Why do actions speak louder than words?

I feel this Baha'i quote is most timely, given the current state of world affairs:

"Let those who meet you know, without your proclaiming the fact, that you are indeed a Baha'i. 

Put into practice the teachings of Baha'u'llah, that of kindness to all nations.  Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path.

...

What profit is there is agreeing that universal friendship is good, and talking of the solidarity of the human race as a grand ideal?  Unless these thoughts are translated into the world of action, they are useless.

The wrong of the world continues to exist just because people talk only of their ideals, and do not strive to put them into practice.  If actions took the place of words, the world's misery would very soon be changed into comfort.

A man who does great good, and talks not of it, is on the way to perfection.

The man who has accomplished a small good and magnifies it in his speech is worth very little.

If I love you, I need not continually speak of my love - you will know without any words.  On the other hand if I love you not, that you will also know - and you would not believe me, were I to tell you in a thousand words, that I loved you.

People make such profession of goodness, multiplying fine words because they wish to be thought greater and better than their fellows, seeking fame in the eyes of the world.  Those who do the most good use fewest words concerning their actions.

The children of God do the works without boasting, obeying His laws.

My hope for you is that you will ever avoid tyranny and oppression; that you will work without ceasing till justice reigns in every land, that you will keep your hearts pure and your hands free from unrighteousness.

This is what the near approach to God requires from you, and this is what I expect of you.

The power and value of true thought depend upon its manifestation in action."

- Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks

The Saskatchewan Swing-Step?

I went and visited a friend of mine in Wyoming last year at Christmastime, and he taught me what is lovingly referred to there as "the Wyoming Shuffle" - a preferred walking style for when it's snowy, icy, and generally super-slippery outside. 

Well, I have taken that shuffle and I have made it my own.  I have reworked it and am now doing what I like to call "the Saskatchewan Swing-Step".  Or "the Regina Processional"; I haven't really decided yet.  It's a combination glide/shuffle/stomp/swing/occasional two-step to avoid icy, angled driveways.  It ain't all that pretty, but it gets me where I need to go without ending up sliding on my butt.  (Which, coincidentally, is looking fabulous due to all this strenuous Swing-Stepping to and from work! I knew there had to be an upside to walking in the winter...)

Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs! DINOSAURS!!!

Here's a little visual tour of my work trip last week - I headed to the T-Rex Discovery Centre in Eastend to help dismantle and move the Tylosaurus, Omaciw (pronounced O-mawch-ee-oh; it means "hunter" in Cree) to the museum in Swiftcurrent for exhibit.

Out at the T-Rex Discovery Centre! FINALLY!

A giant, terrifying mural inside the Discovery Centre.

Heeeeeeeeere's Omaciw!!

Omaciw on display with some of the text panels.

Wrapping the text panels so they don't get damaged in transit.

Getting ready to dismantle the behemoth.

Dismantling in progress.

The T-Rex Discovery Centre.

A beautiful moonrise as we pack up and get ready to leave.

Unpacking Omaciw in Swiftcurrent.

Setting him back up on the stands was way easier than taking him apart!

Putting Omaciw back together.

Making sure the stands are tight!

Taking a quick break to discuss how to get the head remounted.

A whole lot of ladders were needed to get Omaciw's head on straight.

The finished product, ready to strike terror into passersby!

So if you're in the area, be sure to check out the T-Rex Discovery Centre in Eastend for more totally awesome dinosaur exhibits, and get to Swiftcurrent to visit Omaciw!

First snowfall of the season. Yay?

Ok, so technically the first snowfall was actually on Sunday but since the snow has decided to hang around until now, I wanted to put together a list of things for which I am thankful this winter season:

Winter tires - Rather, driving around with people who have already put on their winter tires.  Had no idea until I moved out here how big a difference snow tires can make vs. all-season ones.  I'm now a believer.

People who shovel their sidewalks - THANK YOU. I love you people.

Proper winter accoutrements - Down-filled ski jacket? Check.  Ear-muffins? Check.  Lo-Jo's? Check.  Gloves, scarf and toque?  Check, check and check.  Fantastic boots with amazing traction? Double-Check.  Awesome.

On the downside, I am NOT thankful for roads and sidewalks that are icy as all hell due to thawing and refreezing, and the fact that there's no daylight savings time in Saskatchewan (I walk to and from work in perpetual twilight now.) 

Now let's see if I survive the imminent -40 below temperature drop...

You know you're Canadian when...

You know you're Canadian when you're walking behind a complete stranger, and they go into a store just ahead of you and hold the door open behind them expectantly, and even though you weren't actually planning on going to that store, you have a moment of panic where you think, "If I don't go through that door, they're going to think me ungrateful" and you actually contemplate going through the door just to make them feel better.