Community

“Curiosity is a willing, a proud, an eager confession of ignorance.”

“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars and see yourself running with them.”

I took a giant step out of my safe little cocoon of comfort this weekend, also known as my kitchen, and bravely trod on unfamiliar ground.

At the beginning of November the warming centre opened for the winter season. A good thing really; the frost is hanging in the air longer every day as winter sets in. By the time this centre opens in the morning, the folks who will be using it will have been roused and ousted from the mats or cots they slept on for the night.

In my role at Red Deer College, I have the opportunity to connect with people from across central Alberta. Whether this is at events hosted by RDC or at other activities in the community, I always enjoy speaking with students, alumni, parents, partners and interested citizens. A great many people are connected with RDC, and what I’ve found through my conversations is that they truly care about what’s happening here.

My father-in-law looks into the mirror every day and says out loud: “I can’t wait until tomorrow, ’coz you’re lookin’ better every day!” I, however, try not to look in a mirror, but when I do I find myself saying, right out loud: “Hey doofus, what kind of stupid things are you going to do today?” Oh, and did I mention the father-in-law played more than 130 nine-hole rounds of golf last summer, parring the course several times and getting his fifth lifetime hole-in-one? I played five times, lost

American Kestrels are one of my favourite bird species. Colorful, tiny and fierce, they hold the distinction of being both North America’s smallest falcon and the only hawk species to nest in cavities. Historically called the “sparrow hawk,” this species is declining across much of its range. Thankfully, they still seem to be fairly common in Central Alberta, where they are usually seen perched on power line wires or poles that bisect open grasslands and parklands.

It was cold outside.

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken adults.”

Last weekend was a highly controversial can of worms political football that had many people up in arms, bent out of shape and cheesed off. But in the end every Albertan stepped up to fall back. We had to – it was time for Daylight Time. And therein lies the rub.