As The Wind Blows

Summer Dreaming Flowers from 2010

2011-03-03T06:47:00.000-08:00

Some Fav Scenery Shots

2009-07-28T15:07:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share some of my favorite scenery shots of the Crowsnest Pass area 2004 - 2009.

Chinook Lake - What a difference 2 weeks makes!

2009-05-25T15:06:00.001-07:00

Chinook Lake, Alberta, Canada

May 24, 2009 (versus May 15, 2009 two posts below)

We spent the afternoon there and it was beautiful. Saw some old friends and made some new friends!

Dumping Trailer Waste on Main Street In Blairmore!

2009-05-24T16:05:00.001-07:00

If you look at the close up of this picture, you will see what we saw.
This guy is dumping the waste from his trailer across from Extra Foods.
The line of sewage starts about a block back and in this picture is puddling below the trailer because the occupants of the truck are, apparently, inside of extra food.

Isn't there a law against this? The guy PASSED a legal dump site just a few blocks back to do this on Main Street, 20th Avenue in Blairmore, Alberta, Canada on May 24, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

It didn't concern the RCMP in a car that passed and went on to the office.

If anyone should want an original copy of the picture, just let me know.

Toni

May 10 2009 We made it to Chinook Lake

2009-05-10T11:19:00.001-07:00

We made it to Chinook Lake this morning. Allison Road is clear of snow all the way to the camping areas on top. May 10, 2009 - Mother's Day

The lake is still frozen over. You can see animal prints in the snow onto of the ice on the lake.

This is the second cuvre coming down to the lake. It's the worse. But very intimitating looking for sure. While we were at the bottom at the lake, someone else came down to this area and turned their big truck around on the hill and went back up. Wimps!

A shot from Camping area 41, first one on the south side towards north. Other camping area still closed off.

A shot from Camping Area 41 to the south. Roads and camping areas still loaded with snow. A lot will have to melt this week for camping here next weekend for the May Long Weekend. Doubtful for us with Gabby. Soon though, soon!

Finally, spring is coming to the valley!

2009-05-02T12:55:00.001-07:00

Here is an article about the pics below: http://tsjoncnp.blogspot.com/

From the cemetary side of Highway 3. Looking down onto Blairmore this morning May 2, 2009 as the sun was coming over the mountains about 8:00 a.m. Looking south from the north side of the highway off of 129th - Central Access.

Ying and Yang, on the edge of the universe!
View looking west towards British Columbia.

The Pass PowderKeg Ski hill

RCMP Sgt Scott Howard talking about "Broken Window Theory"

2009-04-23T09:33:00.000-07:00

In this week's issue of The Herald (April 21), there is an article with RCMP Scott Howard talking about the broken window theory.

That was the label of my first blog post: http://cnpasthewindblows.blogspot.com/2008/09/broken-window-theory-in-crowsnest-pass.html

So it took from the end of August 2008 until now for it be in consciousness. Hey, Jesus is still waiting for consciousness to catch up to him so I'm doing good...but hey, it's a small community. What goes around is always going to come around.

Here are a few updated pictures taken in March of grafetti in the area. Bad, bad, and worse. There were 4 or 5 places, now there are more than 20 in just Blairmore.

Sentinel before Bridge Crooks

2009-02-17T09:45:00.000-08:00

Sentinal March 2005- Sept 2005

We lived on the Trotz property then.

In the green house, right next to the Rum Runner Roost. Oddly, or as spirit is - "our house" is the only house left. It has been painted and upgraded and from what I understand it is where the caretaker of the property stays. All of the other houses were demo'd and the cabins sold and removed. We saw one in Bellevue with the top cut off. I guess it was cheaper to saw off the top of the cabin then to have the wires from the poles to get that cabin to its new home.

Cabins mentioned above.

We loved it there.

This is where the head waters of the Crowsnest Lake lies.

My daugther Emily says this is her mountain, Sentry; I am sure many feel that way. This is the view of Sentry from the old power station side next to the lake.

This picture always takes me to another time and place...Atlantis!

These are views of Sentry from our front window; from our yard.

We saw the For Sale sign and Mrs. Trotz said, oh it's been for sale before. Then we saw the Sold sign and she said, oh it's said Sold before-show me the money and then it's sold! We both told her, you'll see the money.

Living in the clouds.

The moon rising over the mountains.

Everyone loved the energy there. The Crozier girls on Canada Day 2005.

The view of Crowsnest Mountain and the Seven Sisters from our back yard.

I love this picture. Michael caught this early morning on the bridge.

The arrival of the geese at Crowsnest Lake.

The sun peeking over the mountains.

Can't you just feel the energy?

As for us, we thought it would be the ideal location for a holiste care center. The energy for that is so tremendous. When we heard of the plans from the developer; I could only say-it's all about the money. The planet is in such a sad state for it's all about the money. On the other hand, with the lack of development in all this time; perhaps our dream of the holiste care center and recovery center will still happen here. :)

We would not change having had the opportunity to live there on the Trotz land. It's a precious memory. And that's the way it goes.

Feb 6, 2009 Snow Storm

2009-02-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

After a week in the 50s, Friday afternoon the winds changed and brought us a snowstorm.

We awoke to several inches of snow so we went out to investigate.
Lila's domain atop the existing snow pile out back.

Trees in front of the train display, below the Powder Keg Snowhill.

Another view of the trees and the ski hill in Blairmore.

Trees across from our apartment.

cya

Calgary Airport Horses, Stavely Rainbow, Counting to 5, and Venus & Moon Views

2008-12-31T11:41:00.000-08:00

Day Trip to Calgary Airport to get Emily December 30, 2008

My Horses!

My Emily!

Stavely Rainbow Views

Stavely, Alberta or the Pacific Ocean? You Decide!

Venus and the Moon Views

Counting from one to five

Emily Can Count Two!
Sheila is always with us!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

2008-12-18T14:17:00.001-08:00

http://tsjoncnp.blogspot.com/2008/12/baby-its-cold-outside.html

Another new Blog for CNP! Welcome to Val's Ceramics!

2008-12-16T14:50:00.000-08:00

http://www.valsceramics.blogspot.com

THERE'S A BLIZZARD COMING! THERE'S A BLIZZARD COMING!

2008-12-12T14:25:00.000-08:00

Starting with my first call out of the office this morning, Pam said, "Did you hear? There's a blizzard coming; it will be here this afternoon or evening." Then after lunch, Val said, "She's a coming around the mountain!" And now after school, my daughter Emily came in and says...it's starting to snow; going to be a blizzard!

Made me wonder...is there a blizzard coming? So below see a panaramic view from the nest here in downtown Blairmore. Might be a blizzard coming, add that with the full moon and double day 1212 and aren't we having some fun now?

Turtle, west side
Turtle, west side 4X

Where Crowsnest and Seven Sisters should be.

Straight north, Highway 3

North, 4X
Goat to the east, west side
The Pass between Goat and Turtle Snow Sky

Crowsnest Pass Street Lights, cute eh! Right out side our south windows.

View of the local ski hill, the Pass Powderkeg and the railroad tracks that go through town.

Another west view of Turtle

South view of Blairmore.

Wonderful People Helping Little People in CNP

2008-12-08T12:14:00.001-08:00

http://tsjoncnp.blogspot.com/2008/12/wonderful-people-helping-little-people.html

Losing a Parent and Facebook

2008-12-03T08:57:00.001-08:00

http://tsjoncnp.blogspot.com/2008/12/losing-parent-and-facebook.html

Beaver Mines Lake Nov 30, 2008

2008-12-01T09:00:00.001-08:00

Beaver Mines Lake, Alberta November 30, 2008

The story that goes with the pictures: http://tsjoncnp.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-tree-logging-in-beaver-mine.html

New Blogs in the Pass

2008-11-28T14:12:00.001-08:00

http://tsjoncnp.blogspot.com/2008/11/new-blogs-in-pass.html

Commentary - What's the point of vandalism?

2008-11-25T13:22:00.001-08:00

http://tsjoncnp.blogspot.com/2008/11/whats-point-of-vandalism.html

Life in the Clouds

2008-11-23T13:31:00.000-08:00

Who ever said...you have your head in the clouds must have been from the mountains. People who have never been to the mountains just don't quite get it.

Here are some of the beautifuls skies, clouds and mountains of the Crowsnest Pass area taken in the last few years. Pictures all taken by me or my husband Michael.

April 18, 2005 my birthday, The Crow in Snow and elk along Hwy 3 near Allison Road.

The Crow in Clouds Even if you climb part way up another mountain(Sentry), that crow...she plays hide and seek. Crowsnest Ridge to the left and Crowsnest Lake center.

Seriously, she never did come out to play.

We lived in Sentinal, the Trotz property. This was our sunset on the hill. Those houses are all gone now. Oddly, after we moved Michael got to fim the demo of the Rum Runner Roost and even odder is that the only house left is the house we lived in.

Sentinal 2005

Sentinal, front yard...with the mountains in the clouds. Watching out the picture window was better than the television reception!
Sentinal, I call this picture - Me and My Shadow.
Nov 2008 west Blairmore, Tecumseh in the clouds.

Interesting Cloud Formations

Even though, I remember it being a bright sunshiny day, the clouds are there.

Up and personal to the back side of The Seven Sisters Mountain.
Michael took this from the top of Goat Mountain Nov 2005.

Blairmore Sunrise Fall 2008.

Awesome rainbows as well, This is a double rainbow July 2006 in Coleman.

Windy Point, Old Man Dam Reservior Summer 2008

Pincher Creek May 2004

Pumpkins in the Park - CNP Style Nov 1, 2008

2008-11-06T13:25:00.001-08:00

Pumpkins in the Park

For many years, how many I do not know (sounds like the start of any good story...)....

The day after Halloween or November 1 to those of you not in the know....

The winds begin to blow....
Pumpkins roll and roll and roll and westward roll....

Pumpkins gather by the hundreds at Flumerfelt Park, Coleman, Alberta, Canada.

Some come one by one and others....rally the troops as they head into town.

This one reminds me of someone I've seen in Coleman...could this be his pumpkin soul?

Roll on and into town they do....

Some stand guard and look friendly enough...but don't get too close!

For a pumpkin can and will show you just want it means to be two-faced!If you are too loud, they whisper for Casper's Uncles to show and say BOO! So they gather for the final round-up and play follow the leader.
And his girlfriend, too.

Even piglet was there.

And his friend owl...but no sign of Pooh...at least not the Bear kind.

And to round off the day...full of candy and pumpkins and up too late...swing high and swing low but swing we must!

Ollie was there...to remind of us the joke of it all.

But there is truth is the power of the pumpkins. For the next day, the moon shined in the day.

And the snow clouds came to the moutains around the valley of Crowsnest Pass.

Come to play...but be ware...of the Pumpkins in the Park!

This story was written by Toni Jackson and all photos taken by my own Pumpkin Michael Jackson. Pumpkins carved, decorated and gathered by the goulish souls of the Crowsnest Pass.

This story is dedicated to my friend Laura who wants to know if they have Halloween in Canada?

US Election

2008-11-03T12:35:00.001-08:00

I pray my fellow Americans stand and vote tomorrow.

I cannot say more than that except God Bless Us, Each and Every Soul.

Popiel's Menu is on-line!! (Or, what I do in the office everyday...)

2008-10-17T13:19:00.000-07:00

http://popielsrestaurant.ca/

Popiels' restaurant is back on-line!! I am so happy. Even if I created the site, I love having the menu available when ever I want to look at it. :)

When I tell people that I am co-owner of The Seven Sisters Computer Consultants. The reply back to me....and what does that mean???

Like most small business owners, my day consists of whatever is necessary at that moment!

As we approach the start of our 5th year of business in November here in the Crowsnest Pass, I must say there have been a lot of changes in our personal lives, our business and the Crowsnest Pass. Change is good; it is the only constant in life.

So to answer the question above:

1. I do the administrative work and all necessary reports for GST and with Alberta Recycling Management Association, and the accountant who gets our books at the end of the year.

2. I do one-on-one computer training which is usually software related. I teach individuals and/or offices how to use email, surf the net, use Microsoft Office Suite products (Word, Excel, Publisher, etc.), how to use digital cameras and just about anything that makes folks more comfortable with their computers. I find great joy in the training aspect. It is this part of our busienss that led me to JoAnn Callbeck (or rather her to me) who did the non-credit computer training classes for CNP Adult Education. For the last year I have done the majority of the non-credit computer courses for Toni Gfrerer and her board of directors at the Crowsnest Centre. As with the ebb and flow of life, I do not know where the spring courses will be held but I am hopeful they will still be located somewhere in the Pass. I have and do enjoy the classes and, again, I am hopeful that this part of our service will continue to be of service to the residents of the area.

3. I help local (and sometimes not so local) businesses take their business presence on-line. Like the link to Popiel's above.

I don't want to forget anyone so I'm only going to list 5 today and then another time 5 more and so on and so forth. Perhaps I will go back in time for my list.....

Today I am working on a brand new website: http://www.bonniesfashions.com When Bonnie and I meet next week there will be more content. I do love her butterfly logo.

Popiel's went live a couple of weeks ago so that people could view the menus on-line.

Also this week, I did seasonal updates to http://www.innontheborder.com .

And yesterday I did some minor changes to Keith's website which was revamped in September when he was here on holiday from his houseboat in B.C.! We are so going to go visit him there.

http://www.keithchisholm.com

I recently did some changes for Sarah-Dash Arbuckle. Her website is located at http://www.drdash.ca This website really has a reflection of her soul. I just love it and she's a pleasure to know and work with.

Well...that's five....but I didn't get to mention http://www.valsceramics.com or http://anapauohouse.org or http://www.crowsnestinsurance.com or http://www.aquiltersplayground.com or http://www.crowsnesteducation.com or http://www.crowsnestpincherlandfill.com or http://www.crowsnest-pass.com or....well, I guess you get the idea.

I'll keep this topic going sometimes so you can see what some of the local businesses and organizations are up to.

Happy Surfing!

Toni

ps sorry for any mistakes in links or spelling. Will check links and spelling later; I've run out of time today....

Oct in the Mountains - winter's blowing in....

2008-10-09T12:08:00.000-07:00

First, I forgot my fav pic from main street yestersday:

It rained here in the valley.

And snowed in the mountain tops.

West side of Turtle Mountain (Frank Slide on north side) from Blairmore.

These photographs were taken by my husband Michael earlier this week.

Oct on Main Street

2008-10-08T15:01:00.000-07:00

It's Autumn in CNP...don't blink!

2008-09-19T10:02:00.000-07:00

Tuesday September 16, 2008 Chinook Lake and Sentinal

Chinook Lake from Breezeway

Chinook Lake from Breezeway
Chinook Lake from Breezeway
Chinook Lake from Breezeway

Chinook Lake from Breezeway
Chinook Lake from Breezeway
Chinook Lake from Breezeway
Chinook at the Beach
Allison Road
Views from Hwy 3
Views from Hwy 3
Views from Hwy 3
Views from Hwy 3

Alleys in Blairmore need to be one way

2008-09-18T08:20:00.000-07:00

I have seen so many close calls these past 2 years.

Including the jerk in the 4X4 who zoomed thur a snowy alley last fall and hit my vehicle's bumper.

The alley between 20th and 21st Avenue need to be one way.

I don't even care which way, just one way or the other!

Helicopter Ride "Bird's Eye View" of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta.

2008-09-11T13:14:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of taking a helicopter ride 2 weeks ago. The helicopter was from http://www.bighorn.ca/ We flew from Blairmore to the Crow/Seven Sisters and back to Frank and landed back in Blairmore.

An experience I highly recommend for anyone anytime, perhaps except for military reasons!

Crowsnest

Crowsnest, Closer Yet

Seven Sisters, then Crowsnest on the north side upclose and personal

Seven Sisters

Turtle Mountain, upclose and personal

Blairmore

I took some 80 photos but I thought that might be a bit more. If you want to see more, let me know and I'll post them.

The Broken Window Theory in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta

2008-09-09T08:45:00.000-07:00

Monday, August 25, 2008

129th - 127th in Blairmore in the alley between 20th and 21st Ave

Moving from an urban core area (Kansas City, Kansas) to a rural setting (Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada), I thought the issues would be different.

For the most part, they are not because people are the same everyone on this small little planet we call home.

And don't ya just know it--it's in my own back yard!

The broken window theory that I learned so well in Kansas City is alive and well here in Blairmore. I have watched as the apathy and vandalism has crept down the alleyway behind where we live. Specifically this article refers to the alley, east to west from 129th to 127th in the alley between 20th Avenue and 21st Avenue in downtown Blairmore.

First there was the apathy from the property owners which includes but is not limited to weeds, trash, junk, and untagged vehicles at Greyhound and unkempt building appearances the length of the alley. It also includes minor bylaw offenses and minor vandalism including the damage done to the alcove above the basement stairs at the Crowsnest Insurance Building. On weekends and after business hours, I have seen individuals sitting in this stairwell.

The old car lot, vacant house and old hotel rooms are in disrepair with junk, peeling paint, holes in the foundation of both the house and the far south hotel room. Within the lot itself, I have watched as the vehicles stored there are broken into and windows broken and left that way. I have witnessed youth sitting on the stairs of both the hotel rooms and the vacant house there, smoking and drinking from beer bottles. They also go between the vacant house and the hotel rooms inside the old carport. There they are safe from prying eyes and the wind. Additionally, I have witnessed both cats and skunks exiting the foundation area of the hotel.

The wall of the Rexall building is in disrepair. The fence has been damaged in multiple places. There are also places where the wall has bulged and has crumbling. Is this wall safe? Am I the only one to notice the cable wire that has been placed on the fence and hung down to the alley for a quick getaway either from or to the alley.

Next came the graffiti on the back of buildings including True Value Hardware and Strictly Detailing (now Bumper to Bumper). This happened several months ago. Then in July on the RBC building, there appeared graffiti.

With apathy from property owners seemingly at full throttle through allowance/neglect of the details, more damage is occurring in the area.

The week of Aug 15th, a vacant house now for sale, had the back fence ripped and the guide wire casing damaged.

This pass weekend, 2 doors west from the house above, the back fencing was damaged. Only this time the damage was more extensive. An entire section near the end of the fence was ripped off. This house has weeds in the alley 2 feet high which while the house is occupied gives it the look of a house where there is apathy-regardless of the circumstances.

Not to be outdone, more damage was done at the for sale house on the fence with another section being damaged and a board being removed and thrown in the parking lot at the RBC building.

Then this morning, Aug 25th, 2008 there is more damage to both fences. The other two houses on that side of the alley are well kept and have appeared to be left alone.

That is the broken window theory in a heartbeat. Where there is one broken window there will be more. Where there is graffiti, there will be more. Where there is rotting trash and junk left in the alley, there will be more. Where there is apathy by land owners, there will be more. To that degree, it does not matter if it is apathy by the land owners or the tenants. In the eyes of vandals, it is the same. If there is apathy in an area, vandals can sniff it out and take advantage of it and use it to their advantage in all ways at all times.

What has been the response time to these minor offenses and/or vandalism? I do not necessarily mean the response time of officials, who do not even get notified promptly of the vandalism. I mean the response time of the community. Specifically, I am asking the question to the land owners and the land users. Where is your responsibility to the land you have/use/make your money from?

Where minor damage and vandalism are allowed to occur, there will be more.

You can view photographs here: http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2005576&l=6f550&id=1252958501

September 8, 2008

As an update to the above, both of the homeowners have repaired their fences that were damaged by vandals. Someone, God Bless Them, picked up the bag of trash that had been disposed of in the ally by Bumper to Bumper. Perhaps it was them who picked it up.

There have been an additional 2 incidences, unwitnessed, of vandalism to our personal vehicle. The majority of the vandalism is occurring Thurs - Sun late night. There is no doubt it is drunk young men walking through the alleys between the Cosmo and the Green Hill, both bars in the area.

From the apathy that I am witness to here and from past experience with situations smilar to this, it will only end when it escalates to physical violence which I anticpate will happen as the weather turns colder and the drunks meaner.

This is not my intent but no one seems to be listening or better stated-no one is responding to what I am saying which is unforturnate for us all in this community.

I pray that I am wrong about the violence. Still, I pray each day that no one is seriously injured when it happens though, especially my husband and the drunks.

We are located 1/2 block from the local RCMP office. Assume what you will.

Toni Jackson