My brother came to visit for Christmas, and one of the simple pleasures was to browse his extensive online subscription of Martha (included in his Rogers' mobile fees). Although I miss the days when she was editor, I am grateful that she is back writing articles.
I always imagine that she is personally having a conversation with me, in this instance, advice about gardening potatoes. Within two paragraphs, in the edition of October 2016, I have too much info! So I am writing this blog to highlight the ideas I want to take with me to my garden next spring.
On how to hide the shrivelled tops while awaiting the potato "prize": "behind cabbages and broccoli, and...behind the tomatoes."
Classic ones: 'Yukon Gold', 'Red Bliss', 'Maine Kennebec'
Favourite mashing potato: 'Daisy Gold'
Roasting potato: 'Red Thumb'
Purple for salad: 'Huckleberry Gold'
Fantastic baking potato: 'Bake King'
More facts and bios in the books by Helen Hamlin's Pine, Potatoes and People
and Charles Wilson Aroostook: Our Last Frontier.
Sounds like the story of how the potato famine changed Ireland would be well told, and how China became the world's biggest producer of potatoes worldwide!
Thanks Martha! I look forward to your next article!
Monday, December 26, 2016
Sunday, December 25, 2016
MY CHRISTMAS WISH LIST 2016
Mike Myers Canada $25 online indigo.ca
Nathan Reflex Reflective Snap Bands 2-pack, pink $4.99
Bogs North Hampton black multi insulated rain boots $85 online bogsfootwear.ca
De Longhi espresso maker
Nathan Reflex Reflective Snap Bands 2-pack, pink $4.99
Bogs North Hampton black multi insulated rain boots $85 online bogsfootwear.ca
De Longhi espresso maker
Saturday, December 24, 2016
CHRISTMAS BAKING
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| After eight, PB square and peppermint chocolate fudge |
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| A perfect plate |
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| Christmas platter |
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| Peppermint Fudge |
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| PB butterscotch squares |
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| Christmas Rainbow squares |
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| Popcorn balls and a nearly completed Starbucks advent calendar |
For Montreal:
Millefeuille
Bagels and cream cheese
Sucre à la crème
Peppermint fudge
Sugar Pie
Tourtière
Fondue and wine (Hobnob merlot, Menage à Trois)
For Christmas in Saskatchewan:
Rainbow squares
Popcorn balls
PB butterscotch squares
Mandarin oranges
After Eights
For tradition:
Eggnog
Pomegranates
Grapefruit
Ginger chocolate
Peppermint dazzler
So I Married An Axe Murderer
Monday, December 19, 2016
KINDRED SPIRITS HIKE
Once in a while I meet a kindred spirit. Two of my favourite humans are as in love with hiking as I am. So when my friend said she was free this morning, and would I like to go to Mont St. Hilaire, I took the first train I could make to meet her downtown, and we spent the day slopping through the wet trails on our own. Its funny how weather makes people change their plans, but for a few of us, a free day is good enough! I was glad for my gortex Northface trail shoes, but mostly it was a gorgeous walk with a terrific human. I feel very blessed!
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| Lake Hertel |
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| In the end she didn't cross here, but I love that she even thought she might! |
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
SNOW
Yesterday it snowed from the time the sun came up to sun down. They say 15 cm fell, but my car looks like it was even more. I love snow. My daughter loves snow. Every kid at the bus stop loves snow. It's like Christmas toys. From the time the snow comes to when it leaves, you never have to entertain a kid. Just make sure they have their snow pants on when you go out, and they fall down on their knees and play until you call them in, usually not on the first try!
In 24 hours, we have had three of my favourite types of snow.
The first was what I call fake snow. I really could call it "glitter snow". It was light and fluffy and covers like the synthetic snow you can buy to decorate indoors. The glitter snow layered like "White Christmas" snow, as I always imagine Vermont would look, piling up on rooftops and boughs of evergreens, and covering cars. By the end of the day, my daughter could hardly find her toboggan that she had filled with snow for posterity!
By sunset, the snow was becoming granular. This even my daughter recognized as "white sugar" snow. This is not to be confused with "brown sugar snow" which is much more common, and not actually a snow. It's a combination of sand blown on the streets for traction, or dirt from exposed snow. Which reminds my of the most infamous kind of combination snow, known as yellow snow. (I think that one is well known, and deserves no explicit explanation.)
This morning, the ground was covered in small round balls, which can vary from being tiny, resembling a white hail, to larger, resembling styrofoam filler. I use the short form of this snow as "styrofoam snow", because hail is painful and this snow does not hurt.
Still, the best snow is the rare "snowman snow". It is a great day when you wake up and can make snowballs, because that's a day you can make a snowman. That is the best kind of snow!
Really, the topic of snow is just begun in this blog. If you want to know more, check out wikipedia's and read about the types of snow. For a linguistic mystery, check out the Great Eskimo Vocabulary Hoax, which explains how the myth began that "Eskimos" have 50 words for snow
So I hope that you are having a snowy fall, but if not, dream of a white Christmas. It is what I wish for every year!
If you have more names for snow, let me know! I may remember others as Winter approaches!
In 24 hours, we have had three of my favourite types of snow.
The first was what I call fake snow. I really could call it "glitter snow". It was light and fluffy and covers like the synthetic snow you can buy to decorate indoors. The glitter snow layered like "White Christmas" snow, as I always imagine Vermont would look, piling up on rooftops and boughs of evergreens, and covering cars. By the end of the day, my daughter could hardly find her toboggan that she had filled with snow for posterity!
By sunset, the snow was becoming granular. This even my daughter recognized as "white sugar" snow. This is not to be confused with "brown sugar snow" which is much more common, and not actually a snow. It's a combination of sand blown on the streets for traction, or dirt from exposed snow. Which reminds my of the most infamous kind of combination snow, known as yellow snow. (I think that one is well known, and deserves no explicit explanation.)
This morning, the ground was covered in small round balls, which can vary from being tiny, resembling a white hail, to larger, resembling styrofoam filler. I use the short form of this snow as "styrofoam snow", because hail is painful and this snow does not hurt.
Still, the best snow is the rare "snowman snow". It is a great day when you wake up and can make snowballs, because that's a day you can make a snowman. That is the best kind of snow!
Really, the topic of snow is just begun in this blog. If you want to know more, check out wikipedia's and read about the types of snow. For a linguistic mystery, check out the Great Eskimo Vocabulary Hoax, which explains how the myth began that "Eskimos" have 50 words for snow
So I hope that you are having a snowy fall, but if not, dream of a white Christmas. It is what I wish for every year!
If you have more names for snow, let me know! I may remember others as Winter approaches!
Thursday, November 24, 2016
MY FIRST TWENTY-SEVEN DAYS OF RUNNING
My daughter ran a 1.5 km cross country run this fall, and I enjoyed walking the route as volunteer. Preparing for that run, my daughter came home with a booklet called the Roadrunner Club, complete with tiny footprint badges that she could earn at intervals. This was such a popular idea that a few weeks ago it was opened up the parents too, and I was excited as a school kid to get my logbook.
Twenty-seven days later, I have earned two badges and run a grand total of forty-two kilometres. I like that number! I averaged 1.5 km per day, and ran ten times with an average run of 4.2 km. Most of that was in my nearby trail in Terra Cotta Park. Two of those runs involved me breaking in a pair of traction devices that attach to my runners. I had them all last winter, but never used them. This has been my first year running in the snow, and it feels great! You just have to remember to take them off before you cross the cleared pavement!
Twenty-seven days later, I have earned two badges and run a grand total of forty-two kilometres. I like that number! I averaged 1.5 km per day, and ran ten times with an average run of 4.2 km. Most of that was in my nearby trail in Terra Cotta Park. Two of those runs involved me breaking in a pair of traction devices that attach to my runners. I had them all last winter, but never used them. This has been my first year running in the snow, and it feels great! You just have to remember to take them off before you cross the cleared pavement!
Sunday, November 20, 2016
THE ANONYMITY OF CYBERSPACE (VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED)
I started this blog six years ago as a personal journal of things I loved: travel, food and unique experiences. Over the years it has been many things, but for the most part it has been random thoughts that I was expressing to the universe. It was a testimony of some of the beauty and richness of my life. If my house was robbed or burnt down in a fire, it was a safe place to leave a journal. If my daughter grew up and wanted to hear some of my thoughts in the past years, she could, like the rest of the universe, take the time to peruse a few or all of my entries.
This journal was a personal voyage, but one of its best features was its anonymity. My ex-husband, and my good friends may or may not read some of my entries, but they had the good sense to know that it was a private space for my thoughts to go. If they had been at the restaurant, or I had mentioned a topic I had blogged about they would comment. But mostly this was just me talking to myself.
That all changed this year when I had an argument with my parents. What used to be a relationship
of conversations about weather was now no longer enough. So my mom started to read my blog religiously. Maybe my dad too, but he had the good sense or not enough interest to follow along in anything but an appropriately cursory way. My mom, however, hung on ever word, and mistook my ranting as personal intimacy with her. So while our telephone conversations were brief and superficial, she would read my blog and mistake this for a change in our very superficial relationship.
I finally could not write any more, so I took the blog offline to only a private few, but that was unsatisfactory too. Now the thought of a stranger gathering strength or hope or enjoyment was no longer possible, and I still couldn't write. So I didn't for a while. But this act of babbling to the cyber universe is important for me. I enjoy it. It is one of my happy places.
My blog is not under my name. I have posted no photo of myself or daughter unless from behind. For the most part, the comments are rarely personal. I can't unfriend you like I can on Facebook or block you from reading this site, but do not mistake what I say here as a conversation we have had. What we talk about on the phone or in person is our relationship. If it is bad, that may be for a myriad of reasons, not least of which is how you are invading my privacy using this blog. Feel free to follow if you enjoy what a stranger has to say. But I am not talking to you personally, not do I want any comments about how great or terrible my personality or life is based on what I post here. Please respect my anonymity.
This journal was a personal voyage, but one of its best features was its anonymity. My ex-husband, and my good friends may or may not read some of my entries, but they had the good sense to know that it was a private space for my thoughts to go. If they had been at the restaurant, or I had mentioned a topic I had blogged about they would comment. But mostly this was just me talking to myself.
That all changed this year when I had an argument with my parents. What used to be a relationship
of conversations about weather was now no longer enough. So my mom started to read my blog religiously. Maybe my dad too, but he had the good sense or not enough interest to follow along in anything but an appropriately cursory way. My mom, however, hung on ever word, and mistook my ranting as personal intimacy with her. So while our telephone conversations were brief and superficial, she would read my blog and mistake this for a change in our very superficial relationship.
I finally could not write any more, so I took the blog offline to only a private few, but that was unsatisfactory too. Now the thought of a stranger gathering strength or hope or enjoyment was no longer possible, and I still couldn't write. So I didn't for a while. But this act of babbling to the cyber universe is important for me. I enjoy it. It is one of my happy places.
My blog is not under my name. I have posted no photo of myself or daughter unless from behind. For the most part, the comments are rarely personal. I can't unfriend you like I can on Facebook or block you from reading this site, but do not mistake what I say here as a conversation we have had. What we talk about on the phone or in person is our relationship. If it is bad, that may be for a myriad of reasons, not least of which is how you are invading my privacy using this blog. Feel free to follow if you enjoy what a stranger has to say. But I am not talking to you personally, not do I want any comments about how great or terrible my personality or life is based on what I post here. Please respect my anonymity.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
A GOAL WITHOUT A TIMELINE IS JUST A DREAM
September 3rd, 2001, I ran my first and only marathon. My training was not ideal, but I was young, and enjoyed running 10k on Mount Royal, and an occasional long run of 20K at most. My fitter less trained brother joined me in Saskatoon to run a tougher race than I had hoped, but we both came out with personal bests. The trail was beautiful. Unlike Saskatchewan's reputation of being flat, the trail was along the beautiful South Saskatchewan river over bridges and on my beloved Meewasin trail. To make it psychologically harder, the race was two identical loops, so that what we did the first time we had to repeat to finish. Despite being lapped by my brother, we were both proud of our accomplishment. His time was 3:36:54, finishing #9 in the 20-29 men category and #50 overall. Mine was 4:01:09, finishing #2 in the 20-29 women and #98 overall. I won a vest which I was very surprised by, but after the dust settled, I was bothered by the idea that had I run a little faster, I could have been on the other side of 4 hours. Since then I have been dream of repeating the race with a sub-four hour time. I have been dreaming this for over a decade.
As time passes, I wonder if there will be a moment that this may not be possible. So this fall I have set out a plan to run a marathon in September 2017. My current run is a total of 4.6 k, that is about half on the street, and half on a trail. My goal is to run on odd days, but so far it has been more like ever other odd day! Still, I am happy that my toe is entirely healed after 6 month of impatient waiting, and that my plantar fasciitis is burning out, making it possible with a brand new pair of Saucony runners to feel very little foot pain, at least until after the run! I have about twenty pounds to lose, and I will most likely have to be better trained this time around.
My goals are as follows:
4.6 km Terra Cotta run 3-4 times per week. When I am doing this consistently, I will run this 3x/week and will add a long run, increasing to 10k over 1-2 month.
then add in 6.5 km loop to Lakeshore (Pointe-Claire village to St. Jean) 3x/week with a long run, increasing from 10-20 k
then 10 km loop to Beaconsfield Yacht club 3x/week with long run increasing from 20-30 k until the week before the marathon, when I run terra cotta route.
I should be able to run a marathon if I can run for 2 hours and average 3-4 hours of running a week.
May 27, 2017 Xtrail (sutton) 6.5 trail (if I have managed to succeed AND do strenght traingin) vs
May 28, 2017 Scotiabank Ottawa 10k
Sept 24, 2017 Oasis Rock N Roll Montreal Marathon!!!!! (FASTER IN MY FORTIES)
Now, go for a run!
As time passes, I wonder if there will be a moment that this may not be possible. So this fall I have set out a plan to run a marathon in September 2017. My current run is a total of 4.6 k, that is about half on the street, and half on a trail. My goal is to run on odd days, but so far it has been more like ever other odd day! Still, I am happy that my toe is entirely healed after 6 month of impatient waiting, and that my plantar fasciitis is burning out, making it possible with a brand new pair of Saucony runners to feel very little foot pain, at least until after the run! I have about twenty pounds to lose, and I will most likely have to be better trained this time around.
My goals are as follows:
4.6 km Terra Cotta run 3-4 times per week. When I am doing this consistently, I will run this 3x/week and will add a long run, increasing to 10k over 1-2 month.
then add in 6.5 km loop to Lakeshore (Pointe-Claire village to St. Jean) 3x/week with a long run, increasing from 10-20 k
then 10 km loop to Beaconsfield Yacht club 3x/week with long run increasing from 20-30 k until the week before the marathon, when I run terra cotta route.
I should be able to run a marathon if I can run for 2 hours and average 3-4 hours of running a week.
May 27, 2017 Xtrail (sutton) 6.5 trail (if I have managed to succeed AND do strenght traingin) vs
May 28, 2017 Scotiabank Ottawa 10k
Sept 24, 2017 Oasis Rock N Roll Montreal Marathon!!!!! (FASTER IN MY FORTIES)
Now, go for a run!
Friday, November 4, 2016
81 OF MY FAVOURITE ACTIVITIES
1 Kayak
2 Walk on the mountain
3 Boardwalk at Ile Bizard
4 Museum exhibit
5 Botanical gardens
6 Rock climbing
7 Movie
8 Hiking
9 McGill basketball
10 Riders football
11 MTL Canadians at sports bar or live
12 Ice skating
13 Ballet
14 Theatre/opera
15 Jazz festival
16 Guitar hero
17 Dance mania
18 Ballroom dancing
19 Yoga
20 Cooking class
22 Fly a mini kite on a beach
23 Settlers of catan or Cranium with a crowd
24 Metro stop exploration
25 Tennis
26 Cross country ski
27 Spa
28 Down hill ski
29 Watch sunrise/sunset
30 Read a book/ go to book club
31 Playground
32 Bus tour
33 Karaoke
34 Paint/al fresco painting
35 Bowling
36 Bake and bring to work
37 Rooftop pool in the winter
38 Crossword puzzle
39 Paddleboat
40 Segue
41 Toboggan
42 “Activity Triathlon” e.g. foosball, pac-man, pizza or skating, connect four, m and m’s
43 Board games
44 University tour
45 Comedy club
46 Soup kitchen/feed the homeless
47 Wine tasting
48 Bookstore/coffee
49 Drive in
50 Fair rides
51 Email/text someone
52 Picnic
53 Get caught in the rain
54 Stargaze
55 Walk a neighbourhood
56 Rollarblade
57 Camp/s’mores
58 Golf
59 Write poetry/songs
60 Treasure hunt/geocache
61 Visit a sacred place (church, cemetery)
62 Surprise someone
63 Go out with family
64 Go out with friends
65 Reno something
66 Plant a garden
67 Train for an event
68 Go on a trip and make a photo journal
69 Drive and stop spontaneously
70 Waterslide park
71 Visit a zoo/aquarium
72 Massage
73 Firing range
74 Craft
75 Tour Montreal like its another country
76 Laser quest
77 Oka hike and ferry/Hike Sutton, White Mountains, etc etc etc
78 Watch a storm come in
79 Find a view
80 Snorkel
81 Swim
78 Watch a storm come in
79 Find a view
80 Snorkel
81 Swim
Monday, October 17, 2016
PLACELAG
Today I was listening to a podcast with Rick Steves and a pilot named Mark Vanhönacker who wrote a book titled Skyfaring. They had both travelled so much that they had lots of good stories. I can imagine the flight into South Africa's Cape Town, with sweeping views of Table mountain.
The most interesting thing I learned, was the term coined by Mark: placelag. Unlike jet lag, which is usually used negatively, placelag is the feeling of wonder that we have travelled by some miraculous means (like an airplane) a distance to a place we shouldn't be able to see so easily and quickly.
The jet lag flying red eye to Europe is exhausting and discombobulating, but the place lag of being on the beach in Barcelona after leaving a cool fall day in Montreal is an incredible gift, and the ability to travel in mere hours to another culture, language and time zone extraordinary!
The most interesting thing I learned, was the term coined by Mark: placelag. Unlike jet lag, which is usually used negatively, placelag is the feeling of wonder that we have travelled by some miraculous means (like an airplane) a distance to a place we shouldn't be able to see so easily and quickly.
The jet lag flying red eye to Europe is exhausting and discombobulating, but the place lag of being on the beach in Barcelona after leaving a cool fall day in Montreal is an incredible gift, and the ability to travel in mere hours to another culture, language and time zone extraordinary!
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
TONIGHT I AM GRATEFUL FOR A COMMUNITY OF NEIGHBOURS
Yesterday I made a very big mistake. I had the plumber in to replace a pipe, and accidentally let our playful, athletic, contrarian two year old cat run out the front door. I followed her cautiously, because she likes to run away, and hoped for a squirrel to attract her attention, but she just kept crossing lawns. I thought she would circle back, and indeed she did only to move further than I had ever seen her go, and I thought I'd best let her circle back again. Unfortunately, by the time the plumber left, I saw no sign of her. I was still hoping right up until I had to pick up my daughter from the bus. She was no where to be found, and I had to break the news that her precious kitty was on the loose, and she went through all the emotions you would expect a kid going through loss would exhibit. We talked about hope and how she was likely hiding from us. We called around the neighbourhood before supper and ran doorbells looking for anyone who had seen her, but no one had. So we went to bed with heavy hearts.
This morning, she was feeling understandable sad when she went to school. My other cat seemed unbothered by her absence, but I was careful to keep a close eye that she too didn't escape!
In the interim, I called public security, because that's how a neighbour had found her dog, but they don't worry about cats in this neck of the woods. I found out that a local SPCA posts lost animals on Facebook and messaged them. I also found a site that is called petluck.ca and had a helpful email exchange there after being able to search the neighbourhood for any found cats (none were calico). In the meantime, a very useful article on how to get your cat back buoyed my enthusiasm. The gist of it is that food water and litter should be put out, and that after dark, you call your cat at the neighbourhood's quietest moment every night until they come home.
So while my daughter was at school, I made posters, and put food and water out. When school was over, we taped posters all over the neighbourhood, asking anyone we saw whether or not they had seen a Calico cat. We were home printing out more when our neighbour rang our doorbell breathless, saying they had our cat! Elation was the first word that comes to mind!
Our neighbour heard a meow from a big evergreen tree on a visit to other neighbour's, and, sure enough, this silly kitten had climbed up above the rooftops, and was making her way precariously to the smallest part of the branch. Two neighbours were already at the foot of the tree, tracking her progress. Another brought a ladder, while the neighbour who found her returned with a harness and gear to rope around the tree, and a backpack to catch her in. We had brought treats, and we camped out below with a blanket and plans for a fireman's catch if she ever fell. It took quite a while to convince her not to climb further out or up, and even more time to climb into the backpack full of treats, but she did it. She was lowered down, zippered in and writhing. By the time we caught her in the air (the backpack was being lowered by a rope ), she was sending off all sorts of musky warning signals and she sounded angry! I thought a shot with the hero was due, but it became clear that going home, and letting the cat out of the bag was the best course of action!
My daughter and I were so energized we went around to collect the posters, and were surprised to find that already many people had taken the number, presumably to call in case they saw her! As we rounded the corner home, we were met by friends who were out walking in search of her too!
At home, she was calm and smelled amazing, like a pine tree! She has a little sap in her fur and dirt in her paws, but she already found a soft place to curl up to catch up on some much needed sleep.
Home sweet home! Sweet dreams Calico! Sweet dreams angel girl!
This morning, she was feeling understandable sad when she went to school. My other cat seemed unbothered by her absence, but I was careful to keep a close eye that she too didn't escape!
In the interim, I called public security, because that's how a neighbour had found her dog, but they don't worry about cats in this neck of the woods. I found out that a local SPCA posts lost animals on Facebook and messaged them. I also found a site that is called petluck.ca and had a helpful email exchange there after being able to search the neighbourhood for any found cats (none were calico). In the meantime, a very useful article on how to get your cat back buoyed my enthusiasm. The gist of it is that food water and litter should be put out, and that after dark, you call your cat at the neighbourhood's quietest moment every night until they come home.
So while my daughter was at school, I made posters, and put food and water out. When school was over, we taped posters all over the neighbourhood, asking anyone we saw whether or not they had seen a Calico cat. We were home printing out more when our neighbour rang our doorbell breathless, saying they had our cat! Elation was the first word that comes to mind!
Our neighbour heard a meow from a big evergreen tree on a visit to other neighbour's, and, sure enough, this silly kitten had climbed up above the rooftops, and was making her way precariously to the smallest part of the branch. Two neighbours were already at the foot of the tree, tracking her progress. Another brought a ladder, while the neighbour who found her returned with a harness and gear to rope around the tree, and a backpack to catch her in. We had brought treats, and we camped out below with a blanket and plans for a fireman's catch if she ever fell. It took quite a while to convince her not to climb further out or up, and even more time to climb into the backpack full of treats, but she did it. She was lowered down, zippered in and writhing. By the time we caught her in the air (the backpack was being lowered by a rope ), she was sending off all sorts of musky warning signals and she sounded angry! I thought a shot with the hero was due, but it became clear that going home, and letting the cat out of the bag was the best course of action!
My daughter and I were so energized we went around to collect the posters, and were surprised to find that already many people had taken the number, presumably to call in case they saw her! As we rounded the corner home, we were met by friends who were out walking in search of her too!
At home, she was calm and smelled amazing, like a pine tree! She has a little sap in her fur and dirt in her paws, but she already found a soft place to curl up to catch up on some much needed sleep.
Home sweet home! Sweet dreams Calico! Sweet dreams angel girl!
 |
| In jeopardy |
 |
| Neighbourhood hero |
Thursday, September 22, 2016
MULTI-PEAK LIVING
I have been listening to a lot of inspirational podcasts lately, and impatiently waiting for my next hike. Most of the stories that stick are ones that I actually don't ever plan to achieve in my lifetime, but inspire me immensely.
Take for example any one who has run in the UTMB. This is a 100 mile race in France that ultra runners drool over. I, as a wannabe runner, find this an insane idea from the distance alone. But these runs start in a small town and you start by running up a mountain!
What is so insane about these trail runs is the reason why I feel more relaxed about my future. The idea of running up and down is a mental barrier in these races, but it makes my future a little brighter.
I have reached the age where some things, physical or otherwise, feel like I have peaked, and it's all downhill from here. My dear friend, on our way back from a seasonal visit to Atwater market, pointed out to me that there is not just one downhill in life. There are multiple peaks, and when life feels like it's going downhill, another peak is coming up on the path.
So embrace the downhill, and enjoy it while it lasts. It might be the easy part, because another peak is in the future. It might be a rough climb, but I think I might enjoy the view!
Take for example any one who has run in the UTMB. This is a 100 mile race in France that ultra runners drool over. I, as a wannabe runner, find this an insane idea from the distance alone. But these runs start in a small town and you start by running up a mountain!
What is so insane about these trail runs is the reason why I feel more relaxed about my future. The idea of running up and down is a mental barrier in these races, but it makes my future a little brighter.
I have reached the age where some things, physical or otherwise, feel like I have peaked, and it's all downhill from here. My dear friend, on our way back from a seasonal visit to Atwater market, pointed out to me that there is not just one downhill in life. There are multiple peaks, and when life feels like it's going downhill, another peak is coming up on the path.
So embrace the downhill, and enjoy it while it lasts. It might be the easy part, because another peak is in the future. It might be a rough climb, but I think I might enjoy the view!
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Friday, August 19, 2016
WALKING THE EUROPEAN STREETS OF MONTREAL
STOP NUMBER ONE: Windsor Station. Built by CPR, houses a WWI statue for all of those lost who worked for the railroad
STOP NUMBER TWO: ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH - DE LA GAUCHETIERE AND PEEL - BUILT IN 1870, ITST MONTREAL’S SECOND ANGLICAN CHURCH - ENGLISH GOTHIC REVIVAL - CEILING BEAMS ARE SECOND ONLY TO WESTMINSTER ABBEY I SPAN - TAPESTRY ORIGINATES FROM LONDON, USED DURING CORONATION OF QEII - WAR MEMORIAL WINDOW (1949 ANGELS REPRESENTS NAVY, ARMY AND AIR FORCE)
STOP NUMBER 3: PLACE DU CANADA - MARRIOT CHATEAU CHAMPLAIN HOTEL LADIES BATHROOM ON FLOOR 23
STOP NUMBER 4: DORCHESTER (DOMINION SQUARE) - FIRST UNDERGROUND GARAGE 1878 - USED TO BE A CEMETERY -
BELFORT STATUES
STOP NUMBER 5: SUN LIFE BUILDING - METCALFE AND RENE LEVESQUE - LARGEST SQ FOOTAGE BUILDING IN THE BRITISH EMPIRE 1931 - BUILD IN 3 STAGES - 33rd President HARRY TRUMAN WROTE IT WAS HIS FAVOURITE BUILDING - DURING WWII OPERATION FISH WHERE BRITAIN’S GOLD RESERVES WERE STORED (UNTIL SHIPPED TO OTTAWA)
STOP NUMBER 6: MARY QUEEN OF THE WORLD - 1/8 SCALE TO ST PETER’S IN VATICAN - THIRD LARGEST CHURCH (1. ST JOSEPH’S AND 2.ST ANNE DE BEAUPRE) - 1894 “ST JAMES” - LARGEST CHURCH IN QUEBEC AT THE TIME - INSTEAD OF 12 APOSTLES (LIKE ST PETER’S), THESE ARE THE 13 PATRON SAINTS OF MONTREAL PARISHES THAT DONATED
BALDACCHINO IS A REPRODUCTION OF BERNINI’S - STATUE OF MARY IS MADE BY SYVIA DAOUST - HISTORICAL PAINTINGS OF MARGUERITE D’YOUVILLE (HOSPITAL), MARGUERITE BOURGEOUYS (TEACHER), MARTYRS BREBEUF (IROQUOIS) - COFOUNDERS COMEDY, MAISONNEUVE AND JEANNE MASSE AT THEIR JESUIT MASS, SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN
STOP NUMBER 7: OLYMPIC HOUSE PHILLIPS/RENE-LEVESQUE
STOP NUMBER 8: ST PATRICK’S BASILICA - IRISH IMMIGRANTS 1847 FIRST MASS, GOTHIC REVIVAL- FLEUR DE LYS AND SHAMROCKS AND MARBLE COLUMNS - PEW 240 WAS USED BY THOMAS DARCY MCGEE (FATHER OF CONDERATION ASSASSINATED IN OTTAWA), EMILE NELLIGAN (POET) WAS BAPTIZED 1879 (PLAQUE AT THE BACK)
STOP NUMBER 9: WORLD TRADE CENTRE “HORIZONTAL SKYSCRAPER”- ST ALEXANDRE AND SAINT ANTOINE - BERLIN WALL GIVEN IN 1992 AND FRENCH GUIBAL 18TH CENTURY FOUNTAINS
STOP NUMBER 10: SQUARE VICTORIA -1813 (NAMED FOR VIST OF KING EDWARD VII 1860)- HER STATUE - METRO SIGN - FRENCH FOUNTAIN ART NOUVEAU (HECTOR GUIMARD)
STOP NUMBER 11: PLACE ROYALE - 1605 SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN SET UP A FURTRADING POST
STOP NUMBER 12: VILLE MARIE 1642 SETTLED WITH MAISONNEUVE (FROM CHAMPAGNE) AS FIRST GOVERNOR
STOP NUMBER 13: NELSON’S COLUMN - 1809 OLDEST MONUMENT
STOP NUMBER 14: BONSECOUR MARKET - CHARLES DICKENS VISITED WHEN IT WAS A BRITISH-AMERICAN HOTEL. Kitty corner is L'usine de spaghetti 273 rue St Paul E: In May 1842, in the back room of this Italian restaurant, Mr. Charles Dickens wrote the notes for "A Tales of Two Cities"(based on London and Paris)
STOP NUMBER TWO: ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH - DE LA GAUCHETIERE AND PEEL - BUILT IN 1870, ITST MONTREAL’S SECOND ANGLICAN CHURCH - ENGLISH GOTHIC REVIVAL - CEILING BEAMS ARE SECOND ONLY TO WESTMINSTER ABBEY I SPAN - TAPESTRY ORIGINATES FROM LONDON, USED DURING CORONATION OF QEII - WAR MEMORIAL WINDOW (1949 ANGELS REPRESENTS NAVY, ARMY AND AIR FORCE)
STOP NUMBER 3: PLACE DU CANADA - MARRIOT CHATEAU CHAMPLAIN HOTEL LADIES BATHROOM ON FLOOR 23
STOP NUMBER 4: DORCHESTER (DOMINION SQUARE) - FIRST UNDERGROUND GARAGE 1878 - USED TO BE A CEMETERY -
BELFORT STATUES
STOP NUMBER 5: SUN LIFE BUILDING - METCALFE AND RENE LEVESQUE - LARGEST SQ FOOTAGE BUILDING IN THE BRITISH EMPIRE 1931 - BUILD IN 3 STAGES - 33rd President HARRY TRUMAN WROTE IT WAS HIS FAVOURITE BUILDING - DURING WWII OPERATION FISH WHERE BRITAIN’S GOLD RESERVES WERE STORED (UNTIL SHIPPED TO OTTAWA)
STOP NUMBER 6: MARY QUEEN OF THE WORLD - 1/8 SCALE TO ST PETER’S IN VATICAN - THIRD LARGEST CHURCH (1. ST JOSEPH’S AND 2.ST ANNE DE BEAUPRE) - 1894 “ST JAMES” - LARGEST CHURCH IN QUEBEC AT THE TIME - INSTEAD OF 12 APOSTLES (LIKE ST PETER’S), THESE ARE THE 13 PATRON SAINTS OF MONTREAL PARISHES THAT DONATED
BALDACCHINO IS A REPRODUCTION OF BERNINI’S - STATUE OF MARY IS MADE BY SYVIA DAOUST - HISTORICAL PAINTINGS OF MARGUERITE D’YOUVILLE (HOSPITAL), MARGUERITE BOURGEOUYS (TEACHER), MARTYRS BREBEUF (IROQUOIS) - COFOUNDERS COMEDY, MAISONNEUVE AND JEANNE MASSE AT THEIR JESUIT MASS, SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN
STOP NUMBER 7: OLYMPIC HOUSE PHILLIPS/RENE-LEVESQUE
STOP NUMBER 8: ST PATRICK’S BASILICA - IRISH IMMIGRANTS 1847 FIRST MASS, GOTHIC REVIVAL- FLEUR DE LYS AND SHAMROCKS AND MARBLE COLUMNS - PEW 240 WAS USED BY THOMAS DARCY MCGEE (FATHER OF CONDERATION ASSASSINATED IN OTTAWA), EMILE NELLIGAN (POET) WAS BAPTIZED 1879 (PLAQUE AT THE BACK)
STOP NUMBER 9: WORLD TRADE CENTRE “HORIZONTAL SKYSCRAPER”- ST ALEXANDRE AND SAINT ANTOINE - BERLIN WALL GIVEN IN 1992 AND FRENCH GUIBAL 18TH CENTURY FOUNTAINS
STOP NUMBER 10: SQUARE VICTORIA -1813 (NAMED FOR VIST OF KING EDWARD VII 1860)- HER STATUE - METRO SIGN - FRENCH FOUNTAIN ART NOUVEAU (HECTOR GUIMARD)
STOP NUMBER 11: PLACE ROYALE - 1605 SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN SET UP A FURTRADING POST
STOP NUMBER 12: VILLE MARIE 1642 SETTLED WITH MAISONNEUVE (FROM CHAMPAGNE) AS FIRST GOVERNOR
STOP NUMBER 13: NELSON’S COLUMN - 1809 OLDEST MONUMENT
STOP NUMBER 14: BONSECOUR MARKET - CHARLES DICKENS VISITED WHEN IT WAS A BRITISH-AMERICAN HOTEL. Kitty corner is L'usine de spaghetti 273 rue St Paul E: In May 1842, in the back room of this Italian restaurant, Mr. Charles Dickens wrote the notes for "A Tales of Two Cities"(based on London and Paris)
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
OLYMPIC WAY SWIMMING
I really want my daughter to become life guard trained. I don't need her to be a lifeguard, unless she wants to be. I do want her to the training to a safe swimmer, and be responsible in emergencies. I wish, honestly, that she had the red cross training that I started ages ago, but she has certainly become a great swimmer with the Olympic Way, and I am proud of her promotion to blue this summer.
A lifeguard in this program learns to develop four important qualities for life and in times of urgency:
1. knowledge
2. judgement
3. physical aptitude
4. ability
I have been impressed over the years of going to our local pool how mature, responsible, but still fun the lifeguards are. I would love for her to have that same mix of fun and responsibility. I am even prouder, because she finished the summer passing into bronze!
Way to go kid!
A lifeguard in this program learns to develop four important qualities for life and in times of urgency:
1. knowledge
2. judgement
3. physical aptitude
4. ability
I have been impressed over the years of going to our local pool how mature, responsible, but still fun the lifeguards are. I would love for her to have that same mix of fun and responsibility. I am even prouder, because she finished the summer passing into bronze!
Way to go kid!
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Saturday, August 13, 2016
OSASCOMP
"QUASI-OFFICIAL" ORDER OF ADJECTIVES
OPINION (ugly)
SIZE (little)
AGE (young)
SHAPE (round)
COLOUR (green)
ORIGIN (Canadian)
MATERIAL (styrofoam)
PURPOSE (sewing)
Three is about the limit, and sometimes the order sounds reasonable out of order. This is a guideline, not a rule.
OPINION (ugly)
SIZE (little)
AGE (young)
SHAPE (round)
COLOUR (green)
ORIGIN (Canadian)
MATERIAL (styrofoam)
PURPOSE (sewing)
Three is about the limit, and sometimes the order sounds reasonable out of order. This is a guideline, not a rule.
LOGICAL FALLACIES
When it comes to podcasts, I often have to skip Grammar Girl, but, as I remain subscribed, I still occasionally have the time to listen. This last one was interesting for its simplicity in recognizing logical errors, and I wanted to share the examples.
1. Overgeneralization or hasty generalizations - based on bias or stereotype, these are the trickiest to notice in yourself - don't base your argument on an overgeneralization - make sure your assumptions are true.
2. Straw Man Argument - by oversimplifying a view to attack it - don't let this misrepresentation
fool you - it should not suffice to argue a point
3. Ad hominem - attacking the opponent's character instead of making a logical argument
Tu quoque - oh yeah, what about you? (attacks the behaviour of the opposition, capitalizing on any imperfect record)
4. Post Hoc (ergo propter hoc) - Just because a series of events happens, does not mean that they are true. E. g. My brother got sick after swimming in the ocean, so now he doesn't swim in the ocean because he is afraid of getting sick
5. Red Herring - bringing in a distracting fact that is unrelated to the argument, to make your point
1. Overgeneralization or hasty generalizations - based on bias or stereotype, these are the trickiest to notice in yourself - don't base your argument on an overgeneralization - make sure your assumptions are true.
2. Straw Man Argument - by oversimplifying a view to attack it - don't let this misrepresentation
fool you - it should not suffice to argue a point
3. Ad hominem - attacking the opponent's character instead of making a logical argument
Tu quoque - oh yeah, what about you? (attacks the behaviour of the opposition, capitalizing on any imperfect record)
4. Post Hoc (ergo propter hoc) - Just because a series of events happens, does not mean that they are true. E. g. My brother got sick after swimming in the ocean, so now he doesn't swim in the ocean because he is afraid of getting sick
5. Red Herring - bringing in a distracting fact that is unrelated to the argument, to make your point
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
SYNANTHROPES
I have on my podcast listening list a fascinating show called 99% Invisible. It is a show about buildings, and I like the variety of stories, and the announcer's radio voice.
This show was a story about a father who was an urban dweller like me, noticing the life around that manages to live in a city with humans. I learned a word for the admirable survival adaptive living forms that manage to survive despite being overtaken by humans. Synanthropes can be plant or animal, like a pigeon, or a racoon, or a carpenter ant.
The author of Unseen City, Nathanael Johnson compares the status of pigeons with doves. There were some interesting facts raised. Pigeons, although birds, produce a "milk" from the throats of both male and female, to give to their young. Pigeons have messed up feet, often tourniquets from dragging their feet and winding up strings. Gross and sad facts, but I have a love of pigeons because of their ability to co-exist. Bert on Sesame Street and Mo Willems prove pigeons are loveable. If you need more proof, listen to this podcast and look for the book!
This show was a story about a father who was an urban dweller like me, noticing the life around that manages to live in a city with humans. I learned a word for the admirable survival adaptive living forms that manage to survive despite being overtaken by humans. Synanthropes can be plant or animal, like a pigeon, or a racoon, or a carpenter ant.
The author of Unseen City, Nathanael Johnson compares the status of pigeons with doves. There were some interesting facts raised. Pigeons, although birds, produce a "milk" from the throats of both male and female, to give to their young. Pigeons have messed up feet, often tourniquets from dragging their feet and winding up strings. Gross and sad facts, but I have a love of pigeons because of their ability to co-exist. Bert on Sesame Street and Mo Willems prove pigeons are loveable. If you need more proof, listen to this podcast and look for the book!
Sunday, August 7, 2016
CANADIAN SUFFRAGETTES
I think my first awareness of women lobbying for the vote came from reading Anne of Green Gables. I am grateful to them for the freedom I had in choosing my career. I remember hearing an excerpt of an embarrassed Princess Theresa talking about her earning a biology degree from the University of Munch. I am so grateful that today I am proud to earn a degree, and that shame is hardly imaginable for me or my daughter. My favourite suffragette is Emily Stowe, Canada's first physician. She created a literary circle for women in Toronto in 1867 that not only read books, but became the first Canadian group of suffragettes. This is not to take away, however, from the incredible admiration I have for the Famous Five. Although central Canada likes to believe they invented our history, these five women were from out West. These five women were integral in bringing electoral equality to our country. Notably, Manitoba was first in implimentation, followed that same year by Saskatchewan, then Alberta, all in 1916. It took Newfoundland until 1925, which you would think would be the outlier. Alas, Quebec took until 1940, and incredibly NW territories took to 1961. Nunavut, being created in 1999, started with the law in place. |
| Map of when women got the vote. Notice Quebec is the last place, in 1940. The reasons for the delay are still felt today! |
GROCERY SUSHI DINNER
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| It was a long work week. Spring rolls and spicy salmon sushi was easy and delicious! |
SWATCH BOOK - INTERIORS
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| VAN GOGH IN ROBIN'S EGG BLUE |
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| PARSIFAL RESTAURANT, FÜSSEN |
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| PARSIFAL CHAIR |
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| PARSIFAL MIRROR |
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| PARSIFAL VIEW OF FÜSSEN |
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| PARSIFAL WARDROBE |
SWATCH BOOK - DOORS AND WINDOWS
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| Rothenburg |
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| Arrow window, Rothenburg |
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| Rothenburg Starbuck in front of Rothenburg church |
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| Neuschwannstein bathroom |
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| Viennese museum door |
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| Viennese museum door |
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| Viennese museum door |
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| Montreal art deco |
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| Montreal art deco |
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| Neuschwannstein balcony |
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| McGill Osler Library |
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| McGill Osler Library |
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| Melk Gardens |
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| Manoir Richelieu |
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| Chateau Frontenac Lobby |
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