Eyes Wide Open

Do Horizontal Stripes Make Me Look Fat?

2012-01-28T05:27:00.000-05:00

Lollipop is wearing her new T-Shirt! This morning when we came in, her belly wasn't covered in wet sand from the pathways. She is dozing on the duvet now. She enjoyed visiting yesterday especially after they brought Winston, that noisy nosey Boston Terrier out of the room! Winston loves her but she is pretty sure she doesn't love him!
At bedtime last night, she ignored her crate when we went to the bedroom...made herself comfortable on the duvet. I felt sorry but had to put her in the crate. To my surprise, she didn't complain . . . Yay!!! She just walked in and turned around a few times before dropping down for a nice sleep. God love her! She is so easy to train.

She recognized her former owner who dropped by with her papers. Lolli's tail began to wag at great speed but the lady paid little attention to her. It made me feel sad. Anyway, Lollipop was delighted to see everyone, especially the children. She kept coming back to me for a little rest when she needed it. We have bonded!
Lolli is a Shih Poo, i.e. half Shih Tzu and half Poodle. She came from a local breeder who has a booth at our local Flea Market.
I will be looking for her new crate today...pink would be nice but we'll see what is available. I want to return the one Glenn and Grace lent us. Grace's sister told me about a supplement (Angel Eyes) I can add to her food and water which will prevent tear stains. We called the pet store and they are holding a bottle for me.

Lollipop Rolling in the Duvet

2012-01-27T03:01:00.000-05:00

She loves the duvet...but I won't let her on the bed until she has been outside. She peed on it the other night, that is why the cover is off. She acts like this duvet is alive, she rolls, jumps on the puffs, burrows under it and whimpers because she is lost in the folds. I get her untangled and she does it all again!

We had a nice walk at 6:00 AM. It was lightly raining. Who would ever have thought I would be out in the rain at such an hour! I get dressed as soon as I get up, and when I am done I let Lolli out of her crate. Last night she slept through the night with no wimpering. She is excited and joyous to come out of her crate! We go right downstairs to the door, she waits while I put my coat and boots on and I make her sit nice at the door. And she has to "stay" while I open the door. When it opens I go out first and then I tell her "ok, come!" and she leaps out! I can't have her tripping me as we go out for our walk, I have enough trouble getting around as it is! Besides, this is what Caesar Millan recommends--show her you are the leader by going out first. We had a quick walk, twice around the complex. Lollipop stopped twice to pee and she got half a peanut each time. I had to put her in the sink as soon as we got home and spray/rinse her underside with warm water. She was quite wet and full of sand. They put so much sand on the walkways every time it snows but at least in here is is only sand and not salt too. The dogs we met this morning were not as friendly as the ones we met yesterday. Maybe better luck on the next walk.

She had some breakfast (kibble for small breeds) and some water. Then she watched me make the coffee and empty the dishwasher. I shared a tablespoon of my no-fat Greek yogurt w/peaches with her...she can have some people food, since she seems to be already very familiar with it but I will wean her to lean chicken and yogurt and it has to be in her dish, never from the table. She is agreeable to that; she is just thankful I am sharing.

Well, that's early morning done. We are going shopping later this morning for some things she needs, like a coat to protect her belly from wet sand, a few toys, a new crate so we can return the one my son lent us. I have a list of things we need. Lollipop will come shopping with me. She will sit in my purse, zipped up with her head out. She loves it!

She fell asleep while I was posting this.

Lady in Red

2011-11-07T23:23:00.000-05:00

Tom Taylor Nature Trail in Newmarket Ontario

2011-11-07T09:33:00.000-05:00

And so began the game of Pooh-Sticks

2011-11-07T09:26:00.000-05:00

Drake on the Avon River

2011-09-30T04:29:00.000-04:00

Ingrid Michaelson - Maybe (Official Music Video) - YouTube

2011-09-22T14:59:00.000-04:00

Ingrid Michaelson - Maybe (Official Music Video) - YouTube:

'via Blog this'

Web

2011-09-16T00:49:00.000-04:00

Chipmunk at Cranberry Marsh

2011-09-16T00:45:00.000-04:00

Portrait in a Coffee Shop

2011-09-14T13:31:00.000-04:00

"You'll NEVER be big!"

2011-09-07T14:51:00.000-04:00

Girl on the street

2011-09-07T14:39:00.002-04:00

Balzac's Coffee Shop

2011-09-07T13:38:00.000-04:00

People Watching at Balzac's Coffee Shop, Distillery District

Balzac's

2011-09-07T13:33:00.000-04:00

Window in the Distillery District

2011-09-07T08:51:00.000-04:00

The Stone Distillery is the oldest remaining building on site of the Toronto distillery district. It was constructed between 1859-1860. By 1877 The Gooderham and Worts Distillery had become the largest distillery in the world and is now the largest and best preserved collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture in North America. After 153 years of continuous production, the Gooderham & Worts Distillery finally ceased operation during the '90s, The Distillery found a second life as the number one film location in Canada, and the second largest film location outside of Hollywood. Over the years, more than 1700 films have used the site.

Wood Worker

2011-09-03T13:47:00.001-04:00

He loves his work. This chap makes beautiful furniture from reclaimed wood. Here he is drilling holes to attach the legs to a reclaimed timbers dining table. Even the underside of this table is beautiful. . He takes custom orders and for the time being he works out of the Brickworks Market at 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto ON, M4W 3X8

Crafted with love

2011-08-28T13:01:00.000-04:00

Chocolate Vendor at the Market

2011-08-28T12:54:00.002-04:00

Fried Tomatoes

2011-08-20T13:30:00.000-04:00

JJ was talking about green tomatoes on Facebook, which got me thinking of fried green tomatoes, which made me very hungry. I had these tomatoes on the counter, red but still too hard to use so I made fried red tomatoes. The recipe for these was very simple: sliced tomatoes, dipped in seasoned flour then in egg beaten with a little ranch dressing, then dredge them in Panko breadcrumbs. Fry both sides in a little olive oil, drain on paper towels and enjoy! Light, crispy and delicious!

Visiting Monarch

2011-08-19T13:49:00.002-04:00

Raptor at the blueberry fields

2011-08-10T08:16:00.003-04:00

This Harris's Hawk is working...his owner brings him to the blueberry fields a few times each year while the berries are ripe, to keep the birds away. They would do serious damage to the blueberry crop. Just a few visits from the raptor keeps the crops safe. His owner releases him to fly over the fields and each time he returns he is rewarded with a piece of meat.

In the wild Harris's Hawk hunts cooperatively in pairs or trios. The hawks surround their prey, flush it for another to catch, or take turns chasing it.

Cherries

2011-07-11T10:46:00.002-04:00

One must ask children and birds how cherries and strawberries taste.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Solomon's Seal ( polygonatum commutatum )

2011-06-17T16:29:00.002-04:00

From 2011-05-22 Solomon's Seal

Grand Canyon

2011-06-17T12:49:00.003-04:00

A feeling of awe overcomes me as I look at the Grand Canyon; I sense the power and awesomeness of our God. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let all creation rejoice before the LORD

Bluejay at Cranberry Marsh

2010-11-28T09:30:00.000-05:00

Hand Sandwich

2010-11-26T05:26:00.000-05:00

The Cut

2010-11-16T09:22:00.001-05:00

. . . must be clean. The tool must be sharp and the debris swept away for healing to occur.

Be Careful Where You Buy A Puppy

2010-11-02T19:07:00.001-04:00

This dear little fellow came home with my son and his wife on Saturday evening...a Boston Terrier. They drove from Toronto to Cambridge to pick him up at what they thought was the breeder's home.

He was fine when they arrived home and we all gathered to welcome him. He was a delightful little thing, happy to meet everyone and very loving. Glenn gave him his meal and he gobbled it down along with a few laps of water. He seemed fine. We all fell in love with him at first sight.

The vomiting and diarrhea began next morning. It wasn't very bad so they packed him up and came over to my house for dinner as previously planned. As the afternoon went on I wondered why he slept so much. The few times he got up he had diaharrea and went back to sleep. Then he began to vomit again. Glenn and Grace offered water which he didn't want, then Grace dropped water in his mouth with her finger. Vomiting and diarrhea, both with blood, continued during the night. Next morning Glenn took him to the vet who thought he probably had parasites. They took a stool sample and sent him home with medicine.

The puppy didn't improve with the medicine, he became more listless; the diarrhea and vomiting with blood continued. With all the vomiting it is likely the he didn't absorb any of the drugs. Back at the vet again this morning, the puppy may have parvo-virus. Glenn could not hold back tears at the vet...he cannot afford the test ($700) and was very upset he might have to put the dog down. The vet said not to give up hope and sent him home after two injections. They took a stool sample and are testing that. ($200) If the dog has this virus the treatment is thousands of dollars and offers a 50% chance he will live.

They signed a paper when they took the dog, from what they thought was the breeder, saying they understood the breeder was not responsible if anything was wrong with the dog other than congenital defects. The dog was very sick within 24 hours, with what has to be a previously existing condition that is highly contagious and they are not responsible? Glenn had called to let the "breeder" know the dog was very sick.

Grace called again today to tell them she wanted her money back and reimbursement for the medical expenses. She found out these people are not the breeders, they are a transfer house (what is that?) and the dog comes from a breeder in London Ontario. Sounds like a puppy mill to me. What a nightmare this has become.

I am thinking they should go back to Cambridge, demand a refund and medical expenses and if they do not get it, go to the police and CTV and Global news. They might be interested in visiting this "breeder" in London.

The puppy is even worse this evening.

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

First Zentangles . . . this is going to be fun

2010-08-28T11:23:00.001-04:00

It is so meditative, I love doing these. I am still stiff and a bit awkward but this will improve and I think it is even therapeutic. My hands shake but using them on fine work will help me recover some fine motor skills . . . I hope. Thanks a BUNCH for getting me started Kit!

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Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

First Tomatoes

2010-08-04T21:23:00.001-04:00

Here they are! My first tomatoes have ripened. I can't stop eating these tender-skinned, flavourful beauties! I love how the knife effortlessly slices them, I love the sweetness. SO good! I can't stop eating them!

Crooked

2010-07-31T19:07:00.005-04:00

Echinacea bloom opening like twisted, crooked fingers.

No Rubber Duckies Here

2010-07-30T11:47:00.003-04:00

No rubber duckies here, this is a serious duck bath! A few of these fellows were absorbed in bathing at our local marina one recent evening. (Ugh! Do you know how dirty marina water is?) This was no quick wash; they were focused on doing a thorough job.

Out to Watch the Sunset - Bayfield Ontario

2010-07-17T19:16:00.000-04:00

Lake Huron Sunset

2010-07-10T15:04:00.002-04:00

From Bayfield, Ontario Each sunset is different, sometimes a light show, sometimes still and serene, always beautiful.

Tim Bit

2010-07-10T14:52:00.000-04:00

Nothing beats a Tim Bit with coffee at Tim Horton's.

A Sign of the Times

2010-07-10T14:07:00.001-04:00

Seen at the Fish Store in Bayfield, Ontario. Fishing not good on Lake Huron

After the storm

2010-06-21T22:46:00.003-04:00

Thoughts in the night

2010-06-12T00:01:00.003-04:00

Maybe the worst is over...it is 3:30 AM and my head is clear. My vision isnot but that will come. I woke up in a panic thinking about MS and how mylife has changed. I haven't come to terms with it. The worst isn't over atall...it is perhaps only beginning. Why do I have it? This wasn't my plan at all. I turned 60 at the end of May and had planned to retire and travel.
Why doesn't the College of Radiologists, the government, the MS Society, themedical community in general embrace a cure that seems to be working on somany? Why are they trying to squash it? Why are they shutting downstudies, testing, closing doors when they should be opening them? I don't have time to wait for this.

A few hours on a warm rock

2010-06-11T07:25:00.000-04:00

Paul brought me down to the beach yesterday afternoon. He said even if we just sit in the car, it would be good sunshine and a change of scenery...he helped me over to the rocks, which were warm and I sat there for a couple of hours, feeling the wind in my hair and face, watching sunbathers, and people walk their dogs and listening to the lake--all through bleary eyes and ears.

I began to feel some energy return and was happy for that. My vision is still very bad and I am weak. Mostly, it feels like I am drunk, totally stoned drunk--but my thinking is not drunk-- and the only thing I have had is my medicine.

Paul is still calling and reaching people who can help get me into a study. Many people will not talk to him but he keeps trying and has made a lot of progress. Stanford, Buffalo, Barrie and Bulgaria (the doctor in Bulgaria is working with the Italian doctor who discovered the Liberation treatment for his wife) are places I may have a chance to be seen. He is also calling people in the Canadian Government.

This morning I took 14 prednisone pills and a Xantac to settle the tummy. My head is eventually going to clear and I will feel better.

Solu-Medrol Treatment for MS

2010-06-08T09:31:00.000-04:00

I would never do this treatment outside a hospital again--it is really scary. I am weak and shaking, have lost a lot of vision, brain is often fogged up, I have lost balance and for some reason, my neck is very sore. They say it will all clear. I was glad to see the end of the intravenous bags, the stent has been removed. I was worried about taking the pills this morning, 20 Prednisone 5 mg, but I ate as much breakfast as I could and got them down. No problems. Two less pills tomorrow and so on. I should start to feel better every day and my head will clear.

Mostly I have been so wiped out, I just sleep. Cannot focus on reading or television but music keeps me in a good place. Brahms, rich, beautiful and has no ear worms in it.

CCSVI (I may have the letters out of order) Testing & Treatment is going to be difficult to get. They have stopped testing in Montreal at the request of the College of Radiologists. Barry is swamped and if I can get in, it won't be until March 2011. Trying other hospitals and universities in the US...well not me, a friend is doing it for me. When you cannot carry the load it is so good to have someone carry the things you can't. My sons and daughter-in-law have been a great support too.

I appreciate your prayers.

Didn't get to the BBQ

2010-06-06T01:06:00.003-04:00

My homecare nurse walked in this morning and first thing she said was in surprise, "this is supposed to be helping you." I was very unsteady on my feet and my vision was worse. She warned me not to drive today...she didn't need to! I slept for hours after being hooked up to the new bag and woke up feeling even worse. I had only a little center vision and could barely stand. Slept most of the afternoon. I couldn't go to the bbq but Craig came over for a while. I liked the shirt he was wearing.
The brain fog began to clear about 6:00 PM but my vision is still not good. I have a little more energy right now. I cannot go to work like this on Monday. two more IVs to go and then I start the pills and the dose will diminish every day. This treatment is going to help me.
Thanks for all your encouragement and kind wishes.

Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

A harder day than expected

2010-06-04T20:07:00.001-04:00

But it will get better, they promise me.

Homecare nurse arrived before 8:00 AM, I went out to meet her in the parking
lot because it is a little difficult to find this place first time. She set
the pump up and gave me instructions and her telephone number in case
anything went wrong. Driving to the office the alarm began to beep and I
went in with the alarm sounding. Called her and she talked me through
resetting it. Air bubbles had collected and had to be cleared. I was
afraid of the pump. Two more calls to the Nurse and 4 hours later, I am no
longer afraid of the pump.

Side effects began to be apparent right away. I lost vision during the day
in the upper regions of my eyes. I was less steady on my feet and knew I
would be unable to drive home. Called my son who said he would be there to
drive me home at 3:30. I got outside at the appointed time and waited
twenty minutes, hanging onto a post but he didn't show up. I went back
inside to call him and he was standing in line at the bank. I fell apart.
I was so exhausted.

Lynda, a friend in the office, came over towards my desk and I was crying.
I shooed her away, sympathy at that time would have made me totally loose
it. I apologized to her later. She understood and was very
encouraging...more tears. Tears just keep coming. Depression is apparently
one of the side effects of this medication and perhaps the reason for the
tears. I have lost 14 lbs on a diet recently. The saline solution used the
past two days has made me regain 4 lbs. Discouraging. I have to see this
through because it will help.

Many people have offered encouragement in the comments at my last post and I
thank each one of you for the emotional support. I am just too tired to
respond right now but I will...it is going to get better here.

Tomorrow I am going to a family bbq at my daughter-in-law's parents
home--after the third iv has finished. I hope to enjoy the day and I look
forward to it very much.

It started with a little tingle on my tongue

2010-06-04T00:01:00.002-04:00

In October. I couldn't see anything in the mirror and thought it might be a pimple. The tingling grew over a few weeks and covered half my tongue. By the time I spoke to my family doctor in November there was also a little numbness on my lips, right side, same side as the numbness/tingling on my tongue. He said it sounded neurological and sent me for a CAT scan, which came back showing something so he sent me for an MRI. None of this happened quickly, it took months. Finally in March I was sitting in a neurologists office and handed her the disc of my MRI. She opened it on her computer and she looked at it for a while then turned to me and said, MRIs are wonderful, they show you what is happening in your brain...but unfortunately they don't come with labels. It looks like MS, but it could be a few other things that I would like to test for just to rule them out. This could even be from drugs you are taking but there is an awful LOT of this so I doubt that. There appeared to be MS lesions in my brain. She set up blood tests, an evoked response test and another MRI of my spine.
I am still waiting for the second MRI but had to call her last week to let her know I didn't think I could wait to see her at end of June...symptoms were worsening. I feel like I am walking on a boat in rough water most of the time, my vision is giving me trouble and my brain feels like it is in a thick fog.
Sitting in her office this time, she told me the blood tests had ruled out Lupus and another thing. It appears to be MS. Since the symptoms began to worsen, I remembered feeling like this once before, 27 years ago when my son was beginning grade one. Brain fog and staggering gait...I thought the rose dust I had been using did it to me and went with the bottle to my doctor. He sent me up to the hospital and they kept me in.
I was crying because I was missing Craig's first day of grade one...they picked up on that and thought it was the problem...hysterical mom loosing her son. I insisted I wasn't like that but they sent in counselors. So frustrating.
One night, still in a corner of a room in emergency, I heard a woman in a bed telling a doctor her symptoms and they were like mine. They had already diagnosed her with MS. I can't remember how long I was in hospital, it was under two weeks and they took CAT scan, other tests, found nothing. On the day they sent me home they took a spinal tap and did not tell me to lie down for the rest of the day resulting in an agonizing headache that lasted days. They sent me home instead, telling me to eat more, gain weight and relax. Two weeks later I was back for a check up and they told me it wasn't MS. Gain weight, relax.
Over many weeks the symptoms lessened and over the years I forgot about them, mostly. The episode did bring about a spiritual rebirth, I became a Christian, which is another story that I won't tell here.
I thought of all this again over the past few weeks as my symptoms have been worsening and mentioned it to my neurologist this week. She said it was likely my first MS flare up, she took the details and will contact the hospital in Montreal. Even after 27 years, the records will be available.
She told me how they halt a flare-up now, large dose steroids, which I began today. They did the first iv in the hospital this morning and then I went to work. The remaining treatments will be done by a homecare nurse for the next 5 mornings before I go to work... next week I will take prednisone in large doses that gradually diminish. This will stop the flare-up and lessen the damage remaining.
She wants to talk about long term MS drugs when I go back in a few weeks. I want to talk about recent developments in MS research. An Italian doctor, researching MS because his wife had it, discovered angioplasty opens blocked veins that trap iron deposits in the brain which cause the MS lesions. With everyone they perform this procedure on, their symptoms disappear. I want to be part of a clinical study.
The Baxter box arrived tonight, packed with IV pump, and medicine. Homecare nurse will arrive between 7:00 and 9:00 AM then I will go to work and keep my wrist covered. I have seen them terminate many people because they were sick--didn't want to be saddled with the insurance costs or long term disability. Nothing personal, it's just business.

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Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

Ben

2010-05-30T18:46:00.001-04:00

A few moments to rest while walking Ben, my son's dog, along the Waterfront Trail last night. That is Lake Ontario in the background. Doesn't Ben look regal?

Moment of inspiraton

2010-05-17T23:53:00.003-04:00

No matter where you are, when the ideas come, write them down immediately.

My Perch

2010-05-16T10:46:00.000-04:00

My Perch

2010-05-16T09:03:00.001-04:00

Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

Grieving Geese--Goslings Gone

2010-05-15T10:12:00.001-04:00

The geese left the lot with their young on Monday, a couple of days after they hatched. We missed them. Other years they move away from the nest but stay around the lot for a few weeks. It it might have been the road work that chased them. They returned yesterday but something was wrong...the goslings weren't with them and they were very distressed. They were on the small boulevard in the lot, searching, then flew up to the roof over the employee entrance for a while, making a terrible sound. We think the fox got their goslings. Can't blame or be angry with the fox--he was just being a fox. But we are so sad.

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

Mother Goose, A Happy Ending!

2010-05-09T10:51:00.002-04:00

It all began on April 12 and ended happily on Friday, May 7. Canadian Geese returned to our parking lot again this year. They surveyed for a few days and finally, Mother Goose selected her nesting site . . . right near the entrance of our driveway. Father became very protective, hissing at and chasing anyone who he felt had crossed the line he had invisibly established. He knew exactly where it was and eventually we learned too.

He spent a couple of days pecking at, and making small dents in, the cars parked near the nest. Security solved the problem--they blocked the parking spaces closest to the nest and the geese were happier. In the first days, some employees brought out styrofoam cups of water for the mother and someone tossed bread. Real geese don't eat bread! It isn't good for them. I think Security may have advised the well intentioned employee because there were no further offerings. We later noticed Mother Goose would disappear for a while in the mornings. She flew over to the ravine where there is food and a creek . . . oh yes, and also a fox! The fox appeared a couple of times in the parking lot but Father, fierce protector that he is, kept the nest safe.

One morning, I saw Mother fly to the ravine at the end of the parking lot and was surprised both she and her mate would leave the nest at the same time especially with a fox in the area. The the nest appeared empty but inspecting the photo later, I saw the eggs were still in the nest--she had covered them with a mat of dirt and goose down. She was sitting on them again when I checked at lunchtime. We always hoped they remain safe through the weekends with few cars in the lot, and therefore few people around, which will gave the fox more opportunity.

Father greeted me in the parking lot entrance with an especially ugly hiss-s-s-s this Friday. He was very surly and aggressive as I inched the car by him, trying to be in the office on time without killing him. I wondered if he was irate that road work had started in the court overnight. Mother was on the nest as usual. Within the hour word spread quickly through the building, the goslings had hatched. Trudy called me and asked if I was going out to take photos of the goslings. I was out there in almost a flash! Kathleen stood in my parking space (I didn't want to lose it) and I drove the car parallel to the nest. The goslings were already out of the nest learning to walk. They would take a few steps, fall down and try again. It was a very happy scene!

I learned from our Payroll Departmet, that they had named the geese Lucy and Luc. The goslings are Leroy, Lenore, Leo and I think Latisha! (I may have to come back and correct the last one)

Father is relaxed, no longer hissing and surly. They will abandon the nest over the weekend but we will still see them parading the goslings around the parking lot, getting them ready to for life, over the next few weeks.

Goslings, Mother, Father. . . and Teva Canada Employees all delighted and doing well!

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Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

Diary of a Goose Nest (Canada Goose)

2010-05-08T14:14:00.001-04:00

It all began back on April 12th and ended happily on May 7. The tyranny occurs in our lot every year, but this year the female chose a grassy spot in the driveway for her nest. We all had to adjust, well I should say the employees had to! Father goose is a fierce protector and can make life uncomfortable for those who venture too close.

Journal of a Canada Goose Nest (Update: Goslings hatched May 7)

Tender Care

2010-04-19T23:33:00.000-04:00

Nice Wheels!

2010-04-19T21:47:00.000-04:00

Petrolia Discovery

2010-03-30T12:22:00.000-04:00

http://www.petroliadiscovery.com/
It was too early in the year to walk around and really check this place out, the pathways and grounds too soft still, the museum was closed. I would like to return later in spring to see more. Petrolia is where they first drilled for oil in North America; it is in Lambton County, just south of Sarnia, Ontario.

Here are a few photos I took at the entrance.

A study in Jelly Bellies

2010-03-30T11:18:00.000-04:00

Dinner at Rob’s

2010-03-20T23:42:00.001-04:00

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What's that on Bloor?

2010-03-16T21:41:00.006-04:00

Bloor Street, Toronto

Two old trucks

2010-03-15T16:38:00.001-04:00

These two old trucks in the Distillery District of Toronto are quite possibly the most photographed trucks in the world! Have a look! When you click the link open the photos in slideshow.

Posted via email from How Heather Sees it

Icky?

2010-03-14T14:21:00.002-04:00

Don't chew the paper clips!

2010-03-14T10:19:00.003-04:00

Promotional item for our Animal Health Division. I think they are pretty cool, laying out flat. They look a little strange clipped to the paper.

Another way to see it

2010-03-13T09:15:00.000-05:00

From 2010-02-28 Tea Light

Surfaces 2

2010-02-06T13:40:00.001-05:00

This chest came to me loaded with chocolates, wine and snacks at Christmas. It now sits on my living room floor and holds current cds and dvds. The hammered metal surface with wood ends and a pretty clasp make it a nice piece to submit for PhotoFriday's Surfaces theme this week.

Surfaces

2010-02-06T13:22:00.002-05:00

The glass coffee table in my livingroom has a surface I like, smooth, shiny and reflective. Needs Windex daily and sometimes a few times daily but it is worth it!

Alexandrian Macaw

2010-01-07T23:33:00.000-05:00

On an evening walk through the mall, too cold to walk outside, I stopped at the pet shop. Isn't this Alexandrian Macaw a fine fellow? He is 7 months old and likes to have his neck scratched. They love people and attention. He seemed quite affectionate, lied down and absorbed the love when his neck was scratched. I think this fellow would make a good companion!

Gingerbread Latte

2009-12-31T06:36:00.000-05:00

Toronto is a city of coffee shops...there is one on almost every corner. Craig was saying yesterday how it amazes him, Toronto is one of the more expensive cities to live in yet everyone has money for coffee in coffee shops. In Montreal (where we come from) most people drink it at home. After almost 15 years, I have adopted the culture here. I recently discovered gingerbread latte at Second Cup and love it SO much I will spend $7 something for two small cups! I must have lost my mind!!! Fortunately, the season will be over soon and the gingerbread latte will disappear before I am bankrupt!!

Decoration

2009-12-30T10:44:00.000-05:00

Packing them away today. I am already looking for next season's Christmas card! This is on my list.

Clean up!

2009-12-27T11:45:00.001-05:00

I can't stand the Christmas clutter for very long. This year my tree was up extra early because I bought a new one so today or perhaps tomorrow I will take it down and get the house back to normal.

One thing I will miss, when it is gone, is turkey! I love the leftovers, almost more than the first meal. Maybe the reason I love them so much is that the work is done. I don't do much with turkey leftovers, just a good turkey soup with the carcass, one leftover meal and then finally, turkey sandwiches with mayo and sweet pickle...sometimes toasted with bacon and tomato. Mmmm!

Our Thanksgiving turkey was a nightmare; I overcooked it. The darned bird was 22 pounds (how I got it is another story, best left alone) and to get it cooked I used an oven bag. Good idea but I didn't know how much faster they cook in a bag! It was not only overdone, it burned. Christmas meal came along and this turkey I chose myself--a smaller, more manageable 12 pounds. We were five for dinner (as we were at Thanksgiving) and it was plenty for dinner and plenty for lots of sandwiches. The carcass even fit in the soup pot.

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Olympic Torch Relay

2009-12-19T06:26:00.000-05:00

Here is my full set of photos from the Olympic Torch relay the other morning in my community. I was out to see it happen and it was great fun!

Persimmon

2009-12-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

Persimmon wedges with cinnamon, strawberry preserves and cream. A tasty treat!

Homemade

2009-12-04T18:04:00.001-05:00

Dinner made at home can be as special as in 5-star restaurant! A starter of Vichysoisse served well chilled.

Relationships I have had: Houseplants

2009-11-29T14:00:00.002-05:00

I well knowthat bringing houseplants outside for the summer can make trouble but Iusually take a chance. This year my favourite houseplant paid theprice. I raised and loved this key lime tree from a seed. It grewslowly in the house so I put it on the patio in a sheltered northernexposure in summertime and it did fine, grew more leaves than it wouldhave in the house and it looked happy and healthy.

In lateSeptember it returned to its home in the south window and troublebegan. Leaves dropped continually and quickly, not just a few butmany. I sprayed it twice with gentle insecticidal soap but that didn'twork. Pyrethrum worked. It is one of the oldest insecticides and wellrecognized for low toxicity to humans and wildlife but rapidlyknocks-down a wide variety of plant pests and it doesn't remain in theenvironment.

For thepast month my beloved key lime tree has been recovering in the sparebedroom at the window. I have kept the blinds slightly angled so itgets lots of light but no direct sun. I think it is ready for full sunnow. You can see it has been ravaged but over a few months it willre-grow most of the leaves. I don't think I will put it outside nextsummer...I almost lost it this time.

Do youever attach emotionally to a plant? I develop relationships withmine. This little tree sprouted from seed when I moved into my currenthome which was the beginning of life on my own. This plant and I havebeen through a journey together! I remember another plant, a NeantheBella Palm, that arrived in our home as a seedling the year my firstson was born. That plant is almost 33 years old. I left it withCraig, he wanted to keep it . He has a relationship with it!

TheFicus Bbenjamina in my living room came from a girlfriend who returnedto the Faroe Islands almost 20 years ago. I promised I would take goodcare of it and return it to her if she ever came back to Canada. It isonly a loaner but it looks beautiful in my living room until shereturns!

Silver Siberian Husky

2009-11-20T09:02:00.000-05:00

I have been visiting this girl at PJ's Petstore. Yes, I know we aren't supposed to buy from chain pet stores because their puppies come from puppy mills. But this girl is so pretty I am tempted. I have been reading about husky characteristics and think we would be a good match. She is intelligent, affectionate, playful. They need lots of walking...that is good for me too! I want a dog that is good with people; huskys are so good with people they are poor guard dogs! One drawback is they can be hard to house break but I would persist. I am very tempted to go for this dog. Very tempted!

Light around the corner . . .

2009-11-19T15:23:00.000-05:00

Tom Thomson's Studio

2009-11-18T23:30:00.000-05:00

Tom Thomson's studio shack at McMichael Museum in Kleinburg Ontario. I spent Sunday afternoon here, touring the grounds and museum. The McMichaels were collectors of Group of Seven works.

Woodland Shadows

2009-11-18T23:01:00.000-05:00

Morningside Park

Alone

2009-11-17T00:05:00.000-05:00

Persimmon

2009-11-16T14:54:00.001-05:00

A fully ripe persimmon peeled, dusted lightly with cinnamon, quartered and sliced, served with a spoonful of home made jam makes a tasty desert. Craig brought this over. He shops at T&T, an Asian grocery store, where the fruit, he says, is top quality and best price.

Lunch at Dumpling King

2009-11-16T13:11:00.000-05:00

Had lunch last week at Dumpling King with office friend Kathleen--Shanghai style food served in northern China. A delicious lunch. I'll be happy to return any time!

Vichyssoise and Seafood Lasagne

2009-11-15T04:46:00.000-05:00

Easy and elegant. Best part of this meal was the "easy!" Craig sent over a container of Vichyssoise he had made. I was out for a walk yesterday and stopped by Loblaws before going home, where I found their President's Choice Seafood Lasagne on sale and my dinner was made! The vichyssoise was excellent but the lasagne didn't measure up to the promise. I did find a few shrimp but there was no recognizable scallops or pieces of lobster. The cheese and mushroom sauce was pretty good. Even on sale ($2 off the regular price) it was too expensive for what was in the package.

Morningside Park in Autumn

2009-11-13T17:05:00.000-05:00

Narnia-like on my lunch hour walk yesterday.

Swelling on a tree at Morningside Park

2009-11-12T21:16:00.001-05:00

It looks like this tree is in trouble, that swelling may be a sign of disease. I didn't see any others.

Fallen

2009-11-12T21:10:00.000-05:00

Morningside Park

2009-11-12T21:04:00.001-05:00

I walked here at lunch time for the past two days. Yesterday without my camera so I came again today. The weather was cold, my hands were freezing but the park was so pretty with all the leaves off the trees, all the colour is on the ground, sunshine touching everything. There is a lot of crime in this park so I wouldn't come here alone. Strange that I saw only one squirrel today. Maybe they don't like to come here alone either!

Morningside Park in November

2009-11-12T20:54:00.000-05:00

Decisions, decisions, decisions; which will be the best seed.

2009-11-09T10:45:00.001-05:00

Chickadees are fussy eaters, don't just grab one and leave. They land on your hand, sift through the seeds, picking up one, throwing it down and selecting another before they fly away with it for a snack.

Chickadee with his beak full!

2009-11-08T21:38:00.000-05:00

This was perhaps our last warm weekend, nice sunny weather. I went back to Lynde Shores conservation area yesterday to feed the chickadees. Even the bluekays came to eat from our hands but my battery died and I missed those shots. Needless to say, I will be back!

Visitor helps himself to Chickadee's seeds

2009-11-05T23:20:00.000-05:00

There he was when I opened the blinds on the patio door this morning...filling up on the Chickadee's sunflower seeds. See the mess he has made? He upset the pie plate of seeds, dumped them on the deck.

A seed in his mouth

2009-11-04T22:55:00.000-05:00

Tame Chickadee

2009-11-04T22:52:00.000-05:00

Hallowe'en Treat

2009-10-31T13:31:00.000-04:00

If one made a purchase over $50 at my local mall we got a coupon for a candy apple from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Shop in the mall. I did some Christmas shopping and made my way to guest services in the mall for my coupon, then stood in line at the chocolate shop and redeemed it for my apple. Now what was I going to do with the apple? Couldn't handle it all by myself so I brought it to the office and shared with the girls after lunch. It was quite tasty!

Pink Cement Truck

2009-10-27T22:19:00.002-04:00

Seen on Highway 401 near McCowan Road in Toronto this evening. I was shocked, then recovered and grabbed my camera out of my purse...got it! Is it a lady who owns the company? Is it a breast cancer cement truck? Are ladies taking over the construction industry? A Gay Pride cement truck maybe? What's your guess?

Nuthatch with seed in his beak

2009-10-26T10:26:00.000-04:00

Autumn

2009-10-26T09:49:00.002-04:00

"Got food?"
Black squirrel at Lynde Shores Conservation area, Whitby Ontario.

A Soft Landing

2009-10-25T21:33:00.002-04:00

Nuthatch feeding from Paul's hand at Lynde Conservation Area

2009-10-25T17:36:00.003-04:00

Opa!!

2009-10-20T14:11:00.005-04:00

Hungry for Greek food on Sunday I drove over to The Danforth, an area in Toronto sometimes called "Greek Town." After the usual search for a parking spot, I found one reasonably close to the restaurant area and then found a restaurant that served Greek Lemon Rice Soup, well it is actually chicken and rice soup flavoured with a good squeeze of lemon. Wonderful comfort food on a cold day. We ordered Saganaki, fried flaming cheese served with flamboyant panache! Opa! I enjoyed the saganaki with a few crusty slices of bread and mopped up every bit of juice on the tray with my last crust. I am providing a recipe below from Cooks.com

SAGANAKI (FLAMING CHEESE OPA)

1 lb. soft Kasseri or Kofalotiri cheese
3 tbsp. butter
1/2 lemon (juice)
2 tbsp. brandy

Cut cheese into slices 1/4 inch thick. Place on broiler pan and brush with melted butter. Broil on high 4 to 6 inches from heat until cheese bubbles. Remove from heat. Pour brandy over cheese and ignite immediately.
Sprinkle with lemon juice and serve with bread. Opa!

Backroads

2009-10-11T20:55:00.000-04:00

I enjoy driving along the backroads just north of my city. Ontario is so scenic. Today was a cool, crisp Fall day, the sky was interesting with plenty of sun to brighten the colours.

Fast Food

2009-10-02T14:32:00.001-04:00

Friday breakfast at the cafeteria. Good'n Greasy!

Stewed Quince

2009-09-26T05:08:00.000-04:00

Craig is on a fruit binge, going to the Asian fruit store every few days and selecting all kinds of strange things I never see in the regular grocery store. The latest thing he brought home were a few fresh quinces. Neither of us knew what to do with them so he googled and found that they are best stewed or made into jam. As he peeled and cored the quince we tasted it and found it very dry but pleasantly tangy sweet. The dryness made us understand why you must cook it. The rest of this story you can see in the slide show but . . .sorry, you won't be able to catch the amazing fragrance! The finished dish was simply amazing! So good I had difficulty to stop eating them. Pleasant texture, fragrant, almost perfumed, complex taste. I am looking forward to a dish of stewed quince with vanilla yogurt for breakfast this morning. Will definitely do this one again.I kept some of the seeds...I wonder if they will grow?

Baccus in the vineyard

2009-09-26T00:00:00.000-04:00

Ready for the Wedding Guests

2009-09-25T23:40:00.000-04:00

A vineyard wedding, chairs ready for the guests.