5.8.18

Doily dolls



My much missed paternal grandmother, Vera Grace Mollins (nee Nickerson -- 1897-1992), crocheted outfits for tiny dolls with moveable arms and legs. It's a tradition I've upheld, although intermittently. A cousin asked me to dress a couple for her grandchildren. I found the dolls for sale on Etsy.

28.6.17

#RubberDuckieTO creates flap


A giant rubber duckie is creating controversy in Toronto on the eve of Canada's 150th anniversary party.

As much as I love rubber duckies, it is shocking to think that politicians think this is something we, the people, would want to see on the country's national day.

What does a rubber ducky have to do with Canadian history?

According to a press release, the 6-storey rubber duck is the world's largest.

It will be in the H2O park on the Toronto waterfront over the weekend. The rubber duckie will star at the Redpath Waterfront Festival funded by the federal, provincial and city governments.

The Ontario government is contributing $121,000 toward the festival, according to the CBC, Canada's national broadcaster.

Background research shows that the first rubber duckies were made as chew toys at the end of the 19th century. It wasn't until the 1940s that manufacturers transformed them into the familiar floating bath toy, according to the Toy Hall of Fame.

Many people think the 150th anniversary of confederation is nothing to celebrate, least of all with a giant rubber duckie.

The poster featuring a representation of the rubber duckie (and U.S. spelling of "honor") shown in the photo above is one of many plastered along Bloor Street.

One friend said we should greet the rubber duckie with a giant hat pin, but I've heard nothing specific about protests:

It turns out the rubber duckie isn't even the "real thing!

13.10.15

Is this illegal?

Just wanted to share this:


Peace Train By Cat Stevens

Now I've been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun
 Oh I've been smiling lately, dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be, some day it's going to come
Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again
 Now I've been smiling lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun
 Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller
 Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on now peace train
 Get your bags together, go bring your good friends too
Cause it's getting nearer, it soon will be with you
 Now come and join the living, it's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer, soon it will all be true
 Now I've been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating, why can't we live in bliss
 Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again

12.1.13

New owlcatcher

Debbie gave me an owl suncatcher for Christmas

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

27.12.12

Snow in Toronto


Our garden looked like this on Christmas morning.


On Boxing Day night, a blizzard blew through Toronto and dumped lots of snow


After multiple shovellings and once the snow stopped, the garden looked like this