A Flash of Red

The weather has become very hot - and I am not a hot weather lover. I choose the early morning for my walk for slightly cooler temperatures. There is something peaceful about early morning. Walkers distance from others, yet the occasional smile, nod of the head lets others know that while we distance physically, we are all in this together. At our slower pace of life I savour these little moments. There is time for noticing. I caught this flash of red like a flame among the cool greens. With no deadline to reach a destination, I stopped and enjoyed the way the red just popped out at me - a little visual feast.

Another red clad person caught my eyes and my ears. At both the beginning and the end of my walk, I passed him as he played his saxophone, indifferent to people around him. It was lovely to hear a live musician. While I have watched YouTube concerts and Facebook concerts, they don't live up to the live experience. In that other life I attended many concerts and this week, in particular, I am missing the Montreal Baroque Festival, where I would attend as many as 5 concerts in one day.  So I savour this moment, too. A little sense of normalcy in our very abnormal times.

The Long and the Short View

A dark cloud has been hanging over the world as the pandemic has spread its tentacles. Nothing is as it once was. We try to get used to this new normal of distancing, of staying safe. I try to walk every day. My trajectory gives me long views over the city, across the river to the mountains in the distance. 

As I take each day I can fill it with positives: classes on zoom, virtual connections with friends, playing music, reading... At the end of each day I jot down a few things I'm grateful for - and there is always something. Thinking short term I find many ways to enrich my life. It is the long view that is hard. Too many questions with no answers. So it's one day at a time ... and we will get past this. 

Pandemic Ponderings

I've been thinking for a while of getting back to this blog - trying to process so many changes to our world. The first couple of weeks after the pandemic was announced I was reeling. But now I am used to the walking and dodging people, preferring to take my long walks early in the day when fewer people are about. I head up the hill and can keep a good pace without having to take too many avoidance measures as happens later in the day, particularly on weekends. I am determined to stay in shape despite the fact that I am home most of the time, so I don't always stop for those photo ops that might have enticed me in the past. Yet it feels so wrong to avoid people.

Time at home forces one to re-evaluate life, to find ways to focus on positives and to find ways to make life meaningful despite, at times feeling closed in. And there has been much to think about  - not only the pandemic, but issues of racism, partisanship and the whole notion of listening - really listening to the points of view of others. I am not a TV watcher, but I have spent time watching documentaries online, exploring issues and perspectives. I try to be an optimist and hope that coming out of this eventually we may steer to a kinder more inclusive world. I see glimmers, but we can't leave it to others to do all the work to get there.

Calder Exhibit

I  spent a delightful afternoon (Feb. 17) at the museum (MBAM) wandering through the Calder exhibit. I first heard of Calder back in the 1960s. His sculpture, Trois Disques prominent at Expo 67 and is still on St. Helen's Island. A smaller version now sits in from of the museum.

There is an art to displaying art works and I have to congratulate the curators who came up with the plans for this exhibit. Much of Calder's work is whimsical - the lighting caused the shadows to be, at times, as important as the work. How many fish...

In the early years, Calder liked to work with wire and pliers to bend it into the shapes he envisioned.  The shadow gives us another angle at which to admire this creation.

I loved this idea of making the canvas three dimensional. And again - the play of the shadows added to the piece.

Some of his pieces are quite large. This one played with balance. I enjoyed both the positive and the negative - and the delightful playfulness. I had hoped to get back a second time but the exhibit closes on Friday and I ran out of time.

Montreal Winter

While we have had a lot of up and down weather this winter, with snow, rain and plenty of ice, we recently had a good old-fashioned snow storm dropping about 40 cm (16") of snow on the city. It is lovely to see the pristine snow, and I was glad I now park my car indoors after many years of outdoor parking.




The snow fell from Tuesday into Wednesday and by Wednesday evening, when this photo was taken, most streets were drivable and some sidewalks had already been cleared. We were easily able to take the metro and walk get to a concert by Les Boréades with Alfredo Bernardini which was very enjoyable!

Another day - another concert, this time in Old Montreal - Pallade Musica with Michael Taylor (another wonderful evening) . The old part of the city was looking beautiful dressed in the freshly fallen snow.



Even the mountains of snow looked lovely in the glow of the lights.

I always love to walk along LeRoyer (no cars, silent...). While the path was cleared, the benches were barely visible. It is an oasis of peace in the middle of Old Montreal.

This is one of my favourite sculptures. It sits near the corner of St-Paul and Marie-Morin. These ladies don't seem to mind their snow bath. The gossiping continues despite the weather. 

Winter can be a magic time in Montreal. Today is perfect - blue skies, white snow - weather that gives energy!

Winter Takes Hold

Winter faltered in December, bringing warmer weather and rain. It has now taken hold again, with snow, and, now, frigid weather.



Some days bring glorious blue skies and a crispness to the air. The crunch of feet on snow is both a physical sensation and a sound. The cold, while bracing, is also energizing.

We know how to dress so we stay warm - at least until the temperature drops too low!

Benches sit unused. One has to keep moving - though I do stop to admire and take a few photos. Exposed hands on the phone or camera, feel the bite in the air. Mittens are quickly donned to warm up the fingers.



Today, at -23C (-9F) with a windchill of -34C (-28F) I have opted to stay in for a while, though I will venture forth for a short walk, dressing in a few layers to preserve the warmth and keeping as little skin as possible exposed - a crack for the eyes. From indoors, I watch the mist rise from the river as I sip my coffee.

Winter Came Early

Winter showed up early this year. Snow has brightened up the dreary November days. It may not be here to stay but it has lingered.

Photo: November 16, 2018

There is always a feeling of magic with the first real snowfall. The world seems redecorated.


Photo: November 20, 2018

The magical feeling was echoed by what used to be part of the Ogilvy's windows; now it is in front of the McCord Museum. These (and many more) playful characters move as they go about their "work" - this is part of the Mill in the Forest. Another window can be seen inside the museum. Learn more

Photo: November 21, 2018

I like the quiet of a fresh snowfall. The same amount of rain makes me want to seek cover while the falling snow makes me smile. Cold weather, when I'm well-dressed, gives me energy.


Photo: November 24, 2018

While it may look much warmer, the temperature still hovered around 0C (32F). The squirrels were enjoying the ornamental crab apples. It was a perfect day for feasting.

Much of the snow melted yesterday after freezing rain and rain, but more is forecast for tonight. The city will once again look clean and white.