Fall Comes

Photos: October 1-3, 2015

That splendid seasonal display is playing out. We managed to get away for a few days to the Laurentians where the wonders of the season were lit by bright sunshine.



What a spectacle! Time to stop and stare, admire, drink in the beauty.



We were walking along the P'tit Train du Nord, formerly a railway line, now a long park stretching and connecting across the Laurentians. Cyclists, walkers, dogs... a smile as you pass.



The milkweed has burst, sending out the seeds of next year's growth. It creates natural sculptures.



What a glorious time of year! Each day the changes are noticeable.



But it is fleeting. Each moment to be treasured; each day to be enjoyed.

A Bit of Ottawa

 Photos: September 25, 2015

We spent a few days in Ottawa, mainly to see people, but we walked and saw some sights, too. I like the openness of Parliament Hill. Despite the tragic shooting last fall, it is still a place where people can walk and enjoy.


 

New to me was this monument by Barbara Patterson (it was unveiled in 2000, but I guess I have never walked past it before):  "Women are Persons"  It commemorates  five Alberta women, the Famous Five (Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney and Henrietta Muir Edwards)  who fought to have women recognized as persons.   You can learn more about it here.



This is a one of the figures in the monument. I think I would be toasting the victory with more than a cup of tea!

Stratford Ontario

Photos: August 18-20, 2015

My daughter and I went to Stratford, a charming city in Southern Ontario, where the Stratford Festival has been offering amazing theatre since 1953. While the theatre was the main reason for our visit (we saw 6 plays in 3 days), a visit to Stratford is no complete without a stroll along the water. Water fowl abound. Swans, many of which are quite tame and will actually eat from your hand are the iconic bird.



They are still somewhat territorial among each other, but more so when they are nesting.



There are also a number of public pianos - this one sported a swan motif.



Ducks are everywhere along the banks - eating, sleeping, preening, bathing and quacking.



It is always fun to see them shaking off the water as they dunk and preen.



On the approach to the Festival Theatre there is a beautiful garden, complete with some water flowers. I can never resist photographing them.

I highly recommend the theatre at Stratford. This season there are 13 productions - actors take on roles in more than one. There are 4 theatres and in addition, there are lectures, concerts, tours of the costume warehouse, backstage tours... and, of course, walking along the water.

A Day in Val David

I love pottery, so a visit to 1001 Pots is always a treat. I managed to resist most of the creations, though I did leave with one new mug.

Then off for a walk. There is a long park  (le parc linéaire: le petit train du nord)- it was once a railway line, connecting the villages of the Laurentians. Now walkers and cyclists use it in the mild months. In the winter is is used by cross-country skiers. I was finally out with my DSLR camera and stopped frequently to admire the flora.




Raspberries hung from the low bushes. I left them for someone else to pick. I have been enjoying my fill from the market. Such a great time of year for local produce!




I'm not sure what kind of flower this is, but it grew in abundance. Nearby were many milkweed - good to know the monarchs will have places to lay their eggs.



Another unidentified flower grew low to the ground near the edge of the gravel road. Its delicacy spoke to me.



I changed my gaze from looking close to looking wide. We have had enough rain this summer to keep everything lush and green.



Green on green. The sunlight danced on the leaves, calling attention to the beauty around me.

Festival Montréal Baroque

Looking back to the end of June... Festival Montréal Baroque.

A highlight of my year is always the Montreal Baroque Festival - a few days of frenzied concert-going with friends - friends from Toronto and friends of the many musicians who teach at CAMMAC. The directors, Susie Napper and Matthias Maute, always plan a wide array of interesting concerts.



From France - Ensemble Fuoco e Cenere, who treated us to a musical and alimentary feast - a concert full of humour and charm. 



And delectable morsels to sample after the concert.



Concerts held in unusual spaces - even early in the morning. This was a concert of medieval music, built around the themes found in Rabelais' novels.



Or music accompanied by painting according to theories proposed at the time of Telemann.




Concerts that feature bright, young talent along with more seasoned musicians...





Watching the masters and marvelling at the up and coming.



And then it was over -the magic dissolving for another year. This event always launches my summer.

Summer Moments

Time seems to have slipped through my fingers this summer. Life is like that sometimes. Time sometimes speeds along and then it seems to fall into a morass. It takes me time to adjust to the lack of schedule of summer... no concerts, no work, no courses, just endless time to fill up. Sometimes I fill it well (I've been working my way through a music theory text) and other times hours pass with not much accomplished. Some weeks I walk a lot - my fitbit registers my many steps. Then the heat of summer settles in and I cocoon in my air conditioned home.



My walks take me all over the city. Here I passed people enjoying a cooler summer day, lingering and enjoying the outdoor space. An impromptu performance on a public piano - summer moments.



You never know who (or what) you will meet - opportunities for conversation starters! This fellow drew a crowd.



Or just times for inner dialogue.




Time for summer theatre - life moves outdoors at a leisurely pace in the summer. Even a few raindrops don't deter the majority of the audience.

August has crept up and I feel the pressure of filling up these next weeks productively... books to read before the autumn schedule imposes constraints, people to see, music to play... And get my camera out more to observe and stop and enjoy these summer moments.

Looking Around

Photos: June 14, 2015

I went to see the murals, but there was so much more to see! I always like to look at architecture, to see the details, the way buildings have character. This one also had  interesting angles, reflections and shadows - so much to catch my eye. I converted it to black and white - below is the colour version - which do you prefer?

It was a colourful day with a perfect blue sky and brightly coloured wares trying to catch your attention.



Chairs, clothing, and the aromas of street food cooking! A feast for the senses.




And people watching...This woman walked purposefully down the street, her arms behind her back. I couldn't resist the juxtaposition of this man, arms behind his back, but in much more modern attire.



Doors, gardens and more invite a stop and stare through the camera lens. I must take time to explore other areas of my city.