Let's Make Some Art, Dammit

September 29, 2019. It has taken several years, but we now have milkweed plants producing seeds in the back yard. Nice fall day, a little cool, but I felt off so we ran errands in the city. https://flic.kr/p/2hnMdCW

September 28, 2019. Muted fall colours in the back yard as a steady rain meant today was mostly an indoor day playing video games. Picked up my bike wheel - I haven't given up on the season just yet. https://flic.kr/p/2hnPGTD

September 27, 2019. I went downtown today to be one of the few people with gray hair at the Climate Strike protest on Parliament Hill. Because I agree with the protesters - it's time for action. And we can't just depend on individual action - not in a world where millions of people recycle and it just gets sent to Malaysia to be burned, not in a world where governments roll back carbon taxes, not in a world where there's no alternative for travel but fossil fuels. https://flic.kr/p/2hmPnQp

September 26, 2019. Got up at a reasonable hour and took a full flight back to Ottawa, after which I went home, and that was my day. Managed to get a newsletter done at the airport. https://flic.kr/p/2hmNzPk

September 25, 2019. Spent the full day with an enthusiastic group of people at Athabasca University doing a workshop on distributed learning technologies, then had dinner with my old NewsTrolls friend and colleague Jennifer. Took a stroll after to take this picture (it's pronounced 'the ledge', short for Legislature). https://flic.kr/p/2hmNtDe

September 24, 2019. Got up at ridiculous o'clock and flew to Edmonton, spending the bulk of my Tuesday preparing for my workshop. Had a nice meal at a downtown vegetarian restaurant, Kanu Cafe. https://flic.kr/p/2hmLgCr

September 23, 2019. Another photo from the car window while stuck in traffic on the commute home. This followed a day working on DLT Slides and a quick visit to Costco. https://flic.kr/p/2hmza1U

September 22, 2019. We have a back yard full of milkweed and glowers and are reaping the butterfly benefit. I spent all day today working on my handout for my workshop next week. https://flic.kr/p/2hjjQXX

September 21, 2019. I had intended to take a longer ride but I didn't feel up to more than 50 km. That said, I do have a video. Trying to up my game a bit. Video is *very* amateur. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NhIeGzE2A8&feature=youtu.be https://flic.kr/p/2hjmBtS

September 20, 2019. For on of the last beautiful days of the year I took the day off and went cycling up the Nation River almost to Chesterville. This time next year this landscape will be completely different as the windmills come in; I saw them building the bases throughout the region. 64.3 km, slow today because of the firt roads. https://flic.kr/p/2hioCWu

September 19, 2019. This photo was taken out my car window while at a dead stop on Navan Road. Spent a full day reviewing a proposed UNESCO resolution on OERs. I took this detour because of multiple accidents on the 417, but it was just as bad. https://flic.kr/p/2hibj51

September 18, 2019. I stopped to take photos and ask questions about this unit I saw while I was at the dentist today (teeth are doing well, thank you). It's a milling and grinding unit used to make inlays, onlays, veneers, crowns, bridges, abutments, and surgical guides all on the dentist's premises. It's not exactly 3D printing (because it doesn't print, it mills) but it's the same concept, and having one in a small town really makes a difference. https://flic.kr/p/2hhrKbd

September 17, 2019. Mixed day today - staff meeting, working on workshop materials, yellow fever vaccination, shopping at Costco (here's my car, parked there), video games. Productive, but I didn't get a lot done. https://flic.kr/p/2hhe8kf

September 16, 2019. Busy and productive day today spent preparing workshop materials. Stopped at the new Casselman subdivsion on the way home to see how it's going, and took this photo of some thistles (the thistles are the exception; almost half the lots are being built on by now). https://flic.kr/p/2hgM5dV

September 15, 2019. I finished assessing the last of the proposals and then headed out cycling on a cool crisp afternoon. Quite by accident I visited two apple orchards; it's full-on apple season and people are able to pick their own. The corn and soybeans have also done very well this year. 66 km for a total of 2146 km on the year, a new record for me. https://flic.kr/p/2hggfCC

September 14, 2019. I spent the day today reviewing and grading entries to an education innovation contest. I also watched the ball game (the less said the better). And I took a quick walk in the back yard to photograph this paper wasp in the asters. https://flic.kr/p/2hfsygH

September 13, 2019. Got two paper revisions done and sent today, which make me happy. Now I'm almost set top start on something new. Tonight: No Man's Sky. This is my space ship traversing a black hole on the way to Galactic centre. https://flic.kr/p/2hfsvmV

September 12, 2019. We were in a bad state when Costco stopped selling Kirkland Jelly bellies, but we've discovered that the Bulk Barn has them, so we can satisfy our addiction (we both eat them). Not terribly productive today, but I wrote some notes on blockchain, so that's something. https://flic.kr/p/2hezJdK

September 11, 2019. I sat and stared out the car window at the goldenrod on the front lawn after getting back from taking Polly to the vet. The reason why I like living out here in the country is that it is so full of life. Nothing more important, really. https://flic.kr/p/2heaTJ9

September 10, 2019. I'm preparing to travel to Cote d'Ivoire in October, and part of the process involves vaccination for yellow fever, which I arranged today. I also finished revisions on a paper, so hey, two productive days in a row! https://flic.kr/p/2hdCDv3

September 9, 2019. Today was a good day. I got stuff done. I did a podcast interview. I wrote a post. I took this photo of coneflowers in our back yard. I have more work to do today, which I nay or may not do, but it feels good to be productive for a day. https://flic.kr/p/2hdqiGc

September 8, 2019. It was pretty cool and threatening rain, but I went for a 63 km ride to Cannamore via Embrun, where I stopped for a while to visit family, and Chrysler, where I took this photo of the Nation River. https://flic.kr/p/2hcSrjn

September 7, 2019. On a rainy Saturday afternoon the perfect place to be is under the big roof at a RedBlacks game. True, the game wasn't close, and wasn't in our favour, but lots happened at it was still fun. Polly, meanwhile, is day-to-day - she has responded well to the anti-nausea medication and this allows her to eat. She's on a kidney-friendly diet. That's about all we can do, and the rest is up to her. https://flic.kr/p/2hcn9CV

September 6, 2019. Our 16-year old cat Polly stopped eating and we took her into the vet this morning. This turned into a day of tests and treatment for failing kidneys. There's probably nothing we can do. But while she's still active and alert we can make sure she's not in pain. https://flic.kr/p/2hbCvA6

September 5, 2019. Our backyard is a haven for insects of all varities, which means that these spiders prosper. They are quite large (by Ontario standards). Worked on a paper revision (I hate revisions), did an interview for the October conference, attended a webcast, and got worrying news about one of the cats. https://flic.kr/p/2hbCm2X

September 4, 2019. I've been moving a bit slowly the last few days because it's about to get very busy in the fall. I don't mind - I like busy. Today I revised my workshop agenda and looked at the paper I'm revising, along with watching some videos of talks.This painted lady butterfly is another gem from the back yard. We've had so many butterflies this year - it has been great. https://flic.kr/p/2haHd4U

September 3, 2019. Today's big moment is having $112.06 in the bank and having Andrea's list for Costco total $112.13 - but I had planned for such an event so no problem. Just remarkable how close they came. Meeting in the a.m., paperwork in the p.m. https://flic.kr/p/2haH2Yt

September 2, 2019. Malik Collymore dives back to safety in this the final Champions game of the year. He would get up and set a CanAm league record with his 52nd stolen base of the year. https://flic.kr/p/2h9zqN9

September 1, 2019. Cycled up to Devine Road and then back down to Russell, reaching 2000 km for the year just as I stopped by to visit family in Embrun (no one home, sadly). I was at the corner of Devine Road and Boundary Road when Verlander finished his no-hitter. A good day, warmer, with crystal clear air. https://flic.kr/p/2h96Ror

August 31, 2019. Finally back on the bicycle. It was a little cool but generally beautiful day for a ride, so I went 73 km taking the long way to Dunvegan and back. This is the Kenyon Presbyterian Church Dunvegan. https://flic.kr/p/2h8PBPf