Geese

Geese, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Walking this morning, I heard the haunting sound of geese. There they were overhead, heading north to nesting grounds, a sure sign of spring. It's funny how spring brings a new clean feeling, but also exposes the dirt - the accumulation of sand that had been put down to prevent slipping, the leaves that were not removed before the first snow, and in the country, mud season. Despite this, I relish each new sign that signifies the renewal.

Ready to Eat

Ready to Eat, originally uploaded by susanvg.

While I enjoy cooking, the day to day regularity gets me down. So it is always nice to meet a friend and enjoy a meal cooked in a restaurant. Both of us can relax, select what we want and leave without having to deal with the cleanup. I always enjoy a meal that combines lots of vegetables with whatever protein I choose. Add some fresh ginger and my palate is pleased. This Vietnamese restaurant provided just what I wanted. Pleasure on a plate and good conversation.

Waiting for Spring

Waiting for Spring, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Photo March 28
Slowly the snow is retreating. The sun's rays feel warmer, but still not warm enough to enjoy a leisurely sit outdoors. These benches watch the wading pool, filled with mini snow hills. Spring will come.

Great Bass

Great Bass, originally uploaded by susanvg.

The Montreal Recorder Society holds a concert day each year. Each of the groups perform and members who play in small ensembles that get together on their own also play. The group I play in, Flutissimo performed. Our main spring concert will be in late May. Pictured here is my great bass recorder. When it is assembled it is close to my height (a paltry 5 feet when I exaggerate slightly). Because of its length, you need to attach a tube (bocal) to blow into it. You can see the top of my friend's recorder here (his recorder is the same make).

One thing I like about playing the recorder is that I get to play many different recorders. This gives the opportunity to play different voices in a piece and to understand the different roles of the different voices. Sometimes I play the higher voices, often the melody line; sometimes I love the feeling of playing the low voices - the support for the piece. And sometimes I really enjoy playing Renaissance music, where all voices are fairly equal - so the technical challenges are similar.

Coffee Anyone?

Coffee Anyone?, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I'm planning on moving in about a year and have to think of downsizing. Every item in my house has to be examined - keep? throw out? give away? try to sell? This crazy coffee set was bought by my late husband for his parents. I don't think they ever used it. Yet it travelled from Montreal to Florida and then back to Montreal. It came to me several years ago. My spouse and I have had coffee in the cups, though we have never filled the coffee pot. Which box should this go in?
Keep?
Throw away?
Give away?
Try to sell?

Still deciding....

Signs of Spring

Signs of Spring, originally uploaded by susanvg.

March is fickle. One day she sends warm sunbeams our way, the next snowflakes. These hardy shoots soak up the sun then huddle under a new snowy blanket. I feast my eyes on them when I can, but they are in my neighbour's yard. The front of my house faces north, so my garden waits patiently to be revealed. The back garden is surrounded by bushes and trees so it, too, takes time to escape winter's embrace. But the signs are there - spring is coming.

Through the Window

Through the Window, originally uploaded by susanvg.

At my photo course this evening we were asked to go around the CEGEP (a junior college) and take photographs of each other with existing light. I can never resist taking photos of other things I see. This window just needed to be photographed.

The CEGEP is partly located in what was once a religious building - the mother house for a sect of nuns. However, most of the interior of the building has been totally stripped of any past architectural details. Florescent lights glare over nondescript hallways which branch out like a maze. Lighting was a challenge for our photographs as was finding backgrounds of interest. Too bad students have to spend their days in such lifeless surroundings.