Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Vendome Metro Station
I love the way light transforms things. The sun was streaming through the stained glass, making the steel sculpture glow. By chance I had just read an article about a stained glass artist who embeds solar cells in her work. The windows have a double function of providing beauty as well as providing power. Be sure to look through the photographs of Sarah Hall's work in the linked article. It is a wonderful marriage of art and science.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Mural in the Passageway
Whenever I take the metro to concerts in the church in Old Montreal, I take a passageway that goes below a main street. It was always a bit unsavoury. The walls were a textured concrete - very cold and grey looking. Homeless people sometimes used the space to sleep in. For some months as I walked through, to my delight, there was baroque music playing on speakers as I walked through. It seems it was to discourage the vagrants from hanging around.
When I walked into the space, It had been transformed. This mural livened up one wall.
And all along the walls, bright colours had been painted between each of the ridges in the concrete. The wall seems to change from grey to colour depending on the angle from which you view it. What a difference - like the film, The Wizard of Oz, the grey world had been turned to colour. The mural and stripes, is by MU, a group devoted to creating outdoor art in Montreal. It was designed by Philippe Allard and is called Printemps (Spring). The baroque music is still playing. I just might have to go back and linger to enjoy it all!
When I walked into the space, It had been transformed. This mural livened up one wall.
And all along the walls, bright colours had been painted between each of the ridges in the concrete. The wall seems to change from grey to colour depending on the angle from which you view it. What a difference - like the film, The Wizard of Oz, the grey world had been turned to colour. The mural and stripes, is by MU, a group devoted to creating outdoor art in Montreal. It was designed by Philippe Allard and is called Printemps (Spring). The baroque music is still playing. I just might have to go back and linger to enjoy it all!
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Monarch on Clover
Who knows how much longer we will see these beautiful butterflies flitting among the flowers. Their numbers have been declining. Their wintering grounds are threatened by logging. They certainly added a flash of colour to my walk - this time with a friend along the water in Lachine
The milkweed is blooming. This is where the butterflies lay their eggs so the newly hatched caterpillars have food to grow on. It is miraculous to me that these creatures fly such enormous distances to places they have never been. Those that are born here have never been to the wintering grounds in Mexico. Those born in Mexico have never been here, yet each year they know just where to go.
We were lucky to spot of a heron. It caught some dinner while we watched - a concentrated look at the water, followed by a quick stab down and then it swallowed its catch.
A family of Canada Geese swam close to shore. The young are almost the size of the parents now. They have time to gain strength before their flight south.
A great day for a walk!
The milkweed is blooming. This is where the butterflies lay their eggs so the newly hatched caterpillars have food to grow on. It is miraculous to me that these creatures fly such enormous distances to places they have never been. Those that are born here have never been to the wintering grounds in Mexico. Those born in Mexico have never been here, yet each year they know just where to go.
We were lucky to spot of a heron. It caught some dinner while we watched - a concentrated look at the water, followed by a quick stab down and then it swallowed its catch.
A family of Canada Geese swam close to shore. The young are almost the size of the parents now. They have time to gain strength before their flight south.
A great day for a walk!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
On a Walk
Photos: July 24, 2013
With cooler weather my walks have resumed - up the hills and through the parks. It's quite a climb to get up to The Boulevard and then I snaked my way down through this hillside park.
My friend J. reminds me that we live on an island. It's important to see the river. So I stop to catch a glance. The air is clear as I can see long past the river to the mountains in the distance.
My walk takes me past the lawn bowlers, dressed nattily in their pristine whites. The grass is perfectly manicured to prevent unintended curves of the ball's path.
I pass by glorious gardens, some with plants I can't identify. These crinkly leaves caught my attention.
This angel hovers over the soldier - a memorial to the war dead. It made me think of The Book Thief, though this anger does not appear as cynical as the angel of death in the book.
From here it was a quick trip to the bank and then a walk home. More than 3 miles in today's walk!
With cooler weather my walks have resumed - up the hills and through the parks. It's quite a climb to get up to The Boulevard and then I snaked my way down through this hillside park.
My friend J. reminds me that we live on an island. It's important to see the river. So I stop to catch a glance. The air is clear as I can see long past the river to the mountains in the distance.
My walk takes me past the lawn bowlers, dressed nattily in their pristine whites. The grass is perfectly manicured to prevent unintended curves of the ball's path.
I pass by glorious gardens, some with plants I can't identify. These crinkly leaves caught my attention.
This angel hovers over the soldier - a memorial to the war dead. It made me think of The Book Thief, though this anger does not appear as cynical as the angel of death in the book.
From here it was a quick trip to the bank and then a walk home. More than 3 miles in today's walk!
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Egret
Photos: July 20, 2013
There are two things in life that speak to my soul: nature and music. A walk in Parc-des-Rapides was just what we needed to boost our spirits.
The park is on a spit of land jutting into the river right beside the Lachine Rapids. On one side the water is tranquil, on the other it rushes past. It's amazing to see the power as the waves form and crest.
The park is a haven for birds - both those on land as well as water fowl. And the park is full of avid photographers with massive lenses (I only had my 50 mm with me that day) trying to capture "the" picture.
A man with a scope generously zoomed in to let us get a good look at a couple of herons. Above is a cropped image of a heron I managed to get with my camera. The big treat of the day was the egret (top) who stood quietly in the water, neck craned as it scanned the water for fish. I took a couple of pictures when it suddenly lifted off and moved a short distance away. I snapped, not looking at camera settings and was delighted to see I had caught it in flight. Ah - serendipity!
There are two things in life that speak to my soul: nature and music. A walk in Parc-des-Rapides was just what we needed to boost our spirits.
The park is on a spit of land jutting into the river right beside the Lachine Rapids. On one side the water is tranquil, on the other it rushes past. It's amazing to see the power as the waves form and crest.
The park is a haven for birds - both those on land as well as water fowl. And the park is full of avid photographers with massive lenses (I only had my 50 mm with me that day) trying to capture "the" picture.
A man with a scope generously zoomed in to let us get a good look at a couple of herons. Above is a cropped image of a heron I managed to get with my camera. The big treat of the day was the egret (top) who stood quietly in the water, neck craned as it scanned the water for fish. I took a couple of pictures when it suddenly lifted off and moved a short distance away. I snapped, not looking at camera settings and was delighted to see I had caught it in flight. Ah - serendipity!
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Faded
It has been a tough week. Last Saturday my father-in-law passed away. Although he was almost 91, there is never a good time to lose someone you love. I have only been with my spouse for 7 years, but I had been made to feel a welcome part of the family right from the start.
His humour, his love of learning, his tremendous love for his family and friends, his compassion all made an impression on me. His time was well-spent, his passing peaceful.
A parting guest
What delightful guests are they
Life and Love!
Lingering I turn away,
This late hour, yet glad enough
They have not witheld from me
Their high hospitality.
So with face lit with delight
And all gratitude, I stay
Yet to press their hands and say,
"Thanks. So fine a time! Goodnight."
James Whitcomb Riley, American poet (1849 - 1916)
His humour, his love of learning, his tremendous love for his family and friends, his compassion all made an impression on me. His time was well-spent, his passing peaceful.
A parting guest
What delightful guests are they
Life and Love!
Lingering I turn away,
This late hour, yet glad enough
They have not witheld from me
Their high hospitality.
So with face lit with delight
And all gratitude, I stay
Yet to press their hands and say,
"Thanks. So fine a time! Goodnight."
James Whitcomb Riley, American poet (1849 - 1916)
Early in the Day
We have had a spate of hot, humid weather with some violent thunder showers. I'm a cool weather person and tend to stay indoors when the temperate soars. For those who think in Fahrenheit, 33 is about 91F and with the humidity it felt like much more.
Later in the day a wall of rain came down, creating ponds in the road.
Manhole covers spouted water. One near us was pushed partway off the hole it was meant to cover. Fortunately it was quickly put back in place by the city workers.
This cycle of high heat and humidity was repeated (July 19), but with a less violent storm.
These pictures were taken just before the rain started. We now have great views into the distance. The lightning provided a dramatic light show. Finally the heat has broken and we expect several days of pleasant summer weather.
Later in the day a wall of rain came down, creating ponds in the road.
Manhole covers spouted water. One near us was pushed partway off the hole it was meant to cover. Fortunately it was quickly put back in place by the city workers.
This cycle of high heat and humidity was repeated (July 19), but with a less violent storm.
These pictures were taken just before the rain started. We now have great views into the distance. The lightning provided a dramatic light show. Finally the heat has broken and we expect several days of pleasant summer weather.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Mural Festival
Photos: July 12, 2013
A mural festival was held on St. Laurent Boulevard a few weeks ago. A friend of mine and I decided to take a walk and explore the results.
One parking lot was surrounded by murals on every un-windowed wall. Enjoy - I know we did!
A macabre themed mural over the tombstone cutter's site.
And for a little fun - what do you think these signs mean?Answers here
******
More murals can be found here in my Flickr account
About the festival
About the muralists
A mural festival was held on St. Laurent Boulevard a few weeks ago. A friend of mine and I decided to take a walk and explore the results.
One parking lot was surrounded by murals on every un-windowed wall. Enjoy - I know we did!
A macabre themed mural over the tombstone cutter's site.
And for a little fun - what do you think these signs mean?Answers here
******
More murals can be found here in my Flickr account
About the festival
About the muralists
What is CAMMAC
I've written about CAMMAC before - my yearly trip to my Shangri-La - Early Music Week.
Music, nature, friendship, laughter, freedom from responsibilities... with people from different parts of Canada, the US (one woman drove all the way up from Kentucky) and even Europe. Classes and concerts move back and forth from French to English, but most of all to the language of music we all share.
Evening concerts by the staff are of the highest caliber. And the audience is probably one of the most appreciative - with avid Early Music buffs in every seat.
The teachers throw in a lot of fun at the concerts, without diminishing the high level of their performance. Here is a recorder quartet performing The Jogger by by Dick Koomans (after jogging in and doing a few stretches)
The week swirls by. It is always hard to go back to reality, to say goodby to the many CAMMAC friends who live in other places. I have very good friends I met at CAMMAC, including my spouse! And we are lucky enough to be able to continue playing music together all year round.
*****************************
You can read other posts I have written over the years about CAMMAC here
Music, nature, friendship, laughter, freedom from responsibilities... with people from different parts of Canada, the US (one woman drove all the way up from Kentucky) and even Europe. Classes and concerts move back and forth from French to English, but most of all to the language of music we all share.
Evening concerts by the staff are of the highest caliber. And the audience is probably one of the most appreciative - with avid Early Music buffs in every seat.
The teachers throw in a lot of fun at the concerts, without diminishing the high level of their performance. Here is a recorder quartet performing The Jogger by by Dick Koomans (after jogging in and doing a few stretches)
The week swirls by. It is always hard to go back to reality, to say goodby to the many CAMMAC friends who live in other places. I have very good friends I met at CAMMAC, including my spouse! And we are lucky enough to be able to continue playing music together all year round.
*****************************
You can read other posts I have written over the years about CAMMAC here
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Early One Morning
This year I made a point of walking down to the lake each morning before breakfast. It is usually a time of stillness, the lake calmer and the birds singing. Most mornings there was a mist lying over the hills.
I use my camera for mindfulness - to focus on what is around me even when my eye is not behind the viewfinder.
One morning two loons swam by, every so often letting out their haunting cry. Nothing says countryside, quite like their sound (Here's a video I found.)
Rain left droplets on the leaves and flowers. Stop, breathe, focus...
Morning arrives with hushed voices - each person relishing the stillness, not daring to break the magic.
Just the gentle dip of the paddle gives evidence of the activities of people.
I use my camera for mindfulness - to focus on what is around me even when my eye is not behind the viewfinder.
One morning two loons swam by, every so often letting out their haunting cry. Nothing says countryside, quite like their sound (Here's a video I found.)
Rain left droplets on the leaves and flowers. Stop, breathe, focus...
Morning arrives with hushed voices - each person relishing the stillness, not daring to break the magic.
Just the gentle dip of the paddle gives evidence of the activities of people.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Wild Strawberries
A week at CAMMAC - the music camp in the Laurentians where I spend a week each summer - a mix of music and nature. I took a walk up the gravel road and found many delights to photograph (and even to taste).
Wild flowers grow by the side of the road.
I have yet to know their names. And having seen them for so many years, it might be impolite to ask them.
As always, the dandelions find space to grow.They are ready to send their seeds off to find new spots where their sunny faces will pop up. Here in the country they are wildflowers. On peoples' lawns they are hunted down.
Wild flowers grow by the side of the road.
I have yet to know their names. And having seen them for so many years, it might be impolite to ask them.
As always, the dandelions find space to grow.They are ready to send their seeds off to find new spots where their sunny faces will pop up. Here in the country they are wildflowers. On peoples' lawns they are hunted down.
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