We had a total eclipse here this week–quite a show. And today I have sunshine in the form of sunflowers in my kitchen. So nice to see these reflections of the Sun inside… Very cheerful in this world full of far more somber things.
Continue readingAuthor: Mary Soderstrom
Recreating Eden: Saturday Photo: The Roman Empire for Today
How often do you think about the Roman Empire? For a project that has a lot ot do with what we remember, collectively, I’m been doing a lot of lateral thinking and Googling around and found that last year a whole lot of women asked a whole lot of men
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: Let’s Celebrate All Holidays….
So Quebec and Canada are secular? Why then do we have national holidays on Good Friday and Easter Monday? Why not Eid Muburak or Passover? Or none at all?
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: Time and the River Flowing
The edge of the Ottawa River in March, 2024. No ice, just reflections.
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: End of Winter, Sad Rink
Visited some young friends this week. Their Dad had made a rink in their front yard which only got a little use this winter because it wasn’t nearly as cold as it should be. And this, it appears, is the end of the rink for this year. A little ice
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: Snowdrops–Is This the New Normal?
This photo was taken in April 2008 when we still had snow on the ground. The snowdrops this year are already up–March 9!–and the snow cover is long gone. I’m afraid this is the new normal… Climate change is upon us.
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: Ice, Open Water and Red-winged Blackbirds
You can’t see them, but we definitely heard them. Red-winged Blackbirds were buzzing and calling this morning at the Parc des Rapides de Lachine. Usually they arrive the third week in March, but obviously they got the word that things will be a little different this year and came north
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: Blue and Sunny Skies!
Haven’t had many sunny days this winter, but today was one! Hoorah!
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: Skating at Parc Outremont
It’s been a hard winter here for people who like winter sports. There has been some snow but the temperature has gone up and down and the outdoor ice rinks have suffered. This weekend looks like it will be one where folks can have some fun.
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: Waiting for the End of Winter
The snow is melting fast, even though it’s not even the middle of February. But some folks have everything ready for sunny days and barbecues.
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: Lanewalker in the City
Lots of alleys in Montreal don’t get plowed, and so during the winter they take on the appearance of country lanes. Good for walking, good for thinking that you’re far away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: Seeing Double in the Winter
This photo was taken several years ago, but it seems appropriate today. You have to look at it twice or on two levels anyway. In the reflection of outside in the window you see the snow of a Montreal winter, but inside there are flowers and plants braving the season.
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: Sunrise, Waning Moon, Winter…
Took this out the front window on one of the few days lately when the skies are clear. Nice to see the moon for a change, although as you can see it’s waning. Full moon January 25: hope there will be clear skies so we can enjoy the spectacle.
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: First Morning of the Year
Cold morning of January 1 when the water was warmer than the air. Happy New Year all, a little late.
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: Stars…
Season’s Greetings, and all that. Here’s a link to my Christmas blog, in which there is much about stars…including the sun. https://soderstromyule.blogspot.com/
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: Ice Doesn’t Reflect
Maybe you knew this, but I didn’t. Ice doesn’t reflect the same way that waer does. This morning at the Lachine Rapids, it was chilly and windy, but the terempuerature was above freezing. Nevertheless, there was a thin layer of ice on part of the pond, enough to support
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: Winter Wonderland
Great snow for sledding this week. A shame it is raining now, but for a while the kids (most of whose teachers are on strike) had a lot of opportunity for playing outside.
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: Winter Flowers
One of the sadder things about winter here is the disappearance of flowers. After the leaves have changed colour and fallen off the trees, the world is much drabber. And if the snow has not fallen, there’s not even the splendour of sunlight on a white landscape with a blue
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: Good for 500 Years?
Where Canada keeps its memories: Took a trip to Gatineau to lend a hand during the current teachers’ strike, but I also visited the Preservation facility of the Library and Archives of Canada. Couldn’t see inside, but very impressive outside. The aim is to shelter both hard copy and digital
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