Autumnal Sunshine

I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.

~Nathaniel Hawthorne

I have another mishmash of images for you - some which date back a few weeks - some which are more current.


One early October morning, the day broke in cloudy hues.





A moment later, a band of colour lit the underside of the clouds and danced in colours that only nature can imagine.






A couple of months back, I was having lunch at an outdoor table in the colourful town of Warkworth. I was watching this little bird considering its takeoff.






And then it did. I like how it appears as if the bird is in position to embark on a small roller coaster ride on the string of eight lights in the window.






Also in flight, was this little sweetheart. She and I chatted for a long time while we each sat swinging. She educated me about the complete storyline of some TV show or movie and she even stopped swinging every now and then to draw the characters in the dirt. She insisted that it's all a true story because her MUCH older brother (he's 6) said it was and he always knows. It was a lovely chat.






A different little girl dropped her umbrella one windy, rainy day and left it to collect a puddle on the inside. This was photographed from my apartment window.






On another rainy day, these clouds seemed to be almost undulating in the sky. It reminded me a little of Van Gogh's kind of sky.






Rainbows - that ever hopeful transition between rain and sunshine.






Autumn along the sunlit woodsy trails of Jackson Park.






The vibrant colour of algae when the sunlight hits it just right.






Aging cedar fronds enjoying the sun's soothing ministrations.






A small boardwalk over a stream and between the trees.






Also sun-kissed are some end of season colourful carrots from the Farmers' Market.





And another colourful display expressing our support of diversity. Sidewalks all over Peterborough were expressing inclusion and support during the Love Lives Here movement late in September.






Gotta love the positive spirit of Peterborough. Note the "Love Wins Over Hate" sign partway up the alley wall.






This photo goes way back to mid July. The boats are all gone from the harbour now.

Summer stayed late but now she is done. Autumn is breezing through town in a hurry. It won't be long until the season changes once again. Hopefully, it will continue to offer something new to photograph.

Thanks for indulging me, once again.

Love Lives Here

It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength. - Maya Angelou

Peterborough, along with most of southern Ontario and points beyond has just exited a lengthy and lovely heat wave - summer's last hurrah. Although the following images are from earlier in the recently-ended season, some of them express the recent heat and the current mood of the area, in more than one way.

This Saturday is Yom Kippur - the holiest day of the year for observant Jews. And it will be on this date that a lowlife who bears a swastika tattoo on his chest, will lead a white supremacist rally in our beautiful city. It is under the guise that they are protesting our Prime Minister Trudeau and illegal immigration. Make no mistake that these are nazis who also oppose legal immigration, and any skin colour other than white. A large counter-protest in the form of peaceful, solidarity events called Love Lives Here will also take place throughout the weekend. That's the Peterborough I know and love. I feel certain that messages of anti-hate will far outweigh those of the "the deplorables," but it's still all so unsettling and disturbing.

The photos are from a couple of summer day trips to Cobourg - where all of the beach pics were snapped, as well as Port Hope, Warkworth and Campbellford. The shore of Lake Ontario reflects the sizzling days of the past couple of weeks, and some of the various signs echo the prevalent mood around town at all times but especially during this particular week. For variety's sake, I'm going to alternate scenes and signs - some of which are welcoming in nature and some simply humourous. All which make up the fabric of my Canada.


Welcome to the lovely port Cobourg, Ontario. Boats were everywhere and so were people. This was the early August long weekend.






This image goes back to June - an attention-grabbing Fathers' Day ad.






On the beach, a sand sculpture competition was happening as part of celebrating Canada's 150th anniversary.






This sign was outside of a more mom-friendly type shop - but didn't want to exclude others - no matter your order of preference.






A pair of protective arms keeping her safe from the cold water of Lake Ontario.






Here's closer look at that crane fly you might have noticed in the previous sign photo.






Despite the really cold lake water, some thought it best to charge right in.






A coffee shop reminding customers why their daily dose of caffeine is so essential.





Others preferred to wade in while texting or perhaps prepping for a selfie.






These are the signs I like to see in my city. In my country. In my world.






The road home provides a pretty vista.






And signs at home in Peterborough help to restore faith.






May love, acceptance, inclusion and respect always soar above bigotry and hate.

Canada is like a bird, it likes to soar freely. ~ Unknown