What Happened in 1917?

Posted on May 22, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….in Canada

1917 is often referred to as the worst year in Canadian history. In that year we saw the highest casualty figures for Canada during WWI. The death toll at Vimy Ridge alone was 3598 with another 7000 injured.

The city of Halifax was destroyed when two ships collided in Halifax Harbour, killing 1900 civilians and injuring 9000 in a town of 50 000. It was the worst man-made destruction of a city until 1945.

The conscription policy divided the country in one of the most bitter elections ever in 1917 but on the upside some women were granted the right to vote if they had a husband, father or brother who served in the war.

It was also the year that the Nation Hockey League (NHL) was established but not until an American team won the Stanley Cup for the first time earlier in the year. Tom Thomson, a famous Canadian artist, also died that year under mysterious circumstances.

Today I went to Montgomery’s Inn to sign up as a volunteer. While I was there I happened upon a wonderful art display of paintings depicting what happened in Canada in 1917.

New Flower (May 20, 2018) – Striped Tulip

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Wordless Wednesday – May 16, 2018

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WPC – My Place in the World is Near Water

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to WordPress for this week’s photo challenge Place in the World

People assumed that I would move when I retired. That’s other peoples’ dreams, not mine. So often I hear people say they want to move to the country, get out of the city. I’ve known some people who have done that but moved back to the city within a few years. I live close to downtown Toronto but I’m right by Lake Ontario and I’m surrounded by parkland. If I want to go into the city to catch a show or go to museum or art gallery I’m only a 20 minute car drive away or a short trip on the subway. When I want to go hiking or biking I just have to step outside my door and get on the Waterfront Trail. I have the best of both worlds.

I’ve always loved living close to the water and I love my city, Toronto.

Wordless Wednesday – May 9, 2018

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Silent Sunday – May 6, 2018

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WPC – The ‘Unlikely’ Return

Posted on May 5, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….after yesterday’s windstorm it was very unlikely that today life would return as a normal spring day so quickly

The forecast was for more wind but not as severe as yesterday but with all the damage that the storm did I thought it would take a few days for things to return to normal. Even though today is a Saturday, people are already having repairs done to their roofs, the streets have been cleared of debris and tree branches and entire trees and couples and families are out walking and enjoying the sun. You can see from the photos that the water is still pretty choppy but it’s not keeping people from sitting at the shore to take in some rays or for some brave souls (or foolhardy) to get into their boats today.

I know that the damage that you see here may not seem like much, especially if you compare it to the damage that a hurricane or tornado can do but two people did die during this storm from falling trees and 100 000 people were without power.

New Flower (May 5, 2018) – Magnolia Bud

Posted on May 5, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….the magnolias are starting to bloom in Toronto

Too Windy

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Mama Cormier

…..too windy for what?

Too windy to take photos of flowers

Too windy to walk safely on the street due to falling branches and roofing tiles

Too windy to sit by the lake (too much spray coming up from the waves)

Too windy to clean the yard

Too windy to eat outside (too much debris blowing around)

Too windy to sit on the deck and converse (the wind is so loud)

Too windy to sit at the computer too long in case of another power outage

The Aftermath of a Storm

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….15 day ago we experienced a severe storm with freezing temperatures, high winds, ice pellets and freezing rain

It’s almost incomprehensible to imagine that less than 15 days ago we were witnessing a severe winter storm here in southern Ontario. Today all traces of snow have disappeared, the sun was shining and the temperatures soared to 20 degrees celsius.

On Sunday, April 15th, Lake Ontario looked liked an angry sea with strong crashing waves and many areas that were level with the lake took on water. Luckily where I live most homes and parks are situated high above the lake but the waves were so high and powerful for three days that a lot of debris from the bottom of the lake was washed ashore and sand, gravel and large rocks and boulders were tossed further inland.

Today I took a walk to Col. Samuel Smith Park where there was considerable damage to the man-made beaches on the eastern side of the reclaimed peninsula. I had seen photos of the area soon after the storm and it was evident that the Parks department had already been by and cleared away a lot of the garbage and gathered up the tree trunks, branches and large pieces of rebar and construction materials used to build this park in the first place. Much of the grassy areas are still covered in stones, gravel, bricks, asphalt and concrete remnants.