PRIDE 2017: Help for Aging LGBT People

Meet Marsha!

Marsha is the Education Director for Training to Serve, a social service company that works to provide education, tools, and resources to LGBT people as they age.   They are connected to another group working to address concerns about dementia.  For more on this organization, click here.

It was lovely meeting you, Marsha!

PRIDE 2017: Beauty and Skin Care

Meet Kayla and Christy.

They were representing Rodan and Fields.  R&F is a skin care company that was founded by two doctors, Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields in 2002.  They market primarily through independent consultants and it is one of the fastest growing companies in the market. 

It was a pleasure meeting you both!  

Pride 2017: Suicide Prevention

Meet Cody (the dog) and Amanda and Becky (the humans!)

They were representing the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  

It was lovely meeting you both. And, thank you for the wonderful job you do.  

Back to Pride! Planned Parenthood Representatives

Meet Lucy and Cate!

They were volunteering their time at the Pride festival.  Cate is a teacher in both Middle School and High School.   They both love their summers!

Thanks for your time, ladies!   It was my pleasure meeting you.

Distance and Clarity

Late last week, I went to a large garden/park some distance away.   I decided I need to get motivated.  So, I threw the camera in the car and away I went.

I really like this first image.  The tree is probably 150 yds away from me.   But, it looks nearly miniature.  It looks as if it was taken with a tilt-shift lens.  I like it.

Walking around to the right of this photo I could get closer to the green algae on the pond.   And yes, that is really green.  It is the life-blood of all kinds of little creatures!

Including a turtle baking in the sun....almost unnoticed.

Sometimes, it is amazing what you see when you get close.   But, never lose your perspective.  It helps you keep your bearings.

Transitions: Farmers are Farmers the World Over

One of the things I noticed as I was wandering about the farmers looking at the equipment about to go on auction, is that they were just like farmers I had known years ago and in another country.  Well, some of these guys spoke French.  That was new!

But, there was an earthiness about them.  A matter-of-fact way of looking at the world that I've seen before.

I guess they know how much of life can be rather random.  Some good.  Some not so good.

But, in spite of the uncertainty of tomorrow, they were there.   Looking forward to a future with new equipment that just might give them a better edge over life's randomness.

Maybe there is hope for the world, after all.

Transitions

I found out a couple of weeks ago that the company I worked for no longer needed me.   I was...shall we say....not pleased.

Regardless, it was a job...and not my life.   So, I am in transition.

As I was adjusting, I made a trip "up north" to see friends of mine.  There was a reason I went.  He was retiring from farming and he had put most of his farm equipment up for sale at an auction.  I wanted to be there.

That beautiful yellow flower is canola.  That's what he grew.  Oh, I think he had some corn and maybe some winter wheat.  But, he had a lot of land with canola.

If you've never seen a farm auction, you should.  It was fascinating.   I watched a man's entire career come down to dollars in 2 hours.

When it was over, I sat with him in his farm house and we shared a beer. 

And, we talked about transitions. 

We will both be OK. 

Thanks C.   And thanks A, for inviting me.   It was lovely.

Backyard Visitors

I was working away in my basement a few days ago when I caught a glimpse of movement in the yard. 

I haven't seen turkey's in quite a few years!  It was nice to see them wandering around. 

 I had to shoot these images through a patio door.  So, they aren't quite a crisp as they should be.  But, then again, I didn't have a lot of time!

Pride 2017: VA Support

Meet Jen and Jenna!

They were in a booth supporting veterans.   They were happy to be there and were thinking about how much fun their dogs would have at the event!

It was lovely meeting you both.

My Brother's Birthday is Today!

Happy birthday little brother!

You haven't changed a bit.

Pride 2017: Pediatric Mental Health

One of the things that amazes me when I walk around the Pride festival, is that generally, people are very open and caring.  That was supported by the volume of booths present offering help to humans and animals, from food, to psychological, to spiritual.

Meet Jill.

She was from the Prairie Care facility.  It specializes in mental health for children.   They offer a variety of services.  But, camping is always popular.  Jill is their clinic care coordinator.

It was a pleasure meeting you!

Pride 2017: Caring for Animals

Meet Colleen.

And meet Ceci

They were representing Urban Tails Pet Supply, a very pet friendly local store that focuses on high quality food for your pets.  This is a family owned business.  And, they were sincerely passionate about caring for pets.

It was a pleasure meeting you both!

Canada Day

Today is Canada Day.  Today, Canada celebrates it's birth, in 1867.  My understanding is that technically isn't exactly correct.  But, most Canadians will consider it the founding of Canada with a formal document that united three large provinces.  It was, however, still a British colony until 1982,

I get a chance to visit Canada often in my job.  And, I like going there.  I especially like Winnipeg.  It has a smaller, home town feel to it.   I have friends there.  And, I am not sure it is possible to walk down the street without them running into someone they know.

My Winnipeg friends are delightful, charming, hospitable, and more than willing to discuss American politics.  They have pointed out to me that most Canadians know a lot more about the US than the US citizen knows about Canada.  And, they are right.

So, I learned the provinces.   And, I learned a few of the prime ministers.  And, I listen to their news.  And, I watch their hockey.  I keep forgetting how many innings are in a hockey game.  But, they don't throw me out.

Happy Canada Day my friends.  I will see you in July!