Changing architecture

Changing architecture, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

This building sits at the corner of Greene Avenue and St. Catherine. Once a bank as the writing and large crest attests to, when the branch closed it had to find a new use. The last incarnation was as an antique shop and the building owner saw fit to erect the (not quite) portico. It detracts from the original architecture. The antique shop closed a couple of years ago and the building was sold. It still has not really found a new use. I hope the new owner does not have ideas of adding to the architecture yet again - unless it is to remove the addition thus adding to the building's beauty.

Garlic

Garlic, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

At Atwater Market, the abundance of food is astonishing. Colours, aromas, temptations abound. I managed to come home only with what was on my list - a feat of self-discipline.

Marché Bonsecours

Marché Bonsecours, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Despite the cold weather, all it takes is a good concert to lure me out at night. And last night's concert was well worth the effort. Adrian Butterfield played the Four Seasons by Vivaldi with Clavecin en Concert. It was a very expressive, well thought out performance - a bit of magic on a winter's evening.

The suite of four concertos ends with Winter - appropriately last night as we left the church into the gusty night.



The cold didn't stop me from enjoying the beautiful lighting of the buildings in Old Montreal. But even the warm lights didn't mitigate against the harsh wind that buffeted us.

Blackberries at Breakfast

Blackberries at Breakfast, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Somehow cereal tastes better with berries. I pick out which ever are not ridiculously expensive this time of year. These blackberries were sweet and tasted of sunshine. I am getting to the end of my stash of blueberries that I froze last summer. This summer I think I will freeze a greater amount. They defrost so quickly, I just run them under cold water and throw them into my cereal bowl, or mix them with yogourt. A bit of summer flavour to help through the cold winter season.

Blue Skies

Blue Skies, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

It's hard to feel blue when the skies are so blue. Branches reach up to the sky in celebration. February days, with pristine snow and bright sunshine are the best of winter. The heaviness of the long dark nights is lifting as days are noticeably longer.

Winter Finery

Winter Finery, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

When snow melts, the accumulated sand, salt and city grit coat the city in dirt. Now all is covered in pristine white. Trees wear their winter finery. A little magic has descended on the city.

Former Post Office

Former Post Office, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Change - the needs of a city change with new technologies, and all the ways things evolve. This beautiful old post office building has not been a post office for quite some time. It evolved into a small mall and offices for a short while and now the whole building houses a wine company. Post offices are closing becoming counters in pharmacies and now our federal government has decided to slowly stop door-to-door service, opting to install outdoor boxes.

I feel sorry for all the shut ins, the young parents with kids who may have to dress them in winter and trudge out in the snow to get their mail and those with disabilities. And what about anyone with a short-term illness - the flu or whatever? In addition there are parts of the city where there is barely place to install these units. Snow clearance is already a challenge with parking meters etc. We don't need more clutter near our sidewalks.

Change - we have to accept it - but not when it is a step backwards!