“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. ...
What a special day for us ladies! My day was made even more special by a young, handsome, well-dressed man, giving me a rose and saying “Happy International Women’s Day.” This happened in Downtown Toronto this morning. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera with me. All the images here were taken when I got home. The first Women’s Day took place in 1911 and we women have come a long way. There is still a long journey ahead though. “International Women’s Day honours the work of the Suffragettes, celebrates women’s success, and reminds of inequities still to be redressed.” Some countries take this day so seriously that it is a public holiday. The United Nations theme for 2014 is: “Equality for women is progress for all.” ...
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. ...
[caption id=“attachment_1672” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Icicles taken from inside the Grenadier Restaurant - High Park,Toronto [/caption] Icy Cold Ice-covered Crystals Lustrous Earth Spectacle to behold [caption id=“attachment_1673” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Even in the depth of winter, the evergreen is a reminder that some things are still alive - Lustrous Earth.[/caption] ...
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] ...
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. ...
[caption id=“attachment_1492” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] By The Fireplace[/caption] “_So if a Christian is touched only once a year, the touching is still worth it, and maybe on some given Christmas, some quiet morning, the touch will take.” (Ha_rry Reasoner) It’s fascinating to take in the sights and sounds of Christmas around this great city of Toronto. “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere I go” as the popular song says. All kinds of people get caught up in the Spirit of Christmas, whether they are celebrating the Birthday of Jesus or just having fun. There’s so much to be done before Christmas Day - cooking, baking, shopping, wrapping, decorating, writing, travelling, rehearsing, praying, singing, meditating, playing, just to name a few of the important things to be done. ...
[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. ...
[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. ...