Journal 33

Good morning world;
Off to work I go, I owe, I owe. Made my morning walk for coffee at Timmies. Beautiful day, sunny bright and hardly a cloud in the sky. Just one of those days. Doing all the prep work for employment, I have done this many times, almost on contract basis. Work on the novel is going very well, the hits are up there. Thanks for all the went to my site at www.jaygeenen.com Bye for now the Jay man from Canada

Journal 32

Good morning;
Bummer day for I had planned to take the 2:45 am red eye to Edmonton. Set the alarm but did not move it ahead for time change. Big mistake, but I hope to bounce. Walked for my morning coffee at Timmies, a beautiful day, just great. Just a short blog today The jay man from Canada

Journal 31

Good afternoon.
Went for my Timmies coffee this morning and decided on the return trip to walk past twisted tree a few times. The path in the forest is about a Kilometer and a half long and I walked it twice. The over night snow on the trees was beatiful, with small fluffs of snow falling from the trees as the sun warmed the earth. Very peaceful, very alone, just meet one person on the path. Love it. The crows seem to less noisy lately, maybe they know I do not like all their yakking. I will not be blogging tomorrow, going to Edmonton to see I can get a steam fitterposition. Need some cash so have to go back to work. I will finish the perfect shot, at 31,500 for word right now. When I reach 40,000 then I know it is close to complete. A novel usually becomes a chore for me at about 35,000 words but sometimes the words just seem to jump onto the paper. Watch James taylor on Elvis Costello and he said that he really did not ever know what he would write. Very true, as if someone else guildes the pen or key board. I will try to blog on tuesday, see what happens. Bye for now, The Canadain Jay

Journal 30

Good morning;
Big fluffy snow falling a minute ago has changed to drizzle here in Deer. Saw a flock of one Hundred swans on the wing north fly right over the house. Beautiful sight to see. Last night I saw a muskrat doing it thing in Waskasoo creek. I was walking for a jug of water, tap water in Red Deer is absolutely pitiful in the spring. Very brackish, run off from all the foothill bogs along with every farm yard along the way. Pucky. The grass is starting to green, even with our low temperatures. I have a follower from Australia on twitter that says it is cold there too. Al Gore's global warming is horse poop. The orbit of the earth around the sun varies by as much as fifteen percent and the earth's axis tilts by as much as seventeen percent. Right now we are close to the sun and the northern hemishpere is tilted toward the sun. We are three degree Celsius warmer than normal and the southern hemishpere is two degrees colder. Gore you are full of it. The rare birds on wing this year tell me so. The Jay man from Canada.

Journal 29

Good morning;
A little snow rain thing happening in Deer today. A robin was having a sip from one of the puddles on the pavement. I think a moose calf was calling out for mom in Waskasoo park. I did not hear it perfectly, a little muffled by the trees. The chickadees were doing their thing. We only have a slight breeze compared to the gale we had yesterday. The blog is happening early today, posted before nine thirty our time. I see I have few people following, good. The clouds are black and low today just like clouds in the very late fall. I wonder if it is going to snow all summer. They forecast a high of plus seventeen Celsius for a week from now. Of course I did my walk top Timmies this morning, that is a must. Bye for now, the Jay man from Canada

Journal 28

Good morning America;
It is a cold day here in Red Deer with a temperature over night of minus 7 Celsius. Burr. Very windy, just not a nice day. The only birds out on my walk to Timmies were the crows and even they were not calling like they usually do. The squirrels were surprisingly active, maybe they have their young ones already, probably do. We have a skiff of snow on the ground, it is just one of those days. I made a mile stone yesterday with thirty thousand words on The Perfect Shot' project. Next mile stone is forty thousand words. Just have to keep plugging away at the work, it is one of those things. I think I am going to buy a bird book or borrow one so I can identify the species of birds quickly. I always think the nuthatches must have been blown in from the south because their call is 'yank, yank, yank.' The magpies are fling around outside the window. I believe these birds came over with the pirates or early sailors. Bye for now, the Jay man from Canada

Journal 28

Good morning;
It is a cold windy day here in Red Deer. The snow is beginning but it is still mixed in with rain. Only the crows called out today, to cold for all the other birds as I am sure they are holed up somewhere. A mallard pair was in the tall grasses across Waskasoo creek and took to wing as I near them. I guess it was too cold in the water today. The construction workers are busy building the twelve story tower across from the library. I know this provides lots of jobs but here in Red Deer there is a lot of commercial space that needs redevelopment. A fire that claimed a bunch of old buildings on Ross Street has yet to be rebuild. A hole in the ground has remained for about eight years. The same can be said of the old Arlington hotel. Parts of the building were over an hundred years old. The city took over the property for back taxes owed. It will be a paved parking lot for many years to come. I would hope that the city fathers would think of redevelopment, but with the new high rise tower the office space will be flooded. That's a pun, twelve stories in the air and flooded. I guess I will get out the ark. Take care to next blog, The jay man from Canada

Journal 28

Good Morning;
It is one of those days again. A flock of twenty nine sandhill cranes flew over the Ross hill. In the last three weeks two flocks of swans and a flock of sandhills and this is right over the heart of down town Red Deer. The place is magical, why else all the birds over the ross hill. Saw the mallard pair on the foot bridge over Waskasoo creek. They were on land and he drake looked beautiful in his white and black coat with the green head. A merganser pair were further up steam on the Waskasoo. Nice to see. Seems there is always wildlife by the Waskasoo park. A moose cow used to call it home till either the police or a newfie shot it. Sucks, well bye for now, the jay man from Canada

Journal 27

Good morning. Did my usual twenty minute walk for a Timmies coffee this morning at about 8:15 am. A flock of thirty swans flew over head on their way north. Nice to see. Mr Mallard duck in his fluorescent green head plumage was on Waskasoo creek. Maybe the hen is on the eggs already. It was cool this morning in my walking shorts. I wore them because the weather forecaster has predicted a high of twenty Celsius, or room temperature. I am looking out the library windows at city hall park and see the city workers beginning to prepare the flower beds. It is that time of year with May just around the corner. The sky looks warm, pastel light blue. Bye for now the Jay man from Canada

Journal 26

Good morning;
A brisk north west wind is blowing in Deer today making walking for my morning coffee a little cool. Dust is blown up by the wind and always seems to land in the eyes. A robin sang his song as he sat upon the top of a fifty foot spruce tree. The song I am sure was ' it is great to be alive.' The wind all but drown out all other birds other than the noisy crows. A long finch or song sparrow sang briefly. The sky is that deep blue cold color reflecting out temperatures. I missed seeing the mallard pair by the bridge over Waskasoo creek. The usually hang out there, probably for the last couple years nest close by. The summer air is full of other smells so I have not noticed if the fox is in the area. Must work on my novel today. The men are working on the new high rise building to the north west. The wind must make their work very difficult at elevations. Bye for now the Jay man

Journal 25

Good morning;
Today was one of those days early in the morning as I went for my walk to Timmies. A flock of thirty to forty swans flew over my head at a low altitude. Two almost silent honks was all I heard to let me know to look up. It is one of those sights. They were on wings heading north to the breading grounds. When I crossed the bridge over Waskasoo creek a Mallard duck pair swam fifteen feet away. Silent and glistening with his fluorescent head of green was a sight. Further down in the park three Mallards ducks took to the air in acrobatics. Spring has come for these birds. Yesterday on my walk home a tree that had been trimmed had a hole in the wood. A chickadee couple was setting up house as they went back and forth with their twigs. I checked out the little water fall on the creek. Turned out to be an old beaver damn. Cold and windy today but one would never know it. One of those days. Bye for now the jay man from Canada.

Journal 24

Good morning;
It is a beautiful day with a sky that has just a small hint of cloud being a whitish color. I walked for my morning coffee at Timmies again. it is a twenty minute plus walk through old growth forest. There really is only a hundred feet of forest but the smells for the spruce and a few pines is great. A robin was singing cheerio, as they do. The crows were noisy, they always are. I have heard a small rill or waterfall and check the situation out on Waskasoo creek. Found a foot drop to a pool on the creek, will have to go down there and have a look. I bet the wild life abounds near the pool, there just is something that soothes all living things with the sound of rushing water. The city is busy today, it seems everybody is driving somewhere or someplace. I going to change my routine today and do something different. I will discover that adventure when I get to it. Bye for now, the jay man

Journal 23

Good morning;
Did my usual walk for Timmies coffee this morning. It is a beautiful day, the temperatures are warming. The sun shone on my back and my neck. It felt great. The snow that fell yesterday is pretty much gone. the sky is that beautiful blue color reflecting the air borne sea we see above. Ever wonder why the sky is blue? Comes from all the air borne moisture, we literally see an airborne sea. The birds were basically quiet except for the honk of the geese and the usual crows. A goose pair would land in Waskasoo creek just in front on me. I heard the splash of their crash landing. The squirrels were busy in the trees but quiet. It is just one of those days, I guess. Well bye for now, the Jay man from Canada.

Journal 22

Good morning;
The Easter weekend is over, so it's back to work. Walked for my usual coffee this morning. We have a cold northerly wind and wet snow, 5 to 10 centimetres. The birds are all huddled up, only the crows are brave enough to call out in weather like we are having. The weekend was beautiful with temperatures of plus 15 Centigrade. I walked along Waskasoo creek in the evening and saw a pair of beavers doing beaver things. They would climb on the bank every twenty feet or so and push on the ground to see if it was still hard. Plans of a dam I think. Big changes occurring where I stay. Three bachelors share a house but John just could laid off at the end of the month. He is heading back to Cape Breton. John was an excellent guy to share a house with, very quiet and reliable, we will miss him. He plans to return late in the fall or just before Christmas. Alberta has a changing environment economically. These guys get tight with their money in a hurry. Well bye for now, The Jay man from Red Deer

Journal 21

Good morning;
I did my usual thing of a twenty minute walk to Timmies for coffee this morning. It rained last night or early this morning. The birds just love the new fresh biosphere. A robin was chirping and then intermittently asking for breakfast, "Cheerio" Either the robing was asking for breakfast or it was an English bird. Saw two little yellow finches and couple either bird species that I do not know. I guess I should get a bird manual and look the birds up. One of the birds I saw looked like a female sparrow, brown and white dabbled but it had a red patched throat. Another bird that sang a beautiful song high up in a tree was about twice the size of a sparrow and rusty brown in color. It also had a red patch on it's throat. A pair of ducks fly by also. Waskaoo creek is running almost full tilt. A mists of fog in the morning always drapes the trees along the creek, I think it was the way Eden looked so many years ago. Bye for now, the Jay man from Canada, smiles

Journal 20

Good Morning;
I slept in today, the stress of writing on line has taken a small toll. Did the usual twenty minute walk to Timmies for coffee. It was refreshing cool day perfect for walking. Waskasoo creek is flowing full bore almost, it is the storm drain for a good half of the city and with the melting of ice and snow it is full. Temperatures should reach plus 12 today and maybe stay above 0 Celsius all night. There seems to be a lot of chickadees this year, they are kind of a neat little bird. Hard to believe they may have evolved from dinosaurs. A song sparrow was singing for a mate, so were the chickadees with their familiar 'springs here'. Most of the song birds are back but I have yet to see the old staple, a robin. Have not seen any ducks either, I wonder if their numbers are declining. The sky is neat today as I look out the forth floor library windows for it is a marshmallowy blue. It is almost like an artist painted the sky blue first and then put a hint of white over top. It is one of those great days to be alive. Bye for now the Jay man from Red Deer, Canada

Journal 19

Good morning;
I went for my usual walk to Timmies this morning. Saw a little chickadee putting twigs in a one inch hole that was in a steel light standard. Industrious little fellow, the crows were not going to get his young as eggs anyways. the small or lesser woodpecker was busy pecking at a wood power pole, wonder if he knows the pole was treated with chemicals. Waskasoo creek is flowing, the weather is warming, it is great to be alive. The view from the window of the library is great, can not wait until the grass is green and the flowers are in bloom. City Hall park is always awash with flowers in Red Deer. Bye for now, the Jay man.

Journal 18

Good morning;
Did the usual walk to Timmies for coffee. Was lucky this morning for under the rim was a free coffee. It is a beautiful warm day, they are calling for a high of plus 11. Most of the snow in City Hall park is melted, only a few ice banks remain. Saw a little chickadee on a willow bush as I walk to the library by Waskasoo creek. The bird was really tiny, I do not know how such a small bird can survive our Canadian winters. Seems I am get a few hit to the blog, I can tell by the hit counter. Nothing spectacular but hits never the less. It seems my web site goes in spurts, twenty five on Saturday, twelve on Sunday and one yesterday. Oh well, mind you I am sure only some of the hits get registered. I think if a person goes directly to my site page they may not be counted in the hits. I am absolutely sure of this. Have to go work on the novel. Bye for now, the Jay man from Canada.

journal17

Good morning; Alberta is warming up, a high of plus 10 predicted. The old friend, the Chinook is howling today in the mountain passes. Did my usual thing of going for a coffee at Timies this morning before heading to the library to do the computer work. It was a beautiful morning for a walk, warm and hopefully the ice will melt soon on the steps on the Ross hill. The steps pass through the spruce trees so very little direct sunlight can help to melt the ice. The birds were singing but no new returnees for the summer yet other than the geese. Have not seen a duck as of yet. Hits are happening at my site, thanks to all those that have a look see. Bye for now, the Jay man from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.

journal16

Good Afternoon;
I am at the computer a little later today for the library does not open early on Sundays. It is a windy day but the weather forecasters are calling for highs of plus 8 all week. Sure hope that happens. I did the Timmies thing for coffee this morning and then I picked up my mail from the Post Office box. It is a sleepy Sunday afternoon and I have a lot of work to do on my novel. See you tomorrow. Bye for now, the Jay man from Canada

Journal15

Good morning; I did my usual thing of walking to Tim Horton's for a coffee this morning at about 8:15 am. The crows seemed to be wrapping up their convention but I know they will be discussing things every morning until the cold weather forces the birds south. The Blue Jays had a noisy meeting with nine members present. The discussion topic was who was going to mate with who? After a heated discussion the meeting was adjourned with all members deciding to visit the Holmes bird feeder to see if any sunflower seeds were out. Two Canadian Geese did their slow flight and honk as they flew over the city. Their voices always seem to quicken when they notice open water. It is minus 8 Celsius this morning so all water is solid unless it is flowing. The geese flew over Waskasoo creek and park. Waskasoo creek is a city drainage ditch but also has underground springs that feed it. Red Deer is very fortunate to have many open green spaces. Bye for now, The Jay man from Canada.

journal14

I guess this means I have been doing this for two weeks, it is neat. The crows had a secound day of convention with highly talked about raven topics. Four crows joined together to drive a raven away. The crows have the higher pitched caw, caw whereas the ravens are deeper voiced and sound like craw, craw. The hawk or falcon was calling again today as I walked for my morning coffee. I wore my boat shoes that have better griping soles as not to fall on my butt again. It is not any fun but I still bounce. I like doing this blogger thing, it is like a daily journal, an excellent idea to keep. Most business operations require a person to keep a journal. I do when I work but never use it to prove a point, that just causes a lot more trouble than it is worth for one then has to totally defend their position. The journal is good to keep to know when certain things were looked at. Bye for now, The Jay man from Canada.

journal13

Good morning;
Went for my usual walk to Tim Horton's this morning. The Ross hill steps were very icy and I landed on my but again. Saw a pair of geese flying south, those tow will nest in the area maybe Three Mile Bend park. Hear a hawk or a falcon calling out this morning also. The walk through the old growth forest and Waskasoo park always lifts the spirits and I use the time to plan my day, be it writing or what ever. I see a sparrow as I look out the windows of the forth floor of the library onto City Hall park. The city park is always very beautiful awash with blooming flowers in the summertime. I can not wait for summer, get rid of this cold weather. Bye for now, the Jay man from Canada

journal12

Good Morning;
Did the usual walk to Timmies for coffee at about 8:30 am. Beautiful day, only minus 5 this morning. The crows were having their annual convention with the agenda being what they were going to do about the ravens and territory disputes. Everyone of the crows joined in for a rather heated discussion. Well it seemed that way. A fox was in the area, could tell by the smell and the tracks on the overnight snow that we received, about 9 mils or a half an inch. The fresh snow made the Ross hill steps icy and treacherous. I took great care walking down the steps holding onto the handrail. The hill is about one hundred feet high and overlooks Waskasoo park. This is a real treasure in red Deer. I guess I have to do work on the novel, that is the normal thing right now. Bye for now, the Jay man from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.