Monday, December 28, 2015

The Sun, the Moon and the Truth

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
~ Buddha



window view late sun autumn 2
THE SUN
I don't see the point of photographing trees or rocks because they're there and anyone can photograph them if they're prepared to hang around and wait for the light. ~ David Bailey
This is the view from my living room window back in October. I'm looking toward the east and the sun is setting behind me, casting this lovely light on the still foliage-laden trees.





full moon through misty windows5
THE MOON
Go slowly, my lovely moon, go slowly. ~ Khaled Hosseini
The same window, but the view changes pretty dramatically at night.





cardinal comes tapping
THE TRUTH
The cardinal is at his wit's end - it is true that he had not far to go. ~ Lord Byron
This image was taken back in March when I was visiting my previous Mississauga neighbours and good friends, Caroline and Lloyd. The cardinal had been making a daily appearance at their back door to fight the identical male cardinal reflected in the window.





out my window5
THE SUN
The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world's joy. ~ Henry Ward Beecher
Two days before the sunset in the first image, I glanced out and saw this vibrant view.





moonrise
THE MOON
The moon rode in the sky - a hunted thing dodging behind wisps of tattered cloud, and the air was heavy and wet and redolent of dying leaves. ~ Jane Dixon Rice
I can't complain about the show the sky puts on some days – and nights.





A fan of the sun
THE TRUTH
The past is a window to look through; not a room to stay in. ~ Kevin Keenoo
I believe this fan belonged to my maternal grandmother. It had been sitting amongt a number of items which I inherited after my mother passed away. Most of the rest of those treasures are being displayed in a china cabinet but this one sits on my window ledge, collecting sun rays (and probably dust).





out my window
THE SUN
I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything. The sun came up like gold through the trees, and I felt like I was in heaven. ~ Harriet Tubman
The sky had been stormy through much of the day. Heavy clouds were still threatening to disguise the sunset. But at the last moment, they reconsidered and allowed this brilliant lighting of the treetops. You can also see my desk lamp reflecting in the window from across the room.





full moon through misty windows4
THE MOON
The moon is friend for the lonesome to talk to. ~ Carl Sandburg
The trees appeared to be passing the moon back and forth between them like a tentative game of toss and catch. Or I might have just been wavering back and forth, instead of holding still for the night shot.





hummingbird shower3
THE TRUTH 
I hear like you see - like that hummingbird outside that window for instance. ~ Ray Charles
This was taken through the kitchen window at my past home on the lake. I was getting such a kick out of watching this little guy delight in the refreshing June shower. There's a short video of it below.




There is no easy way to bathe a hummingbird. ~ Kehlog Albran
Oh, I beg to differ. Just give him a rainy day.





frosty sunrise
THE SUN
People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. ~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
My windows get pretty frosty on those colder days and rather misty on the less-than-icy days. On this November day, there was a bit of both which made for an eye-catching presentation of the sunrise.





misty moon tree
THE MOON
The moon in her chariot of pearl. ~ Oscar Wilde
This haze was more of a product of the night atmosphere than the condition of my window.





Skitty through sheers7
THE TRUTH
A cat's eyes are windows enabling us to see into another world. ~ Irish Legend
This was my beautiful Skitty boy playing on the window ledge. It was his voice you might have noticed at the very beginning of the hummingbird video. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him and miss him. Zephyr still looks and calls for him every day. He was the sweetest little love, with a personality as big as the sun, the moon and the truth.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Kids Believe

Kids believe in Santa; adults believe in childhood.
~ Cate Kennedy

The day had been mild for December 5 but the evening temperatures were dropping semi-rapidly. The wind picked up, adding to the chill and yet the childlike excitement in the night air was palpable. Santa Claus was indeed coming to the town of Peterborough.

Montreal and Toronto are known for their Santa parades but despite having lived thirty years in the former city and the better part of three more decades near the latter, I don't recall ever attending one. Peterborough is a small city and its parade route covers most of its main drag. I happen to live within a five minute walk of where it ended which made it easy for me to head over and wait with the growing crowd.

Grab a hat and some gloves, and tuck a potable into your pocket, and come join me.

imagine
I imagine that quite a few sugar plum fairies have danced their way through this studio each December.





Peterborough Utilities
It's apropos that this brightly-lit truck belonged to our electric company – Peterborough Utilities.




Christmas lights
Uh-oh. It looks like some of the lights are making their escape to another float.




ferris wheel
Perhaps they just wanted a chance to play on the Ferris wheel – cleverly designed with laundry baskets.




cadets
Most floats had their own music but every now and then, a live band would march through to entertain us. I believe this was an air cadets band.




frosty
Frosty the Snowman kept pretty comfy on this chilly night.



st bernard
So did this Saint Bernard. Wait... we're ready for a refill. Share what's in your cask!




candy cane
Kidlet faces were the most fun to watch. I'll have more of those for you as we go along.




lakeview bowling
Lakeview Bowling designed this float. Now I know what penguins do in their spare time.




Huskies
I'm not a sports fan but I enjoyed reading about the Peterborough Huskies – a special needs hockey team for all ages and both genders.




light sabre
A lightsaber duel in anticipation of The Force Awakens.




Electric City Live Magazine
This very colourful presentation is from Electric City Live – a music magazine.




puppeteer
A little bit cute. A little bit creepy. But a whole lotta friendly when posing for the camera.




Nod to NY
Here's a nod to our friends in New York City... I'm thinking of you, Daryl!





here comes santa
And finally, with the sound of jingling bells and a hearty "Ho Ho Ho," Santa made his way into the crowd.




bright eyes
Sweet faces were full of anticipation.




hohoho
Santa waved to the wee ones.




spider guy
And each kidlet knew he was looking right at them.




little stars
Bright eyes filled with the magic of the night.





sweet wave
And the beauty of the season.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Within That Gentle Light

On Hanukkah, the first dark night,
Light yourself a candle bright.
I'll you, if you will me invite
To dance within that gentle light.
~ Nicholas Gordon


I will be visiting family for a couple of days while my sweet neighbour, Carol keeps an eye on my furry boy, Zephyr. This will be his first time alone – ever. He's always had at least our dear Skitty to keep him company. I'm a bit worried about him because he's still very noticeably grieving for his brother, though he's much improved from the first few weeks after Skittles' passing. I'm hoping my absence won't set him back. Right now, he's snoring away behind me as I type.

For each of the first six nights of Hanukkah, I've been posting a few staged menorah photos on Facebook. Since I'm not really prepared with anything else, I'll post those here. And hopefully, next year I can get all eight days.


first night
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. ~ Buddha




second night
My family wasn't very religious; on Hanukkah, they had a menorah on a dimmer ~ Richard Lewis




the third night
A candle is a small thing. But one candle can light another. And see how its own light increases, as a candle gives its flame to the other. You are such a light. ~ Moshe Davis




fourth night
In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it "Christmas" and went to church; the Jews called it "Hanukkah" and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say "Merry Christmas!" or "Happy Hanukkah!" or to the atheists "Look out for the wall!" ~ Dave Barry





fifth night
May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for all humankind. ~ Unknown




sixth night
Most Texans think Hanukkah is some sort of duck call. ~ Richard Lewis

More photos coming up before too long.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Old Autumn

I saw old Autumn in the misty morn
Stand, shadowless like Silence, listening
To Silence.
~ Thomas Hood

Most of these photos were taken during a walk or two back in October and September.

centennial park
Colours were still pretty much in full display along the shores of Little Lake in Peterborough.





people in the park
This couple was enjoying the day's warmth.





statues in the park
As were these two.





duckie sunlight
This little cutie's colours shone in the late day sunlight.





pier pooch
All dressed up and nowhere to go.





rainbow liftlock cruise2
This Liftlock cruise boat was sailing right into the rainbow.





rainbow liftlock cruise4
I guess this was its turnaround point for the tour.





30 geese and duckie
That boat sailed alone but this honking flotilla numbered thirty.





duckie wave
And our sweet little mallard friend is waving them through.





harbour
There is a rather large community of boaters who stay moored to the harbour throughout summer and early autumn.





sunset fountain3
The setting sun makes the building across the lake appear as if it's all ablaze.





firefighter sculpture
Good to know that the fire department is always ready – just in case.