Pandemic response - Week 71

A week back in Toronto with restrictions starting to ease which is so nice.  Mask wearing is still mandatory in all public places, physical distancing inside everywhere, inside and outside limits on group sizes are still in place, but having more stores and things like museums and art galleries etc., open (with strict capacity limits) is helping to bring back a little sense of normalcy.

I had a rather unmotivated week.  I did get out and about every day, but no big ‘adventures’ - mainly just walking in my neighbourhood … Oh!!!  And I got my haircut for the first time in 9 months!!  Hallelujah!!

I’m not sure how it grows, but this lovely little Rose of Sharon it all entwined around this tree trunk.

Aren’t purple doors just so stunning?!

The back sign, ‘Happy Father’s Day’, is a bit out of date now, but it’s nice to walk past and see the messaging of the front two.

Butterflies and bumblebees busy in this garden this afternoon.

Two different streets in my neighbourhood today - was this ‘give your couch/sofa away’ day?

Not sure why two are needed?

I love how the new growth is red in colour.

Careful - the trees in my neighbourhood are keeping an eye on all that happens!

Local frog family.

When they took the front facade off this building these beautiful arches, pillars and carving were discovered.

This sign had us all laughing as we walked past - “My hands are consuming more alcohol than my mouth these days!”  It was set up outside a local pub which claimed it could help with that problem.

I thought this was just an old tree stump when I first walked by, but on closer examination…there’s a little village inside!

Two little flowers in the middle of big bush.

This interactive, tactile mural is the first of its kind in Toronto and very possibly Canada.  It was designed and created in partnership with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and Partially Sighted.  It is meant to be touched with eyes closed and interpreted through textures but also enjoyed visually from a far.  Textures have been added to the wall - the water, trees, grass and rocks have been textured and raised.  Each object has its own unique texture to differentiate each element from one and other.

Artwork as part of a fundraiser for “The Brain Project” - to help defeat dementia.

The crane operator was on the ground beside me…operating this boom arm way up there!

Pandemic response - Week 70

 Clinton, with a population of about 3000, is a small community approximately 20 kms west of Bayfield.

Although not born in Clinton, Canadian author and Nobel Prize laureate Alice Munro was born in Huron County and she lived for most of her adult life in Clinton.  A very private person, Ms. Munro did not want her house, which has recently been sold, to be turned into a museum or shrine.  Despite that, a monument honouring Munro and her literacy achievements can be found outside Clinton’s library.

Clinton’s Umbrella Alley, part of their “Back Alley Art Extravaganza”.  With over 150 unique pieces it is Huron County’s largest public art exhibit.  The works were wonderful - some very professional, others clearly reflecting a lot of hard work and soul … and fun!

“In Diversity there is Beauty and there is Strength”

I chose these next ones so I could brag a little bit…

“Bayfield Beach” was painted by my 6 year old neighbour (with a little help from her mother)

“Huron County Sunset” (on the left) was created by one of my nieces.

And another of my nieces was the artist for “Horse Silhouette”.

The Clinton Library is the only Carnegie Library in Canada which was funded as an addition, in 1915, to the existing Library building which was built in 1900.

Built in 1880, and designated a Heritage Building 1978, Clinton’s Town Hall is still the seat of Clinton’s municipal history.

Exuding Victorian charm and stately elegance, built in 1867, Kildonan House is now a B&B.

I pointed out one field last week that had not been planted with a cash crop this year - but the one at the end of my street still has been.  Here comes the corn!

This is brand new … and I’m not quite sure what a street/address sign is doing here???

Raining to the south (above), sunny skies to the north (below)

Here come the customs and immigration officials…making sure everyone and everything is allowed to be here.  Given that the border to the United States is still closed they’re patrolling a bit more this summer, as they did last summer too.

Definitely not one of our worst, but still a good time watching the storm come in over the lake!

And then later that night, a beautiful sunset!

A beautiful display centered around an old bicycle.

A little glow of colour…

Grew into a fiery sky!

A baby green pepper just starting out in life!

Not much of an actual sunset tonight but an amazing after glow!!

Can you spot the friend I found on the beach today?

Beautiful in its own way, but also sad - our skies right now are hazy because of heat but also smokey because of out of control forest fires in northern Ontario.