BT Edmonton Blogs

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/455602

hee hee hee….happy tuesday!

…check out this awesome choir. I love this!!!

Have you noticed a lot of fluff drifting around your neighbourhood?   If you get the chance in the next few days — head down to the river valley.

What IS that???

On Saturday, I was riding my bike just below the high level bridge and it was absolutely beautiful!   Sure it reminded me of snow,…but what made this sight even better – it WASN’T SNOW!  

Cottonwood seed-sewing

DID YOU KNOW?   These are seeds from the mighty, the very clever, (and very female) Cottonwood trees.   Yessir!    Cottonwoods can be either male or female.   During the early summer, female trees release clouds of cottony or silky white fibres that carry the tiny brown seeds.   You will find Cottowood trees near water because they like to get their feet wet.   The trees grow along edges of rivers and streams and the wind helps to disperse their tiny tiny seeds.   Cottonwoods are related to poplars, and aspens,…and share the same shaking, shimmering leaves.   If you would like to share any photos you take, in and around your neighbourhood — please,  send ‘em in!    

Leaving the Tree

Grande and Gorgeous!

Dylan!   You have just helped our family come to a decision.    We are definately making a trip to Grande Cache this summer.   This is Grande Cache Lake, south of town, and the Wow factor is pretty high.   Grande Cache is on the northern border of the rockies, and is the gateway to Wilmore Wilderness Park.     

DID YOU KNOW?   Grande Cache is a relatively young town.   It was founded in 1969 to develop the coal mines.   Today it succeeds thanks to wilderness tourism.   For those who see themselves as rugged and brave:  why not check out the Canadian Death Race.   Held every August long weekend, it tests your abilities (mental & physical).    125kilometres in 24hours !    

Here’s something you can do, and it’s wayyyy easier than the death race.   Challenge yourself  “behind the lens” and send it in to us at Breakfast Television.   You will be in the spotlight on our show( a whole minute about you & your amazing talent),….and be featured right here on my blog!

In northern Alberta – we had a late spring.   In fact, some areas are still waiting for spring rain and are suffering.   To you we sympathize as you look ‘helpless’ at your parched fields. 

Awesome Blossom!

Mother Nature did not give you May showers — but if you allow us to brighten your day — here are some June flowers.    Kelly sent in this work of art which is framed perfectly.   These cherry blossoms are as fragrant as they are beautiful.   This shot is near Edmonton’s world famous river valley,….so the next time you are walking or riding there’s a bench or 2 waiting for you.

DID YOU KNOW?   The River Valley Alliance wants to create the Capital Region River Valley Park.   The dream is for the park to stretch along the North Fort Saskatchewan River for 88 kilometres from Devon through Edmonton, to Fort Saskatchewan.   The alliance is made up of councillors from seven municipalities around Edmonton.

Operators are standing by!   Yup, they are waiting to receive your Fresh Air Photo.   Send us anything under the category of Mother Nature or her creatures and you will be featured right here on my blog, as well as BT!  

Reflections of a wonderful day – and a magical place.   This spot of serenity is East Sooke on Vancouver Island.  Katie wins the bragging rights for having been there — and sharing the shot.

East Sooke Serenity

East Sooke is on the extreme southwestern tip of Vancouver Island — about 30 minutes from Victoria.   No surprise, it’s called a Nature Lover’s Paradise, and is promoted as being a storybook environment for naturalists, birdwatchers, hikers, and photographers.   (Where do I sign up???)
DID YOU KNOW?     East Sooke is named for the “T’Sou-ke” First Nations Band, who were the early inhabitants of the area.   The name “T’Sou-ke” was given to a species of fish ,..that at one time were found in abundance.   East Sooke has 30 miles of nature trails and 6 miles of permanently protected coastline. 

We would love to see your Fresh Air Photo(s).   Pictures air every morning at 7 on Breakfast Television, and are also featured — as you can see — right here on my blog.
Snap & Send  ~~  OR dig out one of your favorite shots!   A sunrise or a sunset,….

Flocking to Sherwood Park

Don was behind the lens for this group shot.   He was at the Heritage Wetlands in Sherwood Park in early April.   Bohemian Waxwings love to travel in groups.   Their flock can number as high as 200.   And they are hardy little birds.   Some stick around for our harsh winters,…but most of them head south — as far south as Panama.        

DID YOU KNOW?   The name Waxwing refers to the bright red ‘bead-like” tips on their secondary feathers.   Those little beads look like drops of sealing wax.   Very cool!

If you have any photos of Mother Nature or her creatures,…please upload them right here on this website.   It won’t cost you a thing, and what you are doing is priceless!   You’ll be sharing your pic for those cruising our website — and you will receive the proper shout-out on Breakfast Television at 7am.

I tried, but unfortunately Iris Evans will not be appearing on our show to speak to her comments about working parents.

I did recieve a prompt return phone call as well as an email from Jason Maloney, Communications- Finance and Enterprise, with his apologies:

Hi Wendy,

Minister Evans has provided the below statement in follow-up to the comments that have been reported on in the media.

“Raising a child is the most important responsibility in our society, and my comments were a reflection of its importance to me personally.

“The references I made to parenting were in respect to a question about financial literacy and making sure children understand the value of a dollar. My intent was to point out that understanding money and finances starts at home, not in the schools. And I was specifically pointing out that my three sons have done a better job than I had in passing this on.

“I understand some people were offended by some of what I said. I did not intend to suggest there is only one way to raise a child. Having worked for most of my adult life while raising kids, I understand no situation is the same and that parents have to make difficult choices that are in the best interests of their children, and I applaud them for making these choices.

“I do believe that spending time teaching values and coaching their children as well as loving them is the biggest gift parents can provide. And I also believe that most parents do this.”

I would imagine that she and her staff have had quite the week after all of this…

…um. No. Yes. Sort of. You see, I really really wanted too.  And I’m pretty sure that he wanted too as well..because at one point – he ran right past me on his way to play an acoustic number with his three other mates UP IN THE STANDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE REXALL and so he had to run along the side of the main floor area to get there and I realized that because I was in Section 116 Row 1, he was going to run RIGHT BY ME and this would be my chance, my ONE CHANCE to make a connection (thanks Bachelorette, i’ve learned alot) , make an impression, become BEST FRIENDS FOREVER as he ran by.

It was a chance I had to take…I saw Chris (first name basis fo’ sho’…) leave the stage area…and start to head my way. My heart began to beat faster as he headed towards me, moving in a light jog now. His eyes searching, scanning the crowd….I leaned forward to reach out my hand…Chris moved closer…I opened my hand up wide, engaging my core so that I could reach as far forward as possible so there was no way I could miss him….Here he comes…steady Bridge, steady…this is it…he’s high-fiving, low-fiving, side-fiving all over the place…steady Bridge – keep the hand out, I’m working a nice solid side-five and totally fixed on the task at hand….THEN I REMEMBERED – PICTURE! Take a picture….I fumble as he approaches…not alot of time…CLICK- a good shot of them coming down the idle to me! Fantastic! This is going to look great on the blog, I thinks, momentarily pleased that I remembered!! ‘Now i just have to get a picture of him and make that connection!!…’

…and as I looked up…oh god. no. Chris Martin had just passed by …eyes still searching…hand still high-fiving, low-fiving, side-fiving…but the moment was gone – it had passed…it was there…and then it was gone…”NO!!! COME BACK!!! We were going to be best friends forever!!!”

…”Oh my gawd! Oh my gawd – HE TOTALLY HIGH-FIVED ME!! AYYYYYYYY!’ screamed the young lady next to Me. ‘DID YOU SEE THAT??” she screamed, grabbing me by the shoulders.

‘No..i Uh….was too busy taking a photo and then uh…checking the photo and i uh….’

I didn’t need to finish because the girl had run off screaming ‘OH MY GAWD – HE TOUCHED MEEEEEEEEEEEE’

Huh.

Awesome, Bridge.

And so. That’s how it happened. We could have been best friends but i decided to take a photo to share with you peeps!! Next time…next time my friends…i’ll be ready!!

Here is the really awful shot of them coming down the isle…

And here is the photo when i finished fumbling around and they were playing in the audience just past me

And this is how beautiful YELLOW was…huge yellow balls came floating down thru the crowd….

Oh and by the way – the concert was just about the best concert i have ever seen in my life. Coldplay was amazing…and Chris Martin…next time buddy, I got a sweet ’side-five’ waiting for ya!!

On Wednesday, Finance Minister Iris Evans was in Toronto giving a speech on Alberta’s Economy to the Economic Club of Canada. Evans said that as a mother herself, she made it her mission to teach kids about money. 

All good there.

Things went a little bit sideways, however, when she cited her own kids’ experience.

“They’ve understood perfectly well that when you’re raising children you don’t both go off to work and leave them for somebody else to raise. This is not a statement against daycare. It is a statement about their belief in the importance of raising children properly.”

Now, I am a working Mum. I have made a choice that I believe is in the best interest of my family, and I do not think that I am a lesser parent for it. I love my job, and am a fulfilled, engaged person because of it. I believe that this leads me to be a fulfilled, engaged parent, who is showing my daughter that there are many freedoms and choices that women today are able to make. My income will allow her to pursue some freedoms and choices of her own when the time comes. 

If I had a job that I didn’t love, I might not work outside the home.

And that would mean that different sacrifices might have to be made.

But for our family, for now, this is what works.

I would never presume to tell another family how to run their household. It is absolutely none of my business to do so. My Mum stayed home with us. I loved it. Some of my girlfriends are stay-at-home parents. Some work outside of the home. If I put all of our kids in one room, I guarantee that you would not be able to tell whose kids were in which scenario. They are all happy, healthy and well-adjusted  (as well as loud, crazy and chaotic… everything that children are.) 

And that’s where Iris Evans has created a problem for herself.

It’s not that she made the wrong choice in how she raised her family.

It’s that she has presumed the right to tell other families how to parent “properly”.

We recieved hundreds of emails this morning, some agreeing with her statements, many more disagreeing with her stance.

Iris Evans has issued the following statement:

“If it came across as if I was undervaluing them as parents, that’s totally wrong and I would apologize for that, I certainly didn’t intend that.”

We have invited her to come on the show Monday morning to clarify her statements.

I hope she comes.

But more importantly, I hope that parents everywhere know that it doesn’t really matter what she or anyone else thinks. Just keep making the best choices you know how, and remember that in the end, we all just want the same thing. We want our kids to have every opportunity we can afford, and we want them to know that they are loved. 

The rest is details.

xo Wendy