on top of the world

Sometimes you need to look up to find art 

I'm not sure what this creature is meant to be, nor how he got up there

goats are so agile

they're so cute when they're sleeping

sharing with Our World Tuesday

brought to you live....

What do you do when you can't sleep 
(or are otherwise not engaged in any meaningful work for a few hours) 

and there's no World Cup soccer to watch?

Well, I found a live webcam of
white tailed eagles on Mull, Scotland

at the moment it is raining, but there is still lots of activity. it is oddly compelling viewing.

You can also see previous videos of this family here where it has been recently reported that the chick was found to have been pushed out of his nest by a rival.   He was safely returned by Forestry rangers - with the help of the webcam.

sharing my day with you

Since I was already in Toronto on Friday, I thought I would stop by the Stamp Show that was on last weekend on my way home. Things didn't quite turn out as planned.




I did have a lovely visit with my baby niece with whom I had several staring contests since we hadn't seen each other in a long time. Her days are filled with bouncing in a harness, grabbing things, gnawing on things, dancing with mummy, listening to music and silly talk, eating, staring... getting lessons on how to make a perfect cup of tea (it is never to early to learn the essentials)



When I left, it was a little later than planned. Then I had to find a bank machine which were not as prevalent in that particular area as I thought they might be. Then traffic became heavier than I expected at that hour. And when I finally got to the Exhibition grounds were the show was being held, I discovered the parking was a flat rate of $14. I thought that a bit excessive for the slightly more than an hour I would spend inside. I thought about finding some street parking and walking back, but in the end I decided I would just go find somewhere to have a coffee and something to eat while waiting for the traffic to ease. There was one hour parking on the side streets until 6pm, so I went for a short walk and came back promptly at 5 and moved my car around the block. I wandered up and down Ronscesvalles Ave and and in and out of shops smelling of fresh baking, old books, leather. I found a couple of very cute little vintage and vintage-inspired home decor and accessories shops. They were full of stuff I like. Like this tin box that I can use to stuff my stamps in.

Because, 
I may be thrifty on the one hour parking, but you know I had to go back the next day, which meant another 40 minute drive, and still paying the $14. But then I stayed for almost four hours which gave me plenty of time to check out the boxes of 10¢ and face value stamps as well as the postcards and the large displays the club members had put together and have (too many) conversations with people about what I collect and how they could be stored and where and when the next shows are (hint: this Friday, in Hamilton!) Every time I worry that this collection is getting out of hand, I have a look at the other people at these shows and realize I have a long way to go.

how to spend time with people

There were a couple of messages on facebook inviting me to play some silly game. Normally, I ignore those requests, but in a moment of boredom, I checked it out. I already play scrabble with a couple of people (though I keep forgetting for days/weeks at a time).

I have been busy trying to beat my cousins' scores on Diamond Blitz. I managed to wriggle my way into second place! Now, I sit at the computer impatiently waiting for 'new life' so I can continue. This is why I never played things like tetris before. Sigh. The laundry is waiting for some new life as well.

In other news, I am now the 50th on most postcards sent from Canada. I suddenly felt a competitive urge come over me when I reached 49th on longest distance in Canada. I am ridiculously excited by this achievement.

And a friend and I went to out to dinner last night for Winterlicious. We chose a restaurant that is well known for being a mecca (for people known as stars) during the Toronto International Film Festival. Just to get ourselves inside and see what they would see.
This was desert.

apple crumble
and a cheese plate

details

You might think, from reading my posts over the last few months, that I am only into stamps and cemeteries and gravestones with little else to offer.
okay, maybe that is true...

so, I offer up this pretty diversion

the photo really doesn't do it justice





it is all in the detailing. the fabric. the design.

did you miss me? I didn't really go anywhere

Good grief, has it really been almost 2 weeks since I last posted?

I took a bit of a blogging break. An unintentional one, brought on by a serious lack of anything good or profound or entertaining to write about. Or at least an inability to write about anything in a good or profound or entertaining way. I haven't even really been reading anyone else's blogs. Sorry about that. I've missed you though, and will now have to spend a few hours catching up.

I thought about things I could do that might provide some good blogging material. I have been out for walks and bike rides. Had coffee and gelato on patios, met friends for dinner, and shopped at an antique market. I even went to an art show and bought stuff (and no, Nora, I haven't run out of things to buy!) All of it was immensely enjoyable, I just couldn't find a way to express it on paper screen.

But, today, the words have come back. My mind has been racing with ways to describe the past two weeks. Maybe it was my return to the gym that has given my brain a bit of a boost as well as my legs.

Or maybe it is the new blinds that I had installed in my living room. They are white and 2" faux wood, replacing the horrible, metal, coloured 1" venetians. I am surprised at how much brighter my place is now, though I do sort of miss that it never really gets absolutely dark like it used to when I would close the blinds against the intense sun and heat. And I am (not really) surprised that I need to wash my windows.

I've been busy watching Canada lose it all in Germany and am looking forward to seeing Japan and the US kick it out on Sunday... along with the crashes and scenery of le tour de France and the Open...

In the meantime, I have not read any of Harry Potter, though I have seen the first movie (but on tv, which is never the same) and promptly lost interest. Though, for thousands apparently, it is a different story

princes and post

I have been thinking about that other prince, the one who also just got married to a commoner but who is not visiting our fair land

for you see, Albert and I were born on the same day.

He may be richer and more gallant, than I, but I think I have retained my youthful appearance far better than His Serene Highness has done. I certainly have more hair, though I'm not sure which of us had more hair when we were born.

And, since my mother kept all the envelopes these cards came in, I can see that Aunt Millie was the first to send hers. I believe I was born around 5pm, but am not certain. I also notice on all the envelopes that they were addressed to my mother with the name of the hospital ... some had the city, some not. And all were received for a 4 cent stamp! Now that seems to me to be excellent service. Stamps now cost 59 cents (plus HST) for inside Canada and you better include the full address, along with the postal code, or who knows when you may get the letter. And you don't get such clear, dated postmarks - with the city and time - anymore, either. I am hoping for some post-strike mail tomorrow. 

me as a wee babe (with not much hair) in my mother's arms
p.s. Albert and I have never met