SAQ

SAQ, originally uploaded by susanvg.

This may not look like much - a store front, that's all (it's a liquor store). But to me it represents how things change. Now I don't want to be seen as someone who is against progress. After all, I have embraced computers (bought my first one in 1983); I post photos; I blog. But some change I find harder to adjust to. Now, growing up, liquor was sold in the Liquor Commission. Even when I became old enough to buy liquor, I went to the Liquor Commission where a clerk stood behind a counter. You had to look in the book and select what you wanted and the clerk would get it for you. As Montreal became less Catholic and more secular these outlets changed and customers could finally browse the shelves. They also changed the name to the SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec). Sometimes I still slip into the old nomenclature and then face the derision of some people around me.

Well this particular SAQ outlet is on the corner of Queen Mary and Décarie. I grew up within a bus ride from here and as a teenager remember well going to this area to shop. Here, as in many places, people like to name streets after dead people who were influential in the city. To do this they rename streets, thus erasing former history. There is talk of renaming Queen Mary after Brother André who was recently sainted. Now I have nothing against having a street named after him (there actually already is a small street Frère-André which already bears his name), but why do we have to erase names and memories to replace them with others. Will I one day be telling yet unborn grandchildren how I would take the bus to Queen Mary (now known as St-André) and that their great-grandfather's office was on Dorchester (now René-Levesque). He was a property developer who put up a building on Burnside (now de Maisonneuve). I hope I will be able to find my way around the city then - I'll have to navigate by visual cues rather than by street names.

Birds and Berries

Birds and Berries, originally uploaded by susanvg.

The small crab apples cling to the tree. The leaves have fallen. On a rainy day the birds swoop down to feast on the fruit. This is a great source of food through the winter. Sometimes some of the fruit lasts until spring at which point it has started to ferment. I can remember in my childhood, seeing birds flying erratically after they had feasted on some. I don't think there was permanent damage - it was amusing to see these drunken fowl.

Just My Size

Just My Size, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Confined spaces, private places - that's what this cat likes. This isn't the brightest cat. He has been known to go off into a room and then start whining as if to say "where is everybody?" When you call him he then comes trotting happily forgetting that he was the one who wandered off in the first place. But he has personality, a cocky cat who is now sitting on my shoulder like a pirate's parrot.

Road Work

Road Work, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Taken through my rain-streaked car window (I pulled over to get the shot). It's not easy to plot your route through the city. In our climate all roadwork has to be done after the ground thaws and before it freezes again. So we are often confronted with bright signs warning of work ahead. Highways, city streets both suffer from lane closures and detours. In the city our aging infrastructure needs replacement with streets torn up to replace water pipes. The freeze and thaw of the winter months also take their toll so roadwork is a constant. Oh well - might as well stop and enjoy the scenery.

Fiery Skies

Fiery Skies, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I love the surprises nature brings. A smattering of rain followed by a low setting sun brought incredible intense colours to the sky.

Intricate Carving

Intricate Carving, originally uploaded by susanvg.

October 31, 2010: While the ghosts and goblins were prowling the city streets, I went to a concert. I have gotten to know many of the city's churches as they are often venues for concerts. The Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montréal (aka SMAM) often performs at St-Léon Church. It has some incredible church art from the ornate carving in marble that you see here to the frescoes on the celing by Guido Nincheri (this link will redirect - wait and then it will take you to the site).  Lots to distract the eye as I listen to the heavenly music. SMAM is an early music vocal ensemble which is often joined by instrumentalists. The music they sing is mainly religious from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. It is nice to hear it within a church, though it is now performed for secular purposes.

Oct 30/10 Birthday Celebration

Birthday Celebration, originally uploaded by susanvg.

We went out to celebrate a friend's birthday. The restaurant was cosy, conversation convivial, food was fantastic. A perfect setting for the daily shoot's challenge - Today, let's illustrate the emotion of being happy. Make a photograph that represents happiness to you.



Meanwhile, outside the restaurant we had our first snowfall. While I enjoy some nice winter days when I can get out on snowshoes or walk in the crisp air; winter in the city is not so alluring. The snow didn't last, but it was a reminder to get all the things done which need doing before it comes for good.
Hmmm... turn off the water to the outside tap, bring in the patio furniture, get the snow tires on the car, put the brush and shovel into the car........