Oot and aboot

Not So Nice

Many of the photos I post show pleasant scenes, like beautiful panoramas and vistas – mountains, reservoirs, rivers and so on. But reality is sometimes a little different. Frequently on my walks I come across stuff like this:

Frankly, I’ve often wondered if this town – Calgary – isn’t one of the filthiest around. The amount of garbage floating around, driven up against fences, blowing in the wind is – especially in winter – astonishing. I understand that “things sometimes get away”, but this much?

I’ve thought of calling the local service-request hotline – 311. But in all honesty, I could phone that number every day of my life and I don’t think the situation would improve. They’re slow to respond – in my experience often preferring to wait until citizens groups mobilize on a volunteer basis.

What needs to happen – as a start – is for people to stop throwing crap out of their car window, and to stop driving along with loose loads in the back of their trucks. Perhaps people could think of using less, too, and of boycotting things with excessive amounts of packaging.

As usual, we the people are the cause of our own problems. But surely that also means that we the people can find the solution. I mean, ultimately, do we want to live with the garbage? Or can we do better?

Morning Moon

Winter Shenanigans

Traffic

I like to haul my phone out sometimes when I’m out for my daily walks. It’s fun to nab something interesting whilst simultaneously getting my exercise.

Mountain Effects

Chinook cloud types

Catch Your Breath

A frigid walk on a crisp clear day is all it really takes to appreciate the loving warmth of home.

A Look Back

At this time of year, when it is frightfully cold outside, it’s nicer I think to look back on more idyllic times.