…..I love poppies, especially the flower…..the foliage not so much
New Flower of the Day – June 23 – Poppy
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Author Archives: Mama Cormier
Sunday Trees – 136
…..now that my big Ontario White Pine is no more I have a full view of my neighbour’s Black Walnut Tree
I don’t think I’ll replace my tree with anything this large. In fact I might just put in a nice little Japanese Maple. They don’t grow to be very big and something smaller would suit that space much better.
For more Sunday Trees check out Becca Givens site http://beccagivens.wordpress.com/2014/06/22/sunday-trees-136/
Flower of the Day – June 22 – Rose
….I wish I could say that this beautiful rose is from my garden but alas it’s not
On our walk this morning I came across numerous beautiful flowers to share with you this week. My neighbourhood is a haven of gorgeous gardens. My poor peony plant still hasn’t opened completely. In fact at the moment it is looking rather sad. Hopefully in a day or two the blooms will erupt to their full potential.
Three block over the house on the corner lot is awash in pink roses.
Ode to my Pine
…..first you see it, well what’s left of it
…..and then little by little over the next four hours it starts to come down
….until nothing is left but a bit of saw dust
….and now my view has completely changed
Thirty five years ago
you were barely three feet high
You grew wide and tall
Your lower branches spread across the lawn
and encroached on the neighbour’s roof
trimming was a necessity but you continued to grow
until you shot above our two story house
You were home to birds, squirrels and racoons
You provided shade and nourished the soil
I cursed your shedding needles but
you always stayed green season after season
Your demise was swift, we barely saw it coming
Sun shines where before you provided shade
and our view is forever changed
Farewell dear tree
Rosestock or Rosethorn in the Rain
….aka Rosethorn in the Park
Almost every year since I started working at my school we’ve put on some kind of year-end show. For most of the 15 years that I’ve been at Rosethorn we’ve rented a portable stage and parked it outside on the school grounds by the hill. For a few years we booked the local high school auditorium when the cost of the stage became too prohibitive.
There was always something very special about putting on the show outside on a warm summer evening.
In all the years that we performed outside it never once rained during the show. Well the year we decided to bring back the show mobile we had rain. We were very optimistic and decided to go ahead with the show despite the forecast of potential showers. The sky was overcast for most of the day but the rain held off.
When we started the show there was no rain but after four classes had performed the rain began. When it looked like it wasn’t going to let up our principal gave the audience some options. Well actually she didn’t get past the first one which was to continue with the show. Everyone wanted to stay. The umbrellas came out and the children were pretty much dry under the roof of the stage anyway. Luckily the sound equipment and the operator were protected by a tent but our conductor/music teacher and the staff working with the children were exposed to the elements.
It rained for about an hour and stopped for the last few acts. Despite the soggy conditions the show was a hit and no one complained about getting wet. The teachers were glad that we didn’t have to come back the next night to continue the show and I think a lot of the families were glad as well.
30 000 Plus
…..just a quick note of thanks
One of my blogging goals was to reach 30 000 views on my second anniversary with WordPress. I didn’t quite make it but yesterday, almost two months later I finally reached that magic number. Thank you to all my followers. Without you it wouldn’t happen.
I’ve been incredibly busy this month and I haven’t been able to keep up with all my emails. No matter how hard I try to keep up I can’t get my emails below 100. Those of you who write longer posts are sitting in a back log. I’ve saved them because I really do want to read them. I haven’t forgotten about you and when I do get to them you’ll probably notice a spike in views from Canada. Love you all.
New Flower – June 17 – Peony Bud
….Cee’s been posting peonies in full bloom but mine are still buds
Share Your World – 2014 Week 24
……this week’s answers are all about family, friends, comfort, big city experiences and language
What makes you feel the most secure?
I am most secure in the company of my family and good friends. I don’t have a special blanket or chair. It’s not even about being in my home. Where ever my family and friends are that’s where I feel most secure.
If you were a shoe, what kind would you be and why?
I have to admit that I’m all about comfort and a little bit of style. This time of year I’d be a sport sandal. Lots of support, comfortable and cool to wear on hot days. I love Ecco and Naturalizer shoes. They cost a bit more but their worth it. They also come in lots of bright colours and interesting styles. Who says you have to give up comfort for style?
Getting our feet ready for sandal season.
How many languages do you you speak?
Sadly I only speak one language well and that’s English. I understand German very well and can get by when push comes to shove. I know only a little bit of French. This is probably my biggest regret in life. Living in a bilingual country and having taught in French Immersion schools for over 25 years I really have no good excuse for not learning the language. My only excuse is that I’m a very visual learner and when it comes to learning another language which is mostly auditory I struggle to remain focused. Some people, like my children, have a gift and can pick up languages easily.
What was the largest city you have been to? What is the one thing you remember most?
The largest city I’ve been to is right here in Toronto (4th largest city in North America). If I had to choose outside of my hometown I’d have to say Montreal in Canada and San Francisco in the U.S.. In both cities I love the diversity of the cultures and the mix of old architecture with modern structures. When I think of San Francisco I think of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Wharf and Alcatraz. Montreal brings to mind Old Montreal, Expo, and great bistros.
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
I’m grateful for time with my Dad on Father’s Day. I feel blessed that I still have him at 87 years young. I’m also grateful for time spent with my children and husband on Saturday and for the phone call from my son in the Netherlands.
I’m looking forward to our annual show at school this week and to printing the final report cards on Thursday.
For more Share Your World posts check out Cee’s blog over at http://ceenphotography.com/2014/06/16/share-your-world-2014-week-24/
Sunday Trees – 135
….for more Sunday Trees check out Becca Givens site http://beccagivens.wordpress.com/2014/06/15/sunday-trees-135/
On Wednesday of this week this grand old tree in my backyard is coming down. In the grand scheme of things this Ontario White Pine is not that old. When we moved into our house over 35 years ago this tree was barely as tall as me. It should have outlived me but some kind of boring insect infected the tree and it is beyond saving. When the arborist from the city came to check that we weren’t cutting down a healthy tree he said very matter of fact that the tree was dead.
What’s Blooming in My Garden – June 15, 2014
…..everything is a little late and when it does bloom it is short lived
Mini Iris
Yellow Day Lilies
