my active minutes easily, even though my Enduro didn’t track a thing. Disappointing. I’ve got to butter myself up to remember to hit start. Back home, Kim — the wonderful lady she is — did laundry and cleaned her spare room. I did the dishes. Yesterday I hauled wood to my in‑laws for their new fire pit. Supposedly it’s a ...

Wild & Honest

Chaos in the Crow: A Dog, a River, and a Bag of Cheetos Dog Blog: Chaos in the Crow Country Some days start simple and then turn into a full‑on saga. I headed out to the Crow to help my dad clean up some wood, thinking it’d be a quick in‑and‑out kind of thing. But of course, Dixie had other plans. One sniff, one roll, and suddenly my dog was wearing a full coat of dog‑shit cologne. Vest included. I wasn’t pleased. Not even a little. So there I was, peeling her vest off like a hazmat suit and tossing the stinky beast into my vehicle. Disaster. Pure chaos. The kind of moment where you just stare at your life choices and breathe through your mouth. But the day had its wins. Dad cooked me a burger and handed me a bag of Cheetos — gluten‑free, bright orange happiness. I even thought of my wife for a moment, the way small comforts do that. Then I hit the road again, down the uncanny valley, Columbia Drive, and up McLeod toward Mt. Burke. Stopped in Fort Macleod for fuel, dropped off woo...

The River Took the Ball

The River Took the Ball (But Gave Me a Good Day Anyway) Apparently I’m a landlord now — to bees. I discovered this when I noticed a steady parade of them marching in and out from under my deck like they were clocking in for a shift. Dozens of them. Maybe hundreds. And somewhere down there, I’m pretty sure there’s a queen living her best life. The problem? There’s concrete under the deck, so I can’t just poke around and see what’s going on. And I’m not about to evict them with force. Bees are important, and I’m not trying to be the villain in their tiny bee‑drama. So now I’m in research mode, trying to figure out how to get them out safely without tearing up half my backyard. It’s going to be a process — but hey, at least it’ll make for an interesting blog entry. A Day at the River (and the Ball That Got Away) The dog and I have our little routine down at the river bottom. It’s our quiet place — just the two of us, a chair, a brush, and a ball. Most days we sit right in the w...

Warm Wednesday at the River

A dropped ball, a clean riverbank, a quiet car ride, and a dog grinning her way through the heat. A Warm Wednesday at the River I walked down to the river this afternoon, ball in hand — or so I thought. Turns out I dropped it back at the park entrance while picking up dog dirt. That’s the kind of distraction the river has on me; once I’m headed toward the water, everything else fades out. Someone had left a pair of socks on the riverbank, so I tossed them in the garbage on my way through, trying to keep the place a little cleaner. Dad joined me for about an hour, and we tossed the ball once I finally realized I’d lost it and grabbed another. Dixie got her turns too, splashing in and out of the water, absolutely thrilled. She had that big dog‑grin going, brown eyes shining straight into the camera like she knew she was having a perfect day. It hit 28°C today, warm enough that the coulee felt like the right place to be. Dixie was a surprisingly good car rider — not a single bark on...

A Solo Walk and the Things That Surface

A slow walk alone, noticing birds, turtles, willows, and the quiet thoughts that rise when the leash stays at home. A Walk Down to the Crow Without Dixie Today I walked down to the Crow by myself — no dog tugging the leash, no black shadow pacing beside me. Just me, my thoughts, and the space around me. It felt different, quieter in a way I don’t always let myself sit with. The river was doing its usual thing, sending ripples across the surface like it was breathing slow. I watched a poplar on the far bank sway like it was waving at me. Blackbirds in every shade and pattern flicked through the reeds, robins hopped around like they owned the place, and yes — even turtles showed up for the moment. I sat on the land ties that hold the path together, letting the stillness settle in. Ants crawled over the wood, busy with whatever ants are always busy with. A robin flew overhead and dropped a little mid‑air gift — nature’s sense of humor, I guess. From where I sat, I could see the willo...

Walking with Purpose: Celebrating Love, Leadership, and a Major Milestone

https://lethbridgeherald.com/news/lethbridge-news/2026/05/23/strides-of-hope-walk-raises-awareness-for-schizophrenia/ Since Facebook doesn't allow newspaper articles share I'm sharing it through my blog... face book seems to allow this to happen.... You can see me with the tilly hat 👒 on... Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the **Strides of Hope Walk** in Lethbridge, hosted by the **Schizophrenia Society of Alberta**. It was an incredible, community-driven event dedicated to raising vital awareness, breaking down stigmas, and providing support for those affected by schizophrenia. But for me, this event hit incredibly close to home for another reason: **my wonderful wife.** A Proud Partner Moment Supporting my wife in her career is deeply important to me, and watching her work with the Society has been nothing short of inspiring. Leading up to the walk, I know she was feeling the pressure. She was quite nervous about the day—wanting everything to go perfectly for a ...

Dixie’s Mountain‑River Adventure

A cold dip, warm company, and a simple day well spent The drive out to visit my in‑laws didn’t start perfectly — Kim headed out before me and was a little upset that I wasn’t driving with her. But by the time we all got together, the mood had shifted and the day settled into something good. The dog definitely won the day with an extra‑long walk, tail up and happy the whole time. I didn’t track the distance, but it didn’t matter; it was one of those walks where the company and the moment mattered more than the numbers. In the end, it turned into a simple, solid visit that felt worth the effort. Dixie got her big moment at the river today — the second she saw the water, she pulled straight down the bank like it was calling her by name. She jumped right in and even dunked her whole head under, completely fearless. The mountain river was definitely cold for late May, but she didn’t care; if anything, it cooled her right down and made her even happier. She stayed in for a decent stret...

Trades it's an opinion 🤢🤮

🤢🤮 🤢🤮 What’s my opinion of the trades, for every sixth retiring trades people 2 are replacing them that’s how proficient and efficient trades have gotten. they have a endless pool of youth to pick out of is…. Not everyone are going to be tradespeople…. Actually most are jobs that are growing in America are in services, hospitality, retail. They are poorly paid in an era of knowledge. how about lifting minimum wage? And let me tell you there is an underlying problem of to many men getting hurt in the trades and just disappear with no one asking where or when or what happen, I know Nigel Shenton 5% of the population make min wage, those are entry level jobs, if you are a grown adult making min wage, the problem is you. Dwayne Ball, you’re suggesting I should reset to minimum wage or entry-level apprentice pay for four years just to "earn" a livable wage? You’re essentially saying I should do the hardest physical labor for a quarter of the pay just to exist in a working ...

Child labor Republicans

Child labor and Republicans wanting to raise birth rates Whereas raising social security or prosperity security In education or maternity leave or higher wages, birth control or reproductive Rights bring middle class has not increased the birth rate Just got to look at the foreign influence that's trying to break up North America and America To look like South America The only benefit is to the corporate identity robbing the public using as much State bureaucracy moral servants, destitution makes the worst come out of people... You know what child labor looks like in Bolivia that's landlocked with a lot of oil A new car has a $10,000 tax added on to it so cars don't depreciate Think of a used vehicle, not depreciating and a $10,000 tax on every vehicle being imported into Alberta would cost... Gets pretty perverted and disgusting very quickly For child labor and destitution does..... An Epstein culture that Danielle Smith is covering Trump and E...

I heard it was a compliment to redo your work in education

Parents want there kids to learn to read, to write, to do math.... They don't want them to become social justice warriors -Danielle Smith I heard it was a compliment to rewrite essays and tests That means the teacher wants the best out of you Same with a bad score It's a badge to learn and try harder Stop making excuses That's the critical thinking skill. Is it to rewrite your essay and do it again and again and again? I call BS Bees don't tell flies. Stop eating s*** Saying I'm hearing you say students can't think critically over this..... And if they're told that they got a bad score, they're a bad person Perhaps maybe that's set up to fail syndrome? Pissant semantics. How about misinformation? And fractured information theory Ambiguity is the leaders most toxic tool. How is this helping the Premier cuts the funding for schools And then project it as woke theory that's actually damaging All...

Selling confidence. Well that's refreshing

Coca-Cola selling confidence and friends and family and outings. They're not selling you a sugary beverage. That's cool. And iced or a refreshment? The government is selling confidence and friends and outings??? With morale officers as constituents, saying things don't exist when there right there Oh that's refreshing, and cool!!! BS is hazardous to our health Bees don't tell flies. Stop eating s*** More Americans are coming. Trying to say to Alberta that they're native and here for Canada to work but then wanting us Alberta to go to the United States It's a complete oxymoron look Now they have data breaches and bracketing a prejudice for the swing voter and programmed responses to indoctrinate the swing voter who has a 6th grade reading level and doesn't understand financials managements that have a grade 11 or 12 reading level And they're programmed; Responses are going to be on impulse and distraction for a programmed response #NDP #UCP Mi...

usually like to get into the weeds on here

I don’t usually like to get into the weeds on here, but there comes a point where staying silent feels like an abdication of responsibility. The "prosperity" we’re told we have is being hollowed out, and it’s a failed policy being used to justify even worse ideas. I’m seeing a massive shift in the landscape: the modern "Conservative" movement has abandoned its roots, leaving a vacuum where common-sense stability used to be. If we don't have security at the base of our lives, we lose the ability to engage in the things that make us human—reading, art, and community. We’re being bracketed by prejudice and data breaches while the people in charge control the narrative. It’s time to wake up. The labels are lying to you. It's projections where in, that going to make debt insolvency a decades problem in Alberta Prompts to get the written post above is below 👇 I've been engaging in political talk on Facebook Mostly cuz I'm surprised like I read a hund...

Let’s talk about the math they aren’t showing you

Let’s talk about the math they aren’t showing you. 🧮 There’s a lot of noise about "devaluing currency" (like the Finland/Euro debate) or "competitive markets," but look at the ground reality in Canada. In Quebec, corporate flight was real, and the housing correction was the only thing that balanced it out. Now, look at Alberta: we have doctors warning that private care will cannibalize the public system, yet the push for "for-profit" continues. The math doesn't add up: Private Insurance is a Trap: In the States, care is a legal and financial waiting game. Unless you are in the top wealth bracket, you aren't "buying care," you're buying a delay. Investment Mismatch: Every global bank is pivoting away from oil, yet our public dollars are being used to consolidate a sector that is being outpaced by tech at a ratio of 80 to 1. The Bottom Line: Growth in our economy right now is tied to birth rates and immigration, not these massive cor...