‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ is the slogan of the complacent, the arrogant or the scared. It’s an excuse for inaction, a call to non-arms. -- Colin Powell
Wednesday, October 6
Quote of the Day
Caroline forwarded me an article that starts with a great quote, one that I would like to share with everyone:
Friday, October 1
Who Let the Dog Out?
I woke up this morning much like other mornings. That is to say, after many presses of snooze. I then went to the bathroom and got dressed. At this point I am beginning to feel that the morning is not like others, but I cannot put my finger on what is different.
I go downstairs and now I know what is different. Nico has not yet greeted me--this only happens if I am up at 6:30, which was not the case this morning. I notice the basement door is open so I go check to see if he took the opportunity to sleep on the basement couch. No such luck.
Where is that dog?
I return to the main floor to see a bouncing dog at the back window. I let him in and he gives me a grand welcome. It was a greeting reminiscent of returns from extended trips.
Who let the dog out? And when?
Only a dog would still be happy to see you after being locked outside all night.
I go downstairs and now I know what is different. Nico has not yet greeted me--this only happens if I am up at 6:30, which was not the case this morning. I notice the basement door is open so I go check to see if he took the opportunity to sleep on the basement couch. No such luck.
Where is that dog?
I return to the main floor to see a bouncing dog at the back window. I let him in and he gives me a grand welcome. It was a greeting reminiscent of returns from extended trips.
Who let the dog out? And when?
Only a dog would still be happy to see you after being locked outside all night.
Monday, September 27
Navilyn Plants a Tree
Over the weekend we acquired a couple of second-hand bushes from the Vnouceks. "Acquire" glosses over the hours of digging in George's front garden, but that part wasn't the exciting part. Sunday morning Navilyn and I had the job of replanting the two bushes.
Navilyn discovered a wonderful new tool...a rake:
When I got one of the holes dug Navilyn thought she should ensure that it was deep enough:
With the hard work of planting the bushes done it was time to fly around the yard
before trying to escape
Additional photos can be found in the related set on Flickr.
Navilyn and I are happy with the job we had done, but then Joy arrived home from mountain biking. She points out that I have the dead-spot facing out. Sigh. And that I should have planted it two feet to the right. Double sigh. A little more playing in the dirt for me...
Navilyn discovered a wonderful new tool...a rake:
When I got one of the holes dug Navilyn thought she should ensure that it was deep enough:
With the hard work of planting the bushes done it was time to fly around the yard
before trying to escape
Additional photos can be found in the related set on Flickr.
Navilyn and I are happy with the job we had done, but then Joy arrived home from mountain biking. She points out that I have the dead-spot facing out. Sigh. And that I should have planted it two feet to the right. Double sigh. A little more playing in the dirt for me...
Monday, September 21
Navilyn at Eleven Months
It has been a while since I have posted any photos of my little beauty, so without further adieu.
Sunday, September 20
Friendsfest 2009
This past weekend was the second annual Friendfest. Last year George & Carolyn thought it would be a good idea for a group of extended friends to get together and camp for a weekend in one of the local conservation areas or provincial parks. Last year was a bit of a bust due to the late planning and people--such as myself--being unavailable. George & Carolyn had a good time--as far as I know.
This year the planning started earlier and it was decided to camp, this past weekend, at Conestogo Lake Conservation Area. The number of respondents was high: 3 couples camping two or three more confirmed for the Saturday evening potluck.
Unfortunately, due to a bad cold and cold weather forecast George and Carolyn decided it was unwise to camp Friday night (and ultimately Saturday as well). Joy, Navilyn, and I decide that we will still camp both nights and we head out late Friday. Despite the late start we manage to get camp set up and Navilyn to bed before she got too upset at the late hour (I am thankful that our destination was a short drive from home). With Navilyn in bed Joy and I made dinner over the fire: the always popular sandwiches in the camp cookers (some may know them as pie-irons). The evening was cold, but Navilyn was sleeping well, the fire warm and the stars amazing (the wine too). All seems to be going well...
Night one did not continue to unfold as well as the early evening. Navilyn decided that as soon as we wanted to go to bed, that she would want to not be in bed...or the tent. The short story is that none of us slept much that first night and that the stars are very clear all throughout the night.
Even with the little amount of sleep acquired during the night, Navilyn thought I should get up at 8 (consider that the two of us were up from four through six sitting not in the tent). It turned out to be fortunate that I was forced from the tent when I was. As the sun rose above the trees a fog also rose from the neighbouring river. I took this opportunity to regain my camera mojo.
Navilyn and I spent the next hour and a half walking around our part of the conservation area--camera in hand and baby on my back (some of the results are included below and on Flickr).
Early Morning Camp
Birds Over the River
Red Maple Leaf
The remainder of the morning followed a more normal camp morning: coffee was brewed, Joy emerges from the tent, bacon & eggs fried up, and books are read. And thankfully Navilyn falls asleep for a much needed nap.
Early in the afternoon Caroline & Justin arrive shortly followed by the other Wightmans (Mom, Dad, and Joel) and the Vnouceks. What had so far been "Wightman's Camping" officially transitioned into Friendfest 2009...
I am ending my post here since I am sure someone else (George? Carolyn? Caroline?) will do a much better job of blogging about it.
P.S.
Navilyn slept much better the second night. We discovered during the afternoon that she was much more content to sleep in her car seat: so when night came we lined her car seat with blankets added a baby and covered with many more blankets. No more problems with her kicking off her blankets and becoming cold and waking up. Net result much better sleep for all.
P.P.S.
We should plan these camping trips before we are getting frost on the ground at night.
P.P.P.S.
After the potluck the group expanded again when Janice & Chris and Alex & Jody joined us around the fire.
P.P.P.P.S.
No need to call child services, Navilyn and her car-seat were in the tent.
P.P.P.P.P.S
I think I am getting to many P's in my P.S. Anyway, despite the cold nights we had a good time at Friendfest and will be at the 3rd annual one next year.
This year the planning started earlier and it was decided to camp, this past weekend, at Conestogo Lake Conservation Area. The number of respondents was high: 3 couples camping two or three more confirmed for the Saturday evening potluck.
Unfortunately, due to a bad cold and cold weather forecast George and Carolyn decided it was unwise to camp Friday night (and ultimately Saturday as well). Joy, Navilyn, and I decide that we will still camp both nights and we head out late Friday. Despite the late start we manage to get camp set up and Navilyn to bed before she got too upset at the late hour (I am thankful that our destination was a short drive from home). With Navilyn in bed Joy and I made dinner over the fire: the always popular sandwiches in the camp cookers (some may know them as pie-irons). The evening was cold, but Navilyn was sleeping well, the fire warm and the stars amazing (the wine too). All seems to be going well...
Night one did not continue to unfold as well as the early evening. Navilyn decided that as soon as we wanted to go to bed, that she would want to not be in bed...or the tent. The short story is that none of us slept much that first night and that the stars are very clear all throughout the night.
Even with the little amount of sleep acquired during the night, Navilyn thought I should get up at 8 (consider that the two of us were up from four through six sitting not in the tent). It turned out to be fortunate that I was forced from the tent when I was. As the sun rose above the trees a fog also rose from the neighbouring river. I took this opportunity to regain my camera mojo.
Navilyn and I spent the next hour and a half walking around our part of the conservation area--camera in hand and baby on my back (some of the results are included below and on Flickr).
Early Morning Camp
Birds Over the River
Red Maple Leaf
The remainder of the morning followed a more normal camp morning: coffee was brewed, Joy emerges from the tent, bacon & eggs fried up, and books are read. And thankfully Navilyn falls asleep for a much needed nap.
Early in the afternoon Caroline & Justin arrive shortly followed by the other Wightmans (Mom, Dad, and Joel) and the Vnouceks. What had so far been "Wightman's Camping" officially transitioned into Friendfest 2009...
I am ending my post here since I am sure someone else (George? Carolyn? Caroline?) will do a much better job of blogging about it.
P.S.
Navilyn slept much better the second night. We discovered during the afternoon that she was much more content to sleep in her car seat: so when night came we lined her car seat with blankets added a baby and covered with many more blankets. No more problems with her kicking off her blankets and becoming cold and waking up. Net result much better sleep for all.
P.P.S.
We should plan these camping trips before we are getting frost on the ground at night.
P.P.P.S.
After the potluck the group expanded again when Janice & Chris and Alex & Jody joined us around the fire.
P.P.P.P.S.
No need to call child services, Navilyn and her car-seat were in the tent.
P.P.P.P.P.S
I think I am getting to many P's in my P.S. Anyway, despite the cold nights we had a good time at Friendfest and will be at the 3rd annual one next year.
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