realia

leaving and arriving

Every time we get on the ferry to come home, we walk over to the other side of the ferry so as to have a spot to wave at our people after the ferry gets turned around to head out of the bay and south.  This old cabin on the Wikwemikong side of the bay, then, is always the first thing I look at on leaving the island.

South Baymouth is the second thing I look at, after the ferry turns around.

South Baymouth Lighthouse, Manitoulin Island.

Approaching Tobermory on the Chi Cheemaun.

Approaching Tobermory

Chi Cheemaun Ferry

Welcome home to Toronto.  Back to the "real" world.

out walking: kagawong, manitoulin island

Bridal Veil Falls

Kagawong River

Kagawong River

Walking alongside the Kagawong River

"If I lay here really, really still, you can't see me."

Sun-dappled path. Kagawong River.

Post Office Museum, Kagawong

cottage

 

Dad

 

Washing

 

Workshop

 

Window

 

Workshop

 

Rained

 

out walking: south baymouth

The moment you arrive here, that old grind sheds off your shoulders.  That's one of the reasons I've always called it my favourite place on the planet.  

South Baymouth, Manitoulin Island.

rest; evening light on canada day

South Baymouth, Manitoulin Island.  Happy Canada Day.  Feeling blessed.

not checked out yet

Gusty winds this morning, but I ride my bike to the office anyway.  This evening it's luscious and peaceful - THAT kind of summer evening.  I get in late after meeting up with the girls to help Kelsey shop for a dress at the big Bay sale, so must resort to roof shots when I get home. Someday I'll learn how to capture that crescent moon.  I ride home the longer way.

Vacation starts after work Wednesday.  In less than a week my daily photos will be the product of a startingly different setting.  

It's hard not to check out of workin' life now.  

not complaining

Summer has officially arrived and Canadians everywhere are doing what they love to do a lot:  complaining about the weather.  Not me.  I'm so glad to see summer.  I am glad to have my bike out; to be wearing sandals and getting pedicures.  I'm glad that the city festival season is in full swing; that I am going up to the cottage soon; that my skin is turning brown and that there is colour everywhere. I’m glad to be spending entire days outside; that the harbour is filled with boats and the Harbourfront filled with tourists.  I’m glad for the long days and that the summer solstice is almost here.  I’m glad for the abundance of fresh foods, and especially glad for having people I love to share it with and a rooftop patio to share it on.

more late

Worked late again; much later than I expected to today. Proposal is finally submitted.  I walked a bit over in the harbour to get a photo before coming home.  How dedicated to the photo project am I?

I'm knackered.  And not from strolling by the water.

Fire rescue boat at night. Off Queens Quay near Rees Street.

Water reflecting light. I never get tired of looking at it. Queens Quay near Spadina, Toronto.

The fire rescue boat from across the water. Those little white lines above the boat are a plane coming into the airport.  More light playing on water. Off Queens Quay, Toronto

lightposts and lilacs

 

That little fella was posing - or his attention was on the big, raucus bird party going on in those trees.

 

You can't imagine what it smelled like to walk by this wall of late blooming lilacs. No you can't.

 

Beautiful, gothic looking lampost in the Toronto Music Garden.

 

This morning before work I make my breakfast and enjoy it, and then my lunch because I didn't make it last night.  Before I put my makeup on and get dressed I finish loading the dishwasher and run it and clean those last few un-dishwasherable things in the sink and sip my coffee with pleasure. 

I go to the gym over a late lunch, even though we had a meeting at noon and technically that was lunch.

I shop a little on the way home.  It's hot, and I'm glad to get in.  I try a new recipe for cauliflower fritters and decide I might try them again but with certain changes, like ditching the garlic and adding some onion and something bitey like mustard and/or chili powder. While the things are cooking I sort the laundry and throw a load in.

I don't have today's picture yet so after I've cooked and eaten, I go for a walk over to the Toronto Music Garden.  It's much changed from the two weeks since I've been there last - plants are spilling everywhere and there's a rowdy bird party going on in the trees.  I shoot a bunch of shots, and decide I should walk back home and then wonder, why?  Why leave a garden in a hurry?

When I do get home I go down to the parking garage where my bike is sitting in many layers of dust and dirt.  I give it a good washing down and pump up the tires and I'm tempted to take it for a spin but I'm thinking of the shape of my kitchen after the new recipe tryout and the laundry that needs to be transitioned from washer to hanger-up thingy or dryer.

I deal with the laundry and I clean up the kitchen and take a shower and sit down to sort out the photos.  I'm glad I didn't take too many. 

Suddenly it's bedtime and again I didn't get around to visiting blogs or responding to comments on mine and I STILL didn't shorten those pants, and my place STILL looks a mess.  But one couldn't fault me for not stopping to smell the roses.  And tomorrow's another day.

daughters and windows and happy long weekend

 

Daughter Carly

Daughter Kelsey

Beautiful windows on King Street, from Fynn's of Temple Bar.

Beautiful King Street windows reflecting...

This filter worked out great for this windows shot! Duncan Street at Adelaide.

After work I meet up with Ceri, Carly, Kelsey and a couple of her friends for Beer O'clock - an extra happy one as it's a long weekend.  Pleased with myself for getting nice portraits of both my daughters.  I've had a nasty cold all week, and entering into the weekend feeling 100% better.  The three day weather forecast is stellar.  I'm blessed.