Wooden Basket

My daughter likes to collect unusual art.

A while back she bought this interesting handmade basket at an antique shop.

It can lie flat - or even hang on the wall...

Or open up to hold things. 

Handmade by CKW!

I love it!

Early November Weather

Parts of Canada already have snow on the ground...

But here in Ottawa the weather is still warm...

Yesterday was a busy day for black squirrels out running in the leaves!

Later, there was a peaceful - if early - sunset...

Every day we lose about 3 minutes of daylight...

The only flower I noticed in our yard was this one mauve flower lying low. A cheerful souvenir of summer.

What's This?!

I was putting away some gardening tools when I noticed a newly-made dusty hole near the shed.

Groundhogs?? Oh, no! Not again!

I guess we'll have to wait and see! Last time we had groundhogs in our yard - a few years ago - one would sit outside the hole and keep watch.

They build networks of tunnels to other places - like under sheds! I wouldn't be surprised if this hole is connected to it. 

It was a lot of work getting them to move - but we did finally succeed!

Every time I passed the window I'd look out to see if a groundhog was sitting outside... 

But a few days later,  I saw - not a groundhog but a chipmunk come out! Is that his or her newly created nest - or was the chipmunk simply checking out the newly-bored tunnel?!

A quick online search revealed that the tunnel was probably made by a chipmunk!

That's a relief! 

Wow! They also make complicated homes underground.

Virtual Treks: Moving On

Life was hectic here last month: Builders came several days a week to fix up our basement which had flooded in July...  It's not quite done yet. It should be completed and ready to move our stuff back in by mid-November.

Then I somehow injured my right leg. My daughter suggested it could be my IT band - a ligament that runs up and down the outside of each leg. She found some exercises online that I started to do.

It's a lot better now - and I attribute it to the exercises and to REST! I did cut back on my walking.

But - in spite of distractions and pain - I have managed to complete my virtual walk in Australia. Yay!! I am now moving into the Northern Hemisphere, to the south-western- most point of England - a place with the charming name of "Land's End."

I'm looking forward to a new kind of scenery in this different part of the world!

My destination is "John o' Groats" - on the north-eastern tip of Scotland.

Confusing Halloween

Today is Halloween...

As I look at this picture of my granddaughter in her first Halloween costume - so many years ago - I'm struck by her look of confusion: what's happening here?!

Halloween is confusing! 

In a year or two she will be wondering: Why am I going out to knock on neighbours' doors to ask for candy?! 

In my working days, one of my colleagues shared the story of HER first confusing Halloween. 

She had left war-torn Lebanon with her two children, seeking a safe home for the three of them. She had arrived in Canada on ... Halloween!

When they got off the plane, they were greeted by people in strange, ghoulish costumes...

What kind of crazy country have I brought my children to?! She wondered in panic, ready to turn around and get back on the plane...

Her story is an example of how newcomers and tourists may be feeling today: What's happening here?!

Snow Mountain This Year?!

Every winter numerous "snow mountains" pop up near large parking lots all over the city. After every snowfall, snowplows push and pack the new fallen snow into piles - to clear the way for parked cars. This is how these "mountains" come to exist.

(These man-made snow mountains are a relatively new phenomenon. I once read that clearing snow from roads and city streets began in the 1920's in Montreal - about 100 years ago. At the time, automobiles were a relatively recent invention. Prior to that, motor vehicles were driven only in summer. When snow fell, they were put away. Horses and sleighs took over the roads. No need to clear the snow for them! And to think that this transition - from horse-drawn wagons and sleighs to cars and trucks happened during my parents' and grandparents' lifetimes!)

By the time spring arrives, residents wonder if these mounds of ice and snow will ever melt...They eventually do - usually in late June or early July. 

In our nearby college, last year's snow mountain is gone - but a warning sign remains - reminding the curious and playful to keep off the mound. They could fall off - or, even worse, fall inside. Snow is unstable and could collapse under their feet!

My Next Car??!!

On our way back from Toronto, Terry and I stopped at a "Timmy's" coffee shop in the town of Tweed. As we walked in, we passed this cute little vehicle...

I once saw an older gentleman leave this very parking lot, riding on a lawnmower...

I wonder if that same man has upgraded his lawnmower for this cute one-person EV?!

I love it! I could see the grandkids wanting to borrow it!

If I needed a small mobility vehicle to get me to the supermarket and back - I'd get one of these!

Cheese Boutique

Quite a few years ago, our daughter introduced Terry and me to a "Cheese Boutique" in Toronto. 

We were there on a weekend. The place was bustling. I remembered it as a crowded shop on a small industrial street, surrounded by trees.

I recently reminded my daughter of the place:  Is it still around?

Yes! 

Then, let's go back and see if they sell "chocolate cheese" - one of my favorite flavours.

They did! Also several other flavoured goudas I was curious to try. I bought chocolate, lavender, Dubai chocolate - and a very sharp "Old Amsterdam."

We then discovered that the Cheese Boutique had expanded into a bake shop and deli a few doors down...

....so we headed over.

Lots to choose from!

I wanted to try everything!.

After buying a few European-style Christmas treats, we sat down to rest in their outdoor courtyard attached to the bake shop - where we  could have bought a sandwich and coffee.

Maybe next time!

Hopefully we can come back soon!

Leaves are Falling!

First they turn colour...

Then they begin to fall.

That's the stage we're at now!

They're so beautiful - and then they're gone. 

All it takes is a strong wind to sweep them away!

I'm so thankful that I can watch this annual cycle of nature here where I live.

Missed It!

My son texted me this on Saturday evening...

Oh no! I missed it! 

I'm obviously not aware of everything going on in our neighbourhood! This is an event I would probably really enjoy!

Beautiful Drive Home!

On our return trip home from Toronto last week, we took the back road - along Highway 7 - through Tweed.

We wondered if most of the leaves would be down...

In some places there weren't many fall colours...

A strong wind must have passed through, pulling the leaves  off!

But by and large, the scenery was stunning!

Lots of trees and lakes...

It was a tranquil ride home.

Kingston Farmers Market

A few days ago, Terry and I passed through Kingston...

It was market day, so we stopped in at the downtown Farmers market.

Terry likes to chat with vendors, especially local maple syrup producers... 

Which is how we met Todd Vader, many years ago. Now we often stop by his market stall, whether we need maple syrup or not.

And finally, before leaving town, we enjoyed some White Mountain ice cream!

Breath of Fresh Air

There's a lot of politics in the media these days. I recently sat through half a TV debate of four middle-aged men running for mayor in our city. Nobody cracked a smile... Everyone was angry... None of them spoke as well as I had hoped.

That's why I was excited to read this story of a young man running for city counsellor in my former hometown, Kelowna BC.

His signs made me smile...

His instagram account was full of details of how he'd like things to change in the city.

He seemed approachable. 

(Hopefully his enthusiasm won't wane now that he's been elected.) 

He's a breath of fresh air in city politics... I wish him well!