Friday, December 18, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Friday My Town Shoot Out--Christmas Weather
More than for any of our previous posts, we would urge you to click on these photos to enlarge them for full effect.
***************************************************
It rose up out of the Pacific.
Joined forces with the waters of the Gulf of Mexico
Formed a massive storm covering half of the Unted States. And then took direct aim at Toronto.
Where we could see it coming from the top of the bluffs.
But weren't able to duck.
December 9, 2009. Our first snow storm of the winter.
***************************************************
It rose up out of the Pacific.
Joined forces with the waters of the Gulf of Mexico
Formed a massive storm covering half of the Unted States. And then took direct aim at Toronto.
Where we could see it coming from the top of the bluffs.
But weren't able to duck.
December 9, 2009. Our first snow storm of the winter.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Friday My Town Shootout --Our Favourite Things
Barry is busy decorating with a seasonal display. Not only is he a dear, but he is carrying deer. For Canadian Woodland Enthusiasts deer are like our sheep. One can be substituted for the other in biblical scenarios, so we have Deerpherds who look after flocks of deer. It is totally appropriate to include them as Christmas decorations. Deer and dear(s) are our favorites. Husbands doing decorating is also a favorite. =D
In case it is difficult for you to picture husbands doing decorating here is the deer, dear scenario from a different angle. The red berries and green leaves on the shrubbery add to the ambiance of the season, don't they? Even though the red berries are probably poison, they still give a festive effect.
Linda, another dear, cannot believe her good luck that her dear husband has done Christmas decorating with dear deer! She is checking to make sure they are properly situated for visual beauty. We hope our deer become our neighbor's favorite things, but not too favorite. We don't want these deer getting borrowed by thieving neighbors. that would not be a favorite scenario.
You may think that Linda is admiring Barry's handy skills and she is. It's one of her favorite things. She is also looking for the optimum place to attach the lock and chain so she can keep these handsome deer in her yard. Dear me!
Our deer like to have their pictures taken. The handsome buck stands so proud. that's his favorite pose.
The doe doesn't care. She is enjoying the Christmas Buffet Grass. That would be her favorite thing.
Our very favorite part is how they sparkle at night, with golden beauty. The deer next door aren't as bright as our deer and they are kind of hidden behind balloon Santa.
Putting up the Christmas Lights is a favorite tradition, absolutely.
We hope all of you have enjoyed our Christmas light display. Your visits and comments are our favorite parts of the shoot out, dear friends!! (((HUGS)))
Inspired by our theme, Linda's cousin has just sent us this picture to complete our blog this week-----
Now doesn't that get you in the Christmas Spirit?
In case it is difficult for you to picture husbands doing decorating here is the deer, dear scenario from a different angle. The red berries and green leaves on the shrubbery add to the ambiance of the season, don't they? Even though the red berries are probably poison, they still give a festive effect.
Linda, another dear, cannot believe her good luck that her dear husband has done Christmas decorating with dear deer! She is checking to make sure they are properly situated for visual beauty. We hope our deer become our neighbor's favorite things, but not too favorite. We don't want these deer getting borrowed by thieving neighbors. that would not be a favorite scenario.
You may think that Linda is admiring Barry's handy skills and she is. It's one of her favorite things. She is also looking for the optimum place to attach the lock and chain so she can keep these handsome deer in her yard. Dear me!
Our deer like to have their pictures taken. The handsome buck stands so proud. that's his favorite pose.
The doe doesn't care. She is enjoying the Christmas Buffet Grass. That would be her favorite thing.
Our very favorite part is how they sparkle at night, with golden beauty. The deer next door aren't as bright as our deer and they are kind of hidden behind balloon Santa.
Putting up the Christmas Lights is a favorite tradition, absolutely.
We hope all of you have enjoyed our Christmas light display. Your visits and comments are our favorite parts of the shoot out, dear friends!! (((HUGS)))
Inspired by our theme, Linda's cousin has just sent us this picture to complete our blog this week-----
Now doesn't that get you in the Christmas Spirit?
Friday, November 27, 2009
Friday My Town Shoot Out--Faces and Smiles
Smile. Have you ever noticed how easily puppies make human friends? Yet all they do is wag their tails and fall over. ~Walter Anderson
A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home. ~Author Unknown
A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles. ~Washington Irving
A laugh is a smile that bursts. ~Mary H. Waldrip
“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing-- Mother Teresa
Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available. ~Jim Beggs
I have a tickle in my brain. And it keeps making the corners of my mouth point toward the heavens. ~Jeb Dickerson
Thursday, November 19, 2009
FRIDAY SHOOT OUT: SCARBOROUGH'S MAIN ATTRACTION, THE ZOO
When we were growing up, Toronto had two zoos. One in High Park in the West of the City and one in Riverdale Park for those in the East. They were traditional zoos of their time. Animals were captured in the wild and caged with little thought of the need for exercise or of their social needs.
But in the 1970's Toronto opened a new Zoo.
A zoo committed to meeting the needs of the animals first.
Where animals had the room to move.
And socialize. And play.
Where visitors could learn about the animals they were visiting. Learn about the need to preserve the species in the wild.
Where contact with wild animals could provide what internet photos and books could never do--allow people to experience the animals directly. As something real and tangible. And in need of saving.
The grounds of the Toronto zoo are vast and themed by continent. It is almost impossible to see, and experience the entire zoo in one visit.
So if you are visiting the area plan for more than one visit. Or choose your continent wisely.
The zoo has a personal meaning for us. Not only did we take our children there when they were younger, but both our daughters worked for the zoo for a time when they were in school. Heather took children for rides on camels and Kathy was a grounds keeper. And Kathy's mother-in-Law, Ruth, also works at the zoo.
The Toronto Zoo is situated on the Eastern periphery of the City far from the downtown core, in the vast forests of the Rouge Valley. So if you are visiting it will mean quite a drive to get there, although public transportation is improving.
For us, the zoo is almost on our doorstep.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Friday My Town Shootout--Places Of Worship
We worship this week along the Northern shores of Lake Ontario, and pray for peace.
Joining people who have worshiped along these shores far beyond the dawn of History.
Indeed the First Peoples of Ontario have a legend of the sacredness of this land that can be found here in the Legend of the Peacemaker.
It is only the methods of worship that have changed with time. Let's follow their trail--
As they drum and dance their a prayer for peace.
And worship through the forest
By the river which feeds the lake
Down to the creek, which feeds the river,
to find the first church
of the European settlers in Scarborough.
It is Presbyterian,
appropriately named St. Andrews.
Because the Scots and Irish were the first to arrive
with the potato famine. They arrived
with David and Mary Thomson. They followed
the First People's Trail, here long before them.
And are now
buried in this cemetery,
forever next to St. Andrew's Church.
Scarborough Ontario exists
on very sacred ground. As you journey
across Lake Ontario from the south,
Scarborough is easily located.
Found at the top of Cathedral Bluffs,
the name given this rocky outcrop.
Spire pointing up.
Scarborough is here.
courtesy of photobucket
And all the acreage at the top of this rocky outcrop
is owned by the Holy Catholic Church.
There is a seminary, some schools, a small cemetery, a shrine or two
and Scarborough Missions.
Scarborough Foreign Missions reaches out to the entire world.
Perhaps you've heard of them.
This is the seminary.
And further north is Tabor Hill,
which the tall spire also points to.
Tabor Hill is the burial ground for the
First People of the legend.
"to take each moment, and live each moment in peace eternally, let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me."
Vince Gill
Nature Walk
a painting by David B. Williams and may be purchased here
Joining people who have worshiped along these shores far beyond the dawn of History.
Indeed the First Peoples of Ontario have a legend of the sacredness of this land that can be found here in the Legend of the Peacemaker.
It is only the methods of worship that have changed with time. Let's follow their trail--
As they drum and dance their a prayer for peace.
And worship through the forest
By the river which feeds the lake
Down to the creek, which feeds the river,
to find the first church
of the European settlers in Scarborough.
It is Presbyterian,
appropriately named St. Andrews.
Because the Scots and Irish were the first to arrive
with the potato famine. They arrived
with David and Mary Thomson. They followed
the First People's Trail, here long before them.
And are now
buried in this cemetery,
forever next to St. Andrew's Church.
Scarborough Ontario exists
on very sacred ground. As you journey
across Lake Ontario from the south,
Scarborough is easily located.
Found at the top of Cathedral Bluffs,
the name given this rocky outcrop.
Spire pointing up.
Scarborough is here.
courtesy of photobucket
And all the acreage at the top of this rocky outcrop
is owned by the Holy Catholic Church.
There is a seminary, some schools, a small cemetery, a shrine or two
and Scarborough Missions.
Scarborough Foreign Missions reaches out to the entire world.
Perhaps you've heard of them.
This is the seminary.
And further north is Tabor Hill,
which the tall spire also points to.
Tabor Hill is the burial ground for the
First People of the legend.
"to take each moment, and live each moment in peace eternally, let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me."
Vince Gill
Nature Walk
a painting by David B. Williams and may be purchased here
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Skylines
A city's skyline is the face it presents to the world, a key factor in its identity.
We live in the Scarborough area of Toronto and this is a picture of our Southern Skyline. Here there is an abundance of lake access for everyone, with no buildings close to the shoreline. The view is looking west along the bluffs. This is Barry's favourite place to take our dog Lindsay for a run
Traveling east, this is the skyline of the 401, Highway of Heroes. Five hours driving east on this highway will land you in Montreal.
The highest point in Scarborough is the top of Garbage Hill, a huge mound where the city's refuse was dumped for decades. Now covered with earth, trees and grasses, it resembles a natural feature of the landscape. Here is the view from there looking west toward North York. If you click to enlarge the picture you can see the teeny tiny high rise buildings of the Toronto suburb of North York off in the distance.
Here the sun sets from another high point in Scarborough, Tabor Hill. Tabor Hill is an Iroquois First Peoples' sacred burial site. You can see down to the lake and up north to the Ganaraska Highlands from there.
As a contrast, consider the skyline of Hull Quebec, taken from Parliament Hill, Ottawa Ontario. A cross the river you can see the Musuem of Civilization and in the background the Gatineau Hills.
Further to the west of us is the downtown core of the city, seen from Ontario Place at midday, showing the famous Toronto Skyline.
And this of course, is the same Toronto Skyline from Centre Island, just at sunset.
We live in the Scarborough area of Toronto and this is a picture of our Southern Skyline. Here there is an abundance of lake access for everyone, with no buildings close to the shoreline. The view is looking west along the bluffs. This is Barry's favourite place to take our dog Lindsay for a run
Traveling east, this is the skyline of the 401, Highway of Heroes. Five hours driving east on this highway will land you in Montreal.
The highest point in Scarborough is the top of Garbage Hill, a huge mound where the city's refuse was dumped for decades. Now covered with earth, trees and grasses, it resembles a natural feature of the landscape. Here is the view from there looking west toward North York. If you click to enlarge the picture you can see the teeny tiny high rise buildings of the Toronto suburb of North York off in the distance.
Here the sun sets from another high point in Scarborough, Tabor Hill. Tabor Hill is an Iroquois First Peoples' sacred burial site. You can see down to the lake and up north to the Ganaraska Highlands from there.
As a contrast, consider the skyline of Hull Quebec, taken from Parliament Hill, Ottawa Ontario. A cross the river you can see the Musuem of Civilization and in the background the Gatineau Hills.
Further to the west of us is the downtown core of the city, seen from Ontario Place at midday, showing the famous Toronto Skyline.
And this of course, is the same Toronto Skyline from Centre Island, just at sunset.
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