Z is for Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah!

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, Zip-a-dee-ay

My, oh my, what a wonderful day

Plenty of sunshine headin' my way

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, Zip-a-dee-ay!

And why am I skipping about and singing happily, you may ask? Well, you may not have noticed, but I just changed my Blogger profile from Semi-retired to Retired!

Yup, this was my last day at work.

Actually I took early retirement from my job in September 2002, but by January 2003 I had a phone call.... The work's piling up, can you come back on contract for six months?

Six months turned into 4-1/2 years!

And today I decided that 4-1/2 years was quite enough. So now I am looking forward to enjoying a relaxing summer. One problem, minor surgery on a bone spur on my foot in July, but that's OK, it just means I'll have time to sit under a shady tree and catch up on my reading.

Can anyone recommend any good books?

Oh and by the way, that's ZED, not ZEE!

Y is for York Durham Heritage Railway

Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo-choo? No, actually it's the York Durham Heritage Railway!

The York Durham Heritage Railway opened for business on September 14 1996 and runs between Uxbridge and Stouffville on an old CNR track, and has been running on summer weekends since then. The opening ceremonies were held on the 125th anniversary of the grand opening of the Toronto and Nipissing Railway in 1871. The Uxbridge Railway Station was built in 1904 and is one of the few remaining "Witches Hat" stations in Ontario.

Caboose (Van) #434908 Built by Canadian Pacific Railway in 1953, used in regular service on YDHR.

Rules Car #15041. This car contains a classroom for instructing railway personnel on the correct & safe methods of operating a railway. And originally contained living quarters for the travelling instructor. This coach was built for Canadian National Railways by Canadian Car & Foundry in 1930 as a Solarium and Lounge coach. Each time C.N.R. modified this car they moved walls and blanked out windows.

There are 3 locomotives in use:

RS-3 #1310 Built by Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) in Nov. 1951

RS-3 #22 Built by Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) in April 1955

RS-11 #3612 Built by American Locomotive Co. (ALCO) in Sept. 1956

Need to know more? Take a look here.

See you on the train!!

X is for eXtreme

Well. nobody said the X has to be at the beginning of the word..... and it's MY blog, so I make up the rules.

This store advertised the sale of rescue equipment and safety harnesses, but their main business seemed to come from BMX bikes and rollerblades and all the latest gadgets for skateboarding.
Unfortunately, probably as a result of the enormous new Wal-Mart that has opened on the outskirts of town, it's now just another empty store for rent on Main Street.

W is also for Wendy

When the hot weather strikes, dogs get hot (and stinky)!

Wendy is our family's Golden Retriever, the best dog that ever lived!
She'll be 13 years old on August 1st, and lives with OlderSon and his beloved, The Equestrienne, on their country estate (well, it's only 2 acres but we like to refer to it that way).
In the past year, we have noticed that Wendy's losing her eyesight, and is almost totally deaf, although she can still pick up the rustling of candy wrappers at twenty paces.

Poor Wendydog.... she feels so sorry for herself in the hot weather and has to lay on the tile floor and stick her tongue out to stay cool.

But a trip the the Doggy Beauty Parlour can work wonders for a hot dog. A nice scented shampoo, a total body shave and a smart new Canada Maple Leaf kerchief round her neck and she feels (and smells) like a 6 month old puppy again.

Doggy Photos courtesy of OlderSon.

W is for Water (the HOT variety)

LAST WEDNESDAY:
The Space Cadet (emerging from the bathroom): The water's not very hot in the shower.
Me (testing the water at the kitchen sink): Hmm... you're right. Check the water heater.
- Water tank was checked.... yup, making all the right noises.
- Water heater outside exhaust was checked.... uhoh, stone cold! Water heater is kaput!
- The result: Lukewarm shower for me!

THURSDAY:
Gas Company Serviceman: Yes, we will be happy to replace your rental gas fired water heater, but there must be 3' space between the water tank and the electrical panel, and you don't have enough room, so you'll have to build a wall before the installers come tomorrow.
The Space Cadet: groan.

THURSDAY EVENING:
The Space Cadet builds the required wall.

FRIDAY:
Water Tank Man: I can remove the old water heater, but I don't have enough room to install the new one.
The Space Cadet: Why not?
Water Tank Man: This wall's in the way.
The Space Cadet: Ahah! I knew you would say that so I made the wall removable.
Water Tank Man: Why did you build the wall?
The Space Cadet: Gas Company Serviceman said there must be 3' between the water heater and the electrical panel.
Water Tank Man: Hmmm.... looks like there's tons of room.... you definitely don't need a wall.
The Space Cadet rolls his eyes heavenward and removes the wall.
Water Tank Man and his helper turn off the water, drain and remove the old tank, only to discover a big hole in the concrete floor where the old tank stood. Believe me, nothing is a surprise in a 110 year old house.
Water Tank Man: You'll have to fill that hole up before we can install the new tank.
The Space Cadet: I'll mix some concrete.
The Space Cadet goes to the workshop, gets the concrete ready to mix.... but no water available.... Water Tank Man has turned it off! TSC throws the dry concrete mix into the hole keeping his fingers crossed that any dampness in the ground will turn it into concrete, puts a board on top, and the new water heater is installed on the board.

The removable wall is returned to the workshop in pieces.

Within an hour we have hot water again! Oh YESSSSS... a hot shower...what a luxury!

V is for View

This is the View of the back yard while we're having breakfast in the sun room at the back of the house. The sun room faces east and gets the morning sun. The Space Cadet enjoys his bacon and eggs while I have my usual toast and coffee. The binoculars are close by to watch the birds flying in and out of the bird house (NO, we don't spy on the neighbours.... well, not often). Pass the marmalade, please!

I'm not a garden expert, but here's a few of the flowers in the garden.

Can anyone tell me the name of the flower at bottom left? It blooms very early in the spring, and when the flowers are over, has dark green leaves with white spots.

Thanks, Martin, for showing me how to do a collage!

Update on the Seven Wonders of Canada

The Judges at CBC have made their decisions and have declared the Seven Wonders of Canada to be:

• Niagara Falls, Ontario
• The Canoe
• Pier 21, Halifax, Nova Scotia
• The Igloo
• Old Quebec City
• Prarie Skies
• The Rockies

Go to any of the above sites and scroll down to Photo Gallery for some great pics.

U is for ..... Untitled!

I bet you're thinking "Hmmm, how pathetic, she can't think of a title that starts with U. That alphabet theme is getting the better of her." Well, you're WRONG!

There's a Sculpture Walk along the river, and this is one of the exhibits. It's title is UNTITLED created from cast aluminum, sheathed copper and concrete by Ted Bieler in 1983.

According to the local Library, the official description is:

Perched on a small hill the upward force and movement in Ted Bieler's piece is accentuated. The sculpture consists of two cone-like shapes that ripple with activity. Many images come to mind including lightning bolts and energy waves. The colour of the painted copper also derives its sources from nature revealing the power and mysticism of flowing water or the sky.

Now, if I was going to create a scuplture that reflected lightning bolts and energy waves, power and mysticism rippling with activity, I'm sure I could think up a name a little more descriptive than UNTITLED.

What would YOU call it?

Update Saturday June 9 2007:
Thanks for all your bright suggestions. I googled Ted Bieler, and found a picture of this specific piece, and it seems to be called "Towers" so perhaps it's not "Untitled" after all!

T is for Tulips

One morning on my way to work back in February or March, I passed a house fire. The fire was under control, and there were fire trucks and police everywhere, lot's of smoke and steam, and an acrid burnt smell in the air.
Thankfully no-one was home and there were no casualties.
The little house was completely destroyed. Nothing left but the basement walls.
The snow has gone now, spring is here, summer's on it's way and I was happy to see a few brave Tulips had managed to survive the flames.

The moral of the story: I guess you just can't keep a good Tulip down!

S is for Seven Wonders

There are Seven Wonders of the World, right? Ancient and Modern, I believe.
So why shouldn't each country have it's own Seven Wonders....... starting with Canada.
The CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) has been searching for our own Seven Wonders of Canada by asking Canadians to submit their favourite places, and so far there have been over 25,000 suggestions.
The list has been narrowed down to 52 nominees.
Some are natural wonders, some are man-made.
I have to admit I haven't seen them all.
I've driven across the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island. An amazing piece of engineering.
I've toured the Library of Parliament in Ottawa.
Niagara Falls? C.N.Tower? I've been to both places so many times that I could apply for a job as a tour guide.
I've enjoyed a bagel in Montreal and I've seen my hockey team competing for The Stanley Cup. (Go Leafs Go)
I've visited The Vimy Memorial in France (it was closed for renovation) and the wonderful Museum of Civilisation in Quebec.
Gros Morne in Newfoundland is a stunningly beautiful World Heritage site, you shouldn't miss it, and Old Quebec transported me back to the old towns in Europe.
I've walked along the banks of the Rideau Canal in Ottawa (but not skated on it cos I can't skate... never learned) and I've strolled through Pier 21 in Halifax, where over a million New Canadians saw their first glimpse of their new country.

Obviously I have many more of the wonders of this great country of Canada to see and experience.

How difficult it is to choose just Seven.

Which ones would YOU choose?

R is for Renovate, Rebuild and Repair

The Space Cadet loves to mend things. He can't bear to see something that's broken, or almost broken. It's his mission in life to find innovative ways to Renovate, Rebuild and Repair everything that needs attention, while incurring the least possible cost.

In the past, he's turned the depressingly dark 1960's avocado green bathroom into a bright sunny place where you can actually enjoy your trip to the loo.

He's Ripped out the ancient red stair carpet and Refinished the bannisters and handrail.

He's double glazed the windows and insulated my office.

He's planned and installed a new gas furnace and hot air ductwork..... oh, and Rebuilt the laundry room, and the rec room... Repaired my car.... is there no end to this man's talents?

... and now he's at it again, repairing the double doors that separate the driveway from the back yard. The doors have been out there in all weather for more than 15 years, and some parts were completely Rotten. First step.... take them apart.

The doors were held together with wooden dowels which had almost disintegrated, so The Space Cadet Replaced the dowels with plastic gas service pipe .... and it worked! Told you he's innovative! And cheap! Never spend money on stuff when you can use whatever you have lying about in the workshop.


Once the glue had dried, it was time to put the door back in one piece.

Sanding, then a coat of paint, and the glass was Replaced. Sorry, I don't have a "Before" pic, but here's the "After".

Q is for Quilt

In September 2002 I started making a Quilt. I'd been hoarding a pack of fabric squares bought a few years previously in USA, so it was time to use them.
I saw a pattern I liked, and copied it, and this is the result. It's machine stitched, but hand quilted.
It was intended to be a Christmas prezzie for OlderSon's new house. Still not finished, and now it's 2007.
Oh well..... one day....

Here's a Quilt I actually completed!

The Space Cadet says it looks like castles, I said it's supposed to be cats. What do you think?

P is for Pink and P is for Purple

Continuing with the Alphabet theme ( which seems to be turning into a colour theme too, see previous post), P is for Pink and P is also for Purple.

Looks like it's time for a fresh coat of Paint!

O is for Orange

The Orange watch that I received as a gift for Mother's Day.

This is the most Orange thing I have ever owned.

Gold plated too.

With sparkles instead of numbers.

And an Orange denim strap.

Joan Rivers should be proud of me.

WOOHOO!

N is for Neighbourhood

I'm very lucky to live in a quiet older Neighbourhood. A place where faces are familiar. My house is on the left. Red brick, built around 1895.

People take care of their houses and gardens here. And say Good Morning to you and smile when you meet them on the street or in the grocery store.

The streets are transformed into avenues of green once the leaves are out.

The gazebo by the stream....

... and a view along Main Street.

Unfortunately, our small town is changing, and not everyone thinks it's a good thing. In the next 15 years, our population will double. Farmland is being bulldozed and new houses are springing up in the thousands. I wonder where all the people will come from to fill them.

And worst of all......

......we're becoming a WAL-MART town!

M is also for Mother's Day

My Mothers Day celebration was delayed for 24 hours, and I'm happy that it was!
We made our way downtown by the Toronto CN Tower on Monday after work. YoungerSon almost went for a swim in the salmon pool thanks to his Beloved.

The CN Tower is the world's tallest freestanding structure on land. The Tower opened to the public in June 1976. I've been to the Observation Deck many times since then, usually acting as tour guide to out-of-town visiting friends and rellies, but I was surprised to learn that neither OlderSon or YoungerSon have been up there since they were kids.

We ate at Copia Grille on Front Street. I had the special... tilapia with ginger and mango, with steamed rice, and assortment of stir-fried veggies... Divine! Prices were good too.

And then... on to the Rogers Centre (formerly known as The SkyDome until purchased by Ted Rogers in 2004) to the Jays game.

We went in at Gate 5. Scalpers everywhere, but we already had our tickets.

Need a Blue Jays hat? Team shirt with your favourite player's name on the back? Here's just the place.

Before the game, "The Star Spangled Banner" and "O Canada" on the Jumbotron.

We had seats in the second row just past third base. Just far enough past third base that we all had cricks in our necks from looking to the left for 2-1/2 hours!

Lets Play Ball.....

By the sixth inning, the peanuts and beer had all been consumed and we needed some dessert.

Seventh inning stretch....

........and the home team wins!

Toronto Blue Jays 5, Baltimore Orioles 3.

Thank you to my wonderful family for a great Mother's Day!

P.S. I've changed No1Son and No2Son's blog IDs to OlderSon and YoungerSon. There's far too much competition to be Mum's No1 favourite these days.... :-)

M is for Mouse

Continuing with the alphabet theme, (only 13 more to go, aren't you glad?) M is for Mouse. When I went to serve the usual birdies breakfast from the bird seed bag in the garage, my scoop of bird seed contained a dead mouse! Yuk... shudders!
The next day, there were two live mice in there. I have no idea how they got in, but they definitely couldn't get out.
The Space Cadet made sure they won't be back!

M is also for Moose. Good thing this chap isn't foraging for food in the garage.
He might be a little harder to get rid of!

L is for Lamplighter

The natural gas company I worked for comissioned a Limited Edition bronze of The Lamplighter to recognise employees with 25 years of service.

The sculptor is Siggy Puchta, who was born in Germany and emigrated to Canada in 1953 at the age of 19, and is well known for creating bronzes and carving in stone.

The first gas lamps in Toronto were lit in 1841 to commemorate the birth of King Edward VII.

By 1848 there were 164 gas street lamps in operation.

By 1857 there were 675 gas street lamps and it was a common sight to see the lamplighters bicycling around the city to light the lamps at dusk.

By 1883, electricty was starting to take over the job of lighting the streets. In 1890, the last remaining 34 lamplighters were discharged, and other jobs were found for them.

I've had my Lamplighter for a few years now. He lives on the mantle above the fireplace. I'm very fond of him.

K is for Knitting (part 2)

As an addition to yesterdays K post, have a look at this knitting project.... (not mine!)

K is for Knitting

My mother taught me to Knit when I was about 7.
She constantly had some Knitting project on the go. Her needles would click together at a rate of knots at every spare moment. She could follow a complicated pattern with hardly a glance at her yarn and needles, drink a cuppa tea, and carry on a conversation at the same time.

I'm not quite that accomplished.
I've knitted sweaters, baby blankets, hats, gloves, my latest project has been striped socks. The Space Cadet currently sports a beautiful purple pair, he is SUCH A COOL DUDE when he wears them.
It's hard to think ahead to winter weather when the daffodils are blooming, but I'm currently using up spare yarn to make fluffy scarves for prezzies.
It's never too early to plan for Christmas!!