We thoroughly enjoyed a walk through an exotic sanctuary for Chilean flamingoes, mina birds, cockatiels, colorful parrots, black swans, mallard ducks spread out of acres and acres of palms and lush floral and fauna at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. The flamingoes gather in units and some stand more than four feet tall. The parrots sing and enjoy sitting on the arm, head or shoulder of tourists. Don’t try it without the bird guide.
Last week we spent time enjoying the grandeur and splendor of the hotels of Las Vegas, each unique and tantalizing. We stayed at The Paris and strolled the shops and promenades of the village captures of Provence. The great chef Gordon Ramsay has a steakhouse in the hotel and the menu was mouth-watering but the pocketbook not hungry enough. The hotel has a full-scale Arc d’Triomphe and a scaled down version of the Eiffel Tower. Spent lots of time walking along the famous Strip getting in a lot of exercise.
I came home longing for a return trip to the fabulous Mediterranean and to beautiful France, home of my ancestors.
This is a January winter sunrise over Calgary, Alberta. A chinook sky is a light warm breeze drifting over the city.when the Rocky Mountain breeze is sent from the Bow Valley through a natural wind tunnel meeting prairie wind. This phenomenon was first called by the Chinook natives to be a ‘snow eater’. In a normal winter we get more than thirty chinooks that in extreme temperatures suction the snow and moisture right before your eyes. Temperatures today won’t need more than a hoodie.
Looking forward to a lovely day and a chance to get a walk.
On a brisk Sunday morning we took the opportunity to stroll through Heritage Park and once again admire the days of yore celebrating the Christmas season. Canada’s history goes back to settlements along the St. Lawrence River in the late 1500’s and early 1600’s and settlement in western Canada almost two centuries later in the late 1800’s. The west is prairie from Manitoba to Alberta, but Calgary is blessed to be in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains and the warm winter chinook winds. Although in my travels to Ephesus where Jesus walked and Paul preached in the amphitheatre I was walking on soil from before Christ, it is hard to make a comparison. I treasure history no matter how ancient it is.
Demonstrations included handcrafted decorations from paper, pine cones, popcorn and ribbons as well as skilled candle makers and black smithy to enthused all ages. It was nice to see families out enjoying the day without walking with their heads down looking into iphones. I am thankful this Christmas for all my friends and family and how we can laugh together and sing carols at the gazebo on Christmas Eve. Seasons Greetings to all my followers and friends in hopes that you will be blessed with the spirit of giving and family. Best wishes, Shirley Burton. Note: I have now completed the Thomas York Series – refer to shirleyburtonbooks.com
I only recently heard parents talking about moving the elf and I was curious what it meant – something about an Elf on the Shelf. Then I saw a picture and exclaimed “that’s my elf” and I snapped this photo off my Christmas tree. A dear aunt of mine knew how much I loved books and gave me one in splendid Christmas wrap adorned with my folding elf. I have loved hanging him on my tree for fifty years and never thought that he was watching me. Of all my old ornaments, my little green elf is the only one I have kept over the years. He makes me smile.
Our Canadian cenotaph at the Ottawa Soldier’s Memorial was honored by Princess Anne this morning. It is a sombre feeling thinking about parents and grandparents who suffered loss in WW1 and WW2 and stirs renewed patriotism to our country. In Flanders Fields the poppies grow, between the crosses row on row, that mark our places in the sky…For the soldiers that fight for freedom, I send my prayers.
The above is an old postcard from the 1930’s showing our Parliament Buildings at Ottawa standing behind.
God Bless!
In Canada we have experienced an attack on our Parliament Buildings in Ottawa at the Soldiers’ Memorial Monument. Fortunately, our valiant Sergeant-at-Arms of the government was cool headed and within fourteen minutes of the breach in the Halls of Honor, Kevin Viccars fired three shots into the perpetrator killing him. This situation has opened up a new sensitivity around the world to protect our governments and protect our young people from terrorists recruiters. I am proud to be a Canadian, to live in a free country, to have a military ready to defend us, to be able to honor the religion of our choice and look forward to a democratic future for our grandchildren.
Patriotism filled the stands at last night’s Calgary Flames hockey game, the return of the team from a road trip. The unfurling of our red Maple Leaf flag and singing of ‘O Canada’ was a moving tribute to the two Canadian soldiers lost this week.
God Bless you wherever you are and bless the leaders of your country and your soldiers that defend you.
I love summer – time to relax, enjoy peaceful calm and unite my soul with nature. The best time is in the morning when the sun is glistening over the lake and you can hear the ripple of the water disturbed by beaver, loons landing, sun fish leaping, and the tall crane surveying the bulrushes. Hold the cottage and those thoughts for next summer.
Peace and quiet allowing our souls to unite with nature and God. Looking into the water I feel the tears of my past, sadness in the depth, and solitude as the water drifts into eternity. The mountains give me strength and resolution. I feel nurtured.
The majestic Rocky Mountains, first glimpse on our way to Canmore and Banff. The mountains have a magnetic effect on the soul feeling the power of nature. Alberta is blessed with big high open blue skies a good dose of Vitamin E to keep your mental attitude in sinc. I always come home feeling renewed peace after speeding a few hours or a few days in the Rockies.
Shirley Burton 