Culture on Late Blooms

Aga Khan Favourites

Sun, 07 Aug 2016 00:00:00 +0000

[gallery size=“medium” columns=“2” ids=“3195,3194,3169,3088”]

Museums are interesting places and this is true of Toronto’s Aga Khan Museum. In an earlier post, I shared images of the buildings showing the architectural layout and the Aga Khan Park. This post showcases some of my favourites from the collection. Above are some of the Korans that were on display. The Koran is the “Holy Book” for people who are Islamic. The word “Islam” is derived from the word meaning “peace” in Arabic. Islam is a religion revealed to mankind with the intention of presenting a peaceful life where the infinite compassion and mercy of God manifests on earth. God calls all people to live by the moral values He sets so that compassion, mercy, peace and love can be experienced all over the world. (www.goodnewsnetwork.org)

The Aga Khan Museum

Fri, 10 Jun 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Many of my friends have been to the Aga Khan Museum for concerts, lectures, and other events. They have also visited the collection there. All the reports I heard were good so I decided it was time for me to make the trek to Don Mills. I was curious to see what they were talking about. The location is out of Toronto’s city core but there would have been no space in the City for the concept to have been realized architecturally. It’s very impressive and I particularly like the Ismaili Centre which has the glass pyramid and I also like the beautiful, peaceful gardens around the site. The Ismaili Centre was not open for viewing the day I was there. I haven’t been doing collages very much lately but I am sharing some of the pictures I took there with you.

Happy Easter!

Fri, 25 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_2933” align=“aligncenter” width=“5256”] “The symbolic language of the crucifixion is the death of the old paradigm; resurrection is a leap into a whole new way of thinking.” – Deepak Chopra[/caption]

It’s time to celebrate Easter once again. Like Christmas, Easter is one of the big celebrations in the Christian calendar year. The crucifixion of Jesus took place on Good Friday and the resurrection followed three days later. On Good Friday, many people go to church but not quite as many as on Easter Sunday. Even people who don’t attend church the rest of the year sometimes go to church on Easter Sunday. I once heard a priest lament about the numbers that come out for Good Friday services. He said that people aren’t as much interested in the death of Jesus as in his resurrection. Below are some interesting statistics I found on the internet showing the percentages of persons of different faiths (age-of-the-sage.org). As you can see, there are many people for whom Easter is just a secular holiday.

Serendipity or Happenstance?

Sun, 28 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_2902” align=“aligncenter” width=“800”] In general, serendipity is the act of finding something valuable or delightful when you are not looking for it. In information technology, serendipity often plays a part in the recognition of a new product need or in solving a design problem. Web surfing can be an occasion for serendipity since you sometimes come across a valuable or interesting site when you are looking for something else. (whatis.techtarget.com)[/caption]

Sari Elegance

Thu, 11 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

On a recent visit to the Gerrard Indian Bazaar area in Toronto, I was fascinated once again by all the beautiful clothing on display. There were beautiful sarees and lehengas in different fabrics, designs, and colours. All the images below were taken there. The word sari and saree are synonymous. I had the pleasure of wearing a sari just once in my life and felt good wearing it - lots of fabric and lots of elegance!

Leaving Slavery Behind

Tue, 09 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000

“I am where I am because of the bridges that I crossed. Sojourner Truth was a bridge. Harriet Tubman was a bridge. Ida B. Wells was a bridge. Madame C. J. Walker was a bridge. Fannie Lou Hamer was a bridge.” - Oprah Winfrey

It’s the birthright of every human being to be free. Slavery is one of the darkest marks on human history and we have to be grateful for its abolition. Black History Month is a time to remember just how far from those days we are today and of the outstanding achievements made by the descendants of those slaves. There are still barriers today but many bridges have been successfully crossed by many people. Hurrah for Black History Month!

Corn Bread and Gospel Music

Sat, 30 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000

The best comfort food will always be greens, cornbread, and fried chicken. (Maya Angelou)

I find cornbread wonderful with afternoon tea. I have to try it with greens and fried chicken one day. Anyways, the recipe I have is ever so simple and can be made in the microwave. “Corn bread is a reminder of the Native American contribution to the southern American diet. Corn served an important role in Native American life and early settlers learned to adapt this versatile food into their own dishes when wheat was not available for bread making.” (tribal directory.com)

Student Prince Live Performance

Mon, 04 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_2762” align=“aligncenter” width=“800”] An operetta is simply a small and gay opera.
(Gustav Mahler)[/caption]

Sigmund Romberg’s Student Prince at the St. Lawrence Centre was one the highlights of the holidays for me. It was put on by the Toronto Operetta Theatre and we enjoyed every moment of it. A live performance! This was our family’s New Year’s Eve outing. It was delightful with all the singing, dancing, acting, beautiful costumes, and sets. The next best thing to doing the dancing and singing yourself is to get caught up in the excitement and magic happening on stage through the voices and movements of the professionals there. Since the music in this production has always been very special to me, I want to share some of my favourite music from Student Prince with you. I have never done a post in which I shared a You Tube video - this is a first. Hope you enjoy!

Mehndi Memories

Sun, 06 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000

I haven’t blogged for a while and began to feel the urge to blog today. I decided that I could blog about anything really - so here I am blogging about Mehndi. In my colouring book , “The Colours of Nature,” there was a page with intricate patterns on a hand. You can see the hand in the above collage and the colours that I used. When I was in India several years ago, I fondly remember having henna body art done on the palms of my hands. This was done by two young boys sitting on boxes under a tree. It was evening and the light in which they did this work was not very good. They were good artists though and it was very cheap. The art of applying henna to the hands and feet is known as Mehndi, and is traditionally used for celebrations and rites of passage. Every culture and region of the world uses henna tattoos in its own unique way. For Hindu weddings, henna is painted on the bride to symbolize joy, beauty, spiritual awakening and offering, while Moroccans often paint doors with henna to bring prosperity and chase away evil. Depending on where you get henna tattoos, they will look different. Indian tattoos feature fine lines and floral patterns, while Arabic henna designs tend to be larger in scale and African henna patterns are more bold and geometric. (huffingtonpost.com)

A Holly, Jolly Christmas!

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_2687” align=“aligncenter” width=“800”] “Traditions have been replaced by lifestyles.”
– Lars Svendsen, A Philosophy of Boredom[/caption]

Christmas is just around the corner. I was trying to figure out what it was that impelled me to go over to the nearby Garden Centre on Friday and buy some evergreen branches. I did hear that Santa was coming to town in Toronto on Sunday and that the Santa Claus Parade was taking place. But was it that? “No!” I had begun to feel Christmassy. Christmas had begun in my heart. “It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.” (W T Ellis)

"Day of the Dead"

Mon, 09 Nov 2015 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_2662” align=“aligncenter” width=“800”] To live in hearts we leave behind
Is not to die.
~Thomas Campbell, “Hallowed Ground”[/caption]

What a way to remember one’s dead! The Day of the Dead or Dia de Muertos celebrations took place here in Toronto yesterday at Harbourfront and is taking place again today. It’s a two day Festival which has its roots in Mexico. The atmosphere was festive rather than mournful - although all the paraphernalia surrounding death was visible there. “The Mexican holiday of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, takes place over the first two days of November. Its origins are a mixture of Native American traditions and a set of Catholic holidays. While the holiday’s observances include spending time in cemeteries, making shrines to the dead, and displaying artistic representations of skulls and skeletons, the occasion is festive, rather than morbid. Death isn’t seen as the end of one’s life, but as a natural part of the life cycle; the dead continue to exist much as they did in their lives, and come back to visit the living every year.” (Factmonster.com) Would that we would all be like the Mexicans who are able to have joyful and celebratory feelings about death and dying. This is truly a blessing.

Mabuhay!

Mon, 14 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_2540” align=“aligncenter” width=“800”] There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all.
- Anonymous[/caption]

It was “Mabuhay” time in Toronto at the end of August. The Philippine Independence Day Council’s Mabuhay Philippines Festival was held at David Pecaut Square. It was a very colourful and beautiful event which I enjoyed immensely. I didn’t know what the word mabuhay meant so I decided to find out. “This is our eternal greeting to everyone here and abroad, our salute to life as we raise our San Miguel beers. The word roughly can be translated to mean “to be alive, to live life!” It is a call to bring that sense of celebratory joy to everything about life…and that is why the resonance of the DOT slogan “ Its more fun in the Philippines! Mabuhay encompasses all the colorful fiestas of our country, where community seeks to come together to celebrate something. Even funeral wakes are a way to bring people together for poker and mah-jong!” (echonewspost.com)

Aloha!

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 00:00:00 +0000

“Hula is the art of Hawaiian dance, which expresses all we see, smell, taste, touch, feel, and experience. It is joy, sorrow, courage, and fear. ” – Robert Cazimero

Sometimes we don’t have to cross the ocean to have that “aloha” feeling. Last Saturday there was an amazing Hawaiian themed afternoon at the Grenadier right here in Toronto’s west end. It was a beautiful day and hula dancers graced the outdoor patio entertaining everyone with their gentle swaying movements. A professional hula dancer together with a vibrant, spirited musical accompanist, entertained in the social area upstairs as well. Two parties - both Hawaiian - taking place in the same building. The spirit of aloha abounded here. “The real meaning of Aloha in Hawaiian is that of Love, Peace, and Compassion. It’s the guidelines of how to live – a life of Aloha is one when the heart is so full it is overflowing with the ability to influence others around you with your spirit.” (Local’s Guide to Kauai) The staff at the Grenadier definitely created that Aloha spirit.

In Pursuit of Art

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_2487” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Ah! what pleasant visions haunt me
As I gaze upon the sea!
All the old romantic legends,
All my dreams, come back to me.
(Henry Wadford Longfellow)[/caption]

Beautiful pictures take us on journeys we might never pursue ourselves. Artistic expression comes out of the artist on to the canvas or computer and we decide for ourselves whether it has an emotional appeal for us or not. It’s not always a conscious decision but rather something that takes place within our hearts, souls, and spirits. Just as we choose that “Like” button so frequently on Facebook to express our approval of what we feel about a certain image, a “Like” happens within our hearts on viewing a beautiful image. The artist’s rendition resonates within us on a deep level within. “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” ~ Aristotle

Winter Blahs!

Wed, 14 Jan 2015 00:00:00 +0000

What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness. ~John Steinbeck

This is the time of year when it’s easy to feel “down” with the weather. Christmas is over and all the bright lights, Christmas trees, get-togethers, and festivities of the season have come to an end. The freezing winter temperatures have descended upon us and it’s only January. Winter is a challenging time for getting around especially for those of us who are Senior Citizens. We worry about slipping and falling, getting the flu, shovelling the snow, not to mention all those layers of clothing we have to put on to even go outside.

A Victorian Christmas at Allan Gardens

Fri, 12 Dec 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Toronto’s Allan Gardens is worth a visit over the holidays. As you can see from the above collage, the theme this year is musical. There’s someone playing a piano and to the right, there’s another musician with a bass instrument. “During the Victorian Christmas Show, the conservatory is decorated and filled with thousands of flowering plants and over 40 different varieties of poinsettias. The opening on the first Sunday in December features Christmas carollers, horse and wagon rides, hot apple cider and freshly baked cookies. The show runs until the end of December and the conservatory is opened late on weekends and can be viewed by candlelight.” (Wikipedia)

An Artist Friend and Neighbor

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_2261” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] The artist is a receptacle for the emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider’s web. ~Pablo Picasso[/caption]

A Caring Clown

Tue, 11 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000

“The arrival of a good clown exercises a more beneficial influence upon the health of a town than of twenty asses laden with drugs.” ~ Thomas Sydenham

The above photo is of my friend, Inge, who is eighty-six years young and a graduate of Ryerson’s Caring Clown Program. The photo is not mine but was one that Ryerson used on their 2013 Brochure for the Program.

For several years Inge’s been telling me about her clowning and especially about her visits with other caring clowns to Nursing Homes. We talked many times about me seeing her all dressed up and taking her picture. It just never happened though.

Thanksgiving Time!

Sat, 11 Oct 2014 00:00:00 +0000

It doesn’t seem so long ago that I wrote the post “Summer’s Gone” and here I am writing about Thanksgiving. In Canada, this long holiday weekend falls in October. Fall is definitely here in all its beauty and the harvest has been reaped. The weather is cooler now and the colors have changed. Time does go by!

It’s fun to pick up the leaves and admire their colors. The ones I’m holding here are from the St. Martin’s church yard where I had stopped to take some pictures. My father died in October 2000 and as the date approaches, I’m thinking of him. He wrote a poem called “Autumn Leaves” which I shared in its entirety in another post. In that poem, he was wondering when the leaves show their true colors. The first verse talks about Spring, and in the second, he’s wondering whether it’s in the Fall:

Wedding Decor and Styles

Sat, 04 Oct 2014 00:00:00 +0000

“Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.” (Anonymous)

Every couple wants their wedding to be memorable and to reflect their own tastes, styles, and traditions. While I’m very aware that a wedding is not a marriage, but only the start - these occasions come filled with a promise and hope for love, family, and life, that matches no other earthly celebration. All the images in the collages here were taken at memorable weddings of close family and friends. Enjoy!

Indian Dress in Toronto

Mon, 01 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_2132” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Gerrard’s India Bazaar - Toronto[/caption]

Culture is transportable. There’s a huge Indian diaspora in Toronto and the Gerrard India Bazaar area is where many people shop for ethnic Indian clothing. I read that it’s the oldest and biggest bazaar in North America. Thousands of people were there recently for its Annual South Asian Festival. “The ethnic diversity of South Asian Canadians reflects the enormous cultural variability of South Asia’s people. About half of South Asian Canadians were born in India, where 14 major languages are spoken and hundreds of discrete ethnic groups exist.” (Canadian Encyclopedia) All the images for the collages in this post were taken in that area.

The Korovai

Thu, 28 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

“Love doesn’t just sit there like a stone; it has to be made, like bread, remade all the time, made new.” (Ursula K. LeGuin)

After attending a beautiful wedding recently at which there was bread instead of a cake, the above quote came to mind. This wedding adhered to Ukrainian tradition. As you can see from the above collage, the “Korovai” is prominently displayed. According to the wedding program, “the Korovai is an intricately woven traditional Ukrainian wedding bread that represents the divine gift of life and prosperity from nature and the gift of love and support for the newly-married couple.”

Celebrating Life!

Sun, 10 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Age does not make us childish, as some say; it finds us true children.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

[caption id=“attachment_2081” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] “The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.” – Richard Bach[/caption]

Celebrating life whenever we have the opportunity and savoring all the special moments is an opportunity we should never pass up. Sixty-fifth and seventieth birthdays have their own blessings - because we didn’t ever expect to live this long. To wait for a child to be present for the celebration who also had a birthday we were not present for is a gift beyond words. “Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.” (Jean Anouilh) Our enjoyable celebration took place at Sassafraz in the Yorkville area of downtown Toronto. We savored the food, each other, and the passage of time.

An Ethnic Indo-Canadian Kitchen Garden

Wed, 06 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

On Becoming a Senior Citizen

Fri, 25 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000

“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” (Betty Friedan)

Life happens. The day has come that I am officially a Senior Citizen. While I’m looking forward to receiving my monthly pension cheques and all the other discounts and perks that come with my senior status, this post contains some of my observations over sixty-five years.

Sixty-five years is a long life. From the moment we’re born, the process of learning how to live in this world starts. We learn from our caregivers what are the social and cultural mores we are expected to live up to. Each and everyone of them does the best job they can to impact our positive growth and development. By the time one arrives at age 65, it’s alright to admit to oneself, if not to everybody else, that all these well-meaning and trusted souls were imperfect themselves. This means that I can’t be anywhere near perfect or any kind of saint. In our human nature, there are flaws. “Thinking well is the greatest excellence and wisdom: to act and speak what is true, perceiving things according to their nature.” (Herakleitos)

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition Favorites

Sun, 13 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000

“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way… things I had no words for.” (Georgia O’Keeffe)

The Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition took place last weekend in Toronto. It’s a free art exhibition featuring over four hundred artists using all artistic forms. Hundreds of people visited and enjoyed the great variety of talent available in one place - Nathan Phillips Square. It was a lovely venue for this amazing show and a wonderful opportunity to talk to the artists themselves. As with all shows, we do have some art that appeals to us more than others. I will share some of my favorites below and hope you enjoy them. I’m sorry that after seeing so many exhibits and meeting so many artists, I don’t have the matching information about them for all their work. You can check the TOAE website for a listing of all the artists and their work.

East Indian Jewelry

Tue, 08 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_2002” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] “I’ve never thought of my jewellery as trophies. I’m here to take care of it and to love it, for we are only temporary custodians of beauty.” (Elizabeth Taylor)[/caption]

Women all over the world from time immemorial have loved to make themselves beautiful through adorning themselves with jewelry. This is even truer of East Indian women. They wear jewelry everywhere - in their hair, in their noses - and I’ve even seen older women wear bangles on their feet when I was a little girl.

Canada Day Reflections

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_1974” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] “Today Canada is the most multicultural country in the world, and the home of immigrants of every ethnic and religious group from every country in the world. But less than 500 years ago, the only people living in Canada were the Aboriginal people of Canada. “Aboriginal” means the original inhabitants, the people who were here first. The words “Native” or “Indigenous” are also used, and mean the same thing. Today they all collectively refer to themselves as the First Nations or First Peoples of Canada. However, there are many different cultural groups.” (First Nations Website)[/caption]

The Gardiner Museum

Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_1951” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] “And there are many ways to love clay.” (Kevin Browne, Executive Director & CEO)[/caption]

The Gardiner Museum is 30 years old this year. My very first visit was for Doors Open which took place in Toronto on May 24th and 25th. It was fascinating to visit as I had heard so much about the collection from friends. I wondered who the Gardiner’s were and this is what I found: “George Gardiner began collecting ceramics in 1976, initially to decorate his home. His interests were eclectic – Ancient Americas, 18th-century European, and Chinese – and his collections assumed significant dimensions. He was joined in this passion by his wife, Helen, a native of Kirkland Lake, Ont., who had studied at York University. In 1984 they co-founded the Gardiner Museum. The Gardiners’ hope, Helen later wrote, was that the Museum “would contribute in a meaningful way to the understanding and appreciation of ceramic art worldwide.”

A Toronto Neighbourhood

Mon, 09 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000

A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.

The above quote by George Moore came to mind as I admired how pretty and well-maintained the homes in the neighborhood look. This is a particularly lovely time of year with the Spirea in bloom. Many people have their hanging baskets and planters on their porches and their garden chairs out for when they are relaxing at home. As I get older, home is really the best place to be now for me. My own porch is just like going to a cottage for me.

ROM Revealed

Sat, 31 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000

“We know we are a species obsessed with itself and its own past and origins. We know we are capable of removing from the sanctuary of the earth shards and fragments, and gently placing them in museums. Great museums in great cities—the hallmarks of civilisation.” ~ Kathleen Jam

[caption id=“attachment_1888” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] A casual glance at crystals may lead to the idea that they were pure sports of nature, but this is simply an elegant way of declaring one’s ignorance. With a thoughtful examination of them, we discover laws of arrangement. With the help of these, calculation portrays and links up the observed results. How variable and at the same time how precise and regular are these laws! How simple they are ordinarily, without losing anything of their significance! The theory which has served to develop these laws is based entirely on a fact, whose existence has hitherto been vaguely discerned rather than demonstrated. This fact is that in all minerals which belong to the same species, these little solids, which are the crystal elements and which I call their integrant molecules, have an invariable form, in which the faces lie in the direction of the natural fracture surfaces corresponding to the mechanical division of the crystals. Their angles and dimensions are derived from calculations combined with observation. (Rene-Just Hauy - French Mineralogist)

Royal Ontario Museum's Rotunda

Fri, 16 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_1868” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] The ceiling is made from thousands of sheets of imported Venetian glass, cut into more than a million tiny coloured squares. A team of skilled workers laboured for eight months to install the ceiling. Its sparkling gold, rust and bronze background is inset with red, blue and turquoise patterns, recalling the magnificent mosaics of the Byzantine world and Eastern Europe. Worked out on the golden field are geometrical borders and panels which frame decorative floral designs. The central panel is inscribed with a passage from the Book of Job in the Old Testament: “That all men may know his work” (ROM website)[/caption]

High Park's Bloomin' Trees

Tue, 13 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. ~Hal Borland

This past winter was a long and difficult one for us in Toronto. We were all looking forward to Spring and it seemed too long in coming. But the good new is that it’s finally arrived. High Park was filled with people yesterday enjoying the “bloomin’ trees.” The cherry blossoms have started to blossom but the blooms are very young. They aren’t in bloom for a long time though so if you’re planning to go, try to get over there within the next few days. I spent a lovely afternoon in the park enjoying a glorious spring day. All the photo collages are images that I took there yesterday and without further ado, here they are!

Mum's the Word!

Sun, 11 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000

“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new." and so in you the child your mother lives on and through your family continues to live… so at this time look after yourself and your family as you would your mother for through you all she will truly never die.” ― Osho

Treasures from the Sea

Sun, 13 Apr 2014 00:00:00 +0000

“I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.” (Isaac Newton)

Life has a wonderful way of bringing us back to the basics sometimes. It was fun to turn my shells and coral out on the kitchen table and examine and play with them. Fifteen years ago when I visited Fiji, I wasn’t into taking too many pictures or into blogging. In fact, I had not even heard the term. In the above collage, the two images of the resort are postcards I bought there.

Feline Companions

Thu, 27 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0000

There are varying theories about whether cats really love their human caregivers or are merely attached to them as providers of food, water, love, affection, treats, and the like. As someone who never had a pet and acquired one later in life, I feel that cats who receive loving care get to be very attached to their owners and their owners to them. However, just as with human love, the word “love” gets tossed around in ways that are merely conceptual as it relates to cats.

The Buddha and The Cat

Thu, 20 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Once upon a time, there was a cat who liked to sit with the Buddha, sniff at him, and rest at his feet. They had “Dharma Talks.”

He taught her about meditation: **"**As you practice remaining attentive, passionate, and firm in purpose, those memories and conflicts of life are let go, and with their letting go your mind centers and becomes calm, it strengthens. This is how you develop mindfulness of, and in, the body."

Gastronomic Delight

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0000

“If variety is the spice of life, enjoyment of a variety of different foods has to top the list.” (Late Blooms)

Food is near and dear to the hearts of most people. If we have enough or more than enough, we’re grateful and happy. If we have very little or just enough to get by, all our energy is directed to the acquisition of this precious life-giving commodity. This is true for all cultures and peoples on earth.

Native Wisdom

Fri, 07 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0000

All over the world where Native peoples are found, they bring a deep love for the land and creation. They don’t have a “religion” as such but more wisdom and reverence towards Nature. While there are different tribes and different locations of the world where they live, they all have similar words of wisdom to impart.

All the images in this collage were taken by me. The background is Niagara Falls with what looked like icebergs to me - right in front of the Falls. It was spectacular! From what I have seen of different kinds of Native art, there are certain similarities. I bought a lovely little book recently called “The Song of Life” and I will share some of the wisdom that was in there.

Lithuanian Independence Day

Wed, 19 Feb 2014 00:00:00 +0000

“Patriotism is a thing difficult to put into words. It is neither precisely an emotion nor an opinion, nor a mandate, but a state of mind – a reflection of our own personal sense of worth, and respect for our roots. Love of country plays a part, but it’s not merely love. Neither is it pride, although pride too is one of the ingredients. Patriotism is a commitment to what is best inside us all. And it’s a recognition of that wondrous common essence in our greater surroundings – our school, team, city, state, our immediate society – often ultimately delineated by our ethnic roots and borders… but not always. Indeed, these border lines are so fluid… And we do not pay allegiance as much as we resonate with a shared spirit. We all feel an undeniable bond with the land where we were born. And yet, if we leave it for another, we grow to feel a similar bond, often of a more complex nature. Both are forms of patriotism – the first, involuntary, by birth, the second by choice. Neither is less worthy than the other. But one is earned.” (Vera Nazarian)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Fri, 14 Feb 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Chapters Runnymede - Missing You Already!

Fri, 07 Feb 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Architecture is really about well-being. I think that people want to feel good in a space… On the one hand it’s about shelter, but it’s also about pleasure. – Zaha Hadid

[caption id=“attachment_1661” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] “We have no options to renew. We’ve been here 15 great years, and 15 years later, market conditions have changed. That corner is quite a valuable corner. The landlord can get far more money than we can pay, than we will pay,” said McGowen.
“We’ve always loved the location. It’s an iconic building with great architecture and heritage that goes hand in hand with a bookstore. The community has been terrific, supportive and loyal.” (Drew McGowen - Vice-President of Real Estate for Indigo Books and Music Inc.)[/caption]

Year Of The Horse 2014

Wed, 22 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000

January 31st is the beginning of the Lunar New Year according to the Chinese Zodiac Calendar and gallops on until February 18th, 2015. It is the Year of the Horse. This celebration of the New Year has always been special for me. For many years, I was fortunate to be able to help the children in the Toronto Chinatown community prepare for the celebration - through my work. Many celebrations and preparations take place for this occasion in Canada, especially where there are large Chinese communities.

"A Row of Lamps"

Tue, 29 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_1369” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Diwali Festival[/caption]

Fill the Heart with the oil of love. Place in it the wick of single-pointed mind. Light it with the Knowledge of Truth and remove the darkness of ignorance around you. Just as one lamp can light many lamps; let each youth kindle this Light in many hearts.

Diwali will be celebrated on November 2nd and 3rd this year in Toronto. Apart from India, where the biggest celebrations will be, other countries with South Asian populations will also be “lighting up” and participating in other ways in this Festival. It’s a New Year celebration. Many homes are lit up and special meals prepared for the occasion. It’s a time for lots of “sweet treats. “On the day of the Diwali festival, doorways are hung with torans of mango leaves and marigolds. Rangolis are drawn with different colored powders to welcome guests. The traditional motifs are often linked with auspicious symbols of good luck. Oil diyas are arranged in and around the house. Because of these flickering lamps, the festival has acquired its name : Dipawali or Diwali meaning ‘a rows of lamps’. On this day, people buy something for the house or some jewelry for the women of the house. It is auspicious to buy something metallic, such as silver.

Festival City

Tue, 15 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Stratford is a picturesque Ontario town and is one of my favorite places to visit. It attracts many visitors every year for theatrical productions known as the “Stratford Festival.” We were there for a Doctoral Celebration which included a lovely lunch and afternoon walk along the Avon River. Many swans, ducks, and their young, make lovely companions for visitors who wish to admire and spend time with them.

Thanksgiving Tidbits

Mon, 14 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000

On January 31, 1957, the Canadian Parliament announced that on the second Monday in October, Thanksgiving would be “a day of general thanksgiving to almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed.”

For some of us, Thanksgiving is a big celebration with friends, family, and the traditional turkey dinner. For others, it’s a time of reflection or just another holiday to enjoy in our own way. Whichever way we spend it, we have all been out and seen the beautiful colors that Nature provides at this time of year.

The "CNE"

Sun, 08 Sep 2013 00:00:00 +0000

My childhood may be over, but that doesn’t mean playtime is. ~Ron Olson

[caption id=“attachment_1230” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Cotton Candy Vendor[/caption]

The CNE has come and gone as it does every year - bringing with it entertainment, international foods and exhibits, horse shows, and lots of other thrills. Many like me fondly speak of it as the “Ex.” Torontonians, out-of-towners, and tourists alike enjoy the fun of a big fair. **"**The CNE is held at Exhibition Place, which is a 192-acre site located along Toronto’s waterfront on the shores of Lake Ontario and just west of downtown Toronto. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and GO Transit provide easy transportation to the CNE with stops at Exhibition Place. The site features several buildings—many of which have been named significant under the Ontario Heritage Act—roads named after the Canadian provinces and territories, parks, fountains, plazas, a rose garden, statues and parking lots. The fair itself consists of a variety of pavilions, exhibits, shows, concerts, a working farm, horse show, casino, and a large carnival midway with rides, games and food. What used to be an exhibition just for agriculture and technology has now turned into an event for families and people of all ages to enjoy. Entertainment, thrills, and the wide variety of international foods are just some of the attractions that the CNE has to offer. To many people in the Greater Toronto Area and the surroundings communities, the CNE is an annual family tradition."

Coconut Water - Good For Your Daughter!

Fri, 19 Jul 2013 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_1135” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“The Coconut Man - Barbados”][/caption]

“If you could count the stars, then you could count all the ways the coconut serves us.”

“He who plants a coconut tree, plants vessels and clothing, food and drink, a habitation for himself, and a heritage for his children.” (Phillipine Proverbs)

Fresh coconut water is one of my favorite beverages. I was very fortunate to attend a party in Barbados recently where there was a coconut man with lots of coconuts serving the guests coconut water. He slashed the top off the coconut very deftly with his cutlass and put a small hole in the top before he handed the coconut over. It is possible to drink the water directly from the coconut but most of the guests chose to drink the coconut water using a straw. Listening to a live pan player in the background and sipping coconut water with family and friends was the ultimate Barbados experience. Some people had rum and coconut water which is a specialty for some wherever fresh coconut water is available - especially in the Caribbean. Many of us had the coconut cut in half for us by the coconut man and ate the coconut “jelly” which is delicious on its own. A special treat!

Doors Open

Fri, 31 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

“In the end, the character of a civilization is encased in its structures.” (FrankGehry)

Doors Open was held in Toronto last weekend. Many buildings noted for their historical, architectural, cultural, and social significance were open free of charge so that Torontonians and tourists alike could visit. All the images in this post are from my visit to the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres in Toronto. I’ve been to shows in many other theatres in Toronto but never to this one.

Rodin - Eifman's Sculptural Creativity

Tue, 28 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Talk about dance? Dance is not something to talk about. Dance is to dance. -Peter Saint James-

Going to the ballet is always a fun way for me to spend an evening. For most ballet lovers, it’s usually the traditional ballet classics that one doesn’t want to miss. I was in the mood for something different last week when the Eifman Ballet from St. Petersburg, Russia, was in Toronto, and so it was that I saw Eifman’s “Rodin.” The pictures in this collage are photographed from the program except for two which I took while the performers were taking their last bows.

Downton Abbey Day

Sun, 12 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Culture relates to objects and is a phenomenon of the world; entertainment relates to people and is a phenomenon of life. (Hannah Arendt)

Downton Abbey Fashion

[caption id=“attachment_930” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Ashley’s Fine China - Toronto[/caption]

We all enjoy watching certain television shows and Downton Abbey is a British series that is very popular with many people. Ashley’s in Toronto hosted a magnificent Downton Abbey Day yesterday at their store in the Manulife Centre and I was lucky enough to stop by and get these wonderful images.

The Eternal Depth of Music

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_873” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Rachel Persaud - Vocalist and Composer[/caption]

“Music is the purest form of art…therefore true poets, they who are seers, seek to express the universe in terms of music…The singer has everything within him/her. The notes come out from his/her very life. They are not materials gathered from outside.” (Rabindranath Tagore)

There is nothing that brightens my spirit like music. Last Saturday, I was treated to a concert experience that was uplifting for both soul and spirit and provided an avenue for healing as well. The vocalist was Rachel Persaud and her accompanists were a guitarist and an accordian player. Rachel was at peak performance as this concert was sung in memory of her grandmother who died a few weeks ago. The images in this collage were all taken at St. Matthias Church in Toronto, which was the venue for the concert.

Mystical India!

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

**“Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit.” (**Jawaharlal Nehru)

A visit to India provides a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, and tastes, that bring about a change in one’s overall sensory experiences. There are stories upon stories about India that abound everywhere – some good, some bad. Like many other countries all over the world, India has great poverty and great wealth. What is very evident on a visit to India is extremes. You can be appalled, in awe, and frustrated, in the very same hour of the same day. There are high moments and low ones as well. Scenes and scenery change rapidly. It’s all part of what’s amazing and incredible about India.

Sari Extravaganza!

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_671” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“Sari Fabric”][/caption]

The history of Indian textiles is very ancient. The discovery of several spindles, and a piece of cotton stuck to a silver vase, revealed that the spinning and weaving of cotton was known to the Harrappans, nearly five thousand years ago. References to weaving are found in the history of Vedic literature on the method of spinning the various materials used. The foundations of the Indian textile trade with other countries began as early as the second century BC. A hoard of block printed and resist-dyed fabrics, mainly of Gujrati origin, found in the tombs of Fostat, Egypt, are the proof of large scale Indian export of cotton textiles to Egypt in medieval times."

Lights, Camera, Snow!

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_653” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Christmas Lights[/caption]

The images in this collage were taken at night. I admired the Christmas outdoor lighting on my street for a long time before getting around to taking these pictures. However, I’m glad I waited, as they are more beautiful with the presence of the snow. “We feel most alive in the presence of the Beautiful for it meets the needs of our soul. For a while the strains of stuggle and endurance are relieved and our frailty is illuminated by a different light in which we come to glimpse behind the shudder of appearances the sure form of things.”

Nutcracker Ballet

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000

**"**The Nutcracker Suite opened in St. Petersburg on December 17, 1892. It is the tale of a girl named Clara who is given a nutcracker doll for Christmas by her godfather, Drosselmaier. That night she falls asleep and is disturbed by an attack of mice led by the Mouse King, who wishes to take her away to his kingdom. She is rescued by soldiers and the Nutcracker who, as a prince, takes her to his land, a country full of sugarplums and waltzing flowers. She awakens the next morning with only the nutcracker doll and memories of her Christmas adventure." (The World Encyclopedia of Christmas)

Deck the Halls!

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_583” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Hand-made Christmas cards[/caption]

Garrison Keillor - A lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.

That time of year for merriment, festivity, and joy is upon us. Christmas Day is just around the corner. As the day draws closer and closer, many of us look forward to receiving our Holiday Greetings. We put them where we can see them and they are tangible reminders of our friends and family who have taken the time to remember us and share their good wishes for our happiness, health, and wellness at Christmas, and in the New Year.

Happy Diwali!

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Diwali is being celebrated all over the world where people of East Indian origin live. It is a Hindu and Sikh Festival. “The name “Diwali” or “Divali” is a contraction of “Deepavali” Sanskrit: दीपावली Dīpāvalī), which translates into “row of lamps”. Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (dīpa in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. These lamps are kept on during the night and one’s house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome. Firecrackers are burst because it is believed that it drives away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.”

Transported to other Worlds

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_548” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“Fun with Books”][/caption]

In anything fit to be called by the name of reading, the process itself should be absorbing and voluptuous; we should gloat over a book, be rapt clean out of ourselves, and rise from the perusal, our mind filled with the busiest, kaleidoscopic dance of images, incapable of sleep or of continuous thought. The words, if the book be eloquent, should run thenceforward in our ears like the noise of breakers, and the story, if it be a story, repeat itself in a thousand coloured pictures. - Robert Louis Stevenson

Birth Day

Sat, 29 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_515” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Birthday Celebrations[/caption]

“Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year: The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again.” ~Menachem M Schneerson

All the images in this collage were taken a few days ago at a memorable Birth Day celebration for someone special. As you can see, this was a lovely place for the occasion and we had a fabulous buffet meal. We enjoyed each other’s company and were overjoyed that we could share in the time we spent together and in the making of good memories.

L'shana Tova

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_479” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“Rosh Hashanah”][/caption]

I know a number of people who are now celebrating Rosh HaShanah which is the Jewish New Year. This collage is one big greeting card to all of them. The images here were taken at a local bookstore and are actually from greeting cards used at this time of year for this celebration. I took these photos yesterday. L’shana Tova means “for a good year.” Many people just say Shana Tova.

Kind Wine

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_420” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“Winery - Niagara Region”][/caption]

It was a pleasure for me to visit one of the wineries in the Niagara region two weeks ago. It was one of the stops on our day tour. This was a trip going to the Peach Festival held at Niagara-on-the-Lake which is a picturesque and charming little town. The trip included several stops, one of which, was this winery. I took all the images while we were there and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

"CATS"

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_368” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] “CATS”[/caption]

You now have learned enough to see

That Cats are much like you and me

And other people whom we find

Possessed of various types of mind.

For some are sane and some are mad

And some are good and some are bad

And some are better, some are worse —

But all may be described in verse.

T. S. ELIOT, “The Ad-dressing of Cats,” Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats

Moroccan-style Birthday

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_343” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Moroccan-style Birthday[/caption]

My Birthday was last Wednesday and I wanted to celebrate in grand style. This birthday was special because my brother and his wife were spending it with me and they don’t come very often from Australia. I chose this Moroccan Restaurant because I had gone there before and thought it would be a suitable venue for my special day. The images in this collages were taken there.

Taste of Thailand

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_335” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“Taste of Thailand”][/caption]

We went to one of the summer events at Nathan Philips Square in Toronto last weekend. In this multicultural City of Toronto, there are many such wonderful open-air festivals taking place. Although it was called “Taste of Thailand,” it wasn’t just about tasting Thai food. Getting a “taste” of a people or a country involves all the aspects of the people and their culture that it is possible to represent. We did have some nice Thai food to eat, and on an open stage, we saw some beautiful tango dancing. There was also a demonstration of Muay Thai Boxing. Many Thai arts and crafts were on display and available to buy. There was also a Thai fruit carver demonstrating her skill and showing off some carvings she made.

Happy Canada Day!

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_257” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Canada Day[/caption]

Canada’s Birthday - 145 years old. Celebrations everywhere. Lots of parties, birthday cake, and pride everywhere. The photos in this collage were taken over the last two days and hopefully represent the Canada that exists today even if just a little bit.

I attended a Canada Day party on Friday at which there was a BBQ, birthday cake, and watermelon, as well as a live three-piece band. Many people were tapping their feet to the music or swaying with it even if they were too old to dance. Everyone stood proudly for the band’s rendition of “O Canada” as it was sung beautifully by the vocalist for the band.

Sparkle of India

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_237” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Sari embellishments[/caption]

”It would be a loss to the whole world if the Indian woman should cease to wear her native costume. India is practically the only civilized country where one can see on living models how woman can and should dress“. (Carl Jung)

It is possible to live in Toronto and have never visited certain places. It was my pleasure to take one such person to “Little India” for a visit. We had a buffet lunch at the Gautama Restaurant which is one of the finest on this little strip now. The food was excellent. This lovely lady and I also went into almost all the stores there and she found herself fascinated with all things East Indian, from saris and sari fabric, to statues and other paraphernalia. Like myself, she likes to enjoy what she sees with the naked eye and then take a picture so she can revisit the moment later. Although I have been to “Little India” on numerous occasions, her enthusiasm and delight made me feel as if this was my first time there.

House of Pottery

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_213” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Pottery by Jason L’Abbe[/caption]

Birthdays are wonderful celebrations and especially milestone ones like a 60th. It was with great joy that I attended and celebrated my cousin’s 60th birthday with her recently. There was lots of good food, family and friends to eat all of it, and we all had fun together. The birthday cake always brings these special occasions to an exceptionally “sweet” culmination.

Tapestry

Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_201” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Tapestry[/caption]

A few weeks ago, my friend and I visited a fabulous fabric store in Toronto. She likes to sew and was looking for some fabric. The photos in this collage were taken there. It was delightful to admire all the tapestries with their beautiful colours and diversity of patterns. Quite suddenly, I thought of the weavers who had spent countless hours to produce these priceless works of art.

Chao Phraya River

Sat, 26 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_192” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“Chao Phraya River - Thailand”][/caption]

My first visit to the Chao Phraya River in Thailand was thirty-two years ago and was amazing. My second visit was thirty years later and was a different experience. The photos in this collage were taken on my first visit to Thailand.

We passed this river many times as we were taken around to visit many of the popular sites. It runs through Bangkok. The city itself is fascinating and I observed the Thai people to be very hard-working and very good cooks. I loved Thai cooking from that visit even when it wasn’t a popular cuisine in the Western world as it has become now. We visited Wat Arun and the Grand Palace which are architecturally very beautiful. As with most conducted tours, we stayed in fine hotels and were shown everything that was fine of the Thai way of life.

Friends the Mitra

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_173” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption="- Friends the Mitra"][/caption]

The picture “Friends the Mitra” caught my attention at an Art Exhibition that I attended two weeks ago. I love the picture and also the name because my youngest brother’s name is Mitra.

The artist is Shital Christy whose country of origin is India. I asked to take this photo and for an explanation of the reason for the name. She said that when the idea for the painting came to her, she was thinking of friends and their life-long bonding. The village ladies are fetching water from the well but they share their thoughts, problems, happiness, and their daily routines with each other as they fetch water. This daily routine creates a bond between them. She also told me that the name Mitra in Sanskrit means “friend.”

From China with Love

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_158” align=“alignleft” width=“300” caption="- Tea and China"][/caption]

Legend has it that I was a great tea drinker since I was a little girl. An older cousin told me that my grandfather had a little cup and saucer for me and whenever I went to visit, he would make tea for me. To this day, I love tea.

My friends recently came back from China after a visit to show off their new Canadian born baby to parents and grandparents. I received a call on Tuesday asking if they could drop by as they brought something from China for me. In this pretty gift bag was a beautiful red and gold container with tea. They told me that this was one of the finest teas and it was a red variety.

Watermelon Surprise

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_96” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Everyone irregardless of age loves surprises. Last Sunday night I received the most wonderful surprise - a carved watermelon. This lovely lady had done some beautiful fruit carvings for my 60th Birthday. She acquired this special skill in Thailand where she attended a month-long course.[/caption]

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder

Nirvana

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000

[caption id=“attachment_65” align=“alignleft” width=“300”] Nirvana[/caption]

This collage is called Nirvana because if you look carefully, you can see a little Buddha head there.

After a visit to Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Thailand three years ago, my interest in Buddhism was peaked. Although I had visited Hong Kong and Thailand before, I hadn’t witnessed so many images and statues of the Buddha, as on this visit. In these cultures, there are many followers of Buddha. In addition, Buddhism is very popular now in all parts of the world.

Indian Mythology

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000

I took the photos for this collage in Little India, Toronto. My friend and I go there to have a thali and to look around from time to time. There are fascinating finds in the stores there. One of my favorite stores is the one with a variety of artifacts and pictures. I liked this picture and didn’t know who the two lovely people were. I mentioned to my friend what a lovely picture this was and she said: “Krishna and Radha.” I decided to find out more about this couple and discovered that this is one of the epic stories within the Indian culture. I made each photo look different and the effects are pleasing to me. Enjoy! The great exponent of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna is one of the most powerful incarnations of Vishnu, the Godhead of the Hindu Trinity of deities. Of all the Vishnu avataras he is the most popular, and perhaps of all Hindu gods the one closest to the heart of the masses. Krishna was dark and extremely handsome. The word Krishna literally means ‘black’, and black also connotes mysteriousness. Although I haven’t read the Bhagavad Gita, this reference to the Hindu Trinity brought to mind the Holy Trinity in Christianity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It makes me think that all wisdom traditions have similar stories and we can learn from each other.