We all know pictures make the “news” more interesting… so I got to thinking… I like to cover “International” topics… so maybe my readers would appreciate a Google’s eye view of the days events.

So here are the four main topics I’ve been tracking today… clicking the picture will take you to Google Maps.

#1: Continuing reaction in Iraq…

Fierce streetfighting at my doorstep for the last 3 hours. Rumor in the neighbourhood is that men in black are trying to enter the area.

due to the bombing of this Mosque in Iraq.

#2: The attempted bombing of this Saudi Oil refinery.

Guards opened fire on at least two cars carrying explosives as they tried to ram the gates. Two guards were killed.

#3: The Canadian Men won Olympic Gold in Curling at Turin today.

The 25-year-old skip [Brad Gushue] and his St. John’s-based rink of third Mark Nichols, second Russ Howard and lead Jamie Korab scored six in the sixth end to propel themselves to a 10-4 win over Finland in eight ends in the gold medal game on Friday in Pinerolo, Italy.

Congratulations!

#4: Sticking to the Canadian theme (sort-of)… Ancient Giant Beavers found in Inner Mongolia, China.

Castorocauda was preserved in exquisite detail, flattened in sediments at the bottom of an ancient lake. Hair impressions surround the body, which includes a 20-centimetre-long flat, beaver-like tail.

It’s funny cuz it’s True!

These multi-national oil companies are a whole herd of deer grazing on a bounty of spilled corn in Interstate 10 outside of Houston at 5:00 AM. There is a giant semi-truck cresting the hill with its bright lights on called Peak Oil bearing down on this herd. Some may make it off that highway. Some definitely won’t.

Read the whole post about how entire Oil Companies are just going about their business.. largely oblivious to long term realities.

This was Thangsgiving weekend up here in Canada. We celebrate early.. you know.. so we can still have a barbeque rather than shivering on the deck in late November.

There is always plenty to give thanks for and this year was no exception. Family, friends, a house and good food. What more can we ask for?

My brother-in-law is currently re-siding our house. Hardi-plank is pretty amazing stuff. Solid as a rock (weighs about as much too).. looks great… and since its’ made out of cement, it has an R value and is relatively fireproof. A good upgrade from cedar shakes.

We’ll be painting the house a deep burgundy… you can see a sample on the side, I couldn’t resist trying out the sprayer. We also discovered a rather large nest of carpenter ants. Nasty little beasts had eaten out all the outside planking (yes, planking! House was built in ‘45.. and built well!) so my father-in-law cut out all the eaten bits and $10 worth of wood and trim later we had a solid wall and new window frame.

Lots of other stuff going on too.. there was a “Millwarts Express” ride this weekend… the local steam train took probably 100 screaming Harry Potter fans up to the old Mcleans Mill to do lots of Harry Potter inspired sculdugery. I was just a boring Muggle though and stayed home…

It’s that time of the month again. Time for the monthly dose of baby pictures.

Jade is growing ever taller… and ever bolder. For those not in-the-know, she’ll be 17 months old on the 10th of October. She’s not quite walking yet, but that’s normal for a baby born 3 months premature! She’s doing AWESOME! Some may think a little too well, she keeps us on our toes around here even while she’s only still learning to user hers!

Included in the pictures are days at the Fall Fair (”Big Ned” was a Holstein steer… over 6ft 5in tall!), plenty of pictures of the new Kitten, marbles, with and without Jade. They get along well now.. Jade has plenty of kitty marks on her as she learns how kitty “plays”

Jade is also starting to eat with just her bare hands.. and we’re not talking just cookies here, we’re talking full-on mush! WEEEE!

Enjoy.

Today is the final day of summer… tomorrow is the Fall Equinox… it’s been a great summer, full of fun stuff. The weather hasn’t been too shabby either, provided you ignore most of June and the first half of July. Here are some pictures from the last couple weeks. Lost of stuff has been going on around here. From the Fall Fair a couple weeks ago (that’s the parade, “Big Ned” and lumberjack competition) to getting a new kitten (Heidi was not so impressed), to getting a new roof… there’s never a dull moment.

Enjoy!