Montreal is on an island, but it is sometimes easy to forget that. As I go through daily life I only catch glimpses of the river as I drive. Today I walked by the river in René Lévesque Park in Lachine. There are many sculptures in the park from these odd legs (there are 5 of them) to a whimsical picnic and many others. This sculpture, Site/Interlude is by David Moore. Situated beside the river they demand a stop to not only look at them, but to sit for awhile and admire the river.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
May 4/10: Thieves
This photograph looks like it's about tulips but actually it is about the tulips that are not there. You may notice that two have been decapitated. There are thieves in the neighbourhood. I saw one from my bedroom window. It cut off the bloom and went off with it.
I used to puzzle over this. I knew these thieves were squirrels and was always angry that the petals of the flower would be strewn around as if the squirrel vandalized my garden, decided it wasn't to its liking and left the evidence to taunt me. Today I saw that it ate the heart of the flower (usually only the red tulips), leaving the petals. I am a little more forgiving as I see the damage, knowing some of it went to nourishment.
May 3/10: Bagels in Quebec City
I had to make a quick trip to Quebec City (Sainte-Foy, actually - a suburb of Quebec) for work. I drove there in the morning and worked with a colleague. We took a break for lunch and went to the local bagel place. It was a surprise to me to find a place that actually makes bagels much the way they are made in Montreal - even baked in a brick oven, heated by a wood fire. We Montrealers take our bagels seriously. We have several bakeries which have their ovens going 24 hours. I featured one bakery a while ago in this blog. Although some make designer bagels with ingredients like blueberries or sundried tomatoes, most feature the standard poppy seed or sesame seed bagels. And there is nothing like carrying home a bag of bagels, still hot from the oven. It is rare that the number bought is the same as the number unpacked at home.
May 2/10: Bleeding Hearts
From one day to the next spring works her magic. Flowers grow in fast forward, not there one day and in full bloom the next. My eyes go from one new bloom to another as the garden fills in. Spring is the time of fastest change with daily surprises.
Flowers on bushes and covering trees - their presence fleeting. They demand that you stop and look and breathe in the aromas.
Spring flowers splash colour in gardens across the city.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
May 1/10: Welcome Home
Much to learn about photography. I am trying to understand how to use my camera on manual - I set the f stop and shutter speed for this (and many others) in an attempt to see what the different settings provide for me. I'm going to have to keep a notebook and mark everything down, so I really understand what is happening. Right now I'm working with my Canon PowerShot, but am working towards growing my knowledge, so when I buy my DSLR camera I won't by completely stymied.
The path this photography has led me down .....
Apr 30/10: Through the Doorway
Coming out of the metro, we approached this doorway into the lobby of Salle Pierre-Mercure where the audience was lining up to go into the theatre. Anticipation for the concert of Arion Baroque Orchestra, led by guest conductor/violinist, Stefano Montanari.
What a concert! Montanari demonstrated his incredible musicality and virtuosity and the orchestra played superbly. I had the privilege of watching Mr. Montanari give a master class in Toronto which enhanced my enjoyment of the concert. I could really hear how he put his ideas into practice. He knew what he wanted to say, musically and made sure the orchestra understood his ideas and motives. We heard an extraordinary version of The Four Seasons, by Vivaldi, played as a whole with much liberty taken with tempo, improvised passages and short pauses - while I may not have agreed with absolutely everything in his interpretation, it made for an incredible evening. You could hear the brightness of spring, the sensuous summer and brittle winter. I hope to hear him again soon - he is a musical wonder.
Apr 29/10: Magnolia
Every year I am enchanted by the magnolias. I have discovered this year they are hardier than I thought. Our snow of two days ago which brought down branches of trees assaulted these flowers too. But the shook it off and with the sun shining once more, they reach up towards it. Ephemera - these delicate-looking blooms last but a short time, but their yearly visit takes my breath away.
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