Friday, March 30, 2007

Stanage Edge

Close to where we live is Stanage Edge that draws climbers from all over England. We can hike to it from our flat. It is absolutely stunning. Nigel took me there one of the first evenings I visiting him in Sheffield and I thought it was the most romantic evening with the sun setting, the sheep wandering around us, and the distant voices of climbers over the edge.










Thursday, March 22, 2007

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Funny Cards

There are some funny cards out there. This is one that makes me laugh every time. It was a birthday card for Nigel from his brother's family (who happen to have two boys...can you tell?).

Saturday, March 17, 2007

This is a Test


This photo is posted to see if I am still experiencing photo-posting-problems. It appears I am not. Hooray! Blogger has also kindly accepted my request to remove the word identification when I add a new blog. This had been causing me heaps of trouble.

I have been saving this picture. I had meant to use it when I wrote a long blog explaining my hesitations about becoming a parent. I am not pregnant and I do not have any kids. My main question is whether it is possible to be both a parent and a successful artist. I like my independance. I like being an artist. I like my freedom. But as all things go, I don't see how I am limited by being an artist as much as I see how much freedom I have to move. One example of this is my ability to travel. I want to maintain my ability to travel even with kids. I know it can be done...I have seen it in those who simply believe it is possible to do it with kids. But what I don't notice is that my choice to be a full-time artist these last 5 years has limited my ability to travel. In fact, it cuts at the funds so hard that I only occassionally could get a ticket on sale for another Canadian city (never more than a province away).

Blogger Frustrations!

Is anyone completely frustrated with the new format that Blogger has transfered into for managing your blog? I AM!!!! I don't know if they have not worked out the glitches for Mac computers or what, but it is almost impossible to blog anymore. If I post any pictures the blog is fine until I check it the next day and then none of the pictures are there anymore. I have to go through the whole process of uploading them again. This last time I have already erased them. Secondly when I write a blog there is a Word Verification that I have to type in. If I am on the same page for more than a minute it says the page is expired and erases everything I have done. I have developed a tricky way of copying everything, renewing the page, pasting it all again then hoping I have typed in the word verification quickly enough that it won't erase my new blog again. Another problem includes Spell Check not working at all at any time! Excuse the typos! I have had it. Any thoughts from anyone out there?! Explanations?!

Friday, March 16, 2007

Whistler









Banff

Skiing in Banff was great this last January! We highly recommend the Ski Big Three: A joint venture company of Banff/Lake Louise's three ski areas: Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Banff Mount Norquay. You get 6 hour lessons for 3 days, each day on a different mountain.


The view from Chateau Lake Louise. There was an ice sculpture contest that we had a chance to view. I prefered the ice castle on Lake Louise surrounded by a skating area with the rockies in the background.


Hiking along the river that runs by Banff and Banff Springs Hotel.


A view of the rockies from the ski slopes.


The rockies again.


Seems like Switzerland, doesn't it?


A skiier.


We were taken by our instructor on Norquay to a chair lift that had a big sign saying "EXPERT SKIIERS ONLY! DOUBLE BLACK DIAMONDS ONLY FROM THIS CHAIR". (gulp). This was the view of Banff from the top before we threw outselves off the cliff-like run.


A view of the Banff Springs Hotel.


The town of Banff.


Good bye Calgary...leaving Alberta.