I've been agonizing lately over which conferences to go to this spring, comparing speakers, venues and fees, to get the best value for my money and time. I have narrowed it down to two in the U.S. and must make up my mind in the next few days to get the early-bird rate. But wait! I was delighted to discover last night that there will be a tech conference right here, close enough to my new backyard to be an obvious choice, and very appealing even if I didn't already know a couple of people who will be there. Hicktech sounds like a good opportunity to meet some people who are into the stuff I'm into. And I don't have to fly anywhere or go through security scanners. Yay!

Posted by lynda at 11:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Here's an update for those of you concerned about our latest pheasant crisis. The peripatetic golden one grabbed his chance to socialize when a door was inadvertently left open and ended up in the same pen as the largest pair. We weren't optimistic that the large male would stand for this flamboyant intruder, but weren't sure how to fix the problem. Finally I went into the cage armed with a kiddie snow shovel and Bob stood by to block escape paths. After lots of yelling (by me as I scrambled around the cage, trying to stay between the golden one and the larger pair) and coaxing carefully with the shovel, Goldie ran back into his own cage. He won't be lonely anymore because Widow Brown (the female left behind when her partner escaped to the woods some time ago) settled in to his cage while the mayhem was going on.

Posted by lynda at 11:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I've been back in Ontario since last Friday, eating bonbons at our Leaside spa location ever since (not really). The roads to Owen Sound were pretty good on the weekend, but I chickened out since I had to be back here today to lead a workshop for a client. The day's effort was well received and I topped it off with a play at my favourite Toronto theatre, Tarragon. Now I am SO ready to come home and see how much snow there really is -- Bob's flickr pix were pretty impressive, but it's not the same as being there, he tells me. With any luck, I'll be back at Barkwhistle in time to watch Heartbeat tomorrow.

Posted by lynda at 11:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I had hoped to go to Toronto today, so that getting to the airport tomorrow wouldn't be a scramble, but Mother Nature had other plans. The Christmas card view out my office window is lovely, but it means the highway is closed between here and the big city. Oh well, I'm warm and dry and I can try again tomorrow. My appointment in New Brunswick could be delayed if necessary. If there is anyone in my neighbourhood with a more urgent deadline, I hope there is a snowmobile around to help.

I was thinking today about a journey I took 32 years ago from my Mississauga home to a downtown Toronto hospital. It was a pretty easy trip (I can say that now after the years have erased the excruciating pain of labour) with lots of time to meet my deadline. With both assistance and intrusion from the health care system, I gave birth to my first child, a beautiful boy with a serene face. Happy birthday, son!

Posted by lynda at 03:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)