Spring? Where are you?

I went to Nova Scotia for a few days to visit friends. On my way, I pulled into the Wildlife Park in Schubenacadie. Sadly, after taking two whole photos I realized that the battery in my camera was dead as a doornail. I was too far into the park and it was too cold and windy to trek back up the hill to the parking lot for another, so I chalked it up to poor planning on my own part and just enjoyed viewing a few of the animals.

After a while I was shivering in the cold so my “buoy” and I headed back up the hill and continued on our way to “The Valley” (Annapolis, that is).

I know I’m “coming home” when I can see Blomidon mountain across the inlet. Despite the chill, it felt good to be out on an adventure! I met up with my friend Donna in the afternoon in Kentville for a “catch up” and then crashed for the night in New Minas. The next morning Carol Ann (my freshman year university roommate) and I met for breakfast and more catching up before I continued on down through the Valley to the Annapolis Royal area.

I got to spend the night with another friend, Corinne. She lives on what is locally referred to as the “North Mountain” and trust me, the goat trail that passes for a road to her place does remind me of driving through the Rockies at bit – sharp turns and VERY steep. After lots of talking, we headed into the town for a lovely dinner at the Garrison House Inn and Restaurant. Delicious of course!

After a cozy night in a deep, soft bed (where I slept for well over the allotted eight hours!), I packed and headed back ‘up’ the valley to spend some time, and another sleep-over, with my friend Jodi and her four kitties (and a zillion plants both inside and outside). Lots of talking and another lovely dinner, this time made by my friend herself. Yum (she is a good cook). We extolled the many virtues of air fryers as well!

Loki is elderly and quite deaf; but very affectionate. Cassie is young and deigns to be friendly on her terms. Herbie is the family love bug – well-named. Sandy hid and scuttled about under furniture so as not to be seen – but I did get glimpses of a lovely cat. The last two came from Sussex.

The next day it was time to head home. After the mandatory stop at the Masstown Market for a few treats to bring home, I put the pedal to the metal and went on down the highway, singing loudly to the tunes of my youth (in the 60s). It was a successful road trip!

Joel, Harley, and Lucy were all happy to see me. I was working on a few photos but discovered that my camera was having issues. I was able to salvage a few shots of Lucy, but today I sent the camera body off to Fuji for assessment and repair. Hopefully, it’s nothing catastrophic. On a happier note, I learned that one of the photos I have entered into an international food photography competition, the #GoldenPineappleAwards, is a finalist! I won’t know who won or where my image will finish in the final placings until mid-May, but I am totally chuffed to have made it that far. My fingers are crossed!

Now if only spring would truly bring warmer temperatures. Although the grass is turning green and the trees are laden with buds – it’s COLD out there, and nasty at night.

So, that said, I’ll leave you with those few images of Lucy – my feline model extraordinaire.