Happy New Year. Well it was an interesting end to the year for me, how was it for you? Did you go out and celebrate with friend(s) or family or both? Did you stay at home? Order in food or cook something special? Watch a movie and New Year’s Eve program? Well on December 31st, I received a phone call late in the morning from one of my friends asking me if I wanted to go for a walk. My friend Lucy. She is a neighbour of another friend Pauline. When she asked I thought she meant in the neighbour and with Alvin but she had other ideas. We finally got it sorted out and what she was really asking was if I wanted to walk near the River Valley. There is an access point less than a 10 minute drive from my house. I had never been there and had no idea what to expect. But I figured, I should get out and let her know that I would take Alvin out first and then I could be ready for 2:00 p.m., if that was okay with her. A plan was set. I went over in my head a list of items that I should wear for my 1-2 hour walk. Winter boots of course, winter coat, scarf, lighter gloves and pair of mitts and a hat. I normally do not wear a hat but this time, I figured that I would wear one and it worked out well. In hindsight, the only item that I could have used was my ice picks for my boots. The trail was not icy but it might have given me a bit more traction climbing up the slopes/hills. Back to the beginning. Lucy picked me up just before 2:00 p.m. and I said goodbye to Mr. Alvin. He had been outside for a pee and had water so he was good for a few hours. I also put up a baby gate to upstairs. The thought of him slipping when I was not at home, was not one that I wanted. We chatted during the course of the drive. Then we were there. Two cars were parked at the entrance so we pulled in behind. Next thing I know we were walking downhill taking in the most exquisite sites of nature. The trees were covered in frost and as the sun was shining but not too brightly they appeared to be almost grey. Such a beautiful sight. We both stopped to take some photos. We did a couple of selfies along the way. There was a bridge along the way over the river, the North Saskatchewan River, I believe. The trees were so thick and with the water being frozen over; it was not easy to see the “actual water” but we could see the bottom. We were walking up and down and down and up and then came the greatest incline and I could feel the breath being sucked out of me. Definitely not in great shape. I can walk on a flat surface for a long time but when you add an incline, man, I could feel it. But I did it and was very proud. Once we came out on the other side, Lucy asked if I would like to keep walking and take in the neighbourhood which was filled with huge brand new homes and some even being in the midst of construction, so we continued. Some of the sidewalks were shovelled and others were not. We both were in awe of Mother Nature. Decorative grasses were heavy with frost and looking more beautiful than during the summertime. The branches of trees were heavy with the frost and in some places, the frost was so heavy on the small branches that the slightest of breezes was making it snow. The air was warm for this time of year. I believe it was about minus 9 celsius which is perfect for walking. When we came to the end – we turned around and went back. There is something about going home that makes it much easier than going. The incline did not seem so high. We stopped along the way out taking photos and admiring Mother Nature’s achievements. I am so grateful to Lucy for calling. She had wanted to take one last walk at the River Valley for 2022. Then I was home. We said our goodbyes and she was on her way. Lucy will be at work and already working for a hour and a bit. Alvin was happy to have me back home.
I let Alvin outside for a pee and then we snuggled for a bit before time to think about supper. I think it was about 3:45 when I arrived home. Suppertime arrived and I feed Mr. Alvin and then prepared my supper. After deciding on roasted vegetables, I prepared them and popped them into the oven. During the time supper was cooking, I decided to see if I would be able to transfer the information/data from my old computer to this one. Well I was able to do so but was sad to find out that my new computer does not have enough memory to hold my 45,000 + photos. They are on the cloud and on another online data storage facility but I no longer have access to them at my fingertips. I will have to figure something out. Clearly I need to go through them and weed out the poor shots and the duplicates. I know that for a time some of the photos were duplicated when uploaded/downloaded whichever it is called. Anyway, I was able to set up the new computer all by myself. In between, I went downstairs and checked on dinner.
I am having company for coffee at 10:00 a.m. and it is almost 9:00 so I need to sign off as the shower is calling me.
The sky is painted pretty oranges and pinks this morning. Oh, we did not stay up until midnight last night. I was too tired. I watched Guardians of the Galaxy before heading to bed about 9:30 and sent off a few texts to family and friends wishing them a Happy New Year. Of course, after I was tucked away in bed, I remembered a few more that I forgot but I just could not drag my body up to send another text. Today I will send messages with wishes for a Happy New Year. Also, if someone calls you out of the blue and wants to do something that is a bit out of your wheelhouse, say “yes.”
I did try to see if I was able to “air drop” my photos from yesterday’s adventure onto this new computer but Miss Siri was not too helpful. I will try again later.
Happy New Year. All the Best for 2023. This year is going to be the best one yet.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Happy New Year with Love Carol & Alvin
My New Life @ 51 