A Story - "Goals" and Mulberry Tree , and Dramatic Sunset

 A Story

Goals

"So much money, so much fuss. It's just a ball getting kicked around and maybe going into a net.  

Fine for kids but it seems a bit excessive for adults.  A lot of money changing hands though, what with betting being involved.

Oh well, let's watch the highlights of the Canadian game. TSN is putting up short videos on Youtube of the crucial moments.

It's surprisingly entertaining to watch the highlights of the game. Hum, maybe I could watch some other videos.  Soon I am familiar with the names of star players : Messi, Mbappe, Haaland.  I find out that Messi is 39 years old. That's impressive. I watch a video about his life and find out that he was a small boy from a working class Argentinian family. He was missing growth hormones and his family couldn't afford to pay for them. Eventually a soccer club paid for them. He grew to 5'7" - still quite short. He had to really develop his technique because he wasn't as big or strong as the other boys. In 2022, he helped Argentina win the World Cup. Honestly, his life is like a Disney movie.

Maybe I'll find out more about Mbappe and Haaland.

Now the games are not just about a ball whizzing around a field.  It is about real people with dreams, gifts and challenges.  It's about life. "

I discovered a while ago that we have a mulberry tree on the property.  I cut away some buckthorn from one side and now you can see the lovely graceful shape of the mulberry tree.

The tree is full of berries.  They ripen gradually over time and most of the ripe ones have been picked off by the birds and squirrels.

Here you can see the deep purple colour of a ripe mulberry.  I tried one and it tasted a lot like a strawberry with a hint of raspberry.  No wonder the birds love them so much.

Here is a robin, who blends in quite well with the tree, having a snack. We have a pair of robins that live in our front yard.  We see them all the time, picking up bugs off the lawn and then flying over to the mulberry tree for dessert.

So many lovely sunsets at our house.  This one was especially striking.

A Story. - Lightning.

 Since I get fewer views on Youtube than I get on this blog, I've decided to put my very short stories up here instead.  They will go up about once a week.  

                                    Lightning

Paul had mentored Brad for several weeks and they were developing a good rapport.  Brad was at the residential centre for juveniles because of drug charges, petty theft.  They worked together cutting grass, tending gardens.  Gradually, Brad began to talk about his past:  his foster homes, his mother's addictions.  He shared with Brad that he wanted a job to earn some money.

Paul arranged an off-site work placement with a landscaper one day a week.

Brad was happier; Paul celebrated their progress.

But one morning, Brad, like lighting thunder, lashed out, yelling, swearing, punching Paul.  The past was not so easily left behind.

This story is loosely based on the experience of a friend of mine who worked with youth in a residential centre.  My friend, a kind-hearted soul, didn't stay in the field.  He got too emotionally involved with the kids and couldn't handle the realities of troubled lives. For those people who do stay in the work long-term, I have nothing but admiration.

And since this is a gardening blog, here is a little pink rose covered in raindrops.

Take care.

First November Snow

Yesterday we had our first real snowfall. We got a couple of inches and the temperature is cold enough that it is staying on the ground.  It feels good to have the snow.  It brightens up the landscape and the  air feels crispy and fresh.  No more damp fall weather.

This is a Christmas card I made for my French friend who lives in Quebec. The fuzzy white circles are a watercolour take on Bokeh.

The sky was a lovely intense blue today.  I guess the cold arctic air is very clean. The sky is not only more blue but somehow it is brighter. Normally at this time of year it wouldn't be so blue.  Less air travel is still having an effect.  I wish the eco people would talk more about trying to cut down on air travel.
 

Some Clouds

 Some interesting clouds I saw the other day.

 My husband saw a ghost with his arms in the air  in the shape on the left side, and I saw a little dog just to the right of centre.

For everybody who is finding it hot these days, here is a cloud picture that looks like snow.

Fireworks

The nearby town of Alexandria had some fireworks tonight to kick off its Festival of Lights.
Here is some of the show with occasional commentary and faint bagpipes in the background.

Fall Sunset

 The sky was a delight yesterday at sunset. Click the photo for the full width.

I like the headlights - two little eyes in the dark landscape.

Sunset

 

A beautiful sunset tonight with many layers of clouds.