Canada 150 - The Smitten Image 10

Time between blog posts seems to be longer and longer as my everyday life seems to get busier and more demanding. I keep hoping that I can put more time into blog posting and visiting but that just doesn't seem to happen. I'll keep hoping though!

This time, I thought I should acknowledge a couple of events - Canada's 150th birthday and my 10th blogging anniversary - both happening this month. Unfortunately, only one of those occasions gets a parade, party, music and fireworks - so my photos will focus on Canada's celebrations as they occurred in Peterborough.

Before I do, I want to express how very rewarding it has been (and hopefully will continue to be) to connect with hundreds of amazing bloggers this past decade. I've made friends with whom I've connected in real life, in email, on the phone and through Facebook. And I have sadly lost wonderful people along the way to illness and to tragedy. I've had incredible feedback on my photography and feel validated and appreciated because of it. Thank you ALL for allowing me to share my creativity through the years and for sharing yours with me. I hope we can all enjoy many more years of that blogging connection.

That's enough of stealing the spotlight from my elderly country. Canada turned 150 on July 1, and my town of Peterborough celebrated in style. Let's start with the parade.


Kidlets of all ages brought their wheels to the event.






This guy represents our first Prime Minister, Sir John A. McDonald who did many wrongs to our Indigenous People - wrong which we continue to hope that our current government will begin to right.






What's a parade without the Shriners and their funny little cars doing tricks and spins throughout the route?






Remembering our beloved Terry Fox who raised awareness and funds for cancer research by attempting his walk across Canada. Cancer took his leg prior to his journey across our country and it sadly also took his life during his Marathon of Hope in 1977 - a month before his twenty-third birthday. His life is celebrated every September with a 10k run, walk or cycle which raises money in his name.






This original float represents Southcrest Farms in nearby Lakefield, Ontario.






The Trent-Severn waterway passes through Peterborough. This means that boats, canoes, kayaks and floating recreational devices of all kinds are very popular in this area. This young canoe enthusiast sporting Canada-red hair represents Brownsea Base Water programs for Scouts.






After the parade, I wandered over to Del Crary Park where some of city celebrations were happening. Crowds had already gathered.






Several local performers took their turns to sing and dance on stage.






Two cakes were presented for sharing with the crowd. One was Canada's 150th birthday cake and the other represented our Multi Cultural Day which coincides with Canada Day.






Leaving the park, I encountered this adorable scene. Their Canada Day hats were homemade. Mom had posed them on this couch sculpture and was taking their photo from the front. I thought the back of their heads, all decked out in their patriotic finest were every bit as cute.






Eventually they turned to look over the back of the seat and I stole around to the front for a different angle.






I headed home for a few hours to recharge and saw this tree-hugging flag along the way.






The evening took me back to Del Crary Park to see singer/DJ Kim Mitchell perform. The concert kicked off the MusicFest season of free outdoor concerts every Saturday and Wednesday night through the summer.






Our seats were close and the music was LOUD.






They put on a good show.






The crowd left with major smiles and minor hearing loss.






Night had fallen and we walked along the shoreline of Little Lake so that we could take in the Canada Day light show..






Colourful jets of fire burst forward with colour, exploding in the night sky leaving tinkling showers of silver in its wake.






Canada's signature red and white lights scattered across the sky, shattering into a multitude of glittery sparks.






Puffy golden stamens were ablaze in the dazzling heart of a delicate flower of fire.






The finale brought cascading waterfalls, dazzling whirls and shimmering spirals - all which rained down on the lake in a twinkling trail brilliance.

Hopefully it won't take me this long to get my next blog post out but I'll have more photos for you whenever that is. Thanks for celebrating with me.

Diversity is a Blessing

We know in our bones that Canada was built by people from all corners of the world who worship every faith, who belong to every culture, who speak every language. We believe in our hearts that this country's unique diversity is a blessing. ~ Justin Trudeau

It is wonderful to feel the grandness of Canada in the raw, not because she is Canada but because she's something sublime that you were born into, some great rugged power that you are a part of. ~ Emily Carr

It was just a few hours into July1 - our Canada Day and already, the sky was celebrating with some fireworks of its own.

What does multiculturalism mean to these people-and to me? It means a presumption that society will accommodate forms of cultural expression that do not violate our society's core values. These include the right of a Jew to wear his kippa, a Sikh to wear his turban, a Muslim to wear her headscarf, or a Christian to wear a cross pendant. ~ Justin Trudeau

Peterborough is a multicultural city. An accepting city. A respectful city. Multiculturalism was the theme, and the events were organized by the New Canadians Centre on this July 1st. Our Canada Day celebrations began with a parade, which happened in the rain, and therefore without me and my camera. But when the skies cleared, there were all sorts of activities to enjoy in the park. I unexpectedly met up with my dear friend, Carol Anne at the park and we spent some time together.

I don't even know what street Canada is on. ~ Al Capone

Neighbourhood homes were all decked out for the event.

Canada is a nation of people who came from somewhere else. ~ Microsoft Encarta

Red is the colour of our flag's maple leaf so you're going to see an awful lot of it throughout these photos. Here, kidlets were enjoying climbing on the hose sculpture at Del Crary Park - living up to our nickname of "hosers!"

We see the refugees who feel that they have a special duty to give back, and seize the opportunity of a new life. Like the girl who fled Afghanistan by donkey and camel and jet plane. And who remembers being greeted in this country by helping hands and the sounds of robins singing. And today she serves in this chamber and in the cabinet because Canada is her home. ~ Barack Obama

That beautiful smile belongs to Maryam Monsef - the Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha as well as our country's Minister of Democratic Institutions. Twenty years ago, at the age of eleven, Maryam, her mother and two sisters escaped the Taliban and came to our country. They settled in Peterborough where they had family members living. You Americans might recognize her from when Barack Obama and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto were in Ottawa late last month for the North American Leaders' summit, which was quickly dubbed the Three Amigos' Summit. President Obama referenced the Honourable Maryam Monsef in his speech as quoted above. Peterborough is mighty proud of her - with good reason.

In a world darkened by ethnic conflicts that tear nations apart, Canada stands as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity, and mutual respect. ~ Bill Clinton

When the music began, this group of four had all the moves. Note the woman on the left, considering joining in.

Canada has never been a melting pot, more like a tossed salad. ~ Arnold Edinborough.

It didn't take her very long.

Wherever you go in the world, you just have to say you're Canadian and people laugh ~ John Candy

A bit earlier, I had seen this group rehearsing their routine.

In any world menu, Canada must be considered the vichyssoise of nations; it's cold, half-French, and difficult to stir. ~ Stuart Keate

And now it was time for them to perform on stage.

Canada is like an old cow. The West feeds it. Ontario and Quebec milk it. And you can well imagine what it's doing in the Maritimes. ~ Tommy Douglas

Some of the kidlets weren't all that interested. Note the beaver (our national animal) tail on the child's t-shirt. I never got a look at the front but I'll bet it had orange teeth.

I'd be prouder still to say I was Canada's 10th woman prime minister. ~ Kim Campbell

This little girl was very interested in the dancing and had some pretty smooth moves of her own.

Canadian money is also called the loony. How can you take an economic crisis seriously? ~ Robin Williams

Then along came this purple onion who offered to dance with her.

When I was crossing the border into Canada, they asked if I had any firearms with me. I said, 'Well, what do you need?' ~ Steven Wright

A natural reaction. Onions can make me cry too.

Canada will be a strong country when Canadians of all provinces feel at home in all parts of the country, and when they feel that all Canada belongs to them. ~ Pierre Trudeau

A group of east Indian children took the stage next with their routine.

The music continued but Carol Anne and I decided to have a walk around.

A Canadian is merely an unarmed American with health care. ~ John Wing

Venders were selling all sorts of merchandise. This bowl of colourful bracelets caught my eye.

We'll explain the appeal of curling to you if you explain the appeal of the National Rifle Association to us. ~ Andy Barrie

As did these vibrant tie-dye dresses.

A Canadian is someone who knows how to make love in a canoe without tipping it. ~ Pierre Berton

The afternoon events ended with somebody hauling out this canoe-shaped drum. Everyone was encouraged to fall into the rhythm of the beat or to create their own sound.

By now, dark clouds were rolling in and it began to sprinkle on and off. Carol Ann and I had each walked to the park from our respective homes in opposite directions, both about twenty minutes on foot. We figured we should make our way home, lest we get caught in what promised to be a huge downpour. I hurried on my way, readying a plastic bag for my camera in case I didn't make it on time. I arrived home completely dry, closed the door behind me and looked out the window to see that it was just pouring buckets. I texted Carol Anne indicating how I missed the rain by mere seconds, and hoped that she had also. Just as I hit "send," her cross-posted text came in telling me pretty much the same thing. We couldn't have timed it any better if we had tried.

There's always a lot to see around this city. I'll have more for you next time.

Sum Sum Summertime

There isn't much that I don't like about summer. I love the sights, sounds and fragrances which represent my favourite season.

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On those particularly hot days, you might want to relax under the shade of a large umbrella and enjoy the garden.

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Flowers, such as these Bleeding Hearts are in full bloom.

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This stray bell-shaped flower took root in the crack of a patio stone, and grows right beside the step.

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This small yellow blossom, found shortly after a light rainfall brightens its surroundings like the emerging sunshine.

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This little bug seemed to reflect the colour of the surrounding foliage.

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Here's a bit of perspective which shows how tiny it was.

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The early evening sun filters through from behind this tree, casting a long shadow. This is my favourite time of day.

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Late-day sunshine seems to saturate its surroundings with intense colour. The bark of these trees almost appear to be lit from within.

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A short while later, this park bench glistens like gold in the setting sun.

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The rising moon and setting sun provide soft contrasting colours behind this dead tree's silhouette.

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As the day grows dark, two birds bid each other "goodnight" with their song.

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A Canada Day firework set off at the end of our street. With this, I wish a Happy 4th to our Amurikan pals, from your friends north of the border!