Wanting a change of scenery I decided to start Week 72 by spending a day on Toronto Islands. I was also thinking it would be nice to take advantage of a day without cloud or rain, but Toronto has actually been blanketed in smog and smoke for several days now as a result of the wildfires burning in Northern Ontario. You can maybe see it in some of the photos…if the skyline looks hazy - it is!
On the mainland looking over to the Islands.
On my way over…and arrived (below). Looking back at Toronto’s skyline.
One of the ‘streets’ in the residential community. Remember there are no cars here, so streets only have to handle pedestrians and cyclists.
Can you find it? There’s a house in here!
And this is the view from the house’s front yard!
When you live on the island you can build a boat in your backyard.
One of my most favourite beaches here in Toronto.
Even on a beautiful summer day there were definitely not the usual number of people. The ferries can only operate at 50% capacity so that’s certainly one of the reasons why.
St. Andrew By-The-Lake Anglican Church was built in 1884. Unfortunately it’s not open to the public right now so I can’t show you the wonderful stained glass windows…but maybe on a future trip.
Where does the tree end and the reflection begin?
Can you see the CN Tower?
Heading home.
“The Peacemaker’s Canoe”. It reimagines an event Indigenous histories tell us took place on this lake around 1000 years ago. History speaks of a shining canoe that departed from the northern shores containing a Wendat diplomat with a divine purpose to bring a message of peace to all nations of the world. The Peacemaker created lasting peace among the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca Nations, thereby forming the original Five Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and gifting the world a system of government that includes and honours women’s voices and continues to thrive to this day.
I got stung on the bottom of my foot when I was out yesterday so I couldn’t wander too far from home today as walking was a bit of a challenge! So back to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, and here lies William Christie (1829-1900), namesake of the Canadian “Mr. Christie” or (Christie’s) brand of cookies and biscuits.
John (J.P.) Bickell was the majority owner and chairman of the Toronto Maple Leafs (the best Canadian hockey team, said without any bias), and co-founder and chairman of Avro Canada which was best known for the CF-105 Arrow.
Reflections in a puddle after a downpour - that of course I got caught in while walking!
This is my neighbourhood ‘decoration tree’. I think these may have been on it before but that’s okay - they’re awfully fun to look at! We don’t really have another holiday that we would decorate for until Thanksgiving which isn’t until the beginning of October. Not sure if the smiley faces will stay until then or if something else may appear.
These hydrangeas can’t decide if they want to be white or pink.
Rattray Marsh, an environmental ‘gem’, is one of the last remaining lakefront marshes along the shore of Lake Ontario. Well maintained trails and raised boardwalks bring you close to the marsh and the wildlife that lives here as well as abundant and beautiful plant life.
Here you can see where Lake Ontario (on the left) feeds into Rattray Marsh.
Looking over the marshlands out towards Lake Ontario.
Sheridan Creek
Oh my goodness…eyes watching here too!
“Community” by Kirk Newman is a spectacular bronze sculpture consisting of 21 life-sized figures.
Back in another cemetery today, this one St. James’ Cemetery. The feel of it is very similar to Mount Pleasant Cemetery…it’s smaller, but older! St. James’ Cemetery is Toronto’s oldest, operating cemetery. It opened in 1844 and is also home to the historic chapel of St. James-the-Less. Erected in 1860 it is a splendid example of Victorian Gothic design and is designated a National Historic Site. Due to COVID, I can’t show you the inside…
Sir William Pearce Holland (1811-1907) served as the second Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and was one of the Fathers of Confederation.
George Gooderham and William Gooderham Sr. (of Gooderham and Worts) whiskey magnates.
And here we have the 2021 Rolls Royce Phantom.
I don’t know if these vines are supposed to be growing out between the panes of glass or not - but it looks really interesting!
Outside of the Royal Ontario Museum where the exhibit is going to be ‘Great Whales’. (The fellow in the background is the artist.)
It’s not the fanciest Little Free Library but I love the green roof.
It’s that time of year now…fruits are starting to ripen.
I’ve walked by this house in my neighbourhood lots, but for some reason today I just thought it looked photo-worthy.
Built in 1930 and known as “The Castle”, this is actually a power substation in my neighbourhood.
I’ve always thought this door looks like a drawbridge.
With so much going on in Canada and in the world, I thought these were two good messages to end the week with.
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