Jill Browne, from home and away

Monday, February 28, 2011

Home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I love, love, love to travel.

I hate, hate, hate to pack.

Hmmmm.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

As the city limits expand, there are more opportunities for humans to move into the territory of the native wildlife.

A couple of years ago I was driving around to the southwest of town and saw a cougar up close and personal. It was chasing a coyote.

The cougar had an exaggerated jutting jaw, just like the Pink Panther.

It was also much more of an orange colour than I expected. In the zoo and in photos, cougars always looked tawny to me, more golden than orange.

The truly orange animal is the fox, though.

On another day, on that same road, I sat in my car and watched a curious, beautiful fox for ten minutes. They really are gorgeous creatures.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

At the beginning of February, we look for the groundhog to foretell the winter and spring dividing line.

If that doesn’t work, we watch the first of March. “In like a lion, out like a lamb.”

I actually think that’s it, that’s the whole saying.

But, in grade school when we were little kids, we would treat it as a prophesy.

“In like a lion, therefore, out like a lamb.
In like a lamb, therefore, out like a lion.”

The thing is, at the end of the month we would be too distracted by the thrill of April Fool’s Day to remember to watch the weather.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Cars and cold don’t go together. 

Took one in yesterday for servicing. It will take an extra day to fix, so I stayed home today. Nowhere I really needed to go.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Cold. Have I mentioned that before?

But for cold weather, you can put on more clothes and stay inside. When it’s too hot, you can’t get away as easily. The shopping centers and office buildings have air conditioning, and some people have it in their homes, but not many. I hope it never becomes necessary. 

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Here are more of the pics I took yesterday while driving around, mainly from the south to downtown and back.

Today’s highlight was breakfast at Pfanntastic Pannekoek Haus, a Dutch pancake house on Crowchild Trail just south of 50th Avenue SW. You can get to it from northbound Crowchild, but if you are southbound, take the 50th Ave exit and head left (east), and work your way south a couple of blocks. Easy.

Mine was bacon, raisins, apple. Suzanne had brown sugar and lemon juice. Our mystery guest had the same as I did. All enjoyed the meal.

This is a Calgary classic and always reliable for a tasty and filling mid-day or even evening meal. The pancakes are giant crepes that lie flat on the plate. You get one, with your choice of 80 topping selections (including some combos). Very tasty. One is a meal.

Yesterday’s driving pics.

Crane images on Zoo overpass. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, February 22, 2011.

Pedestrian ramp to reach Bridgeland C-Train station by crossing Memorial Drive. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, February 22, 2011.

Where the Calgary General Hospital used to be. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, February 22, 2011.

Copper domes on church. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, February 22, 2011.

Entering downtown on the 4th Avenue flyover. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, February 22, 2011.

Booker's for seafood. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, February 22, 2011.

New condo apartments for sale near the Bow River. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, February 22, 2011.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I took these pictures on an average day at the very tail end of rush hour. It was still busy (around 8:30 a.m.) but in Calgary the downtown workday starts at 8 o’clock. We were more into the school run and people like me doing their errands. The pictures are a bit blurry because I took them (a) through the car window and (b) while moving, but not while driving. Someone else was doing that.

School bus morning run. Photo by Jill Browne. Calgary, February 22, 2011.

Lafarge sand and gravel and concrete. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, February 22, 2011.

Concrete pipes by Lafarge. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, February 22, 2011.

Driving toward downtown on Memorial Drive. The haze is partly from the windshield dirt. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, February 22, 2011.

Truck carrying yellow pipes. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, Feburary 22, 2011.

Big trucks through a dirty window. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, February 22, 2011.

Red and yellow Max Bell Arena. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, February 22, 2011.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Lounging at home, trying to get some work done, managing to actually do that.

The Heritage Classic outdoor hockey game was on at McMahon Stadium today, but I didn’t pay attention, I’m afraid. Glad to hear Calgary Flames won it!

It wasn’t as cold as yesterday, so I hope the people in the stands were comfortable.

Playing hockey outside is a great idea. I’m so glad the NHL has the outdoor classic.

Some pics from 2011 so far.

In the distance, the copper dome of a church, seen from the 4th Avenue flyover. Photo by Jill Browne. Calgary, January 3, 2011.

Entering downtown on 4th Ave SE. Bow Building on left and Harry Hays on right (brown horizontal stripes). Photo by Jill Browne. Calgary, January 3, 2011.

Cupola of former James Short School. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, January 3, 2011.

Saturday, January 19, 2011

Home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Legally Blonde!

What could be better than seeing this fun musical with my law school buddies, and though two were missing, the other five of us ladies had a lovely time.

I of course embarrassed myself by being the loudest laugher in the room but hmmm I don’t think that’s something to worry about. After all, it was supposed to be a funny show, right? The Irish dancing scene brought me to tears.

A fantastic dinner in an old, beautiful Eaton’s kit house in Ramsey, courtesy of one of the gang. Lots of talk and laughter.

We missed our friends who couldn’t make it and look forward to a get together with all present.

Here are a few more pictures from 2011 so far.

Calgary's new Science Centre under construction. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, January 3, 2011.

Heading downtown, eastbound on Memorial just off Deerfoot. Photo by Jill Browne, Calgary, January 3, 2011.

In the distance, the Bow Building being built. Mid-ground, footbridge over the LRT. Photo by Jill Browne, January 3, 2011, Calgary.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Not as exhausted this week, because we took things more slowly. I don’t mean ridiculously so, just a more pleasant pace.

I’ll put in some pics I’ve taken since the beginning of the year.

Christmas tree after Christmas is over. Photo by Jill Browne. Calgary, January 2, 2011.

Driving south on Deerfoot from the airport. Photo by Jill Browne. Calgary, January 3, 2011.

View of downtown seen from Deerfoot heading south. Photo by Jill Browne. Calgary, January 3, 2011.