Better and yet...

I am almost recovered from a nasty bout of pneumonia and a few random attacks of the collywobbles. I've been fortunate to be able to lay low for a week and except for walking the dog I've pretty much stayed inside. (And it's going down to minus 30 this weekend so that's no great hardship.) My dear husband has been advised to do the same, and so this weekend has been a marathon of movies and hockey games, as spectators not participants.

Today I watched a compelling documentary GASLAND which shook me up pretty badly. It's about drilling for natural gas, a process called fracking.



From the GASLAND website:


It also enables those hazardous chemicals used in the fracking process (around 80,000 pounds worth on average) to leach into nearby groundwater, streams, wells, and the air. Upwards of 70% remain. Permanently.

Watch the full episode. See more NOW on PBS.

We're not safe in Canada. Fracking has been going on in Alberta for years and is pretty widespread. There's an interesting article HERE and it talks about an Erin Brockovich type crusader by the name of Jessica Ernst. Canada has no national water policy (are you listening, Mr. Harper?) and now there's talk about developing a huge shale gas field along the Saint Lawrence River between Montreal and Quebec City.

Why can't we use wisdom and integrity and practice good stewardship for this earth we all call home? It's the only one we have. If our water is gone, so are we.

Do yourself a favour and look for this documentary. We can't afford to be complacent.

Water, water, water.

Pioneer Woman is having another photography contest and this time the theme is water. Here are a few shots I'm considering. Turns out I have tons of water shots. I was born under a water sign after all.

I sent in the feather/droplet but the rest are all up for consideration.

Which one is your favourite?

1. Water drop on feather

2. Fall leaf on rock
3. Oahu fountain
4. Baie D'Urfe sailboat
5. Lily-of-the-Valley
6. Lady's mantle
7. Baie D'Urfe pond
8. Honolulu beach
9. Fall leaves in pond
10. Fall Reflection

(This one is my least favourite but people always comment on it.)

Photos from a Foggy Fall Day

We've had some really warm weather the last few days, and since I live just up the street from a large lake (part of the great St. Lawrence River) we sometimes get morning fog. This is what our street looked like when I walked to the car yesterday. Not exactly one worth framing seeing as it was garbage day, but it gives you an idea about how thick the fog was.



On a sunny day, it looks more like this:


So I stopped at a local park on the water and took some shots. Enjoy! The guy cleaning out the pond thought I was nuts. I was photographing the leaves as fast as he was scooping them out.





This one wasn't enhanced in any way. It's a straight out of camera shot, around 9 a.m., looking right at the sun. The quality of the light was amazing.







Have a fantastic weekend everybody!