Mary Soderstrom
Plant Perennials: They Come up Even When You Neglect Them.
There are many varieties of columbine or Aquilegia, as it is known botanically. This lovely flower is a descendant of a couple of plants I bought about ten years ago,…
The Earth Is Full, and I’m Too Hot (almost) to Care
Today it is hot, heading for the low 30s (the mid 80s F) with humidity that makes the temperatures much more uncomfortable. Last night it was cooler and about 2…
Even The New York Times Gets Cot–Ulp, Caught–in the Spell Check Trap
Here's the latest from a New York Times feature on the mistakes they make:A quote about the DSK case: "While the American justice system has its origins in British common…
Four Years of Rants and Reflections but No Eden Recreated…
...but then I didn't expect to do that on June 5, 2007 when started this blog. It was born in a conversation at The Writers' Union of Canada annual general…
Saturday Photo: What a Difference a Few Months Makes..
This is what it looked like from the terrace yesterday, with Mount Royal covered in green. Below you'll find pix taken from similar points in December and in March.
Roadwork in the Walkable City: Necessary, and Less Trying for Pedestrians than Drivers
Traffic is mess in Montreal these days. Because not enough infrastructure maintenance was done for the last couple of decades, the city and road and bridge authorities are having to…
Because, Given the Weather Yesterday, We Were All Screaming for Ice Cream
So hot yesterday, so nice and cool today. But given the approach of summer, and the fact that local fruit is still several weeks away, I trotted out a delicious…
The Silver Lining to the Clouds of Disaster: Rebuilding is Like Stimulus Money
The New York Times reports on this probably up side of recent tornados and other disaster in the US this morning, "Reconstruciton Lifts Economy after Diaster." The story says: "There…
Another Reason to Be Bilingual: Provided You Use It, You Don’t "Lose It" as Fast
It's official: being a bilingual who uses both his or her languages regularly means you're less likely "to lose it" mentally. Or rather, research by York University's Ellen Bialystok and…
More Green House Gases: What Are We Going to Do about It?
Lots of stuff this morning about the increase in carbon emissions in the last year. The International Energy Agency has just reported that Energy-related carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2010 were…
Saturday Photo: Laneway Is the Cat’s Meow
We've been living on the Plateau now for six months, and I don't know how many times I've passed rue Demers. But it wasn't until a week ago that I…
An End of May Full of Good Things
Big times happening:Yesterday Jeanne turned nine months.Today Elin receives her doctorate in a ceremony at the Université de MontreealandTomorrow is Emmanuel's birthday.Such fun! I'm taking the day off....
Breathe in Today! Lilacs Are in Bloom
There are no apps for smells, I believe, but it would be nice to share with you just how lovely the air is here today. Even in this city-centre neighborhood--one…
Extra Billing for Eye Drops Banned in Quebec: A Victory in the Fight against Health System Erosion?
The Quebec government has just announced that it will pay for supplementary fees charged by private clinics for giving drops used to combat macular degeneration. The fees charged by Opthamologists…
La Journée des Patriotes: Even The Gazette Says It’s a Good Thing to Celebrate
Today is a holiday: in Quebec since 2002 it's been called la Journée des Patriotes, in honour of the band of rebels who took on the British regime in 1837-38.…
Saturday Photo: Accidental Beauty of Dandelions and Green Snow
Earlier this week the crabapples and other fruit trees were in gorgeous bloom, and i went out yesterday afternoon to take some pictures. They were still mostly lovely--although many were…
A Real Green House: Jack Layton and Olivia Chow in Toronto
Rick Mercer had lunch with Jack and Olivia back in 2010 in their retro-fitted mid-town Toronto home. It's a much better example than Drake's Landing of how to be green.The…
Jane Jacobs’ "Eyes on the Street": A Mount Royal Boulevard Example
The Plateau is one of the most densely populated areas in Canada, and Mount Royal Boulevard, just outside our windows, is a river of constant foot, bike, bus and car…
Green and Healthy Living: The Suburban Illusion
The Globe and Mail has carried two interesting, conflicting stories the last few days. One is a long article in an insert, Backbone Magazine, about Drake's Landing, a "green" community…