#calgary fencing

[kimberlyharrisus]

https://www.csslight.com/profile/dlr-vinyl-products-inc

Looking For Fence Company In Calgary ? Contact DLR Vinyl Products

Enhance your outdoor space with DLR Vinyl Products, Calgary's leading vinyl fence company. With their wide selection of styles and colors, you can create a beautiful and functional fence that complements your home.

[northernlightsrenovations]

Northern Lights Renovations & Home Repair Services

Northern Lights Renovations and High Quality Bathroom Renovations Services is a locally licensed, bonded and insured home renovations company serving Calgary and the surrounding areas including Bearspaw, Cochrane, and Airdrie. With over a decade of experience, our team provides kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations, basement developments, and deck and fence builds with an outstanding level of support, care, and communication. Our goal is to wow our clients with our quality workmanship and attention to detail. When you work with us you are dealing with family. You can trust us to complete your project on time and budget. Find out why we are considered one of Calgary’s most trusted home remodeling contractors.

[fringeyguygoesrogue]

Patio - Transitional Patio Inspiration for a large transitional backyard patio vertical garden remodel with decking and a pergola

[klllerwithin]

Retaining Walls - Landscape Inspiration for a traditional, medium-sized backyard landscape with a retaining wall made of concrete pavers.

[projectlandscapeltd]

Best fences Calgary company - Project Landscape

Project Landscape is the best fences Calgary company that provides the best fences has to offer. We understand the importance of providing our clients with quality services and products, so we only use the best materials available. Our team is dedicated to offering you a unique experience that will exceed your expectations.

Project Landscape provides the best fences Calgary. We have been in business for over many years and have built a reputation for quality workmanship and customer service. Our fences are made from the highest quality materials and our installations are always completed on time and within budget.

Visit https://www.projectlandscape.ca/fence-installers-in-calgary/ for more details. For more updates, visit: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=11747008283103314784

[landscapeproject85]

In a city like Calgary, where there are literally hundreds of fence contractors, how do you determine which one is right for your job? Many of them charge significantly less than other contractors, signaling that they are saving money on the entire building of the fence. Another example is the "one-day fencing" commercial, which has been running in Calgary since the summer. This could end up costing you more money in the long term. A one-day fence will surely fall on the first extreme windy day. It's a dangerous move to build on top of freshly poured concrete. The post should be left to set for at least 24 hours after it has been poured. Avail fence builder in Calgary with Project Landscape

[langenschwert]

Not too shabby! Bronze in #messer at #Anvil2022 hosted by @forgewma! I was pretty sick last week, but still managed to recover and win a #medal in a stacked #tournament. Considering I didn’t think I’d be able to compete at all, every match was truly a #gift. The medal was just a nice addendum to a great day of fights. We are very fortunate to be able to do what we love and have such great fencers from @edmontonhistoricalmartialarts, @edmontongermanfencingguild, @academyofeuropeanswordsmanship, @thccsofficial, and the home team of @forgewma! Thanks to all the fencers who attended and supported us in our nerdy yet savage passion. I also received an impressive welt on my right thigh that will stick with me for quite some time. It’s amazing how some strikes manage to magically bypass all our protective gear and leave some colourful (usually red and purple) “memories” on our bodies. #yyc #calgary #alberta #canada #yycmartialarts #martialarts #medieval #renaissance #hema #fencing #sword #fight #swordfight #tournament #sport #competition #instagood #community #fun #theforgewma (at The Forge: Western Martial Arts) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfQlxN0rpR4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ditchthediy]

A new deck for Father’s Day, ready for staining. This project by our handyman team was completed over the weekend despite the temperamental ‘em weather. Give us a call for your free quote today! #deck #decks #fences #handyman #handymanprojects #fathersday #fathers #homeimprovement #yyc #calgary #calgaryhomes #chestermere #cochrane #airdrie #okotoks (at Calgary, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfBwMsWLS_S/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[mostlysignssomeportents]

How to screw up a whistleblower law

I'm touring my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me THIS WEDNESDAY (Apr 17) in CHICAGO, then Torino (Apr 21) Marin County (Apr 27), Winnipeg (May 2), Calgary (May 3), Vancouver (May 4), and beyond!

Corporate crime is notoriously underpoliced and underprosecuted. Mostly, that's because we just choose not to do anything about it. American corporations commit crimes at 20X the rate of real humans, and their crimes are far worse than any crime committed by a human, but they are almost never prosecuted:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/10/12/no-criminals-no-crimes/#get-out-of-jail-free-card

We can't even bear to utter the words "corporate crime": instead, we deploy a whole raft of euphemisms like "risk and compliance," and that ole fave, the trusty "white-collar crime":

https://pluralistic.net/2021/12/07/solar-panel-for-a-sex-machine/#a-single-proposition

The Biden DOJ promised it would be different, and they weren't kidding. The DOJ's antitrust division is kicking ass, doing more than the division has done in generations, really swinging for the fences:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/22/reality-distortion-field/#three-trillion-here-three-trillion-there-pretty-soon-youre-talking-real-money

Main Justice – the rest of the DOJ – promised that it would do the same. Deputy AG Lisa Monaco promised an end to those bullshit "deferred prosecution agreements" that let corporate America literally get away with murder. She promised to prosecute companies and individual executives. She promised a lot:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/22/reality-distortion-field/#three-trillion-here-three-trillion-there-pretty-soon-youre-talking-real-money

Was she serious? Well, it's not looking good. Monaco's number two gnuy, Benjamin Mizer, has a storied career – working for giant corporations, getting them off the hook when they commit eye-watering crimes:

https://prospect.org/justice/2024-04-09-reform-groups-lack-of-corporate-prosecutions-doj/

Biden's DOJ is arguably more tolerant of corporate crime than even Trump's Main Justice. In 2021, the DOJ brought just 90 cases – the worst year in a quarter-century. 2022's number was 99, and 2023 saw 119. Trump's DOJ did better than any of those numbers in two out of four years. And back in 2000, Justice was bringing more than 300 corporate criminal prosecutions.

Deputy AG Monaco just announced a new whistleblower bounty program: cash money for ratting out your crooked asshole co-worker or boss. Whistleblower bounties are among the most effective and cheapest way to bring criminal prosecutions against corporations. If you're a terrified underling who can't afford to lose your job after narcing out your boss, the bounty can outweigh the risk of industry-wide blacklisting. And if you're a crooked co-conspirator thinking about turning rat on your fellow criminal, the bounty can tempt you into solving the Prisoner's Dilemma in a way that sees the crime prosecuted.

So a new whistleblower bounty program is good. We like 'em. What's not to like?

Sorry, folks, I've got some bad news:

https://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/news/200/stephen-kohn-on-the-justice-department-plan-to-offer-whistleblower-awards/

As the whistleblower lawyer Stephen Kohn points out to Russell Mokhiber of Corporate Crime Reporter, Monaco's whistleblower bounty program has a glaring defect: it excludes "individuals who were involved with the crime." That means that the long-suffering secretary who printed the boss's crime memo and put it in the mail is shit out of luck – as is the CFO who's finally had enough of the CEO's dirty poker.

This is not how other whistleblower reward programs work: the SEC and CFTC whistleblower programs do not exclude people involved with the crime, and for good reason. They want to catch kingpins, not footsoldiers – and the best way to do that is to reward the whistleblower who turns on the boss.

This isn't a new idea! It's in the venerable False Claims Act, an act that signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln. As Kohn says, making "accomplices" eligible to participate in whistleblower rewards is how you get people like his client, who relayed a bribe on behalf of his boss, to come forward. As Lincoln said in 1863, the purpose of a whistleblower law is to entice conspirators to turn on one another. Like Honest Abe said, "it takes a rogue to catch a rogue."

And – as Kohn says – we've designed these programs so that masterminds can't throw their minor lickspittles under the buss and collect a reward: "I know of no case where the person who planned or initiated the fraud under any of the reward laws ever got a dime."

Kohn points out that under Monaco, the DOJ just ignores the rule that afford anonymity to whistleblowers. That's a big omission – the SEC got 18,000 confidential claims in 2023. Those are claims that the DOJ can't afford to miss, given their abysmal, sub-Trump track record on corporate crime prosecutions.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/15/whistleblown/#lisa-monaco

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Canadian style castle home in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Construction on the property first began in 1946 when the home was built as a bungalow. Then in 1982, new construction began to turn it into the castle it is today, complete with its own lookout tower. 4bds, 3ba, $1.4M.

In the entrance hall is one of four spiral staircases. I'm noticing a colorful contrast of deep pinkish red and orange.

This house does not fool around- no stuffy sitting room leads off the entrance hall, here you go directly into a huge club-like setting with a big bar.

There's even a dance floor back there.

Here's your formal sitting room with a fireplace. Check it out- the wall and mantel above the fireplace are half & half. That's a little weird.

Plus a home office/den.

There's a family room with a fireplace outside the dining room.

Spacious dining room matches the family room.

The kitchen is huge with a ceiling of light.

The kitchen has banquette seating in the tower.

In the corner of the rec room is the 2nd set of spiral stairs.

They lead to a tower sitting area with built-in seating. Kinda cute. It's right outside the primary room and there's a set of stairs that lead to the 3rd level.

Large primary bedroom.

One of the baths has a colorful tile pattern.

The secondary bedrooms are decent sizes.

And, the baths are large as well.

The 3rd set of spiral stairs is the best. Look at this.

It's a 2 story library.

Sitting room next to the library.

There's a cool roof top deck on the tower.

Private fenced-in patio.

B/c it was a summer home that was made considerably larger, there's not much land and it's sandwiched in between the 2 neighbors' homes.

[gossipgoal2]

Keith tkachuk hates Mathew. Ppl don’t realize that toxic & emotionally immature parents can hate their children. a parent who loves u won’t publicly shame, embarras, criticize their child. Keiths comments last playoffs were spiteful. shitting on Matt & his team MID playoffs. Keith knew exactly what he was doing. at the time Matt had newfound positive media attention, interview w shack, labeled leader +key player by team. a complete 180 from the bad rep he had in Calgary. So naturally, wat does Keith do unprovoked? Give an interview dragging Matt & his team. He didn’t like how Matt was coming into his own independence & gaining confidence so he placed doubt into his mind saying things he KNEW would get under his skin & potentially ostracized from teammates. luckily his scheme failed. Barkov praised Matt in a playoffs press conference right after Keith talked his bullshit. When ur parent is ur biggest bully you’ll do anything to gain their approval, so its makes sense why Matt is settling for Ellie w the engagement, after years of not having interest in her. doesn’t announce or post his engagement, no solo couple pic, don’t speak about her. just look at one of the few pics of her on his page & shes cuddled up with his dad. ppl were saying how it was weird (on keiths part) how much he was pushing for Matt do date Ellie. But we’ve seen Mathews hookups. Filipina, Mixed, Puerto Rican, Brunette. Matt is already never enough in Keiths eyes so how do u think Keith would react if Matt brought home anything other than blonde hair blue eyes? Not shading Ellie at all- despite her crazy mom and trumpie family she actually seems sweet out of all the NHL wags tbh. But Matt is living to please his dad so dont be surprised when the tea behind the white picket fence is revealed……

^^

Toxic family

[wyattjohnston]

all fic | universe | gifs | exchanges

(alphabetical order by team, then by player)

updated: 5 May '24

* = contains smut

boston bruins

charlie mcavoy

kiss it better now

buffalo sabres

erik johnson

only all the time (series of one shots)

jeff skinner

your eyes look like coming home

tyson jost

it’s me & you

out of ten

this is getting good now (series of one shots)

calgary flames

noah hanifin

the one who needs saving

carolina hurricanes

andrei svechnikov

kinda hope they catch us

colorado avalanche

gabriel landeskog

‘til you give me all your love

nathan mackinnon

the second time

you always did feel just like home

columbus blue jackets

nick blankenburg

need a little company

dallas stars

jake oettinger

the saddest thing i know

roope hintz

no sound worse than silence

tyler seguin

ain’t no sunshine (#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, playlist)

edmonton oilers

leon draisaitl

lock in your love

florida panthers

matthew tkachuk

don't want to miss you like this

you gotta kiss somebody (sometimes)

los angeles kings

pierre luc dubois

never said a thing

montreal canadiens

josh anderson

what am i to you?

nashville predators

anthony beauvillier

into moonlight (series of one shots)

taylor hall

better at leaving* & i just keep coming back to you*

new jersey devils

dougie hamilton

i’ll bet you didn’t even know

jack hughes

make it weird

we all have our secrets

we don't have no time to waste (series of one shots)

nico hischier

late nights in the middle of june (series of one shots)

not perfect (but we were)

new york islanders

mat barzal

all eyes, they're on you (series of one shots)

uh oh

new york rangers

chris kreider

toward a feminine sea

philadelphia flyers

joel farabee

fell in love with you in stages

travis konecny

take me as i am (series of one shots)

pittsburgh penguins

ryan graves

never saw you coming

to hold your hand (would be the bravest thing)

seattle kraken

andre burakovsky

dreamer (just like you)

we look good together*

jamie oleksiak

my picket fence penguins

your eyes look like coming home

st louis blues

colton parayko

open your heart to me

kasperi kapanen

let's get these wheels in motion*

kevin hayes

got a hold on me* (series of one shots)

how those rumours fly

toronto maple leafs

mitch marner

give the stars something to watch

morgan rielly

sache que je serai la tienne (series of one shots)

william nylander

let's get these wheels in motion*

vancouver canucks

brock boeser

and i had silly dreams

take you one day at a time (series of one shots)

elias pettersson

been a long time coming

quinn hughes

closer than i ever even knew

let's finish what we started

until the light shines through

vegas golden knights

nolan patrick

found the cure for a broken heart

say that we'll be together (series of one shots)

washington capitals

nicklas backstrom

give up the game

tom wilson

in the shadows & still want more

winnipeg jets

adam lowry

breaking all the rules

[wandafiction]

Moose - Just Us Chapter 77

Warnings: None

Word Count: 4790

Series List | Chapter 76 | Chapter 78

================================

We were now waiting at baggage collection, Wanda pulled into my side as my right arm rests over her shoulder. The boy's eyes follow every bag that goes past, double checking to see if they are ours or not as they bounce on their feet excitedly. Luckily, they seem a lot more awake than they were this morning which makes sense since they slept on the plane. 

I rest my head on top of Wanda's feeling her relax against me more, closing my eyes for a moment as I breathe in her scent. When they open up I smile against her hair when I see the boys both grabbing each of our bags off the conveyor belt, turning around with proud smiles on their faces when they show us. 

"Okay so we have the bags. What now?" Tommy asks as he passes me my suitcase.

"Now we head out, we can grab a drink and some food from one of the shops here. Then you have to look out for a white hat volunteer."

"A white hat volunteer?" Billy passes Wanda's bag to her.

"Yeah, so they wear white hats and red vests. They are people who welcome you to Calgary and have bits of information and everything. I just need to know where to find our rental car." 

"Okay so we have the bags, we need to find where we are going and get coffee. Also go to the toilet now because we have a nearly 3 hour drive ahead of us." Wanda lists off as we all start walking out of baggage claim. 

Wanda holds her hand in mine swaying them between us as we follow the boys closely behind, as they follow the signs above to the exit. As the boys lead us towards the exit me and Wanda look out for a coffee shop in desperate need of a caffeine boost. When we finally find one we decide to sit down and to drink it so the boys can disappear to the toilet without getting lost.

"So what's the plan once we leave the airport?" Wanda blows on the top of her coffee before taking a sip.

"Well I thought since we have had a long day of travelling we can just have a relaxed night by the fire watching movies or playing a board game. Then tomorrow we can come back and explore Calgary and some surrounding areas maybe. Or make that a day or two thing. Then it's going to be snowing so we will be sort of stuck in the cabin for a while as the roads can be quite dangerous but it doesn't mean we can't go outside. There are a few look out sights around the area we can look at the mountains from. But we can ask one of the white hats for a guide."

"Okay. So we are definitely exploring, I mean you can't not explore. Where we go is up to you, since you've been here a few times so you know the good spots. The boys have only dealt with New York snow so it should be an adventure for them." She takes another sip of coffee as I watch the boys join the queue to get themselves a drink. "What about wild animals? How likely are we to run into them?"

"We will see them on the drive up to the cabin, but I own the land and paid to have it fenced. It's not fenced off that much that it causes issues with the wildlife, but it is enough so we can explore the surrounding forest a little. Although we should still be careful because the fence doesn't always stop the animals. But we have security cameras that are motion sensors and infrared so we can check for anything before we go out."

"Okay." Wanda takes in the information as the boys join us at the table.

"You mentioned there was a lake?" Tommy takes a sip of his hot chocolate.

"Yeah, it might freeze over during the week but if you want to we can do some fishing while it isn't. We can cook fresh fish too if that's something you want to do?"

"I've never been fishing before, so yes please!" Tommy shuffles excitedly in his seat as I smile warmly at him.

"What about you Billy?" He simply shakes his head.

"I never liked the idea of fishing, sitting there for ages with nothing on the end of the line. I brought the camera so I can take pictures and that. It's for a school project."

"That sounds cool, it's like the most picturesque place I've ever seen." 

"Yeah I've always enjoyed photography, capturing something in the moment that will last forever."

"Maybe I will join you on one of your photography missions. I think it's about time I draw the mountains again." 

"Awesome. I'm already so excited and I don't even know where we are going." Me and Wanda let out a small laugh at that before we both finish our drinks.

I stand up from my chair once the boys have finished their drinks, moving over to Wanda and holding my hand out for her to take as she stands up. The boys walk ahead of us on a mission to find us a white hat volunteer, while me and Wanda smile at the sight of the boys pointing out things around the airport as we wander around.  

"Look there's a lady in a white hat and red vest." Tommy points out to me and Wanda as Billy starts to make his way over to the smiling lady. 

Me and Wanda start to make our way over as Tommy runs over to join Billy who is already chatting to the lady. When Tommy points to me and Wanda the lady smiles wider, gently placing her hand on the boys back as they all walk towards us.

"Hiya folks, welcome to Calgary my name is Janet. Where have you guys flown in from?" I tilt my head slightly as I try to recall where I have seen this woman before.

"New York! We had to get up, like, super early!" Tommy complains, I let out a small laugh while I put my arm over Wanda's shoulder.

"Oh New Yorkers! Is it your first time visiting Calgary?" She aims the questions at the boys as they bounce on their feet in excitement.

"It's ours and mom's first time in Canada. Y/n's been here a few times." 

"Well that is so much to do! Here are these." She hands both the boys a guide then one between me and Wanda. "So where are you guys going?"

"We don't know." Billy shrugs as he playfully glares at me. "Y/n won't tell us." 

"Fine, we are going to my cabin at Cathedral Mountain." 

"Where's that?" Tommy tilts his head in question. 

"Wow you own one of the cabins up there?" Janet looks at me as a look of realisation crosses her face. "Y/n, I thought the name sounded familiar. You own the Stark cabin don't you?" 

"I do, yes. How did you know?"

"My husband and I own a cabin across the lake. My daughter and granddaughter are staying there for a few weeks." 

"Wait Mrs Bishop?" She nods her head at me and I immediately engulf her in a hug. "Wow it's been a while since I've seen you last. How is Eleanor? And Kate! How old is she now?" 

"It has been a while dear. Eleanor is doing well and Kate is 19 now." She moves out of the hug and looks to the other three who look very confused.

"Oh sorry guys. Janet, this is my girlfriend Wanda and her two boys Billy and Tommy. Guys this is my cabin neighbour Janet, I've known her since we first brought the cabin, but have only run into each other once or twice over the years. It must be three years now, wow you look good Mrs Bishop. No wonder I didn't recognise you straight away."

"It's nice to meet you." Wanda holds out her hand, but Janet pulls her into a hug which Wanda instantly relaxes into. 

"Sorry I'm a hugger dear." Janet mentions as she releases Wanda. "So how long have you been together?" 

"Well we met on the 10th of last month so just over a month and a half. But it will officially be one month, tomorrow since she asked me to be her girlfriend." Wanda beams up at me as I speak.

"Well it's lovely to meet you all." Janet leans up to whisper in my ear. "I'm sure Eleanor won't mind keeping an eye on the boys if you want to celebrate your one month."

I blush a little at the insinuation as Janet smirks at me, while Wanda looks at me confused. I shrug and Wanda doesn't ask any questions as Janet nudges my shoulder.

"Anyway Janet. We came looking for a white hat since I don't know where the rental place is." 

"How do you not know? You have been here plenty of times." 

"We used to hire a driver for the airport transport, but since this is more of a family vacation it's easier for me to drive." 

"Okay well if you go towards the main exit, it's like a tiny little booth on the right with one or two workers. You can't really miss it as it has a big sign above saying Calgary car hire." 

"Thank you Janet."

"Of course dear. Anything else I can help you with?" I look around to the other three who are simply watching the interaction shaking their heads at her question. "Very well, but you guys best come to my cabin for dinner at some point before you leave."

"Of course. Is there anything we should bring?" Wanda asks as we all start moving towards the exit, Janet walking with us.

"Just yourselves and some warm clothes dear." 

"Okay, how about Thursday?" Wanda continues her conversation as I spot the car hire place.

"Thursday is perfect. I will see you then, dear." She hugs Wanda then me.

"See you then Janet." The boys give her a small wave as she walks back to her post.

My hand moves down to hold onto Wanda's as I start to walk us to the car hire place, the boys on either side of us as we all drag our suitcases behind us. I smile at the man behind the counter who is too busy typing into his computer to even look up at us, holding a single finger in the air silently telling us to wait. I raise my eyebrows at the action and turn to look at Wanda who has the same expression on her face. We wait a few minutes before Wanda huffs.

"Excuse me, I'm sure you're busy but we've just got off our plane and would much rather be driving to our destination than waiting here for you to do your job." I twist my lips as Wanda leans against the counter, the man's eyes widening slightly at the angered tone of Wanda's voice. I may or may not be swooning over the fact her accent was audible too.

"Right, sorry. Hi, how can I help?" He straightens out some papers on the desk as he looks between me and Wanda.

"I pre-booked a car under the name Y/n Barton." He nods as he types away on his computer.

"I have you down for the white jeep wrangler Rubicon from today until the 30th."

"Yeah that's the one."

"Perfect so I just need the card you paid with and your driving licence." I pass them off to him and he looks at the passport then the card, then back to me. "The name on the licence and the card are different, can I also have a look at your passport."

"Jeez, you have stronger security than most airports." He lets out a small laugh as I hand it over.

"Unfortunately, it's a policy. We know that people change their names, but we need extra proof if it occurs so we can confirm that the names and address matches. Or something like that. If I don't do it, I get fired and I can't be having that."

He looks between the three items. 

"So because the surname on the license and passport are Stark I am going to have to change that in our database even if you don't go by that name anymore."

"No problem. I get it, you're just doing your job." The boys both scrunch their brows at me then up to Wanda who shows herself zipping her lips so the boys press their lips together and go back to looking around the airport.

"Okay so that's all sorted, here are the keys and paperwork with emergency numbers and terms and conditions. The manual for the car will be in the glove box. If you come out of here turn right and follow the signs for the car hire parking lot you should easily find your vehicle.I hope you enjoy your stay in Calgary."

"Thank you." I take the keys and the four of us start in the direction the young man had told us. 

Once we spot the car the boys sprint off both calling shotgun on the front seat, trying to push in front of one another, with me and Wanda laughing at their antics as we slowly follow behind them. Once a small amount of arguing starts Wanda simply tilts her head raising her eyebrows and the boys stop immediately, bowing their heads. 

"Right bags in the back, then boys in the back." Wanda takes the keys from my hand to unlock the car.

"But I called shotgun mom!" Tommy whines as he trudges to the back of the car.

"Actually I called shotgun, so you will have to sit in the back with Tommy mom." Billy tries to act smug, but zips his lips when Wanda quirks her brow again. 

"What do you think Y/n? Who should be sat upfront with you?" Tommy pleads with his eyes but I simply wrap my arm around Wanda.

"As the driver of the car I decree that your mother gets the passenger seat every time we share a car, but any other time shotgun rules."

"I guess that's fine." Tommy grumbles as Wanda kisses the underside of my jaw, before leaving my grasp to open the back door of the car. 

Once we are all settled in the car, and having let it warm up with it idle in the parking lot, I set the destination in the navigation system. I rest my arm on the back of Wanda's chair as I look behind me and out of the rearview window to see what I'm doing when reversing. I turn around catching Wanda staring at me with flushed cheeks before I put the vehicle in drive and get us going. 

"So we are going to be driving through Calgary, then will be driving along the prairie land. So everything is super flat until we reach the mountains, but it creates such a beautiful view. We will also be driving through a place called Banff, which is a nice little mountain town. We will explore these places probably tomorrow and Tuesday since it is not snowing. We can do some sightseeing and shopping, go to some cute cafés, that sort of thing. Then when it snows we can stay up in the cabin for a lot of it. Thursday we have dinner with the Bishop's. Apart from that we have nothing apart from relaxing to do. Everyone happy?" 

"Happy!" They all say in unison. Creepy.

I look over to Wanda who, at some point through my ramble, interlocked our hands resting it on the arm rest between our chairs. Her head is resting on her other hand which is being propped up by her elbow on the door, a fuzzy smile on her face as her eyes look into my soul once more. I divert my attention back to the road before looking in the rearview mirror to check on the boys who are on their phones. I feel Wanda squeeze my hand to get my attention, and I squeeze it back to let her know she has it while my eyes flick back to the road.

"I love you."

"Love you too Princess." I laugh when I hear the boys fake gag in the back and Wanda sends them a glare.

~~~~

We've been on the road for about an hour, the boys and Wanda having been looking out the windows at the passing scenery since we got out of Calgary, their eyes lighting up at the sight of a few deers in the fields. Wanda perks up leaning forward to the stereo controls when a new song starts playing. The boys lean forward slightly and I smile and the happy smiles they both have.

"This is one of our favourite songs." Wanda blushes as she says it, and I only smile wider, turning it up more. 

(Shotgun - George Ezra)

Homegrown alligator, see you later

Gotta hit the road, gotta hit the road

Something changed in the atmosphere

Architecture unfamiliar

I could get used to this

I smile when the boys start singing, swaying their bodies side to side in their seats. I look at Wanda who is shyly whispering the lyrics. I squeeze her hand gently taking a quick look at her as I start singing the next verse trying my best to show her it's okay to sing aloud, as I look back to the road.

Time flies by in the yellow and green

Stick around and you'll see what I mean

There's a mountaintop that I'm dreaming of

If you need me you know where I'll be

I look back at Wanda when I realise she stopped singing, the boys only getting louder, and see her already looking at me with her lip between her teeth. Her eyes show me so much love and as I continue to sing as I turn my attention back to the road I see a smile grow on her face from my peripheral vision. I give her hand another squeeze and smile widely when I hear her start singing the chorus.

I'll be riding shotgun underneath the hot sun

Feeling like a someone (someone)

I'll be riding shotgun underneath the hot sun

Feeling like a someone

All of us are now swaying our bodies left to right, and I tap my hand against the steering wheel, as we get into our groove and start to enjoy the music. Wanda's voice is more confident and for never having heard I sing, I'm amazed her voice is beautiful and she has a husk to it that makes my heart soar at the sound. I just fell more in love with her if that is even possible.

We're south of the Equator, navigator

Gotta hit the road, gotta hit the road

Deep sea diving 'round the clock, bikini bottoms, lager tops

I could get used to this

Time flies by in the yellow and green

Stick around and you'll see what I mean

There's a mountaintop that I'm dreaming of

If you need me you know where I'll be

I'll be riding shotgun underneath the hot sun

Feeling like a someone (someone)

I'll be riding shotgun underneath the hot sun

Feeling like a someone

Wanda let's go of my hand as she starts dancing in her seat, moving her hand in time to the beat. At first she simply taps at the air but it slowly transforms into her hands waving about in the air looking like waves, or rolling her wrist with her fingers like she is trying to entice someone. She giggles a little when she sees me turning my head to look as she sings a few lyrics to me before I turn my attention back to the road. 

We got two in the front (hey)

Two in the back (hey)

Sailing along

And we don't look back (back, back)

Time flies by in the yellow and green

Stick around and you'll see what I mean

There's a mountaintop that I'm dreaming of

If you need me you know where I'll be

I'll be riding shotgun underneath the hot sun

Feeling like a someone (someone)

I'll be riding shotgun underneath the hot sun

Feeling like a someone

I'll be riding shotgun underneath the hot sun

Feeling like a someone (someone)

I'll be riding shotgun underneath the hot sun

Feeling like a someone, a someone, a someone, someone

I look in the rearview mirror and smile when I watch the boys sing to one another as they bop their heads, smiling at one another. I look back to the road and feel Wanda's hand creep into mine as she brings it up to her lips and starts to sing against the back of my hand. I take a quick look over at her to see her already looking at me with her fuzzy smile before she continues to sing against my hand and I look back to the road. 

We all let out small giggles when the song comes to an end and Wanda leans forward to turn the stereo back down. As she leans back she brings our hands back to her lips as she peppers the back of my hand with kisses, so I squeeze her hand in return. Once she has deemed all of my hand kissed, she brings it down to rest in her lap as she rests her back against the headrest. 

"Guys look." I point out the window to the mountains that we are now starting to drive past, the flat land left behind.

"Woah. It's beautiful." Wanda's jaw drops as she looks out her window.

"It only gets more beautiful from here." 

~~~~~

We have just passed through Banff which means we have another hour left of our journey, the boys are on their phones keeping themselves entertained as Wanda takes a small nap. I suddenly see something in the road that makes me wake her up knowing she won't want to miss it and grab the boy's attention.

"Princess, boys. Look what's on the road." Wanda's eyes flutter open just by the sound of my voice and the boys lean forward to look through the windscreen and I smile when I hear all three of them gasp.

"Holy cow! That's huge!" Wanda sits forward in her seat more as I slow the car down so I can avoid the animal.

"Actually mom, I think it's a moose." Tommy giggles as Wanda rolls her eyes before they go back to looking at the huge animal.

"It is indeed a moose. Looks like a fully grown male to me with how big it is." 

It's walking on our side of the road, I slow down even more to make sure I don't spook it as I check the other side of the road. When I confirm there are no other cars coming I slowly pull out onto the other side and up next to the moose. Wanda and the boys look up to the moose as we pass at a safe distance before I get back to our side of the road and slowly speed up.

"That was bigger than the car!" Billy squeals as him and Tommy look at the rearview window as Wanda looks in her side mirror.

"Yeah, that was probably about 2.5m to the shoulder. They are big creatures. Dangerous too."

"I didn't think they were that big. I always thought they were like deer in size." Wanda thinks aloud as she looks to the boys who look at her nodding.

"Well hopefully we see a few more during this week. We may get lucky and see some bears and wolves too." 

"Wait wolves and bears! Will there be any by the cabin?" I shake my head at Billy's question.

"Shouldn't be. The land is fenced off to a certain point so we are protected." 

"Damn I wanted to see a bear...or a wolf." I laugh as he slumps back in his chair. 

"Well there are plenty of times that you see them on the road, so keep an eye out everytime we drive. You might get lucky." With that both boys start looking out the windows desperate to find the animals they want to see.

Wanda pulls my hand up to her face, her hand moving behind mine as she presses it against her cheek. She kisses the palm of my hand and I start rubbing my thumbs over her cheek bone, I feel her lean into my hand more. She kisses it a few more times before placing it in her lap as she plays with my fingers, and I smile when she starts drawing random shapes and patterns.

~~~~

"And we are here." I inform them as I stop the car on the gravel.

"Wow this is massive." Tommy says as he climbs out of the car with Billy.

"It is beautiful Y/n." Wanda leans over the center console to kiss my cheek before she climbs out of the car. 

I join them in grabbing our bags from the back before pushing the door shut and locking the car watching as the three of them race to the front of the cabin. I smile as they look through the windows of the cabin gasping at what they see inside. I make it to the front door of the cabin, watching their excitement grow as I unlock the door. They walk into the cabin, eyes scanning every detail as they spin around to get a full view. 

"Okay so Tommy your room is going to be up the stairs third door on the right, Billy yours is the first door on the right. The second door is a cupboard with some games and other stuff in it. Boys, your rooms have their own toilets, but make sure you lock both doors when doing your business because the other door leads to the shared bathroom. You have two sinks and there is a walk in shower, so you sort out who is showering first between you two."

"Okay Y/n!" They both shout as they make their way up the stairs holding their suitcases up so they don't bump against the stairs. 

"Where are we staying?" Wanda asks as I grab her bag nodding for her to go up the stairs.

"We are in the only room on the left hand side. We have an ensuite with both a big bath that fits two, and a walk in shower like at your apartment. The room has a built-in wardrobe, a few chest of drawers and the view is spectacular." 

She opens the door and her eyes scan the room as she walks around dragging a hand over every surface. She looks back to me after a while, and I let go of the suitcases when she runs towards me and jumps. I easily catch her as she wraps her arms and legs around my body while I spin us around a couple of times.

"You happy princess."

"I'm over the moon baby. This is so beautiful, it's amazing, it's….I love it. I love you. So, so much." I smile at her as I bring our lips together for a few seconds before resting my forehead against hers.

"Go have a look out the window." I put her down and she shuffles over to the window, a small gasp escaping her lips as she looks up to the mountains.

"I wish we could stay forever in this moment." I come up behind her wrapping my arms around her waist as my chin comes to rest on the top of her head.

"You get to see this everyday for the whole week Wanda." 

"I'm never going to get bored of that view." I kiss the top of her head.

"The view never gets boring, it's always as mesmerising as the first time I saw it."

"Y/n. Remember what I told you my dream home was?"

"I do and I know princess. We can have our own cabin in the mountains, in the woods, by a lake one day. You just need the boys to be in college." She turns around with a few tears in her eyes and I smile softly at her as I cup her cheeks.

"You remembered?" I nod softly as I lean down to peck her lips a few times.

"If it is a dream of yours then it is a dream of mine."

================================

[battle-of-alberta]

hypothetical comic where calvin goes to therapy for being a bisexual disaster among other things.

so like. i deliberately don’t say one way or the other where on the platonic-romantic spectrum ed and cal fall on because of a lot of reasons but mostly just because i think the tension and ambiguity is 1. most interesting/funniest and 2. most accessible for multiple readers who want some room to imagine, particularly because being aroacespec i get that romance repulsion Happens sometimes. It happens for me occasionally so I don’t want to lock anything in stone, at least for the main duo the story centres around.

that said i do have a whole hypothetical mental image of “if it was a romo/sexual relationship, this is how the characters would theoretically react over this range of time/historically.” because I love hypotheticals that don’t have to be “canon” and because I am interested in queer history as a queer person myself, especially in this province where... well. if you know you know.

Now that i am getting paid real money to actually research queer history locally? I think about it way more.

on to the hypotheticals if you are interested...

- i think calvin would have had an awareness of his slightly-fluid sexuality at the very least from the 70s on, especially because sexuality was such a huge part of white collar oil man culture in some of the worst most misogynistic ways but also for other reasons. I think he definitely would have started questioning what was “normal” and “acceptable” at that time, but I think he learned very quickly not to ask too many questions. He did grow up on Bible Bill’s radio show in the 30s, which set this tone of repression, eugenics, and hostility that we are still reeling from.

- his victorian upbringing combined with this 1930s ethos plus all the nostalgic romanticism built up in the 1910s is the emotional soup that makes calvin hallucinate that he’s actually a normal person who CAN have the job and the wife and the white picket fence and 1.5 kids occasionally. He tries not to overthink it most of the time.

- i expect this conversation didn’t take place until the 2010s. despite calvin’s cushy workplace benefits i think mental health, therapy, etc. especially for someone in such a traditional conservative environment was just not considered even if it was available earlier. and talking about sexuality? forgetaboutit. that said, I think calvin is more progressive than we give him credit for sometimes and I actually think he would be most likely out of any of them to seek this kind of stuff out

- likewise i think after his falling out with ed he does a bad job of patching things up, but once he puts his mind to using his knowledge and skills of being a people person and being genuinely interested and excited about organizations in his city, he figures out how to talk about it with people in his own way. i think when people think about queer history they tend to think of the bar/club scene and it’s more than that, especially after certain events in canadian, american and international queer communities. so by the time he goes looking, there are already resources that have been operating for decades! I don’t know much about the specifics of calgary queer history (yet) but i know that these things absolutely exist to this day.

- eventually some therapists have to learn to work with immortals which they definitely did not cover in their certification.