This man created his own map of the backcountry in Algonquin and its available for free online to download in chunks. We just booked our first trip (hiking the Eastern Pines Trail) and having worked at the reservation centre, I knew that I had to have a map in hand and sound like I knew what was happening or they’d pull the ol’ “call the park for trip planning help” and I didn’t think I needed to do that for a hike (as opposed to a canoe trip which would be all new to me). So I googled until I found this lovely website, and I thought I should share. Thanks, Jeffrey McMurtrie.
Now, onto the food! We need two full days of campfire friendly meals. Any ideas?
These carousels make me nauseous but I love this picture. It makes me think of summer and soft warm air and sunburns from staying out at an amusement park all day long (photo via wootam).
ladybug hat for michayla
suki with a cone
hat and booties for victoria
hat and booties for audrey
Real life update:
I don’t have a job yet but things are looking up. I’ve found at least two postings that are willing to hire a new call, and one emailed me back after I sent my application Friday afternoon, saying they would be in touch next week. I am dropping off the second application on Monday. Other than that, it’s still a lot of cold resumes and emails and calls and hoping and praying.
Having nothing to do and unable to afford a gym membership (if I could I would work out six hours a day but instead have to find something else to fill my time), I decided to re-learn how to knit, and hopefully accomplish more than I have in the past when trying to knit. I purchased “Knitting for Dummies” at the suggestion of my sister, and mastered several new things right away. Thus far, I’ve managed two sets of hats and booties for friends’ babies, and this week finally learned how to knit with more than one colour (see hat above). I have wanted to learn how to knit like this for at least 15 years after watching my mom create countless beautiful, intricate sweaters. I never really had the time or the patience before, and as much as being unemployed can suck, it is giving me time for things like this which I am grateful for.
Also related to not having a gym membership and not having a job, I’ve been getting out a lot in the city. I have more of a tan than I remember having had in years and it’s just from exploring. I’ve even started riding again. Hopefully it will stop raining for long enough to let the trails dry out and I can check out the trails close to the city. I’m feeling good and my clothes are even starting to fit again (woohoo!)
Lastly, we (well, mostly I) finally gave in and took our cat to the vet because she was overgrooming to the point of having sores on her sides. The vet diagnosed anxiety from the move and prescribed anti-anxiety drugs. I was surprised how readily I agreed to them, having said the night before that I would never put our cat on anti-anxiety drugs because she’s just a cat. They weren’t very expensive though so I agreed to give them a try. She also got a cortisone shot to help with the sores on her mouth and they’re completely healed now. The downside of this visit is that the cortisone shot lowered her immune system, allowing her side to get infected and she got a bit of a respiratory infection, leading to a call to the vet, a prescription for antibiotics and a cone on her head. The cat is most displeased but at least she’s finally (hopefully) on the road to recovery.
I finally put the comments code back in my design for this site - so comment away!
Also, I realize I haven’t posted a lot of actual words to this site in a while. I will try my best to do that soon. Stay tuned for the continuing adventures of my job hunt, my knitting, and my sick cat. Sounds exciting, non?
President Obama’s first 167 days - The Big Picture - Boston.com (click through for more photos - #30 is another favourite of mine)
An old church in Carleton Place, ON, that has been converted to a movie theatre. Note what is now playing - Angels and Demons, of course.
I just promised Brett that this will be our cake topper if we ever get married. I hope I don’t live to regret it.
Sesame Street - Patrick Stewart helps The Count
The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to delve into the constitutionality of allowing child witnesses to hide behind courtroom screens that render them invisible to criminal defendants.
The court’s decision to hear an appeal of a B.C. Court of Appeal ruling was made today by Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, Madam Justice Rosalie Abella and Mr. Justice Marshall Rothstein.
The appellant in the case, known only as J.Z.S., was convicted in 2006 of sexually assaulting his son and daughter. The children were seven and 10 at the time of the offences. They were 11 and eight when they testified from behind a screen, after first promising to tell the truth.
The defendant argued unsuccessfully that the screening device violated his Charter right to a fair trial by preventing him from directly confronting his accusers.
In 2006, Ms. Routliffe reached retirement age and qualified for a full pension. She soon began pondering how she could collect her pension while still working in the Senate. She also realized that if she was fired from her job she could collect a hefty severance.
So she asked Mr. Kenny to fire her. He agreed and, on March 30, 2007, Mr. Kenny terminated Ms. Routliffe’s employment. “I didn’t want to fire her,” Mr. Kenny said in an interview. So why did he do it? “Well, she asked to be [fired].”
The Senate’s administrative office overturned the termination and ruled she had retired, thus disallowing the severance payment.
