Guild Inn, Part Four - Rosa rugosa

We hit the Guild Inn early in the morning on a Sunday. Even so one of the gardeners was hard at work and she graciously identified the heavenly-scented roses as Rosa rugosa. It was everywhere and I couldn't inhale enough of it.

Guild Inn, Part Three - the Bear

I don't have details of the sculptor. When I go back I'll try to find more information. I loved this bear. Can you tell?

Guild Inn, Part Two

This sculpture from Indiana limestone is called "Mobius". It's from 1982, by Michael Clay (good name for a sculptor!).

This gave me such amazing angles to photograph. There are so many, here are just a few, some of which are pretty erotic. But maybe that's just me.

Keeping Cool... Real Cool

"Miss Moneypenny's warm lips pursed into a disapproving line. 'About the hands - that's not what I've heard.'

'Now don't you start on me, Penny.' Bond walked angrily towards the door. He turned around. 'Any more ticking-off from you and when I get out of this place I'll give you such a spanking you'll have to do your typing off a block of Dunlopillo.'

Miss Moneypenny smiled sweetly at him. 'I don't think you'll be able to do much spanking after living on nuts and lemon juice for two weeks, James.'

Bond made a noise between a grunt and a snarl and stormed out of the room."

From Thunderball, by Ian Fleming. I've been eating nuts and drinking lemon juice in my water because that's what I do. I've also been drinking Guinness out of my last remaining 007 issue glass. That and reading Fleming and Vonnegut. Life is good... and cool.

Guild Inn, Part One

The disused Guild Inn in Scarborough (a suburb of Toronto) is home to a sort of outdoor museum, where remnants of late 19th- and early 20th-century buildings from Toronto, torn down to make way for new towers, have found a home for the pleasure of amateur and professional photographers. Or anyone who enjoys a serene walk.

I recently visited with the camera club I'm part of. I took a LOT of pictures and see this first outting as a sort of reconnaissance mission for a future visit, hopefully when there are fewer mosquitoes. Fall would be amazing.

I'll post a selection of photographs over several posts. To start with, this relief sculpture just got more interesting the closer I got. I love how the last image has this strong diagonal line from the top edge to the bottom edge of the image.

Staying Cool

And the Day Just Got Better

Summer in the city, on my vacation, and now the news that the 168-year-old rag The News of the World is being shut down by the owners, that clan of Death Eaters known as the Murdochs. It's scary that it's boasted the largest circulation by an English-speaking publication, and even scarier when you consider the reasons why: phone hacking of celebrities and victims of violent crime and terrorism.

I still think our civilization is screwed, but... today was a small vote for good over pure evil.

Up Yours, Voldy

"You'll stay with me?"

"Until the very end," said James.

"They won't be able to see you?" asked Harry.

"We are part of you," said Sirius. "Invisible to anyone else."

Harry looked at his mother.

"Stay close to me," he said quietly.


I just finished re-reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the last in the book series, in preparation for the film that covers the second part of that story... the last in the film series. The book ends with a reiteration of the gently spiritual aspect that has run through all the stories. Love conquers all.

"And his knowledge remained woefully incomplete, Harry! That which Voldemort doesn't value, he takes no trouble to comprehend. Of house-elves and children's tales, of love, loyalty and innocence, Voldemort knows and understands nothing. Nothing. ghat they all have a power beyond his own, a power beyond tehreach of any magic, is a truth he has never grasped."


I won't be anywhere near a cinema when the film opens on July 15, but I'll see the film as soom as I return to the big city.

And...

... who thinks it's time for a new header image?

Sunrise

I've been leaving my (William Morris "foliage" pattern) curtains open at night so that I see the sunrise as I wake up. This view, facing somewhat east, is not the skyscraper, downtown view of Toronto, but points towards Riverdale.

This morning I enjoyed the twinkling lights as the city awoke, and I blinked my way into day five of my vacation.

To my American Friends

Happy July 4th, neighbours!

Queens and Sunshine

I'm sitting typing this in my newly overhauled studio. It's not *quite* ready for its photograph, but it's very workable and I love it. No glare on my laptop screen, no dust being blown in on the desk. I feel very good here, and look forward to many hours of creative playtime.

It's a spectacular Canada Day weekend in Toronto, with the weather hot and dry. I went on my power walk this morning (I hate the term, but it suits), and worked up a satisfying... "glow." Between working on my studio and glowing and socializing, I've been watching the Royal Tour.

As with any other Royal wedding I woke early on April 29 and was surprisingly taken with the proceedings. Kate's poise was yet more proof that good carriage and manner have absolutely nothing to do with breeding or some other genetic throwback. What pride those Middleton parents must have felt in those hours: the one daughter marrying a future king, the other wafting elegantly up the aisle in that slinky dress while wrangling two three-year-olds, and their son reading the lesson with great poise. Like many others I suspect, the last few years I have become disenchanted with the whole idea of a monarchy. I've been siding with the journalist who told us that it had become a human rights issue, that just because you fell from a certain womb, your entire future was predetermined. In our modern society it seems a bizarre and cruel idea.

The only solution in my mind is for Britain's monarchy to scale right back, and - on this tour - it looks like it is happening. The atmosphere in the cities that William and Kate have visited is electric. They are young, attractive, user-friendly, and modest. Their star power is also something wonderful.

This first joint overseas tour is - so far - a stunning success. If they mean to continue the way they start, the concept of a monarchy, of something other than political, might actually continue to work, and better than it has for a while.

Speaking of royalty, Toronto concludes a week-long celebration of acceptance for our gay lesbian, bi and transgendered friends with the stunning Pride parade, one of the biggest around. One million people are estimated to have filled the streets of Toronto, as Pride is an event for all, especially families of all sorts, and it's a great, great atmosphere that promotes acceptance, inclusion and the right to party!

Unfortunately Toronto's new mayor, Rob Ford, proves once again his oafishness (he's vilely pro-car, anti-public transit and bikes) and did not attend the parade. All recent mayors have as have other sensible politicians, either because they believe in it, or at least are politically astute enough to want to appear that way. Not Ford, who claimed it was his tradition to visit his family's cottage each Canada Day weekend. But... there was an entire week of Pride events before the parade which he also avoided, so his excuses sounded - and were - unfortunate. He's also on record as only supporting what he describes as "traditional" marriage. Pride is a huge deal in Toronto and for a politician or leader of any kind not to at least recognize the value of it in tourism dollars is so short-sighted.

But you know what? It was a better party without him, and hopefully most of our voters will have figured that out in three years time. Oust the oaf! Although, the next mayoral election will take place *after* Toronto hosts World Pride in 2014. Sigh...

Getting There

High up on my list of things to do this vacation is the dismantling of my guest bedroom and turning it into a creative studio. The other part of this is turning my smaller former office space into a dedicated reading area. All the moving of heavy furniture is now over (ow, my neck!): in the former guest bedroom, the bed is gone, my heavy wooden desk is moved in as is the big filing cabinet, and all the shelves are moved around. Now is the phase I love best: the organizing of those things I plan to keep and the discarding of all the items that are just clutter.

I'm surrounded by stacked, framed photos; two Persian rugs, baskets of fabric, a bag of wool, notebooks of writing, much-loved teddy bears, books, the trusty Singer sewing machine, and more.

Of course, there will be pictures when it's all over.

So Lucky!

... to live in the best country in the world,

... in the best 'hood!

Thanks, SLNA (St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association) for our Canada Day celebrations!

Perfetto

The Host with the Most served the annually worshipped Ontario strawberries in Prosecco. Doesn't he have a view and a half? And it's panoramic, I really don't do it justice here.




After serving duck with wonderfully buttery little potatoes and veggies, we had a delicious Limoncello tiramisu/trifle-like concoction consisted of lady fingers soaked in Limoncello, and mounded with whipped cream and mascarpone, with lemon zested on top. It wasn't too sweet and it was very lemony and powerfully alcholic, so you could say it was perfect... and we did.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...

Today is my last day at work before my vacation, and I'll be away for over a month. Not since I was a teenager have I had so much vacation at once. I didn't take much during the year, so this feels good and necessary. And with my office tidied and caught up, I'm ready.

The topic of work is one that keeps me and my friends talking for hours. A recent retiree told me that the most startling change he had recognized in himself since stopping was the revelation that he no longer spent the majority of his waking hours trying to please someone. It doesn't matter really how much autonomy you have in your work, at the root of it there is some need to please someone.

I'm lucky to have a job that has kept me stimulated and intrigued for quite a few years.

See you in 33 days, little office.

Sometimes it Seems...

... that prepping to take my annual vacation is hardly worth it, as I work long hours to get ahead of the game. But it *is* all worth it, and when I come home in the evening from my long walk, I indulge - as I did last year - in a variety of different home made lollipops. They are all based on plain yoghurt. This flavour is mango and banana. Naturally sweet, fruity and cool.

Laying Under Trees, with Happy Toes

Well, Thank Goodness for That

... I'll sleep easy now.

Cool Toronto

Another Song of the Day for Tree Huggers

Im Treibhaus - Studie zu Tristan und Isolde
(In the Greenhouse - Study for Tristan and Isolde)

High-arching leafy crowns,
canopies of emerald
you children of distant lands,
tell me, why do you lament?

Silently you incline your branches,
tracing signs in the air,
and, mute witness to your sorrows,
there rises a sweet perfume.

Wide in longing and desire
you spread your arms out
and embrace, in self-deception
barren emptiness, a fearful void.

Well I know it, poor plant!
We share the same fate.
Although the light shines brightly round us,
our home is not here!

And, as the sun gladly quits
day's empty brightness,
so he who truly suffers
wraps himself in the dark mantel of silence.

It grows quiet, an anxious rustling
fills the dark room;
I see the heavy drops hanging
from the leaves' green edges.


This was another piece performed by Adrianne Pieczonka at her Toronto recital this past spring. Mathilde Wesendonck wrote the words for these songs by Richard Wagner. Much can be read about Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder and how they mirrored Wagner's and Wesendonck's relationship and anticipated his Tristan und Isolde.

Oooh, New Project

Well, I decided my spare bedroom was spending far less time as a spare bedroom and far more as a studio space... so the bed and other guest accoutrements are going and it's going to be a 100% work space for my writing, photography, sewing, beading, and other girly pass times.

While I pondered my plans this evening, I did laundry and... ate wontons for dinner.

A Song of the Day... for Tree Huggers

Ruhe, meine Seele (Rest, my Soul)

Not a breath stirs,
the wood rests in gentle sleep;
through the leaves' dark veil
bright sunshine steals.

Rest, rest my soul,
wild have been your storms,
you have raged and quivered
like the swelling breakers.

These times are violent,
causing heart and mind distress -
rest, rest my soul,
and forget what threatens you!


Strauss set his song to this text by Karl Henckell, and Adrianne Pieczonka sung it beautifully at her recital in Toronto this spring.

Cool Toronto

The McMichael Art Gallery is a great place to visit, for the art, and the surroundings, which I love to photograph.

What I did This Spring, Part Seven

I listened to music...

Friday, April 8 marked the final stop (and the only Canadian one) in the North American tour by the superb choir of Christ Church College, Oxford, a tour that started in North Carolina a couple of weeks before that. I may not be formally edjimicated, but I did manage to figure out that the college is the home to several Harry Potter sets, such as the great hall of Hogwarts.

In Toronto the choir appeared at Grace Church on-the Hill (pictured above), and were joined by that church's Choir of Gentlemen and Boys. The repertoire covered a good deal of musical history, from John Taverner (c. 1490 - 1545) to Howard Goodall (b. 1958). The first half ended rousingly with Handel's "Zadok the Priest", but the moment I sat up, quite transfixed was, not surprisingly, with Britten's "Te Deum in C". Britten is always the man.

On Tuesday, April 26 we attended a performance by two fabulous groups: the Kalichstein-Laredo Robinson Trio and the ARC Ensemble. The former was new to me, the latter one of my favourite ensembles anywhere. Together they provided a wonderful evening. I love the soft, chocolate brown seats in Toronto's still-newish Koerner Hall, but I was nothing but riveted by the wonderful music being made on stage: Brahms' Trio in A Minor for Piano, Clarinet and Cello, Op. 114, Korngold's Suite for Two Violins, Cello and Piano Left Hand, Op. 23, and - after the intermission - Schumann's Piano Quartet in E flat Major, Op. 47. The Korngold, particularly, played on my romantic, film-loving nature, but I would be hard pressed to have picked one as a desert island choice.

The following week we were back in Koerner Hall for a recital by the great Canadian diva, Adrianne Pieczonka, with Brian Zeger at the piano. She sung a progam of songs by Schubert, Strauss and Wagner (his Wesendonck Lieder). The previous week, Pieczonka has been unwell, and had not been able to sing the opening night of the Canadian Opera Company's Ariadne auf Naxos. She dedicated Strauss's "Zueignung" (Dedication) to her wife, mezzo-soprano Laura Tucker, who - she told us from the stage - had been a blessing in that rough week. There weren't too many dry eyes after she had sung that. It was the last piece on the printed program. But then we had encores, including "An die Musik", which caused a lady to call out, after the applause had died down, "But Adrianne, you are the music!" The love-in continued, and I shed many tears when this wonderful artist sang "There's a Place for us" from Bernstein's West Side Story.

On Thursday, May 5, I attended, with my dad, a concert of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. It was a night of Finnish magic: Hannu Lintu, conductor, led the TSO with Karita Mattila, the riveting Finnish diva and Anssi Karttunen, cello. The repertoire was so generous and fascinating: Saariaho's Laterna Magica was inspired by Ingmar Bergman's autobiography of the same name. Her Mirage for soprano, cello and orchestra featured text from a poem. The program notes by Don Anderson told us:

"The shaman and healer Maria Sabina (1894 - 1985) spent her life in a tiny village, deep in the mountains of southern Mexico. She was among the first people to allow outside visitors to participate in a healing ritual involving the consumption of the trance-inducing psilocye mushroom. Her chants and incantations were set down and translated and Kaija Saarihao used one of them, in English, as the setting for Mirage."

I am a woman who flies.
I am the sacred eagle woman [the mushroom] says;I am the Lord eagle woman;I am the lady who swims;Because I can swim in the immense,Because I can swim in all forms.I am the shooting star woman,I am the shooting star woman beneath the water,I am the lady doll,I am the sacred clown,Because I can swim,Because I can fly.
I was high on the rest of the superb program which featured Bloch's Schelomo ("Hebraic Rhapsody") for cello and orchestra, Sibelius's Luonnotar, Op. 70 for soprano and orchestra, Sibelius's Der Barden (The Bard), Op. 64 and - I guess for shits and giggles - Ravel's La Valse.

Very lucky.