Deep Freeze - Kootenay Style

Anyone who has lived in Saskatchewan can start snickering now. This past week has been pretty chilly; we've had a week now with daytime temperatures not even reaching freezing and lows at night all the way down to -8C. One nice side-effect of the cold northern flow was several days of clear blue skies, a fairly rare commodity during the mountain winter. I've had to dig out the fleece mitts, search around for my headband and, if this keeps up, haul the down parka out of the basement. We do find that temperatures remain very steady here, the effect of having such a large body of water so close.

We went for a short hike along the Kaslo River the other day and I was busy taking pictures of the ice along the shore. It's such a pretty river. A group in town has been making trails along the river over the past couple of years, and their new bridge was just winched into place last week. I'll post a picture of it once they finish the roof. I'll warn you now - the color is certainly vivid.

Last night we had some snow flurries so we have a light coating of white this morning. With the snow and the colder temperatures it would seem that we're having winter right now, but nothing like Saskatchewan where they will be in the -20s this coming week.

Canada's Shame

I'm not sure what could be said now that hasn't already been said, other than to voice my shocked response to the video of the RCMP tasering one exhausted, disoriented, abandoned man at Vancouver International Airport.

There are many unanswered questions. Where were airport personnel who were supposed to be handling new arrivals? Why was he abandoned for hours? What was the role of Canadian Border Service people? Why did no one just hop over the railing and go help the poor fellow? Airport security people visible in the video seemed worse than useless.

I think, and I fervently hope, that the RCMP is still under civil control in this country. If that's really the case, then I think it's time for some of that civil control to be exercised. Canadians are shocked and appalled and we share the shame for what has happened. It is almost incomprehensible that four police officers were unable to find a more appropriate way to deal with this situation. Are these officers typical examples of the people patrolling our streets, our cities, our airports?

What ever happened to the strategy of walking up to a person in a situation like this, extending a hand and saying "welcome - let me help you"?

A Few Light Moments

I've always enjoyed Weird Al's parodies of some popular songs. So it was with some delight that I discovered one of his latest releases, You're Pitiful. The story behind it is interesting as well. I've liked the James Blunt song this parody came from, but I think I like this version better!

End of an Era?

Watching the results of the Saskatchewan election makes me wonder if we just got out in the nick of time or if we left too soon!! It appears as though the 4-term NDP government will lose this one to the Saskatchewan Party (ie: the reincarnated Conservative Party). So in these good economic times for Saskatchewan, obviously the populace has decided that the NDP isn't zippy enough. I hope they don't get to re-live history. The last Conservative government created a $5-billion debt and almost all of their Cabinet ministers ended up in jail some years later, charged with fraud and breach of trust. Part of the "give 'er snoose" mandate of the Devine era.

One pleasant note: Cam Broten - brother to APYOC blogger Julie - won his seat in Saskatoon Massey Place. Good going Cam!