On the COVID front this week continues to see progress. Case numbers continue to decline and vaccination rates seem to be doing well. We’re now allowed to gather in groups of 5 outside and restaurants are allowed to re-open their outdoor patios. None essential businesses are also allowed to reopen at 15% capacity…of course all distancing and masking protocols are still in place everywhere.
Unfortunately there was another uncovering of many more unmarked graves at another former Residential School site this past week - this time 751 graves at a former school in Saskatchewan. We know this is just the tip of the iceberg…Indigenous Canadians believe that somewhere between 4000 and 5000 children never returned home.
Lois Lilienstein (1936-2015) from “Sharon, Lois and Bram”.
Yes it was a little bit cooler today but still a lovely day to be at the beach! Obviously others didn’t agree with me! At least it was an easy day for the lifeguards.
Not only was it quiet on the beach but the waterfront walking trail was pretty quiet too!
Installed in 2002 this was the first wind turbine installed in a major North American urban city centre and the first community-owned wind power project in Ontario.
This was actually my quest for today, to see the five icebergs that have mysteriously floated into Toronto’s waterfront. They are a long way from home and despite the warm sun they never seem to melt. Made almost entirely of styrofoam salvaged from a Toronto demolition site, this ironic material offers a sharp contrast to the natural impermanence of melting ice.
These are no ordinary icebergs! Viewed from the other side, these hybrids between the natural and constructed world take on an entirely different persona. A bank, house, factory, truck and school: all iconic symbols of society. All have an effect on and are affected by the condition of their natural environment.
Little bunnies aren’t usually seen on my front lawn in Toronto!
This little, naturalistic ravine park was once host to Taddle Creek which over time has become ‘lost’ in Toronto. From the 1850’s through to 1884 the 6 kms creek was buried. The topography of this section remains as a tangible reminder of Taddle Creek, with the dips and valleys defining the original river banks and the walkway itself following much the same path as the ‘lost river’.
Never seen this before!
Real ‘icebergs’ this time?
If a car got a ticket for parking at a time when they shouldn’t do you think the owner could fight the ticket? Pretty hard to see the posted signs.
What a waste of perfectly good mulberries…and I’m sure the person whose driveway this is won’t be too happy when these all stain!
I looked at an apartment in this building when I first moved to Toronto. If it looks like I couldn’t afford it - you’re right!
It was 33 degrees today, with humidex temperatures into the 40s, so I went back to some trails along the Don River. Lots of shade when needed and some lovely park spaces nearby too.
Can you see the male, red cardinal who came down for a bath in the river?
A Great Blue Heron
One of the parks near the Don River has an archery range!
I might have found today to be really hot but these turtles were loving it!
I’m calling this my COVID tattoo. It’s the mark of my second vaccination this week - my birthday gift to myself. I’ll never forget the day I got it…and hopefully it signals the start to better times ahead.
