Some of my virtual photo friends have been snowed in - here's a little indoor diversion. The rules of Big Boggle: Words are formed from adjoining letters. Letters must join in the proper sequence to spell a word. They may join horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, to the left, right, or up-and-down. No letter cube, however, may be used more than once within a single word.
In the official rules you are supposed to use a 3 minute timer. We bend the rules and play as long as we like making words in French as well as in English.
This board was particularly fruitful.
Here are a few words to start you off:
rages
canters
lice
toot
cats
drag
drags...
How many can you add?
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Silent Night
After I wonderful dinner out, we strolled onto Place Jacques Cartier. In summer this is a popular tourist spot, with the bustle of people, the hustle of buskers and a lively atmosphere. This evening it was quiet, with barely a soul, walking briskly in the chilly evening temperatures. The square is full of holiday lights, some of which can be seen here, reflected in the windows. Music wafted up from the skating rink at Bonsecours Basin. I like the serenity on a winter's eve.
Out of the Oven
We had a family dinner on Saturday - not always easy to organize with people's busy lives and out of town work. It was so good to be together. And there is something about sharing a meal - taking time over food, sharing laughter and stories. I love the inter-generational chatter with guests ranging in age from their 20s to their 90s. And it is delightful now to have assistance with my son carving the turkey, my daughter and her friend making the gravy, my cousin bringing salad. Help was at hand ahead with all the preparations. No "Little Red Hen" syndrome here!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Louis Cyr
Another quick shoot as I was passing by in my car. This is Louis Cyr, Montreal's famous strong man. This sculpture is by Robert Pelletier.
As I was driving I was listening to Q on CBC radio. William Gibson was on and he was asked if the Internet was dumbing us down. I loved his answer. First he said that we are the only creatures that have created prostheses for memory from writing on scrolls to handmade books to printing and on through the various media. The Internet is just the latest prosthesis. With facts on hand we can free our brains to think, to ask the questions we need answered, to think more deeply.
A colleague recently pointed me to Conrad Woolfram's TED Talk on computers and mathematics and how letting the computers do computations we could be free to do the thinking. We have to understand what computation needs to be done, but can give that part of the task over. In this way, students can be doing more mathematical thinking.
So the computer in both situations can make us stronger - doing the low level tasks and freeing our brains for the deeper work. In this odd way there is a connection between what I heard and what I saw. While Louis Cyr is a celebration of brawn; I like to think of the computer as a brain expander.
As I was driving I was listening to Q on CBC radio. William Gibson was on and he was asked if the Internet was dumbing us down. I loved his answer. First he said that we are the only creatures that have created prostheses for memory from writing on scrolls to handmade books to printing and on through the various media. The Internet is just the latest prosthesis. With facts on hand we can free our brains to think, to ask the questions we need answered, to think more deeply.
A colleague recently pointed me to Conrad Woolfram's TED Talk on computers and mathematics and how letting the computers do computations we could be free to do the thinking. We have to understand what computation needs to be done, but can give that part of the task over. In this way, students can be doing more mathematical thinking.
So the computer in both situations can make us stronger - doing the low level tasks and freeing our brains for the deeper work. In this odd way there is a connection between what I heard and what I saw. While Louis Cyr is a celebration of brawn; I like to think of the computer as a brain expander.
Early Morning
Sometimes it pays to be out early. This shot was taken out the front window of my car as I was stopped at a red light. I was on my way to an early morning appointment.
It's one way to start the day with a smile on my face. How can a day go bad when it starts like this! Interesting that it started a day on which I ended an uncomfortable work situation and everyone felt OK about it. I feel like the sun is rising in my life. Making room for new adventures (one of which is a photography course starting at the end of January).
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
From the 1800s
Another concert - this time in the Chapelle Historique du Bon Pasteur, now a concert venue, once part of a complex that served as a convent. They were built over a few decades to house the "Sisters of the Cornmunauté de Notre-Dame du Bon-Pasteur d'Angers, who came from France in 1844" If you want to know more, click here. The buildings have been put to new uses, including the concert hall in what was once the chapel. In this back section there are condos and a seniors' residence.
I love the solid feel of the old stone buildings. Across the street are newer condos which just don't have the same charm. Fortunately, the architects tried to make them fit into the surroundings in terms of size and proportions.
The concert - a delight. A visit with Mr. Bach by Ensemble Caprice. Just the thing to chase away the blues on a blustery grey day.
I love the solid feel of the old stone buildings. Across the street are newer condos which just don't have the same charm. Fortunately, the architects tried to make them fit into the surroundings in terms of size and proportions.
The concert - a delight. A visit with Mr. Bach by Ensemble Caprice. Just the thing to chase away the blues on a blustery grey day.
Reindeer
These whimsical reindeer stand guard near the many evergreens for sale as Christmas trees. I like the way they are made of bits of wood - not finely crafted - just natural. Last year I featured a caroller fashioned in the same ilk.
The market has been transformed into its winter style. The only outdoor stalls are these tree sellers. A protective structure has enclosed some of the outdoor kiosks so they are now indoors. The market feels cosier - and the always friendly atmosphere prevails.
The market has been transformed into its winter style. The only outdoor stalls are these tree sellers. A protective structure has enclosed some of the outdoor kiosks so they are now indoors. The market feels cosier - and the always friendly atmosphere prevails.
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