My opinion of winter...

It belongs in the doghouse!

27 February 2007 - Tuesday

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When it's cloudy outside...that's when the temperature is nice -- but what a depressing landscape it is; all around me there's nothing but white. It's like being in a black & white scene. When we get sunshine -- then it's friggin' cold! I can see ice crystals floating in the air.

Pussycat, pussycat...where have you been?

22 February 2007


Look at who came back -- it's ole what's his name? It's the red cat who lived in our barn temporarily. He moved on for a while. I saw him in Osler a few weeks ago. Osler is seven miles from our barn in Gruenthal -- that's a lot of miles for a cat.


Long time no see

(He won't come down because of that Pepsi beast)

Supper is served

Welcome to the...

Snow Capital of the World!
20 February 2007
Entrance to the sleigh trail... the path was recently ploughed. All that white stuff is what last month's blizzard dumped on us. These pictures were taken last Saturday...

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Our expedition into uncharted territories - ha ha. There are horses in front of the sleigh... they are hidden behind that massive snow pile which is roughly 6 feet high. Riding in the sleigh are Grant, Dean, Jackie, and Aaron. We met up with a couple of coyotes once we were out in the field. I had to take a picture, of course! In the meantime, I kept an eye on Coco... coyotes find dogs her size to be a delectable snack.

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Hee hee -- we turned our back on the team for 2 minutes and they went and got themselves stuck in a deep snow bank! Twice! The second time I didn't take a picture because I was in Grant's pickup truck, towing them out (plus Grant was in no mood to let me snap any pictures).

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My green brain -- ha ha

Your Brain is Green

Of all the brain types, yours has the most balance. You are able to see all sides to most problems and are a good problem solver. You need time to work out your thoughts, but you don't get stuck in bad thinking patterns. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about the future, philosophy, and relationships (both personal and intellectual).

What Color Is Your Brain?

Happy Valentine's Day

14 February 2007

Til death do us part...

It's all good :) here in Saskatchewan

10 February 2007
An update to my previous post... I agree: we just need to lighten up and not get ourselves all worked about other peoples' misconceptions.

People bash Saskatchewan on Vancouver radio station - to win a trip there
Sat Feb 10, 11:08 AM
REGINA (CP) - A war of words has erupted between a place where "they use mosquitoes as helicopters for the traffic reporters" and one where "five minutes of sunshine is considered a gift from the sun god."
At least, that's according to submissions to a Vancouver radio station.
It all started when Saskatchewan's government gave station CKNW a trip for two to the Junos, which will be held April 1 in Saskatoon. As a result, the station asked people to finish the sentence: "You know you're in Saskatchewan when . . ."
The contest has angered some, who say the government is paying to let people characterize the province as backwards and residents as rednecks.
"Just yank (the prize) and find another way to promote Saskatchewan," said an angry Opposition Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall.
As a result of the contest, both the radio station and others are turning the tables, and asking people to finish the sentence with Vancouver in the place of Saskatchewan.
But Saskatchewan's government is telling everyone to lighten up - and that any publicity is good for the province.
"We can't be intimidated or afraid of what people may say about us. We just have to have a good laugh and, also, be prepared to point out the great things about Saskatchewan," said Industry Minister Eric Cline.
Todd Brandt, a member of the Juno's organizing committee said while he'd prefer positive advertising, people's misconceptions will be erased when they visit.
Many people who posted on the Vancouver station's website seemed to agree.
One poster, only identified as Joan, asked people on the station to come and visit for themselves. "Come, visit and if you like it, stay. If you don't like it - fine, just remember that we are not all uneducated hick farming stubble jumpers that have no aspirations. We just like to live life a little slower," she wrote. "Perhaps it's good that there are those mean-spirited stereotypes out there . . . it keeps things quiet around here, just the way we like it."

Saskatchewan - yesterday's news

10 February 2007
Went searching for Saskatchewan news and came across this one (Link to where I got it from) I'm a bad Saskatchewan-ite because I thought this article to be just too funny!

Canada Saskatchewan promo goes sour
Fri Feb 9, 4:19 PM

OTTAWA (AFP) - A radio station's attempt to draw Canadian tourists to Saskatchewan backfired when a contest asking Canadians extol the virtues of the vast plains province turned sour -- or bitingly funny.
CKNW in British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province, asked listeners to fill in the blank: "You know you're in Saskatchewan when -- ."
Answers included: "You're grandmother's bunion operation makes the 'People in the News' section of the local paper," "Your prenuptial agreement mentions chickens," and "The homecoming queen is seen driving a swatter." That's a farm implement, in Sakatchewanese.
"There's a humorous side to it, but it's also demeaning to Saskatchewan people," Don Morgan, a member of Saskatchewan's legislative assembly told the Star Phoenix newspaper.
"It's just going to reinforce those perceptions that we're a bunch of hayseed hillbillies in pickup trucks -- old pickup trucks," he lamented.
Fewer than one million people live in the western Canadian province, on some 600,000 square kilometers (230,000 square miles) of mostly farmland dotted with grain elevators under a seemingly never-ending sky.
The bungled tourism campaign comes after the Saskatchewan government spent millions of dollars to resettle former residents, as well as attract foreign investment and new immigrants.
Lawmakers tried to reverse the thousands leaving in search of greener pastures in recent years, leaving behind several forlorn towns.
The prize for the best contest entry is airfare, two nights' accommodation at a hotel and tickets for two to Canada's premier Juno music awards show in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

White-tailed deer on Rheinland Rd

White-tailed deer in Gruenthal
Originally uploaded by Robin.Lisa.Keith.

It finally occurred to me that I was causing these poor deer unnecessary stress by following behind them in my vehicle :( It appeared that they were going to run right on to the Hwy #11 which has some heavy traffic. Thankfully when I stopped they seemed to get their bearings and swerved to the right into the open field.

Where's my camera when I need it?!

White-tailed Deer!
Originally uploaded by Robin.Lisa.Keith.

I went for a quick trip into town today and (darnit! it did occur to me to grab it) I didn't bother to bring my camera along. My drive was graced with the sight of six deer standing on the side of the road -- umm, wait... actually, they were crossing the road in a single line (just like they taught me in school). I slowed down to let them cross and upon spotting me, they started to run down the road. Of course, I was kicking myself at this point for not grabbing my camera. The gadget used to take this photograph was my cell phone -- not exactly high tech. But it was a beautiful sight to behold: Those six white-tailed deer dashing in leaps and bounds along the grid road.