Crows

Crows are incredible  creatures as you probably already know.

The crows here were at Point Pleasant Park the other day and I learned from a dog-walker

that they recognize the people that feed them. As we were speaking

crows were in the nearest tree and looking down at her! She said this happens daily with her

and other `feeders`. I saw a documentary on CBC TV that reinforced this idea of recognition

which crows possess. If you have the time, in fact it is so good I`d

take the time to view it. It is called `A Murder of Crows`.
(Click on the CBC TV link above)

We have crows in our area here outside the city. They are creatures of habit. I have noticed

when we sometimes feed Sophie, our dog, outside in the morning, there is this one crow 

who will perch him or herself atop the same tree every time....I think hoping that Sophie will  

leave a few morsels behind. So far she hasn`t.

Lion In Winter?

It is not as bad here as this fella seems to feel.

Winter is a time to take a rest and plan for the spring and summer.

It's all perspective folks!

Contemplative Monday

The following quote is from:
'Heart Advice, Weekly Quotes from Pema Chodron'

HERE, NOW, ALWAYS

"This is a work in progress, a process of uncovering our 

natural openness, uncovering our natural intelligence 

and warmth.

I have discovered, just as my teachers always told me,

that we already have what we need.

The wisdom, the strength, the confidence, the awakened

heart and mind are always accessible, here, now, always.

We are just uncovering them. We are rediscovering them.

We're not inventing them or importing them

 from somewhere else.

They're here.

That's why when we feel caught in darkness, 

suddenly the clouds can part.

Out of nowhere we cheer up or relax, 

or experience the vastness of our minds.

No one else gives this to you.

People will support you and help you with teachings

and practices,

as they supported and helped me,

but you yourself experience your unlimited potential."

These are Tibetan Prayer Flags, in winter, sending prayers of

compassion and goodwill all over the community.

I really like the symbolism in this as they are a reminder

to me to be as compassionate as I can be.

Eclectic Tastes

Ashley MacIsaac was born and raised in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

He has had quite the varied career so far and has tried his best to 

stay clear of controversy......and is not always successful

at doing that. But despite his past, he remains an accomplished fiddler

and musician.

Party Time!!!

Let the PARTY begin!!!

Hi everyone! Welcome to 'OCEAN BREEZES'.

Along with most of you here, I have been invited
to this 'blog party' by our host Vicki to have a chance to 
get to know a few more bloggers. So here goes......

My name is Jim and I have been part of this 

wonderful 'blogishere' since 2010.

This is me and our dog, Sophie.

In 2009 I was forced to retire due to a brain injury

resulting from a fall while skating. No, I wasn't

wearing a helmet and recommend that we all

do when participating in any recreational sport.

I was a teacher for about 28 years before I retired.

I worked with a wide range of students with

'special needs'.....from academically challenged

to high functioning students in the autistic spectrum.

Teaching taught me to be patient, both in school and outside.

I must admit that I was more patient with my students 

than I was in my personal life most of the time.

But that is getting better! lol

So why do I blog. As I said I was kind of forced into it.

The nature of my injury was such that I needed to 

learn to focus my thoughts on something specific.

And I had to learn to spell again. You see, a hit on the head

can do some scrambling of that very sensitive 'tofu' mass

in our heads!

So for once, I listened to my husband, Ron, 

and started  a blog.

And since I consider myself an very amateur photographer,

I thought, hey, I could combine the two..........

writing and photography.

I have had a camera ever since I can remember.

For years I carried around an old Nikon F professional

35mm. I have a trunk load of negatives/photos to prove it!

I know all us bloggers do this for different reasons. And I

read many blog posts daily and see why people do this

on a regular basis.

And then there are the other bloggers we meet!
And one of my favourite and most talented
is Vicki from 'Two Bags Full'.

I am assuming most of you know her since
you are at this party she is throwing!! And 
if you don't and are just crashing this party, lol,
you must check out her blog and take a look at the talent
that this incredible and generous woman has.

So what's a party without music! And dance!
Here is a video that will get us all movin' and shakin'!
It is one I featured a few weeks ago here at 'ocean breezes':

Stay as long as you wish....this party could go on for a while.

Just to note, the photos in this post are taken from
some of my past posts.

I hope you enjoyed your visit and come back again.
Also, please check out the other 'party goers'......
I hear we have a 'full house'!!!

Saturday Morning Post

Below you will see a great recent photo of Halifax city downtown.
Just below centre you will see the new skating oval that is a `hit` and packed every day.

Now if you look to the top tip of the peninsula as the water turns to the right, this is our
favourite park...Point Pleasant Park.

That little strip of water reaching to the right is the Northwest Arm.
To the left is Halifax Harbour, the second deepest harbour in the world!! Honest!
I guess the deepest deepest in the NYC Harbour.

To give you some perspective-direction, if you look straight ahead you are looking to the
south east.

Now look to the left up there (geez I sound like a sergeant). We live down that shore about 30 km.
That`s one long row!!! lol

One last lesson and you all have been very cooperative students today I must say,
Across Halifax city is the city of Dartmouth. My family moved there when I was in
grade 11. It is called the `bedroom city` of Halifax.

One more....the entire area of Halifax, Dartmouth, suburbs and beyond is now called
the Halifax Regional Municipality or HRM for short.

Any questions?


Photo taken from the internet.

A Landmark Tower

This tower is a landmark here in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

It is called the Dingle Tower and can be found in Sir Sanford Fleming Park.

During our walk/hike the other day we circumnavigated the tower.

As you can see it was a 'spring-like' day.....the grass is still green!

Is it really the middle of January here?

I have posted about this Tower before and said that it was a popular

spot one that my father took us kids to on Sundays in the summer.

Back in those days this area was not a part of the city, it was in

Halifax county. It felt like we were going out into the country.

It is still a very popular spot to visit all year round but especially

during the summer months when one could swim at two beaches 

in the area. This Tower is almost completely surrounded by water.

In the summer you can walk to the top and catch a great view
of Halifax, the harbour and the Northwest Arm.