Wha....?!

TwinB had her third visit with a shrink in Calgary yesterday who pronounced her diagnosis based on the first 2 sessions.

* still shaking my head *

I've had this mental subtext sputtering through my head all day - ...'but she's not (list of behaviors)!' and she's never! (lists of other traits/behaviors)

After the shrink dropped the 'B bomb'* on her, Twinb had the nerve to question the shrink on specifics and was only met with "I guess you're not willing to accept the diagnosis", then she was given the recommendation to go off her mood stabilizers with the option to increase the seroquel if necessary.

Resulting (I suspect) in a drooling yet psychotic, non-functioning TwinB.

TwinA freaked out when I mentioned the withdrawal of mood stabilizers...there's been alot of unpleasant fallout when twinB forgets or underdoses...so 'B and I both reassured her that if it happened at all I would make sure it was following art lesson season when I could be present.

*the infamous Borderline Personality Disorder.

I'll be consulting her local doctor here tomorrow for suggestions.

Best Job In The World

Yes sir, I got it! Best job that is.

Art class season is gearing up - I've had my first day of introductory lessons for the Nechako school Bird Mural - and all the recreation department sessions have started as well.

This young fellow attends Nechako and happened to be in one of the classrooms I visited on Tuesday...he was rather stoked to tell me "did you know that people are saying that you're the Best Artist in Canada!"

I assured him that no, I'm actually not the best artist in Canada but I do truly appreciate their admiration and confidence in my abilities.

So how could being caretaker of a reef island off Australia compare to that?

Comes up a little short in my opinion.

Clabber-ay-shuns

A collaboration between TwinB and I is where I snag one of her images, then finish and frame it. Been pretty succesful so far. Every piece has sold and this one already has an interested party.
So little 'B...does this give you incentive?

Resisting the Urge to Stalk

Nationally acclaimed local author Eden Robinson was in Super Valu this afternoon; I followed her through the produce aisles hoping to engage her in conversation or inquire how her writing is going at the moment, however the effort seemed to be developing into a cat and mouse pursuit so I fell back, frowned at my grocery list for a few seconds then devoted a significant chunk of time to the serious study and analysis of bananas.

TwinB and I have attended a few workshops and readings that she has held here. We both love her gritty style and portrayal of both Kitimat and familiar areas of Vancouver - sure hope there's something new in development!

Sunlight Between Snowfalls

Yesterday saw another 8" of snow gently blanket our little town* but miraculously in the afternoon the sky cleared and the sun shone for a few hours. Those of us lucky enough to have those few hours free ran around the area with cameras locked 'n loaded. An artist aquaintance I spoke to on the street yesterday has already emailed me this same scene with slightly different lighting (it is one of our 'famous' views) as well as a magical river composition.
Last night it clouded over and this morning we have another 7 inches. 18 cm

Now I remember...we are referred to as 'the valley of the snow' - that's what Kitamaat means in Tsimshian

*sarcasm

Faded Glory

When Kitimat was first conceived and built it was projected that it would grow to a population of 50,000 so a light industrial area was built across the Kitimat River rather than 'crowding' out city centre. Now at 9000 people, we don't have enough enterprise to fill either and Service centre, being older and in the path of toxin laden winds blowing from Alcan and Eurocan, has taken the bigger hit over the years.
Boarded up or abandoned buildings in the forest/mountains - especially languishing beneath loads of snow - seem so much more desolate than their counterparts in the desert... they look so stiff and wet and cold.

Buildings can last indefinitely in the desert but in our climate their days are really numbered.

And Adding Another 34 cm...

...making our 24 hour total 75 cm which is a nice, even 30 inches.
That would be what we can see of the greenhouse.

4 Hours & 21 Centimeters Later -

There are avalanche conditions on my patio!!

Trying to Pretend I Live At a Ski Resort

I don't think I'll be doing much barbequeing for a while.
Man! ...now I really want a burger...

(Hey- it's not like we can run out and grab one just anywhere here)

The TwinB Tree

On a night in early December TwinB spent the night creating this tree from wire and yarn as a substitute for travelling to the Rockies in order to become lost in the forest. She had planned to sit beneath a tree -after the custom of first nations elders - then wait for death by exposure.

Instead she made this for me.

I'm happy with the results.