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Wed. 18 Nov 2009

As temperatures plunge, I am reminded that a lake of ice was Dante's choice as an appropriate environment for the ninth and deepest level of hell. Welcome to Ottawa.

I find myself clinging to images like this one of a plant in the early morning sun (and trying to ignore the fact that the temperature at the time was -3C).

I know, I know... there are people who actually enjoy winter. That fact alone should make us despair for the future of humanity.

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Sat. 14 Nov 2009
Yesterday, an Inuit woman stopped to ask me for directions and I couldn't help but notice and comment on her beautiful hand and facial tattoos. She explained that they were traditional women's tattoos and that they weren't finished - she had some more to be done on her face.

Although she seemed quite proud and pleased to have her tattoos noticed and complimented and she took some time to show them to me, the conversation was too brief for me to feel comfortable with asking her if I could photograph them (I always have my small camera with me). This was too bad as I have recently found myself returning to an interest in local history with a focus on First Nations history and art.

I think it might be interesting to try combining ancient and contemporary traditional arts from around the world. The illustration to the right suggested the possibility through a superficial resemblance of some parts of the figures to Celtic knotwork designs.

Coincidentally, as the cold weather moves in, Denise has begun wearing a coat that frequently draws comments from Inuit and Indians wherever we go. It was handmade, probably in Cape Dorset, about thirty years ago and has embroidery depicting 'Sedna' around the hem and cuffs. A few days ago we went into a local store that specialises in authentic indigenous arts and crafts (The Snow Goose) and ended up staying for much longer than we intended as her coat was examined and discussed by an excited staff. It seems that the quality and quantity of the embroidery is seldom seen these days.

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Fri. 06 Nov 2009

Relatives in Australia and their passions: George is an avid long distance cyclist (600 km, 300 km etc.) and Carol has been researching the family history for some years now and has gathered a truly impressive amount of information. Carol makes much of this information available online for other genealogists (see the links to headstone photos below).

Brevets and Burials
"My passion is riding my bicycle over long distances in Audax events in Victoria, Australia. My wifes passion is family history research and she likes to help fellow researchers to find their roots. She does this by providing photographs of headstones from cemeteries around the state. We are able to combine our passions as we travel around the state on weekends. I suppose I could have equally called this blog "Cycling and Cemeteries"."

Headstone Photographs
"Photographs of headstones are available from a selection of predominately Victorian cemeteries."

Judkins and Steel Family History
The family history of George & Carol (nee Steel) Judkins of Victoria, Australia

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Sat. 24 Oct 2009

Part of a fall arrangement Denise set up on our front steps. This photo was taken in the morning. By early afternoon leaves were falling like snow from the trees and strong cold winds were blowing them around in spinning columns almost as tall as me. Then the rain started and beat the leaves down until they lay in flat soggy masses on the ground or floated on the dismal puddles. Charming.

It has been dark, windy, cold, and wet since then and looks to continue. A good day to stay warm and cosy in the house - even the cat is only going out for a few minutes at a time to lick rainwater off the remaining garden plants.

[note: Denise has just started to make one of her fabulous soups so the house should soon be filled with comforting kitchen aromas.]

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Tue. 20 Oct 2009

We've been invaded! We went for a walk to the Irish & Scottish Store to pick up a few treats and when we arrived home we found ladybugs swarming around our front door. I have no idea why they are doing this - perhaps the sun warmed the wall and door and this attracted them after the sub-zero nights we have been having. Who knows?

I grabbed my little Nikon CoolPix pocket camera and tried a few shots on the macro setting. The result isn't too bad considering that this is a small amateur automatic camera and these bugs are only about 1/4 of an inch long.

All of the photos on this site, including the photos of the artwork and the travel photos, have been taken with this little camera. It continues to surprise and amaze me. My poor old Nikon D70S must be feeling quite neglected.

I'm assuming the appearance of the images on my monitor offers a reasonable approximation of the way they look on other monitors - properly exposed, good colour etc.

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Sat. 17 Oct 2009

This is the last day of the Vanier market so we thought we'd stroll down and have a look. This little market is part of an ongoing effort to clean up an area that doesn't have the best reputation. I still wouldn't choose Montreal Rd. for an evening stroll but things are slowly getting better.

On the way home we discovered a new bakery/restaurant, Maison Baguette, and picked up some bread. It's only a fifteen minute walk from our place so we will probably be going there again when we feel the need to get out for 'coffee and something'.

We've begun getting the garden ready for winter. Lovely day, sad task.

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Thu. 15 Oct 2009

We walked to a favourite magazine store downtown, maybe four or 5 kilometers, to begin breaking in some new walking shoes for our next trip. We did a little bit of window shopping, a little bit of real shopping, and stopped for coffee and a bagel. It was pleasant just walking and talking and the weather was great - 3 or 4C and sunny.

This is a wonderful city for walking - very pretty and an interesting mix of neighbourhoods. Right now it is even prettier than usual with the trees taking on their bright orange, red, and yellow fall colours.

The image on the right is of a mannequin in a downtown shop window.

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Mon. Oct. 12, 2009

Flirt came for a visit today. A lovely Australian shepherd and always a lady, she is always welcome. She gets on well with our usually intolerant old cat.

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Tue. Oct. 06, 2009

On the O-Train

Denise has wanted to try the O-Train so we thought we would take it to Carleton University and have a look around their bookstore as we hadn't been there for quite some time. We ended up riding the train from the beginning to the end of its route and back again and then to Carleton. There isn't much in the way of scenery but it's pleasant, quiet, and fast.

I managed to find a couple of books to buy - though not in the textbook section. Even the second-hand copies were ridiculously expensive. I pity the students who are required to buy them.

We stopped off in one of the food courts and had some pizza before heading home ...where we found Gus eager to get out into the garden for a drink.

Gus is quite the connoisseur and a bowl of clean water in the house is no match for a birdbath loaded with algae. Actually, a bowl of clean water is no match for a muddy puddle, a leaf, a shower-curtain, a toilet etc. etc.

We're grateful that Gus is too old and arthritic to jump up on things. Having to get that algae out of his coat would not be the cheeriest experience for any of us.

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Mon. Sept 28, 2009

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Art & Photography

• Las Vegas

  
  A series of photos taken on a recent trip to Las Vegas. We had a truly wonderful time and we are looking forward to another visit. Just click on the images above to be taken to each set of photos
  

• Old Art

  
  A sampling of some of my old artwork. Much of it was found in an old portfolio stored away and forgotten. Just click on the images etc.
  

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