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Tuesday, 24 November 2009
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POINTING NORTH
A number of breeds from the far north are collectively called spitz dogs. Spitz is German for “pointed,” in this case referring to a pointed muzzle. Other characteristics shared by spitz-type dogs are prick ears, a thick double coat, a bushy curled tail, and a robust and confident personality.
Huskies, Norwegian Elkhounds, Akitas, and Pomeranians are all spitz dogs.
From my "page a day calendar" on dogs...
Monday, 23 November 2009
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The new gate....
Need I say more
but after the carpenter and my prep work no more bungy cords and wire
but new hinges, green paint and easily opening latch.
Saturday, 21 November 2009
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Migration....it's that time of year
The afternoon dog romp on the porch was interrupted by overhead calls. Nanuq stopped dead 
and I managed to catch these migrating Canada geese heading south. 
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STUFF TO DO IN YARD BEFORE SNOW FLIES
This was my list for yesterday: 
- BAG LEAVES IN FRONT YARD
- USE LAWNMOWER TO GET LEAVES ON OTHER SIDE OF FENCE
- LOAD IN BACK OF CAR
- INDDOR PLANTS RE POTTED ON BACK PORCH
- EMPTIES IN BOXES OR BACK OF CAR TO DEPOT
- SPACE ON WORK BENCH IN GARAGE
- POTS UNDERNEATH
- TOMATO WIRES IN GARAGE
- GARDEN TOOLS IN GARAGE
- REMINDER ABOUT BIKE TIRE
And these are some shots of how far I got in the last few days....
This gate has always been a problem & used wire and bungy cords to secure.... 
some prep work before the carpenter coming. My front fence needing to be repaired as someone probably ran into it. 
Mid november afternoon hauled out the green trim paint. 
Instructions for mail man and others as gate unstable.
Tools in garage from back yard abit of pre-snow organization.
This morning it snowed
so I am shovelling, 
off the the bottle depot, lawnmower hospital and hopefully home before carpenter arrives to fix the gate!
Thursday, 19 November 2009
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Haven't named her yet but....
the new "used" station wagon
is getting the breaks and winter tires
and needed fluid changes.
The other afternoon I had to wait for a pick up from the garage and caught this great sky as sun set is closer to 5 PM now.
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
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A different perspective after a bike run with dogs...
....both the dogs getting some attention from a cyclist who had parked his bike nearby
....just like this photo I took through window of Wild Earth cafe!
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
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Dogventures and the usual ravine runs....
Just a few shots 
as the girls coming in 
the back of the wagon and enjoying their runs 
and dips in wet creek not yet frozen over 
Friday, 13 November 2009
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Not a love affair but practical....
as I have finally purchased a vehicle before the snow flies, my insurance expires next month and room for the dogs!
It has been an interesting process and one I probably do not want to repeat for a while.
Did I learn some new things?- Yes, the internet in an invaluable tool for checking out different models, years such as AMA info on liens and history check e.g. reports from Car Fax, to Google images of each ( I am very visual and discovered hatch back and wagon are very different ) and Auto Trader and Kijiji ads in my area. However it was humorous as one ad got misplaced and discovered it was a lady from NFLD who was willing to pay shipping if I bought her late 90s used vehicle!
- Also learned the wholesale and retail prices are important to know when dealing privately....what the seller would get on a trade in vs. the price a dealer would sell the car for.....
- That as a single middle aged woman I can hold my own in asking intelligent questions on used cars
- What ABS stands for and the repeated flashing light on the dash is likely a computer or fuse glitch.
- That as much as I did alright test driving 5 speed manual such as a 2008 Hyundai and 1995 honda civic hatch back or 1998 VW Passat, not the best choice in the long run....consideration stopped on a hill in the middle of winter with 2 active dogs in the back would I be distracted???? YES...choose an automatic!
Is this a stressful emotional process?- Yes if pressed for time and with too many choices
- Yes I have met a number of private sellers and usually get their own personal stories and history of the vehicles...sometimes I can trust my intuition and sometimes I may be gullible.
- I really loved the Volvo 850 T 1995 ( see last blog ) and all the features, especially heated seats and well maintained but pushing my upper limits on the budget, a higher mileage and in the long run may have cost me more in repairs.
- As I wrote in facebook: looking for a good used vehicle is somewhat like pregnancy as it generates everyone else's stories and advice but the end result is still uniquely your own.
So here is the new addition 2000 Ford Taurus SE wagon with about 181, 000 kms.
Yesterday I was pretty wound up as I dashed about with the rental car getting insurance renewal and plates, did not get an inspection before purchase and driving very slowly home from the north end of the city in the dark worried about breaks and power steering. It has sat in a garage for about 6 months and needed complete winterizing and coolant flushing from Lubex done this morning and after the insurance inspection and new battery, will need new rear tires and some front break work scheduled for Monday afternoon.
But the guys at A-1 tire and battery reassured me it is in good shape and I made a good decision.
So not a love affair or any pet names or heated seats but practical and basic with room for the dogs
and fit into the garage.
Thursday, 12 November 2009
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So many mothers wait in vain today....
"Canadian casualties in the Second World War topped 40,000 and hundreds more have died in the Boer War, the Korean War, in Afghanistan and in peacekeeping duties.
Today, we honour their memory. We stand in silence and we remember them.
Some say the Canadian government should make observation of two minutes of silence on Remembrance Day mandatory, but veterans say that would be against the very ideals for which the soldiers fought. They fought for freedom--whether it be freedom to stand silent or freedom to protest."
From November 11 editorial Edmonton Journal
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
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Another camera addict....
Birthdays can be fun
and especially with the younger teen set...we older folk stopped counting a while ago!
Such was the situation last night with the grand daughter. Doing her usual overnight at my place for yoga also coincided with a birthday celebration.....the "Scorpio" Teddy was fun
but reaching further in the bag brought out a new digital RED Canon camera 
complete with RED carrying case 
and much excitement! So another camera addict in the family is on her way....
On my way heading out the door
made some apple pear sauce from pickings this summer for the Potluck dinner of our OFRE group ( Operation Fruit Rescue Group Edmonton ) at the Strathcona library. 
Stories and good food was shared with someplanning for next season. Frozen apple sauce, pear juice and cherry, apple, gooseberry jams also for the take home. 
This group started this summer to help and share some of the local fruit that owners do not pick...1/3 to owner, 1/3 to food bank or other charity and 1/3 to pickers.
More volunteers needed for next summer but at least a beginning....
and love this outside shot of the library.
NORTHERN MEANDERINGS..FROM ALBERTA TO NUNAVUT
WHY I BLOG....
A native Edmontonian, my year is split between here & the arctic. Blogging since 2003 and hopefully relieving my friends and family of those group emails, this site is primarily a personal photo blog of these " Northern Meanderings " & at times some other rants.
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED are my own & DO NOT necessarily reflect those of my family, church, other social workers, employers, government, two pet huskies, etc.
To find Nunavut & other northern bloggers...
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About Me
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Canadian and loving life in the north whether home base in Alberta or farther north. Thus mostly a photo blog of some of my meaderings. Since 2002 have had the opportunity to contract work as a " relief " social work in the Nunavut...stints both at Christmas & in the summer, each 3 - 12 weeks - Kugluktuk, the main community of doing this casual coverage, but this past few years have been in the Baffin region, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet & Arctic Bay, Kimmirut & in the Kivalliq, Arviat and Rankin Inlet. In the city, have both a part time counselling private practise & do social work coverage at one of the local hospitals. Enjoy the flexibility of this work schedule but do not have the pension or other security benefits that many of my other colleagues may have. Enjoy hiking on the tundra, taking photos of the arctic flowers or ice in the bay. Since summer of 2006 discovered the joys & convenience of digital photography. Dogs & bikes in the summer & x-c skis in winter.
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Pulse
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Foggily surfaced to thinking it was Saturday only to discover it is still Friday & means will really have to hit messy office!
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it's a long way home but your love is better than ice cream...whose lyrics? great outdoor concert tonight!
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Went hiking yesterday with Koda & swimming , lovely to cool off & challenging with a 60 lb goofy lab who thinks you are a playmate!
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