tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16415210659666712352024-03-11T05:09:54.655-04:00Sharing some of the things I love with kindred spirits...A mish-mash and tumble of varied pursuitsDianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.comBlogger1694125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-35318238477149509742024-03-10T20:00:00.001-04:002024-03-10T20:00:19.141-04:00Countdown to Japan<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cyinmmTyT2nH6c4RfRJs4QMdIiD9x5nXimik6W5cfy4jcFJsWze-K3Lb8Oe5xEfawLdY-LY6YXbalvF8DdL9qc08Tc4-3_Xh59KbufyW8cYGFGQ81U0nevAdLSwHhZ_dBNU12SiTLmk6qrb6NQ2EDl-M9rxwJeXgXZSZSaxAvZg1Bj4cX_YD6g2aUwU/s284/download-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="284" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cyinmmTyT2nH6c4RfRJs4QMdIiD9x5nXimik6W5cfy4jcFJsWze-K3Lb8Oe5xEfawLdY-LY6YXbalvF8DdL9qc08Tc4-3_Xh59KbufyW8cYGFGQ81U0nevAdLSwHhZ_dBNU12SiTLmk6qrb6NQ2EDl-M9rxwJeXgXZSZSaxAvZg1Bj4cX_YD6g2aUwU/s1600/download-5.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><br />The itinerary for our upcoming trip to Japan is set! How many years I've wanted to go, and now it's happening. <p></p><p>In cherry blossom season!!!</p><p>Lots of research and You Tube videos have helped the adventure feel less daunting. Alex set us up with our Suica transit cards today, and the eSims are ready to go too. My capsule wardrobe is all picked out and everything will fit nicely in a single carryon. Still need to book trains between destinations.</p><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, it will be crowded, so we will take in sights early in the morning and later in the day, and get off the beaten track a bit in between.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We have a good balance of different activities, and flexibility built in to our plans. Just being in each city will be a delight, each with its own flavour.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Tokyo (3 nights): arrive! tour with guide around city and then explore <a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3004.html">Asakusa</a></li><li>Hakone (2 nights):<a href="https://kshouse.jp/articles/en/hakone-onsen/"> Onsen</a>!! and <a href="https://www.hakone-oam.or.jp/en/">Open Air Museum</a></li><li>Kyoto (5 nights): explore the districts, Philosopher's Walk, temples (including <a href="Higashiyama Jisho-ji">Higashiyama Jisho-ji</a>)<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span> and zen gardens and take time to go <a class="waffle-rich-text-link" href="https://www.insidekyoto.com/kyoto-one-day-off-the-beaten-track-cherry-blossom-itinerary" style="text-decoration-skip-ink: none;">Off the Beaten Track</a></li><li>Nara (2 nights): <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/kansai/nara/attractions/todai-ji/a/poi-sig/488092/356700">Todai-ji Temple</a>, <a href="https://www.tsubosaka1300.or.jp/">Tsubosaka Shrine</a></li><li>Osaka (3 nights): <a class="waffle-rich-text-link" href="https://www.kaiyukan.com/language/eng/" style="text-decoration-skip-ink: none;">Kayukan (Aquariium)</a> + <a href="1 Day Osaka Food itinerary">food, food, food</a> +view from <a class="waffle-rich-text-link" href="https://www.skybldg.co.jp/en/" style="text-decoration-skip-ink: none;">Umeda Sky Building</a></li><li>Tokyo (3 nights): Team Labs, Tokyo Museum, Michelin restaurants, parks, izakaya, karaoke, markets</li></ul><div><pre class="tw-data-text tw-text-large tw-ta" data-placeholder="Translation" data-ved="2ahUKEwiI4ar_8eqEAxV0vokEHY7PA3sQ3ewLegQIDhAU" id="tw-target-text" style="border: none; color: #202124; font-family: inherit; font-size: 28px; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -2px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 0.14em 2px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; text-align: center; text-wrap: wrap; width: 270px;"><a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/saikou-meaning-and-characters-2028792">Sāikōu</a>!!!</pre><pre class="tw-data-text tw-text-large tw-ta" data-placeholder="Translation" data-ved="2ahUKEwiI4ar_8eqEAxV0vokEHY7PA3sQ3ewLegQIDhAU" id="tw-target-text" style="border: none; color: #202124; font-family: inherit; font-size: 28px; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -2px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 0.14em 2px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; text-align: center; text-wrap: wrap; width: 270px;"><br /></pre><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8fJpY8fjAIlQIsPJp2NDBQt38gMxboowqSMuJap-xf3lorIL3TQ7ZkNDcye80PCR2lFGGkCos4hvyHhHxyTfTjhQ8gr-8UFpLM5dohapaNCeqZHAWGXr8Hy8eYZLGASi_XbLx72_wP3JcBDD4aaBQnBJAlMIRecwdL8wVsuTTv_8r38Twluc6dV_2SE/s266/images-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="266" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8fJpY8fjAIlQIsPJp2NDBQt38gMxboowqSMuJap-xf3lorIL3TQ7ZkNDcye80PCR2lFGGkCos4hvyHhHxyTfTjhQ8gr-8UFpLM5dohapaNCeqZHAWGXr8Hy8eYZLGASi_XbLx72_wP3JcBDD4aaBQnBJAlMIRecwdL8wVsuTTv_8r38Twluc6dV_2SE/w320-h229/images-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><pre class="tw-data-text tw-text-large tw-ta" data-placeholder="Translation" data-ved="2ahUKEwiI4ar_8eqEAxV0vokEHY7PA3sQ3ewLegQIDhAU" id="tw-target-text" style="border: none; color: #202124; font-family: inherit; font-size: 28px; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -2px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 0.14em 2px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; text-align: justify; text-wrap: wrap; width: 270px;"><br /><br /></pre></div></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-32893796889660830352024-03-08T17:48:00.010-05:002024-03-10T18:52:20.926-04:00Dreaming of gardens in St. Lucia <p>In St. Lucia, both the properties we stayed at had beautiful trees in their gardens. Palm, banana, cashew, calibash, cacao, papaya, golden apple. </p><p>Lush lush lush. </p><p>If lived there I would definitely try to start a forest garden. Pots of snake plant and cactus on the terrace! Along the path to the front door, frangipani and jasmine for scent. And some bougainvillea and hibiscus for the hummingbirds!</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_oNBTHRTdYSpOGdo6nuxOTK9Pz6Ormy5LRcZ3PeBvSA9BgBROPfCifZArWIGP5rkPQDg1UnJN4-YoMxQGTJ1GN2Gh5oQY7tIp04Sw755zK60OU32VzB_EikqlBp016YzjhR4ahPDhjjp5LbRer-CK3jJxDUA1kqh8OBSPPhlTd1GxkGaJl5qjkfKnGI/s4032/2733F7DB-16B9-48AD-8899-F1B1F02EEFC3_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_oNBTHRTdYSpOGdo6nuxOTK9Pz6Ormy5LRcZ3PeBvSA9BgBROPfCifZArWIGP5rkPQDg1UnJN4-YoMxQGTJ1GN2Gh5oQY7tIp04Sw755zK60OU32VzB_EikqlBp016YzjhR4ahPDhjjp5LbRer-CK3jJxDUA1kqh8OBSPPhlTd1GxkGaJl5qjkfKnGI/s320/2733F7DB-16B9-48AD-8899-F1B1F02EEFC3_1_201_a.heic" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzPxTxFfRazZrRwnjKiqganCtbaF26OvvpSxIMClB_UzivVVBOgT43dJQFrNXDb_7EKjEjRsWuPheIEam2FozMEmcN-v19bB3xlwNvtkLFOPBcvGYWcyViP6R5umnjfzZDvwOsdcFNJVF1kj2qguSl_UWWydAPk_T7-wpTTDQ1yiKNOls_TAjk7cszGU/s4032/5E1DCD0B-43BE-469B-A548-1A6178006D34.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzPxTxFfRazZrRwnjKiqganCtbaF26OvvpSxIMClB_UzivVVBOgT43dJQFrNXDb_7EKjEjRsWuPheIEam2FozMEmcN-v19bB3xlwNvtkLFOPBcvGYWcyViP6R5umnjfzZDvwOsdcFNJVF1kj2qguSl_UWWydAPk_T7-wpTTDQ1yiKNOls_TAjk7cszGU/s320/5E1DCD0B-43BE-469B-A548-1A6178006D34.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71l4qjR27UCS86SekTQHNp-Puv6okQrIrjKyiMjTeO9Em2BHE4zpbtKoBUcEEdTNDPFOk3WXBS8HxjhuR7L19rrRjX7ewhdNy_Z3E7K0iIrlHidpsA3rBuYP48v4WahbisdntJlDVLHuNXy3KB1gqIyLQrAPqSdleJp22uPoL9iuYBDmjaAh45yN0MlI/s4032/5EEDC3EB-68B2-4253-8310-5CD1A8431D01.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71l4qjR27UCS86SekTQHNp-Puv6okQrIrjKyiMjTeO9Em2BHE4zpbtKoBUcEEdTNDPFOk3WXBS8HxjhuR7L19rrRjX7ewhdNy_Z3E7K0iIrlHidpsA3rBuYP48v4WahbisdntJlDVLHuNXy3KB1gqIyLQrAPqSdleJp22uPoL9iuYBDmjaAh45yN0MlI/w150-h200/5EEDC3EB-68B2-4253-8310-5CD1A8431D01.heic" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cacti on the terrace in Laborie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX0H_FO87HNX3koZHqTOjwOqwaeOsBHZuTw_-EWx9GaykvWjJgh4hWrOaoBk68uWuexalO_nyt9ZTBGtRic_bewi7LUM9gLuSYNmA0fI1gqNjIUnyGkpEYS6Eyfr4TERuNWiA9nWfIUtpfL_A0pPKJx0QCfjkIaRgJvec4j4nEsHyxZTT_wo4xHyLgeo/s4032/C04A576F-098E-42E2-AEDE-6650A4D235C9.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX0H_FO87HNX3koZHqTOjwOqwaeOsBHZuTw_-EWx9GaykvWjJgh4hWrOaoBk68uWuexalO_nyt9ZTBGtRic_bewi7LUM9gLuSYNmA0fI1gqNjIUnyGkpEYS6Eyfr4TERuNWiA9nWfIUtpfL_A0pPKJx0QCfjkIaRgJvec4j4nEsHyxZTT_wo4xHyLgeo/w150-h200/C04A576F-098E-42E2-AEDE-6650A4D235C9.heic" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calibash on the path in Laborie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We did get to Diamond Falls botanical garden, as well as the Tet Paul Nature Trail.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">It seemed like exotic plants and flowers were at every turn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Plants that would only survive indoors back in Canada, like Snake plant and Prayer plant, were naturalized in the hilly landscape. Unfortunately, so was invasive bamboo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ74Ak7sYEVRn3gPdmjptSFCkpd9Gw1Xis6EoJFYlWakqoyb04_Un5r9ZxEW9MIrekqY4Or9NbxRXzoaOvcoGoNTWMVzU0aBg9b4SPBQ5njEXlN5Izkgjj5K60QmTNWSC6BlOCcsh0EgLcjnpalSr02U71BBeCjh0P4vImBzw9gAjisS3PcOjvBORBBb4/s4032/616768DA-8362-4F2E-ADCB-3D2396DD1C6A.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ74Ak7sYEVRn3gPdmjptSFCkpd9Gw1Xis6EoJFYlWakqoyb04_Un5r9ZxEW9MIrekqY4Or9NbxRXzoaOvcoGoNTWMVzU0aBg9b4SPBQ5njEXlN5Izkgjj5K60QmTNWSC6BlOCcsh0EgLcjnpalSr02U71BBeCjh0P4vImBzw9gAjisS3PcOjvBORBBb4/w150-h200/616768DA-8362-4F2E-ADCB-3D2396DD1C6A.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV5i2aFC80aZNATTVwN7gKDs4j7oR1IR0_GjTg6yLnXsDSaWTLm_QKPblKmJlXYL4sQww-FNztCnaGFhuXGZuVSOaqXdH5mRIu7Zq5-mtFkfraOmFnuCyefsdMfiJ5C3P_ui0TEhMTs7yFnGM9NEqdcV9x7EnxaAAQsQu_iDwJphl4u-c6muAfqzqIoE/s4032/4F60D299-F661-47DB-BBA2-402D8AE88DBC.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV5i2aFC80aZNATTVwN7gKDs4j7oR1IR0_GjTg6yLnXsDSaWTLm_QKPblKmJlXYL4sQww-FNztCnaGFhuXGZuVSOaqXdH5mRIu7Zq5-mtFkfraOmFnuCyefsdMfiJ5C3P_ui0TEhMTs7yFnGM9NEqdcV9x7EnxaAAQsQu_iDwJphl4u-c6muAfqzqIoE/w150-h200/4F60D299-F661-47DB-BBA2-402D8AE88DBC.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoe403hrlvBmP6HHWMaWjVcgGZVs5nuRVvHNMkdRkXHjRvoH97N_O_XTY8EDSX95s6nlYZI-DxCPo30_2VgWL3z7cpGC1yDvYMlski9-9l2ST3LJp2StiAoL3UgBLGqlYSkmS-i_GOEJfDllbWr0VXrxIV_MudLHiLUZXNxOlJIySAd1k7P0bf1f-o4A/s4032/142F7318-4DE5-4FB6-9C54-8E85E753FC38.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoe403hrlvBmP6HHWMaWjVcgGZVs5nuRVvHNMkdRkXHjRvoH97N_O_XTY8EDSX95s6nlYZI-DxCPo30_2VgWL3z7cpGC1yDvYMlski9-9l2ST3LJp2StiAoL3UgBLGqlYSkmS-i_GOEJfDllbWr0VXrxIV_MudLHiLUZXNxOlJIySAd1k7P0bf1f-o4A/w150-h200/142F7318-4DE5-4FB6-9C54-8E85E753FC38.heic" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZgTA3kYsIdCOuL4_BMFtjSrSjlUUDfesvjw05ZD4MNYbYL_c0hbAez4m8wXT9tZr9BhxgpB0fNFPBSMVWEgJ6gtqw5RQHWTnkRBqDLfc5yQnifU1QLHC34ITOvuYcfWFM0ojjObeIxynJ_ai2f583RoBmPUMNnYV8gv9fXTHXCaVdZuL7pksi2asN9c/s4032/07CA8E97-72EE-4BD6-97E0-1E17A73C239F_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZgTA3kYsIdCOuL4_BMFtjSrSjlUUDfesvjw05ZD4MNYbYL_c0hbAez4m8wXT9tZr9BhxgpB0fNFPBSMVWEgJ6gtqw5RQHWTnkRBqDLfc5yQnifU1QLHC34ITOvuYcfWFM0ojjObeIxynJ_ai2f583RoBmPUMNnYV8gv9fXTHXCaVdZuL7pksi2asN9c/w150-h200/07CA8E97-72EE-4BD6-97E0-1E17A73C239F_1_201_a.heic" width="150" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-550677524163128922024-02-25T17:25:00.046-05:002024-03-10T17:47:00.276-04:00Full Moon February 2024<p style="text-align: center;"> The view of the moon from the equator was very different from the one we enjoy back home. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">In St. Lucia the waxing moon was like a smile, growing bigger every evening.</span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPDS11Mfd1ZbJd_4RZwSYKjh-uoiWuqGV3eJE3xThIA9vNLQGvdOjLIhhR1kMTrrCsDGnxoRfGKvUrPY3bF-syeeetXwQkmSSdmASCkPFJQh_OM8xUiscgyJ5iYUIG2j3Wiv1iLQv2Oyd3A1BJx_e2CDsOyc7Xnq2HbhuE7dtJht0wdIfiOyqM24TsVDg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="301" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPDS11Mfd1ZbJd_4RZwSYKjh-uoiWuqGV3eJE3xThIA9vNLQGvdOjLIhhR1kMTrrCsDGnxoRfGKvUrPY3bF-syeeetXwQkmSSdmASCkPFJQh_OM8xUiscgyJ5iYUIG2j3Wiv1iLQv2Oyd3A1BJx_e2CDsOyc7Xnq2HbhuE7dtJht0wdIfiOyqM24TsVDg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By the time we were back home in Toronto, it was peeking full through the skylight and its bright light woke me in the middle of the night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't take a photo, but did come across some AI generated images of full moons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Are these fool moons?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMWhBicci2JxKCOzo8uASTxwZGIJOBSllpUZ6pjNpPFY5nBil0fR1oh7z72J_ZjQKalFo2LpqPVqKJenHP7-4W7T9ARsxJATgGhEMjCmQkNVGe-TOXIkyxwdBbBJy0Kg2qiOJJ60L2gbNekCMvjgPTLgF6EsnWDyJz1ETq-2svDAPS_mE0792eOUfjxZw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMWhBicci2JxKCOzo8uASTxwZGIJOBSllpUZ6pjNpPFY5nBil0fR1oh7z72J_ZjQKalFo2LpqPVqKJenHP7-4W7T9ARsxJATgGhEMjCmQkNVGe-TOXIkyxwdBbBJy0Kg2qiOJJ60L2gbNekCMvjgPTLgF6EsnWDyJz1ETq-2svDAPS_mE0792eOUfjxZw" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-76774564640262469092024-02-23T19:19:00.001-05:002024-02-23T19:19:36.838-05:00Birds in St. Lucia<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkPLC5X2lkLCEtZnklYtpMMS6EiUcqKV-sNqUFP1Lf905Fa7qc4Dh7mx1vnLCv4yEZG_evBS9HvqC8kiUopTjaYEUkyoXSyGj0BQlWi6E7q5BwWsBKfbNfRj33wMIjFTBUqW1kViQITijPl6ktBnrczSn6C_9LvRRftti9wy_f6PceHUJjKvN46T_t4k/s2185/C5A87949-DA3A-4A79-BB5B-C24C09F9F9F3_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2185" data-original-width="1639" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkPLC5X2lkLCEtZnklYtpMMS6EiUcqKV-sNqUFP1Lf905Fa7qc4Dh7mx1vnLCv4yEZG_evBS9HvqC8kiUopTjaYEUkyoXSyGj0BQlWi6E7q5BwWsBKfbNfRj33wMIjFTBUqW1kViQITijPl6ktBnrczSn6C_9LvRRftti9wy_f6PceHUJjKvN46T_t4k/w150-h200/C5A87949-DA3A-4A79-BB5B-C24C09F9F9F3_1_201_a.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8VVpa1gm5CNvqfBPoNwZ9I7l6WcxrBwBzyC5i_UyUo7hSQ6IR3mQEnuzdq2xRi1umd04JzoD4CeLe7fXCVoTv3Fjtdz_9K8nO4_aScHuzn-N9JDzD0HjnElcNE5WMyuo2aYjbAJ8L9-KSyHEr4uMoTog5I5zS7JGny0Gk-cajj6SH78ujcPusIV5Wek/s4032/0377327D-F38D-4051-8C9E-975CBCA41599.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8VVpa1gm5CNvqfBPoNwZ9I7l6WcxrBwBzyC5i_UyUo7hSQ6IR3mQEnuzdq2xRi1umd04JzoD4CeLe7fXCVoTv3Fjtdz_9K8nO4_aScHuzn-N9JDzD0HjnElcNE5WMyuo2aYjbAJ8L9-KSyHEr4uMoTog5I5zS7JGny0Gk-cajj6SH78ujcPusIV5Wek/w150-h200/0377327D-F38D-4051-8C9E-975CBCA41599.heic" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A pair of lesser Antilles bullfinches would join us for breakfast in Gros Islet on the terrace in the mornings. Him with his red throat and shiny black feathers, and her in lighter grey. They eventually had us trained to leave them bits of bread on the railing. A tropical mockingbird was also a regular morning caller, visiting around 9 am. Also sighted a green heron stalking an anole on the property, waiting patiently for an opportunity to pounce.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUe71iQXcQVCAMpupQH7lVIvSABv3VpnufnjenC3eTXOy93cAPFqGkU6_Bys-kFe_BquzNxGSVxj1ZBZ1MxT_txyE8lUMpaVLDRBkh2lwFFiLjYXZokRl730IVkyH3ju11WJqFcBpi2wuvJVXiUxHWJyKMquPREYF1U6lMzbHisLz4q6mUmPp7-2aadHE" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUe71iQXcQVCAMpupQH7lVIvSABv3VpnufnjenC3eTXOy93cAPFqGkU6_Bys-kFe_BquzNxGSVxj1ZBZ1MxT_txyE8lUMpaVLDRBkh2lwFFiLjYXZokRl730IVkyH3ju11WJqFcBpi2wuvJVXiUxHWJyKMquPREYF1U6lMzbHisLz4q6mUmPp7-2aadHE=w200-h133" width="200" /></a></div>One of the most memorable swims I had was on Anse L'Ivorgne, floating and watching brown pelicans soaring above and diving beside me in the water. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Other sea birds spotted included frigates, brown boobies, gulls.</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBrQXDEHWYx_jZU5l5tVi3W_r8gc4ZQqrY1bK-Gh93DOcI2rJIKa7TltdWkx7AZGa0D4Zri2Plu8RizxmZOFtIQt7PAfRsqrV1HlbuS4oz3BoaWfIC_pRggwJNUtl3jtnygbf8ydUD9qz-U9brWIih2w90cUY9-IBNfN_vVstsYzodFXUayeL_eeBQLeM" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1099" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBrQXDEHWYx_jZU5l5tVi3W_r8gc4ZQqrY1bK-Gh93DOcI2rJIKa7TltdWkx7AZGa0D4Zri2Plu8RizxmZOFtIQt7PAfRsqrV1HlbuS4oz3BoaWfIC_pRggwJNUtl3jtnygbf8ydUD9qz-U9brWIih2w90cUY9-IBNfN_vVstsYzodFXUayeL_eeBQLeM=w200-h150" width="200" /></a></div>Hummingbirds drinking from blossoms in the gardens - both green throated and purple throated Caribs, as well as the Antillean Crested Hummingbird.<p></p><p>Lesser egrets hanging out with goats.</p><p>Carib grackles, Zenaida doves.</p><p>Kestrels.</p><p><br /></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-72610059793507479592024-02-23T11:47:00.214-05:002024-02-23T18:47:38.669-05:00St Lucia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_eiPtxeaQpf8zqrStE67Ebtiph2Kp7Skl2cxbryVcczePNevAOds9e5gBQgBFgOsdVSolzYkCLhjONL5U1FAMgRKKYxpZ2R7_p_tlkMFlEoNJmykXJF9lARyHZ-upMoeNY_KhGLI1Rr9nQROUC71CIULSxj5vk2SKFf1fgm8ltexbq9T1_M0oGzXdx0/s4032/FAABE5C3-99A3-42D3-9BA1-A05C8A08345B.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_eiPtxeaQpf8zqrStE67Ebtiph2Kp7Skl2cxbryVcczePNevAOds9e5gBQgBFgOsdVSolzYkCLhjONL5U1FAMgRKKYxpZ2R7_p_tlkMFlEoNJmykXJF9lARyHZ-upMoeNY_KhGLI1Rr9nQROUC71CIULSxj5vk2SKFf1fgm8ltexbq9T1_M0oGzXdx0/w240-h320/FAABE5C3-99A3-42D3-9BA1-A05C8A08345B.heic" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>Two weeks in Saint Lucia!</p><p>Seven nights in Gros Islet, by the Windward Islands with a view to Pigeon Island National Park, followed by seven nights at the southern end in Laborie. Our travels took us through all the districts as we toured from one tip of the island to the other. The Atlantic Ocean on the Eastern side and Caribbean Sea on the other.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXjzRxl8JqSi6ipPEfM3nucYdM2fbp3qNZkndF5TPHANyr7FEzJtMzup6L2Q3b8tjhN4Y-tcGdNlF8soHgPgsKGfAko2qq2YUwHB-TImeP6i-0-GeAP-YPuLDp_0lCkLhAgDBkMl6SvT7VRou5fnXKNXjIxImKa5EQAJqPr1bl1SPUHdZsmOaDtZVcZYY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXjzRxl8JqSi6ipPEfM3nucYdM2fbp3qNZkndF5TPHANyr7FEzJtMzup6L2Q3b8tjhN4Y-tcGdNlF8soHgPgsKGfAko2qq2YUwHB-TImeP6i-0-GeAP-YPuLDp_0lCkLhAgDBkMl6SvT7VRou5fnXKNXjIxImKa5EQAJqPr1bl1SPUHdZsmOaDtZVcZYY" width="190" /></a></div><p>It's Left-Hand Trafffic and rules of the road are the opposite side we're used to, as well as mountainous, bumpy, twisty and rocky. Rather than rent a car we decided to go with drivers and taxis. We shopped for groceries and made most of our meals in our rental apartments. </p><p>Outstanding accommodations in each locale made it a pleasure to linger at 'home' and simply enjoy the views and vibes. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Gros Islet </h4><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20OgvkqvHUwNtp7jOBc-eF5vp1jXGLBfCe0jDNqqoYHR6_zHROwjNYPgnqG3hsy73UU-MhwNbFiODnknUy57lm2yC7X9GIur_cjnAWAsuKbLhNKMDyBMbCQrSWiF63bh2dDClcn71RFkWVy6TeKRyCiF_4QoO3Kq9CvIEWKSqMlcyLDrGEG5ITIFesPQ/s4032/397267A3-FC79-4E16-908F-778197466BB8.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20OgvkqvHUwNtp7jOBc-eF5vp1jXGLBfCe0jDNqqoYHR6_zHROwjNYPgnqG3hsy73UU-MhwNbFiODnknUy57lm2yC7X9GIur_cjnAWAsuKbLhNKMDyBMbCQrSWiF63bh2dDClcn71RFkWVy6TeKRyCiF_4QoO3Kq9CvIEWKSqMlcyLDrGEG5ITIFesPQ/w200-h150/397267A3-FC79-4E16-908F-778197466BB8.heic" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6S5Alf2iyQGfVnbqHy96xSWw6mhKdi5qr-iT5oFU12MsURcb3nnnO1_eFjbe9Oc_Jzp9a9Ekcno_hE-pQ-SidgPOtIYviBpbO2PNba7uJIC7ZCdhtv7J0JwJAtCAzBZxH4lRhuLjJuaz-1lF6ZI_kuf_V2uPuL9rvdyc-M-CTF4VNaIeSkbgJzovmWc/s4032/57D0E58A-0756-4A6F-9A7F-7BCE6CF9BA17_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6S5Alf2iyQGfVnbqHy96xSWw6mhKdi5qr-iT5oFU12MsURcb3nnnO1_eFjbe9Oc_Jzp9a9Ekcno_hE-pQ-SidgPOtIYviBpbO2PNba7uJIC7ZCdhtv7J0JwJAtCAzBZxH4lRhuLjJuaz-1lF6ZI_kuf_V2uPuL9rvdyc-M-CTF4VNaIeSkbgJzovmWc/w150-h200/57D0E58A-0756-4A6F-9A7F-7BCE6CF9BA17_1_201_a.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTdgekiBF8cQhA3A_vvS3-q5LT9pKu7T_DWTp_gQfSnPgwT3CZH_slIjdVf4nLnp3xyELRtIBg-ki6JW7nubvdBeZNWd4AKghV93-YxPBDECb2nekaRt0qb-49u7zQIlhlPkvy4m6shUdt4Kf6lxq-1Bvi358sGEb9Yxj7ZCy5jTA3MQyr7k1bBwV49U/s4032/2F3818CC-3BA6-4271-B416-20C03BC18540.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTdgekiBF8cQhA3A_vvS3-q5LT9pKu7T_DWTp_gQfSnPgwT3CZH_slIjdVf4nLnp3xyELRtIBg-ki6JW7nubvdBeZNWd4AKghV93-YxPBDECb2nekaRt0qb-49u7zQIlhlPkvy4m6shUdt4Kf6lxq-1Bvi358sGEb9Yxj7ZCy5jTA3MQyr7k1bBwV49U/w200-h150/2F3818CC-3BA6-4271-B416-20C03BC18540.heic" width="200" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p>The<a href="https://www.vrbo.com/en-ca/cottage-rental/p4509854"> apartment </a>was located in Cap Estate with a clear view to Pigeon Island Park from the terrace. Eating breakfast with bullfinches. It really did feel that everything was waving a greeting - palm trees, ocean, clouds, sea birds. Steps right down to the ocean, past the golden apple, banana and cashew trees. Tiny anoles darting everywhere. The first two days we simply sat and absorbed the beauty of the place.</p><p>We ventured for a walk to Pigeon Park and on the way started chatting with a woman heading in the same direction. For the last twenty years, she and her husband have split their time between living in Georgia and their home on Cap Estates. Beth ended up showing us the best route, pointing out the locals' beach where people were setting up barbecues and volleyball nets. We then crossed through The Landings and Sandals where staff gave her a friendly hello. A very short ferry over to the public beach where buses drop tourists from resorts further away. A very enjoyable twenty minute walk to the park from our doorstep.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip248VMfxLf3HVeomB-HQ527GtyyMVg5ix1_IKBNwVPY-tGmzrnPW2maC2diVLS_2AyKOGysyfo3olJlD0y3OilFVJZw13hPi7upvxwfu-ez9whp6VWLgwPLMkSVk88w25lQqkKceHQJZQkCMmcFOBO-6ZkckDSArixRnJCSQt72gnVCkfkpvFK_m1Uas/s4032/B7BB2A49-0557-44FE-87FA-15FB47B20CD9_1_201_a.heic" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip248VMfxLf3HVeomB-HQ527GtyyMVg5ix1_IKBNwVPY-tGmzrnPW2maC2diVLS_2AyKOGysyfo3olJlD0y3OilFVJZw13hPi7upvxwfu-ez9whp6VWLgwPLMkSVk88w25lQqkKceHQJZQkCMmcFOBO-6ZkckDSArixRnJCSQt72gnVCkfkpvFK_m1Uas/w150-h200/B7BB2A49-0557-44FE-87FA-15FB47B20CD9_1_201_a.heic" width="150" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKWA-IRqQpQ14feJCWA_LUj5T8REXYWxTtjyf0-9rsCRfSYu6tCf7OMEvf5QOOtZOvyBa1FCZTqx9E-H3Efhc8DxwtaOIJLQzl91kMvzWryy-9fm1NzESuD7gy04HHUCsGJR9IsP98eM2K0SVB2U_jNfW8aoibdVMmNCFHAYzKcrDN5bY_8YmIbMjW3E/s4032/CD3EB2E2-C623-4CB4-A254-9799BC97DE51.heic" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKWA-IRqQpQ14feJCWA_LUj5T8REXYWxTtjyf0-9rsCRfSYu6tCf7OMEvf5QOOtZOvyBa1FCZTqx9E-H3Efhc8DxwtaOIJLQzl91kMvzWryy-9fm1NzESuD7gy04HHUCsGJR9IsP98eM2K0SVB2U_jNfW8aoibdVMmNCFHAYzKcrDN5bY_8YmIbMjW3E/w150-h200/CD3EB2E2-C623-4CB4-A254-9799BC97DE51.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMNp4cDLj-HKFSVO8lmgXKJSFdjakrltjFtFYp14RFWPJZcnxixSb0DWkteS_FPe61VbYnnhrJbxPHFA0BWjzsU_VhkAfWtc9NlO-AlTf9-YRjdKYxNjU03-Kq1nbNo-KlHQTpURbTZspYEvCOGxG3SeENv_LVPHhfNQ9_n7n1FUB5P7UyhzumpQPxJ4/s4032/E3F4197A-BF82-4393-AFB7-00365AF0F800.heic" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMNp4cDLj-HKFSVO8lmgXKJSFdjakrltjFtFYp14RFWPJZcnxixSb0DWkteS_FPe61VbYnnhrJbxPHFA0BWjzsU_VhkAfWtc9NlO-AlTf9-YRjdKYxNjU03-Kq1nbNo-KlHQTpURbTZspYEvCOGxG3SeENv_LVPHhfNQ9_n7n1FUB5P7UyhzumpQPxJ4/w150-h200/E3F4197A-BF82-4393-AFB7-00365AF0F800.heic" width="150" /></a>All beaches are public, so even at the fanciest resorts you can lay your towel in the sand, although you might not be able to lounge in the chairs or cozy up at the bar. Several yachts were moored just offshore. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3srzpAzhkNOQ0FAp0mMkqtHPXFopmqzd4CsNrgut24_p1MTGbZLz78QQbMJE98m2cFKysLfBY5Uf-KX8M3d5qZacb0U3_6KfZiTV19pVo5OCHCUsr9D0rbb1uWnvnsK-pJTsfedjnqEtdGGX1t25Y3ik89Xp5fZUrK12KIB0JjVAxlV-NzeBiPaXswgc/s4032/BF756C2C-7BD8-4E1E-9B98-81E99005F72E.heic" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3srzpAzhkNOQ0FAp0mMkqtHPXFopmqzd4CsNrgut24_p1MTGbZLz78QQbMJE98m2cFKysLfBY5Uf-KX8M3d5qZacb0U3_6KfZiTV19pVo5OCHCUsr9D0rbb1uWnvnsK-pJTsfedjnqEtdGGX1t25Y3ik89Xp5fZUrK12KIB0JjVAxlV-NzeBiPaXswgc/w150-h200/BF756C2C-7BD8-4E1E-9B98-81E99005F72E.heic" width="150" /></a>We spent a couple days at the beach in Pigeon Island Park where it was a bit less crowded and rented beach chairs and a shade umbrella. Fantastic food and cocktails for lunch at the <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g3654789-d1046904-Reviews-Jambe_De_Bois-Gros_Islet_Quarter_St_Lucia.html">Jambe de Bois</a>. While in the park we also explored the ruins of barracks and evidence of how the island passed back and forth between French and British rule. Colonized seven times by the British, and seven times by the French (1782- 1803). Which explains why natives speak Creole, while the official language is English.</p><p>We booked a visit to the <a href="https://nakedfishermanstlucia.com/">Naked Fisherman </a>restaurant but needed a driver to take us there. The Executive chef from the famed <a href="https://thecliffatcap.com/">CapCliff</a> oversees the tasty fusion menu. As we arrived there was a solo musician on a steel electric guitar playing laid back tunes. Who should we bump into but Beth, our walking buddy to Pigeon Park, sitting at a large table with her golfing buddies and their spouses.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgiDPRX5CHYwcpvrjNP6TGlnoutQgQ5Uqjdy9Q3fWuTOroxXwzDBz3biyJ2uD5Stnt5ZH4TgioERF9x7bDnQZs8rnGEkpJUORt9qpQUY9TdninPp090IcHqxXJTfW2qmGMhD2PuLQc4L5VhZz4q5IG4qYcvMqA1z63olyOKgsv8PVRkbRJSgKESx22VA/s4032/8984570B-A66D-4B0A-959A-1EC283FFC61D.heic" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgiDPRX5CHYwcpvrjNP6TGlnoutQgQ5Uqjdy9Q3fWuTOroxXwzDBz3biyJ2uD5Stnt5ZH4TgioERF9x7bDnQZs8rnGEkpJUORt9qpQUY9TdninPp090IcHqxXJTfW2qmGMhD2PuLQc4L5VhZz4q5IG4qYcvMqA1z63olyOKgsv8PVRkbRJSgKESx22VA/w200-h150/8984570B-A66D-4B0A-959A-1EC283FFC61D.heic" width="200" /></a>Another day we booked the driver to take us to Rodney Bay, where we checked out the marina and then went further on to explore Reduit Beach. Marie's Fish Shack at the far end had a spot where we rented chairs and met other Americans and Canadians with permanent homes on the island. This spot was also adjacent to resorts and served up cocktails, spiced rum, and cold beer. The local fare was filling but the fish was tough chewing.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXBiTxWoHo1bKzbj1aTgk_c5BzCx4409r2_OZJYgB29lp4Y8YSFjv5YkX1w8oxPgRadvr2K1Y4y_i286_qxca_yTy7QUN7EHAbnpU91JehJiCbaEl3t_tmCV25cuLuzLsT0TFugH4y41LHBJcXSqqt1i4m6tt-PUyvuz-qvjsy_FXw4tJquJfHUs7njo/s4032/4B96DA95-DFC3-40ED-9121-4C7FFF516091.heic" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXBiTxWoHo1bKzbj1aTgk_c5BzCx4409r2_OZJYgB29lp4Y8YSFjv5YkX1w8oxPgRadvr2K1Y4y_i286_qxca_yTy7QUN7EHAbnpU91JehJiCbaEl3t_tmCV25cuLuzLsT0TFugH4y41LHBJcXSqqt1i4m6tt-PUyvuz-qvjsy_FXw4tJquJfHUs7njo/w150-h200/4B96DA95-DFC3-40ED-9121-4C7FFF516091.heic" width="150" /></a>On two days we luxuriated with massages on the terrace. Esther was a very practiced massage therapist, having worked for Sandals for 20+ years before she opted to go independent. Excellent! She was also our driver, and navigated the roads with great confidence. </p><p>However, using Esther as our sole driver in the north was not a wise choice. This was really my only complaint during our Gros Islet stay, because she turned out to be more pricey than anticipated as well as inconvenient. Let me rant - she would drop us off and arrange a pick up time, but as we didn't have phones so would be stuck waiting by the roadside. She would also quote me a lower price for a ride and then charge additional if we made any stops along the way, and Rob would pay the extra without knowing what I'd negotiated. At one point we ended up waiting 40 minutes for her at the Naked Fisherman as different taxis drove by offering to pick us up. Frustrating! She also wanted to be paid in US cash, so by the time we arrived in the south we were cash poor and didn't even have money to take a bus. </p><p>Double costly!! Rob had his debit card but forgot his PIN, plus I forgot my debit card. We turned on our phones, paid roaming charges and long distance fees and then cash advance penalties on the credit cards. If I were to go back to this part of the island again I'd consider a few different transportation alternatives. In the south we had a driver and car for all day for $100 US (plus tip) vs. the $150 US (plus tip) for 2.5 hours Esther charged us to take us from Gros Islet to Laborie... and because she was picking someone else up at the airport we didn't have enough time to spend sorting out the cash issues at the bank. Ugh. In hindsight I feel she took some advantage of our trust. </p><p>So as not to end this bit about Gros Islet on a sour note - every day we stayed here I was down at the water's edge doing Qi Gong. What a beautiful way to begin your morning!</p><p><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Laborie - Anbe Kanpeche La</h4><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnVITqnrR1vp88cK8xbSQBtah9oZt9F8dyaRNQi91cXLMwdiU6zG4_hZwkEGULUp8TXY9UYfx45NHzDhyXV_EViUne0rmfzJ8jWaj1gAZYRkUFaEFL14_AIG1iQtmE8m3gDt_RneUFbSLoGSFUntC1Za_mzWAvpDxCatKVRkFR2Tc5kc_aYXDhxTL21g/s4032/63A7693C-3BAB-4449-BCF0-4F55939E7F1C.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnVITqnrR1vp88cK8xbSQBtah9oZt9F8dyaRNQi91cXLMwdiU6zG4_hZwkEGULUp8TXY9UYfx45NHzDhyXV_EViUne0rmfzJ8jWaj1gAZYRkUFaEFL14_AIG1iQtmE8m3gDt_RneUFbSLoGSFUntC1Za_mzWAvpDxCatKVRkFR2Tc5kc_aYXDhxTL21g/w200-h150/63A7693C-3BAB-4449-BCF0-4F55939E7F1C.heic" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27Sh2jTUCwZ8q-ITgbuWI1iC8SNxfxCAT8S0W8isGP1h8GmCMBLdPJiP5tDpjJnfSZ3li297zjn7KnxG2XynplvTmZCNokPoxOYspuhphyphenhyphenDGegjdjuTBLblWSzbdA2LVlHjGmxwSK_pnbO4WkaB74knPs0WCJu7sv83Tt67Y7C9p9dpWR0VTv5osAzGE/s4032/13E0E2C8-517F-4F69-AC4D-564F9E62ABE6.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27Sh2jTUCwZ8q-ITgbuWI1iC8SNxfxCAT8S0W8isGP1h8GmCMBLdPJiP5tDpjJnfSZ3li297zjn7KnxG2XynplvTmZCNokPoxOYspuhphyphenhyphenDGegjdjuTBLblWSzbdA2LVlHjGmxwSK_pnbO4WkaB74knPs0WCJu7sv83Tt67Y7C9p9dpWR0VTv5osAzGE/w150-h200/13E0E2C8-517F-4F69-AC4D-564F9E62ABE6.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Dx87PlVvf80X-lFRp2kl0py-GV-PtnqDhT1Qz3Acm94e0pYMOSWQ1vBPzwoIVNge34CN9e_SrONXRb3xoQjnoRpTfbnWjhFecK_1LOd3qbdx0acb-cGcp7NXk4mrxPzZcaTXISfXaXYnmf6Kr26TGx_qsfdBHiXOX6mRMCAg6kZkuLJAoyfQHIJAR1g/s4032/11DCEABC-AE70-4F43-BDA8-1DC6BBCE4E1A.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Dx87PlVvf80X-lFRp2kl0py-GV-PtnqDhT1Qz3Acm94e0pYMOSWQ1vBPzwoIVNge34CN9e_SrONXRb3xoQjnoRpTfbnWjhFecK_1LOd3qbdx0acb-cGcp7NXk4mrxPzZcaTXISfXaXYnmf6Kr26TGx_qsfdBHiXOX6mRMCAg6kZkuLJAoyfQHIJAR1g/w200-h150/11DCEABC-AE70-4F43-BDA8-1DC6BBCE4E1A.heic" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p>WOW! What a view at <a href="https://www.laborie-vacation.com/">Anbe Kanpeche La</a>, with a walk through a beautiful garden to the beach below. Spacious terrace, louvered doors and windows to invite in breezes from the Caribbean Sea. Our friends Laura and Peter told us about this place and we're so glad they did.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The town of Laborie is a bit off the beaten track - it doesn't have a supermarket or even a bank. Only two restaurants in town take credit cards, so when we arrived without cash we were a bit stuck. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61EtZZWmyqbNm8BagkK2t-cd2MgEIFTtvIH-tgnfM4KJt4wMLI23l6MMyenXyuh4kWKDgGD6ruhb_AwrV-6F2KtnO7nuDZFJbL0eL9ZYNWDoXgqCOwFMxE6-yBtrSb23kAKG7uoM1oY3HfKg-iDDBakHHzaHSsQIMn6sPGrHDgbl_WfaSxdkbfDuE3rg/s4032/0FA4B144-7CF6-4B41-BE68-1E56DEDD2726.heic" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61EtZZWmyqbNm8BagkK2t-cd2MgEIFTtvIH-tgnfM4KJt4wMLI23l6MMyenXyuh4kWKDgGD6ruhb_AwrV-6F2KtnO7nuDZFJbL0eL9ZYNWDoXgqCOwFMxE6-yBtrSb23kAKG7uoM1oY3HfKg-iDDBakHHzaHSsQIMn6sPGrHDgbl_WfaSxdkbfDuE3rg/w200-h150/0FA4B144-7CF6-4B41-BE68-1E56DEDD2726.heic" width="200" /></a></div><br />Archie and Leslie, the hosts here, truly did 'go beyond' to make sure we had everything we needed, including a (free) drive into Vieux Fort to get cash from the bank. On our last day, they provided transportation to the airport at no additional charge, and then Archie came to the rescue when Rob forgot his bag and left his passport behind, coming back to deliver it right to the front door. That is on top of the truly delicious brunch they served us on their terrace the last day - salt fish, fried plantain, salad, golden apple juice from fruit on the property, Bloody Mary's and fresh bread. A parting gift of sea moss. Did we ever luck out. Good people. Archie lived in the US but now spends most of his year tending the garden and property in St. Lucia... he was was also a long-time sailor in Canadian waters so had stories to tell about travelling the St. Lawrence to the East Coast. Leslie was a nurse who last worked in a bone marrow cancer ward and retired when Covid hit. Both Minnesotans. Good souls.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3BlFeotBH1IgBg-KK4TRxhuGc0DY3WUJnZHHDI-sAAy892z-srMq6ZlVIw93RqpUKAeGnwN4m-7L85h8M5VOFNL7h5lIE7tDpQbFTpCiqe3lc8adDTjtK9brnqPQxKCJa-Nkxorh1vZwLCTxfedRQgTi-qMe9w5PssXuJA693CwMmowA0gFiLIl-Vuk/s3706/6700BFC9-B9A6-4EF8-8590-043622C94334_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3706" data-original-width="2780" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3BlFeotBH1IgBg-KK4TRxhuGc0DY3WUJnZHHDI-sAAy892z-srMq6ZlVIw93RqpUKAeGnwN4m-7L85h8M5VOFNL7h5lIE7tDpQbFTpCiqe3lc8adDTjtK9brnqPQxKCJa-Nkxorh1vZwLCTxfedRQgTi-qMe9w5PssXuJA693CwMmowA0gFiLIl-Vuk/w150-h200/6700BFC9-B9A6-4EF8-8590-043622C94334_1_201_a.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsL9HoB2cvY-xLXyc7CW87DtL2HWyhlefu1EFfpXasbqAdobKcCxPzAy01D67N0XDTOm5A75cbTU9uXyq_BOdZ2Zu1AMONSV_jtZEi1pdLg103FWTxVokjUkoQQW4nV1DHcufPW8zUytkNyYG-4KC1jKFCejoFjJfGpREtehevo6QQbFm8ujT5HnvJcM/s4032/AFA0861D-1E72-4EDC-A4C1-99DC62766805_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsL9HoB2cvY-xLXyc7CW87DtL2HWyhlefu1EFfpXasbqAdobKcCxPzAy01D67N0XDTOm5A75cbTU9uXyq_BOdZ2Zu1AMONSV_jtZEi1pdLg103FWTxVokjUkoQQW4nV1DHcufPW8zUytkNyYG-4KC1jKFCejoFjJfGpREtehevo6QQbFm8ujT5HnvJcM/w150-h200/AFA0861D-1E72-4EDC-A4C1-99DC62766805_1_201_a.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViq5Txfd1Dd36sw9pEBfDZnzEdZmMf5hsQqaQOKVAk5J_ERsbQgAQBa5u9PqvSnK60xYABugMnRyTOzsT-CSB113_f_5q_mROpnBU4jzjcW8pKAm_7_lcU7I2hVWbhbneSvT8qVGsbDtI3c6wlDLK73iYXKqnuAAGhzuMSgF6bZiltNblJkiF6cyoB-s/s4032/LaboriePier.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViq5Txfd1Dd36sw9pEBfDZnzEdZmMf5hsQqaQOKVAk5J_ERsbQgAQBa5u9PqvSnK60xYABugMnRyTOzsT-CSB113_f_5q_mROpnBU4jzjcW8pKAm_7_lcU7I2hVWbhbneSvT8qVGsbDtI3c6wlDLK73iYXKqnuAAGhzuMSgF6bZiltNblJkiF6cyoB-s/w200-h150/LaboriePier.heic" width="200" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Laborie itself was fun to explore. We ate at Mama Rose's and of course Mama Tilley's. Checked out the open market, the cemetery, the church, Zeb the baker, the pier. Could definitely have spent a few more days in town and discover more. We somehow we missed the Air B&B </span><a href="https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/10673998?locale=en&_set_bev_on_new_domain=1708699770_ZDY3ZTA3NGFlNTQ4&source_impression_id=p3_1708699770_NDYrLFLADAi3lqrD" style="text-align: left;">treehouses </a><span style="text-align: left;">for rent along the beach and didn't have time to sample all the open air bars. </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoMC92Wd7OeIlU8eJdt0DKU6BMVAOi0XJU5y6NtC5oTcB-GUAEhaS8wHalnMMhrMyCRqko5brjEfO5eMqTTO9lMvsYUCdUOEs6JeXyWkZnG7EGyWMtwK0ODAFsK42kqjwL1vgtg9kEoI6S99mq8XAudZlH2uIROIP9bQlBewxdo_2H7Q706UTvOiDguk/s4032/ACAA2334-1ADB-492A-8766-3A96BEB432CF.heic" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoMC92Wd7OeIlU8eJdt0DKU6BMVAOi0XJU5y6NtC5oTcB-GUAEhaS8wHalnMMhrMyCRqko5brjEfO5eMqTTO9lMvsYUCdUOEs6JeXyWkZnG7EGyWMtwK0ODAFsK42kqjwL1vgtg9kEoI6S99mq8XAudZlH2uIROIP9bQlBewxdo_2H7Q706UTvOiDguk/w200-h150/ACAA2334-1ADB-492A-8766-3A96BEB432CF.heic" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOQLDZjG0Pgnvitn29Th7YILIrwmrMdoKXwjAKpj1OjD1EQN6htVchnLtXlCpDsc4YEcuUFVdogXOAwnpuFUSlja83jOj7rmw1GXv59ruNnwvZa-bZLtGWv90aTvWx2GdigeXZv1e-U6bjtZuMSSg_JIyY494CpNyL7x3fwCyvgeykfDQZAXEVAtpQYE/s4032/E82CF536-570D-473F-B4FA-490A696F4DB9.heic" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOQLDZjG0Pgnvitn29Th7YILIrwmrMdoKXwjAKpj1OjD1EQN6htVchnLtXlCpDsc4YEcuUFVdogXOAwnpuFUSlja83jOj7rmw1GXv59ruNnwvZa-bZLtGWv90aTvWx2GdigeXZv1e-U6bjtZuMSSg_JIyY494CpNyL7x3fwCyvgeykfDQZAXEVAtpQYE/w150-h200/E82CF536-570D-473F-B4FA-490A696F4DB9.heic" width="150" /></a></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">A national holiday to celebrate 45 years of Independence was scheduled for Feb 22 - the same day we were flying out. Luckily, on our last night in St. Lucia, Mama Tilley hosted a street party. Live music, street food, and lots of locals as well as ex-pats. We chatted with several long term visitors who stay for months at a time (US, France, Australia, Britain). </p><p style="text-align: left;">This is not yet a full blown tourist town, but probably won't be long before it is 'discovered.' </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p>Two different days we rented a car/driver from Archie. Felt very comfortable with Joel at the wheel while we enjoyed the scenery.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMg32OgdN55_Kp2ugMjxZyzSX_znHpAWpVwICkprjK08oVlOikPI1TWf5o-gyItKvTCg5HISGEv2JfkTtRa1WBb8rzdJ64m59w3iCirZhwcaLBe2RwmGWzdra39u3V9n5RLvXA6Uw_wJ51d7DzbetK0lVsUHJUvkwq-jP5rxXreJeQtMKtbL2FaiJce8/s10240/BE731DC3-4C19-444C-A5F6-CAE0E81B5F8C.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3628" data-original-width="10240" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMg32OgdN55_Kp2ugMjxZyzSX_znHpAWpVwICkprjK08oVlOikPI1TWf5o-gyItKvTCg5HISGEv2JfkTtRa1WBb8rzdJ64m59w3iCirZhwcaLBe2RwmGWzdra39u3V9n5RLvXA6Uw_wJ51d7DzbetK0lVsUHJUvkwq-jP5rxXreJeQtMKtbL2FaiJce8/w400-h141/BE731DC3-4C19-444C-A5F6-CAE0E81B5F8C.heic" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicf3bHTksDDgfR7Ez9ozZSFO5EsJHO8cq2OD2bBBVBiwt9MlJtc5EcwIB3GiYXyaMeg9ApV7fbTYLXvcXf-HznyxT9xlQqTwvMpwLlDH7zYybTddFQeFAB-OZc7tHFb-jZ4yVnwrhyphenhyphenPZc3bgIeM9dQv9JSyMNoMo_GJxMxlXFaJfudy5SCiksp6EBk3oQ/s3088/9312295F-847B-4725-961E-C6BA56F64E06.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicf3bHTksDDgfR7Ez9ozZSFO5EsJHO8cq2OD2bBBVBiwt9MlJtc5EcwIB3GiYXyaMeg9ApV7fbTYLXvcXf-HznyxT9xlQqTwvMpwLlDH7zYybTddFQeFAB-OZc7tHFb-jZ4yVnwrhyphenhyphenPZc3bgIeM9dQv9JSyMNoMo_GJxMxlXFaJfudy5SCiksp6EBk3oQ/w150-h200/9312295F-847B-4725-961E-C6BA56F64E06.heic" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Itinerary One (Souffriere)</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Tet Paul trail for a guided walk, with a knowledgable guide pointing out various plants and their medicinal uses. A small farming cabin and a view of Petit Peton at the top of the trail. Easy hike!</li><li>Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens, lots of shade and very few visitors</li><li>lunch in Souffriere</li><li>Toraille Waterfall, where you could stand beneath and enjoy the spray</li><li>Sulpher Springs (and mud!) </li></ul></div><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfkD4UAy5As4J5lw2ZWjJkY5gpKLMd8f3Ig9CTubFjkViWte3QX2AFB-H8Um3euPiw9A6h4VXLAhSY3ifqDIupS3LIxjTMPWX4tsO5l7FeiS5LV45fP1gNZNon3w-gqE1PhlExocyHxMjUHwTGra6Twaps1d74oNy2MPWqp13f_K2TxaW3Rww7uwDJqY/s4032/2DEAEABE-ABDF-4E73-9A0F-CCEE87A2E3DB.heic" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfkD4UAy5As4J5lw2ZWjJkY5gpKLMd8f3Ig9CTubFjkViWte3QX2AFB-H8Um3euPiw9A6h4VXLAhSY3ifqDIupS3LIxjTMPWX4tsO5l7FeiS5LV45fP1gNZNon3w-gqE1PhlExocyHxMjUHwTGra6Twaps1d74oNy2MPWqp13f_K2TxaW3Rww7uwDJqY/w200-h150/2DEAEABE-ABDF-4E73-9A0F-CCEE87A2E3DB.heic" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sbcDvXNKC7JNdBJ41NE2IRhs1Pp96qYuDsO7GYcDwFE_ujxug5LmthfCtUDK4GctesgLoFhogooOGRIFisAGM6V36LrfBkwnxBsZ9rO4B0XUaqE5Uq6194YzYnNKv-UvfdMHJk5MnsnMvum9lDhMr24zm_hJ8CWVF6XoowMLmmNVIfxhYPrVQc07z8c/s4032/523BD7F5-5AE8-4C25-9087-8E2A36FAD9D9.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sbcDvXNKC7JNdBJ41NE2IRhs1Pp96qYuDsO7GYcDwFE_ujxug5LmthfCtUDK4GctesgLoFhogooOGRIFisAGM6V36LrfBkwnxBsZ9rO4B0XUaqE5Uq6194YzYnNKv-UvfdMHJk5MnsnMvum9lDhMr24zm_hJ8CWVF6XoowMLmmNVIfxhYPrVQc07z8c/w200-h150/523BD7F5-5AE8-4C25-9087-8E2A36FAD9D9.heic" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_oJy9_aQNn5B6sd8t6F3oEgjDtnXEETErt717LAkrU6yok2lgCagcw1eZ2x8DOpUaAWpFHlm2aD4Lf0hZPN1XJuHovCF-2pnXhA1oqv5-bxrUBTxbfD-m32lyG2vIcPtAYmh0WbDOM4NQ8vYJq-9QDrfmSjoJ7FD67T-oTjSPq3l7tnaNF5tGGS6Fmo/s4032/F3B6DDF2-4873-4B8A-8F4C-4FE278831D36.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_oJy9_aQNn5B6sd8t6F3oEgjDtnXEETErt717LAkrU6yok2lgCagcw1eZ2x8DOpUaAWpFHlm2aD4Lf0hZPN1XJuHovCF-2pnXhA1oqv5-bxrUBTxbfD-m32lyG2vIcPtAYmh0WbDOM4NQ8vYJq-9QDrfmSjoJ7FD67T-oTjSPq3l7tnaNF5tGGS6Fmo/w200-h150/F3B6DDF2-4873-4B8A-8F4C-4FE278831D36.heic" width="200" /></a></p><p><b>Itinerary Two - Beach Day</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Anse Chastenet to snorkel</li><ul><li>Part of the Jade Mountain resort, you can rent chairs and umbrellas (for two of us it would be $120 US with umbrella)... we pulled up a towel. Brought our own snorkelling gear and saw angel fish, parrot fish, eel, gar, turtles, coral...</li></ul><li><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=The+View+restaraunt+in+St.+Lucia&sca_esv=24d434d1ee6f8031&sxsrf=ACQVn08TynRfWT2MRua2OJp3FCVV0GaAvQ%3A1708731834379&ei=ui3ZZerhFojJp84PsaaCoAM&ved=0ahUKEwjqpoSQ0sKEAxWI5MkDHTGTADQQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=The+View+restaraunt+in+St.+Lucia&gs_lp=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&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#lpg=cid:CgIgAQ%3D%3D,ik:CAoSLEFGMVFpcE92YXZ0bDlTQ3pqUXFaQWtYVFB4UHYxNGdWRmt1cVUwNmVyeGhu">The View</a> for lunch</li><ul><li>Home cooked meal. We called ahead at Laura's recommendation. As we didn't specify anything on the menu, chicken was prepared. Tasty! But you don't really come for the food, it is as advertised, the stunning view of Gros Piton.</li></ul><li>Anse L'Ivorgne</li><ul><li>My favourite beach of those we went to on the island, but very hard to get to by road... good thing we had Joel</li><li>There were huts for shade, picnic tables, and we also brought our own chairs and cooler for drinks. Brown pelicans diving in the water, fisherman heading out in boats, calm waters</li></ul></ul><b>Home Days</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Reading Caribbean short stories in a Madras Hammock. Enjoying the shade in the apartment. Taking in the view of the garden from the terrace.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pn7Lr-OAg_Ea0IBiycKfXxazvSw9_YK_EdwTJBxTwu7jWZgQKImBj9ij-PAyvoyhTwuZ-ELCVhLrozJwEm-FrudnbRwHABF2RLQMhAnWLVScn7YRteK7x-PaoRpQkV1GmifehmWncJ0crGV9CtkUi40UBlS_UiHb9I85COXsMJPXtHqoRV9R_8tC7VI/s3458/013ABFF3-3F9E-4586-A752-9D6E61E92163_1_201_a.heic" style="text-align: center;"></a><div></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpAsbl2mYe8zI9CtRXLlWOGBkKHNsIcyK7oW2RH8W-AfjDFG2YjnMI-pcsRpWe5Lzdc2A8DkjrxJ9CSnEL1SSXxlxNlUWm9MTT2DyKJXqG5zNB_LKl-aieYSi2jovL1Plt-0MufLSO7bWRqkUgEkTrcYN7m516aaRrYqPuoogAt43WUJ9cq_uwZWOb_w/s4032/F87D0DE3-F1B6-4712-A6A7-1E52D9BD3D58.heic" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpAsbl2mYe8zI9CtRXLlWOGBkKHNsIcyK7oW2RH8W-AfjDFG2YjnMI-pcsRpWe5Lzdc2A8DkjrxJ9CSnEL1SSXxlxNlUWm9MTT2DyKJXqG5zNB_LKl-aieYSi2jovL1Plt-0MufLSO7bWRqkUgEkTrcYN7m516aaRrYqPuoogAt43WUJ9cq_uwZWOb_w/w200-h150/F87D0DE3-F1B6-4712-A6A7-1E52D9BD3D58.heic" width="200" /></a> <img border="0" data-original-height="3458" data-original-width="2569" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pn7Lr-OAg_Ea0IBiycKfXxazvSw9_YK_EdwTJBxTwu7jWZgQKImBj9ij-PAyvoyhTwuZ-ELCVhLrozJwEm-FrudnbRwHABF2RLQMhAnWLVScn7YRteK7x-PaoRpQkV1GmifehmWncJ0crGV9CtkUi40UBlS_UiHb9I85COXsMJPXtHqoRV9R_8tC7VI/w149-h200/013ABFF3-3F9E-4586-A752-9D6E61E92163_1_201_a.heic" width="149" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOT_6l58mSLdLb56g8OoC_h20bIC8KHUSySeuRZ4niTzlPrYdD9ttGG8KQ-iy2m_pk6Wg5Kfdj21DkyNppSsoO48PVNpfQDJbahw7D3V8MIK_3XeIifZI6gYmUp15zW7OiTumx4mzEe2J5gEcEWyM0wJO0Gfz1eNukL3uVBUww2CfDyQDPGkQpJG6CArQ/s4032/5D2C3C02-1E0F-4DEC-94C3-C31697382A51.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOT_6l58mSLdLb56g8OoC_h20bIC8KHUSySeuRZ4niTzlPrYdD9ttGG8KQ-iy2m_pk6Wg5Kfdj21DkyNppSsoO48PVNpfQDJbahw7D3V8MIK_3XeIifZI6gYmUp15zW7OiTumx4mzEe2J5gEcEWyM0wJO0Gfz1eNukL3uVBUww2CfDyQDPGkQpJG6CArQ/w200-h150/5D2C3C02-1E0F-4DEC-94C3-C31697382A51.heic" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>We made a point of visiting the beach at the foot of the property at least once or twice a day. There is a sea moss farm there, and there were usually other locals or visitors along the rocky shore. It wasn't isolated, but it was never crowded and there was always a patch of shade. <p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFU7WyBo2wi7FwDz6GwutA7qAUgaVnILUj9ewPvrXn4oHPcUdLvxvFDh8IPINPitix46H1a5fRnHdlhisfwI6qtcRR9yCSQAjBo7I6UYuaazqU5kwd2sd8tobkiESN7nTpVhY6lUg5_ZxDCtpH_m98HOgZkWhA80Speh086h9j7s3LTjESU-Ku89XjLk0/s4032/109641F3-B617-425F-AE5E-60AE6D605A65.heic" style="display: inline; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFU7WyBo2wi7FwDz6GwutA7qAUgaVnILUj9ewPvrXn4oHPcUdLvxvFDh8IPINPitix46H1a5fRnHdlhisfwI6qtcRR9yCSQAjBo7I6UYuaazqU5kwd2sd8tobkiESN7nTpVhY6lUg5_ZxDCtpH_m98HOgZkWhA80Speh086h9j7s3LTjESU-Ku89XjLk0/w320-h240/109641F3-B617-425F-AE5E-60AE6D605A65.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-86457698205116306542023-12-28T14:05:00.038-05:002024-01-02T15:16:32.105-05:00Booked! Japan 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Inspired by Alex and Penny's recent trip and an Air Canada Boxing Day seat sale, we've booked our tickets. Return flights from Toronto to Tokyo!! End of March, beginning of April, so cherry trees will be in bloom!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheRh5Inck26oEoFI8kKZVjtatkTRyZDw4kMMETqGahT4oGh9m1vs9cpJ-SJ4G0-MqXOYD5eXXIlRIDclg01t4I7xE2rYKwyErTlpWyE1ye35VVgl9KFwhrVYsdzLnd7S_dqxi412qN8tq-qU0uzdyTZzFn5q-ymjJeh0uLyW5NI6KOaCG6jQFmyohNxQg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheRh5Inck26oEoFI8kKZVjtatkTRyZDw4kMMETqGahT4oGh9m1vs9cpJ-SJ4G0-MqXOYD5eXXIlRIDclg01t4I7xE2rYKwyErTlpWyE1ye35VVgl9KFwhrVYsdzLnd7S_dqxi412qN8tq-qU0uzdyTZzFn5q-ymjJeh0uLyW5NI6KOaCG6jQFmyohNxQg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have long wanted to visit, now the trick will be to try to finalize the itinerary for our 19 night stay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tokyo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kyoto</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Osaka</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">South?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We will be borrowing a lot from Alex and Penny's itinerary, and thankfully they will be able to give us some travel tips as we're not joining a tour group.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKaM7z9WBc-Q8vhPxDLNBtO4sRsQKLJk8Mx7adFL2DeODmUNZM8RiPY6mi6DX9ceD3sIGyYgQvPalDi_u1SjIkWIXHtvaVdYIIroq0n5uRbXuQBDolDeVasvM9HJHG65BjMsXrV9iMHYpzjbxxCOYsbcs00WPzzQ3H5XASHXYaOznv07J4mP9rF60zvmE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="181" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKaM7z9WBc-Q8vhPxDLNBtO4sRsQKLJk8Mx7adFL2DeODmUNZM8RiPY6mi6DX9ceD3sIGyYgQvPalDi_u1SjIkWIXHtvaVdYIIroq0n5uRbXuQBDolDeVasvM9HJHG65BjMsXrV9iMHYpzjbxxCOYsbcs00WPzzQ3H5XASHXYaOznv07J4mP9rF60zvmE" width="156" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiW8PAFeENHWOFikiy5fiTkVSHJPufSreflMEj9k5zhQh9RpMJOztz9yvG-XBvP4aOJvn3u0VXv55_M0H-92af4GcEFEAYU4fveY38tKT7ZqPJXYOjQK9dD7UfGifSt5G-GbcjufV0QT2NCTd6K0Rf4WcWzyLhqcg4nb5yS1CGC1-nqdP-squUgEsdwVjc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="266" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiW8PAFeENHWOFikiy5fiTkVSHJPufSreflMEj9k5zhQh9RpMJOztz9yvG-XBvP4aOJvn3u0VXv55_M0H-92af4GcEFEAYU4fveY38tKT7ZqPJXYOjQK9dD7UfGifSt5G-GbcjufV0QT2NCTd6K0Rf4WcWzyLhqcg4nb5yS1CGC1-nqdP-squUgEsdwVjc" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_pR5k_AtT0EbRq9_VGJmD0aZCaNF0DyG8OpBvTigTaGhUp1So99JMnmHut3UAdZpio2M04uC_7pg10xR2Xy6Qoqr_c17vgiYFK6zmn-8iB-F5hKBhVzZFzVFSF53S2fR6HThlbBDrISihrIgpnrqO-GkT3D8r_YY4g1ATuA9cfMI7ubw1JWEDxYdGp0M" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_pR5k_AtT0EbRq9_VGJmD0aZCaNF0DyG8OpBvTigTaGhUp1So99JMnmHut3UAdZpio2M04uC_7pg10xR2Xy6Qoqr_c17vgiYFK6zmn-8iB-F5hKBhVzZFzVFSF53S2fR6HThlbBDrISihrIgpnrqO-GkT3D8r_YY4g1ATuA9cfMI7ubw1JWEDxYdGp0M" width="160" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /></div></div><br /> <p></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-69032182613575618192023-12-26T13:53:00.018-05:002024-01-02T15:16:04.934-05:00Christmas Moon - 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">A very green Christmas this year, with lots of rain to keep the trees nourished for the coming cold season.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">A very busy and bright holiday season!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX9GT6LukyLYE8iA_EeUGtughzg41JKvp7Ofn9wxQ9KMPLDCEz2X5soTh-XRz50tJa0vf2nUZF4rYBi6wKR9IDqokC-M8MNeMQwHgMLMa3Wr7Zc2VAVmQKtl0icAJ4uOeooVTCyHDhQj9_x1esO37wBEcp1p-HsY7coPg_EEnJI0iVwPRlWytuJgp8WGY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="272" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX9GT6LukyLYE8iA_EeUGtughzg41JKvp7Ofn9wxQ9KMPLDCEz2X5soTh-XRz50tJa0vf2nUZF4rYBi6wKR9IDqokC-M8MNeMQwHgMLMa3Wr7Zc2VAVmQKtl0icAJ4uOeooVTCyHDhQj9_x1esO37wBEcp1p-HsY7coPg_EEnJI0iVwPRlWytuJgp8WGY" width="320" /></a></div></div><blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><br /></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>The full Moon for December is 100% illuminated on December 26, 7:33 P.M. (EST). This is the first full Moon after the <a href="https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-winter-winter-solstice">winter solstice</a>, and it falls right during Christmastime this year! Technically, a full Moon Christmas happens every 19 years or so. This happened in 2015 and will next happen in 2034. However, a full Moon on December 24 and December 26 will also appear full to the naked eye. Old Farmers Almanac</blockquote>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-70796610427392426002023-12-18T12:14:00.144-05:002024-01-02T14:31:19.152-05:00Theatre Highlights 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFp1_O_I2KrdqDd0Q_vNHy7N9ekMhRVxFfkoFbI0aJgOexbIeV08CEOTagkrlnWf0d4VKnHA0u-l5x9Z0UbF-YbRpSbv73drHzVqGE-uPLNRuwhAgz4XxQd-XBGh5XUmaZO_aAiyPHTXgA9X-kG-FazKIB7kPsjgPd2TYz2aL2VQHH_SZzaQXLVfpno8/s4032/F4A8924E-1F23-4F8B-8867-726C97C0079F.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFp1_O_I2KrdqDd0Q_vNHy7N9ekMhRVxFfkoFbI0aJgOexbIeV08CEOTagkrlnWf0d4VKnHA0u-l5x9Z0UbF-YbRpSbv73drHzVqGE-uPLNRuwhAgz4XxQd-XBGh5XUmaZO_aAiyPHTXgA9X-kG-FazKIB7kPsjgPd2TYz2aL2VQHH_SZzaQXLVfpno8/s320/F4A8924E-1F23-4F8B-8867-726C97C0079F.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I attended more theatre in 2023 than in any previous calendar year. Lucky me!</p><p>And lucky Torontonians! There is no need to travel far to see high quality productions. </p><p>It is hard to pick a favourite show as so many were memorable. Easily in my top five was <i>Master Plan</i>, set unapologetically in Toronto and inspired by local politics and international events.</p><p>Solo stage performances such as <i>True Crime</i> and <i>The Chinese Lady </i>offered truly riveting experiences. </p><p>Musicals! <i>Spamalot</i>, <i>Rocking Horse Winner,</i> <i>Kelly vs. Kelly</i>, <i>Great Comet. </i>Of these my favourite was easily <i>The Great Comet</i> for its songs, staging and energy. Least fave... <i>Spamalot, </i>as the humour was a bit stale and outdated. Although I loved the storyline of <i>Rocking Horse Winner,</i> I really didn't like the score.</p><p>Tackling racism was a common theme this year, funded courtesy of government grants and corporate sponsors. <i>Cabernet Noir, Fairview, Maanomoa, The Chinese Lady, </i>and <i>Appropriate</i> all tackled some very sensitive content. Here my favourites tie between <i>Maanomoa </i>and<i> The Chinese Lady </i>for scripts that drew you in and challenged assumptions while not outright attacking the audience. Least favourite was <i>Cabernet Noir, </i>which came across to me like a theatre art exercise (not to mention a printed program distributed after the show that stated it "didn't give a f* what its largely white middle-aged audience would think of their show! *note to self to avoid any future MayDay productions).</p><p>I appreciated productions such as <i>Maanomoa </i>and <i>Kelly vs. Kelly</i>, where the playwrights and actors brought them to the stage as works in progress, knowing there would still be future tweaks and wanting to fine-tune based on audience interaction.</p><p><i>Fairview, Lehman Trilogy</i> and <i>Great Comet</i> hailed from Broadway but used local talent to bring them to Toronto stages.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyqS9torPSZUnOatdyJB30OZVNrgIZJvsf5C0frkT54Gw_i2U2BYbVckNxxQQ2ZFLC3UtI8d9Teol6eS0VEkH2aDg7YzwmKOzRv6s3Kg4LAft3Z7HM7vHIAjEjH435R11Db4ruNFqii9AXGOy9xiCPlSLVvppTFL2rU6VRUFdculXZmuOCGGzOk_-JJc/s3782/059787C3-28BC-4C92-A41E-535D640AC631_1_201_a.heic" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2836" data-original-width="3782" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyqS9torPSZUnOatdyJB30OZVNrgIZJvsf5C0frkT54Gw_i2U2BYbVckNxxQQ2ZFLC3UtI8d9Teol6eS0VEkH2aDg7YzwmKOzRv6s3Kg4LAft3Z7HM7vHIAjEjH435R11Db4ruNFqii9AXGOy9xiCPlSLVvppTFL2rU6VRUFdculXZmuOCGGzOk_-JJc/s320/059787C3-28BC-4C92-A41E-535D640AC631_1_201_a.heic" width="320" /></a>In a sense, all the shows had a historical bent. Looking at the list though I see the majority were set in times past. Even those set in the present will become history soon enough. The Fourth Turning had a more modern bent, but I didn't care much for sitting two hours without an intermission and listening to unending philosophical banter (although Rob quite liked it).</p><p>Generally I try not to look too deeply into the shows before I buy the tickets because I like being surprised and not overly influenced by reviews. There are only a few ticket purchases I regret (<i>Cabernet Noir, Spamalot</i> and <i>The Fourth Turning), </i>but even these still earned glowing reviews elsewhere.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">Cabernet Noir (Can Stage, February)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Fairview (Can Stage, March)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.canadianstage.com/show/maanomaa">Maanomoa, My Brother</a> (Can Stage, April) courtesy of Wendy</div><div style="text-align: left;">True Crime (Crow's, May)</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Chinese Lady (Crow's, May)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/reviews/article-kelly-v-kelly-is-a-swift-moving-musical-triumph/">Kelly vs. Kelly</a> (Berkely, June)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Grand Magic (Stratford, Tom Patterson theatre, September)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Spamalot (Stratford, Avon theatre, September)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.intermissionmagazine.ca/reviews/master-plan-crows/">Master Plan </a>(Crow's, September)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.intermissionmagazine.ca/reviews/appropriate-coal-mine/">Appropriate</a> (Coal Mine Theatre, October)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Fourth Turning (Crow's, October)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Rocking Horse Winner (Crow's, November)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.intermissionmagazine.ca/reviews/lehman-trilogy-cs/">Lehman Trilogy </a>(Bluma Appel, November)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Wonders of Winterland (Toronto Botanical Gardens, December)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.intermissionmagazine.ca/reviews/natasha-pierre-crow-s-msc/">Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812</a> (Crow's, December), courtesy of Wendy</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-82948381269365113502023-11-11T14:25:00.006-05:002023-11-11T14:32:01.336-05:00St. Lucia - booked!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lxPEDkVDinAk6gF-vQ4eu9u1ZCBm7VzDA2AA-hiTI8fIMrIfm4GHYmOD1Pv4-bRqTPgB1hG0eO9ZXpypHEfEBZNmBFg9kxpmNtfnuFq5UhamBTSiwdvvlf-Ufvd_26mM2hoPNlYNMQ82MAHOhuwT3bKmXPqGoh1fWpQNPbujKF4ZuFJitKENk9AX-GE/s1158/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-11%20at%202.14.26%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="1158" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lxPEDkVDinAk6gF-vQ4eu9u1ZCBm7VzDA2AA-hiTI8fIMrIfm4GHYmOD1Pv4-bRqTPgB1hG0eO9ZXpypHEfEBZNmBFg9kxpmNtfnuFq5UhamBTSiwdvvlf-Ufvd_26mM2hoPNlYNMQ82MAHOhuwT3bKmXPqGoh1fWpQNPbujKF4ZuFJitKENk9AX-GE/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-11%20at%202.14.26%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Found a perfect hideaway! A private apartment on Gros Islet, Saint Lucia. We booked a two week stay! And flights! For February! <p></p><p><a href="https://www.vrbo.com/en-ca/cottage-rental/p4509854">A beautiful apartment on a quiet beach</a>: "Relax on lounge chairs at the beach, take in the sun on the lower lawn or take a cool walk in the garden and discover the tropical trees on the property which includes Cashew, cinnamon, tamarind, Pomegranate, avocado, sour-sop, pineapple, mango, wax apple, local plum, gooseberry..." Sounds like paradise. We're planning a relaxing vacation this time around, staying in one place to take in the sights rather than hopping island to island or place to place. By February we will be in need of some Vitamin D.</p><p>We had been trying to contact someone whose accommodations Laura B. recommended, but they were very very slow in getting back to us and then finally put us on to someone who was managing their bookings. That person was also slow slow getting back to us and when we asked questions, put us on to their website (that didn't have available bookings!) Not at all helpful. In the meantime, we found this alternative.</p><p><br /></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-63075598432989796922023-10-11T12:32:00.072-04:002023-11-11T14:06:19.175-05:00Thanksgiving Colours in Matawatchan, Chelsea and Old Montreal<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHdqV_2RLhsWZzrHjAgeoSTz03yNbV7FaoWQI-YNYYC39Dx3U8cfD1ZIgRiDgKZ1GE1DRowBpa60tBXEk9QeY0bXr8nd3DeFLyCaJDMsRTyi6ut_46fo_8VcB3X-YkkF-CdN5t_cb9p34_TENulKT7ds92nMoLZqzyDtMERsZUGoQeWaRTxFk6UKLqOk/s2830/CE0E9BD4-B9C8-4215-AE82-126D27F04AA5_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2830" data-original-width="1903" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHdqV_2RLhsWZzrHjAgeoSTz03yNbV7FaoWQI-YNYYC39Dx3U8cfD1ZIgRiDgKZ1GE1DRowBpa60tBXEk9QeY0bXr8nd3DeFLyCaJDMsRTyi6ut_46fo_8VcB3X-YkkF-CdN5t_cb9p34_TENulKT7ds92nMoLZqzyDtMERsZUGoQeWaRTxFk6UKLqOk/w134-h200/CE0E9BD4-B9C8-4215-AE82-126D27F04AA5_1_201_a.heic" width="134" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">We are so blessed in this part of the world with amazing fall colours. Long drives are a pleasure this time of year and a perfect time to do some exploring.</span></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">Lois and Mark were hosting Thanksgiving on the Hill in Matawatchan and we had an absolutely wonderful time soaking up the autumn vibes. The views from their place are absolutely incredible, and we saw deer and wild turkeys right on the doorstep. Sunset was beautiful and the night sky full of stars. Lois and Mark are such gracious hosts. Dinner was wonderful, and it was a pleasure to see everyone who could make it. </div></div><div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHdqV_2RLhsWZzrHjAgeoSTz03yNbV7FaoWQI-YNYYC39Dx3U8cfD1ZIgRiDgKZ1GE1DRowBpa60tBXEk9QeY0bXr8nd3DeFLyCaJDMsRTyi6ut_46fo_8VcB3X-YkkF-CdN5t_cb9p34_TENulKT7ds92nMoLZqzyDtMERsZUGoQeWaRTxFk6UKLqOk/s2830/CE0E9BD4-B9C8-4215-AE82-126D27F04AA5_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhr4OzLiocK6KSAWKWpEc8O-_UAtj5OufO3UhJJmXY_4JwuD_Y8HfyexoSDjkzD-HGuW8L9bkR85X2G5c8pLrnebzpQyX-2RZ_y-18AGfcQJZJRN22VRhyphenhyphenEkAoE5rvJBhs3PBPLr2u9P2ubwTJNMcNRsF6eESjUThP2_WhZFV2OWfhsKiCaWeJDit8QOA/s4032/90628A10-21A7-48F3-9106-8392A8F080FE_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhr4OzLiocK6KSAWKWpEc8O-_UAtj5OufO3UhJJmXY_4JwuD_Y8HfyexoSDjkzD-HGuW8L9bkR85X2G5c8pLrnebzpQyX-2RZ_y-18AGfcQJZJRN22VRhyphenhyphenEkAoE5rvJBhs3PBPLr2u9P2ubwTJNMcNRsF6eESjUThP2_WhZFV2OWfhsKiCaWeJDit8QOA/w200-h150/90628A10-21A7-48F3-9106-8392A8F080FE_1_201_a.heic" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CFZMMl51VxX2M_F4YRYGvV0v1NI6fgs_E4wUFCTq8KjzurLnfJuxlwz42RAmh0rxy54JbcQIs2TZEsXMh1jhyLa5sV32ZrWxKRR2BF5NzAv-hjI8fLoA771Sqs0gedo_F755WX_flHJpJJLHwqtz04JP6u74Iz71mjfSzdGNAqpfDNfdgf0g4DUEm8I/s800/F674FA7D-2BF3-4832-A483-C1FBA3DA7137.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CFZMMl51VxX2M_F4YRYGvV0v1NI6fgs_E4wUFCTq8KjzurLnfJuxlwz42RAmh0rxy54JbcQIs2TZEsXMh1jhyLa5sV32ZrWxKRR2BF5NzAv-hjI8fLoA771Sqs0gedo_F755WX_flHJpJJLHwqtz04JP6u74Iz71mjfSzdGNAqpfDNfdgf0g4DUEm8I/w150-h200/F674FA7D-2BF3-4832-A483-C1FBA3DA7137.jpeg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5USZ6vW7R0yhwWUe17rFG22T6cbhcD9hJisByXg2KgDlB48JtYFsBZZd8AF2UNv5PEE7Y3506VajB_ygL2-JoFFT8_i8zzBCo_pDpjPGC5zZ35zyeaCauwR-snIcPpzsz-go21WhH8LeHY0TDxdDk-TF1QOwu_qXUGWCfhxPlbDwQViyu6MAirrIZv4/s4032/BCC2FE81-ACA0-457C-86C2-121EE3E51C5C.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5USZ6vW7R0yhwWUe17rFG22T6cbhcD9hJisByXg2KgDlB48JtYFsBZZd8AF2UNv5PEE7Y3506VajB_ygL2-JoFFT8_i8zzBCo_pDpjPGC5zZ35zyeaCauwR-snIcPpzsz-go21WhH8LeHY0TDxdDk-TF1QOwu_qXUGWCfhxPlbDwQViyu6MAirrIZv4/w200-h150/BCC2FE81-ACA0-457C-86C2-121EE3E51C5C.heic" width="200" /></a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Penny suggested that afterward she and Alex and Rob and I share a visit to the Nordik spa in Chelsea. I've never been to an outdoor spa like this before, but this was the third trip for her. What a treat to soak in hot whirlpools, plunge into cold pools, and float in saltwater caverns. There were also a restaurants, yurts, outdoor firepits, and quiet rooms for yoga and meditation. Wow! I could definitely go back for more, but next time might pick a weekday and not a busy Thanksgiving long weekend. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although we could have eaten at the spa, we headed over to the<a href="https://www.chelseapub.ca/"> Chelsea Gastro Pub</a> for a delicious meal and cocktails. We also shared overnight accommodations at <a href="https://www.loftsduvillage.ca/">Lofts du Village</a>. It was such a great excursion and time to enjoy making happy new memories with Alex and Penny. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXCkVd52ifPQsQaL2JxB7RGRUvcThHFR_vrLGaHfMyy__1l3ADnouPIvac_noFLJ6ZvujSXlv68n8Rg17fxQ3AsKVMhmPJ11MOQ2X5wapdwWEy6cxPYtp_Gqub0_cVn44wxX_0_6WMy1-5ZHVlGNfWXYvEsj9_swHDpluKyBf-UAAE2zbE5PkrE5bq8s/s4032/479AE1C2-2D45-443A-9980-B375CA55D855.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXCkVd52ifPQsQaL2JxB7RGRUvcThHFR_vrLGaHfMyy__1l3ADnouPIvac_noFLJ6ZvujSXlv68n8Rg17fxQ3AsKVMhmPJ11MOQ2X5wapdwWEy6cxPYtp_Gqub0_cVn44wxX_0_6WMy1-5ZHVlGNfWXYvEsj9_swHDpluKyBf-UAAE2zbE5PkrE5bq8s/w200-h150/479AE1C2-2D45-443A-9980-B375CA55D855.heic" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhog_F1xfT5bvIwvPbbUQ2jKHgnrDCFfalExu52nrdECl9KKEcFgRjFLGo1WfMcoDJqI2CRWKFh7b397e2ecDRkyWY7na50fP0Fsq2op-_hjBYkaZKFBfIuQHtxCMixes5_a9BVugsKlCCRKwP0DuBb-UF6I0yz6SDB73X3jPoK5BosOJoip671zAWX9n4/s4032/80DC06BC-DCB3-4E95-AC65-012C17EAE59C.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhog_F1xfT5bvIwvPbbUQ2jKHgnrDCFfalExu52nrdECl9KKEcFgRjFLGo1WfMcoDJqI2CRWKFh7b397e2ecDRkyWY7na50fP0Fsq2op-_hjBYkaZKFBfIuQHtxCMixes5_a9BVugsKlCCRKwP0DuBb-UF6I0yz6SDB73X3jPoK5BosOJoip671zAWX9n4/w150-h200/80DC06BC-DCB3-4E95-AC65-012C17EAE59C.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_Athpn3hhxouTH_9_oFWt0kY2Km79sMiHFxoM_ekL_PcvhkwrJ2P-olTzsc6ThnOUmiduTALTQlPZsW6U6ZwNx_ui0PVL3g07VzpHJosAE-lPm2KHdJdFSO_VJnk9XeHqlul-h8Gp7tPqvgJexEJ-SgheBE5xWrf2Foj-adsqtYz992lfPEgcZBf9v8/s4032/15FABF77-F54E-45A1-A17A-7887DF69DC1B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_Athpn3hhxouTH_9_oFWt0kY2Km79sMiHFxoM_ekL_PcvhkwrJ2P-olTzsc6ThnOUmiduTALTQlPZsW6U6ZwNx_ui0PVL3g07VzpHJosAE-lPm2KHdJdFSO_VJnk9XeHqlul-h8Gp7tPqvgJexEJ-SgheBE5xWrf2Foj-adsqtYz992lfPEgcZBf9v8/w200-h150/15FABF77-F54E-45A1-A17A-7887DF69DC1B.heic" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />Rob and I went on for a two night stay in the heart of Old Montreal, but stopped off to visit Tony and Mary first. They suggested a driving route that took us through some very picturesque towns along Hi-way 417: Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Dorval and Pointe-Clair. Some very historic buildings, lovely gardens and parks. Very scenic drive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We arrived in Old Montreal with ample time to check in at <a href="https://loftsduvieuxport.com/tous-nos-lofts/">Lofts du Vieux-Port</a>. This was a bit of a splurge, but staying in the heart of things meant we could relax and not worry about driving and parking. After dropping off our bags we walked and walked and enjoyed every minute of playing flaneur/flaneuse. So much history, architecture, restaurants, and galleries to soak in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Before heading westward home, we continued our road trip with a stop at St-Viateur Bagel and then to Mount Royale for a view of the city from the top of Mount Royale.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A memorable roadtrip and the perfect time of year to play the tourist in this part of the country.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj578m4b1RPaqdz0EuEN_UtEM2JL4NgK7GLE6x3UA1nhzrDWC_pUoeswE96vUQKMbRpRYbNTszHmxR3OcmLOimlYAfIxdG1ktDnKz81fHcAyCScWHIbyI5HKO59hQvwrDpx_0gU17VLErL7fKGZvKljyLPTjjnRG_exx1-x84zVWDjvN2jpZA6sVKtZYDw/s4032/1A195F4D-06ED-4301-9AAE-34453F85CB1D.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj578m4b1RPaqdz0EuEN_UtEM2JL4NgK7GLE6x3UA1nhzrDWC_pUoeswE96vUQKMbRpRYbNTszHmxR3OcmLOimlYAfIxdG1ktDnKz81fHcAyCScWHIbyI5HKO59hQvwrDpx_0gU17VLErL7fKGZvKljyLPTjjnRG_exx1-x84zVWDjvN2jpZA6sVKtZYDw/w150-h200/1A195F4D-06ED-4301-9AAE-34453F85CB1D.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuegAfJjVoHnDE376nSXRdHVxrqomqMefD84cJzGJeOpSB03GEbV6LEXXXTIR8BEMtjy-eJrl36-gC_rCoS7__8U7HMyFQc7D3LBkMx-qAItv4TCIKurA9vL25PSsFvDL9JHzMxX-gyhf37hQNdzLx1CeLpC06RcLsDWDWr0m5bY4E-ka6rj2EgBaNVpU/s3660/5F0C643F-99AD-4BD8-BDBE-7708DEC192A9.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3660" data-original-width="2745" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuegAfJjVoHnDE376nSXRdHVxrqomqMefD84cJzGJeOpSB03GEbV6LEXXXTIR8BEMtjy-eJrl36-gC_rCoS7__8U7HMyFQc7D3LBkMx-qAItv4TCIKurA9vL25PSsFvDL9JHzMxX-gyhf37hQNdzLx1CeLpC06RcLsDWDWr0m5bY4E-ka6rj2EgBaNVpU/w150-h200/5F0C643F-99AD-4BD8-BDBE-7708DEC192A9.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjmVojCY5VXicJUYJaoU_CjetQi9vjcdplFziOGPLXa8Fpqz2yc8UnCN6TbzqvBnLPe-c2rBf_EVcdWY9KCQMWwT1X7m4wbYlfHOJCb2YT0G6tQO9U6hzIU0FuS6GICJaXGg4A2spgLYEUHw_6i3vkkor6bGpScnljCjvDmHtmfXhNazU-tuikApH5vY/s4032/8FA9ED7D-6E74-4EF6-B5E8-1E9380B049E5.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjmVojCY5VXicJUYJaoU_CjetQi9vjcdplFziOGPLXa8Fpqz2yc8UnCN6TbzqvBnLPe-c2rBf_EVcdWY9KCQMWwT1X7m4wbYlfHOJCb2YT0G6tQO9U6hzIU0FuS6GICJaXGg4A2spgLYEUHw_6i3vkkor6bGpScnljCjvDmHtmfXhNazU-tuikApH5vY/w150-h200/8FA9ED7D-6E74-4EF6-B5E8-1E9380B049E5.heic" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-29313135723866067082023-09-30T06:39:00.494-04:002024-01-09T16:07:38.314-05:00September left me breathless<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">This month was wonder full.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3855" data-original-width="2891" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6P1F597JCIYLUZLdI43vvAaWix0w5wl3uzvznQ2tqG2ARNlcAnVBYrct6qt46GUqM6mSEGUx83XK4a8NzPg1D7kOAfUcrTRB5BnUs2pSAtqsOtYI3GybZCiB1YoCUVkn6rxCPEJOo2TMikqA0dS-xjLXnmcIk9PepJoYjapkPyj9ANMwc1VhzoQ9j4Kw" width="180" /></span>Celebrated birthdays September 3. Two of my brothers also have September birthdays, so I invited all my siblings for a birthday party. It was great to see those that could make it (Kathy, Mike and Karen, Sarah and Olivia, Pat, Robin, Alex, Penny, Rob and me.) Beautiful weather and we enjoyed the back deck and garden. Burgers, sausages and salads. Rob served cocktails. Really enjoyed everyone's company and the chance to hang out. </p><p>September 6 Book Club, rushing home from a TMG event so I could prepare the meal for our gathering. Everyone enjoyed Orwell's Roses, my book pick, and the lively discussion. </p><p>September 7 was my birthday and we enjoyed at home with Alex and Penny and Amita and Twincy. Rob's present this year was a Little Library. We painted it together in the basement before it opened for business. The first day a couple books disappeared and I wondered how I would keep it stocked, but books have also been appearing. Chris T. also gave me a whole bagfull. The bright Little Library is a lovely addition to the front yard. </p><p>September 8, an overnite birthday get-away to Stratford where we saw Spamalot and Grand Magic. Dinner at Elizabeth's for fantastic food and outstanding cocktails. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYr7PSM0fydeJwlUvYGXUgzUxCq_nVNXP9_8LEANRopME-pkUR1P3Nf5RLLbfMFtT5eb53HMIKpkvLn3pducwfNi3Wk4i2GnhUHI-GcQBmemY8MejSH-n5z8lVEZ8im1LJiLrYCyF3BI5-TUqNbH5sEmIC6DfAp2BP682mD7ENnp6TMrf5oDUezsunbWk" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYr7PSM0fydeJwlUvYGXUgzUxCq_nVNXP9_8LEANRopME-pkUR1P3Nf5RLLbfMFtT5eb53HMIKpkvLn3pducwfNi3Wk4i2GnhUHI-GcQBmemY8MejSH-n5z8lVEZ8im1LJiLrYCyF3BI5-TUqNbH5sEmIC6DfAp2BP682mD7ENnp6TMrf5oDUezsunbWk=w200-h150" width="200" /></a>September 16 college reunion. 40+ years! Wow! Kip, John, Dave, Hugh, Alex/Runt, Alan, Tom, Jim & me. Dave instigated and John hosted in his backyard. We watched a few of our old college thesis films. Earnest efforts. Then there were the photos of our youthful selves, gazed upon by the present older selves. Very trippy. Even sitting around the table speaking with people, the youthful selves there behind the older faces. A pentimento effect. Time travel. Amazing to see everyone.</p><p>September 19 my brother Dave treated me to a birthday lunch downtown and we had a lovely tete du tete. I then treated myself to a bit of birthday shopping at what I still call the Eaton Centre.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhL5oTkJseoZpU7RVE5CW4NT_EiyyE27GfGc6XmVJFyTL7YZj5jIeTSl0doccLGMk0ygdrkft8pj8IM69qxf-kMQiWnYzpgzL7Mx3ozXRtLmlH74nO-_7Qz2oqRS93kduEBe1g7TVCJpr1K2RrvHHmFNXra-HJHOIAgi3NYDRCneHJtqw5bpvIgIKww6-Y" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhL5oTkJseoZpU7RVE5CW4NT_EiyyE27GfGc6XmVJFyTL7YZj5jIeTSl0doccLGMk0ygdrkft8pj8IM69qxf-kMQiWnYzpgzL7Mx3ozXRtLmlH74nO-_7Qz2oqRS93kduEBe1g7TVCJpr1K2RrvHHmFNXra-HJHOIAgi3NYDRCneHJtqw5bpvIgIKww6-Y" width="180" /></a>September 20 was the 101st opening of the Toronto Symphony and there was a full orchestra for Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, Gershwin's Jazz Concerto, and Lili Boulanger. We sat in the Choir seats so had a great view of all the musicians.</p><p>September 23 was Nuit Blanche, we sampled the installations at Toronto Botanical Gardens. A projection of lights on top of forest backdrop, molecules and DNS shifting perspective. And lights embedded in a forest path for a mythical winding walk.</p><p>September 24 was a matinee at the Crow's Nest, The Master Plan. Outstanding writing, excellent performances, lots of belly laughs. A 'fictional' account of what went down when Google came to Toronto and Sidewalk Labs clashed with Waterfront Toronto. Definitely a missed opportunity and maybe not such a bad thing it didn't all come to fruition.</p><p>September 11 and 25, Uke Jam!</p><p>September 29 a visit to the Aga Khan for the Rumi exhibit, which I'd wanted to see for months. It was leaving October 1. The grounds there are so inspiring, and there was an installation called 'Listen': There is a voice that does not use words. (Rumi)</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8OZQS0Q6eJJ3BZkBq-MMfl7STiZCycYo5mJoCxWwaAGF216eoN_fhDhmArbPr9nqeG2cRHvqVYa8s_8mj9a4yQG5gsgr8_rhNp5t_0DG1N6lmp2ZgMo28Sgl9PxU0xOB7P7DCBHEVlPOD0bdiorYlCnn8c3s6zAxNysrcaiWJx8I-6vnsDwgJHCN4PuM" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8OZQS0Q6eJJ3BZkBq-MMfl7STiZCycYo5mJoCxWwaAGF216eoN_fhDhmArbPr9nqeG2cRHvqVYa8s_8mj9a4yQG5gsgr8_rhNp5t_0DG1N6lmp2ZgMo28Sgl9PxU0xOB7P7DCBHEVlPOD0bdiorYlCnn8c3s6zAxNysrcaiWJx8I-6vnsDwgJHCN4PuM" width="180" /></a>September 30 I hosted Epitourists and Laura stayed the weekend. The theme I suggested was AI, using a chat bot to select dishes based on the ingredients at hand, but Kaarina just couldn't get into it. But the main thing was to get together... and I wanted to try the ingredients Seared Ahi Tuna and Poke. These were raw fish dishes I picked up from Costco that were sitting in the freezer. Quick and easy, and quite delicious. I also tried a soup of frozen Concord grapes with a hot bone broth poured on top. Stunning! Kaarina brought a fantastic Mexican corn salad and Laura fried up some apple fritters. In the evening we were off to BPYC for a jazz night and some oysters. Sunday we did the International Authors Festival at Harbourfront.</p><p>My garden, qi gong, and yoga to nourish my mind and body.</p><p>I have been tracking my volunteer hours so I am aware how I am spending time. BPYC totalled 26+ for the month, comprised of Board meetings, monitoring issues and mostly trying to get the By-law ready for member ratification. </p><p>Toronto Master Gardeners kept me very busy this month, too. The monthly meeting, field trips and 20+ hours of volunteering. I ended up delivering several demos because I couldn't find volunteers. The topic was Caring for Houseplants, and though I was nervous to deliver my first one, it turned out to be a great experience for everyone (including me). It's true that one of the best ways to learn something is to teach it. Field trips to Royal Ontario Museum Herbarium and the other to <a href="https://themeadoway.ca/?gclid=CjwKCAjwvfmoBhAwEiwAG2tqzNDMQzGOzYOumpZ8QhhcQJ2Dw8FluRO7XU4dfNi21cR46FK1PVwIhxoCL_UQAvD_BwE">Meadoway</a> were extremely informative. The University of Guelph class on Plant Identification began, and part of the curriculum is herbaria, so there was a nice overlap with the field trip. Lots of learning!</p><p>Yes, September left me breathless and also very thankful for my time and the people I know and love on the planet.<br /></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-29254601405114753202023-08-31T17:39:00.064-04:002023-09-14T18:02:53.378-04:00Super Blue Moon! August 2023<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A Blue Moon Super Moon! A stellar occasion! Lots of hype on media. Nice to have something non-controversial and not depressing making a few headlines. </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgjxOmG9DkgVkXsAmmpH7NCObVEEgAlTUVsfJTFv_txEoTRkaFmgHHnLmFiLfIPI-xnySBhx4yE-DHnHY8T0fYIgPvuPpZezIfYH1WjhVNC_DoiR5F_JndOlrvO3g1bghmFel9a0wdDBhs7XajsAttdsxCbtqOe5enK-MUwFFtO8sgkGCJoffkcT7putc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="271" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgjxOmG9DkgVkXsAmmpH7NCObVEEgAlTUVsfJTFv_txEoTRkaFmgHHnLmFiLfIPI-xnySBhx4yE-DHnHY8T0fYIgPvuPpZezIfYH1WjhVNC_DoiR5F_JndOlrvO3g1bghmFel9a0wdDBhs7XajsAttdsxCbtqOe5enK-MUwFFtO8sgkGCJoffkcT7putc" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><div style="text-align: center;">came across this from Discover Music<a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/songs-about-the-moon-20-essential-tracks/">: Songs About The Moon: 20 Essential Tracks For Lunar-Ticks</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Evergreen hits and great cover versions to make a playlist</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Moon, the astronomical body that orbits Earth, is one of the most inspirational objects for human creativity. It has inspired words from Shakespeare, Wordsworth, and Joyce, and paintings from Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Magritte. There have also been songs about the Moon, by artists including <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/the-beatles/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">The Beatles</a></strong> (“Mr. Moonlight”), <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/the-rolling-stones/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">The Rolling Stones</a></strong> (“Moon Is Up”) and <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/pink-floyd/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Pink Floyd</a></strong> (<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/rediscover-pink-floyds-the-dark-side-of-the-moon/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">”The Dark Side Of the Moon”</a></strong>).</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As well as prompting evergreen hits such as “Fly Me To the Moon,” the Moon has been the subject of comedy songs (Laurel And Hardy’s “Lazy Moon,” The Stargazers’ No.1 60s hit, “I See the Moon”), political songs (Gil Scott-Heron’s “Whitey On The Moon”) and numerous instrumentals (Enya’s “Moon Shepherdess”). The Moon and outer space are often used in ballads to provide the imagery expressing the enormity of emotion. In 1960, Mel Tormé went as far as to record a whole album for Verve based on moon songs, called <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Swingin’ On The Moon</em>.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/carpenters/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Carpenters</a></strong> even recorded a song in 1976, <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/carpenters-meet-prog/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">”Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft”</a></strong>, which aimed to send out a telepathic message to visitors from outer space. The thought of the loneliness of interstellar travel inspired <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/david-bowie/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">David Bowie</a></strong> to write “Space Oddity” and led to <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/elton-john/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Elton John</a></strong> and Bernie Taupin’s <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/elton-john-little-big-town-many-missions-rocket-man/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">“Rocket Man”</a></strong>.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: initial;">As the world celebrates the anniversary of the Moon landing of July 20, 1969, we honor those astral explorers with our pick of the 20 best songs about the Moon and space travel. Some of your favorites – such as Simon And Garfunkel’s “Song About The Moon” – may have just missed out, so let us know in the comments if there are any songs that should have been on board.</span></p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">20: “The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress” (Glen Campbell, 1974)</span></h2><p style="border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/jimmy-webb-great-americana-songbook/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Jimmy Webb</a></strong> is one of the great modern songwriters and his song “The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress” is a shining example of his lyrical prowess: “Though she looks as warm as gold/The Moon’s a harsh mistress/The Moon can be so cold.” Numerous star performers have covered Webb’s moon song, including Judy Collins, Linda Ronstadt, Joan Baez and <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/joe-cocker/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Joe Cocker</a></strong>. The definitive version, though, was the one by <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/glen-campbell/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Glen Campbell</a></strong> for his 1974 album <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Reunion: The Songs Of Jimmy Webb</em>.</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">19: “Moon At The Window” (Joni Mitchell, 1983)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/joni-mitchell/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Joni Mitchell</a></strong> said that, though some critics dismissed “Moon At The Window’ as “eccentric,” she thought that in the song she had “gone closer to jazz than I have ever gone while working harmonically outside the laws of jazz.” Wayne Shorter plays some intimate soprano saxophone on a track that took its name from the Zen poetry of Ryoken (“The thief left it behind: the moon at my window”). The song appeared on Mitchell”s 1983 album, <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wild Things Run Fast</em>.</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">18: “Once In A Very Blue Moon” (Nanci Griffith, 1984)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pat Algar is a respected country music songwriter whose compositions have been covered by The Everly Brothers, Garth Brooks and Crystal Gayle. One of his sweetest songs proved a seminal one for Nanci Griffith, when she recorded “Once In A Very Blue Moon,” the title track of her 1984 album. She later named her orchestra after the song. “Once In A Very Blue Moon” has been covered by Mary Black and Dolly Parton.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Moon is an inspirational object for country musicians, and other leading country songs about the Moon include ones by <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/hank-williams/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Hank Williams</a></strong> (“Howlin’ At The Moon”), Lyle Lovett (“Moon On My Shoulder”) Patty Griffin (“Moon Song”) and Dar Williams (“Calling The Moon”).</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">17: “Drunk On The Moon” (Tom Waits, 1974)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It is no surprise that <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/tom-waits/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Tom Waits</a></strong> has come up with original songs about the Moon, including “Grapefruit Moon.” Perhaps his best is “Drunk On The Moon,” which was recorded for the 1974 album <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Heart Of Saturday Night</em>. The jazzy, late-night atmosphere of the song complements inventive lyrics (“The Moon’s a silver slipper/It’s pouring champagne stars”) and the track features fine playing from tenor saxophonist Pete Christlieb, who played with Louie Bellson, <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/chet-baker-life-legacy/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Chet Baker</a></strong> and <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/count-basie/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Count Basie</a></strong>. “Drunk On The Moon” was inspired by The Terminal bar in Denver, Colorado. “There’s all different kinds of moons – silver slipper moons and there’s cue ball moons and there’s buttery moons and moons that are all melted off to one side, and “Drunk On The Moon” is about a muscatel moon,” said Waits.</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">16: “Shame On The Moon” (Bob Seger, 1982)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The first version of “Shame On The Moon” was cut by its creator Rodney Crowell (with wife <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/rosanne-cash/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Rosanne Cash</a></strong> singing harmony vocals). The song later became a massive hit for <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/in-depth-features/detroit-music-history/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Detroit</a></strong> musician Bob Seger and his Silver Bullet Band. It was used as the single to promote his 1982 album <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Distance</em>, and the track features a sparkling piano solo by Little Feat member Bill Payne. “It’s like a cowboy song and the track is flawless, the best and tightest track on the album,” said Seger. “We cut it in like two hours, and everyone decided it was the miracle track. But then we had to decide whether to use it or not because <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Distance</em> was going to be a real rock album… the next the next thing we know, the Capitol Records guys are saying, ‘That’s the single!’ I’m beholden to Rodney for writing it.”</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">15: “An Ending (Ascent)” (Brian Eno, 1983)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/brian-eno/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Brian Eno</a></strong>’s landmark album <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Apollo: Atmospheres And Soundtracks</em> is being reissued, with an additional album’s worth of new recordings, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Apollo 11</em> moon landing. The songs from <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Apollo</em>, originally released in 1983, have featured in films, television shows and commercials. “An Ending (Ascent)” was used in the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony. Among the new tracks on the 2019 release is a composition by Roger Eno called “Under The Moon.”</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">14: “Moonlight Serenade” (Glenn Miller, 1939)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Glenn Miller’s famous swing ballad “Moonlight Serenade” turned 80 in April 2019, and the bandleader’s signature tune is one of the most instantly recognisable melodies in popular music. Mitchell Parish subsequently wrote song lyrics – “I stand at your gate/And the song that I sing is of moonlight” – which were recorded by <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/frank-sinatra/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Frank Sinatra</a></strong> for a whole album of moon songs (<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Moonlight Sinatra</em>, 1965). However, it is the instrumental version of Miller’s classic that endures. Other jazz musicians have been inspired to write and perform songs about the Moon, including <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/duke-ellington/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Duke Ellington</a></strong> (“Moon Mist”) and <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/miles-davis/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Miles Davis</a></strong> (“Moon Dreams”), <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/louis-armstrong/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Louis Armstrong</a></strong> and <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/oscar-peterson/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Oscar Peterson</a></strong> (“Moon Song”), and Stéphane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt (“Moonglow”).</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">13: “Pink Moon” (Nick Drake, 1972)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/nick-drake/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Nick Drake</a></strong> played acoustic guitar and the minimalist piano solo on “Pink Moon,” the title track from <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/pink-moon-nick-drake/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">his 1972 album</a></strong>, but his pretty solo seems out of kilter with the darkness of his lyrics: “Saw it written and I saw it say/Pink moon is on its way/And none of you stand so tall/Pink moon gonna get ye all.” This two-minute gem was written at a time when he was suffering from depression and living in a small flat in London’s Haverstock Hill. The pink – or blood – moon has been referenced as an evil portent since The Book Of Revelation and seemed to be Drake’s prophecy of dark days to come. It also provided inspiration for Sidney Bechet’s passionately expansive solo on “Blood On The Moon,” which was composed in the studio just before recording.</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">12: “Walking On the Moon” (The Police, 1979)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/sting/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Sting</a></strong>’s memorable song, which he said came to him as a riff one night when he was drunk in Munich, went straight to No.1 in December 1979. The success of the single was helped by a lively music video that had been filmed a couple of months before, at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The video features <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/the-police/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">The Police</a></strong> miming to the track in among spacecraft displays, interspersed with NASA footage; Stewart Copeland played drumsticks on a Saturn V moon rocket. A new version of “Walking On The Moon” appears on Sting’s <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/sting-my-songs-album-track-by-track/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">My Songs</a></strong></em> album, which the singer described as “reconstructed” versions of his hits, “with a contemporary focus.”</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">11: “Man On The Moon” (R.E.M., 1992)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Man On The Moon,” which appeared on <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/r-e-m/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">R.E.M.</a></strong>’s eighth album, <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/behind-the-albums/r-e-m-automatic-for-the-people/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Automatic For The People</a></strong>,</em> was a massive hit in 1992 and remains one of R.E.M.’s most popular tunes. It is the only entry in this list of songs about the Moon to deal with the conspiracy theories about the 1969 moon landing being faked. Mike Mills, who was credited as a co-writer of “Man On The Moon,” said that they had deliberately written about Andy Kaufman in the song because of odd theories that the comedian had faked his death. “He’s the perfect ghost to lead you through this tour of questioning things,” Mills said in 2018. “Did the Moon landing really happen? Is <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/elvis-presley/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Elvis</a></strong> really dead? Kaufman was kind of an ephemeral figure at that point, so he was the perfect guy to tie all this stuff together as you journey through childhood and touchstones of life.”</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">10: “Moondance” (Van Morrison, 1970)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Though Van Morrison’s sparkling lyrics – “Can I just have one more moondance with you, my love” – are catchy, they were in fact written after the Belfast singer had composed the music. “With ‘Moondance,’ I wrote the melody first,” said Van Morrison in 1973. “I played the melody on a soprano sax and knew I had a song, so I wrote lyrics to go with the melody. For me, ‘Moondance’ is a sophisticated song. Frank Sinatra wouldn’t be out of place singing that.” For the recording, incidentally, Morrison handed over saxophone duties to the late Jack Schroer.</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">9: “Blue Moon Of Kentucky” (Elvis Presley, 1954)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When Bill Monroe recorded a version of his own song “Blue Moon Of Kentucky” in 1946, he cut it as a slow waltz. Eight years later, a young Elvis Presley was larking about in Sun Studios with guitarist Scotty Moore and bass player Bill Black. “We’re taking a little break and Bill starts beating on the bass and singing ‘Blue Moon Of Kentucky,’ mocking Bill Monroe, singing the high falsetto voice. Elvis joins in with him, starts playing and singing along with him,” recalled Moore. Producer Sam Phillips recognised the potential of their interpretation and told them to record it as an upbeat, blues-based tune. “Blue Moon Of Kentucky,” which was released as a 7” single on 19 July 1954 – just 12 days after being recorded – was an instant hit.</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">8: “Moonshadow” (Cat Stevens, 1970)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/cat-stevens/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Cat Stevens</a></strong> is a master of memorable images, and he said that his favorite of all the songs he has written was “Moonshadow,” which was released as a single in September 1970, ahead of its inclusion on the album <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Teaser And The Firecat</em>. Stevens grew up in the bustling Holborn area of central London and said that it was an experience on holiday that prompted him to write this song of hope. “In the West End of London there were bright lights, so I never got to see the Moon on its own in the dark, there were always streetlamps,” said the man now known as Yusuf Islam. “So there I was on the edge of the water on a beautiful night with the Moon glowing, and suddenly I looked down and saw my shadow. I thought that was so cool, I’d never seen it before.”</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">7: “Moon River” (Sarah Vaughan, 1963)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Though Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer’s delightfully romantic song “Moon River” will forever be associated with Audrey Hepburn’s version in the 1961 movie <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Breakfast At Tiffany</em>’s, the Oscar- and Grammy-winning song was later covered by some of the greatest singers of modern popular music, including Judy Garland, Aretha Franklin, <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/rod-stewart/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Rod Stewart</a></strong> and <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/amy-winehouse/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Amy Winehouse</a></strong>. There is a great version by Sarah Vaughan on the 1963 <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/in-depth-features/verve-the-sound-of-america/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Verve Records</a></strong> album <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sarah Vaughan Sings The Mancini Songbook</em>. If you want a moving version by a male singer, then check out <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/louis-armstrong/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Louis Armstrong</a></strong>’s interpretation, late in his life, on the album <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hello, Dolly!</em> His trumpet solo is sweet – as is the instrumental jazz version by Dizzy Gillespie. The song’s enduring appeal was demonstrated in 2018 with a fine version by Frank Ocean.</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">6: “How High The Moon” (Les Paul And Mary Ford, 1951)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The jazz standard “How High The Moon” was written by Morgan Lewis and lyricist Nancy Hamilton for the 1940 Broadway drama <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Two For The Show</em>. Benny Goodman recorded the first instrumental version, but the classic version was by <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/les-paul-mary-ford-les-and-mary-album/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Les Paul and Mary Ford</a></strong> for Capitol Records in January 1951. The husband-and-wife recording spent nine weeks at No.1 on the <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Billboard</em> chart and showcases the intricate, vibrant style of playing that made Paul such an influential guitarist. There have been hundreds of cover versions, in a range of genres and styles, including versions by Chet Baker (jazz), <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/marvin-gaye/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Marvin Gaye</a></strong> (soul), Gloria Gaynor (disco) and Emmylou Harris (country).</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">5: “Bad Moon Rising” (Creedence Clearwater Revival, 1969)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As well as being a symbol of romance and mystery, the Moon can also be a portent of doom. When author Christopher Isherwood was making a living as scriptwriter at MGM in Hollywood in the 30s, he wrote a line into the 1941 Ingrid Bergman thriller <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rage In Heaven</em> about the bad vibes from the astronomical body: “The Moon. It’s staring at me, like a great eye.” Another bleak Hollywood movie, <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Devil And Daniel Webster</em>, inspired John Fogerty to compose “Bad Moon Rising,” which features lyrics about the “the apocalypse that was going to be visited upon us.” “Bad Moon Rising” is well suited to the soundtrack of the comedy-horror <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">An American Werewolf In London</em> (1981) and the song has been covered by Jerry Lee Lewis and Emmylou Harris.</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">4: “Blue Moon” (Billie Holiday, 1952)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Blue Moon” evolved as a song from the MGM soundtrack-writing system, with Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart penning the final version for a Clark Gable film called <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Manhattan Melodrama</em>. The beautiful lyrics – “Blue moon/You saw me standing alone/Without a dream in my heart/Without a love of my own” – are tailor-made for any skilled vocalist to interpret. One of the finest versions was by <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/billie-holiday/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Billie Holiday</a></strong> for Verve (with backing from jazz greats such as Barney Kessel on guitar, Ray Brown on bass and <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/oscar-peterson/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Oscar Peterson</a></strong> on piano). It is such a magnificent song that you could take your pick of versions by other artists, including Elvis Presley, Mel Tormé, <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/ella-fitzgerald/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Ella Fitzgerald</a></strong> and <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/dean-martin/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Dean Martin</a></strong>. The excellent <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/beck//" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Beck</a></strong> song about loneliness, “Blue Moon,” tips a nod to Rodgers and Hart by using the same song title.</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">3: “Fly Me To The Moon” (Frank Sinatra, 1964)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When songwriter Bart Howard first came up with the lyrics for his magnificent standard “Fly Me To The Moon” he originally titled the song “In Other Words.” There have been so many brilliant versions of “Fly Me To The Moon” that it would be impossible to pick the very finest, but among the best interpretations are those by Doris Day, Anita O’Day, Astrud Gilberto, <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/nat-king-cole/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Nat “King” Cole</a></strong> and <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/julie-london/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Julie London</a></strong>. The most famous, however, is Frank Sinatra’s 1964 recording. Sinatra’s version was played on the <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Apollo 10</em> mission which orbited the Moon in May 1969. The song was also rumored to have been the first music ever heard on the Moon itself, when it was reportedly played on a portable cassette player by <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Apollo 11</em> astronaut Buzz Aldrin, after he stepped on the Moon’s surface. Aldrin later said he could not remember for sure, however.</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">2: “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)” (Elton John, 1972)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/elton-john/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Elton John</a></strong> said he was “blown away” by David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” and credited it as a major inspiration. So when Bernie Taupin came up with his own interstellar travel song – partly inspired by a short story in Ray Bradbury’s book <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Illustrated Man</em> – John leapt at the chance to record “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time).” John even used Bowie’s producer – former <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/in-depth-features/decca-records-label-history/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Decca Records</a></strong> man Gus Dudgeon – to be the controller on the ground for his inclusion in this list of songs about the Moon. In 2016, following Bowie’s death, John played an instrumental version of “Space Oddity,” which he then segued into his own hit “Rocket Man.” John’s song, which has been downloaded nearly half a million times, provided the title for <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/elton-john-facts-rocketman-movie/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(183, 31, 37); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 2px; box-shadow: none; color: black; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.25s ease 0s, background 0.25s ease 0s, opacity 0.25s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">the hit 2019 biopic</a></strong> about the singer’s life.</p><h2 style="backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: tex_gyre_adventorbold, sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">1: “Space Oddity” (David Bowie, 1969)</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Space Oddity” was rushed out as a single on July 11, 1969, five days before the <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Apollo 11</em> launch, and nine days before Neil Armstrong became the first man on the Moon. David Bowie’s main inspiration was the film <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2001: A Space Odyssey</em>, and his song is full of eerie, melancholy lyrics about a Major Tom who is stranded in space: “Here am I floating round my tin can/Far above the Moon/Planet Earth is blue/And there’s nothing I can do.”</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "PT Serif", sans-serif; line-height: 1.55; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The song was actually played by the BBC during its coverage of the <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Apollo</em> launch. “I’m sure the BBC really weren’t listening to the lyric at all,” said Bowie. “It wasn’t a pleasant thing to juxtapose against a moon landing. Of course, I was overjoyed that they did.” Bowie would later revisit his Major Tom character in “Ashes To Ashes” and “Hallo Spaceboy.”</p></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-6606207206402833162023-08-29T06:45:00.185-04:002023-09-14T17:38:56.867-04:00August 2023 Cruise - Thousand Islands to Bluffers Park<p>The second leg of our cruise the weather was more conducive to anchoring, and so we did! Although wind direction chased us from Brakey Bay, and strong winds kept us at the dock in Ganonoque, Yondering spent most nights comfortably swinging on the hook.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6Y_ir1gtre1aeVWSH1Fu_obcNr3ywlwZyVdxTk_LH6-36EcYt92Y17-tAE5QWnWjhkW7v5ppivnITIYBezDiE7TvQvosdwFkNVUs8YHLauuaFNcJp_UzlpmkWDMIoPU8nEYWcUX2zMA9OMilhCwCsGVDhyqvp049RrjVyHeRkUt0mcN4Eg77xV7CNes/s4032/35AB937F-275D-4F51-87DF-45E00F680339_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6Y_ir1gtre1aeVWSH1Fu_obcNr3ywlwZyVdxTk_LH6-36EcYt92Y17-tAE5QWnWjhkW7v5ppivnITIYBezDiE7TvQvosdwFkNVUs8YHLauuaFNcJp_UzlpmkWDMIoPU8nEYWcUX2zMA9OMilhCwCsGVDhyqvp049RrjVyHeRkUt0mcN4Eg77xV7CNes/w320-h240/35AB937F-275D-4F51-87DF-45E00F680339_1_201_a.heic" width="320" /></a></div><p>I love being at anchor when the conditions are right. The gentle swing of the boat in the water and the ease of a quick swim. Sunrise and sunset are gorgeous, with an uncrowded sky above. I tried to absorb those moments doing Qigong on the bow of the boat as the sun rose. Such a beautiful experience.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikPL6J7b3T_RLppr8O267-As0FJYRn_rDK92BH5FE31p5WFFTFPSm9nFs4bvbQgPPq0hBSIh_IgpSkxr9N6GHhAYSF-QxefZfrQdpqYQuXT2Yi5RSerVQCIKbh9O5DFWVEj8lXkyFrlFgpWIyvRpO3ALZyKEwQEK2FVOKG--Ui1M1TB77vpLJqxzJz4I/s4032/2EA04316-AFEE-41E1-9774-D97A653526F4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikPL6J7b3T_RLppr8O267-As0FJYRn_rDK92BH5FE31p5WFFTFPSm9nFs4bvbQgPPq0hBSIh_IgpSkxr9N6GHhAYSF-QxefZfrQdpqYQuXT2Yi5RSerVQCIKbh9O5DFWVEj8lXkyFrlFgpWIyvRpO3ALZyKEwQEK2FVOKG--Ui1M1TB77vpLJqxzJz4I/w200-h150/2EA04316-AFEE-41E1-9774-D97A653526F4.jpeg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgHWrcUb9i-FFX34Q767KDkp1I0s8mtA3grOTPktzbBvWhwlXBjNz9MGhofJBtDxZXrD1cm-KHI2-2bW14AQeTD6tXn9IXZbCUSBMtRL55SiK8TWEiw3ZhsKCLc6-sAO9pVTdYwTydYuszV-C382x2Hr-j4_xX_VgTYiG-TOCPMqUwT7lqz0YhXqDcf8/s4032/70D8B5E9-F68F-476E-B664-F64D2A739045.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgHWrcUb9i-FFX34Q767KDkp1I0s8mtA3grOTPktzbBvWhwlXBjNz9MGhofJBtDxZXrD1cm-KHI2-2bW14AQeTD6tXn9IXZbCUSBMtRL55SiK8TWEiw3ZhsKCLc6-sAO9pVTdYwTydYuszV-C382x2Hr-j4_xX_VgTYiG-TOCPMqUwT7lqz0YhXqDcf8/w200-h150/70D8B5E9-F68F-476E-B664-F64D2A739045.heic" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>The Thousand Islands were well travelled - we attempted to drop anchor at Beau Rivage but it was too crowded, so we headed back Gan. We needed a few provisions anyhow (ice was $5.30 a bag!!). When we were at our dock a 24' sailboat tied up next to us. She was a mom travelling with two kids, aged 8 and 16. I was very impressed! Turns out Tanya sailed out of Oakville this year but was switching to Loyalist Marina for Haul Out, to avoid the long voyage from west of Toronto all the way East. It is a particularly long stretch to Cobourg, even for us, and we're closer by several ports.</p><p>The cost of a mooring ball in the Thousand Islands was only $20, a third of the price of a regular dock. If you are staying a week, the Park Pass makes it even more affordable. We moored at Endymion Island. Although it had closed its trail to protect native plants, there was plenty of flora and fauna to see. Literally. A fawn came out to peek from shore one day in the morning and that same evening, to enjoy the view of the lake and the breeze. We took in the sights as well, and dinghied over to Camelot to breathe in the cedar forest and crouch to admire the mushrooms. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCXcnnxvomsO_kV1C3zMc3XhXXXLDhQcDKjxdTzLP1IR8KUPh2LGCmBvw4l-i_HEtmwhTFn1lWTYpd-kor3U8rty6cDTvKb6EdbhmGqzlqpTXhqWJyRRrkxyO67LNHF865v-jBZ40wwIf1cFwKpOqx6jYc3Ki4-fxxq_0VG9k4yqMXbJTyupHFcbAGyY/s4032/8D8EA953-5319-4E52-A5DF-DDD66A75A081.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCXcnnxvomsO_kV1C3zMc3XhXXXLDhQcDKjxdTzLP1IR8KUPh2LGCmBvw4l-i_HEtmwhTFn1lWTYpd-kor3U8rty6cDTvKb6EdbhmGqzlqpTXhqWJyRRrkxyO67LNHF865v-jBZ40wwIf1cFwKpOqx6jYc3Ki4-fxxq_0VG9k4yqMXbJTyupHFcbAGyY/w150-h200/8D8EA953-5319-4E52-A5DF-DDD66A75A081.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8O5JSRi5_CYC8f_4Fzx_Ig49v1ASyj8uxrMn89vfiV9sd9nh-wflvrHW-FE6sMNeeddDvGo6LBgwscogjgJAsYVORCbvw-FhLwyxrM2tIhkiR_WC3OyOK9i1RF9DKdtSTEtTFS3Tc-2ei7bAQnHrBQY_Q4X5v9TGZRIbumyPFiW5AR-bM16hZPG4ODv8/s4032/BE08376C-4D1F-4E39-8598-44D6AAA06B14.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8O5JSRi5_CYC8f_4Fzx_Ig49v1ASyj8uxrMn89vfiV9sd9nh-wflvrHW-FE6sMNeeddDvGo6LBgwscogjgJAsYVORCbvw-FhLwyxrM2tIhkiR_WC3OyOK9i1RF9DKdtSTEtTFS3Tc-2ei7bAQnHrBQY_Q4X5v9TGZRIbumyPFiW5AR-bM16hZPG4ODv8/w150-h200/BE08376C-4D1F-4E39-8598-44D6AAA06B14.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhD0pKK8Y_Qrpk4_v8LOxF1Wx-fBgKkKg_Jak1qoEwEhnEtyLy9W1zTAOKi5BQfppvV5kBPOwBDBWD7dFd8paviXLrYR79R_4wuzYFXjnXMyxZ5afcVZlf4bc4j90nQ4Sw6Bp2W4ouC72EbQEf8E_QzXvKzKMT0vxPC2YnfY3ACJnlOEloE_Tvb8WyKbc/s4032/21A7845E-77A2-4DF5-93FE-62DB4F097CB6.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhD0pKK8Y_Qrpk4_v8LOxF1Wx-fBgKkKg_Jak1qoEwEhnEtyLy9W1zTAOKi5BQfppvV5kBPOwBDBWD7dFd8paviXLrYR79R_4wuzYFXjnXMyxZ5afcVZlf4bc4j90nQ4Sw6Bp2W4ouC72EbQEf8E_QzXvKzKMT0vxPC2YnfY3ACJnlOEloE_Tvb8WyKbc/w150-h200/21A7845E-77A2-4DF5-93FE-62DB4F097CB6.heic" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Caroline and Dennis were with us at Endymion. Our last night we were invited on board Ruby Tuesday for a simple dinner of cheese fondue. A very tasty treat, and a perfect boat meal because the foil package doesn't need to be refrigerated (downside being the fondue set, which has to be stored away somewhere). They are planning to get married in Half Moon Bay on September 9, so romantic.</div><p></p><p>Our first night anchoring in Stella Bay was a sleepless one. Someone in the Bay had put out lots of road (chain and line for the anchor), so they were swinging rather wide. In the middle of the night, we ended up moving further from them as a precaution. Not easy to lay your anchor in the dark with other boats around. We tried two places before settling. Rob kept watch, and then I did my turn. We stayed a second night in the same spot, knowing we were well set. Stella is great for grabbing ice and general provisions in the store, and there's a little restaurant to grab a burger or sandwich. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-HaGi-5o30uRaXStlgN11TFIZ0lqe1ybaR0HAf6Ic80jkQMOyV46RvJ2PBbYZdWZCx7UjjgC-S9CdaLMVXj7xn4NzxVAVqUE-EoiqAZD12M2IlXIs8rpUnAL19Z4K5d__pPsozAfSZv4vES5_FvEX_L91Mq-XHbyL5G_B5AWLqA5vUg4PCrn9gsVe-o/s4032/BE871D1E-2FA6-43C5-8595-B870F9522894.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-HaGi-5o30uRaXStlgN11TFIZ0lqe1ybaR0HAf6Ic80jkQMOyV46RvJ2PBbYZdWZCx7UjjgC-S9CdaLMVXj7xn4NzxVAVqUE-EoiqAZD12M2IlXIs8rpUnAL19Z4K5d__pPsozAfSZv4vES5_FvEX_L91Mq-XHbyL5G_B5AWLqA5vUg4PCrn9gsVe-o/w150-h200/BE871D1E-2FA6-43C5-8595-B870F9522894.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3rPX4u9J0Xv8931gPtnCoeWtoFnDXLHz9oCUuaGWgJ0GKseIEjN0vLlHIbLjVeSf2DHSGObQN9lxvy05Ox0DvmZ4Wr5enzzPwKQia28scRLjMh2aoT_GrHOWBGgL37WUDDMTIxuluLoASScCF3Rcn6vqvlIWpMlofaVRw4QzmZ0nN7lvSRuyialbQXM/s4032/CD38A8E4-49AD-4E32-A959-1522BC6980F6.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3rPX4u9J0Xv8931gPtnCoeWtoFnDXLHz9oCUuaGWgJ0GKseIEjN0vLlHIbLjVeSf2DHSGObQN9lxvy05Ox0DvmZ4Wr5enzzPwKQia28scRLjMh2aoT_GrHOWBGgL37WUDDMTIxuluLoASScCF3Rcn6vqvlIWpMlofaVRw4QzmZ0nN7lvSRuyialbQXM/w200-h150/CD38A8E4-49AD-4E32-A959-1522BC6980F6.heic" width="200" /></a></div><p>I had to get home for some appointments (dental surgery!), so we started heading west in earnest. Some long days: 9.5 hours motoring from Stella to Big Sandy Bay; then 6 to tying up along the Murray; another 5 to Cobourg. The conditions were great for our trip home from Cobourg to Bluffers, so we decided to do it all in one day. Ten hours motoring at 5.7 nautical miles per hour. The engine behaved! The whole trip! No tows, no sputters. How fabulous!</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOEpDwtFAFzYjR1rU0DxCx22xDZd1gW37gFO9hnxZ1z4jigZwPKCu3P03KODDbMG84gS-5fWTEUxg_LIoN_p7rfFxSC4tSqacX3RzTq8tuaVtmbAzSh6LTYtnVmD5ozZtclIaoAw3Z6UCg7_GP1zrEdDwrK0MThCbNHSYs_nHEtiLzOpGDV9ZnsJ8xbQ/s2589/1F2EA630-5550-44AB-9C46-F233E5E49A65_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1942" data-original-width="2589" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOEpDwtFAFzYjR1rU0DxCx22xDZd1gW37gFO9hnxZ1z4jigZwPKCu3P03KODDbMG84gS-5fWTEUxg_LIoN_p7rfFxSC4tSqacX3RzTq8tuaVtmbAzSh6LTYtnVmD5ozZtclIaoAw3Z6UCg7_GP1zrEdDwrK0MThCbNHSYs_nHEtiLzOpGDV9ZnsJ8xbQ/w200-h150/1F2EA630-5550-44AB-9C46-F233E5E49A65_1_201_a.heic" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_ISUVcBUc4NX1SzHz0B4adCdEhXnfRhJSQZPeLY8laVxMHzoALHVtfax0SZmnwLrUEo0BlmyU_RlVO9o5sPEJG0_dcuEhXEC174etjB0it-Fun838urjoxpxKbMJzPEu6DWJIBMTA7ve9zXeHRLprwlKhetqDGaWhD9lBkul55wKMkwD9Bb7FWFC_3U/s1440/B7D6C6CA-D5DD-480A-A40D-C4F935E56278.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_ISUVcBUc4NX1SzHz0B4adCdEhXnfRhJSQZPeLY8laVxMHzoALHVtfax0SZmnwLrUEo0BlmyU_RlVO9o5sPEJG0_dcuEhXEC174etjB0it-Fun838urjoxpxKbMJzPEu6DWJIBMTA7ve9zXeHRLprwlKhetqDGaWhD9lBkul55wKMkwD9Bb7FWFC_3U/w200-h150/B7D6C6CA-D5DD-480A-A40D-C4F935E56278.jpeg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mHPJ_8raU2C_ShJ6jEgF1gnvMw5OCZLfHwSd46JGaYOhNCsa5kcg64H3ouvF9Wl0LlUlm1Wvva-AIpkpa3nweqFWC74O0FoQmFG3zKi9zUwf5H6WiQn_zox3HGAp7VNGbmr5no6vjf8u2YTS6yk7PPNUrOHa7gxGgKNS0K-UPo56ejjmXVZzawA0Y6g/s2135/139189E2-E364-447C-AA72-5B13162E60F7_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2135" data-original-width="2103" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mHPJ_8raU2C_ShJ6jEgF1gnvMw5OCZLfHwSd46JGaYOhNCsa5kcg64H3ouvF9Wl0LlUlm1Wvva-AIpkpa3nweqFWC74O0FoQmFG3zKi9zUwf5H6WiQn_zox3HGAp7VNGbmr5no6vjf8u2YTS6yk7PPNUrOHa7gxGgKNS0K-UPo56ejjmXVZzawA0Y6g/w197-h200/139189E2-E364-447C-AA72-5B13162E60F7_1_201_a.heic" width="197" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After 28 days away, Griskit was very comfortable on board, but Rob and I were looking forward to seeing how she would react once we got back home. Would she wobble? Would she be overjoyed to be back on terra firma? She didn't protest when we put her in the carrying case, and hardly meowed at all in the car on the way home. Once there, she sprang out and ran around to sniff her pee mail and make sure her favourite haunts were as she left them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Lb3raTmDQ9Is4rG7WCJw3EtSQeyYVQQqFLYB_0jgWHSEM8LjRQAauft6Nsl_7c5RuOiAB12gttxLGDINoKtavJ83z4d54K9hpFGwRL2uNPJYdDHkX27F6mGhmwbixFcsY-G046MJk6cnhxVgF5xvDkex120FF3AqN3nnEfLFjivraTYhwFuLWnvK4KQ/s4032/9B04ABDD-EA4A-458A-90F1-D0CC5B33D1CD.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Lb3raTmDQ9Is4rG7WCJw3EtSQeyYVQQqFLYB_0jgWHSEM8LjRQAauft6Nsl_7c5RuOiAB12gttxLGDINoKtavJ83z4d54K9hpFGwRL2uNPJYdDHkX27F6mGhmwbixFcsY-G046MJk6cnhxVgF5xvDkex120FF3AqN3nnEfLFjivraTYhwFuLWnvK4KQ/w150-h200/9B04ABDD-EA4A-458A-90F1-D0CC5B33D1CD.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGcAKLMZBltfDfzPAmDi0ZEo9oB84OLBQo3to9e8-firvjX7F3ZtpKr1ynlMQ5Fl_qYmeTOhytfa6dRpgXo9vKc9j9w0cjylhyiVD8o3obILwu_EYwLNXSzC65GImMlEJCMGaniThukuyZjnNZcrJu9JcEak7HoPFNEBQoY3wSFIhsBQiL3Dmw8yB0Wc/s4032/4A7A2E4A-3500-4E7D-82C1-A1C78EA9BE9D.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGcAKLMZBltfDfzPAmDi0ZEo9oB84OLBQo3to9e8-firvjX7F3ZtpKr1ynlMQ5Fl_qYmeTOhytfa6dRpgXo9vKc9j9w0cjylhyiVD8o3obILwu_EYwLNXSzC65GImMlEJCMGaniThukuyZjnNZcrJu9JcEak7HoPFNEBQoY3wSFIhsBQiL3Dmw8yB0Wc/s320/4A7A2E4A-3500-4E7D-82C1-A1C78EA9BE9D.heic" width="320" /></a></div><p>I do love Yondering, but it <i>is </i>nice to be home, with the comforts of a real bed, the bidet toilet, a bathtub, and a refrigerator that even has ice! And of course, my garden. And reliable wifi. And Alex! And! And! And!</p><p style="text-align: right;"><b>Sail path</b></p><p style="text-align: right;">Thousand Islands to Bluffers Park (second leg)</p><div style="text-align: right;">@ anchor: 8</div><div style="text-align: right;">@ dock: 1 (zero reciprocals)</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">Brakey Bay (anchor 19th)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Ganonoque (dock 20th)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Endymion Island (anchor 21 and 22)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Stella Bay (anchor 23 and 24)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Big Sandy Bay (anchor 25)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Murray Canal (pier 26)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Cobourg (anchor 27)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Bluffers Park (at our dock by 5:30)</div><p style="text-align: right;">---</p><div style="text-align: right;">Bluffers Park to Kingston (first leg)</div><div style="text-align: right;">@ anchor: 6</div><div style="text-align: right;">Cobourg (anchor Aug 1, dock 2nd & 3rd)</div><div style="text-align: right;">@ dock: 13 (zero reciprocals!!)</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">Port Whitby Marina (dock July 31)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Trent Port Marine (dock 4th)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Glenn Island (anchor 5th)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Waupoos (dock at night 6, 7, 8 but with some days at anchor)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Waupoos, Van Deusen (anchor 9)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Waupoos (dock 10, 11, 12, 13)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Amherst Island, Wemps Bay (anchor 14)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Amherst Island, Amherst Bay (anchor 15)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Amherst Island, Stella Bay (anchor 16th)</div><div style="text-align: right;">Kingston, Treasure Island (dock 17th &18th)</div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-89353748550296514532023-08-19T10:37:00.031-04:002023-09-14T18:23:16.267-04:00Mawang Dui - Daoyin Shu Qigong<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxJfaTBCW_SA9iv7ndsPTPJuKSvr4lHqPAQjyNWCPCC4EB08PNxFMMm_uSxUZtl22Lwbzw4GDAlh-5WuabeRWQCDszs7y2pSDNL4uen04X08Fh8TllomEq3zkHJimPycx2TbgzrQ19YAo5oTrE0FwAb32U0Xsxh0AADFeycnNVndNzLvqjwIlNFltysrU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="735" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxJfaTBCW_SA9iv7ndsPTPJuKSvr4lHqPAQjyNWCPCC4EB08PNxFMMm_uSxUZtl22Lwbzw4GDAlh-5WuabeRWQCDszs7y2pSDNL4uen04X08Fh8TllomEq3zkHJimPycx2TbgzrQ19YAo5oTrE0FwAb32U0Xsxh0AADFeycnNVndNzLvqjwIlNFltysrU" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have seen this graphic before, knowing it was Qigong, but not understanding the significance. The figures are depicted on a scroll from the Han Dynasty(Taoist, 2th century BCE) and were excavated in 1973.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before leaving on the August cruise, I was starting to learn the sequence from the Ma Wang Dui silk paintings via <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaUlr6DSdB0&list=PLLwoNfHmTuN6MQDyVik9bwBtjg3sXMiSz&index=3&ab_channel=ChineseHealthQigongAssociation">You Tube </a>by following along. I also found a <a href="https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781787751408?gC=4cfad707612&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0IGnBhDUARIsAMwFDLkdCuInil31Ccbvpr_jbuBpuLtGM1_uQbNP9fxYu274l5Qb35wcTyMaAn2dEALw_wcB">book</a> in the library illustrating the sequence step by step, published by the Chinese Health Qigong association.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Not having wifi easily available on the cruise, I've been relying on the book and my memory, slowly memorizing the steps without being guided by a mirror image. Very challenging, mentally, to retain all the nuances while in flow. Let alone remember the order!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Qigong has been more convenient to do while travelling on the sailboat, not needing any equipment and minimal space. A work out for mind and body.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwNU_Yc9NCLCwLdGMZLAMEj1zIFoDWmUjGU3WmJENJVVKbOYs8uhL5vtHqEIOq_O4tv5Zfewp-oWA2xf7SnALrAL9UIUPU0g59Xsg-8n6i6Fc4RTB1X-9ircMHDsTZPyCXXhQJgspQa6oaiB1P-HS9_oA4XIfrQovwUzxPem-uXViv48KcJcYiCC2ZCU/s284/download-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="284" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwNU_Yc9NCLCwLdGMZLAMEj1zIFoDWmUjGU3WmJENJVVKbOYs8uhL5vtHqEIOq_O4tv5Zfewp-oWA2xf7SnALrAL9UIUPU0g59Xsg-8n6i6Fc4RTB1X-9ircMHDsTZPyCXXhQJgspQa6oaiB1P-HS9_oA4XIfrQovwUzxPem-uXViv48KcJcYiCC2ZCU/s1600/download-4.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>Initial Stance</li><li>Starting Stance</li><li>Drawing a Bow</li><li>Stretching the Back</li><li>Wild Duck Swimming</li><li>Dragon Flying</li><li>Bird Spreading its Wings</li><li>Stretching the Abdomen</li><li>Wild Hawk Glaring</li><li>Stretching the Waist</li><li>Wild Goose Flying</li><li>Crane Dancing</li><li>Exhaling with Head Raised</li><li>Body Bending</li><li>Ending Stance</li></ol></div></div><p></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-30670339003481825992023-08-18T11:43:00.057-04:002023-09-01T06:45:01.797-04:00August 2023 Cruise - Toronto to Kingston<p>Rob and I headed east, departing BPYC on July 31. </p><p>Great weather, actually sailing, and in the evenings watching a full moonrise from the boat.</p><p>Our cat Griskit has joined us. Cruising with a cat is new to us ad she is quite the diversion. Although she's not in her element, she hasn't been getting seasick. She mostly spends her time below deck, but sometimes comes up when we're under sail. Evenings she is quite comfortable on top. When we're tied to dock we usually keep her on a leash when she is out of the cabin, but one calm night anchored at Stella she spent the whole evening on deck, free to roam, as we slept below. She is weathering the storms and bumpy crossings quite well but does occasionally get a really pissed off look on her furry face!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7_G7aMTxkX7sPMd7_uOFuKCC1mgokZNpx42LdP0Z_YFCIpCCMmf-TrojEl1zmvYm9t2IIpSJzJTnxQMWUN7YndKL7XsgJUsZdk77X6Mm8mshTNuQWumsxCYXFaMQJPGoEV-CFgQqEU77Li1C9UAaMKQswFCOBTHCv7qbshquItwXiJVCrRu7FSOudCg/s3303/D4B6FEAB-8413-40E7-A9FD-190B5318D2B8_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3303" data-original-width="2963" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7_G7aMTxkX7sPMd7_uOFuKCC1mgokZNpx42LdP0Z_YFCIpCCMmf-TrojEl1zmvYm9t2IIpSJzJTnxQMWUN7YndKL7XsgJUsZdk77X6Mm8mshTNuQWumsxCYXFaMQJPGoEV-CFgQqEU77Li1C9UAaMKQswFCOBTHCv7qbshquItwXiJVCrRu7FSOudCg/w179-h200/D4B6FEAB-8413-40E7-A9FD-190B5318D2B8_1_201_a.heic" width="179" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PBWC_br-xfCWpd3aS3j1TVSFwA0H8fQadG05j7HZ1gKeFUHLkvfaUt5g5Nr7w4_pCgeZtD-dqWZQTckdfM1f1k5-aIgvFWPjnMtwJU875118KhaPddDMW2PoQX37HCyOocT4cOOkCKpHB2UJYV_3kFoMc0tsAaBjjAw367Iv0pQffIK9TvcmyBSxXmg/s2352/A70B287D-6280-46B9-8E0A-8E3D092C68E1_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2168" data-original-width="2352" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PBWC_br-xfCWpd3aS3j1TVSFwA0H8fQadG05j7HZ1gKeFUHLkvfaUt5g5Nr7w4_pCgeZtD-dqWZQTckdfM1f1k5-aIgvFWPjnMtwJU875118KhaPddDMW2PoQX37HCyOocT4cOOkCKpHB2UJYV_3kFoMc0tsAaBjjAw367Iv0pQffIK9TvcmyBSxXmg/w200-h184/A70B287D-6280-46B9-8E0A-8E3D092C68E1_1_201_a.heic" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlZV3N2poACvZRM-JRoxEf6x3BDPL2dnzlgvQFDnmmrg_k6S1G37yIFz_GgMPEcnZPeS2DLOURJmRdwmsradcwD2gU7KRzhEEjjuJ8XaRRVLj-DKfXxOfA_SqSiRXjN3LWeLfG5vX5Ah2cDICg87p8_Q-cETPY9cGq-W4xT6TkUbPa3ldIyYcuunTRKE/s4032/962A628A-0A37-462D-ABF7-58BC38785203.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlZV3N2poACvZRM-JRoxEf6x3BDPL2dnzlgvQFDnmmrg_k6S1G37yIFz_GgMPEcnZPeS2DLOURJmRdwmsradcwD2gU7KRzhEEjjuJ8XaRRVLj-DKfXxOfA_SqSiRXjN3LWeLfG5vX5Ah2cDICg87p8_Q-cETPY9cGq-W4xT6TkUbPa3ldIyYcuunTRKE/w200-h150/962A628A-0A37-462D-ABF7-58BC38785203.heic" width="200" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Rob and I took our time getting to Waupoos through the Bay of Quinte. After six nights, we finally arrived! Then eight nights in Waupoos. Lots of stormy weather, so we were often tied to the dock overnight. Summer storms are best enjoyed in a safe port; watching lightning and listening to rumbling thunder bring their own pleasure. <div><br /></div><div>The first big stormy night in Waupoos Rob served up cocktails to Aldo, Alex, Caroline, Dennis and I before dinner on Caroline's Mainship. Martinis, cuba libra, rye and ginger ale. It was fun having company after a week as a twosome. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLMMKxZrCvqquj1yzJyIVIRgOs3_xF89qb-_aqNrgx_gvS4XYgA0qCUD5Y5O5BNr1Qgql7s7PpQr_t8Too7Yo3S44seUaVVpz8V6BMCqSJW9B_PaHpR6inOhjP8lKHyDG04WuYUssxvSkspW6YMfc16C2zFYojoIrlNCTCZhb9t4EQJ5PHWq8Dx7HEFE/s896/ABA39A71-25E0-47E6-86D7-0BBB3BB459D1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="414" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLMMKxZrCvqquj1yzJyIVIRgOs3_xF89qb-_aqNrgx_gvS4XYgA0qCUD5Y5O5BNr1Qgql7s7PpQr_t8Too7Yo3S44seUaVVpz8V6BMCqSJW9B_PaHpR6inOhjP8lKHyDG04WuYUssxvSkspW6YMfc16C2zFYojoIrlNCTCZhb9t4EQJ5PHWq8Dx7HEFE/w93-h200/ABA39A71-25E0-47E6-86D7-0BBB3BB459D1.jpeg" width="93" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6QPXcxRgrTK7G9Hesjm439BYFZMzpy9gsszyoydmWfZMdfBSIaLvaSCPFW_DYlrduC_NxFCV5QF0B3-_jaSQN0O-zHFKw8lauspURNVVBvMQAaoJHRu8Fvu10fFJoY8p4eN_lsf1YumwfToVw_-P7v49udZLnSRAciSdWFTXWKt6ahGSkzWsFZQR_-I/s4032/5293CB44-EB53-45B9-8C08-FA59A033A28D.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6QPXcxRgrTK7G9Hesjm439BYFZMzpy9gsszyoydmWfZMdfBSIaLvaSCPFW_DYlrduC_NxFCV5QF0B3-_jaSQN0O-zHFKw8lauspURNVVBvMQAaoJHRu8Fvu10fFJoY8p4eN_lsf1YumwfToVw_-P7v49udZLnSRAciSdWFTXWKt6ahGSkzWsFZQR_-I/w200-h150/5293CB44-EB53-45B9-8C08-FA59A033A28D.heic" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5Fel1B3ohtOBW_Xg8DBuAOG5pUnGdLgVwrGcdr9PBk762EWFR9FhhkrwvwM-YmjUSHzZuFoOACG9_3kk5QmctOHr0-dhTzweQWnLxlZPOVegUarqyt5LWWoKg85sASpfpat5SjEo3f01VctacqGCFTbaCCLr_EsfB7sfEnSjEBU9f5N1eePbzQ8Lvus/s4032/91F1BCE3-90FF-48FF-9553-EA2DE3F2CB7E.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5Fel1B3ohtOBW_Xg8DBuAOG5pUnGdLgVwrGcdr9PBk762EWFR9FhhkrwvwM-YmjUSHzZuFoOACG9_3kk5QmctOHr0-dhTzweQWnLxlZPOVegUarqyt5LWWoKg85sASpfpat5SjEo3f01VctacqGCFTbaCCLr_EsfB7sfEnSjEBU9f5N1eePbzQ8Lvus/w200-h150/91F1BCE3-90FF-48FF-9553-EA2DE3F2CB7E.heic" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Our nights on the dock in Waupoos Marina were spent next to Mustafa and Fegan. They had a Catalina as well, and we got to chatting and learned they spend winters in Botrum, (Turkey) and summer on their boat at Waupoos Marina. </span><span style="text-align: left;">We also bonded with cat stories, as they sailed with their cat until she grew too old for the adventures.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">When they were going in to town they offered to pick us up some provisions, and we thanked them with a lemon tart. One stormy night we joined them to watch the torrential storm rip through. Boats were rocking in the harbour and rivulets were running like a stream through the centre of the shelter. Fegan slipped in her Crocs. No blood but definitely a broken bone. The ambulance was called and it took more than an hour to arrive, as the storm had caused so much other trouble. We learned the next day she was sent to Picton and then on to Belleville for surgery for a broken kneecap. Hopefully she had a good surgeon and heals quickly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dbBT_OhFfviHuTSmljsdY4EplOxQR7SCWzPa7ITDqmCnVhDarJTR_lg6PeN8g06EoKyOcalwi9W-89o8OxXsLhECsQGt5nL-ikr7lvtA9ddeU53GJjb_e7k99eo2bB8vGrQdfyJJiKEmV5GgZ80y6Iki9ih76o94loSHS_bc14KX6w9zKOPxAcbwKOc/s4032/67D3C59A-17F4-4818-9565-00AB0D23FA92.heic" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dbBT_OhFfviHuTSmljsdY4EplOxQR7SCWzPa7ITDqmCnVhDarJTR_lg6PeN8g06EoKyOcalwi9W-89o8OxXsLhECsQGt5nL-ikr7lvtA9ddeU53GJjb_e7k99eo2bB8vGrQdfyJJiKEmV5GgZ80y6Iki9ih76o94loSHS_bc14KX6w9zKOPxAcbwKOc/w200-h150/67D3C59A-17F4-4818-9565-00AB0D23FA92.heic" width="200" /></a></div>We were on the same sail path with Caroline and Dennis from Waupoos through to Amherst Island. Not spending every moment together, but heading into Picton to do laundry and provision. Playing Yahtzee and Greed, sharing dinners. Caroline showed us a few new spots to anchor around Amhert Island, that Alex had shown her (Wemps Bay and Amherst Bay). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After anchoring out, we needed a pump out and some fresh water in the tank. Storms were threatening once again, and we were on our way to Trident Yacht Club for a few nights when Caroline called to let us know she had nabbed the last spot there. Thankfully Yondering had just passed Treasure Island, so we turned around to overnight. Last night the storm blew through quickly, but very strong winds are rocking the boat and vibrating the mast this morning. Staying put for another night. A very pleasant little spot, with a good restaurant and a short Uber into Kingston to provision.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIfWki95jmOxgASNpsqWzfhDZhkRFcMfZdR_mvb7hZKBdL5SwwQU0SPTWngtO68uhvryL6s-qKhAbfm4WcQ6lwB_r9nd5oNZEA58RwCWen9TFDPh-fRWATC5Ezoa-0nxJg79B1-Jm9cIqeSYZMeCxdtBfvqRtnF0gXqbpLE3iPalQBQBJlg-zzYPR0R8/s4032/E1926F7A-6DE8-43B7-9A99-21D5A32EFEF4.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIfWki95jmOxgASNpsqWzfhDZhkRFcMfZdR_mvb7hZKBdL5SwwQU0SPTWngtO68uhvryL6s-qKhAbfm4WcQ6lwB_r9nd5oNZEA58RwCWen9TFDPh-fRWATC5Ezoa-0nxJg79B1-Jm9cIqeSYZMeCxdtBfvqRtnF0gXqbpLE3iPalQBQBJlg-zzYPR0R8/w150-h200/E1926F7A-6DE8-43B7-9A99-21D5A32EFEF4.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1pCO9qXcgvhRXHbnJ3awfYitqHbAxluk9XR77NScOxSp3_HxSKowlk-URk-7S7sjBg-8H-JEgh0C_f84E3IqcGngoHB6J8x6QklokRnCNLzlo2YxadwxFPUWlpixMQqYiuXdkzpby_HGsBYwwzE2cvWILctV-Pif_1nhaGFsaJ1w7RZfF7x23eKCnwM/s3744/96EEEEEE-8519-4AE1-AEE0-74008002D017_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3744" data-original-width="2808" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1pCO9qXcgvhRXHbnJ3awfYitqHbAxluk9XR77NScOxSp3_HxSKowlk-URk-7S7sjBg-8H-JEgh0C_f84E3IqcGngoHB6J8x6QklokRnCNLzlo2YxadwxFPUWlpixMQqYiuXdkzpby_HGsBYwwzE2cvWILctV-Pif_1nhaGFsaJ1w7RZfF7x23eKCnwM/w150-h200/96EEEEEE-8519-4AE1-AEE0-74008002D017_1_201_a.heic" width="150" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p style="text-align: justify;">***</p><div style="text-align: justify;">19 days so far<br />@ dock: 13 (zero reciprocals!!)<br />@ anchor: 6</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Port Whitby Marina (dock July 31)<br />Cobourg (anchor Aug 1, dock 2nd & 3rd)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Trent Port Marine (dock 4th)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Glenn Island (anchor 5th)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Waupoos (dock at night 6, 7, 8 but with some days at anchor)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Waupoos, Van Deusen (anchor 9)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Waupoos (dock 10, 11, 12, 13)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Amherst Island, Wemps Bay (anchor 14)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Amherst Island, Amherst Bay (anchor 15)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Amherst Island, Stella Bay (anchor 16th)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Kingston, Treasure Island (dock 17th &18th)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p></div></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-42319326373992708012023-08-01T10:15:00.001-04:002023-08-18T10:23:34.239-04:00Sailor Moon - August 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Camera phones don't do the moonrise any justice, but still, it doesn't stop my from trying.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The full moonrise was stunning and we enjoyed it from Yondering at the start of our summer cruise. First, in Port Whitby Marine and then at anchor in Cobourg.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The moon was full on August 1.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbYZlpkaHw59-gm8RiMN-aPPSXrlJIJAEWxgfR6fseSrS0zLRcpx3y7ppDKsrkUC8UqlqR1-zgnH1Z8Uo2YtGhVDD2ubDUwcg2cACb5wR8xYf2MF-LO1qAyFAWg1yJZLXE6YnQRiBpELkHFU1N9w96krSJcntpETtW-1P20_Z4zGch_V_urTK2d_LDIU/s4032/A69861C5-0230-450F-A22B-DA397C7A639F.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbYZlpkaHw59-gm8RiMN-aPPSXrlJIJAEWxgfR6fseSrS0zLRcpx3y7ppDKsrkUC8UqlqR1-zgnH1Z8Uo2YtGhVDD2ubDUwcg2cACb5wR8xYf2MF-LO1qAyFAWg1yJZLXE6YnQRiBpELkHFU1N9w96krSJcntpETtW-1P20_Z4zGch_V_urTK2d_LDIU/w150-h200/A69861C5-0230-450F-A22B-DA397C7A639F.heic" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpQcszbj4NajB2mDU3mpKhS-SCCP4WIP9I_NOdRDM0eTejjo4MIXi4vN6wUjb-lBwYIW2NeO4JGPJSPBitqVvpnx8Dy5pgA1k77cmrU55yILVznAREygvvgoCM-oQUtFdnmYTr8_cucL33JEHBTYkieXnfYazj9LdCYA3BuNHjs8JNiTddDEAVn2hylw/s4032/B15165DF-FB23-4D97-B9B7-625BDFE9180E.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpQcszbj4NajB2mDU3mpKhS-SCCP4WIP9I_NOdRDM0eTejjo4MIXi4vN6wUjb-lBwYIW2NeO4JGPJSPBitqVvpnx8Dy5pgA1k77cmrU55yILVznAREygvvgoCM-oQUtFdnmYTr8_cucL33JEHBTYkieXnfYazj9LdCYA3BuNHjs8JNiTddDEAVn2hylw/w200-h150/B15165DF-FB23-4D97-B9B7-625BDFE9180E.heic" width="200" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-77808747363020945652023-07-03T09:03:00.008-04:002023-07-24T09:16:29.511-04:00Full Buck Moon - July 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1schiyVbhgoaD9X3rqBm_UANkQzpIDpov5F_nGZ6fNXrQRpFgCTrp4fkra4Uv4onqc5xtX-fsgV5VffahymbHKeZZKdIdHZdb0mwpw9HWYGPIIq7qlTZYO0-NhWxw9fh25lvEcdoGl8SW9NOweP4oFAn2yucD7MN1Cu9TRVAny8hLIUc4b6d7LVMJnok/s4032/FC7F399D-6896-44E5-A1F5-3EB62E6C4E5F.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1schiyVbhgoaD9X3rqBm_UANkQzpIDpov5F_nGZ6fNXrQRpFgCTrp4fkra4Uv4onqc5xtX-fsgV5VffahymbHKeZZKdIdHZdb0mwpw9HWYGPIIq7qlTZYO0-NhWxw9fh25lvEcdoGl8SW9NOweP4oFAn2yucD7MN1Cu9TRVAny8hLIUc4b6d7LVMJnok/s320/FC7F399D-6896-44E5-A1F5-3EB62E6C4E5F.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br />July 3 the moon was full and we enjoyed it at anchor on Ward's Beach. Watching the sun set over the city, and then the moon rise on the alternate horizon. Sleeping that night was a bit of a see-saw, with all the bobbing about, but rhythmic enough to drift off. I guess the boat was bucking in honour of the full moon.<p></p><p>The next day, the sun dazzle on the water. Jump off boat, swim, repeat. No dingy, so I swam to shore to put my toes in the sand.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0P242JwxrBjNctQWCuUeZVnxDsJMCrcgWf9GFH415wNzbn5pnBWR9RPBWbqQ5Hl6d1i7cAWUbZUFXBVWdJEYCJnfIR4Mt5G9We3CLPzC4qu8DBCB03ExR_58f4-t-bJGTE0LI5kDzWT2pYqq3dREnD60mNeBQpMpS6Ie39sg9fE5NlgQRaS7mB7FsO0/s2417/1B38744F-BB0A-41C7-8580-4812B2B919CD_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2417" data-original-width="2258" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0P242JwxrBjNctQWCuUeZVnxDsJMCrcgWf9GFH415wNzbn5pnBWR9RPBWbqQ5Hl6d1i7cAWUbZUFXBVWdJEYCJnfIR4Mt5G9We3CLPzC4qu8DBCB03ExR_58f4-t-bJGTE0LI5kDzWT2pYqq3dREnD60mNeBQpMpS6Ie39sg9fE5NlgQRaS7mB7FsO0/w187-h200/1B38744F-BB0A-41C7-8580-4812B2B919CD_1_201_a.heic" width="187" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBondIfy6F4FNbmrOFdbDm5hFk39DTbkl8TTPs-GjiBI2ATy73xEXK1RqBbQDWy470WGWqha6lmyE3YszlKnmInl92jDTzs9Nx8rqji4Txo-tPCXQ859ZzI0cISZKev8fCw19Ycm9oQjCfg2HnQ_juY3MHTYNDSM-o4OdsE5OhQcNE789jmG7nvTVsaTM/s4032/07358871-59CF-4822-8974-7A53554B817A_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBondIfy6F4FNbmrOFdbDm5hFk39DTbkl8TTPs-GjiBI2ATy73xEXK1RqBbQDWy470WGWqha6lmyE3YszlKnmInl92jDTzs9Nx8rqji4Txo-tPCXQ859ZzI0cISZKev8fCw19Ycm9oQjCfg2HnQ_juY3MHTYNDSM-o4OdsE5OhQcNE789jmG7nvTVsaTM/w150-h200/07358871-59CF-4822-8974-7A53554B817A_1_201_a.heic" width="150" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-6192427336683256492023-06-27T09:16:00.097-04:002023-08-19T09:48:36.336-04:00Book Club AGM - 2023<p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk_R9o3-GlLzWHoUKkawLnwWZLyP3ZcfTIQm5PGg9Iq_Cq-dncv45W9A-7OkssbEbjZYx_LiLnoFV09gge7JwQ2hiLM2EcTp_fCwO1aL3DimFrlnF9ifzHspuDsm6j6KI_P85x1TUZHoJAXGZYRcvcoz01YQrPgx6kknWUORywKBioGZHB0OUGJYwgKs/s4024/8B4FB514-7C7F-46FD-A8C3-F87D5169A5C1_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2650" data-original-width="4024" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk_R9o3-GlLzWHoUKkawLnwWZLyP3ZcfTIQm5PGg9Iq_Cq-dncv45W9A-7OkssbEbjZYx_LiLnoFV09gge7JwQ2hiLM2EcTp_fCwO1aL3DimFrlnF9ifzHspuDsm6j6KI_P85x1TUZHoJAXGZYRcvcoz01YQrPgx6kknWUORywKBioGZHB0OUGJYwgKs/s320/8B4FB514-7C7F-46FD-A8C3-F87D5169A5C1_1_201_a.heic" width="320" /></a>We've been getting together for the AGM since 2006, and together as a book club for almost 20. Pretty amazing!</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;">There has been a core group of members through the years, but some have come and gone. One of the early members, Judy, passed away this year. Although she hadn't been to the AGM for awhile, we all felt her absence. We've decided to plant a tree in her memory. </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;">Over the years of a certain sequence of events has taken shape, adding to the yearly rituals. This year the Saturday festivities became a bit hectic, so there is talk of moving some of the agenda to include Friday nights. It is interesting to see how things and dynamics in the group have evolved over the years. Early days were pretty rowdy with an excess of wine and food, now we drink less and have included an annual visit to Haliburton's thrift shops as part of the itinerary. We used to meet in May, now it is June when the lake is more swimmable. One thing is constant - none of the AGMs would have been possible without Nicki hosting. I think she may be the glue that binds us together.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;">Looking forward to next year's books and discussions.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyqiFROCE05jpJfo15jmL3voV2NAkKxcdmpRIlX_PlxRuXDo9MV5c8ncbEevegmzm0FJeXVgnuY0e3ej9SvpKjRnSQFBT0MQnH4jsTgHqGrX1p7CMnM5PhA2SLLqknwf4LxZkTpI34wUd_GZOYPU9PXkc07quMpT1LCBtbRrz-paSelorEp36q_7Jvh4/s4032/3957EF39-FCFF-4F80-A902-AD72D990D83E_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyqiFROCE05jpJfo15jmL3voV2NAkKxcdmpRIlX_PlxRuXDo9MV5c8ncbEevegmzm0FJeXVgnuY0e3ej9SvpKjRnSQFBT0MQnH4jsTgHqGrX1p7CMnM5PhA2SLLqknwf4LxZkTpI34wUd_GZOYPU9PXkc07quMpT1LCBtbRrz-paSelorEp36q_7Jvh4/w200-h150/3957EF39-FCFF-4F80-A902-AD72D990D83E_1_201_a.heic" width="200" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><b><i>2023-24 BOOK BABE’S READING LIST:</i></b></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="t1" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 126px;" valign="top"><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">SEPTEMBER 6, 2023</p></td><td class="td2" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 72px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Diane</p></td><td class="td3" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 211px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Orwell’s Roses</p></td><td class="td4" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 104px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Rebecca Solnit</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 126px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">OCTOBER 4</p></td><td class="td2" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 72px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Liz</p></td><td class="td3" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 211px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Demon Copperhead</p></td><td class="td4" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 104px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Barbara Kingsolver</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 126px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">NOVEMBER 1</p></td><td class="td2" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 72px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Virginia</p></td><td class="td3" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 211px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Pastoral Song: A Farmer’s Journey</p></td><td class="td4" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 104px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">James Rebanks</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td5" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 11px; padding: 4px; width: 126px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">DECEMBER 6</p></td><td class="td6" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 11px; padding: 4px; width: 72px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Nicolette</p></td><td class="td7" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 11px; padding: 4px; width: 211px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">#futuregen: Lessons from a Small Country</p></td><td class="td8" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 11px; padding: 4px; width: 104px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Jane Davidson</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 126px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">JANUARY</p></td><td class="td9" colspan="3" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 405px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Possibly a Zoom to discuss what other books we are reading</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 126px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">FEBRUARY 7</p></td><td class="td2" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 72px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Nicki</p></td><td class="td3" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 211px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Fresh Water for Flowers</p></td><td class="td4" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 104px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Valerie Perrin</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 126px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">MARCH 6</p></td><td class="td2" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 72px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Sheila</p></td><td class="td3" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 211px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Push</p></td><td class="td4" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 104px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Ashley Audrain</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 126px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">APRIL 3</p></td><td class="td2" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 72px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Deborah</p></td><td class="td3" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 211px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The Maid: A Novel</p></td><td class="td4" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 104px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Nita Prose</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 126px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">MAY 1</p></td><td class="td2" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 72px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Miriam</p></td><td class="td3" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 211px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Bruno, Chief of Police</p></td><td class="td4" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 104px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Martin Walker</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 126px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">AGM - JUNE 22-23, 2024</p></td><td class="td2" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 72px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Nicki & Louise</p></td><td class="td3" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 211px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Women Talking -<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Movie & Book</p></td><td class="td4" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 104px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Miriam Toews</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td5" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 11px; padding: 4px; width: 126px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">JULY</p></td><td class="td6" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 11px; padding: 4px; width: 72px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">No Meeting</p></td><td class="td7" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 11px; padding: 4px; width: 211px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p></td><td class="td8" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 11px; padding: 4px; width: 104px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p></td></tr><tr><td class="td1" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 126px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">AUGUST</p></td><td class="td2" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 72px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">No Meeting</p></td><td class="td3" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 211px;" valign="top"><p class="p3" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p></td><td class="td4" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 104px;" valign="top"><p class="p4" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><b><i></i></b><br /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="p5" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><b><i>ALTERNATE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:</i></b></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="t1" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><td class="td10" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 112px;" valign="top"><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Deborah</p></td><td class="td11" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 182px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Freezing Order: A True Story …</p></td><td class="td12" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 147px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Bill Browder</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td13" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 27px; padding: 4px; width: 112px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Diane</p></td><td class="td14" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 27px; padding: 4px; width: 182px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Stalin’s Daughter</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Nothing But The Truth: A Memoir</p></td><td class="td15" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 27px; padding: 4px; width: 147px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Rosemary Sullivan</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Marie Henein</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td13" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 27px; padding: 4px; width: 112px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Liz</p></td><td class="td14" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 27px; padding: 4px; width: 182px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Burnham Wood: A Novel</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">How to Change Your Mind</p></td><td class="td15" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 27px; padding: 4px; width: 147px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Eleanor Catton</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Michael Pollan</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td16" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 11px; padding: 4px; width: 112px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Miriam</p></td><td class="td17" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 11px; padding: 4px; width: 182px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Alif the Unseen</p></td><td class="td18" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 11px; padding: 4px; width: 147px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">G. Willow Wilson</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td10" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 112px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Nicki</p></td><td class="td11" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 182px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Greenwood</p></td><td class="td12" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 12px; padding: 4px; width: 147px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Michael Christie</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td13" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 27px; padding: 4px; width: 112px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Nicolette</p></td><td class="td14" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 27px; padding: 4px; width: 182px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Empathy</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Belonging</p></td><td class="td15" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 27px; padding: 4px; width: 147px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">David Johnston</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Geoffrey L. Cohen</p></td></tr><tr><td class="td13" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 27px; padding: 4px; width: 112px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Sheila</p></td><td class="td14" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 27px; padding: 4px; width: 182px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In One Person</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Childhood</p></td><td class="td15" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; height: 27px; padding: 4px; width: 147px;" valign="top"><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">John Irving</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Andre Alexis</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-90228512914734355222023-06-07T11:46:00.009-04:002023-06-07T11:48:25.824-04:00Succulents and natives<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir52nP5AHYmZrtIUW5gXoC7MtQ6cTRXyLGNSZsM8p8EcI9e_Jg2RKh6a36DkFImpMu0z9D4-AlBIVoSd8O3cbTS80ouu8y3NDMrVT-o18Ylj0zHf5SCAY9GMIQC3P8_EnqjI6o3vRqeFzGxQu4tmK5lEF1todxrHnx0SQC-6f949z0sqBDJrHyYQ_r/s4032/406ACC6B-629D-4658-A598-B930594FB0F1.heic" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir52nP5AHYmZrtIUW5gXoC7MtQ6cTRXyLGNSZsM8p8EcI9e_Jg2RKh6a36DkFImpMu0z9D4-AlBIVoSd8O3cbTS80ouu8y3NDMrVT-o18Ylj0zHf5SCAY9GMIQC3P8_EnqjI6o3vRqeFzGxQu4tmK5lEF1todxrHnx0SQC-6f949z0sqBDJrHyYQ_r/s320/406ACC6B-629D-4658-A598-B930594FB0F1.heic" width="320" /></a>I was so intrigued by the native prickly pear I wanted one for my garden. I've seen them in the neighbourhood, and Alex has them too, so I know they survive our cold winters.</p><p>Last fall I planted two and they came back nicely. Being an impatient gardener, I picked up a larger one on a visit to a farmer's market in Wolfe Island.</p><p>I planted some annual porticulata. A friend told me they would self-seed in her childhood garden. I hope that's the case, although it will serve nicely as an annual.</p><p>Then surprise! What I thought was a ground cover 'sedum' came into flower. Google images recognizes it as an ice plant succulent. I remember planting one of those a few years ago, it must have rejuvenated after I cleared out some of the lamb's ears in its way. The ice plant is a succulent native to Africa, but it looks right at home nestled beside the prickly pear.</p><p>I also picked up some native Hairy Beardstongue - or Penstemon Hirsutus - at the TMG plant swap to keep them company. The Beardstongue also self-seeds.</p><p>In my haste to establish these I may have mistakenly removed the Pearly Everlasting I planted last fall. oops</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QSX1-VJskBB29XeTZCBfRpScRjZXBoqRTk4im-baIOn-dB10xYJQBVG0hgiEDIGWNnRPOZgHITOaiRk6pees5YS657oEWZab64bk96L-A-J7RnoelnwVgpbMV_JcEARTx8uENCUQ1vtT6v2EmTlMM4JThk4AY2OBb5p-aGQY3xWvovbkWv92M7xp/s4032/810955E6-8251-4202-80CD-40B3DE2A7281.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QSX1-VJskBB29XeTZCBfRpScRjZXBoqRTk4im-baIOn-dB10xYJQBVG0hgiEDIGWNnRPOZgHITOaiRk6pees5YS657oEWZab64bk96L-A-J7RnoelnwVgpbMV_JcEARTx8uENCUQ1vtT6v2EmTlMM4JThk4AY2OBb5p-aGQY3xWvovbkWv92M7xp/s320/810955E6-8251-4202-80CD-40B3DE2A7281.heic" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpJhNzYGtt4EKfxtMkdSpGMCUGU9SGTV9W29yAdBt9OWAuoCzdFuLDvQrt3bSyESSraz_YkD_52wHpsxJOtNVk734zyLOVQZZY_vfBkSqVDbfeYfluEDc5zjthI0Cj1Vls-qX9I6Bp318XIRjTBpRJIcABa3hZhSguK_UBEFtz-bg4wICeB0PCk_F/s1971/37191C03-63DF-4772-BEA8-8D1C5F7D9DDA_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="1478" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpJhNzYGtt4EKfxtMkdSpGMCUGU9SGTV9W29yAdBt9OWAuoCzdFuLDvQrt3bSyESSraz_YkD_52wHpsxJOtNVk734zyLOVQZZY_vfBkSqVDbfeYfluEDc5zjthI0Cj1Vls-qX9I6Bp318XIRjTBpRJIcABa3hZhSguK_UBEFtz-bg4wICeB0PCk_F/s320/37191C03-63DF-4772-BEA8-8D1C5F7D9DDA_1_201_a.heic" width="240" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-86761575041963824852023-06-03T10:47:00.115-04:002023-06-25T11:17:12.439-04:00Full Honey and Strawberry Moon<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyhQouKF_hUASjKeyyA5mu7aab61V4t077CwVOjPJ0Jz193RgcAwnd5S12lfuCweoQQrNt3JNqrTGm7HkjeqkOYv3cyWBF0u8wGi6CVoFNYPVdS5rA2GOb0AOu_sPnVg_JWOk0Tiks431N345kuzu1OA_4MCrwk-HFpdRmPnkc0HGFoGh3l6sMEnqJYQ/s240/strawberryMoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="240" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyhQouKF_hUASjKeyyA5mu7aab61V4t077CwVOjPJ0Jz193RgcAwnd5S12lfuCweoQQrNt3JNqrTGm7HkjeqkOYv3cyWBF0u8wGi6CVoFNYPVdS5rA2GOb0AOu_sPnVg_JWOk0Tiks431N345kuzu1OA_4MCrwk-HFpdRmPnkc0HGFoGh3l6sMEnqJYQ/s1600/strawberryMoon.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> The Honey and Strawberry full moon graced the sky on June 3. <p></p><p>The Epitourists gathered at Kaarina's a week later for a meal in the bamba shack and I decided to plan the dessert course around strawberries and honey in honour of the full moon. Rob and I were on the Through the Garden Gate tour in Riverdale, and ended the afternoon in Kaarina's with the tulip tree in full bloom.</p><p>Although the theme was officially Through the Garden Gate it could just as well been dubbed Simply Delicious. We normally painstakingly prepare, but on this occasion the meal seemed to come together quite effortlessly.</p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Menu</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;">Cocktail - Strawberry Bees Knees (Diane)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Appetizer - Scallops with truffle carpaccio (Diane)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Main - Barbecued Ecuadorian Shrimp (Kaarina) with Fresh Greens (from Laura's garden) with mango and blackberries <div>Dessert - Strawberries with Honey & fresh whipped cream (Diane and Rob)</div><div>Digestif - Mead (Diane)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorqkMrDPLsu5XkebA5HkUxnXVCE-hYKCAfSxXIajtPit_j27R5OCCghScaVZ_ajN99gMVAQlehOczSRjMx1DCmeiM3Chnn_JvMAPaL5oOteARkaw7ARI6IjPdaFXKHZmXs4y2q9jAcoDZD8Zyg82Y83ntjBtv8WnF1I-w9c5zKXlZfwRuuOe4lhd8_f8/s2664/C7A7C26B-F747-402B-97FA-86ACA39FB78A_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2664" data-original-width="2331" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorqkMrDPLsu5XkebA5HkUxnXVCE-hYKCAfSxXIajtPit_j27R5OCCghScaVZ_ajN99gMVAQlehOczSRjMx1DCmeiM3Chnn_JvMAPaL5oOteARkaw7ARI6IjPdaFXKHZmXs4y2q9jAcoDZD8Zyg82Y83ntjBtv8WnF1I-w9c5zKXlZfwRuuOe4lhd8_f8/w175-h200/C7A7C26B-F747-402B-97FA-86ACA39FB78A_1_201_a.heic" width="175" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8O3UksRZSKKoPM_G6fhsS7N5UZjTnhwCUo3unkncvfG8-qIT6v1Efvj3ILAZQXK6C-5Autc2bBHxH-PX-z9WmxDQivRNEqXXWibFupCcak0zY04eysn50V2P32OFmmezFOv29LG7wnma00BsspiU8qH5fs_WntDnLWiygTXSSWv2bIE_N9mS-qY_xPM/s4032/3C877F76-D55E-4ED8-BFB9-6FC41E6D4A37.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8O3UksRZSKKoPM_G6fhsS7N5UZjTnhwCUo3unkncvfG8-qIT6v1Efvj3ILAZQXK6C-5Autc2bBHxH-PX-z9WmxDQivRNEqXXWibFupCcak0zY04eysn50V2P32OFmmezFOv29LG7wnma00BsspiU8qH5fs_WntDnLWiygTXSSWv2bIE_N9mS-qY_xPM/w150-h200/3C877F76-D55E-4ED8-BFB9-6FC41E6D4A37.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_Bf6w6yGPMXwK-9QkV2hpyGxPglFfyWj26WMpkRaBslll6uUTemgva31zAUeye5ejnp37fvbCRefPQ-6P5FzJWkdGSrn0oCB5b-s7q-HOcYkbJqmZiPMj8pd11dx1KO-SiMeMo08VlsbyOHmcYzr2CtBv6oVMPeiiUOUv5gTAZlvZsomhXp2mUADzNA/s4032/3C7F7D78-B452-4E6B-93C1-7E7BFC1E78F3.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_Bf6w6yGPMXwK-9QkV2hpyGxPglFfyWj26WMpkRaBslll6uUTemgva31zAUeye5ejnp37fvbCRefPQ-6P5FzJWkdGSrn0oCB5b-s7q-HOcYkbJqmZiPMj8pd11dx1KO-SiMeMo08VlsbyOHmcYzr2CtBv6oVMPeiiUOUv5gTAZlvZsomhXp2mUADzNA/w150-h200/3C7F7D78-B452-4E6B-93C1-7E7BFC1E78F3.heic" width="150" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-91047355661971497062023-05-31T15:01:00.043-04:002023-06-25T12:28:44.853-04:00Merry month of May<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o848rvLW_XLGvTxrbC34-lctN3YiBdyizM7NtUAPMzrDj3oVef1BsJXTBBcV6d-Y6wTXhdJ5TDKdQng73ADbaniOU4wWr35MYtj3KOcSGI9wDwsWOu0Olo1YR-g7tv-SrK-qfxGeZdwr6PNZt7G4yRZChA3Zs4_kr9me-7Rgz5TFyPmAt2hi6DK0/s404/Joy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="404" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-o848rvLW_XLGvTxrbC34-lctN3YiBdyizM7NtUAPMzrDj3oVef1BsJXTBBcV6d-Y6wTXhdJ5TDKdQng73ADbaniOU4wWr35MYtj3KOcSGI9wDwsWOu0Olo1YR-g7tv-SrK-qfxGeZdwr6PNZt7G4yRZChA3Zs4_kr9me-7Rgz5TFyPmAt2hi6DK0/w400-h124/Joy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />What an amazing month! I couldn't stop grinning. The longer days brightened my mood and it seemed every hour brought new delight. I am basking in gratitude and almost overwhelmed by this truly remarkable and exceptional month. Joy.<p></p><p>A night of dinner and dancing at the Commodore's Ball, and our first shake-down sail. </p><p>The trip to <a href="http://thingswelove2.blogspot.com/2023/05/chicago.html">Chicago</a>.</p><p>Hosting <i>two</i> book clubs (thankfully the same book, Run Toward the Danger).</p><p>The Toronto Public Library / Toronto Master Gardener demos that I coordinate were in full swing, and I helped demonstrate at three of them - finally feeling confident by the third.</p><p>Attending the theatre: True Crime and The Chinese Lady at the Crow's Nest.</p><p>Seeing the Ukulele Orchestra, which was booked pre-Covid and<i> finally</i> performed at Koerner after being rescheduled three times.</p><p>Alex treating me to breakfast on Mother's Day.</p><p>My niece Sarah and her beau treated Rob and I to the opera to see Macbeth at the Four Seasons.</p><p><a href="http://thingswelove2.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-bird-is-on-wing-and-isnt-that.html">Birding</a> outdoors.</p><p>Meeting Nicola in person after playing Euchre together virtually through Covid - gardening and unwinding in the spa-pool.</p><p>Playing pickleball for the first time and then setting aside a regular date for Wednesday nights with Joyce, Cheryl and Tara.</p><p>The Epitourists & their spouses got together at <a href="http://thingswelove2.blogspot.com/2023/05/wolfe-island-get-away.html">Wolfe Island for a weekend get-away</a> at Laura's to bake bagels and enjoy a feast prepared in her wood oven. I made s'mores at the campfire and napped in the glamping tent.</p><p>Uke Jam! </p><p>Sunday Family Dinners!</p><p>Continuing making progress with BPYC By-laws and presenting as Vice Commodore at the Spring General Meeting.</p><p>.... and <a href="http://thingswelove2.blogspot.com/2023/05/may-flowers.html">my May garden</a> was full of spring blooms. We missed the peonies last year when we were away in Greece, so I enjoyed every petal this season, pulling up a lawn chair to gaze agog.</p><p>I love waking up in the morning to my practice of yoga and now Qigong. </p><p>It would be fair to say I am thriving in retirement as I am spending time consciously and able to better design my days. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIj-4imxMID1Wf9llTuKc1HY59wvzkP4NisXNtk8I50GQF-cAshe9HRfSrdbPlvwJQtWRN4R8l3smLdQHrUJJhiWQFVNQXYBhUWktwheike5iw0WZMP08xJ0gzslAe-5okV5SI0V5c0-0FGnZY8-4yq5MYwZDuCueSelECSayCGlgB1Riqa2K8wblA/s300/Dickens%20quote.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIj-4imxMID1Wf9llTuKc1HY59wvzkP4NisXNtk8I50GQF-cAshe9HRfSrdbPlvwJQtWRN4R8l3smLdQHrUJJhiWQFVNQXYBhUWktwheike5iw0WZMP08xJ0gzslAe-5okV5SI0V5c0-0FGnZY8-4yq5MYwZDuCueSelECSayCGlgB1Riqa2K8wblA/s1600/Dickens%20quote.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-82548965296286900322023-05-31T10:25:00.056-04:002023-09-16T07:48:48.107-04:00May Flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU52asG8ZB1sKAaS9oiZtDuNtTjFe0gZbblqJjYpA473E80NrH1KSxglXXw49LK9vnl1U5ROUE5fB0agyIR1YBoiIdINsj_OXH7eUf9iZBrI0ozBwfDEGwzL10SXwpdCwLz7Iqza7BRZ-cdUDo6YdWpELOvh79SiXnpgfMV3G4_GIkRyzAOZ96iZD/s3428/IMG_6388.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3428" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU52asG8ZB1sKAaS9oiZtDuNtTjFe0gZbblqJjYpA473E80NrH1KSxglXXw49LK9vnl1U5ROUE5fB0agyIR1YBoiIdINsj_OXH7eUf9iZBrI0ozBwfDEGwzL10SXwpdCwLz7Iqza7BRZ-cdUDo6YdWpELOvh79SiXnpgfMV3G4_GIkRyzAOZ96iZD/s320/IMG_6388.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It is so energizing to watch the ravine green in May. The tree's leaves fill and create a beautiful private haven. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Ferns proliferate and blue flowers make a carpet from forget-me-nots, lamiium, brunera, and pulmonaria. Tulips and alliums in a graceful dance. I particularly liked the yellow tulips in the front - they were especially long lasting and ended up fading to white.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MNGdkcRNUAN7Saa5-PqKp_6KuCtDY-h7LmvfTh-cpFkdSuucymykrRZlAN0WH0c1WywQFf7rwlx2gX29l2EqovUw2xfd_2fhUF8xByTQ7G_Y1aNIPZSdKQXltZoSIhXZM8U118nt-HG7FNqZS4Ntu2Gk-91M9DpiKZZ3XWlU_UAVdL1LmwVMYdgU/s4032/IMG_6382.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MNGdkcRNUAN7Saa5-PqKp_6KuCtDY-h7LmvfTh-cpFkdSuucymykrRZlAN0WH0c1WywQFf7rwlx2gX29l2EqovUw2xfd_2fhUF8xByTQ7G_Y1aNIPZSdKQXltZoSIhXZM8U118nt-HG7FNqZS4Ntu2Gk-91M9DpiKZZ3XWlU_UAVdL1LmwVMYdgU/w200-h150/IMG_6382.HEIC" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3rWqw-npUJkJoNlVp68EcVVO1uMwGovLKwWESg4nUmEfU-d31mHmpEihZ4KA8LsTA1dZE5NoZQjfP7ag4NqKGKOLwqpkKeSq-dfq6W0rtgIi3tPtAzR7IfMBfFDnlvlfBHX6Pen_4_Xm1VORMIxM91aekLgkcrZ5LqmOrLbeNJm-zZOZa47qWLdT/s3192/IMG_5754.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2911" data-original-width="3192" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3rWqw-npUJkJoNlVp68EcVVO1uMwGovLKwWESg4nUmEfU-d31mHmpEihZ4KA8LsTA1dZE5NoZQjfP7ag4NqKGKOLwqpkKeSq-dfq6W0rtgIi3tPtAzR7IfMBfFDnlvlfBHX6Pen_4_Xm1VORMIxM91aekLgkcrZ5LqmOrLbeNJm-zZOZa47qWLdT/w200-h183/IMG_5754.heic" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbtbPidOb5_dlG7J6ug1VWHdzVR3FKu1ZYGUSn7gDpvOxsNYUJhfeaMH6NTgY7SfEpnQs2oGiK1UoA8siq2sF_om90oTiRV6BDpyjM4veXc4hlzmd6GjzyfWdtzzH10rZ1nxbrBLz8pHaxNkqtMoJL-F3Qg8bSHam4xq1tjdXX1bYSJRnewj7b5P1/s4032/IMG_5756.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbtbPidOb5_dlG7J6ug1VWHdzVR3FKu1ZYGUSn7gDpvOxsNYUJhfeaMH6NTgY7SfEpnQs2oGiK1UoA8siq2sF_om90oTiRV6BDpyjM4veXc4hlzmd6GjzyfWdtzzH10rZ1nxbrBLz8pHaxNkqtMoJL-F3Qg8bSHam4xq1tjdXX1bYSJRnewj7b5P1/w200-h150/IMG_5756.HEIC" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Always happy to give Alex transplants, too. This year it was hellebores and brunera, plus a fern. His garden is thriving! I also brought several plants over to Amita's backyard to make a new home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuljIRIjWnruyaqFPEXJEmg0qhzqGexcSZiD7cFYqkGTtBf7wBv5H6hP7WW-n1w2N5ayjct7isLrEBhp2yKSLGAhEI_fYElvefImmqNiRpmY-IpyYECYk3oi7KYN2OgXjyCedlk-2cEE1S2g79vMyDWCbFXZleA66HYX3DZtlhwkS7BADTuMJUZ3R/s3495/IMG_5760.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3495" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuljIRIjWnruyaqFPEXJEmg0qhzqGexcSZiD7cFYqkGTtBf7wBv5H6hP7WW-n1w2N5ayjct7isLrEBhp2yKSLGAhEI_fYElvefImmqNiRpmY-IpyYECYk3oi7KYN2OgXjyCedlk-2cEE1S2g79vMyDWCbFXZleA66HYX3DZtlhwkS7BADTuMJUZ3R/w200-h173/IMG_5760.heic" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we came back from Chicago the peonies were in full bloom. I actually pulled up a chair one day so I could sit and enjoy every petal and take in the fragrance. The blossoms were so heavy one of the branches snapped off, so we created a beautiful indoor arrangement to enjoy the rescued flowers. The scent permeated the house for days and fallen petals made a potpourri. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've ordered a Japanese hori hori knife so I can properly prune the tree peony branches.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ85Nc_DU61qbITuuQlKJ_YdKfE7vC689yOscF3ViGlvqlUcFLwwv4JXEEA3oe8J2RQhYm-gTKgR1dedAWa1Okd8Kv6MNK2crsRYyGdLz0PgBm6coR82V-M6e5D179Ug8RaGbGFEdK67FO3ymyuverh3oTBEtICoFK7Zs3yQdeWZJ2JTwSuYza4MWt/s4032/IMG_6380.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ85Nc_DU61qbITuuQlKJ_YdKfE7vC689yOscF3ViGlvqlUcFLwwv4JXEEA3oe8J2RQhYm-gTKgR1dedAWa1Okd8Kv6MNK2crsRYyGdLz0PgBm6coR82V-M6e5D179Ug8RaGbGFEdK67FO3ymyuverh3oTBEtICoFK7Zs3yQdeWZJ2JTwSuYza4MWt/w150-h200/IMG_6380.HEIC" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSvZe-shoR8shKQd95cAzmBjVSxRgOuBVg3-EqiT7RMq8ANbWYUBFvzgE2AOp2SEzbeaOWClm2iigUnghOJATQWB8tV9eNnHCJXMU227nGLgzxQzXaSBxlkuriPLvf1sMNX1a7ecQScPMZkQ3rq_bde-t5_hbtsLLx8xb1-PP7SJdN0Swn_Xzn83b/s3348/IMG_6393.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3348" data-original-width="2868" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSvZe-shoR8shKQd95cAzmBjVSxRgOuBVg3-EqiT7RMq8ANbWYUBFvzgE2AOp2SEzbeaOWClm2iigUnghOJATQWB8tV9eNnHCJXMU227nGLgzxQzXaSBxlkuriPLvf1sMNX1a7ecQScPMZkQ3rq_bde-t5_hbtsLLx8xb1-PP7SJdN0Swn_Xzn83b/w171-h200/IMG_6393.heic" width="171" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8nzMXla9786ZVPKlgTlTaTiIQAgjHTAH6I2eaFY50iiYrQrtMLWJuDBSf5MXsfz7tEcj1zUu2geAIt_AQIe04aGJ6T1HTUYPEKiGcBWKWZ_KTtdw-6R4pjl7GcihGtdHPUfbDUzs9KvzE5DkLaBhNx1SXeq-YAWhWF46cFWKgWDt6kM_UoK7_ZVy/s4032/E3E777C1-AD04-451B-A6CB-3506787306EA_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8nzMXla9786ZVPKlgTlTaTiIQAgjHTAH6I2eaFY50iiYrQrtMLWJuDBSf5MXsfz7tEcj1zUu2geAIt_AQIe04aGJ6T1HTUYPEKiGcBWKWZ_KTtdw-6R4pjl7GcihGtdHPUfbDUzs9KvzE5DkLaBhNx1SXeq-YAWhWF46cFWKgWDt6kM_UoK7_ZVy/w150-h200/E3E777C1-AD04-451B-A6CB-3506787306EA_1_201_a.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jPXDb9BYh9EwEAbU6atAJ-1aO-vkQ1EwEBRGgLs8m4LsM8MGFzvVCK4_4fX8iS9pg6wDes8HZittn5nZ_DGxQqGq9F_EZkntYrLwToEaO6RWjE07hFg3sY1F7_jPpRFrXJwm83nWrbMgwC10LKEhjDHarwrbvPxkFlYw1bngNj22IakoTl5Ttuuu/s4032/E94FFF5B-83D4-49EE-9D40-E5BA4768C0F4.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jPXDb9BYh9EwEAbU6atAJ-1aO-vkQ1EwEBRGgLs8m4LsM8MGFzvVCK4_4fX8iS9pg6wDes8HZittn5nZ_DGxQqGq9F_EZkntYrLwToEaO6RWjE07hFg3sY1F7_jPpRFrXJwm83nWrbMgwC10LKEhjDHarwrbvPxkFlYw1bngNj22IakoTl5Ttuuu/w150-h200/E94FFF5B-83D4-49EE-9D40-E5BA4768C0F4.heic" width="150" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bladderwort native is such a gem, with its exotic flowers. And the Mayapple blooms seemed especially large this year. A Jack came back, which was good to see, along with a red trillium. I'd pre-ordered some native plants from the North American Native Plant society and was especially disappointed by the two trout lilies and Dutchman's breeches. The specimens were dead within a day of me picking them up. When I followed up with NAAPs to complain they explained that these ephemerals were just dormant and should be back next spring. I'll put a note in my calendar to follow up with them next year. The plants weren't cheap and the breeches were as small as the moon on my fingernail. I'm not so sure I will pre-order plants unseen next year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did get another red trillium and a few more Jacks that are in the ground, although when I was looking out the upstairs back window I saw a squirrel digging up one of the younger Jacks. The brat! I now have a cover protecting them as they get established. I would love to have a colony of Jacks in the backyard to admire throughout the season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKDrhuCPxMh_Eh8aVh-BMSPQIn5XBTGKC31hWYvFvRnij-jkluzS_oYO8zLfAqQo9r7n8QdL7XeQZmWglBm_zsu0TtZqstC9msmcsfokX0M1s09c1CD-h00pgGqc8HGPPsG-8fBQB3mo3uK0jK03OMgaD5yjHw4WqUzDqyN9RcYsJFTeYEa0Ekz_X/s4032/IMG_6378.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKDrhuCPxMh_Eh8aVh-BMSPQIn5XBTGKC31hWYvFvRnij-jkluzS_oYO8zLfAqQo9r7n8QdL7XeQZmWglBm_zsu0TtZqstC9msmcsfokX0M1s09c1CD-h00pgGqc8HGPPsG-8fBQB3mo3uK0jK03OMgaD5yjHw4WqUzDqyN9RcYsJFTeYEa0Ekz_X/w200-h150/IMG_6378.HEIC" title="Bladderwart" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrenwort</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-1160601971911157702023-05-28T11:17:00.001-04:002023-06-25T12:35:11.122-04:00Wolfe Island Get Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhdR1p2TpTubb4ahBiTXlz35JgobAGz2qSOvvls6NHqakhlBDw5Qkjp4YCfb3lYmXkETY23npvfpDjf_D9xzixMg2uEjHyPdijkJcu86KYmOTrtH8BmS-qEq9S8Oo95DLvQKHybQu7X2lFYuGO2b8dD-xJ9g3TDvDnb9nj7fmyN8GCp-LeYfMhhpVoXU/s4032/17001936-7C34-4F4C-AF6E-83CA0B99E2A3_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhdR1p2TpTubb4ahBiTXlz35JgobAGz2qSOvvls6NHqakhlBDw5Qkjp4YCfb3lYmXkETY23npvfpDjf_D9xzixMg2uEjHyPdijkJcu86KYmOTrtH8BmS-qEq9S8Oo95DLvQKHybQu7X2lFYuGO2b8dD-xJ9g3TDvDnb9nj7fmyN8GCp-LeYfMhhpVoXU/s320/17001936-7C34-4F4C-AF6E-83CA0B99E2A3_1_201_a.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A visit to Wolfe Island via the car ferry on the last weekend in May made for a great get away. Laura and Peter had the glamping tent all set up and it was the perfect place for an afternoon nap after a walk in the forest and through the fields. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The theme for the Epi adventures was Live Fire Cooking, and what a treat!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The day we arrived, we rolled out dough Laura had prepared for bagels and then put them to rest overnite in the fridge. The next morning we boiled them and then baked them in the bread oven where they were toasted to perfection. Cheeses I brought to the table included a delicious artisinal chevre of beet and horseradish, Wensleydale and le Pleine Lune. The best bagels I've ever had in my life! Enjoyed with a beer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFym8LyPQv4iK8rB7ZeX8eAdcamC5bU0xTkeUxg5UejUwUc4lfFB5y9yX7dUiUDZ3hAfltomaUnxCQT5zbBu1aSucaaNwxFFSNBc6B5OP9vXS48DPGm-ceTLSlOEjkNksm7XTjP7KYxX4l1E0p8echtP2E0V3wp--TNb-wAUinO3yckF9gDG6DROsqvlc/s4032/0877D3B4-84C8-44E1-8805-F76E7370E069_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1109" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFym8LyPQv4iK8rB7ZeX8eAdcamC5bU0xTkeUxg5UejUwUc4lfFB5y9yX7dUiUDZ3hAfltomaUnxCQT5zbBu1aSucaaNwxFFSNBc6B5OP9vXS48DPGm-ceTLSlOEjkNksm7XTjP7KYxX4l1E0p8echtP2E0V3wp--TNb-wAUinO3yckF9gDG6DROsqvlc/w55-h200/0877D3B4-84C8-44E1-8805-F76E7370E069_1_201_a.heic" width="55" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7k1EL9rh_sVnJTkuV_j6r1yUyX1ApSeLaXsG9bq2BdHYYuIpEKHRARoLu8xOFXZ9LGIpgtluqpvsaK6QPgZfQXWl6FPA_SU4Y3nnYJwZaeuIkpqUEdlsoNTsWpldAlAwlPLzXo5cTXZMkqvYUSEkoEWCxRqOEH3ahzKN8g4EmRO9vzKVhBIk4khEh9k/s4032/1E71BE92-23DE-4F4B-8696-A7EDF909FCA4.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7k1EL9rh_sVnJTkuV_j6r1yUyX1ApSeLaXsG9bq2BdHYYuIpEKHRARoLu8xOFXZ9LGIpgtluqpvsaK6QPgZfQXWl6FPA_SU4Y3nnYJwZaeuIkpqUEdlsoNTsWpldAlAwlPLzXo5cTXZMkqvYUSEkoEWCxRqOEH3ahzKN8g4EmRO9vzKVhBIk4khEh9k/w150-h200/1E71BE92-23DE-4F4B-8696-A7EDF909FCA4.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOB4J1GfCOxU7fb-lOy4fFIKj77LIgmv9wAPphnOu1Dpy01ub89ObFyadDbyZ4_2ko0irKCTIrLMjF2JfXP6s0AP6_eb8MjLRI37l3EQykUZgYxy30iDgjXFHwHs2olsbAqk88hNZnUbib_7o8wMAZoRCPV1blPsLHWymgadY0D4dqrqD28NAjNWZRTrM/s2904/4ADA0AED-0C9F-4EDC-9D47-978D5357C8A0_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2904" data-original-width="2439" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOB4J1GfCOxU7fb-lOy4fFIKj77LIgmv9wAPphnOu1Dpy01ub89ObFyadDbyZ4_2ko0irKCTIrLMjF2JfXP6s0AP6_eb8MjLRI37l3EQykUZgYxy30iDgjXFHwHs2olsbAqk88hNZnUbib_7o8wMAZoRCPV1blPsLHWymgadY0D4dqrqD28NAjNWZRTrM/w168-h200/4ADA0AED-0C9F-4EDC-9D47-978D5357C8A0_1_201_a.heic" width="168" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9415mNnvFGj7ujgmK05g7ZysZ5a9LPDq2epH43WfD-B-FVVHcmVETvJRGwQY39mYC3vmktby-9JeOVhZ2yslHV-3iy77s12dnQvTOkgiAEOcuUxq-W62fwMgmv9snH6I8uKp1ThR6dO_5pbMI7B5JkXCg7sjxWw8ICnrsUPDip1yimSY9RQOf-67CnI/s3775/9A69D5DC-737F-4803-9328-B7D135301709_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3775" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9415mNnvFGj7ujgmK05g7ZysZ5a9LPDq2epH43WfD-B-FVVHcmVETvJRGwQY39mYC3vmktby-9JeOVhZ2yslHV-3iy77s12dnQvTOkgiAEOcuUxq-W62fwMgmv9snH6I8uKp1ThR6dO_5pbMI7B5JkXCg7sjxWw8ICnrsUPDip1yimSY9RQOf-67CnI/w200-h160/9A69D5DC-737F-4803-9328-B7D135301709_1_201_a.heic" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we set out to prepare the dinner, we trimmed some of the sides and did away with appetizers, knowing we would need to save some room in our stomachs for the ample feast. Even still, we took a pause before gathering around the fire to make s'mores. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had decided to make this treat because I'd never had s'mores. Turned out Kaarina was also deprived. What a gooey sugar rush it was - I opted for some gigantic marshmallows for roasting instead of regular size and they turned out to be a bit too big for the graham crackers, but quite fun to cook over the open fire. I also used Skor chocolate bars instead of dark chocolate wafers. A fun dessert to prepare and it certainly fit with the theme of live fire cooking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Live Fire Cooking Menu</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;">Main - Sauteed Mushrooms (Laura) Slow Cooked Lam Shoulder with Lamb and Cumin served with roasted poto, eggplant and asparagus (Kaarina)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cheese course - Brie soaked in Calvados and melted over an open fire (Diane)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dessert - S'mores (Diane)</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXkQfFOgtkep6oxsKDvsGjI4U_6vu0hjPBKM6uUuVeBYjwvxW_w2Uhzmp86etiOAlzLfbsAUklfeDJ1Xzx-r2R-FfHgb2hCczZIROZaLCx1vv8joMcyYUA5hNmJdVP9EkgugCzPLXIq3Yd5qNStaqar5JE_b7SpouLbnzoQToEwNPtGMKh7Gp8QI3hgw/s4032/49104598-DBAF-451F-A66B-03140F2B363D.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXkQfFOgtkep6oxsKDvsGjI4U_6vu0hjPBKM6uUuVeBYjwvxW_w2Uhzmp86etiOAlzLfbsAUklfeDJ1Xzx-r2R-FfHgb2hCczZIROZaLCx1vv8joMcyYUA5hNmJdVP9EkgugCzPLXIq3Yd5qNStaqar5JE_b7SpouLbnzoQToEwNPtGMKh7Gp8QI3hgw/w150-h200/49104598-DBAF-451F-A66B-03140F2B363D.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhC2AI5wZ7WHSojpwie4mkYb7GwVAX1OGFVeWLbadrzgdtDcs5YiijUWjyrzQXKm21t14SWl8zI2WqHs6LGasTZ2ReVHMUMzrW8H81pv2dmZJNnA7zm2_uq5l7AYyALlVKxXc6OKvR2qUrOyRUpPCSixBKXnTlMDs5M4HY82ApDrBvgNzRATo7ZhDhZxM/s4032/489BB531-88AF-4F1B-9341-9DFF62945DDF.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhC2AI5wZ7WHSojpwie4mkYb7GwVAX1OGFVeWLbadrzgdtDcs5YiijUWjyrzQXKm21t14SWl8zI2WqHs6LGasTZ2ReVHMUMzrW8H81pv2dmZJNnA7zm2_uq5l7AYyALlVKxXc6OKvR2qUrOyRUpPCSixBKXnTlMDs5M4HY82ApDrBvgNzRATo7ZhDhZxM/w150-h200/489BB531-88AF-4F1B-9341-9DFF62945DDF.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmhpGOAPpFAKaoUXOJAkuNNBGjr6qY9vWKR69_UnESqDg6NKOHn34W00LZq03e5u1SphoijxHpc7PCxjcN-dlnNaZfbRTVOPYS4bGaNsK71loLqWTi0Bpm8iOaSJWNSZcIhTd3cnjfDKOIRdsuaF8YdlFkolkX4eo5RijBFoKsPd03HU-96QLUYDy3zk/s4032/23DEE810-9D9B-4A91-90C4-BE1C472E05CC.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmhpGOAPpFAKaoUXOJAkuNNBGjr6qY9vWKR69_UnESqDg6NKOHn34W00LZq03e5u1SphoijxHpc7PCxjcN-dlnNaZfbRTVOPYS4bGaNsK71loLqWTi0Bpm8iOaSJWNSZcIhTd3cnjfDKOIRdsuaF8YdlFkolkX4eo5RijBFoKsPd03HU-96QLUYDy3zk/w150-h200/23DEE810-9D9B-4A91-90C4-BE1C472E05CC.heic" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9VxAH54LeE4SGTtLhMsP7LG1gwMq8RAajjkwk4AZjwiXe-Med6c81Pu0issAbEPL9UsahWEBP9GGk1oC5pG5q2I-HLxfrFCWbna3IQ87JAULLjYAMmzgHfRHPGWBbDdCHwQnjUu9LcBJPDRp8bmQnFfl9XczmDpMkwRSThzjG01zYoQLb2JNUtQ1kf4/s4032/1B6C5A3A-512C-411D-8DEA-BA7F2C17B425.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9VxAH54LeE4SGTtLhMsP7LG1gwMq8RAajjkwk4AZjwiXe-Med6c81Pu0issAbEPL9UsahWEBP9GGk1oC5pG5q2I-HLxfrFCWbna3IQ87JAULLjYAMmzgHfRHPGWBbDdCHwQnjUu9LcBJPDRp8bmQnFfl9XczmDpMkwRSThzjG01zYoQLb2JNUtQ1kf4/s320/1B6C5A3A-512C-411D-8DEA-BA7F2C17B425.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-25610445608780228482023-05-21T14:15:00.001-04:002023-06-03T15:01:12.677-04:00The bird is on the wing and isn't that a pretty thing<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO3xe5teVv56WkEbOlgazPaOCq3LSBqmX4Bnki7VyMwVSJzDTtOjuQjJa3mmaXOaNgfqCQSuEK5lUiVw7GjOI6PxL_wIY3Y-sx0c2JReaOwfDtpe-S2B5gTFHQnFyA7Iyt1LWk7ADYFIqMgmi0uo7k9rIeai25DfY0UsV7JwEtY-ZRMhYWPqo7_4ry" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="228" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO3xe5teVv56WkEbOlgazPaOCq3LSBqmX4Bnki7VyMwVSJzDTtOjuQjJa3mmaXOaNgfqCQSuEK5lUiVw7GjOI6PxL_wIY3Y-sx0c2JReaOwfDtpe-S2B5gTFHQnFyA7Iyt1LWk7ADYFIqMgmi0uo7k9rIeai25DfY0UsV7JwEtY-ZRMhYWPqo7_4ry" width="320" /></a></div>Andy H. guided us on a couple days of spring birdwatching in different habitats, and I saw many of these species, like the Eastern bluebird on the left, for the very first time. Exciting! <div><br /></div><div>I am just learning how to differentiate different types of birds, so it was highly informative to be with someone who could mark differences within types (i.e. all the different warblers). Eye rings, marking on wings, beak colouration, flight pattern, and birdsong all contribute to making each bird unique.<div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div>The photos in this post are not mine - but we did see lots of birders with cameras and very long lenses.</div><div><br /></div><div>These were all different habitats, which attract different types of birds: Thickson's Woods (woodland); Lynde Shores (marsh on one side and lake on the other); and Calden Alvar. Lots of different wildflowers and native plants to admire as well. It's great to get outdoors and birding is a good excuse.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">first time sightings "Lifers" = L</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhk84sRMSTSLb760tX1Y-YN54zla7ytDRp-qmroRo5XV6ShvA1casItm8dLt6_SmkDJcYtlfTmgioLIV-0Iyc1-xKA1w4hkqWn0rDq-0LpzNmkq0ysnBJ2kk3QE3y3y0Jo5GUeQPne2xpL-VRSkPgPgnxYzjrU4perWXUumTb9vfCVhLxM920EB-Rfg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="228" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhk84sRMSTSLb760tX1Y-YN54zla7ytDRp-qmroRo5XV6ShvA1casItm8dLt6_SmkDJcYtlfTmgioLIV-0Iyc1-xKA1w4hkqWn0rDq-0LpzNmkq0ysnBJ2kk3QE3y3y0Jo5GUeQPne2xpL-VRSkPgPgnxYzjrU4perWXUumTb9vfCVhLxM920EB-Rfg=w200-h139" width="200" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.thicksonswoods.com/">Thickson's Woods</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">(May 9)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Black throated green warbler (L)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Redstart warbler (L)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ruby-crowned kinglet (L)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Chickadee</div><div style="text-align: center;">Red winged blackbird</div><div style="text-align: center;">Seagull</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pileated or Northern Flicker (heard) </div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Cardinal</div><div style="text-align: center;">White throated sparrow</div><div style="text-align: center;">White crowned sparrow</div><div style="text-align: center;">Catbird</div><div style="text-align: center;">Northern flicker</div><div style="text-align: center;">Merganser</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ringed gull</div><div style="text-align: center;">Downy woodpecker</div><div style="text-align: center;">Goldfinch</div><div style="text-align: center;">Woodthrush (L)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Purple finch</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.cloca.com/lynde-shores">Lynde Shores</a> </div><div><div style="text-align: center;">(May 9)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wild turkey</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blue Jay</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cowbird</div><div style="text-align: center;">Grackle</div><div style="text-align: center;">House sparrow</div><div style="text-align: center;">Coot</div><div style="text-align: center;">Swans (Mute and trumpeter)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Red winged blackbird</div><div style="text-align: center;">Goose / gosling</div><div style="text-align: center;">Virginia Rail (L)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Killdeer (on nest)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cardinal</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtIiNJE-11uWJHCn1Zu0QBrkfj197tCJLtm6_4j0Fz6ZgJsSRWDp0l_yC1H3Ud1ldZnzSqn2Wx80uPGUENmd1ODs_bAEUq9TDxXN7pq8vES9twNzwu9B9jbNVMuI8ygKoBM8iUE_DTPGn--dKsl6P6hRxEk5NgK_Si_UDSNyDJ1XE5i2Jye2IN6o54" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtIiNJE-11uWJHCn1Zu0QBrkfj197tCJLtm6_4j0Fz6ZgJsSRWDp0l_yC1H3Ud1ldZnzSqn2Wx80uPGUENmd1ODs_bAEUq9TDxXN7pq8vES9twNzwu9B9jbNVMuI8ygKoBM8iUE_DTPGn--dKsl6P6hRxEk5NgK_Si_UDSNyDJ1XE5i2Jye2IN6o54=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden wing warbler</td></tr></tbody></table><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtIiNJE-11uWJHCn1Zu0QBrkfj197tCJLtm6_4j0Fz6ZgJsSRWDp0l_yC1H3Ud1ldZnzSqn2Wx80uPGUENmd1ODs_bAEUq9TDxXN7pq8vES9twNzwu9B9jbNVMuI8ygKoBM8iUE_DTPGn--dKsl6P6hRxEk5NgK_Si_UDSNyDJ1XE5i2Jye2IN6o54" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://couchichingconserv.ca/what-we-do/carden-alvar/" style="font-weight: normal;">Carden Alvar</a></h3><div style="text-align: center;">(May 21)</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Red-wing blackbirds</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Kingbird (L)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bobolink (L)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Common Snipe (L)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tree swallow</div><div style="text-align: center;">Barn swallow</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oriole</div><div style="text-align: center;">Merlin</div><div style="text-align: center;">Grackle</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yellow warbler</div><div style="text-align: center;">Common yellow throat (warbler) (L)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Golden wing warbler (L)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Black and white warbler</div><div style="text-align: center;">Blue Jay</div><div style="text-align: center;">Brown Thrasher / mimic (L)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Robin</div><div style="text-align: center;">Eastern bluebird (L)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Phoebe</div><div style="text-align: center;">Osprey</div><div style="text-align: center;">Canada geese</div><div style="text-align: center;">Crows</div><div style="text-align: center;">Marsh wren (L)</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZEO-cX4thLqS1_gteovgKRATxJR9CrirS-_qvb02sqGtvq4jo8lEPjRGoFU3PvTvqftKuA5DriEqU-LaTzyLjpA__pe8ILik-XtaMt5w0b0mDNM6hMVHgPPiiejfAyFKiZPPP-Ko1kxG-eyGAeNoWhY4iwSN1pa6rBoIQzDXdw9G4R79HIZ1yNzGq" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZEO-cX4thLqS1_gteovgKRATxJR9CrirS-_qvb02sqGtvq4jo8lEPjRGoFU3PvTvqftKuA5DriEqU-LaTzyLjpA__pe8ILik-XtaMt5w0b0mDNM6hMVHgPPiiejfAyFKiZPPP-Ko1kxG-eyGAeNoWhY4iwSN1pa6rBoIQzDXdw9G4R79HIZ1yNzGq=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common snipe<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641521065966671235.post-64900792047246656742023-05-20T11:59:00.085-04:002023-06-25T12:32:28.495-04:00Chicago!<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgUOIT3e3hsIyMMs0E9JreZmv0WC_ORzEwrax_xOpi44gYWVyXMv1Ie3H-ykP1niuztRkjrDcWiZFFh7wO2oemYA_9qqdHJdritLQHcqeeQmUAGfH9VJdjDaxc6dJsb_hQ5BVGcFXPlEVek34Y0lhEj1oi12V3v8-I3m_ioLIHfNDCcg-_O7cmaMq/s4032/89D1D1EB-A657-4734-B737-F90B98BB7F4D.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgUOIT3e3hsIyMMs0E9JreZmv0WC_ORzEwrax_xOpi44gYWVyXMv1Ie3H-ykP1niuztRkjrDcWiZFFh7wO2oemYA_9qqdHJdritLQHcqeeQmUAGfH9VJdjDaxc6dJsb_hQ5BVGcFXPlEVek34Y0lhEj1oi12V3v8-I3m_ioLIHfNDCcg-_O7cmaMq/s320/89D1D1EB-A657-4734-B737-F90B98BB7F4D.heic" width="240" /></a>I finally got to visit Chicago and what a fabulous city!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The architecture, the public art, the parks, the gardens, the Blues, the Riverwalk...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Rob found an incredible deal on the <a href="https://www.flyporter.com/en-ca/book-travel/book-flight-and-hotel">Porter Escapes</a> site for return flights and a 4 night stay in a great hotel in the Loop.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was impressed by how well planted the boulevards were - crews were out every day and laying gorgeous flower beds. Ward Park, Lurie Park, Millennium Park were all so green and offering respite within the busy city. Only an 'L' train away was the breathtaking Garfield Observatory with its stunning botanical collection.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The downtown streets were very clean and didn't seem to have as many homeless as here in Toronto. An excellent transit system took us from one end of town to the other, with a $5 ticket lasting 24 hours. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY84a1E-zmKWxJi01pEUyCqavMns920Ap21YocSqNZHVG2GVW47owAJGn7XDQYEuzYnUPjgihPB1pERKc7kbTKB2zvJ8Yg--_HYHNwLllUqh0atEHUL4uM-MU0u5Q3aMFDFUSla8SOEC9r68bTjDw7Uw97obP6bFCZa0Y4BksLNg5ex5seF0wl1JY/s4032/F44278E4-2B3E-43B0-BC5C-71EFF532D210.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY84a1E-zmKWxJi01pEUyCqavMns920Ap21YocSqNZHVG2GVW47owAJGn7XDQYEuzYnUPjgihPB1pERKc7kbTKB2zvJ8Yg--_HYHNwLllUqh0atEHUL4uM-MU0u5Q3aMFDFUSla8SOEC9r68bTjDw7Uw97obP6bFCZa0Y4BksLNg5ex5seF0wl1JY/w200-h150/F44278E4-2B3E-43B0-BC5C-71EFF532D210.heic" width="200" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Such a beautiful waterfront along Lake Michigan and the bridges along the Riverwalk reminded me of Paris. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Architecture! Frank Lloyd Wright but also Jeanne Gang and her Aqua Tower, Gehry's Music Pavillion in Millennium Park and stunning buildings almost everywhere you looked in the Loop. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We didn't get too fancy with our dining, grabbing fast food Chicago classics like hotdogs, Italian Beef Sandwiches and deep dish pizza. Our most memorable meal was a breakfast at Lou Mitchell's, a Zugat rated diner that's the start of Route 66, and we happened to wander in for breakfast when they were celebrating their 100th birthday. Then there were the craft beers, ciders and cocktails along the Riverwalk.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So much to see! We did fit a lot in during our stay and I would gladly go back for more.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Itinerary</span></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Monday</b>: Left Toronto on a 9:30 flight from Billy Bishop and arrived Chicago time of 11:30 to check-in at <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/chijbpy-canopy-chicago-central-loop/?SEO_id=GMB-AMER-PY-CHIJBPY&y_source=1_Mjc2Mjg4MjYtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D">Canopy by Hilton Chicago Loop</a>. Grabbed lunch at the Shake Shack and then took the Architecture River tour + explored Millennium Park + cocktails at <a href="https://www.wikiwand.com/en/The_Palmer_House_Hilton">Palmer House</a>. Dinner at Luke's across the street from our hotel (an Italian Beef sandwich) and then sparkly city lights and 'Art on the Mart' along the Riverwalk.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDSY_8P4WlU3LzGNG_ageGOSa_9Ol7LxyDbY_GtQ55ffg22SPU8oPBGAHUPyWm6giX80o5VfacTGT9MYEN-gtV7TrgNLYO7XJZs4Lza09u_svqKIOt-ILv29SArY3A0TV9zAqwH2s_R5SOBnIzfsZjoX89sjD6EaFi9rfL0pUEEg-Iq56t4XGbVC5/s4032/1CD34C04-9F9A-418F-AF15-ACE71A437ADB_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDSY_8P4WlU3LzGNG_ageGOSa_9Ol7LxyDbY_GtQ55ffg22SPU8oPBGAHUPyWm6giX80o5VfacTGT9MYEN-gtV7TrgNLYO7XJZs4Lza09u_svqKIOt-ILv29SArY3A0TV9zAqwH2s_R5SOBnIzfsZjoX89sjD6EaFi9rfL0pUEEg-Iq56t4XGbVC5/w200-h150/1CD34C04-9F9A-418F-AF15-ACE71A437ADB_1_201_a.heic" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC24tcyOc_BjPA-aZ0PSlHFNzwuMrK2i0s7ZtA5tKZra5oJhIyLFOqdaYX-iklcjiBCQrqqfkK0JNwCdyUia4Nt_H7IHIgDlbLgDsvKnIdKI4Rw76903RkVH8SewRfZ--BnIC3DJOKT_Q8Ot0sghKz12qwHqQLgfbBMQlcbEv1cyuKrAEb-q3h110_/s4032/EF664DA7-0E00-4024-964D-7B23D01EE427.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC24tcyOc_BjPA-aZ0PSlHFNzwuMrK2i0s7ZtA5tKZra5oJhIyLFOqdaYX-iklcjiBCQrqqfkK0JNwCdyUia4Nt_H7IHIgDlbLgDsvKnIdKI4Rw76903RkVH8SewRfZ--BnIC3DJOKT_Q8Ot0sghKz12qwHqQLgfbBMQlcbEv1cyuKrAEb-q3h110_/w200-h150/EF664DA7-0E00-4024-964D-7B23D01EE427.heic" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Tuesday</b>: A quick breakfast at a sandwich shop and then the Hop-on Hop-off bus for a whirlwind tour. Grabbed a Chicago hotdog from a cart and walked through Ward Park to the waterfront, past Chicago Yacht Club & Columbia Yacht Club to Navy Pier. Back on the bus to Riverwalk and a craft cider while people-watching and playing 'Guess the Tourist'. Deep dish pizza at Giodarno's (could not finish it and ended up giving our take-away to the person begging for change by the door). Then all the way up to the top of the Willis Tower to be tourists and take cheesy photos on the Skydeck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zBtE-xNpc246TOX_PY_JxG9zyCP7Enz4UUWUgsTEzcSuD6KYiEghXHtIIUmBKgfHjoHwTnRw7lUbFDPQBsGac4mz9oUnBh4yIhmPD9_2DTGkd7b-HYKrYQtgS5geqWP52btfX-n6xdvgmK4lUxt3lbFJtpMr5FcBhb57eQgq55gTMZ7A9lNLEI4N/s4032/60263658-C799-4ACE-A0F2-F8A2B33BC653.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zBtE-xNpc246TOX_PY_JxG9zyCP7Enz4UUWUgsTEzcSuD6KYiEghXHtIIUmBKgfHjoHwTnRw7lUbFDPQBsGac4mz9oUnBh4yIhmPD9_2DTGkd7b-HYKrYQtgS5geqWP52btfX-n6xdvgmK4lUxt3lbFJtpMr5FcBhb57eQgq55gTMZ7A9lNLEI4N/w150-h200/60263658-C799-4ACE-A0F2-F8A2B33BC653.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4T8LWGIv4ksFpOVfiOe0EjObTbop2IRCB9PbUynqVJuVoqKtiTUuyO2lqqsB3buHFzx7DBxILr6ZqfyhX-V1QkhoP8I3MMHBtypT41ac7aYWJOOgGhYjLhQtSSGavTaf7yxi2TtTZCQ4KZdWq8GzOTqdkTbHs5rI7UchbcIzE9klGaJMVLBNSP5NR/s4032/9F92CC43-C7C7-4019-9C01-71A97F791A48_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4T8LWGIv4ksFpOVfiOe0EjObTbop2IRCB9PbUynqVJuVoqKtiTUuyO2lqqsB3buHFzx7DBxILr6ZqfyhX-V1QkhoP8I3MMHBtypT41ac7aYWJOOgGhYjLhQtSSGavTaf7yxi2TtTZCQ4KZdWq8GzOTqdkTbHs5rI7UchbcIzE9klGaJMVLBNSP5NR/w200-h150/9F92CC43-C7C7-4019-9C01-71A97F791A48_1_201_a.heic" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkcbdyi8hFR8LC4c4qtOA_WpVh9J8d_gDjHtEI7_v0pqHbjI_EnnqkpPgARp9TFhQ78Wf3kLpELI-M7jCCI-Tmn6EupynDxGx5ZasZv4g8IH96lFR9W8LlfcQ9C4BmwzYqhOR5csChFWM3Fhazj10vypfVwahY4TanzFmA72FwOy1sMxhMoMn_a9B/s4032/08DEB272-B8C1-4BAC-9E4B-7DF48CA03350.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkcbdyi8hFR8LC4c4qtOA_WpVh9J8d_gDjHtEI7_v0pqHbjI_EnnqkpPgARp9TFhQ78Wf3kLpELI-M7jCCI-Tmn6EupynDxGx5ZasZv4g8IH96lFR9W8LlfcQ9C4BmwzYqhOR5csChFWM3Fhazj10vypfVwahY4TanzFmA72FwOy1sMxhMoMn_a9B/w150-h200/08DEB272-B8C1-4BAC-9E4B-7DF48CA03350.heic" width="150" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Wednesday: </b>Best breakfast! We were lucky to arrive at <a href="http://www.loumitchells.com/">Lou Mitchell's</a> on the day they were celebrating their 100th birthday (and the maitre d' was celebrating her 95th!) The 'L' to <a href="https://garfieldconservatory.org/">Garfield Park Conservatory</a> with its eight indoor display gardens of landscape art under glass. Took the train back and strolled through Millennium Park and then Piet Oudolf's <a href="https://www.luriegarden.org/">Lurie Garden</a>, checked out the Tiffany glass dome at the Chicago Cultural Centre, admired the ceilings at historic Marshall Field's. A late lunch gorging on green salad. 'L' back to Canopy for a quick change and an Uber to <a href="https://buddyguy.com/">Buddy Guy's Legends</a> where we lucked out and saw the man himself perform alongside Jimmy Burns (the electric blues guitarist).<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1PO2XS0Fd2Kio7OpHUAi44CuWOc5McqRE2je3ApKIiJR4XESo6CQ8pq8ZaaOKtnZtHzblhf--c7pp0Mj57YJeR1zuujyAFTe1OpX-988vuoGNXG7rAvVACaMHM-Bb2mavDW9B1CTFwdJI8m1G9MJynmjpD2-t6ZXjZmI-bj5z1NkQi00aTqIaCL7/s4032/3DC425C7-1C35-45AA-A41E-7E1B7E7C219C.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1PO2XS0Fd2Kio7OpHUAi44CuWOc5McqRE2je3ApKIiJR4XESo6CQ8pq8ZaaOKtnZtHzblhf--c7pp0Mj57YJeR1zuujyAFTe1OpX-988vuoGNXG7rAvVACaMHM-Bb2mavDW9B1CTFwdJI8m1G9MJynmjpD2-t6ZXjZmI-bj5z1NkQi00aTqIaCL7/w150-h200/3DC425C7-1C35-45AA-A41E-7E1B7E7C219C.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDx43_rCybiraqOJ7LwhojqpbAzn7bQp20rzHyNsypavtKuRV4XSwZY6varGS3FN6swdcnmt73KwXhhFXt6bb9bmD3PIT7sdYtQg1sfFaz7nkC-3eYoTAOtCWQQxWeSTp-0cUd4gqGWSoJ1B8-lzJskiYsnSahf93MoYkIB0tijUNoRl7c3J1cXGD/s4032/836FDAA2-C9A4-4673-BDCC-84228B63254B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDx43_rCybiraqOJ7LwhojqpbAzn7bQp20rzHyNsypavtKuRV4XSwZY6varGS3FN6swdcnmt73KwXhhFXt6bb9bmD3PIT7sdYtQg1sfFaz7nkC-3eYoTAOtCWQQxWeSTp-0cUd4gqGWSoJ1B8-lzJskiYsnSahf93MoYkIB0tijUNoRl7c3J1cXGD/w150-h200/836FDAA2-C9A4-4673-BDCC-84228B63254B.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrc_2-z3Xk7RUoH-mpu_OpWVoUDUEpY9n7l7D87moISZWyKJ6FK7DrrJNVAUunll7gCTO0rXcEweeXstxqKkXtlYg1II0o-v-y9G1MwuuinSPmcEW5FJNAV4du1nhhzP8QQMCbnjSLUS6UVEwIypWuAbIB3YEAHM1Ty1yqYwwXgTrDTzHGHQWY4MM/s1640/1716946A-822C-4B30-B6F7-C89D4E85CA24_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1640" data-original-width="1230" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrc_2-z3Xk7RUoH-mpu_OpWVoUDUEpY9n7l7D87moISZWyKJ6FK7DrrJNVAUunll7gCTO0rXcEweeXstxqKkXtlYg1II0o-v-y9G1MwuuinSPmcEW5FJNAV4du1nhhzP8QQMCbnjSLUS6UVEwIypWuAbIB3YEAHM1Ty1yqYwwXgTrDTzHGHQWY4MM/w150-h200/1716946A-822C-4B30-B6F7-C89D4E85CA24_1_201_a.heic" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Thursday</b>: Frank Lloyd Wright Day! Took the 'L' train to Oak Park and then realized we'd headed to the opposite of our scheduled tour on south side's <a href="https://www.flwright.org/tour/robie-house">Robie House</a>. Two hour side trip looking out the train windows all along the tracks brought a different view of the city. Robie House is on the University of Chicago property, surrounded by different architectural styles, which helped to set its genius in context. In the afternoon we explored Oak Park and the FLW <a href="https://flwright.org/tour/home-and-studio">Home and Studio</a>. Cocktails on the Riverwalk at 7pm and then off to the <a href="https://www.houseofblues.com/chicago">House of Blues</a> for music and dinner.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xF4LTMOHY7Rzahf8YYsDJvBMq3vniN8fe9cqj65e2hTatOZqB6591rSGrQs_L1W-CvxuBZrM1ul8iooiSDN7PUzl0gJ44Wyj2u5UrwBIvyWC2dlBZ2YZ37Sn2J2ui1d5QQV4ZvmHCfLEOPHHe32GY1gVTxIxh28_4i8fMpvjsKj6eZQJg4naR_9e/s4032/CDE0F812-90F0-445E-BF15-49B5857203DE.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xF4LTMOHY7Rzahf8YYsDJvBMq3vniN8fe9cqj65e2hTatOZqB6591rSGrQs_L1W-CvxuBZrM1ul8iooiSDN7PUzl0gJ44Wyj2u5UrwBIvyWC2dlBZ2YZ37Sn2J2ui1d5QQV4ZvmHCfLEOPHHe32GY1gVTxIxh28_4i8fMpvjsKj6eZQJg4naR_9e/w150-h200/CDE0F812-90F0-445E-BF15-49B5857203DE.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywYTMQYItbL8AZgA-Dc3glsn0HrVxvxgz0DyRvKLU-HjPocEuX1kD1fvwPOlqZlw8qzK04_nuKmUxQLjZQDh6WCYIOrUtAiEOV7BwU4LmjKKhNekXAn6ZNWr_Ise8Ydty9Vg7Kzb-m1QzbF_Lyrz5rRum4tcXNybf20SrRzh7HPoLMrvhx7WnmTb0/s4032/0F1BF868-CCFF-43EF-A0AA-35A7CF2272B9.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywYTMQYItbL8AZgA-Dc3glsn0HrVxvxgz0DyRvKLU-HjPocEuX1kD1fvwPOlqZlw8qzK04_nuKmUxQLjZQDh6WCYIOrUtAiEOV7BwU4LmjKKhNekXAn6ZNWr_Ise8Ydty9Vg7Kzb-m1QzbF_Lyrz5rRum4tcXNybf20SrRzh7HPoLMrvhx7WnmTb0/w200-h150/0F1BF868-CCFF-43EF-A0AA-35A7CF2272B9.heic" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFPOPbKXopsLDmILa6PJV02Z2KlYVcoti2I6eYzJsUFZ8EDNaNFSQUk1K7wItjD8OXjjG4VvuFpf5Ozk7XlMMLU_iGCb_0syZGDQv8wx4m97TEcw-l2puF37Lhx9_F59_ytRF6bvSdCQmGoT0VRh4OPQwEOg6GP8DsSyAcw9zwbFmipczkiysD75f/s4032/1EDFE640-85C1-4BAF-A3EF-122B2AF9A4B2_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFPOPbKXopsLDmILa6PJV02Z2KlYVcoti2I6eYzJsUFZ8EDNaNFSQUk1K7wItjD8OXjjG4VvuFpf5Ozk7XlMMLU_iGCb_0syZGDQv8wx4m97TEcw-l2puF37Lhx9_F59_ytRF6bvSdCQmGoT0VRh4OPQwEOg6GP8DsSyAcw9zwbFmipczkiysD75f/w150-h200/1EDFE640-85C1-4BAF-A3EF-122B2AF9A4B2_1_201_a.heic" width="150" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Friday: </b>Packed up our carry-on suitcases and stored them at the hotel while we went off for breakfast at Lou's. The rainy morning was perfect for exploring the Art Institute and its treasures. What a collection! Got so absorbed by the Impressionists we had to cut short the time in the American wing. Three hours went by in no time, and as we were rushing out we bumped into Jayne from Scarborough Uke Jam (small world hate to paint it). Uber to Midtown Airport at 3:15 and back through our front door by 8:30 pm Toronto time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvV8hdE3wLHy7RXpjH5mmJ-s8d0uHB19pdAaezzT3CwdfFgVZNDjrrvVol8iz_sw5GVfDGOx695iXAYEkTaMvdm2r8Q-PdxAq8nzMnJ-k7GYq5TRSqn9mHm2ZBO2lcvaSXrMuc5eeLEnCOB3jGw2C-0VxpVq2aZHio2e-N2ZCZWaCzb1Bf_ErbpLl/s4032/B89719D9-C081-4C7A-BB2F-D43E60F53203.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvV8hdE3wLHy7RXpjH5mmJ-s8d0uHB19pdAaezzT3CwdfFgVZNDjrrvVol8iz_sw5GVfDGOx695iXAYEkTaMvdm2r8Q-PdxAq8nzMnJ-k7GYq5TRSqn9mHm2ZBO2lcvaSXrMuc5eeLEnCOB3jGw2C-0VxpVq2aZHio2e-N2ZCZWaCzb1Bf_ErbpLl/w150-h200/B89719D9-C081-4C7A-BB2F-D43E60F53203.heic" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkJt2KXQgD44kS21SIXUkgZJBGbiM8520ZdvD8LN-AblszStMRm2U2vIOiI6TPbAZiW3fQaR4_7HIhrdDi3NGshhf8buQvBhBCMt_S8wt-yCo2bVKxUxj1v6hpgR3BN_9Eg1zUE5KqxvUyl3MyAo6DF0U0qDKfsQLo04kz1csk0MXSPR643Ai0XSD/s4032/4713F44A-CDD3-46B2-87AB-ADDDA69F39FB.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkJt2KXQgD44kS21SIXUkgZJBGbiM8520ZdvD8LN-AblszStMRm2U2vIOiI6TPbAZiW3fQaR4_7HIhrdDi3NGshhf8buQvBhBCMt_S8wt-yCo2bVKxUxj1v6hpgR3BN_9Eg1zUE5KqxvUyl3MyAo6DF0U0qDKfsQLo04kz1csk0MXSPR643Ai0XSD/w200-h150/4713F44A-CDD3-46B2-87AB-ADDDA69F39FB.heic" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotWS8vn9bIgnVWOOD2FLRUCMw1HjbXKzYzwuEfXHVsDIGKBgqLAdpjOnwOsYj4So372QSyZZ02oJlbGd7ywEc0yVi75hpjW76smX7qBta_F6yX9c7n-fVcVrlU7IFXWd49724pua_eMN-U8WwvP_xEG6v8HmMnAG3PBl7vOMhv1Q9DqdoT_HifZ4k/s4032/D13EF95D-1029-43F1-BA04-5BDF3D148F45.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotWS8vn9bIgnVWOOD2FLRUCMw1HjbXKzYzwuEfXHVsDIGKBgqLAdpjOnwOsYj4So372QSyZZ02oJlbGd7ywEc0yVi75hpjW76smX7qBta_F6yX9c7n-fVcVrlU7IFXWd49724pua_eMN-U8WwvP_xEG6v8HmMnAG3PBl7vOMhv1Q9DqdoT_HifZ4k/w200-h150/D13EF95D-1029-43F1-BA04-5BDF3D148F45.heic" width="200" /></a></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03110747881544687345noreply@blogger.com0