| synonyms: | channel, slide, trough, shaft, funnel, conduit; More
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Of course I knew what a ladder was but I needed to refresh my memory as to the meaning of ‘chute’.
Thanks to Cee for hosting the Black and White Photo Challenge
….thanks to Cee for hosting the Black and White Photo Challenge
This summer I’ve spent as much time as possible visiting art galleries, museums and gardens. The first group of photos are from the grounds surrounding the McMichael Gallery in Kleinberg. These amazing sculptures were created by Ivan Eyre.
The next set were taken at the AGO from the Rebecca Belmore show. Rebecca is an Anishinaabekwe artist who is known for her performance and installation work.
…thanks to Cee for hosting Share Your World
In regards to puzzle what’s your choice: jigsaw, crossword, word search, mazes, logic or numeric puzzles, something else, or nothing?
My favourite puzzle is Sudoku.
List at least five favorite treats and it doesn’t necessarily have to be food.
I like to treat myself to the following:
A premium ice-cream in a cup
A manicure and pedicure
A good movie
An evening out with friends
A nice glass of wine with my husband
A piece of torte with my father (he loves his cake)
A slice of freshly baked bread slathered with butter
What is your favorite type of dog? (can be anything from a specific breed, a stuffed animal or character in a movie)
My favourite dog is hands down a golden retriever. I’ve owned two in my lifetime. We now have a mutt who is definitely my husband’s dog. He’s always said that the goldens were my dogs and Frances is his. (Scully is 15 years old in this photo and Frances is going on 12)
What did you appreciate or what made you smile this past week? Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination.
This was a very special week because my son was visiting from London, England. There was a lot of eating and drinking, touring museums and art galleries, visiting his sister in Hamilton and attending a rugby game.
At the AGO
At the ROM
Family
A Week of Food
At the Rugby Game
….thanks Cee but isn’t the letter V hard enough without having to make it at least 6 letters long?
verticillated: forming one or more whorls (especially a whorl of leaves around a stem)
Verticillated bark around the old tree.
1.Definition: having a variety of colors
Voiceless and Villainous Victorian Characters from Guillermos del Toro’ exhibition at the AGO.
…..check out Cee’s Share Your World and join the fun
How many languages do you you speak?
Basically I speak two languages, English and German. German was my first language and I understand it very well but I am very hesitant to use it. Growing up I had to go to German school on Saturdays and I hated it. Whenever my parents or their friends spoke to me in German I would answer in English. When I turned 18 I sang in a German choir and did so for 27 years.
What are some words that just make you smile?
The first word that makes me smile is my granddaughter’s name – Winnie. I can’t help but smile when I think of her or hear someone utter her name. Come to think of it all the names of my loved ones make me smile. Other words that make me smile are love, art, summer vacation, cottage, puppy and party.
If you were the original architect of one existing building, which building would you select?
This is tough because there are lots of buildings that I would be proud to put my name on, even ones that have been somewhat controversial. I love old and new but I think the one that stands out for me at the moment is the AGO. It is a combination of old and new. Several years ago it underwent a renovation and I simply love the lines and all the wood on the inside. The architect is Frank Gehry.
Would you rather have telepathy or telekinesis? (Telepathy is the communication using your brain waves, telekinesis is channeling the energy onto physical objects to cause substantial, observable physical changes.)
I think I’d rather have telepathy. It would be neat to be able to send messages without opening my mouth.
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 being able to check off more items from my to do list. As you know June is extremely busy for me at school. Every time I’m able to cross off another item it takes a huge weight off my shoulders.
Things that are done:
2 retirement parties- collected money and bought gift for one
Jump Rope for Heart – money collected and prizes distributed
Report cards written, proofread and printed
Timetables for next year organized
Father’s Day gift bought and BBQ with the family
Year end school concert
Rehearsals for grade five farewell
book club for June
finished paintings with the students for the stage
son’s wedding via the internet
city finals for girls’ soccer
taking 78 students to Jays’ baseball game to sing the national anthems
This week I’m looking forward to the grade 5 farewell assembly, play day, cleaning up my office in the library, the staff party and making final arrangements for our trip to Italy. Most of all I’m looking forward to getting on that plane next Saturday. Phew! I’m tired just thinking about it.
….thanks Cee for this week’s questions but I can’t help but think that I’ve answered one or two of these before
Do you believe in extraterrestrials or life on other planets?
Absolutely. I think it would be pretty arrogant to think that we are the only race of beings to inhabit the universe.
How many places have you lived? You can share the number of physical residences and/or the number of cities.
I haven’t lived in too many different places. I was born in Frankfurt, Germany and when I was one we moved to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria. Soon after that we boarded an ocean liner and moved to Canada where I have lived most of my life in Toronto. For a period of four years, when I was 6 to 10 we lived in Oakville (a bedroom community close to Toronto) and when I went to university I lived in the town of Guelph.
If you given $22 million tax free dollars (any currency), what is the first thing you would do?
I would pay off all my credit cards and then give each of my children $1 million dollars, so they could pay off their debts and own a home. After that I would probably put aside enough money to live on comfortably and afford a couple of vacations a year for the rest of my life. Then I would share the rest with my sisters and friends and donate to different charities every year. Spread the wealth!
The Never List: What are things you’ve never done? Or things you know you never will do?
I will never and have never done the following:
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
I am grateful that my son has started to heal from his surgery and that he returned safely to London, England on Monday night. Before he left we spent some quality family time with his siblings and our granddaughter. Last Saturday, B, A, J and I drove to the Aga Khan Museum and spent a couple of hours perusing the artifacts from the middle east. It was fun watching my children take in the displays and actually taking the time to read the text that explained the history of the different ceramics, books and articles of clothing.
After our experience at the museum we drove to Hamilton and met up with my husband and younger daughter and her family. There was a whirlwind of activity in the kitchen as homemade meatballs were being prepared by the two of them while the rest of us took turns holding the baby and entertaining her. She is so curious now that she doesn’t want to sleep. The dinner was fabulous.
On Sunday I drove my son to the AGO to meet up with one of his good friends and to see the Turner show. I enjoyed our time together but I have to admit that I’m not a huge fan of Turner’s work. I liked his small watercolour studies but his large pieces were too dark and gloomy for me. I am, however, very curious to see the movie on his life. I think he was one very strange man.
Later this week I’m hoping to figure out how to transfer photos from my new camera to my iPhone and computer using WiFi. So far transferring my photos onto the computer and onto my phone has been a challenge to say the least.
Hopefully I can sort out my photography problems so that I can continue to participate in photo challenges.
Cheers!
….some unusual questions this week
When was the last time you sat on a park or garden bench for more than ten minutes? Describe the occasion.
The last time I sat on a garden bench was two summers ago. My cottage neighbour had built a bench on the beach for anyone to use. I used to love going down to the beach early in the day to have my morning coffee. Unfortunately the powers that be decided that all things left on this ‘public’ beach had to be removed. When we returned last summer the bench was gone.
Would you ever be interested in observing a surgery or do you turn away when the nurse brings out the needle?
When I attended university I had thought about being a doctor but teaching became my chosen profession. I actually contemplated about taking a gross human anatomy class where I would dissect a human body. A 400 level floral design class won out. I used to watch live surgeries on TV but I do turn away when the needle to draw blood comes out.
Where’s your favorite place to take out-of-town guests?
If people are coming from another country I like to take them to Niagara Falls.
For my Canadian out-of-town quests I like to take them to the AGO (art gallery) and treat them to any special exhibitions that are featured during their visit. Luckily most of my friends like art.
If my guest come in the summer and they like a rustic setting I might suggest that we go to the cottage for a few days.
If you had an unlimited shopping spree at only one store, which one would you choose? Why?
It might seem strange that I would choose a discount store but Marshall’s has it all for me. Beautiful designer clothes that fit me and suit me, shoes, purses, kitchenware, gourmet food, dishes, and children’s and men’s wear. What could be better?
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
Last week I was grateful for being treated to a trip to the new Aga Khan Museum, here in Toronto. My friend, D, is a member and we spent the morning walking through the galleries. I really enjoyed looking at the old Persian vessels, art and tapestries. When so many artefacts are being destroyed in the Middle East because of war and acts of terrorism I was grateful that these treasures have been preserved for all to enjoy.
After exploring the entire museum and checking out the gift shop we had a very nice lunch at the restaurant located in the museum. The space was decorated with beautifully carved wall panels and mirrors and the food was attractively presented and very tasty.
I’m also grateful for slightly warmer weather and sunny days. On Sunday we had the family over Sunday lunch and game day. My husband made an incredible Irish meal in honour of St. Patrick’s Day (only a week late) and A and J brought Zeppole for dessert in honour of St Joseph’s Day.
This week I’m looking forward to doing more art, not only my own personal art but also art with my students. I’ve already started some interesting projects with the kids and today my kindergarten class made wonderful art with objects from nature (last 4 photos). The first six photos are mine. The owls are samples I created for my older students. They are designing their own owls and then transferring the design onto a foam plate and then colouring it and pressing it onto paper. I’m really looking forward to seeing what the kids can do.
