Fall's Fleeting Moments

The leaves have all turned...what few there are that turn. Most trees are evergreen. Many have fallen to the ground already, and I saw some snowflakes last week. The temperatures aren't too bad, but expected to drop to -4C this week....snow for sure.

If it was just that, I'd be fine with it. Instead it has been pissing rain nearly every friggin day since I came home from summer vacation where it was pissing rain nearly every friggin day. I thought I lived in a very arid climate, with little rain. Um, no. It's been POURING out at times, and nearly every day. Of course...it could be snow that is pouring out of the sky...small consolation at least.

Fall in the grocery stores seems to be a preview of winter months. Nothing on the shelves. I don't know what the hell is going on, but certain products are just cleaned out at the stores, row after row of empty shelves...the road is open, the ferry is running, so I don't know what is up. The produce at Extra Foods was ridiculous...not much there and what was there was damaged, been frozen, or moldy. I was definitely spoiled this summer with beautiful fruits and vegetables in every store, but it wasn't that bad when I left, so something has changed.

Fall brings with it the new recreation guide for the city. I wanted to take a photography course this fall, but it is only offered on a night when I work, which ordinarily wouldn't be a big problem, because I would just work the full day on that day for the few weeks of the course...but I am running a training program this fall on that day of the week...dammit. So I have to wait and see if they offer it again in the winter. I am going to sign up for dogsledding though...along with my friend K. It's just an afternoon course, and you get to run a sled...cool. There is a painting course I may take too...

Fall brought with it a nasty cold for myself and many of my coworkers. I'm more than annoyed with my cold. It is my 5th one this year...WTF. I don't work in a kindergarten...but I do work in a child protection agency where kids of all shapes and sizes come through, touching the same doors, using the same bathroom...germs!!

This time next month, there will be snow on the ground and Halloween will be just around the corner...whatever shall I dress as this year? Ideas anyone?

Grizzly on the Dempster

An awesome shot of a grizzly bear on the Dempster Highway to that runs through the northeast corner of the Yukon to Inuvik, NT. This was taken by Lawrence Norbert, who is originally from Tsiigehtchic, NT. Be sure to click on the photo for the larger version - I uploaded the original size because it was so gorgeous.

Yellowknife in September

I was out this morning with T. & D. (professional photographer) for a photo shoot and took some of my own. I was the subject most of the time as they are getting shots for a webpage they are designing to profile some northern workers for health and social services. It should be up and running by early October. I'll be blogging regularly there about living in the north, what it's like, etc. and people can ask me questions. So while I was out today, the scenery was so terrific, I shot some of my own photos. Some are of Back Bay, which is part of the Great Slave Lake, and the others are of a monument/painted rock found in Yellowknife, not far from where we were shooting.

Back In Da 'Knife

Ok, I am finally back up north. And summer is definitely OVER. It was 4C today, and pissed rain for part of it. If this keeps up, we'll have snow before long. Such is life in the north.

Had a terrific vacation, even if the weather mostly SUCKED ASS. Rain, rain, and oh yeah, more rain. Oh, and throw in some dirty ole fog, and more rain. And let's not forget the suffocating humidity. If there is one thing I do appreciate about the weather in the north, it is how dry the air is. August has apparently been particularly rainy...but the air is dry, and when it's hot, it's terrific.

Back to work tomorrow...sigh...after being away from my desk since the 28th of July, it will be a challenge to focus and sort through the pile of emails, my inbox and the neverending requests from co-workers. However, since I have had such a great vacation and actually came back rested...BRING IT ON! Which is kind of the point of vacations, isn't it? To give one time to recharge, energize, and place one in a better headspace than when they left. Perfect. Count me in.

Since my return Saturday night (thanks again for the pick-up at the airport) I've been fairly busy. Changed my living room around, completely, which is no small feat for those of you who recall my wall unit chock full of STUFF. I have been attempting to trim down my belongings, and taking away the shelving as I do, so I do not fill it right back up with more STUFF. I am down from 4 shelving units to 2...whoo hoo! Mind you, they are rather full, but my living room feels much roomier...and I added some red to brighten it all up. With winter coming on, I want to be prepared this time to actually live in my home, not ready myself for yet another move, as I have in each of the past 3 years. Whoo hoo! No move!

So, I hope to return to regular blogging, though do not expect to post more than once or twice a week, depending on inspirations...