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Springtime Thoughts

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I’ve decided on a walk towards a favourite park, La Freyère, it is called.  I know I’ve shared it before.  It always offers something more.  To give myself more distance to walk and take in the beautifully crisp day, I park about one kilometre away.  This gives me my first glimpse of the St. Lawrence and the huge houses mansions (some owned by celebrities) along the way on the river side and large fields across from them.

I decide to enter through the parking lot of the now torn-down La Saulaie restaurant.  It was THE place to dine, dressed in one’s finery, to nosh on the fanciest of meals with the best of wines.   It is now part of the park annexed to La Freyère.

I cross the double bridge (sorry, I cannot help but photograph it from all angles!), cut through the park and cross the boulevard, towards the Stephen-Langevin Arboretum.  Maybe I will be lucky and capture some birds.  However, not thirty feet in, I am surprised by the presence of a few deer.  I know many cross the river from the islands right across from the park, but I had never been so lucky before.

I’m no bird. but I’m cute, no?
Mister
Missus

Content with what I have seen, I decide to walk along, where there are less people and I can feel one with my surroundings.

It is officially spring, according to the calendar, but here in the woods, you would not know it.  Snow covers the paths, a (mostly) firm walkway created by the regular visitors of this park, but if you step off said path, can easily sink past your ankles.  It’s deeper in the non-trampled parts.

The sun, like fool’s gold, shines brightly and blinds me, but offers no substance.  Not much, anyway.  Standing perfectly still, protected by the woods, face upturned, there is a soupçon of heat.  I am amazed how powerful that limited heat is and how much snow it can melt despite the freezing temperatures.

I walk on, enjoying the silence that is broken by the honking of returning geese.  They pass overhead in twos or larger groups, raising a ruckus, announcing their presence.  “We’re back! We’re back!”  So many people hate them because of the mess they leave on lawns, in parks, etc. but I just cannot.  They are beautiful, albeit often nasty, creatures.  I look forward to seeing them with their babies, all fuzzy and adorable.  But that is not yet.

For now, I am in the moment, eyes looking up, in hopes of finding an owl or falcon, though it seems not my destiny to find them without someone else pointing them out!  So matter.  I trudge on, admiring the play of light on the maple seeds and the criss-crossing of branches of trees I cannot name, notice the colours of the various grasses, mixed in with the red dogwood (I think?).

Past an open field, I approach more woods and what looks like a secret passage.  It’s magical – to be perceived as your imagination sees fit, of course.  Depending on the light, it could appear more sinister…

Not too scary
A little spooky
Looking back. Was that it?

Exiting my hidden path, I walk along the sparkly creek, that brings me to the edge of the woods.

And this beautiful view

I chose to return along the outside path which winds its way through the trees, so that will have looped the whole arboretum. And let me tell you, it is a chilly one.  The field is to my right and I can feel the wind stinging my face as I walk back.  I try to pick up the pace but as you can see, the path is rather narrow.  Must be careful!

I crossed back over the boulevard and into the La Freyère park so I can take a short walk to the St. Lawrence.  It is beautiful in every season and with some snow and sun?  I’m sure to get a few more pics. (Hopefully you’re not bored yet!)

One last one of the bridges, but from the other side…

I’ve now kept you long enough and thank you for sticking till the end.  Hopefully, the next time I share this park, there will be no snow and things will be a-blooming!

 

 

 

 

 

Monday Meandering Mind

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“They” say it takes twenty-one days to create a habit… Right?  Oh hell, naw.  I just looked it up (coz I really don’t like to spread fallacies) and NOPE! The book you wrote in 1960, Dr. Maxwell Maltz, you lied!  Apparently it can take anywhere from two months to eight months to build a new behaviour in your life.  Well, shit.  Doesn’t that just blow my whole post to smithereens.  Maybe ya shoulda looked it up before, dumb-dumb.

Under Twenty One Prohibition Sign In Crossed Out Red Circle Vector Icon Stock Illustration - Download Image Now

Neither here nor there.  I am officially proclaiming that I have been in the process of creating a habit since my first run of the year on March 5th.  Why didn’t I start sooner?  Coz I didn’t.  And I live in a place that has too much snow (still) and ice and crappy conditions (until now) and besides I’m not a even close to being a die-hard runner like those I see run past my house, no matter the conditions:  sleet, snow, wind, using crampons on their shoes… no, not for me, thank you, very much.

Now that the bicycle paths are mostly clear and the temps have been hanging on either side of the freezing mark, I have made it a mission to go every other day.  So far, I’m five runs in and have increased my time.  Woot!

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

What Am I Bingeing?

I’ve had a few shows on the go.  I like to watch one, then another, and another rather than binge just the one show from start to finish.  I have noticed that when I do binge 2-3-4 episodes of the same show, I barely remember them later.  It’s like mindlessly eating popcorn until you finish the bowl and are surprised to find it empty.  I’d rather savour.

I have been challenging myself.  I am watching “The Empress” in German, with English subtitles.  I am surprised at how many words I pick up (I took German for two semesters in college, waaaaay back when.  My goodness, is it possible it was almost thirty years ago?)  It’s been interesting to learn about Elisabeth, Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary.

I am also watching “Women at War” in French (don’t need the subtitles, though I keep them on just in case, that French from France accent occasionally gets me).  This one is darker and is the story of four women during WWI.  I’m only one episode in.

I am also watching “The Offer” – this is so enjoyable.  It’s about the making of “The Godfather” through the eyes and experience of Al Ruddy, producer.  Tell me, in the umpteen times you have seen this movie, did you ever pay attention to who the producer was?  I can tell you I did not.  Had zero clue.  Halfway through the series, and trying to stretch it out, the urge to watch The Godfather NOW, instead of at the end of the series, hit.  So, why not?  And, to make it perfect, make it dinner and a movie by having spaghetti and meatballs and wine – I mean, how can you not?  It’s so cool to see the vision, the troubles they had (No Al Pacino! He’s too short and  he’s a nobody theatre actor!), the negotiations… And recognizing bits from the movie in the series and vice-versa. If you are a fan of The Godfather, this show is like candy.  I want to gobble it up at the same time as I want to stretch it out.

Se The Offer - Stream Online | PlayPilot

What Am I Reading?

I am not a re-reader.  I can count on one hand how many books I have read more than once (and not more than twice).  For me, I figure there are so many books out there, why would I read one I already have?  I am impressed by those who have their favourites and have read them countless times.  This is the case for all the other members of the informal group from Sammi’s Scribbles. They are huge Tolkien fans and have read the books over and over, and in the case of Sammi, have multiple versions of the books.  I decided to join in for the fun of it.  We are now reading the second book from The Lord of the Rings – The Two Towers.  Last year we read The Fellowship of the Ring. It’s pretty cool. We read half a chapter per week and exchange thoughts on Sammi’s blog.  It takes us most of the year to read just one of the books.  Sammi must have been busy last week because Tolkien Tuesday did not happen.  I’m wondering if I should just read the second half for tomorrow or what…  And since half a chapter per week is not much reading…

I am also reading Das Parfum, by Patrick Süskind – the French translation, since my friend Linda leant it to me, but also because I like to keep my French skills up by reading a French book every 3-4 books.  I prefer to read in the original language but in this case, the original is in German and so reading it in English or in French didn’t matter.  I saw the movie many moons ago and remember the gist of it.  I prefer to read the book after seeing the movie anyway, because I am never disappointed.  I am not with this one, either. The writing is so rich.  I read this one in bed…. and,

I am also beta reading a book for Rochelle.  Since my Kindle is being a biyatch and won’t let me download it (I think the cable is the issue), I have to read it off my laptop – only so much book I like to read on a computer.

Do you ever read more than one book at a time?  I never thought I would.  I have gone so far as to tell those who do that they are nuts and how can they possibly follow all the plot lines?  Turns out, it is more than possible.

Oh! And before I forget.  With all those peeps sharing their flowers, and me still buried in snow, I was beyond excited to see this:

Right next to a foot of snow.  In my front yard.  Go figure.  For a little perspective:

How do you like them apples?  No wonder I had a spring in my step and the energy to start running!

Thanks for hanging with me and I wish for you a lovely week.

 

 

 

Third Time’s a Charm – Friday Fictioneers

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‘Tis Wednesday and, she who loves all things purple, and keeps all us all afloat, has chosen a picture from Jennifer Pendergast for this week’s Friday Fictioneers.  Once I saw it, I could not help but want to close up my date trilogy started last year.  Should you desire a refresher, just click on the links in that follow, to see why I went here after going there and there.  No need, of course, but do click on my fancy-dining frogs below to be brought to the linky-thingy to add your very own 100-word story inspired by this lovely image.  Now sure how?  Rochelle’s post will do the ‘splaining of the hows and whys of playing along.

Take a foodie break in Pas de Calais - The Good Life France

Click on us to dine along

 

Wow, this is pretty snazzy!

Anything is better than the last two joints we went to.

You’ve got that right. Though, I thought my choice was funky.  And now I can see why you said to kick my duds up a notch. Like my suit?

It wasn’t funky it was filthy.  And you look very handsome.  I should request it more often!

Thanks, and don’t push it.  Your choice was the shits.

Can’t argue that one. Once you see it you can’t unsee it.  Like my dress?

Let’s forget the past.  You look very sexy.

Shall we go in?

Absofuckinglutely!

 

 

Weekend Writing Prompt #310 – Treetop

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A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend.  How you use the prompt is up to you.  Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like.  Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise.  If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in the comments on Sammi’s blog.

I haven’t played in a while so, why not, I say… Why not! (Wishing I was there, rather than here, watching the snow fall. Again.

wk 301 treetop

 

Now this was real ziplining!  None of that sissy, man-made tiny park, barely higher than twenty feet stuff.

THIS.  Costa Rica was where it was at!

We were in Guanacaste and ready to see the treetops by zipping from tree to tree with our toes tickling the canopy.

It amazed me that the further we went, the higher up it became.

Unforgettable fun.

Pat, smiling though convinced he will die
Hugh, loving every minute
Mick, coming in fast

Let Me Show You the Waze

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I was watching Chicago Med the other day (what can I say? I enjoy the three Chicagos, Med, PD and especially Fire).  Anyway, Dr. Crockett Marcel uses this AI O.R. 2.0.  It is a very advanced way of doing surgery.  The 2.0 is programmed to let you know when you can or cannot do something, give you best options, or even let you know if you are too tired to operate.  They had this very weird scenario where, to save a hand until it can be reconnected (due to infection), they do what is called ectopic banking, which is basically to plant an amputated member onto another part of the body (in this case, the hand to the leg) to keep it properly perfused and prevent the member from dying until it can be reattached.  The 2.0 has no record of how to do this but it can keep tabs on the perfusion.

After they successfully do this operation (of course), Crockett then chooses to use a regular OR for some other procedure.  When asked why? He responds:  “Do you ever go anywhere without using your GPS?”  The person responds, “No, why should I?  It’s there, might as well use it.”  His answer to that is:  “Well, I have the need to make sure I can still find my way without this type of technology.”

This brought me to a discussion with B about the very same thing.  How once upon a time, I would have just looked up the road to take (or asked directions) and taken it.  I could possibly hit construction detours, but hey, I would have figured it out in the end.  Now? I use the damn thing to go to places I know off by heart!  Why?  Simply to see if there is traffic to avoid.  It’s a good justification, right?  Maybe…

Besides the traffic pitfalls to avoid (or the least painful ones), Waze (I choose over Google Maps) gives me some interesting routes.  It rarely screws up, either.

I have used it almost every day since Monday, visiting my daughter at the clinic where she is recuperating from elective surgery.  What you might not be able to see on the image at left is that where she is, is at the very top part of the island of Montreal.  You see I have to cross one bridge, drive across and through to the other side.  So far to the “top” that it is right beside one of the many bridges to cross over into the Island of Laval.  There are a few options to cross but all depend on which way the traffic stalls.  Ugh.

What does not help is visiting hours at the centre are from 2 pm to 8 pm. I figure most of her friends would only be able to visit after work so I leave the evenings for them (we can only visit one at a time, anyway).

Wednesday, I took pity on her and brought her a good pillow.  I figured I’d get there for 2 and leave by 3:30, latest, getting just the beginning of traffic. HAH! Jokes on me.

Well now, while the drive took me almost an hour, it was a surprising and rather enjoyable one.  Instead of sending me over to the Champlain bridge, or to the tunnel (which I avoid like the plague since they are redoing the damn thing), it took me to the Jacques-Cartier bridge.  Hmmm.  This meant going through boroughs and along streets I was not expecting (nor familiar with, at least not this far north).

 

It took everything in my power NOT to pull over and take a bunch of pictures.  Though I will admit to taking quick pics at stop signs and stop lights… ahem.

I am determined, now, to take a day (I would have today but with yesterday’s snowfall?  The street, and especially parking, will be hell.

See that slushy mess?  And the ploughs pass when they do and you get snowed in. It’s gross and unpleasant.  I shall see what the deal is shortly!

Now I just have to remember where I saw the following mural – taken through my dirty window while at a red light (I’m not that foolish!)

Maybe GPS is not so bad after all, eh?

 

 

 

An Evening of Culture

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Les collections 1960-1965 – Le catalogue raisonné de Jean Paul Riopelle

1960.001P.1960 – Composition, 1960

Way back in October, I purchased one ticket to go see “Riopelle Symphonique” at the Théâtre Wilfrid-Laurier (the largest of the five halls) within Place des Arts and the day finally arrived for me to go a week ago, today.  I had just seen “Sans Paroles Harmonium Symphonique”, with my buddy Julie, which was a symphonic interpretation of the the music of Harmonium, a Québécois group I was very into in high school.  It was an enjoyable experience, so I figured why not see what the same co-creators, Serge Fiori (formerly of the said group) and Nicolas Lemieux and new guy Blair Thompson did with this one.  My father had admired Jean-Paul Riopelle’s work as an artist so I knew the name, and I figured, hell, if nothing else, I’ll learn a bit about this artist and, if I don’t care for it, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is always a treat.  This year is the centennial of Riopelle’s birth, ergo, the celebration.

I skipped dining downtown and went directly to the show, which started at 8:00.  Some putz blocked the street I needed to go up to to park in the underground parking lot so I drove around and was lucky enough to find one on the street. Bonus! $15 saved (providing I didn’t get a parking ticket!)

Art on the streets next to the Quartier des Spectacles (Entertainment Quarter)

I live on the South Shore of Montreal so I don’t always know what’s going on in town.  I might hear of something but outta sight, outta mind, and all that.  What a pleasant surprise to see a bunch of bright lights!  I determine immediately that I would meander after the show and take in the sites.

Got to my nosebleeder seat…. Oy!  With no zoom on my phone, this is how far I was to the stage…. hellllloooooooo down there….

The curtains opened and we had the whole MSO and two choirs (Petits Chanteurs de Laval and Choeur Temps Fort) on either side of it!  I couldn’t quite understand the conductor, Adam Johnson’s outfit… It was not a classic tux and tails, It was a white tux with… um… feathers?  Apparently, Riopelle was a huge fan of geese and.. yeah, I don’t get that part.

The music started and it was quite lovely, two of the three screens descended and… ah hell.  All of us up in the balcony start murmuring our displeasure.  It bugged me to no end that, in creating this piece, they did not take the time to come up to the balcony and see what we would see.  I promise you it is the only “illegal” photo I took during the show because I was thinking of you, dear readers, and wanted to show you what I saw.  Oh, and thankfully, that fat head to the left sat a little lower later on…

Those damn spotlights.

I know, I know, get over it.  But still.

PHOTO : VICTOR DIAZ LAMICH – RADIO CANADA

How much more enjoyable it would have been to see the above, eh?  It took us a while to resign ourselves to not seeing the art properly and just enjoy the music.  I did. Mostly.  This was like a play in five acts, with the disembodied voice of the artist, through various interviews joining two sections. You could hear him drawing on his ever-present smoke as he spoke.

He was a “stream of conscious” painter.  He worked on one piece from beginning to end in one session.  No touching up, no coming back to do anything whatsoever the next day.  And he could not stand to be watched while painting either.

“Dans l’exécution, je n’ai pas de temps à perdre à chercher. Il faut que ça marche tout de suite.   Je n’aime pas faire le spectacle. S’il y a un spectateur, il y a une distraction. Je ne pourrais pas le supporter.”

My translation:  In the execution, I don’t have time to waste searching. It has to work right away.  I don’t like to perform. If there is a spectator, there is a distraction.  I could never stand it.

I had to laugh at one point when we heard him explain that he was an  EXpressionist and not an IMpressionist (having a complete disdain for the genre) “..as they are liars.  Unlike them, I paint what I see…”   Nkay…

Jean Paul Riopelle | Art Canada Institute

Les oies bleues (The White Geese)

He was an interesting artist and extremely successful in his lifetime – way back in the 60’s paintings could go for anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 and more.

He also got into sculpture.  I’m not a fan but hey, art and subjectivity and all that 🙂

La Victoire et le Sphinx (Victory and the Sphinx

I am happy I went to see this, though in all honesty, I am not sophisticated enough to appreciate the joining of the music with the art.  The music changed for each of the five sections to purportedly match the different eras of his art, but, to me, it didn’t feel quite so.  I read a few reviews after the day after, and it appears I was not alone.  One said, and I paraphrase : “The music could have been for anything, including a biopic of Maurice Richard (hockey player) or some historical saga.  The music, while competent enough, does not detract from the lovely visual, but that it would not be the reason to see the show, nor buy the soundrack.”  Maybe I am not as unsophisticated as I thought?

I always take the final bow

I made my way down the crowded staircase and finally out the door for some welcome fresh air.  There was much gaiety all around.  I discovered that it was “Montréal en lumières” or Montreal in Lights.  Quite the fête, let me tell you.  It was still going strong at 9:30 p.m. on a Thursday night.  And since I’ve already taken up way too much of your time, I shall just leave you with a few pics 🙂

Ferris Wheel on St.Catherine
Lights you can turn
Slides that had everyone hooting and laughing
Walking through a tunnel
Hanging by the “fire”

And a short video.  There was dancing and skating, too (I didn’t go up to the rink…)

On my way home, I passed in front of this sculpture. The traffic light serendipitously turned red, so I opened my passenger window, leaned over and… click!  (I had never seen it lit up, couldn’t pass up the chance, eh?)

Nimble to Zen

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Fingers laced through the handle of my coffee cup

warming my hands

I gaze out through my patio door

It’s a colourless February day

Yesterday’s rain and wind have melted the piles of snow

But I know, winter is far from over.

I look up and see a squirrel scamper nimbly without a care

along the wires that criss-cross my backyard

From there he jumps onto an outstretched tree limb

runs along it then up and around the trunk, making

his journey all the more interesting

as no other beastie, two-legged or four

is chasing him and I see him no more

Was it that long ago that I was so intrepid?

Without a thought I would climb

to the top of the monkey bars

and stand on the summit, arms outstretched

fearless, though heart thumping

(there is no proof as no way would

mom or dad have approved)

There is not enough money in the world to get me to do that again.

©Ron Jones

Just last September, I gingerly made my way to my roof

stepped onto the rusty little table, then up onto the fence

(around my propane tank)

holding on for dear life to the house roof

as I hauled myself up onto the garage roof (lower)

I stood up, legs wobbly, heart pounding

but feeling exhilarated

(No matter that I have watched my son

hop, step and jump his way up with nary a care

sigh)

still

I am not so feeble that I daren’t try

And how it was worth it!

I may not be as nimble; I may not be as quick

but that’s okay because I still do things

that make my heart quicken and me feel alive

I have also learnt that it is quite okay

to step back, centre, stretch, meditate

and find my Zen

Even the squirrels find the time

 

 

 

Remember Brooklyn? – Friday Fictioneers

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Good Thursday, my peeps.  It’s a grey day here and I wanted to go for my daily walk but I was on slo-mo and now I can’t go because my contractor is coming for some last minute thingies and I’ve run out of time.  If I had been smart and organized, I’d have been out the door by nine but hey, I’m nothing if not go-with-the-flow.  As a result, well, why not play Friday Fictioneers?  Go on over to Rochelle’s blog by clicking here to find out the how-to’s inspired by Roger Bultot’s photo below.  Got a 100-word story simmering in your noggin that just needs release?  Click on the the lovebirds below and add your link.  G’head, it’s fun!

©Roger Bultot

Infant's Class Teddy - Kermit the Frog - Charleville National School

Dear Bill,

Going over some old photographs today, I found our trip to Brooklyn.  Do you remember?  It was November and the trees were still dressed in golden yellow leaves.  We were excited to be together again.

We were determined to cross into Manhattan by subway (getting lost in the confusing labyrinth), so we could walk back over the Brooklyn Bridge.  Such tourists we were. 🙂  We decided to stop for pizza at Grimaldi’s and had to pool our money, because they only took cash. Best pie ever!

Just thought I’d bring you for my walk down memory lane…

Lotsa love,

Lianne

 

Midnight (Close Enough) Walk

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*I handwrote most of this post in my Whatever Pages Book last night instead of typing it directly, as I try to unplug from all electronics a good hour (lucky if it’s a half-hour) before bed.  And I didn’t want to, once again, have an idea for a post but wait so long that it becomes too late, so…

After watching the flag-fest that was the the Eagles/49ers game and then foolishly watching the refs-are-off-the-deep-end Bengals/Chiefs game, B and I hung up in annoyance.  There were better ways to spend our time, we both thought.  During the half time of the second game, I went out to shovel the walkway.  I realised it was perfect out there and declared that I was going to for a walk after the game.  The more the farce game went on, the less I felt like going out there so I ended up on the internets, pfaffing away my time with comments here and there, until finally deciding around 11 pm, to hell with it, I was wasting my time again.  A much better use of said time was to go out.

I checked the temps:  -9℃, feels like -11℃ (16℉/12℉) and decided my rather thick leggings would suffice, though I put on my big Canadian-style boots, my only-when-it’s-at-least -10℃ coat, ski mitts and tuque, of course, and out the door I went.

Face-to-face with the half moon competing with the lamppost, I clicked a few, thinking I’ll use them for the Boucherville FB photo group and made my way to the nearby park.

I marvelled at how bright it was (the reason I prefer snow to rain in the winter, is it brightens everything) and the clouds were fascinating.

Don’t scratch your screen, it’s not dust, they’re stars 😉

As I approached the outdoor hockey rink (now equipped with a fantastic heated changing shed), I was surprised to find it empty.  Yo, Rog, it’s close to midnight on a Sunday, what did you expect?  I still expected, what can I say?  They play in much colder climes and often at night!

The rink
The shed – taken on another outing but here for clarification purposes

The crunch of my boots on the packed snow and the faraway beeps of the snowploughs readying the parking lots for tomorrow’s employees and patrons were the only sounds keeping me company.   The snow sparkled under the moon and the trees cast their shadow under the lampposts.

I am amazed that my hands are not freezing when I remove my mitts to take pictures. It’s weird, really. I have Raynaud’s Syndrome which only comes into play if I hold something cold.  But the cold itself doesn’t really bother them.  Well, obviously, in really cold temps, I needs must have those mitts on (gloves are useless for me) but I am amazed at how long I can go without before needing to warm them up again.

 

This just might be card-worthy…

I decide to simply walk the loop of the park, then make my way home.  It is late, after all, and my thighs are thinking it might have been nice to find themselves in warmer snow pants (it’s not that bad but go too far…)

I am surrounded by beauty.

And loathe to go home.

But it’s getting late… Now it’s close to midnight!  But just one more before I pick up the pace.

Oooh… No, this one!

On the last stretch, I encounter the first and only other human.  To my bonsoir! I receive nothing.  I choose to think he did not hear me.

I feel my cheeks getting more ruddy with each step.  My legs are going to be happy to find themselves wrapped in warm blankets.  Surely I will sleep well?

 

A Little Something for Sheree

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*Wow, just realised this is my 1200th post!

Yesterday afternoon I went for a nice two-hour walk, camera looped around my neck (no camera bag, so no zoom lens, as my back was barking), hoping to find something for today’s Wordless Wednesday, over on Sorryless.  Of COURSE, there was more than one occasion where I would have liked to have my zoom.  Live with our choices, I say.  So what if I couldn’t get a nice closeup of this tree filled with robins and one blackbird who was lording it up top, and that I had to manipulate the hell out of to help you see their red bellies?

I count 15 robins, what say you?

The forecast was for partial sun and lemme tell you, it was partial a’ight (or ayt, as my kids write it).  I walked around the corner towards my usual park (which feels like an eon since I last walked to it) it started to lightly snow.  By the time I turned to the next street, snowfall had become nil.  But the sun was a tease.  Or maybe it was the clouds that were just too damn possessive and wanted to keep the rays all to themselves?

The clouds did open their jaws for a brief moment…showing some blue

Allowing a small area to light up for a short period of time…

Oh no, wait.  Not that light!   This one.

And the one that made trees cast shadows, added sparkle to pine needles, and pop to playgrounds.

It got me to thinking man, oh man, where is the golden hour from last week.  LAST WEEK!  Oh! How could I forget?  I promised Sheree, from View From the Back, the church bells!  After last week’s Wordless Wednesday on Sorryless, she said how much she enjoyed church bells and I promised her some…

I had shared some images without including the Sainte Anne de Varennes Minor Basilica, so why not share them now, right?

The video is a tad long but hey, I was in the moment and the light was so beautiful and the wind crisp and when the second person was headed into the video, I stopped. Plus, they were dying down.

Hope you enjoy, Sheree!