Soup Season

Photo: November 12, 2016

It's that time of year when warm comfort food starts to look appealing. As the winds blow I think of soup and slowly braised meat. I was tempted by these leeks, but they will have to wait for another time. I no longer have a big freezer so have to curb my desire to cook big pots of soups to fill the freezer. I need to free up space first.

A Cold Wind

Photo: November 11, 2016

A cold, damp wind was blowing. This squirrel took refuge at the side of a tree. I trudged on, my layers of clothing and movement keeping me warm. I met neighbours who had been to the local Remembrance Day ceremony, who stood still in this cold wind to honour those who gave their lives. I think of the younger generations where the world wars are a very distant past. Although I was born after the second world war, it was still very much present in the psyche of people around me - not ancient history. Some wars, unfortunately have to be fought. Men of my father's generation and younger knew they were fighting for the dignity of all people, for the freedom that democracy afforded, for equality of all people. Have we been conscientious keepers of these values? We must not let them be eroded but continue to honour, not just those whose lives were lost, but also to honour what they were fighting for.

I learned of the death of Leonard Cohen, whose poetry and music have been part of the soundtrack of my life. His words, his lyrics, his way of life embodied dignity and respect. I honour him and the war dead with his recitation of John McCrae's, iconic war poem, In Flanders Fields.

Fresh Vegetables

Photo: November 10, 2016

It's that time of year when vegetables seem to lose their flavour. No longer can we get local crops. The vegetables travel farther to get to our plates. We do get local tomatoes, grown in hot houses, but the bulk of our produce has been trucked or flown in. Back to the guilt of a deeper carbon footprint as we try to eat healthy food. But I won't be giving up my fresh vegetables.

Searching for Beauty

Photos: November 9, 2016

I usually try not to comment on politics, especially what is happening in other countries, but waking up to the aftermath of the U.S. election I feel that I must speak out. I feel that the world as I knew it has taken a terrible turn backwards.  The values of inclusion, of equality, of diversity seem to be at risk. I look at those predicted to be in that man's cabinet - not a single woman, no one of colour - no surprise after the rhetoric that has been spouted.

I'm searching for beauty in this chaos - for a place of serenity and peace.



My orchids remind me to pause and admire, to enjoy their diversity, to revel at their promise and growth. I need to cultivate my inner garden to find the strength to speak out against the ugliness being spouted. I have to try to remain positive that ultimately good triumphs over evil, but right now I am feeling that he who shall not be mentioned has cast a pall over the world. Breathe in. Breathe out. Sometimes the world takes two steps backwards before moving forward again.

O tempores, o mores

A Day of Pipes and Strings

Photos: November 8, 2016

Perhaps the title sounds unusual, but it was a day of pipes and strings, starting with walking past the inevitable road work as corroded pipes and other ancient infrastructure are slowly being replaced.

These pink pipes will soon be snaking their way under the street. I wonder what they will carry - fibre optic cable, electricity, telephone lines, water? - I don't know...



Pipes are also the organ pipes I heard in concert in the evening - and what a concert it was - organized by Geneviève Soly to raise funds for Les Idées Heureuses, an early music group which she co-founded in Montreal. It featured the Lagacé / Soly family several of whom are organ and harpsichord players. The organ was built by the late Hellmuth Wolff, who had been married to Mireille Lagacé's  (the matriarch of the family) sister. I would also hazard a guess that some of the string players were using bows made by Louis Bégin, brother of Mireille. Pictured above is Bernard Lagacé, patriarch of the family with Geneviève. What an honour to hear him play again. The first movement of the 4 harpsichord (lots of strings) concerto by Bach was played by three generations of the family. In all, eight members of the family performed during the evening along with some other of Montreal's finest baroque musicians - a moving event, beautiful music. It lasted over two hours filled with Bach's music.

If only the magic of the evening had lasted and we were not met with the results of the U.S. election on reaching home.

Golden Light

Photos: November 7, 2016

In the not so late afternoon the sun is low on the horizon, casting its golden glow. Each nice day I feel compelled to be outdoors, to catch the last of the rays as the longer nights settle in.



Golden trees become more golden still, painted by the sun. This time of day - around sunrise and sunset is known as the golden hour to photographers. It is a time of almost magical light with colours saturated by the light.



I stop to enjoy the last of the flowers. Any day now a hard frost will send the last of them away - to lie dormant for the winter months. Each warm sunny day to be cherished.

Night Falls Early

Photo: November 6, 2016

I always find the changing of the clocks back to standard time a bit of a shock. Night falls so early. Although the hours of daylight have not changed appreciably, it feels as though they have with the sun setting just after 4:30. Suddenly it turns into the dark time of year with November being the gloomiest, despite the sunshine earlier in the day.