Tempus Fugit

Latin (tem-pu̇s-ˈfü-git): Time Flies

Author: garry.c.stewart

  • Winter at the Lake


    Liquid gold
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    This weekend we went down to the lake for the weekend. The temperatures were quite nice at about -5C, and when we arrived the cottage was only 0C. Some years we’ve arrived to -20C and it really doesn’t warm up until the next morning.

    Upon arrival we put on our snowshoes and unloaded the supplies. The snowshoes made it easy to walk up the deep snow covering the driveway and deck. After unpacking and getting set up we baked som e pizza and thought we’d watch a little TV. Well, it was still quite cold in the cottage and the TV would not turn on. So, we hooked the laptop into the stereo, put it on the hearth, built a roaring fire, pulled the loveseat right up to the fireplace an watched 4 back to back episodes of House with our pizza. Very nice and cozy!

    The next morning it was bright and sunny and I started chopping a hole in the ice for water. About an hour later I struck pay dirt, well, water anyway. Somehow it seemed a little harder carrying those two 5 gallon pails up the path to the cottage. It’s surprising how little water you really need when you have to work hard for it. The reward was a nice cup of coffee while basking in the warm sun coming in the patio doors.

    After breakfast we snowshoed around the point on the lake. I took some pictures on the shoreline, a neighbors cottage, trees, and the navigation aid at the tip of the point.

  • Breakfast at the Lake


    Yes, I am cute
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    This morning we were having a late breakfast brunch when we noticed some activity on the deck outside the dining room window. This little guy was also having some “breakfast”. Last night we BBQ’d steak and I left the tongs out on the BBQ shelf. Well, this very enthusiastic squirrel was cleaning up. Have a look here.

  • Creativity


    Winnipeg in Miniature
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.
    Photo credit: s2photo

    Who knew you could do this? Well, apparently Scott did!

    I was recently in the CanWest Global boardroom for some meetings on the 33rd floor. The building is located right at the corner of Portage & Main, the heart of downtown Winnipeg. So, on one of the breaks, I took a few photos.

    Well, last night one of them became a Photoshop project for Scott. Quite an interesting effect. The original photo can be seen here and some more examples can be seen on the flickr tilt-shift miniature fakes group.

  • Wakeboarding


    Wakeboarding
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    I was cleaning up my home office and came across a photo album. Well of course I had to stop working and flip through the photos. There were lots of great shots from the lake, biking at Maah Daah Hey, parties and graduations.

    This one really brought back some memories of a great day with friends at Granite Lake. I even took a couple of runs on the wakeboard for the first time. But, I wasn’t flying over the wake like this!

  • The Phantom


    The Phantom
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    It’s not every day you come home to meet The Phantom, but tonight, as I came in the door, I was greeted by a tall gentleman in a tux & tails with an opera cape who looked quite spectacular.

    The occasion was a Masquerade Theme party for a volunteer group at our church that Scott is a part of. It will be interesting to hear about the other party goers as what costumes turned up for the event.

  • New Years Day


    Snow Shadows
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    It’s New Years Day 2007 and most folks have dug out from the major snow storm that slowed the city down quite a bit for New Years Eve day. We’ve just been relaxing around the house and talking. It’s quite sunny and fairly warm so I decide that some outdoor activity would be good.

    Up to this point there has been very little snow and it seems like a good opportunity to break out the snowshoes and go for a bit of a hike. I decide on going to a trail along side the Seine River that I frequently mountain bike in the summer. While driving over I find out that lots of streets have not yet been plowed. Ours was done sometime after 2am last night, but over on old St. Boniface, they are still waiting and the road passage is still single lane.

    Someone and their dog has already broken the trail, so I’m just “improving” it with the snowshoes. I’ve got the camera with me and the new iPod. I’d been thinking about getting one for some time, but was really not to excited about the cost of such a “toy”. Yesterday, some very unexpected money came my way, and I decided to splurge. So, while hiking along the trail I’ve been listening to the TEDTALKS podcasts, which are very enjoyable and stopping every once in a while to shoot some photos.

    It was a great outing. Next time I’ll remember the gaiters, as my jeans are soaked up to the knees from the snow flipping up my legs with every step in the deep powder snow.

    Happy New Year to all, I’m looking forward to the best year yet!


  • Snow Angel


    Snow Angel
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    As we were walking in St. Vital park, we came across somebody’s handy work in the snow. It’s good to see that there are still some “children” out there that don’t need to be plugged into an iPod, constantly on a cell phone or the latest game console to have fun. Come to think of it, I should have made another one right next to it! 🙂

  • Christmas 2006


    Family Walk at Bunns Creek
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    The best part of Christmas was being together as a family. The gifts were great, the food excellent and abundant, but for me this year it was more about the family that ever before.

    We had a great day. It started with Shirley & I exchanging gifts and going to visit Shirley’s mom at her house. Then we were back a our home and had brunch with Scott & Mandi. Right after that Eric and Dez arrived and we sent the rest of the day together which was wonderful. We opened presents and laughed a lot and just enjoyed everyones thoughtfulness and their company. After exchanging gifts we took a short drive over to a nice pathway and walked for about an hour. It was fairly warm this year at only about -8. Some little boys even hit the slide for some added fun.

    Back at the house we all played a new game given to us this Christmas, Settlers of Catan, and had lots of fun. Then it was time to prepare for dinner, which was the traditional turkey with all the standard favorites. The turkey seemed extra good this year and the meal was enjoyed by all. Post-dinner cleanup was followed by another rousing game of Scattegories, and some hilarious answers were given, right Scott? Things that are hidden…! I was given the first season of “House” on DVD so we rounded out the evening with the 1st episode and everyone snuggling under the blankets.

    We’re so blessed to have a wonderful, loving and caring family so close to us. Shirley and I really appreciate each member and their specialness and uniqueness as part of our family. Just seeing everyone together, having fun, laughing and enjoying each other was the best gift of all.

    Merry Christmas to all.

  • Christmas Eve 2006


    Christmas
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    Today is Christmas eve, and our preparations for Christmas day are almost complete. This morning I slept in a bit then got up, fixed a pot of coffee, and settled in to review last Wednesday’s church sermon on Spiritual Strength. I found the message quite encouraging and helpful for me and my current situation. I’m sure spending more time in the Word will help a lot.

    Afterwards, I received my “honey do” list for the day. Not too bad, wash the car and change the light bulb in the oven. This short a task list must mean we’re really ready for Christmas! So, after washing the car, vacuuming and  cleaning the carpets I headed over to Canadian Tire to get a  bulb for the stove. The store was not too busy, but I did get the sense that there were a lot of guys there shopping for their wives at the last minute. And no, I was not one of “them”.

    This afternoon I’ll relax a bit and wrap up a few last minute things and organize a special surprise for someone on Christmas. I was going to say Christmas morning but it’s more like afternoon these days. Eric & Dez are doing things at their house where they just moved in after extensive renovations, and Scott is spending Christmas eve & morning with Mandi and her parents. So, by the time we see kids eager for Christmas, I think that’s just Eric, it will be later in the day.

    This will bring a new tradition this year. For all of my Christmases to date, the family gathered together and we all exchanged gifts together. This year the kids will be exchanging their gifts to each other independently, and without us. As a result we’re decided to join the trend and Shirley and I will exchange our gifts to each other on Christmas morning, just the two of us. Hmmm, shades of more things to come? Perhaps more on how that turns out later.

    Tonight, I’ll be a our church running the sound system for the two Christmas eve services. It should be quite the evening. There have been many practices for this evening including two Saturdays that I’ve attended and a number of others for the drama teams, band and vocalists, not to mention the pyrotechnics. I’ll see if I can squeeze in some pictures, but considering that the service is only one hour, there is a lot going on.

    Afterwards, we’ll head over to our good friends the Ford’s to join their traditional Christmas Eve open house after church. Well, actually it’s just family and a few close friends, and were blessed to be considered a cross between family and close friends. This January will mark our 25th anniversary as friends. Sounds like a good reason for a party!

    Upon returning home we might squeeze in one more eggnog as “Santa” readies the various Christmas socks. Some traditions will live on forever, and this will be one of them. Nobody is too big or too old for a Christmas sock with crazy stuff!

    Watching the movie The Nativity Story on Friday was excellent. It was a very poignant reminder of the gift God gave us all in his son Jesus, and the part that Mary & Joseph had in bringing the miracle to the world.

    Merry Jesusmas!

  • Christmas Party House


    Christmas Party House
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

    Yesterday, Scott & Mandi hosted a Christmas Party at the house. The ice lights up the driveway were very impressive, and most guest commented quite favorably about the effect. I hear it was a very nice party, but we were out for the night. Thanks to Scott & Mandi’s generosity we went to Silver City and saw The Nativity Story