Are We There Yet?......

.......well, compared to when when I was in my twenties back in the 1970's,
I'd say we are.

Ron and I were at the beach yesterday and walked the shoreline
as there was just enough sand to be able to do so.

We walked to the end and started to head back
when we noticed another couple walking towards us.
This was not at all unusual as it was a beautiful almost springlike day.

As we passed each other, I noticed that it was two guys walking hand-in-hand
and not a male and female as my trained brain automatically assumed.

I would have acknowledged them with a nod of the head,
but they seemed pretty focused and content in moving along.

I thought how fortunate for them to be able to walk together
like other couples do on a spring day.....or any day for that matter.

So, are we there yet? 
Almost....it will take a few more years for it all to 'sink in'
and become accepted by our culture.
And, when nobody (even other gay people) will even notice
that two men or two women are showing publicly that they care about each other,
that will be when we humans have arrived.

Contemplative Monday

"The now can be the most beautiful moment.

It's so beautiful that you can hardly believe it's real."

....Thich Nhat Hanh (click to learn more)

Eclectic Tastes

Always good to hear some 'Chopin'
and even better when it is played by Vladimir Horowitz.

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone. 

Saturday Morning Post

'Springtime'  'gorgeous' weather continues.......

The ice is disappearing....

Reflections at home.....

A couple of hounds at the shop...

Slowly but surely...

Critters at the park....

A very important lighthouse at the mouth/entrance to Halifax Harbour....

Ships waiting to enter harbour....... taken from 40 km away

Top of MacDonald House.....

These next three photos were taken at 'Be Gorgeous'....

a shop in Halifax where my sister, Mim, works.

We visited her yesterday.

And who is THIS gorgeous fella?!!

I couldn't resist taking a few shots of the colourful product-line.

Thanks To El Nino

Compared to the last few winters, we are getting in a lot more walks/hikes

this year.....thanks to El Nino!

When in the city, Point Pleasant Park is our favourite place because number 1...it allows dogs in 90% of the park and number 2 it has a series of varied trails from beginner to advanced.

The past couple of years we have been sticking to the beginner ones

 because that was all Ron could handle.

But not this year! He is setting a very good pace for Sophie and I

and we are getting back into aerobic/cardio-vascular shape once again.

As we turned a corner today at the top of an incline, 

I took this shot of what remains of a British fortress from the early 1800's.

Pheasant Behind Glass?

This fella and his harem have been visiting us for a couple of years now.

They have a wonderful time foraging through the garden

for berries and whatever else they may find.

They are very quiet....until one surprises them!

Then, all hell hits the fan!

First off, they scare the living daylights out of us.....

especially Sophie who jumps in the air and proceeds to chase them.

We just duck down as they fly up over our heads.

Our area along the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia

has a very large population of these pheasants.

They are called Ring-Necked Pheasants

 and have been here since the 1800's.

Here is a link of their history in this part of the world:

http://www.novascotia.ca/natr/wildlife/conserva/ring-necked-pheasant.asp

The males are so colourful and very noisy when they are disturbed.

Sophie has gotten into the habit of barking before she enters the back garden

.......just to warn this fella that she is on her way through!!

Any wild critters that visit your place?

I know a few of you do have a few.

Let's hear about them......

Contemplative Monday

'Peace in oneself,

peace in the world.'

.....Thich Nhat Hanh