Springtime

What a beautiful bright and sunny day we had today! The forecast called for 16 celcius, but here along the coast we were still pleased to get 10 celcius. The ice in the ponds has all melted away and looking around I can't see any snow anywhere, not even under the trees in the shade. It's definitely springtime. Soon enough the grass will turn green and once again the webcam will show the colourful scenery, of this little piece of paradise coming to life.

Last week while picking up some of the winter remnants of things that somehow made its way on my lawn, I spotted this newly growth of Tiger Lilies sprouting through the dead grass. That's what I enjoy about this time of the year, nature coming back to life!

On the webcam this morning

At 6:30am this morning, I was blessed with the most beautiful sunrise, a bright red and orange sky. My first thoughts were that's great, maybe Cape Beton will be spared from the snow and ice pellets that has been forecasted for today. But only minutes later, the sky turned dull. Looks like the weather folks might be right. For the last few days around here on the southeastern shore of Cape Breton we've been getting beautiful spring weather with temperatures of 7-10 celcius. Right now it's 0 celcius, windy and cloudy. Here is a clip of the text forecast from Evironment Canada for this area:

Sydney Metro and Cape Breton CountyRichmond County Inverness County - south of Mabou Victoria County. Snowfall warning in effect. Today.. Cloudy. Snow mixed with ice pellets beginning late this morning. Risk of freezing rain this afternoon. Snow and ice pellet amount 5 cm. Fog patches dissipating this morning. Wind east 30 km/h gusting to 50. High plus 1. Tonight.. Snow. Snow mixed with ice pellets early this evening. Snow and ice pellet amount 10 to 15 cm. Local blowing snow. Wind northeast40 km/h gusting to 60. Low minus 1. Tuesday.. Snow ending in the morning then clearing. Amount 2 cm. Wind northeast 40 km/h becoming north 20 in the afternoon. High plus 2.

Photo of the Week

Today's Photo of the Week on Cape Beton Living is a scenic shot of Chapel Cove Rd in L'Ardoise. The day was a bright and mild one, feeling the spring is in the air! One more week from today spring will be upon us once again. While up on the hill, in the fields where we can see miles all around, something else caught my eye besides this picturesque coastal view. Way out in the distance, a loud rumble was getting louder until this large helicopter came flying right over my head. Two Maritime air squadrons are in Cape Breton this week conducting joint training exercises. This is one of six CH-149 Cormorant helicopters that was training in Cape Breton on Wednesday March 11th. It's usually quiet in L'Ardoise, with only the sounds of the wind, seagulls and the passings cars and trucks, so seeing this monster helicopter circling in our skies, was something see.

Photo of the Week

The Photo of the Week on Cape Breton Living for March 6, 2009 is a wintry shot of a deer just off Chapel Cove Road in L'Ardoise. This wonderful photo was taken by Jamie Boulet of L'Ardoise. Many mornings I walked this road, have been for the last few years and only once have I seen a deer along the shore on this part of Chapel Cove Road. Another time, I did see a doe and her young from my front room window, walking down the path heading towards the shore. Deer tracks are visible in the sand on the beach and along the paths, so I know there are deer making their way along the shore and heading inland into the forest. I just never get the timing right as to getting a glimse of the beautiful animals when they happen to be passing through. Thank you Jamie for capturing this photo, it's a good thing you had your camera handy with you at the time!

The Rankin Family in Sydney

The Rankin Family is touring our vast country, starting in Penticton, British Columbia and working their way east. Jimmy Rankin, currently on tour with his sisters in support of their new album, These Are the Moments says “It’s nice to be out with my sisters again and the old band. We’re singing a bunch of new material and the show is sounding great and it’s fun.”

Last night, February 27th, they played at the Centre 200, to what I would say was a full house. The crowd was all fired up to welcome them back home to Cape Breton Island and the show, as always, was an energetic and lively time for everyone who had the good fortune of being there! I picked up their new CD "These Are the Moments". The CD has thirteen tracks, with nine new songs and four of their classic songs. Since I can never get enough of the Rankins, I listened to the CD on the way home from the concert in Sydney and enjoyed their presence as we travelled along the old Highway 4 all the way home.

Auto Glass

I received this picture in an email yesterday and just had to share it on Cape Breton Living! This interesting shot is of what looks like a custom job on a van window, parked at a Wal-Mart in Sydney, Cape Breton. The question that comes to mind is "What's the story?" Maybe it is temporary, until the owner can get the work done at an auto glass shop, hey it's better than plastic flapping in the wind or maybe the owner is trying to make a point ... whatever the story, it might be a little rough around the edges, but it seems to do the trick!!

Art prints - Grand Etang

Grand Etang

This reproduction is from an original acrylic painting done by myself, Cecile Samson. This print is 5x7" and is set into an 8x10" mat. Grand Etang is located on the picturesque Cabot Trail, just a few kms south of Cheticamp. The print depicts the simple beauty and colourful landscape by the sea. Please visit the Cape Breton Living Art Gallery at http://www.capebretonliving.com/galleryhome.htm where you can find more information and more artwork.