BLUESFEST OTTAWA 2009

Our first night a Bluesfest...opening act (coming to a great northern town soon) was Mair's own Brock Zeman

Steve Earle followed up with a great two hour set (mostly new/old stuff from his latest Townes VanZandt tribute album). .

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!

It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood......
Our garden has blessed us with an abundance of red for today.

and a surprise of the burgundy clamatis which we usually see in the fall.

We're still trying to figure out if this is a wildflower or a weed. It's staying in the garden regardless.

Ottawa has some beautiful religous architecture. Unfortunately, it also has some of the most ugly utility infrastructure.

A rare picture of Jean (she hates having it taken) enjoying the deck and the Clamatis.

We inherited a wonderfully productive Clamatis with the house that at present is over ten feet tall.

It provides a very nice shade on the deck in the summer. The bench seat is nearly five feet off the ground.

Here are some aerial views of the Aardvark Ranch taken from over Trout Lake looking south towards Highway 17, the Trans Canada Highway.

It was a cold, windy weekend at the Great Northern Cabana. Fortunately, the locals kept Jean and I basking in the warmth of their friendship. Thanks to all for a wonderful time...as usual!

It's Tulip time in Ottawa and our garden is blooming.

Here you go Mr. FKIA, my first blooms of the spring.

OK Mr. FKIA....here's a picture that I hope reflects the current situation at the Great Northern Cabana. Hopefully, the locals will return shortly and provide us with a more authentic update.

All I'm thinking about today is the tropical paradise my backyard is becoming. It doesn't snow in paradise!

With a little luck, I'll be able to enjoy an Ottawa driving range this afternoon (and the rest of the season, a birthday gift from my family). This pic is the Calloway Golf Center in Vegas with the Mandalay Bay and other hotels in the background.

As I noted on Northern Perspectives, Toronto is starting to resemble the cities of China, in this case Shenzen.

Where did these cold temperatures come from???? If this doesn't stop, I'm going back to California!

Since nobody else is posting pictures of the ice receding from the lake, allow me. I wonder if I can get book deal?

There was only one of these guys left to guard the steeple. Downsizing?

Can anyone tell me what time it was in Kemptville? It seemed like time was warped for most of the weekend. This might explain the on ice performance....or it could have been the lack of good margaritas.

I played my second round of golf at the Steele Canyon course outside San Diego hosted by my buddy Rod and his golfing bagmen. After scaring the hell out fo them for a few holes, the dramatic elevation changes got the better of my 'winter' game. Still, a wonderful afternoon and a perfect reason to demand a rematch in the future.

Lesia and Jean enjoy the wine in Laguna Beach under the glow of the propane heaters.