Cafe au Lait

Cafe au Lait, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Brunch is made better with a big bowl of café au lait. Mine came with a surprise. After I took this photograph I realized that the swirl looked like a bird.




Serendipity  - it was definitely an accident. But so much in life is like that. It's those unexpected surprises that brighten a day.

Pirates

Pirates, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

We decided to go for dinner before the concert. The restaurant we used to like was closed so we dropped in on the one next door. What a hoot. What used to be based on the theme of New France is now a pirate restaurant. There is a cover charge for the entertainment. All the serving people "work for the pirate boss." There was a game area (we were given card money), a singer, people circulating as various characters. The serving staff played their parts well.

It was quite a contrast to the concert we attended next - Clavecin en Concert with music by Couperin. Though the director of this concert series, Luc Beauséjour,  has quite a comic streak. Here is his promo video (in French and music)  for the concert.

Piping in the Store

Piping in the Store, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Tradition! This store has had a tradition of a piper playing through the store every day at noon. We caught the tail end of his music as he made his way up the escalator. In summer he goes outside the store.

Rumour has it that this store may be transformed as it merges with another. Will this tradition remain? I, for one, certainly hope so.

Cello Duets

Cello Duets, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

This year Arion has hosted a series of lunch time concerts which feature both long time members of Arion as well as young musicians. Jaap ter Linden, a frequent guest conductor, played a concert of cello duets with Kate Haynes who is now often heard with various early music ensembles in Montreal. This is the third concert in the series that I have attended. Each one has been a delight, especially in the great acoustics of Tudor Hall.

Both cellists have a warm tone. I love to watch them play. Jaap ter Linden's face is as expressive as his playing. Kate Haynes plays with grace almost like a dancer. A treat of a concert! This series shows there will be no shortage of amazing musicians in the future.

Standing at Attention

Standing at Attention, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I was in the local cemetery. It sits on prime real estate on the slopes of Mount Royal. A road snakes up the hill through woods. One section is home to the graves of fallen soldiers - these are from the second world war. While in other parts of the cemetery, the graves are more haphazard, here they are lined up with military precision. Even in death they stand at attention.




Other stones are half submerged in snow, the inhabitants buried twice over. But above life continues. Birds flew over, enjoying the bright sunshine while a red fox trotted through, stopping now and then to leave his scent. It is a peaceful place, good for a meditative stroll.

Orchid

Orchid, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

It's the little things in life that make me happy. Flowers in winter is one of those things. This beautiful orchid came from my spouse. He was born without the flower gene - but he knows how much it means to me to have flowers around, so he bought me this.

I used to have several orchids, but somehow I got an aphid infestation and despite my efforts with soapy water, alcohol etc. I finally had to get rid of about 6 orchids. Those that survived have not bloomed in a while, so for a while my life has been devoid of these incredible flowers. Now I can once more marvel at their intricacy on a daily basis. I never tire of their beauty.

And that visit to the market last week - here's the orchid that came home with me.

Side View of Customs Building

Side View of Customs Building, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Always nice to see a building lit at night to highlight its architectural features. This is the former Customs House in Montreal. It was built between 1912 and 1916.