China and India …

China and India sounded a new optimistic tone in their relationship … as they signed an agreement to boost meetings between their militaries to avoid any repeat of this year’s tense standoff along their disputed Himalayan border.

The accord followed a meeting in Beijing between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who also had trade ties on the agenda as India seeks to gain greater access to Chinese markets and readjust a trade balance tilted heavily toward China. …

China, India Sign Border Cooperation Agreement

India China

never say never …

Elaine was quite sure she’d not return to coaching Gymnastics.

But here she is. It could be 1990 all over again. :-).

ET coaching

Elaine coaching

related – Sandy was just as sure she’d never be a cycle commuter. 🙂

Sandy

NY writer likes Saskatoon

New York based travel writer Michael Kaplan is getting much love for his article on my second home town:

saskatoon--300x200
… next morning, we stroll across Broadway Bridge to the Broadway District, where cute shops and bakeries abound. We settle down at Broadway Roastery (broadwayroastery.com) for cups of strong coffee and locally baked muffins.

Then it’s back to the other side of the river for a quick run through Saskatoon Farmers Market (saskatoonfarmersmarket.com), where, inside, you get stunningly authentic Vietnamese summer rolls and perfectly gooey cinnamon buns, while brilliant cherries and sweet plums shipped up from Vancouver are to be had on the outside.

The whole thing is soundtracked by a busking guitarist cruising from the Eagles to Elvis to Merle Haggard. Alongside him, a grill man named Johnny Hollywood makes pretty good brats and burgers. …

read more – Canada’s ’Tooned in

Surprises in Saskatoon? You betcha!

hiking Waterton

Brian and I took two of his sons and a friend to Waterton National Park. None of the teens had been there before.

Waterton Crypt

We took them first to a classic destination – Red Rock Canyon.

Henry
Henry

Jack
Jack & Brian

Next day we did Canada’s Best Hike 1982 – Crypt Lake.

Brian
Brian

Akamina Parkway has been closed all season. The road washed out.

Waterton’s my favourite National Park

Sharon MASON – rest in peace

Sharon Mason (née Smith), born August 23, 1933, died peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, August 15, 2013. Born in Humboldt, Saskatchewan to Ralph and Kay, Sharon was the eldest of six …

Sharon loved her work as a music and elementary school teacher with Calgary Board of Education where she taught from 1972 to 1994. She loved to sing, anytime and anywhere: her special joy was to be a longtime member of the Knox Church Choir. For many years, she helped to organize the Knox CBC Carol Festival, and volunteered with Inn From The Cold. Many thanks to all at the Beverly Centre Lake Midnapore for their loving care and attention. Although it took so much from her, even Alzheimer’s could not defeat her loving spirit and sense of fun. …

obituary

Sharon

recent photo by Jessica Barnes, a new Mom herself.

Ron and I had breakfast before the funeral. We’d known Sharon for over 35 years, yet could not recall a single moment of anger.

She was loving and tolerant. Ron considers her a role model for his own parenting.

more Port Townsend photos

This is the last of them. 🙂

Diana training for her upcoming 50 miler
Diana training for her upcoming 50 miler

I’ve seen a LOT of wild animals in my day. But very few raccoons.

Racoons

That’s the family that tried to take up residence in Carrie’s treehouse.

flowers

berries

Nice place to retire …

more random Port Townsend, Washington photos

Jeni likes nearby Sequim as a retirement town. She grew up there.

Sequim lies within the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains and receives on average less than 16 inches (410 mm) of rain per year—about the same as Los Angeles, California—and has given itself the nickname of Sunny Sequim. …