Happy Long Weekend

Hopping right along. Hope you have fun this long weekend in or out of the garden.

A little political rant

I have to commend the CBC and Rex Murphy for straightening out this debacle in such a "Rex Murphian" manner. Helen and I wish we could have dinner with Rex.

About going back

We returned to our "home town" of Ottawa last weekend to celebrate the 90th. anniversary of our high school. The Professor and I both went to Nepean High School in Ottawa. He graduated in 1964 and I graduated in 1967. The school did an excellent job of recreating the atmosphere of 90 years of learning.

The drama group played a large part in bringing many eras back to life.

I loved this little one in her 1920's outfit. The shoes are perfect! It could have been 1923, right there.

The school is very fortunate to still have an auditorium, a band with instruments, and a wonderful choir. Great music program.

These people took up their seats just like it was yesterday!

The halls were very creatively decorated.

The kids entertained in various venues and were terrific.

This picture says it all to me. Remember when you just had so much fun?? That was one of the most interesting things to me, that the area I grew up in was, and still is, a community. You knew just about everyone, if not personally then as a neighbour, someone's older brother or sister, an acquaintance from an activity group....you were just part of it all.

Everyone who was lucky enough to attend and connect with friends from the past felt very happy to have survived as long and as intact as one can be at this point:) It was a great reunion and a job well done by the staff and students at old NHS!

A Sea of colour

Luckily for us, our high school reunion coincided with the annual Tulip Festival in Ottawa. If you have no plans to be in the nation's capital, you can still order some fabulous bulbs through the tulip festival link. After seeing all of this mass planting, I'm inspired to do bulbs again.  It's just so exciting to see all of this lush colour in spring.  We were happy to be able to drive a route from downtown, around Dow's Lake and through the Experimental Farm to our destination.  A little rain, but great light for taking photos.   I have already put in an order for my favourite varieties. 

Downtown Ottawa

Dow's Lake

The Experimental Farm

Mass plantings are spectacular!

Cover your window wells

Once again "Widdle Wabbits" will be wandering about. Cover your window wells now or you'll be doing the "widdle wabbit wescue" thing soon. For now I just love looking at her!

Happy Mother's Day from Ottawa

What a wonderful time to be in Ottawa during the tulip festival. The tulips are in full bloom. Glorious. Hope your day is too.

Yes this was my own picture taken at Dow's Lake on Saturday morning before the madding crowds and the pancake breakfast at the school reunion. As soon as I can organize my photos, I'll post the other shots of the gardens....magnificent!

Yesterday I went to the gym

It's interesting and slightly improbable that two women who were both "Head Girl" in the 60's, at Nepean High School in Ottawa, are now workout partners at a city gym in Mississauga. Even stranger, that they live across the park from one another. Today's conversation was of course on the High School's 90th. anniversary celebrations this weekend. Reliving the stories of the old days and how cute we were as "cheerleaders", I was asked to post a picture of us in our prime. In our own minds we have not changed one bit.

Sue McGregor Canon 1966

Leslie Rodger Moran 1967

The darling cheerleaders 1965

You'll have to find us!
In reality, we both confess to fatter knees, a few more wrinkles and more difficulty jumping, but in our hearts we remain the same, and probably have more fun now than we ever did.

I will be attending the reunion with The Professor...who was years ahead of me :) Looking forward to seeing everyone again at old NHS.

GO NEPEAN!!!

High tail it to High Park

If you can, go this week to see the cherry blossoms in High Park.   If not, here are a few views. Maybe next time. I can't believe I've never done this before!   Lots of other blossoms too! 

Off with the birds

This came to mind on the weekend while I was outside "twitting" {twitting present participle of twit -Verb - Tease or taunt (someone), esp. in a good-humored way.} the birds with my National Geographic app. Caused quite a stir in the backyard, but they did come closer for photogaphic purposes:)

Of course that brings to mind a song. Leonard Cohen, but I like this version.

Soon

Myles Again

Myles has been here for a bit this week. The favourite toy this time is the tennis ball. One has to be very careful not to step on tennis balls, trust me.

If I eat all my dinner can we play?

I'll catch you throw, please, please, please, WOOF!

I told you I can't throw, but I'm not giving this up until you come and get it! Please play.

Keeps us active having this guy around from time to time. Dog owners have my utmost respect...it's a lot of work!

Friendly Hint?

I'm not sure, but this may have been a hint from one of my gym buddies. Perfect.

I love these "someecards". They are most frequently used on Facebook, so I don't always see them.
Hat Tip: GMS

Pillow Talk

The other day, the conversation turned to "how often do you change your pillows?" Not unlike turning or rotating the mattress in the spring cleaning effort, it was announced that renewing pillows should probably be at least an annual event as well. I have to say that Ikea makes this entirely affordable. They have the most wonderful pillows that come in different lofts. It's very difficult to find a "skinny" pillow these days, the one I personally prefer.

Mission accomplished. New pillows, rotated mattress, still just standing and sighing over emptying the entire china cabinet contents. Spring is definitely in the air now :)

The best of both worlds

I haven't played Angry Birds in a while, but this rendition of the music as heard on my classical radio station has renewed my interest.

Angèle Dubeau

Reading

Happy first day of May!   A day I never forget - Labour day in Europe.  The day Jane was supposed to be born, such a fitting day (get it? labour..birth)  she came a little early.

Just finished and enjoyed. Lots of reviews panned this book, but I rather liked the easy read and  the character development. There are few novels that I would recommend lately, but I think this one is a good summer pick.

Credit: Of course the photo is from Amazon (link)...where by the way, you can also order the book and have it delivered to your door.

The essence of the moment

This was among the Griffith Observatory photos from the little family. It could quite possibly be my favourite photo of all time, until the next one comes along:)
 This is quintessential  Zoë.
 It is just so meaningful to me that I wanted to share it with you. You know I am rarely at a loss for words, but THIS takes my breath away.

Oh Happy Day

It's always so great to get pictures of the grands. I'm not above begging. Today is Jane's birthday, so it's extra special. They finally got to Griffith Observatory and were very excited about this find in LA. Since Mummy studied Gamma-ray Bursts it's quite fitting that Luca seems delighted! Thanks for the pictures Jane, couldn't be better!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Expired?

The Boy Scouts made me do it.
There is a food drive in the neighbourhood this Sunday. The Boy Scouts are collecting non-perishable foodstuffs. I am happy to donate. There is a disclaimer on the bag provided saying that they are unable to take canned goods with an expired date on it. I double checked my supply.

Oh Oh. This lead to clearing out the cupboard and I have to say that I had some things in there from 2010!!!

Good grief. As I was pouring the contents of half the cupboard into a giant colander and filling up the green bin, I decided to check on the rules about "expired" products. I respect Leslie Beck, the nutritionist, so I would abide by this article.

Next....the baking cupboards. I know there is jello lingering in there. I'm hoping chocolate chips don't expire!

An older goodie

Since signing on to NETFLIX largely at the instigation of my kids, to watch Kevin Spacey's "House of Cards", I've become obsessed with NETFLIX. We loved House of Cards and eagerly await it's next season. I've been watching all sorts of little films none of note really, but whatever takes my fancy at any given time.

NETFLIX has a way of figuring out, if you watched this movie, you will like this one, and if you bite....on it goes.

The headings are:
Top 10 for Leslie (well, it says Laurence because I used him to procure the account)
Popular on Netflix
Romantic British Dramas Featuring a Strong Female Lead
Feel-good Comedies
Heartfelt Foreign Movies
Cerebral TV Shows
Because you watched Beautiful Lies
Because you watched All Our Desires
Because you watched The Winslow Boy
Because you watched Dean Spanley
Because you watched Queen to Play
New Releases
Recently Added
Popular on Facebook

I've been watching primarily on my iPad. I wanted to have movies to watch on various flights that have little to offer. The only thing is keeping the iPad's battery charged.

I finally caved and watched this one. "Exit Through the Gift Shop". I had heard about it, and thought it wouldn't really be of interest, but it kept coming up as one I would LOVE.....and I did. It's just so quirky you can't stop watching. It will really give me a new outlook on street art in Los Angeles. I love Banksy in Paris, but I had no inkling of the amount of "work" going on in LA. I'll be on the lookout.


My capture of Street Art in LA

Now I'm on a new mission. Let's go find Banksy and MBW!!