SkyWatch Friday ~ California dreamin'....

Waking to a screaming blizzard this morning in Ottawa.....
brought dreams of this on Haida Gwaii!

For more visions of skies why not join us at SkyWatch Friday.

Watery Wednesday - Please watch...

Just say no to plastics, all plastics, it begins with you and me. Shop at farmers markets, bring your own bags(not plastic)and send a message to your elected officials. This is the legacy we are leaving our children and grandchildren. For more info on the Great Pacific Garbage Dump
go to: Wikipedia and follow the external links at the bottom of the article.

And for more cheerful Watery Wednesdays from around the world click on the logo below.

SkyWatch Friday ~ A Lovely Walk

I am back in Ottawa to start my housesit. I dropped off my stuff and then had to get out and enjoy the beautiful afternoon in my new neighbourhood.
My housesit is near Mooney's Bay and the head of the Rideau canal lock system in Ottawa.
I will share more as I get to know my neighbourhood in the meantime enjoy the beautiful day.
For more great skies click on the logo below.

My World Tuesday ~ A Gem in the City

An explorer at heart I often get lost in my wandering. In Toronto I have been staying in the Upper Beaches area and to get downtown I take the Gerrard streetcar.
For the past several trips I have passed a dog park tucked among the highrises, so I decided to get off the streetcar and investigate not only the dog park but the gem of a building that was its background. I was amazed that so many dogs could co habit the same space without causing grief for one another or their owners.
To the south of the dog park is this beautiful glass building. I lived in Toronto for 15 years but had never seen this, or maybe never noticed it....it has been a landmark in Toronto for 150 years!

I decided to investigate and low and behold found this remarkable facility is open to the public seven days a week and it is free to access!

It is Allan Gardens and it is the premier horticultural space for the City of Toronto not only for the public but also as a teaching facility for the Toronto Board of Education.

On a cold winter day there is no better place to be in Toronto....come take a walk with me,

You are all welcome!

The spirit of Christmas was still around in this 6' Christmas tree made of moss & live plants.

This is one of my favourite photos and if you are looking for a new screensaver feel free to use it, it is beautiful in the full screen.

Palm trying to brake out!

Another Christmas tree....so beautiful!

The succulents' space.

Beautiful barrel cacti the size of aerobic exercise balls!

I have no idea what this is except that it is beautiful!

Beautiful water gardens and

yours truly checking out the orchid room. Hope you enjoyed your walk feel free to come again.

For more great places from around the World why not join us at

MyWorld Tuesday.

A friend passes....

A dear friend has passed. Have fun now Chloe, run with the wind!

Weekend Reflections ~ What's wrong with these pictures?

American Robin

I am wandering around southern Ontario and doing a lot of walking and when you walk you see more things. Wednesday while walking in the Beaches Area of Toronto I came upon four Robins....it is January 14th!
Woolly Bear (ArctiidaeCaterpillar)
And then today as I was walking into Picton along County Road 10 I met this little fella. I thought he was dead as the snow had just melted overnight but low and behold....
he was strutting his stuff! I turned him around as his trajectory was across the road and at the pace he was moving he was going to be road kill....this is January 16, winter, in Canada....he/she is supposed to be hibernating and the Robins are still supposed to be down south!
So what's up?

For different Weekend Reflections why not visit
James at Newtown Area Photo
and remember all photos can be clicked on more detail.

SkyWatch Friday

Travelling west along the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto

(Remember to click on photo to enlarge and see more detail)

I am wandering around Ontario by Greyhound visiting family and friends at the moment and snapped this photo of the incredible building going up along Toronto's waterfront and beautiful blue sky.
For more great skies join us at

SkyWatch Friday

Weekend Reflections #16

Reflection of Union Station, Ottawa through the windows of the beautiful Scottish Ontario Chambers built in 1883. The Royal Bank Building reflecting downtown Ottawa.

Notre Dame Basicillica as seen from the huge windows at the National Gallery of Canada.
For other worldly reflections visit James at Newton Area Photos.

SkyWatch Friday ~ Winter's Icy Grip

Rideau Falls meets the Ottawa River

One of the things I enjoy about being back in the east is snow and winter. I realize most of you think I might be a little nuts but I love four seasons and on Haida Gwaii there generally is one season....rainy!

Icy sumac with the Rideau Canal locks in the background.
Currently I am in Ottawa and environs and there is not a lot of snow but there has definitely been a lot of cold mixed with some freezing rain. Once the rain moves on there is some splendid beauty.
Light standard on Majors Hill Park
The mighty Ottawa River is slowly freezing and is enhanced by the Creator's Glory.
Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario
I never tire of this view.

For other great SkyWatch views click on the logo below and remember all photos can be click on to enlarge and see detail.

Wordless Wednesday....Speed bump

I continue to have trouble with my computer compounded by very slow internet connection. This sign at a museum we visited on New Years Day sums it up! For more worldless events click on the logo. Have a wonderful week.