Midsummer Day farmyard walk, Southern Alberta
We've never walked the farm perimeter, but we walk the yard and the coulees on most visits. It had been a flawlessly summery day, this first day of summer. Now thunder rumbled to the southwest. We saw both great horned owls fly. The whitetailed fawn was nearby with its mother. A flock of blackbirds chased a large kingfisher. A storm was approaching and mosquitoes swarmed, sending us in early for gin & tonics, hoping the storm would come close enough to watch.

Johnston Canyon, Banff, Alberta
First hike of the year. The nourishment of the trees and mountain air, and the delicious sense of normalcy to be hiking with friends were intoxicating. We climbed the trail, passing several waterfalls and few other hikers, until we arrived at the top, where we enjoyed spectacular mountain views, mysterious pools called the Ink Pots, and 20 minutes of rest before it started to rain lightly. The downward walk made different muscles ache than the way up, reminded some of  us of aging joints, and gave me a blister the size of a silver dollar on my heel - and it was all a complete delight.

Pavan Park, Lethbridge, Alberta
The Pavan loop is a regular and favourite walk, but this time around it was a scenic tour.  Is it summer coming that makes everything so extraordinarily full of light and life?

Fleetwood & London Road Neighbourhoods, Lethbridge, Alberta
After repotting my prolific aloe vera (one of the few things that came with me from New Mexico when I moved here in my little old truck), I walked though my neighbourhood distributing its offspring to various neighbours who wanted one.  It's not that I'm unaware of the enormous pain and the impossibly difficult problems in the world right now, but it feels sane and healthy to connect with my own neighbourhood and the people in it in these small ways. Not really helping the big picture, which feels completely beyond my control and renders me unable to budge from my couch some days, but helping me feel more connected and appreciative.  Which in some tiny way must generate a fraction more contentment and love available in the world.