Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Happy Christmas and Merry New Year to All


This is my first Christmas without my two sweet monsters, Word Wizard and Erratic Genius. I miss them, but I raised them to be free and independent, so I am proud and at peace with their choice to be away from home and travel Europe during the Holidays.

Above is a picture of Magi in 2004 when she was six months old. She thought we had put up the tree for her amusement. Every year since then, she gets very frisky when the tree comes out. I hope that she forgives me if I don't put up the tree this year. I have decorated a giant hibiscus instead.

Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année à tous!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

My Lady

Robin, at Watawa Life, took a picture of Our Lady's head in Winter, and I took one of her feet this past Autumn.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Of Pigeons and Feathers

Last August, I came upon this insightful gentle man. I was intrigued by the feathers protruding from his backpack, and his slow interaction with the birds surrounding him.

He was picking at something in the garbage and feeding it to a pigeon perched on the garbage can. I missed the shot of the pigeon calmly eating out of this hand.

I leaned over to see what he was picking at, and I saw a dismembered pigeon - only wings and head remained. (I hope that he was feeding the live pigeon cheese that was next to the partial pigeon)

We chatted and he informed me that he knew why the pigeon had been mutilated. According to him, there are people who love pigeon meat. They scatter rice and grains for the pigeons to feed on, which when ingested expands and ruptures their stomach and kills them. The pigeon meat aficionados then come along and collect the carcasses, leaving behind heads and wings. Could it be that this explanation resolves the murder mystery?

Before parting ways, he asked that I take time to look at pigeons as they take flight, so that I might be astonished at the colour of the feathers under their wings. He also urged me to hold a feather up to the sun and look at the sparkling light produced by the sun filtering through it.

I encourage you to do the same.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Crazy for Snow

I asked these committed bikers if they were enjoying the snow.

They saw my exuberant happy smile, my frost pinched cheeks, my wild sparkling eyes and the accumulated snow on my hat and coat, and they knew I was one of them.

"Yes, we love this snow. Don't worry, you're not the only crazy one."

Saturday, December 6, 2008

The Amazing Technicolour Dream Treat

If you want to make me happy - don't bother with flowers, diamonds, or French cuisine - just leave small, colourful, artsy-craftsy things on my desk.