Interesting Sightings

"I find humor in many situations and things and I tend to make photographs that point out these things.

We photograph according to our character."

- Huy Nguyen -

It's been awhile since I shared some interesting, unusual, fascinating and even entertaining things I’ve spotted with camera in hand in a world that is a photographer's playground. So here we go...

Isn't this a really cool name for an antique shop?
(Spotted in Napanee, Ontario)

Oh, look! It's Pumbaa from the lion king.
(Photo taken at Toronto Zoo)

The 'Tent Room' in Rideau Hall (a residence and workplace of every governor general of Canada since 1867)
reminds me of the circus. It's used to host formal events where you'll oftentimes see clowns, a.k.a. politicians.

"Oh my, what big teeth you've got!"

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Numerous nautical knots!
(Photo taken at Kingston Mills)

And here I thought my phone was outdated.
(Spotted at Casa Loma in Toronto)

You just know that someone made this sign necessary.
(Spotted at Casa Loma in Toronto)

It's just full of comedians here in Kingston.

I'm not sure when we starting arming our beavers.
(Taken at Jones Falls)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

A To Z Of Gratitude: S

S is for Senses

"Nothing exists in the intellect that has not first gone through the senses."

- Plutarch -

Sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. Five senses that enable us to better understand our surroundings. And experience life more fully. How can I not be grateful for that?

Enjoy the day!

Fill In The Blank

...Barbados. Because a sunny, all-inclusive, relaxing-by-the-beach destination sounds perfect just about now.

Your turn!

Question Of The Day

I bought a Ford Mustang when I was 22 years old; my first car and my first big expense. It was four years old but the previous owner had taken such good care of it that it looked brand new. It cost me about $4,000 to get the car and almost 25% of that amount to get it insured. I was a young and recent driver, so the insurance companies were whacking me!

Your turn.

Chuckles and Chortles

Happy Monday, friends. How is everybody? What's new? And how's it going? Things have slowed down for us now that our home is on the market. We'll enjoy this quiet period while we have it because when our home gets sold another crazy period will begin as we scramble to find a new place to live and begin the moving process.

My daughter is also home for the week from university, which is wonderful. It will be nice to spend some time with her and catch up on her news.

Now, let's get to this week's funny stuff, which is all about Halloween...

Have a good one!

And We're Off...

Yessiree, blogging pals, our house is finally on the market! Our real estate agent came by yesterday morning to get some paperwork done and take photos. Weeks of hard work have come to an end and we're ready to rock and roll.

We're also actively searching for another home, but much smaller than the one we're presently in. Last weekend we visited three places; two were not bad but the third was downright scary. A fixer-upper from top to bottom and inside out. By the time we left that house, I was in desperate need of a nap; that's how exhausted I felt just thinking about how much work was required to get it in reasonable shape. That run-down space is a perfect candidate for the reality TV show 'Property Brothers'. Do you know it? It's about two (identical twin) brothers, one a real estate agent and the other a contractor, who help home buyers purchase and renovate fixer-uppers.

This afternoon we're going to see two homes that have caught our interest and this weekend we'll attend a couple of open houses. Sooner or later one of these places will become ours.

Anyhow, we've got our fingers and toes and eyeballs crossed that our place will sell quickly and we can be out of here and into a new home before Christmas. That would be amazing. Just a-ma-zing.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

A To Z Of Gratitude: R

"I heard the sweet voice of a robin,

      High up in the maple tree,

      Joyously, singing his happy song

      To his feathered mate, in glee!

If we could be like this tiny bird,

      Just living from day to day,

      Holding no bitterness in our hearts

      For those we meet on our way."

- Gertrude Tooley Buckingham, "Heaven on Earth" (1940s) -

R is for Robins

What could be more magical than listening to a robin singing a beautiful tune as the sun sets? And what could be more exciting than spotting these birds in your backyard in late February or early March (a joyous reminder that spring is just around the corner)?

These precious birds are dearly missed this time of year as they make their way south. I look forward to their return in the spring.

Have a lovely day, everyone.

You’re Probably Around My Age If...

...you remember these two best buddies. And wanted to have a dog just like this one.

Image from Wikipedia

Remember Lassie, the television series from 1954 – 1973 that followed the adventures of a collie and her human companions? I was a huge fan. HUGE. My absolute favourite episodes – a three part series - were the Odyssey I, II and III, where Lassie is accidentally locked in a truck making deliveries out of town. When she finally gets out, she’s hundreds of miles from home and has to somehow find her way back, which she adamantly strives to.

In the meantime, her best bud, seven-year-old Timmy Martin, is worried about his lost companion. An attempt is made to locate Lassie, but she is not found. After quite some time has passed, a heartbroken young Timmy gives up hope of ever seeing Lassie again and decides to gather up her toys and bury them in their secret spot (Timmy carved his and Lassie's names in an old hollow log. Then he buried a bone there as a pact dedicating it as their "secret, special place”. Cute, no?) Anyway, as he’s about to bury her toys, he hears a familiar bark over the hill and drops his shovel...

Well, let me tell you, the part where Timmy and Lassie are running toward each other...well, that part had me sobbing uncontrollably. And the part where they finally reach each other and come together in a joyous union of tears and fur? I thought I was going to pass out with all the overwhelming emotions I was experiencing. Never mind how exhausted I was from all the tears I shed. Timmy and Lassie were together again! [insert uncontrollable sobbing]

Do you remember this show?

Question Of The Day

I was going to say breakfast but that's not it. My favourite meal of the day (not really a meal but...) is the popcorn the most amazing man in the world and I snack on every single night while we watch something on TV. Sometimes we watch a movie, sometimes we watch something prerecorded and sometimes we binge on an old series. Right now we're enjoying the 'The X-Files' (remember that?) and right before this it was the comedy 'Seinfeld'. We take turns making the popcorn and we air pop it in our microwave. Much tastier and much healthier.

Your turn!

Chuckles and Chortles

Happy Monday, blogging pals. How is everyone? Did you have a nice weekend? And was it a chilly one for you? It was pretty darn cold around here. I tried to do some garden cleanup yesterday and lasted for about 15 minutes.

Rumour has it that some of you even had snow. Wow... It is much too early for that. At least let Halloween go by so the kids don't have to lug around winter gear as they go door to door. We did see some hints of snow but thankfully it didn't stick around.

Shall we laugh a little? Sure, why not...

Have a good one!

Hometown Memories: Learning To Ride A Bike

"Some memories are unforgettable, remaining ever vivid and heartwarming!"

- Joseph B. Wirthlin -

The other day when the most amazing man in the world and I returned from running some errands, I saw my next door neighbour helping her young daughter (who must be about five) learn to ride a bike without training wheels. Mom was holding onto the back of the bicycle as she gently pushed the youngster along, gradually increasing the speed enough for the bike to remain upright without support. She began letting go but sprinted alongside as her daughter took off on her own. Mom continued to call out encouraging words as the little girl rode off and, no doubt, shed a tear or two in-between.

I found myself overwhelmed with emotion as I witnessed this classic rite of passage because it brought to mind the day I learned to ride a bike with the help of the most devoted and kind and patient man: my father. It seems like only yesterday that he was holding onto the back of my bicycle, pushing me along and encouraging me to take flight. And when I finally did, he cheered me on; joy and pride and love so evident in his voice.

The most important thing in the world to my father was his family.

It’s been over eight years since my father left this world but the heartwarming memories he left behind, memories such as this one, live on forever. It is the greatest gift he ever gave me.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

(Please share memories of your own bike-riding (or other) experiences.)

A To Z Of Gratitude: Q

“Quiet is peace. Tranquility. Quiet is turning down the volume knob on life.

- Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner -

Q is for Quiet

In a world that can be exceedingly noisy, sometimes I need to shut everything off and turn down the volume.

I am grateful for those moments when all I can hear is the sound of silence.

Fill In The Blank

...do hospice volunteer work and help someone in need.

Your turn!

On The Brink Of Madness

Silicone caulking. It is the devil. If you've ever tried to remove it, especially from painted walls, you'll know exactly what I mean.

Previous owners of this house updated the kitchen at some point and used silicone caulking in areas they shouldn't have. Didn't need to. Like around kitchen cabinetry and parts of the counter top that are nowhere near water.

For days I have been peeling, scraping, rubbing, sandpapering, slicing with a razor blade...crying, begging, having a nervous breakdown...as I try to get rid of this evil spirit.

And so far, lots of things are coming off. Like chunks of the wall. But not the silicone caulking. Even though the big pieces eventually get removed, small remnants are left behind that refuse to go away. Pieces that will not allow for a smooth paint finish.

Because. Nothing. Sticks. To. This. Devil. Not even primer.



Now place your thumb and forefinger close together.

That's how close I am to torching the area.

What renovation job drives you mad?

Chuckles and Chortles

Happy Monday, bloggers, and happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canucks. I hope it's been a really nice weekend for everyone. My daughter arrived on Friday from Ottawa and she'll be going back this evening. It's been really nice having her home. She's doing extremely well in school and having a great time in her new city. This is a very special time in her life.

Shall we move along to the funny stuff? Yes, let's do just that...

Have a good one!

Question Of The Day

"Let it rain" by fellow Canuck, Amanda Marshall, one of my favourite female musicians. I had the pleasure of watching her perform this song at one of her concerts I attended many years ago in Montreal during my single mom (and crazy interesting online dating) days. She’s a tiny little thing with a very powerful and beautiful voice.



How about you? Can you name a song that mentions the weather?

A To Z Of Gratitude: P

"Photography, alone of the arts, seems perfected to serve the desire humans have for a moment – this very moment – to stay."

- Sam Abell -

P is for Photography


Everywhere I go...

...there is a moment...

...waiting to be captured...

....and frozen...

...forever.

The images I take are my interpretation of the world around me as I journey through this amazing thing we call life.

I am so grateful for photography.