On November 11

Fall colours

Random bursts of brightness in the company of the dull and dreary.






Summer ... burning out, not fading away.

Friday cloud blogging

Had the canoe out this past weekend for the first time this season.





We left the house at 5am in order put in just as the sun was rising -- the mist and fog and calm waters make the early rising worth it.









We picked the Tay canal and river as we've never been there before, wanted something relatively close and it was recommended to us. It was an amazing paddle -- so many loons and ducks and beavers shared the sunrise with us. Beautiful.

A very sad day

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world.
– Jack Layton, 1950-2011

Read the full inspiring letter here: Jack Layton's last letter to Canadians, and more about Jack's life here: Jack Layton's legacy as a fighter.

Blue and gold

TOP: Wall covering at Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, Ceiling in Palace of Versailles, Ceiling in National Gallery of Canada. MIDDLE: Work outside of Chateau Frontenac, Labradorite at the Canadian Museum of Nature, Candles at Notre Dame de Paris. BOTTOM: Morning glory in the garden, Ceiling in Palace of Versailles, Deep blue sky at sunset.

The other day we went to the Canadian Museum of Nature, and I was taken by the beautiful colours and shapes of the rocks and minerals in the Vale Earth Gallery, especially the blues and golds of the Labradorite (above centre). I noticed the same colour combination in the morning glories in the back garden, and went looking for more in past photos.

Friday cloud blogging

Early morning, canoe on the roof and off for an adventure. This was taken last autumn. Haven't been out in the canoe yet - don't do well in the heat and we've been having such high temps this summer. Seems wrong to be longing for the end of summer, but autumn is my favourite time of year. Cool mornings and evenings, warm days, jeans and sweaters with sandals, no bugs, fresh breezes on lake, and wonderful rich colour all around as the leaves start to turn.

Centres

Blue morning glory and yellow daisy,
Purple pansy and white datura,
Red petunia and pink clematis.

Art enables us to ...

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.
- Thomas Merton





We had family down visiting this long weekend, and we went over to the National Gallery to take in the Caravaggio exhibit. We also viewed the Feininger installation. One of the nicest things about living in the Capital - so many museums and galleries in which to spend some time losing oneself.

A few abstracts -- circles, squares, triangles -- taken during the day:

Sipping lavender nectar

Friday orange cloud blogging

From dramatic to tranquil.

Happy long weekend to those who have it off!

Engaged!

A couple of weekends ago, I met up with my friend Sam and her fiancé Justin at the Experimental Farm for an engagement photo-shoot. We had a lot of fun, especially with their cutie patootie pup Lotus along. They often spend time at both the Farm and Arboretum with Lotus, so she was having fun. :) Here are some of the photos from the session (a first for me!).























Looking forward to the wedding!

Friday cloud and moon blogging