Even a Limpkin Couldn't Soften the Blow

Memories.....like the corners of our minds....blah blah the way we were.......'

(above) I shared the news with a limpkin

Ok, so its been ten days since the news broke about Mike Fisher being traded to the Nashville Predators. As the president of the Mike Fisher Fan Club, it is finally time for me to break my blog silence on this story; I have been in denial for the past few days and just today I have summoned the strength to write about it.
Right up there with OJ Simpsons' white Bronco highway chase, I believe that this will always be a 'where were you when' story. Where were YOU when you first heard the news that our big strapping Mike Fisher was leaving Ottawa? I remember it like it was yesterday. I suppose that statement will be more admirable in 10 years. Anyway, I digress. Precisely at the time that the media was being informed that Number 12 was going to Nashville, I was two thousand miles away, at the Corkscrew Bird Sanctuary outside of Fort Myers Florida. I had dropped my friend Terrie off at a huge outlet mall and journeyed solo to the Corkscrew marshlands in search of herons and egrets to photograph. Making my way through the swamp, I suddenly stopped in my tracks at the sound of a huge shriek coming from a thicket. Birders gathered quickly, until the source of the sound finally appeared atop a bed of water lettuce: it was a limpkin!
A big brown heron-like bird with spots, not often seen and quite a cause for celebration. I was lucky enough to get some photos, but my joy at seeing the elusive limpkin was rather short-lived. It was then that the sky turned black, the birds flew away, and the birders glared in my general direction as I fumbled to answer my extremely loud cell phone. It was my husband, calling to tell me the news. Mike Fisher had just been traded to Nashville. And there I stood, alone in a humid Florida swamp, not even a limpkin to keep me company in my hour of need. Sigh. But I will say its great to be back in Ottawa, and to be part of the support system that is the Mike Fisher Fan Club, we all look out for each other, we all need to remain strong. Now we just need to figure out what to do with all of our Mike Fisher posters, action figures, and of course the life-size cardboard cut-outs. I do admit that number 12 also looks pretty good in blue. Nasvhille Road trip anyone?

Extreme Snowshoeing!!!

If you've never gone 'extreme snowshoeing', I highly recommend it! This afternoon my husband Rob and I joined Laureen Harper and some friends at Harrington Lake in the Gatineau Hills. Laureen is 'extreme outdoors woman' and loves to hike whenever she can with friends who share the same passion. Jackie, Christine, me, my husband Rob, Dan, Pierre and Laureen strapped on our snowshoes and off we went. It was wise to wear so many clothes....for the first five minutes. Climbing over fallen trees, ducking branches, and scrambling over giant Canadian shield rocks was such a great workout that jackets, hats, and gloves started coming off...left to dangle on out-stretched branches for easy retrieval on the way back. We ascended up a hill (we call them mountains in these parts, but if you're from the Rockies, these ain't no mountains), picturesque nonetheless. We followed snow-covered streams and waterfalls, trusting that there was enough of a snow pack over the rushing water. Which is why we brought men with us. Pierre and Dan didn't seem to mind the role of testing the fragility of the snow over the water, and often found it. The hard way. My husband Rob did too. I love a man who doesn't complain about getting a soaker! We tumbled down crevices, had branches whipped into our eyes, struggled to stand after twisting our snowshoes deep into the snow and landing face-first into powder, and we laughed our heads off. Extreme showshoeing. Can't wait to do it again.

Winterlude Song!!

Its Winterlude!!! And when I think Winterlude, I always think Bob Dylan. Little known fact: Bob Dylan has a Winterlude song! The problem is, when he sings it, you can't make out a word he's saying. But it really is a sweet song! My wish is for someone out there to sing it, with acoustic guitar would be nice, and even better, if you record it- please let us know. Drop us a line at mornings@939bobfm.com


Winterlude, Winterlude, oh darling
Winterlude by the road tonight
Tonight there will be no quarreling
Everything is gonna be all right
Oh I see by the angel beside me
That love has a reason to shine
You're the one I adore come over here and give me more
Winterlude, this dude thinks you're fine.

Winterlude, Winterlude, my little apple
Winterlude by the corn in the field
Winterlude, let's go down to the chapel
Then come back and cook up a meal
Well, come out when the skating rink glistens
By the sun near the old crossroad sign
The snow is so cold but our love can be bold
Winterlude, don't be rude please be mine.

Winterlude, Winterlude, my little daisy
Winterlude by the telephone wire
Winterlude, it's making me lazy
Come one, sit by the logs in the fire
The moonlight reflects from the window
Where the snowflakes they cover the sand
Come out tonight everything will be tight
Winterlude, this dude thinks you're grand.

Puppy Bowl!!!

If you're not a Superbowl fan, this could be more up your alley! Animal Planet's 'Puppy Bowl' is on at 3 o'clock Sunday. Check out the video. Its funny