Mother Goose is really quite protective, and below you will see how Jr. is really quite talkative.

Mother Goose - guides

Looks like Paul was invited to a family picnic.   “I am taking more pictures – I am taking better pictures with my new Canon Rebel T2i, it’s taken my photography to the next level“.    These little fuzz balls are just a few weeks old.    They don’t grow their flight feathers until 9 to 10 weeks, so for now they walk, talk, squawk .. & show off their super sonic swimming skills.

Little G

DID YOU KNOW?    Canada geese are incredibly family-oriented.    By the time they are two, they have found a mate and will stay together for life.    Canada Geese don’t abandon sick, wounded, or lost members of their flock.    If one is injured, some will stay behind.    And while flying in that famous V - members alternate in being leaders and followers during the flight.    And they l-o-v-e  grass.    By the time Jr in the photo above is an adult he’ll be packing away half a pound of grass a day.

USE THAT ZOOM AND CAMERA CAPTURE ONE OF MOTHER NATURES CRITTERS … OR SCENES OF NATURE.    WE OF THE FRESH AIR PHOTO NATION ARE WAITING FOR YOUR PICTURE TODAY!

Bonnie Raitt will headline the 2012 Edmonton Folk Music Festival.

It was a big day for Folk Fest fans Wednesday as this year’s lineup was revealed.

Legendary songstress Bonnie Raitt, Canadian icon Jim Cuddy, and country music legend Emylou Harris will take to the main stage.

Organizers have been rallying for Raitt to perform for 23 years.

If you plan on standing in the infamous line at the festival office, tickets go on sale Friday, June 1st at 9 AM.

You’ll have to wait until 10 Am if you prefer to get your tickets online or on the phone though.

No matter how you secure a spot, the coutdown is on! The 32nd Edmonton Folk Music Festival runs August 9th to 12th at Gallagher park. 

There are a number of changes to the number of tickets you can buy and the number that will be sold. For ticket information or for the full line-up, head to the Folk fest’s website: http://www.edmontonfolkfest.org/.

Fabulous Philippines

Now I understand why this beach was recognized as the second best in the WORLD.    Colleen is the lucky one to have felt the warmth, and we are grateful for the ’share’.    Colleen was in Boracay, Philippines in March.    Boracay is a small island that is about 315 km (196 mi) south of Manila and is just off the northwest tip of the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.

DID YOU KNOW?    Boracay was awarded ”Travelers’ Choice 2011″ by TripAdvisor as the second best beach (out of 25) in the world.    In 2012, it was ranked number six.    If you are a little curious about beautiful Boracay, click on the link below and plan your trip!

http://boracaylive.com/boracay-packages/

WHETHER IT’S YOUR DREAM VACATION OR A WEEKEND GETAWAY, WE WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU SEE.    UPLOAD YOUR PHOTO TODAY, OPERATORS ARE STANDING BY!

From first to worst. That’s where The Bachelorette contestant Ryan went on BT Bachelorette panelist Katy Plesuk’s list (Did somebody just say “junk punch?”) after his “You’d better not get fat” routine on Monday night’s episode.

 Technically, Ryan didn’t use the word “fat.” He said “lazy.” But the implication (in front of Emily Maynard’s besties, no less) was loud and clear. “I won’t stop loving you. I’ll just stop loving on you,” explained the professional athletic trainer who managed to earn another rose and advance in the quest for Emily’s eternal love.

Ryan wasn’t alone. From the snooty arrogant condescending confident comments out of Kalon’s mouth (”I love when you talk…but I’d love if you’d let me finish”) to the loud and clear message from Alessandro (”Compromise” isn’t always a good thing, amigo), some of the edgier bachelors are starting to show a different side as the series progresses.

We were excited for Jesse James’ BT Bachelorette panel debut Tuesday morning at 8:10. The local bar owner promised to bring a “pull no punches, straight talk” analysis to the behaviour we’re seeing from The Bachelorette contestants. As you’ll see in the video clip below, Jesse delivered on his promise.

Of course, not every man vying for Emily’s love has crusty edges. There appears to be a few legitimate options (Chris? Arie? Sean?) for the choosy beauty who has captured the hearts of millions of viewers (and rightfully so). Emily is defying the tradition established by reality TV stars who’ve gone before her, demonstrating class, grace and humility in varying circumstances (Have you ever seen someone let down as easily as Tony, the single dad who couldn’t quite deal with the distance between himself and his son Taylor?).

Something tells me this Bachelorette might actually wind up with a keeper. Then again, we’ve been teased and displeased before. Be sure to check out The Bachelorette on Monday nights (OMNI, 9pm) and, of course, the BT Bachelorette panel every Tuesday morning after the 8am news.

As an added bonus on Tuesday’s show, we caught up with the host of The Bachelor Canada, Tyler Harcott. Click here to check out our chat about filming thus far and what it’s like to be a professional wingman.

Until next week,
rpj.

Mount Eisenhower .. OR ?

Massive, immense, tremendous, and visible for miles and miles.    Marilyn stood in awe of Castle Mountain while in Banff National Park almost half-way between Banff and Lake Louise.    As steep as it is at 2,766m (9,075ft), you can climb to the top but don’t attempt it from the front.    Hikers and climbers go up the backside.    I included a link on how to get there, below.

DID YOU KNOW?    When the railroad was being built in the 18hundreds, many expeditions with geologists and surveyers were sent from Scotland.    One of those men was James Hector and in 1858 he wrote:  “Seeming to stand out in the centre of the valley is a very  remarkable mountain… which looks exactly like a giant castle.”    Thet name Castle Mountain stood for more than 85 years, but in 1946 Prime Minister Mackenzie King decided to rename the mountain Mount Eisenhower in honour of American General Dwight D. Eisenhower the day before Eisenhower visited Ottawa.    It was a decision that infuriated the Alberta government .. and did for 33 years until in 1979, Alberta born Prime Minister Joe Clark announced the mountain would go back to its original name.    As a compromise, the prominent tower on the southern end of the mountain was given the name Eisenhower Peak.

http://www.trailpeak.com/trail-Castle-Mountain-Lookout-near-Banff-AB-1846

PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY - TAKE A BREATHER, BUT DON’T FORGET TO TAKE YOUR CAMERA.    BT VIEWERS AND READERS OF THIS BLOG ARE WAITING FOR YOUR PHOTO – TODAY!

I have a few incredible friends. One of them is Hal Spelliscy.   Hal was the first person I met when I left home for the first time and moved to Kelowna for a full-time TV job back in 1994.   My former boss, Tim Spelliscy had asked his brother to show me around.  The last time I had been to Kelowna was at the height of Flintstone land popularity…meaning about 2 decades before. I was just a few years out of diapers.  Hal took this overwhelmed cub reporter under his wing and helped me get adjusted to the beautiful Okanagan city.  During my stint in Kelowna…Hal introduced me to his family.  Tim, I already knew from my ITV days.  Irene, his sister is fabulous. And I was also honoured to meet another sister,  Anne.  Anne has ALS. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s.   She had a supportive husband and a young son.  When I went to her house for dinner one day she was learning how to speak using a computer.

Anne Spelliscy with her husband and son

I learned ALS is horrific.  It doesn’t affect your mind. But destroys your body…turning it into a prison.  You may remember Sue Rodriguez from B.C.  She also had ALS…she fought for the legal right to end her life because the option of living and eventually dying from ALS was just too painful for her to imagine.  She lost that battle…but chose to end her life in 1993 with the help of an anonymous doctor.

Anne is not like Sue.  Anne was given 2-3 years to live.  She is now one of Canada’s longest survivors of ALS having lived with it for 23 years. I can’t imagine her life.  I’m almost scared to imagine it. She’s been eating through a tube since the early nineties. She’s been on a respirator since 1995.  She hasn’t left her home since Hal’s wedding in 1996.  But yet she helped raise a son.  That little boy I met so long ago is now a world class triathlete. Her son learned to walk when she lost the ability to move around on her own. He was learning to talk when her voice was waning.

I didn’t know Anne very well…in fact I lost touch with Hal and I wasn’t sure she was even still alive.  But every time I heard the acronym ALS, I thought of Anne. I was delighted when I heard she was still alive.  Recently, Hal told me a few stories about her.  He talks about a Christmas letter she sent out in 2009…in it she said “I have now been on the ventilator for 13 years and besides having ALS, I am in good health.”  She says she is not dying from ALS…she is living with it.  Thousands of Canadians and let’s not forget their families are also living with Lou Gehrig’s disease.

With that kind of inspiration, Hal is tackling a journey of his own.  He is planning to ride his motorcycle across Canada in 90 hours in early June. Sounds crazy. But he has a plan.  Here it is  ”We are going to use a “tapering” approach where we ride more early in the trip and early in the day. As the trip progresses, we’ll add one more hour of rest and one less hour of riding.  All riding will follow sunrise/sunset so [almost] no night riding.  Sleep and pace are the common themes we’ve heard from the two dozen or so others who have completed this trip.  We do expect 6-9 hours of rest each night.”  Day one has him going from the Maritimes to Quebec. Then from Quebec to Manitoba for day 2.

Catching up with an old friend after Hal Spelliscy spoke about his ride on Breakfast Television

Hal is undertaking this epic ride for Anne.  For other families who live with ALS everyday.  Please give if you can. I hope he raises a lot of money for research and support for families dealing with ALS. Here is the website http://ironrideforals.ca/als/ .  I am inspired by Anne’s fight.  I wish Hal safe travels. I am proud of my friend.