Posts filed under ‘travel’
Notre Dame Fire and Holy Week
Whatever happened to cause the fire may be accidental, and that it happened in Holy Week, is unusual indeed. I saw a posting on Facebook today with a link regarding the cross still being present in the midst of that black hole of burnt-out rubble and think that in itself is a miracle. I think we needed to see that miracle.
That the cross still matters and all that goes with it.
I’ve never been to Paris, have never seen that spire except in photos, and so many more photos this week as people recall a previous visit there (photo credit). That the building still stands after some 850 years is remarkable, and that people were still working on keeping the building strong is also worthy. It is after all, a building. And sometimes those edifices cannot be restored, though it looks as if this one will be.
The edifice represents a significant piece of history. To people of faith, it points upwards as a position of guidance, a place to worship, and a touch point in their lives when life gets messy, as in the wars, our human condition, when we’re not sure where to turn, and I hope also in times of celebration.
I may never see the structure in real life, but I’ll most likely hear of restoration efforts once the embers cool. My hope is that more people will come to know what this season is about, and what the cross means as a symbol of Christianity.
If there’s anything else to celebrate in the midst of this circumstance is that the fire, at some point, was contained and didn’t spread to the structures or the homes and buildings around it. And many will laud the firefighters for their work at containing the blaze as best they could and that artifacts and artwork within the building were saved. It would have been a challenge to consider entering that building to rescue those pieces, nevertheless, they are saved.
In the end, what is important is that human lives were not lost in that fire, though some likely risked their lives by going in. And that the promise of restoration will happen in that historic place, a historic symbol of France’s long history.
Photo credit© Patti Arbon, by permission
Piece by Piece book signings
Please note that I have several book events already set up for Piece by Piece
April 13th, at Family Home Health Care Centre in Palmerston ON, from 11 am to 3 pm
May 11th, at Tavistock Public Library, Tavistock ON, at 11 am, reading and signing books
And I will be at the Tavistock Fall Fair in September. More news on that one later. All of my books available at this event.
More in planning stages
Another breakfast with our hosts
Though I knew we were going home and had a good time, I looked forward to that last breakfast at Between the Maples. Gord and Maggie had such interesting experiences in their lives that it was good to chat with them. They asked about us too. And our breakfast was delicious. I could have sat longer to talk, yet we had a few places we wanted to see before we left Owen Sound.
Maggie and Gord, an unbeatable team
While we said our thank yous, Maggie handed me a small envelope. Gord helped us carry our things to the car and we were on our way. I had to check what was in the envelope. It was a little note handwritten by Maggie, wishing us a happy anniversary and wishing us well. That was sweet. And she’d bought a copy of Harry’s Trees for their small grandson.
Tom Thomson art on display at this time
First to the Museum, but it wasn’t open yet. No problem, we went to the library next door to discover that part of it was the original Carnegie Library. I was intrigued also by the decor by the stairs, what looked like a shelf of books was actually placecards for donors who contributed to updating the children’s library.
Such an appropriate way to recognize donors
The children’s area showed great thought and appreciation for children’s literature and for those who spend time in this place. Certainly inviting.
The library had received permission for an artist to create a stained glass piece on art by Marie-Louise Gay, a Canadian artist and book author. Love her stories about Stella and Sam. This was perfect for the children’s area
We looked around a little more in that area before heading downstairs. Whoever had designed the changes had young children in mind too.
I had permission of the parents to take this photo. This is just one example of a kid-friendly library.
I spoke to a librarian sharing my delight in their space and how it was so inviting for children and their parents.
The original Carnegie library kept as it was. I could have spent more time here.
Needs no further explanation
We headed over to the art museum next door. I didn’t take photos of the art for obvious reasons, but we did take time to look through the selection of Thomson’s art and pieces by other artists inspired by Thomson and the Group of Seven.
By this time we had some rain and wind. We’d decided to go to Harrison Park, just to see it, before we headed home.
A family bought this land and dedicated it for a park
One of the children’s play areas
A well kept park near the end of season
We left this pretty park in drizzly and windy weather and began our drive homeward. We’d stop in Varney for lunch at Pebbles Restaurant and go on home from there.
It was good to get away for a few days and we certainly enjoyed our stay.
If you have the chance to go to Owen Sound for a holiday, check in with Between the Maples B & B and enjoy some time with Gord and Maggie.
Blue Mountains
We finally made it to Blue Mountain, but there’d be no skiing. It’s too early and I’ve never learned to ski down a mountain. The barn hill with kid skis that we shared, when I was ten or eleven, was the closest I’d get to the real thing.
We headed for Blue Mountain and after our stop at Meaford with the Scarecrow Invasion, we stopped in Thornbury for lunch and then it wasn’t far.
The lake right by the old station
We found the place we were looking for, the Craigleith Heritage Depot, a former train station, now a historical site full of interesting things.
The platform where people would have boarded the train or gotten off
One part of the station was the landing area where people would have gotten on and off the train. It had artifacts significant to the era or travel, a conductor’s well worn jacket and cap, a train crossing sign and much more. I took fewer photos here.
Might remember these signs?
One of Trier’s picture books
This building is part The Blue Mountains Public library, part archives and part historic train depot and more history of the area. One other thing intrigued me there and that was a poster “Add an Animal” in recognition of Walter Trier.
Trier, an animation artist, once courted by Disney, was a forerunner of Canadian picture books for children. Andrea Wilson, archivist at the Depot, told me he’d turned down Disney because he wanted his own name on his work. If he were to work for Disney, his art would have the company’s name on it. Therefore he went on to publish his work independently.
Wilson shared a wealth of information on Trier and pulled several of his picture books for me to look at. When she asked about my interest in picture books, I told her I’d published a picture book too. She was interested in seeing it and when I got a copy from the car ( always carry books with you), she decided to purchase a copy for the library. She also asked me to draw an animal for the poster. I declined the opportunity to draw an animal, but I was delighted in her interest in my book.
story of a sinking boat
Andrea and the young woman at the front desk also showed me a picture book by an artist and writer from Clarksburg, not too far down the road. We’d be going that way though I didn’t know if we could look her up that day. That coming weekend was a Fall Open Studio, where this artist and many more would be participating. We’d be heading home the next day and still had several places we wanted to take in before leaving the area.
Our intention was to check out someone’s new home in Clarksburg. We felt it unlikely that we’d see them today as they were still in the process of moving last furniture from Waterloo.
We drove down the highway and took the road into Clarksburg. It’s not that large a place but with no more information other than the address Betty gave us, we were at a loss. And so, I asked. The woman I talked with had lived in Clarksburg all her life and didn’t know the street, which I found a bit surprising. But she did think of someone in town who might know. As stores were still open, she directed me to the hardware store and a gentleman who’d been running it for many years. He was able to help us, showed me a small map of the area and gave me a few directions.
Andrea, at the museum, knew Clarksburg and said people often called it ‘Artsburg.’ Which it was. I didn’t count the shops on my trek to the hardware store and back to the car, but I saw several shops that were galleries or names of artists.
We found the Smith’s new home, alright, and who should be sitting on the front porch with a cup of coffee in hand but Ron. Betty came out when she heard us arrive. She’d sent a text, but we’d been off driving and seeing things and I hadn’t checked my phone. As it worked out, they’d just finished unloading the van and were sitting down to relax. We had a tour, then I had a quick tea with Betty and we were on our way. Next to Thornbury, at their recommendation, to see the fish ladder.
The fish ladder. Fish have to jump out of the water to the next level. We saw them swimming around and jumping and evidence of some that didn’t make it.
After this stop, we made our trip back to Owen Sound, first to go back to the B & B and then out for dinner, wrapping up our interesting and eventful day. We’d have one more breakfast at the B & B before packing up and heading out. I looked forward to our next visit with our genial hosts.
Blue Mountain, we’re on our way …
Our plan, day two of our getaway, was to head for Blue Mountain and a particular historical site. We started early enough with breakfast with our B & B hosts, Gord and Maggie, with a good, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast. The table was set in a lovely fashion with not a thing lacking. We had omelette, croissants, bacon, home-made grape jelly and more, but we also had company at breakfast.
A couple from Holland were spending their vacation biking around Ontario. Industrious people they are, both in the psychology field back in their home, they are used to biking and only occasionally use the car they share with their family. They’d already seen much of Ontario and were heading to Blue Mountain later that day. Wednesday, they’d travelled 80 miles by bike to stay at Between the Maples for a night. We had wonderful conversations with them about their work and travel.
Maggie and Gord saw them off and we continued our conversation. There was no reason to rush as we had a full day before us. We learned that our hostess was also of Dutch origin and her husband was a geologist by profession. Now retired, they were running this B & B. Gord had been busy taking apart the front windows and painting outdoors before the weather got too cold for such work.
With much thanks for a tasty breakfast, we set off for the day. We’d head out the highway in the direction of Blue Mountain. It would be good to be in the area again. The only time I’d been there were two Toastmasters district conferences in late fall and there’d been no time to tour.
The leaves on the trees were beginning to turn colour, with just a hint of colour thus far. We saw farms and fruit stands for this is an apple growing region.
On our way, following the side of the lake, I noticed a beautiful waterfront in the community of Meaford, so we decided to stop there awhile. What caught our eyes next as we parked were the strange fellows up on the lamp posts. A man walking his dog asked if we were there for the scarecrow festival that weekend. We weren’t but it sure looked interesting. He told us about the Hoedown that would take place on Friday night. We’d be heading home before that, but we agreed that it sounded like fun. It does appear that they have a lot of fun here.
I thought, later, how they reminded me of a field in Cape Breton on a trip where they had a field with scarecrows, but that lot was for sale and it’s unlikely the scarecrows are still there. These were fun and they seemed to climb every lamp pole in the park.
Scarecrows in so many places
My husband, ready with his camera too
Signs of what’s to come on the weekend and later on the museum wall. Maybe next year we can come for the hoedown or the parade.
At the side of the museum
Even indoors there was a scarecrow, but he had no pumpkin head. Probably rules about that.
A crazy quilt like the one Grandma H. used to make.
Former Speaker’s Chair used in parliament
From the archives, local history, and a little information about the chairs
There was so much in that museum that we could have spent much longer. We’d soon need some lunch and so we headed outdoors to take a few more pictures and be on our way.
People must have a lot of fun assembling these guys
Boats in the water and boats waiting
The people of Meaford take such pride in their area. The gardens were nicely kept and the waterfront was beautiful and the water so clear.
Nicki, keeping the gardens pretty
I spoke with a young woman named Nicki, who was pulling weeds in the flower beds, and remarked on the beauty of the park. She, too, asked if we were staying for the festival. I said we’d be heading home the next day. She said, “Maybe next year.”
By now it was well past lunch time. We’d head in the Thornbury direction and look for food and stopped one more time on the other end of the Meaford to get a photo of more scarecrows.
In case you’re wondering, we did actually make it to Blue Mountain that day. I’ll save that for the next post. Watch for it.
Off to Owen Sound
My husband and I took a little get away to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary. We chose to go north to Owen Sound and stay in a Bed and Breakfast there and booked it ahead.
We had a clear day for the drive, some cloud cover but a lot of sun too. Listening to Stuart McLean from Vinyl Cafe series helped pass the driving time too and then different scenery and new places along the way. I looked forward to the time away from household responsibilities to see different places. We were not disappointed.
Between the Maples B & B
We’d reserved for two nights at Between the Maples Bed and Breakfast on Second Street in Owen Sound. Having arrived close to the noon hour and too early to check in, we thought we’d first locate the B & B. Having seen the house on the internet site, we knew we were in the right place.
We headed back to the downtown to look for a bite to eat. A helpful staff member at CAA Travel in Owen Sound had mentioned that the Artist’s Co-op had a lunch bar, so after finding parking, we went in search of it.
I gathered steps on my Fitbit that day and it was nearly 1 pm by the time we sat and waited for our lunch to be served. Len enjoyed his soup and I had a tasty salad. We looked at the art in the co-op briefly since our metered parking would soon run out. We’d come back.
Birgit’s Cafe
Artist’s Co-op
We wanted to spend more time looking around so we fed the meter with quarters and headed back, first stopping at the music store we’d seen on the way. On our previous time passing the store, we’d met the owner and chatted with him. This time we entered Music & More and looked around.
“Back for a ukulele?” his wife asked.
I wanted to see what they had and so entered a long conversation with owner and musician David Fromager about the newer ukes that they sell to schools and people wanting them for their children or grandchildren. I already had one but I had my eye on those coloured ukes I’d seen at Arts Abound in St. Jacobs more than a year ago. When we left the store, I had a uke tucked under my arm and some picks for playing.
my new uke
As we still had time, we headed for the artist’s co-op again in the McKay building and looked around at the artist’s offerings—paintings, art cards, mugs, pottery, things made of wood, and textile arts too.
Then it was time to go and check in at our B & B. With the address now in our GPS, we drove there and knocked on the door.
It’s a lovely two-storey home across from Kelso Park. Gord and Maggie greeted us, gave us a small tour of their place and showed us our room. We talked about breakfast options, especially with regard to my husband’s special needs. There was time before finding supper to relax awhile and get settled in.
That evening we went to East Side Mario’s out on the other side of the city and enjoyed a tasty pasta dish. The sun went down outdoors as we ate. The dinner was filling and with no room for dessert, we paid our bill and left. Thinking we’d like some snacks along for the next day, we went to a grocery store nearby and purchased a few things before returning to the B & B.
With the new uke in hand, I looked up a chord chart on the internet to refresh my memory, and tried out my new instrument a bit before bed time. I thought of my grandchildren who already enjoy music and how I might teach them to play, if they wished to learn.
Thus ended the first day of our little holiday.
Kawartha Settlers’ Village
Search page given to our granddaughters on paying the entry fee
On one of our days away, we went with our host family to Kawartha Settlers’ Village that’s located just outside of Bobcaygeon.
According to the tour booklet for the village,
In 1990, the dream of establishing a museum to preserve history and the development of the area became a reality when a small group of people calling themselves the Kawartha Region Arts and Heritage Society convinced the village of Bobcaygeon to lease them the land to establish the Kawartha Settlers’ Village.
Follow along with me on our tour of some of the buildings. Here’s the map that’s in the program booklet. It’s an easy walk through for visitors of any age.
http://www.settlersvillage.org/tour-the-village
The receptionist at the main building gave each of our granddaughters a card showing pictures of things to look for in the village and a crayon to mark off items as they found them. It became a game for all of us to help them find the items.
Quilters meet regularly in the Wray House to learn their craft. There were many interesting quilts hanging in this home.
A rather colourful and picturesque quilt
A child’s room in another home
Our granddaughters interest was limited in some areas due to their ages of 6 and 8, although the adults could have spent more time. Another time perhaps. The girls did enjoy wandering through the village and checking off the items on their card. They awaited a prize at the end.
The firehall housed an old engine and hoses and hats. The building is a replica of the original Bobcaycaygeon Fire Company station.
The Fairbairn Church
a wooden offering plate
Inside the classroom, one modelling the dunce hat and one drawing on the chalkboard
What’s inside this desk?
Outside the trapper’s cabin
A warm rug inside.
If the printer needed a graphic for a newspaper or flyers, he’d have these images…
or even these images. Not simply drawings but carvings that someone had made.
And a bit of fun at the end of the Kawartha Settlers’ Village.
The girls showed their cards at the admission centre and got their little prize and could keep the cards to remember the visit.
If you’re in the area this summer, go to the village and take the self-guided tour. It was well worth the time and price of admission, which was quite reasonable.
Holidays in the Kawarthas, Day One
Buckhorn docking
It was the time of year again to visit our daughter and son-in-law and two granddaughters at their trailer in the Kawarthas. It’s a wonderful opportunity to set aside daily duties and get away.
After slow-moving traffic on the 401, it was good to get on the less congested 407 for a good chunk of the journey. That driving is easier, especially on a clear sunny day until our GPS, Matilda, got caught up with trying to redirect us on what was once country road. Guess it’s past time to update her maps. Oops.
Back roads and then the 115 highway to Peterborough were similarly unremarkable that day and finally at 12: 20, give or take a few minutes, we arrived at Grandview Resort, where our daughter Laura was waiting in the golf cart with her two girls. We drove through to the trailer site and parked then hugged and greeted our family members.
In the heat of the day, it was good to relax a bit and have some lunch. I’d asked for a boat ride and the plan for it was already in motion. We headed for the launch area and assembled ourselves, life jackets and all, for Buckhorn, where we’d go for ice cream, a favourite trip for the girls.
Heading for the bridge to cross, Laura waiting for us
The Shaw’s new favourite ice-cream shop in Buckhorn, on the main street
So hard to choose from so many flavours. We enjoyed the taste.
The ice cream shop offered a bucket of chalk and opportunity to draw on the boardwalk to the sidewalk.
Down the road a bit we saw a giant moose—not a real one, of course— where the girls posed.
Posing for fun
Walking further, we came upon a small beach area, where the girls cooled off in the shallow water. It sounds as though this area is designated for a small park sometime in the future.
Down the road a bit sat a building that might have been a church or school at one time. It was now a curiosity shop with some neat crafts and gift items in it. Loved these owls. Had I brought some money, one of these little owls might be in my garden today.
We headed back toward the lock area where we’d cross to the place their boat was parked.
On our way back we saw that more boaters had their boats tied to the dock and had pitched a picnic shelter.
That evening, I accompanied Dave and the girls to the family swimming pool on the grounds. The water was a bit cool, but the six-year-old got in anyway and began to play in the water and swim. Eventually her Dad got in too. The eight-year-old, deciding the water was a bit too cold for her, got permission to go to the playground situated close by.
Stopping at the playground for a short time, I had opportunity to see how well the girls handled the monkey bars. Then it was back to the trailer to get the girls ready for bed.
Holidays had only begun, and we were off to a good start.
Photos on this blog are copyright of C. and L. Wilker unless otherwise noted. Please ask permission if you wish to use one.
District 86 Toastmasters Fall conference
In July, I completed a proposal for a workshop for the fall Toastmasters District 86 conference in November. It seemed a long time until the conference, but these things must be done ahead of time to give the organizers time to sort through the submissions and select the workshop presenters.
From our holiday spot in the Kawarthas, I completed the last steps of submission and enjoyed my holidays while awaiting an answer. The best thing, indeed, after submitting anything for consideration, from a poem to a book manuscript or a workshop proposal, is to forget about it and go on with other things, like holidays with our family and a visit to a Toastmasters club in that district.
Buckhorn Lake resort
Naturally Speaking Toastmasters, Peterborough, ON
It was early September before I received the phone call one evening from the Education chair, Jacklyn Payne, that my proposal had been accepted. I was excited and anticipating the conference when I would present, but I had to get down to work and build up my workshop from the ideas and outline I had presented. Between other commitments, it was time to get to work on it.
A lot of thinking and writing went into that workshop. Research too, that I would use to support my workshop, titled ASK for Direction on Mentoring.
Here I am with my workshop assistant, Doris Tuckett, on the Friday afternoon.
and my second workshop assistant, Albert.
Toastmasters calls these assistants Activators, which is really a scientific term. Our networking breakfast business associates got a ‘charge’ out of my response to this.
(conference photo)
My music stand came in handy as we had no lectern, but the sound equipment (mic and speaker) came with me from Kitchener. Thanks, guys at Sheridan Sound, Kitchener, for being so amazingly helpful.
(conference photo from Flickr)
Some of my engaged audience members, listening and then laughing about a story I told
(conference photos)
Thanks to both Doris and Albert for making sure the details around my presentation were covered, and to Chris Brown, President of our Energetics Toastmasters club, who helped take down my equipment and get it to the car.
(conference photos) At head table, left to right: Gary Schmidt, Vitaliy Fursov, Janice McDonald
After my workshop was past and my things put away, I sat back and relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the conference, the speakers and contestants for both Humorous Speech and Table Topics contests, and of course Gary Schmidt (shown above at left of speaker Vitaliy Fursov), a past Toastmasters International President. I had really hoped to hear more from him since he travelled so far to be with us.
I couldn’t miss our own district speaker, Neil Dunsmore, who backed up much of what I said about mentoring in his thought-provoking, lively and inspirational keynote speech on Saturday morning. He also spoke of his own mentor, Dawna Bate, a fellow member of his first club. He often “bounced ideas off her” on what he should or shouldn’t keep in his speeches. He gave us much to think about.
Thank you, Neil. One great highlight of the entire weekend.
(conference photo) Neil, a quiet moment in his keynote
Neil also managed the sound board and mics for the speakers at the main hall presentations and dinners as well as the contests.
The times I attended my book table, I had opportunity for conversation with others who came by to check out my table and tell people about the books I was selling.
My book table in the Petun Room at the conference centre
Now it’s more than a week since I gave my workshop and attended the rest of the conference, District 86 Fall Toastmasters conference in beautiful Blue Mountain near Collingwood. I’ve received some lovely compliments on my workshop, for which I am very grateful. It was a good experience over all, and giving a workshop to fellow Toastmasters, you really need to be “on your toes.”
Oh, and if you’re on Facebook, look for the Energetics Toastmasters and my page (Carolyn R. Wilker) and like us too.
Through the Locks by Boat
Back to our holidays and something we did for the first time. My husband and I had watched from the sidelines as boats went through locks in Peterborough and in Midland area, but this time we experienced it while riding in our daughter and son-in-law’s boat.
We had a clear day and my daughter packed a picnic lunch, water and juice boxes, and extra snacks for the children. We set off from the trailer and got settled in the boat, life jackets and all.
We saw a bird on one of the other boats as we pulled out.
Here’s a better shot. It’s a stork.
Leaving the park behind, I noticed how the boat makes a trail that looks like a dolphin’s or whale’s forked tail. It’s slightly cooler out here on the water with a bit of breeze.
Buckhorn – Lock 31 is a very busy spot in July and August, so keep a good watch for downbound traffic as you turn into the lock.
Waiting at the first lock at Buckhorn for all the boats to be secured. As a boater, our son-in-law is a safe operator.
Looking up to the top to see how far the water will rise. She already is a good helper in putting out the bumpers to protect the side of the boat. It was also a very warm day and we’re wearing our sunscreen.
I cannot remember all the spots and which ones they were. We went through Buckhorn Lock, 31, then Lovesick Lock, which was #30 on the way to Bobcaygeon.
LoveSick Lock: There’s a story to that name.
Lock 30 – Lovesick, tucked in on Millage Island, is hard to spot, so look for the red day beacon on Wolf Island to guide you in and around the green buoy to the lock.There is no road access to the lock, so the quiet and beautiful surroundings make this the place to be in this area. In peak season, plan on arriving early and grabbing a space on the lower lock wall.You’ll also find space on the upper walls in a park-like setting.
After LoveSick Lock, we passed many rocky islands, with the wind in our face and the sun overhead, then through Burleigh Lock
By this time we’d gone through two locks, had a picnic at Lovesick Lock and then one more lock
Some grand boats on this stretch of water. Think we’re back at Buckhorn.
Many interesting cottages and homes along the lake
Getting to be good boaters
Canoe pulled up to that island. Is there even a cottage there?
The open water, the sky. The sun was hot but we’re cooler on the water. Still a sunburn at the end of the day in spite of applying more sunscreen part way through our outing.
Along the lake shore on our way back to the resort. It’s been a good day and the girls are tired.
A nearly deserted island?
On our way back to the resort, and the girls slept part of the last stretch. It was a good day.
Photos copyright C Wilker unless otherwise noted
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