 Ann Edall-Robson Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience." #TheLifeOfAFriend #FarAwayFriends #OdeToFriendship #TheQuietSpirits #FriendsThatLinger #WritingPoetryAgain #NewFoundFriendship
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When we travel, whether it be an extended journey or a leisurely day trip, we are always on the hunt for a place we can stop for a break, have a cuppa, a snack or a meal and visit with owners, patrons, and friends. We have found three such places that need to be shared. All have been happenstance and all have become one of our favourites in no particular order. Each has a different menu and ambiance. All are welcoming and definitely need to be visited for your own taste test (in our opinion). HAYWIRED COFFEE HOUSE
Priddis View & Brew Bistro
Balzac Diner
Do you have favourite places you like to stop and eat at when you are out and about? We would love to hear about them so we can put them on our radar for a future road trip. Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience.” A while back I went out without my camera. No reason really other than I didn’t take it with me. Oh yes, there were moments I reached for it, and there were moments I cussed at myself for not dragging it along. Yet, at the end of my break away from my computer and my camera, I came home with vivid images stored in the gray matter. Let me see if I can show you what I saw. . . The pathway to the lake was drifted in places. Pushing through the already made tracks of those who had wandered before me wasn’t all that easy. For those with long legs and strides to match, the trek to the other side of these crusted barriers would be easy. For someone built close to the ground, like me, calf-deep becomes knee deep, and visible foot holes in the drifts are quite useless! Breaking my own trail, while not that easy either, was easier on the legs than trying to fit into what was left behind by others. I quickly discovered walking off the trail in the uncharted snow was the way to go. Not only that, it showed me some wispy skeletal plant life. Thorn spikes on brown, rounded seed heads of burdock. Exploded seed pods hovering at the top of frozen cattail sentinels. Here and there the bright red, freeze dried rose hips were bobbing on the ends of prickly wild rose bushes. The lake showed life had traversed its perimeter. Coyote tracks mixed with tiny indents where mice and birds had taken advantage of seed that covered the ground from the wind-whipped plants along the frozen water’s edge. My peripheral vision caught a glimpse of movement. A lone skater clearing the natural ice rink in a sheltered corner. A hockey stick waiting patiently in the drifted snow bank. Man’s best friend barking and running in circles around the human Zamboni. Laughter erupting, carried on the wind until it faded to nothing. The drifts on the trail gave way to the wind-swept, frozen, earthen floor. The warm weather of recent weeks had softened the dirt to allow rutted tracks to form and freeze to almost perfect shapes. Some filled with little pools of frozen water. Others empty and void of any sign of life other than the steps left behind and the imagination of who would have left them. Poplar leaves laying in wait to rot and return food to the earth. Frozen and still green where they had fallen beside their yellowed and browned speckled tree mates. I can hear the Canada Geese and I wonder if there is still some open water somewhere on the lake that is enticing them to sing their song from above. They don’t linger long, before moving onward in search of an unfrozen destination as there is nothing here for them. A brazen Magpie watches me. Cackling it moves closer to the path to see what I am about until a crow, floating on the wind, swings near the trail sending the cheeky magpie off to stalk someone else. The trail curves towards home. Here the trees are frosted and glistening in the sun. It reminded me of one of my outings from another winter's walk. Bits of fluffy snow floats from their settled spot on the needles. Cones sway in the top branches daring me to stand and gawk at them. They too will be become feed for some bird looking for a bit of sustenance in the continued cold. Camera . . . hmm, I guess I didn’t really miss having it along.  Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience."  Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience."  Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience."  Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience."  Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience."  Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience."  Today, the horses have nothing to say. It didn’t start that way, but as the day progressed their lack of eye contact while I leaned on the fence watching them, told me different. A blatant reminder my mind needed to settle. I wander, drawn to a spot where the sound of a frog chorus penetrates through the trees. The sun on my face, the breeze ruffling my hair, all speaking to me in volumes. Planting myself away from the voices, the grounding of my soul begins. Eyes closed, breathing softly, embracing the aroma of raw earth, the connection I need starts to ooze into my being. By ignoring me, the horses suggested my direction; but, it is Mother Nature who gives me guidance. The singing of the frogs in the background while I watch my first butterfly of the season looking for sustenance from flowers yet to bloom. Tiny birds chirping their throaty sounds, flitting from branch to branch before taking wing to return to I know not where. Walking through the trees the pungent smell of rain dampened leaves meets my senses; laying lifeless to the eye, yet giving nourishment to the land. I stroll back to the barn. The smells confined within the walls are comforting. A reminder of the journey I began decades ago when I knew someday, somehow, I would blaze my own trail. The creativity will come, it always does. The process of late, has been mired by my mind whirling like a dust devil’s journey across the prairie. The horses and the land have gifted me much on this day. How do you reconnect with your creativity? Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience." A busy few weeks resulting in accomplishments, re-acquaintances, and favourite times being shelved (for a while). Life does that to us every so often. Puts us in a state of hair straight back, get to hell out of my way, I’ve got stuff to do! My time hasn’t been quite that radical, but it certainly has left me with a good feeling simmering deep within. Writing the story for my novel, The Quiet Spirits, was by far the easiest part of the project. When it was done, I was sad. It was like I had to say, “See you around, old friend.” Then it struck me. This thing needs to be published. With that thought came a whole new get busy again “to do” list. Editing, beta readers, re-writes, meet with publisher, book cover, dedication, (A sequel?), and, and, and . . . The biggest thing wasn't determining when did I want to have this book in my hot little hands, but more importantly, when would it be accessible to the public? By the looks of the progress, I can safely say, The Quiet Spirits will be available this fall; and, might I add, it will make a great Christmas gift. So what does someone who writes do when they finish a book? I have to tell you, for me, lots! For starters, I have been penning my next book. Yet to be named and not related to The Quiet Spirits. My thoughts on this novel, is the first draft will most likely be finished before summer ends. Maybe. When will it be published? Who knows? When it feels like the right time to do it would be a safe answer.
So you see, even when the midnight oil is being burned, the candles are lit from both ends, and the hair is straight back, there is always comfort in the things we know, and especially in the things we love to do. Where do you find your solace when your life is in hair straight back mode? Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience." Spring, the time of year I watch for the green shoots, listen for the sound of the Canada Geese, Robins and Kestrels. The season that lures me outdoors. In our neck of the woods, the ground is still froze enough to stop thoughts of digging in the dirt; but, with all the activity Mother Nature offers, it is a good time to walk, observe, learn and feel what’s going on. Spring is one of my favourite times of the year (the other being the Fall). The weather’s neither cold or hot, making it my kind of working environment; where I can sit on the deck, go for a walk, or take a drive along the back roads. Find a spot to listen to the sounds, take pictures, write, or sit and soak up the day. I rely on the outdoors, the visions and sounds to clear my mind. The jumbled thoughts are given space to congregate in their appropriate location. Settling my focus through the nothing, yet the everything that is within my sight. Filtering the important from what can be shelved for another day or turfed all together. These stolen times outside the walls of my office may be for a day, a few hours, or a 'holy crap' moment that has me running to the yard to watch the geese flying over. An interlude that makes me smile, grounds me to the things that have meaning to me, and inspire me to continue to forge ahead towards my goals. Where does your stolen time come from?  Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience."  The news feeds are all the same these days. Reasons why this didn’t happen last year. Reasons to make things happen this year. You can do it. Make the time and it will happen. On and on and on they go. The same things being said over and over. Everyone seems to have the so called answers, and we tend to fall into the rut of reading them, agreeing with them, saving them and doing nothing more. Is all of the time we spend trying to move forward and to be successful worth it? For some it’s the journey to no where. For others its something to keep the mind busy, and for most, it is merely a dream to do what you love. So, continue to read your news feeds. Continue to squirrel away those articles that you might get to read one day. But mostly, continue to do what sparks the dream and makes you happy. Each step we take towards any goal can only be made if we put one foot in front of the other. No one else can do that for us. Following someone else’s tracks is O.K. for a while; but, it is way more fun to make your own trail. Do you follow your own trail? Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience." Being known as a writer can be a hard row to hoe. Looking for inspiration to write is a journey faced every day, even when it's a passion, never mind a livelihood. There are those who take their inspiring moments from their faith. Others, from day to day experiences. Some even draw on what others write to fulfill the void. So, where do I get my urge to write from? Let’s see, where to start? Ideally, I like to draw from my own life experiences or those from others I have known. Topics I am interested in are memories sparked by something I have read or heard said. I like to write about nature, western heritage, traditions, my take on social media and whatever the imagination at any given moment throws at me.  Recently, I had the pleasure of being in the company of some amazing women. At the end of the day, we were asked to reflect on the statement, “What Am I Claiming?” I quickly made a list of eight items that came to mind. From a sentence I jotted down, “A vision to start a vision,” came a raw, creative, impulse moment . . . Letting the mind and body connect. Visualization of what we leave behind in the quest of what is in store. Claiming a path. Selecting the moments of importance. Storing the memories, not discarding them. Let them grow dust on the shelf to make room for the unbridled passions. You see, at that given moment, I was given inspiration to write. It was not part of the question we’d been given, it was a need to get my claim on paper. The whole point of the exercise was to name what we felt passionate about. What were we going to take with us in our journey, be it success in business, a relationship, personal growth or life in general. If you are passionate about writing, don't be afraid to record your words, and share them, no matter where you are or what you are doing. The one liner, or pages, you pen may be the beginning of something great. Claim It! What is the passion you strive to claim? Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience." January and February have flown by and March, it seems, has started without me and now it’s time to do some catch up. The last few weeks have been an immersion of writing, deadlines, research and winter weather. Breathing room has settled, in and so have new schedules, Morning Muse included.
And now, “What’s with the schedule?” you ask. Morning Muse will continue as a once a week entry on Sunday. This will be my last Wednesday Morning Muse post (for now). Topics will continue along the same vein as they have in past. Flash Fiction Challenges (99 Words and 52 Words) will posted as they are written. I love writing these micro stories that can't be prepared for. When the weekly prompt arrives is when I get the brain in gear. O.K. the new schedule is settling out, so what else is going on? I am going to be implementing notification of activities and posts by E-mail to those on our mailing list. Yes, you will have the option to decline or unsubscribe from these E-mails. The Ann Edall-Robson FB page has already seen some changes. You can now purchase ALL of my books from this bit of social media; and, I’ve made it easier for you to contact me from this location. I am looking at doing further modifications here as I go forward. All of the changes and goings on is a better fit in my writing world. I will now have time to work on other projects that have been simmering on the back burner, giving them the attention they deserve. Thanks for stopping by to catch up with what I am up to. See you soon. Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience." How have you been doing with the InCoWriMo challenge? Haven’t started? No time like the present to get involved. For those who picked up the gauntlet at the beginning of the month, we’re about half way through. Your probably realizing you have written to everyone on your list you think would enjoy receiving a hand written anything from you. Let’s take a deeper look at this challenge. Of course, sending and receiving hand written letters is an anomaly in today’s society; however, if that letter could become part of a bigger picture, the challenge may just benefit you and your families future. Write letters that tell a story of your family history or ask for family information. Write letters that include time honoured recipes. Write letters with anecdotes of a child growing up. Use the opportunity to create a genealogy trail. It’s OK to send to the same person more than once. Share these moments with your children and grandchildren.
I'd love to hear how you're making out with the challenge? Ann Edall-Robson Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience."  Blank note cards available from our Shop.
People hearts and feelings are not as giving as Mother Nature. Humans expect some reciprocal give back if they give you their heart. And, quite often, there is some kind of string attached to the body part that pumps life through us. Mother Nature, on the other hand, gives sometimes for a fleeting moment, sometimes for an hour, or sometimes forever. Each time she bestows upon you a heart, she is happy just to have made you smile. No strings attached! Imagine, if you would, seeing a heart in the most unexpected places. Definately a gift no human being could ever give.
Have you had an unexpected heart sighting? Share your pictures and stories with us. Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience."
As you write, refer back, and make changes to the 5-W's if necessary. It’s OK to start with preliminary thoughts only to find they vary or stray completely from the original. That's part and parcel of what writing is about. Most of the basic tools needed to reach the Finish line are found in the 5-W’s. Their guidance are known to have encouraged and directed a number of project towards a debut with the world. Do you use the 5-W's when you write? Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience."  Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience." The knee jerk reaction to an offer that encompasses your passion is to yell out, “Hell, yes!” After all, doing what you love, makes it easy to love what you’re doing. If you hesitate when an opportunity presents itself, even for a second, the analytical brain will start to process doubts that include the age old saying, “This is too good to be true.” Sometimes the push to agree comes from a need from within to change, to go forward, or to just live the dream, even if it is for that given moment in time. I have been visiting with Meagan Saam of Silver Valley Ranch for a few years. There are times, we wander all over a plethora of topics. Brainstorming, laughing, going for walks and (me) coming away with way more inspiration than the brain is worthy of. On a recent beautiful winter day, I again had the pleasure of visiting with Meg. We bounced around ideas, had some serious moments and a good laugh. At the end of our time together, this lovely lady presented me with a fantastic gift to consider. This was one of those “Hell, yes!” moments. I am delighted to share with everyone, I have accepted Meg’s offer to become one of the Partnering Professionals at Silver Valley Ranch. What will I be doing? Meg's words say it best. "Guiding groups on quiet, exploratory, nature based photography and intuitional writing sessions and workshops." Workshop dates and times will be available soon. Please contact Ann or Meg for more information. Ann Edall-Robson Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience." A new year, a new set of challenges. The beginning of a nurturing process. An opening sentence like that conjures up all kinds of things that need to be overcome. It takes you to the tasks that have been ignored and promises to “Get ‘r Done!” My though on all this? Don’t be foolish. Yes, it’s another year; and yes, it’s an opportunity to wipe the slate clean or complete what has been glossed over. The last day of December rolls into the first day of January. The mind moves forward with unified vision of challenges or goals, and how you have decided to take them on. I am embracing some challenges that include only ME. These projects I welcome to my realm, will not only jump start the brain, there is also the chance to rest and relax. Oh, there is the everyday stuff that will continue to pop in and create a twist in my plans, but I see them as an opportunity to see who I am. My new challenges include writing more, reading more, creating more. That’s nothing new, you might think, so what’s the big deal?  The new writing part involves a weekly task of penning a story from a provided prompt. The result can be no more and no less than 52 words. Imagine, a descriptive, any type of prose with a 52 word constraint attached? I am so up for this! The reading side, while it is something I do when I feel the need, now comes with a codicil of finishing twelve books over the year and posting a review on Goodreads (where I am a member author). This, too might not seem like a heavy lift, but in all honesty, reading the books is not the challenge, it’s taking the time to write the reviews. From a published author’s point of view, I know it is one thing that readers seldom take the time to do, and it only takes but a few minutes. Creating more? Like I need to add this to my repertoire! The creativity side always has plans to design, build and complete. It may be a simple as finishing a quilt, deciding which flowers to start in the greenhouse or taking more pictures. It’s an internal permission to let the imagination and soul wander to the places it has missed going to. What are your plans for you, this year? Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life When was the last time you received a letter that came in an envelope with a stamp on it? When was the last time you wrote a letter or thank you card? No not an email, a text message or a business letter but an actual pen to paper correspondence you sent from the post office. A Dear Aunty, Grandma, Family or Friend production filled with news and anecdotes. Or a card that simply said you're thinking about the other person.  Mrs. A. E. York is Ann Edall-Robson's great grandmother. Receiving this so called snail mail still puts a smile on the face of many. It tells them that the person took extra time and effort to send their news or say hello. Sometimes it is in the form of a several page letter and sometimes it is a note card. It may only be a few words saying they were thinking about the recipient or reminding them of a favourite memory that was shared. Regardless of the size or shape, it will usually garner a smile when the mail box is opened to find an envelope with a hand written address on it from someone who may be near or far away. The tradition of writing letters and notes needs to be resurrected. It's not only is a form of contact, but it is also a way for all generations to use the skills our education systems are ignoring. This so called old fashioned form of communication is fast becoming a lost art and talent. Put a smile on someone’s face. Take the time to get in touch with them through this time honoured tradition. Do you write letters the old fashioned way?
With anticipation, 2017 looms on the horizon. As the year of 2016 strolls towards its last hours, I sit writing the first Morning Muse of the New Year. Today, it’s cloudy, snowy, not too much wind, and much warmer than the earlier days of December. A time of the year when our brain feels the need to wind down only to realize we have promised ourselves to gear up and tackle the list of thoughts we think we must accomplish in the coming year.
The new year will arrive, and with it a new day . . . Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life
Now it’s time to reminisce about the year I was nudged awake by my older brother. If memory serves me, it was sometime in the early morning hours when the wood stove that kept the house warm had started to cool down. Not too long before someone would be up to stoke it, and start the day. The stockings were investigated, cherished oranges eaten, and a bit of candy consumed.  When the brain wave hit, how was I to know how much possible trouble we would be in. My brother is seven years older than me. He should’ve known. Right? “Let’s open all the presents for everyone and put them at the end of Mom & Dad’s bed.” He whispered. Sounded like a plan. After all, a five year old looks up to her big brother for guidance. The last parcels were unwrapped and quietly placed in the bedroom. We were leaving the room when Dad acknowledged we were there. “We’ll be up in a few minutes. Then you can open your gifts.” I didn’t know I should keep my mouth shut. For that matter, I guess it really didn’t matter. “We’ve opened them all. There right here. See. We thought it would save time.” My brother stood with his arm around my shoulder. “It was my idea.” He said quietly. She only helped when I asked her to. Always looking out for me, he was.
It was one tradition we didn’t keep, but it sure has had lots of miles and laughs in the re-telling. To all of our family, friends and far away neighbours, Merry Christmas. Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life A lot of what we read tells us how we can become successful. 10 suggestions to get customers. 6 steps to sell your products. 8 examples to write a better letter. 3 options to post a top notch blog. All of these are made up by me. I’m just making a point. The truth is, each and every one of us is capable of getting any job done, and we have the ability to find the best way to do it. Focus on what’s important and take those almighty baby steps I have talked about before. All the numbers and How To’s in the world are not going to make success happen. Having said that, there is a single number that has the best chance for a favourable outcome in each path our lives take us. The number? It’s 1. The only reason, point, plan, suggestions that makes things in our lives occur is what we do as individuals to make it so. So, lets see if I can come up with some additional points. 1 way to find a smile. 1 way to keep that smile. 1 way to make the smile into a laugh. 1 way to laugh until you cry. OK, so the list is kind of cheesy. My point is, it’s up to YOU to find the system, plan, strategy to make anything work. No one else is responsible for your smile, your laugh, your tears, your life. You are that number. You are the ONE! What’s your #1 focus for success?  Christmas and down time are hardly ever used in the same sentence. Especially when generations are intertwined. Visiting with Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Family Friends is a perfect time to start (or continue) family history fact finding. Make a game out of it and get everyone involved. Several year ago, the teenagers in our home enjoyed (and expected) the tradition of a Christmas scavenger hunt. The event was always planned months in advance. It was fun for the kids, and allowed breakfast preparations to be finished while they were busy figuring out the next move of the hunt. On one particular year, scrapbooking had become the rage. The book given to each child was to be added to over the Christmas holiday as part of the planned treasure hunt. The theme for the treasure hunt, you guessed it, Family History.  Each received a letter and print out of several questions they needed to find answers for. Some questions were easy. Some questions required talking to family members to get the answers. What better time to have them contacting friends and loved ones? The end result was their knowledge of their family history (both sides) had increased. They then took the answers and wrote them into the final page that was waiting to be inserted into their scrapbooks. Incorporating known genealogy information into the questions is a bonus. It allows those participating to delve deeper into already confirmed facts. Some of our fun facts included: Who was the member of the family involved with the North West Mounted Police (the good side of the law)? Who worked on the construction, and was offered passage on the Titanic (he declined)? Who was born in the Dakota Territory? Who received the Governor General’s Award for Bravery at the age of 15? This journey will have family members, young and old, taking the first steps of spending some quiet, memorable, quality moments together. What are some of your fun family facts? During the month of December 2016, download your FREE copy of How to Get to Know the Family, treasure hunt question sheets from the Digital Download aisle in our Shop. Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life |
October 2023
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