and a new project begins....

I have been driving around the city of Calgary for quite a bit now. On a recent trip I was inspired and now I have made it my new project. The uncelebrated corner store. These are not the same as the ones in the little strip plaza. These are neighbourhood institutions that in some cases have been around for a generation, or two.

These were and are family run businesses. The person at the register would know your name, your brother or sister`s name and what brand of smokes your father smoked. That of course was at a time when as a kid, you could stop in a grab a pack of your father`s favourite brand and the clerk knew that your word was good enough and pass them across the corner.

I even remember going to the Starlite in Windsor and buying a bag of chips for fifteen cents. How`s that for dating myself. Anyways, I am using this topic for the start of a new photo series. Keep in touch and see what I come up with.

a friend and a hero

I used to be a member of the Moose Lodge here in Calgary. One of the highlights of being a member there was the day I met a wonderful lady who I now have the honour to not only call a friend, but a hero. Why do I call her a hero you ask. Well she works hard at telling the stories that needs to be told.

This photo is from a shoot for a project that she is currently working on. I have included a link to her web site. Check it out. I assure you that it is well worth the visit. http://www.phylliswheaton.com/

from Grandma...

Growing up, we usually found a pair of these under the tree on Christmas morning. The ones for us boys had a bow tie on the top. Our sister's had a flower. This was also the case in my cousin's house.

Then as my cousins and I got married and had kids, there would be a pair of knitted slippers beneath the tree for our wives and kids. All handmade by Grandma Burgess.

Well Grandma has been gone for a few years now. She's one of the many ghost's of my Christmases past, along with a long list of loved ones who made Christmas and Christmas mornings special. They live as fond memories that I will once again look back on this Christmas morning.

Now I have taken to going to winter craft shows in community centers or church basements looking, searching for slippers for the coming cold season. It was either this or hire some gray haired granny to make them for me. The fact that they are not wrapped to be found under the tree I will have to get over.

I will deal with that on Christmas morning. I will sit in my chair reflecting back on my Christmases past. I can still remember the tag signed, 'to David from Grandma with love.'

There

Gerber Daisies and photo filters...

Having been snowed in this past week I thought that I would do a little experimenting with some photo editing software. These are the results of my time spent in the digital photo lab.

November 11, 2010-Time passes

Today was the first time that I have taken in a Remembrance Day service since I have moved to Calgary. I had a vested interest in this year's service. It was my son's first parade as an Air Cadet, 528 Buffalo Squadron.

I shot a bunch of pics, but this one here touched me the most. I just find this so moving, so powerful that it found it`s way here. I cannot look at it without feeling emotional about it.

To all veterans-For all of my freedoms, all of my life's liberties, for of my rights that sometimes I have taken for granted-Thank you Veterans. To you all I owe a great debt of gratitude.

The Prince House

This house is now located in Calgary's Heritage Park. It's plans were found in Popular Science Magazine and built by Peter Anthony Prince. It's original location was on Prince's Island, which is on the Bow River in downtown Calgary.

Peter Anthony Prince was most noted as being the founder of the Eau Clair lumber Co, of Calgary.