Skywatch Friday - February 21, 2025

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

Thank you for joining my submission to this week's Skywatch Friday. 

We've returned to rain which has melted all the snow and warmed temperatures considerably. I couldn't be happier.

You can see from the photos that the clouds look pretty dramatic this week so a lot more rain is on the way. 

Take care and stay safe.

Baby It's Cold Outside - Skywatch Friday

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

We're at the tail end of our winter snow and very cold temperatures if we can believe the weather forecast.

I had to go out yesterday and today to deal with a malfunctioning cell phone. I bundled up as if I was in minus 40 degree weather with long johns and double layers on top, winter books, a neck scarf and gloves. My upper legs and toes were still very cold. I'll chalk it up to poor circulation because I'm usually always cold some people aren't bothered by the weather at all. 

In fact, I saw 3 people out yesterday with bare legs and improper footwear. One person didn't even have a winter jacket on. Today I saw 2 more people who weren't adequately dressed but today felt much warmer than yesterday.

I'm looking forward to rain this weekend because it will bring warmer temperatures.  Right now, the temperature is 1 Celsius and the day's high was 3 Celsius. Last night someone told me we broke a weather record for the day at - 6 Celsius. I tell you it felt much, much colder. Probably because we have damp air.

The above photos were all taken on a walk to the cellular service provider.

Today I took one photo on West Broadway Street looking north towards downtown. You can see some towers in the background.  These are part of a massive rental development project led by the local area First Nations. Once completed there will be new homes for 6000 people and they are sorely needed.

I'm joining in with Skywatch Friday.  Thank you for stopping by! 

Evening Sky ~ Last Friday Sky of January 2025

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

Welcome to my Skywatch Friday post. I snapped these photos on my way to buy some produce at some of the smaller shops in another neighbourhood.

It was going on 5:30 p.m.  It's so great to see that it isn't dark so early anymore. Each day the light remains for just a bit longer and soon it will be spring and time for planting.

Enjoy your weekend and thank you for stopping by!

The Gift of Colour in a January Sky

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

How are you all doing this January?

It's horrific and/or dramatic news around the world these days. I'm trying to avoid spending too much time on the news so I can keep peace of mind.

I was so happy to see some beautiful colour in my sky this week. We were expecting snow today but it didn't arrive. I hope you are keeping warm and happy where you are.

Joining in with Skywatch Friday this week.

Sunny at Last

It was a beautiful, sunny day but such a cold wind.

I wish you all a fabulous weekend. Let's all send warm thoughts and prayers for the people of Los Angeles and the people of the Pacific Palisades community in particular. The devastation there is unbelievable.

Joining in with Skywatch Friday.

The End of 2024 in the Sky

Hello dear friends and fellow bloggers,

Happy New Year to each and every one of you. I hope that 2025 is your best year yet.  May the year be everything you hope it will be.

Today on the first Friday of the New Year 2025, I'm sharing the last sky photos taken the day before Christmas 2024 and the day after Christmas, in that order.

The day before Christmas

and the day after.....

We've actually had a lot of rain but just before Christmas the sky gifted us with some pink pastels.

Thank you for stopping by and viewing my Skywatch post. I hope to hear from you and to visit your blog as well.

Happy New Year!! 

“Don't wait until February to start living in January.”
― Anthony T. Hincks

Skywatching in Mid-December ~ Skywatch Friday

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

In another week it will be Christmas. 

In today's photos you'll see that there is no more snow on the mountains.  Our temperatures are currently two times higher than the norm (usually 5 Celsius but currently anywhere from 9-11 Celsius) and there is no likelihood of the white stuff by next week unless things change substantially. It's okay by me. In fact we don't often get snow in December as far as I can remember.

I took these photos on December 18th. It was actually a beautiful and warmish day.

You can clearly see the "line" on the mountain. 

The mountain in the last photo is called Grouse Mountain and is home to one of the ski hills in the local area. The 'line' going from top to bottom of the mountain is where the skiing slop is located.  The ski slopes in the area opened last week or the week before.  At that time I could visibly see the snow on the mountains.  At the moment there is none and none is expected soon. I

I hope it doesn't mean major losses for the skiing companies but they've been having a difficult decade.  The future doesn't look that promising either. I got curious and found this article on the issue if you'd like to read more.

Thank you for joining in and reading my Skywatch Friday post today. I wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas. 

Night & Day

 

Night & Day by Robert Louis Stevenson

When the golden day is done, 

Through the closing portal, 

Child and garden, Flower and sun, 

Vanish all things mortal. 

As the blinding shadows fall 

As the rays diminish, 

Under evening's cloak they all 

Roll away and vanish. 

Garden darkened, daisy shut, 

Child in bed, they slumber-- 

Glow-worm in the hallway rut, 

Mice among the lumber. 

In the darkness houses shine, 

Parents move the candles; 

Till on all the night divine 

Turns the bedroom handles. 

Till at last the day begins 

In the east a-breaking, 

In the hedges and the whins 

Sleeping birds a-waking. 

In the darkness shapes of things, 

Houses, trees and hedges, 

Clearer grow; and sparrow's wings 

Beat on window ledges. 

These shall wake the yawning maid; 

She the door shall open-- 

Finding dew on garden glade 

And the morning broken. 

There my garden grows again 

Green and rosy painted, 

As at eve behind the pane 

From my eyes it fainted. 

Just as it was shut away, 

Toy-like, in the even, 

Here I see it glow with day 

Under glowing heaven. 

Every path and every plot, 

Every blush of roses, 

Every blue forget-me-not 

Where the dew reposes, 

"Up!" they cry, "the day is come 

On the smiling valleys: 

We have beat the morning drum; 

Playmate, join your allies!" 

Linking up with Skywatch Friday

Beautiful Pastel

 

We had a nice break in gray skies earlier in the week. I love the pastel colour in the sky and the lights on the ski slopes.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my Skywatch Friday post.

A Few Scenes from the Week

Hi friends and fellow bloggers,

Here are a couple of snapshots to end the month.  Wishing you a fabulous end of November. See you in the month of December.

The end of the month is a perfect time to reflect on the blessings and challenges we've encountered. Here's to a new month filled with opportunities and growth. Happy month end!

Joining in with Skywatch Friday.

A Changing Sky ~ November 21, 2024

Hello friends and fellow bloggers,

I hope you've all had a great week. I've had a very busy one but a good one.   The week presented an ever changing mood and I was able to capture some of it.  We even had thunder, lighting and sleet. You might be able to see the 'white stuff' in the night scene on the patio. There was also huge windstorm (bomb cyclone) which affected many just as it did down the western US coastline. Thankfully my household and general neighbourhood were not affected.  But many in the Greater Vancouver area and beyond, suffered damage to their homes & cars or a loss of power.  I guess the latter is better than losing one's home or car, especially since the electric company managed to restore power relatively quickly too most homes.

Enjoy the photos. Thanks for stopping by. Have a safe week.

I'm joining in with Skywatch Friday this week.