THE SUNFLOWER

As the summer garden has slowly died and made way for the last blooms, the sunflower is one of the flowers I miss the most. There are several varieties which have grown in my garden. It was featured in one of my favourite movies- Under the Tuscan Sun- a sweet film based in Tuscany, Italy. Vincent Van Gogh's famous painting of Sunflowers is etched in everyone's mind due to the enormous price tag it obtained in modern times.

Sunflowers are grown around the world and can be a national- Ukranie or state flower- Kansas. They are the source of food- sunflower seeds, cooking oil and even used to feed domestic animals in some countries. In our area there used to be fields of sunflowers as not all the farms grew corn. Housing developments have grown instead. Hopefully, the homeowners will plant some sunflowers and keep some local tradition. On many occasions I have observed bees pollinating our flowers, our little gold finches eating the nectar and once the flowers are mature our squirrels trying to eat them and if not stalked properly, they snap the heads off. I just like the flower as it can be the tallest flower in the garden along with the hollyhocks. It is a happy flower- gira a sole- turns to the sun. In a good year my husband, Adolph has planted a nice row to border the vegetable garden- before the squirrels attack, of course. Do you have sunflowers in your garden? Do they have any meaning for you? Is there another flower that brings joy to you?

Can there be too many sunflowers in our lives?

THAT TODDLER YEAR

The sweet baby evolves into a busy, busy toddler. Walking with that sway from side to side, as balance is a new experience. Into everything, exploring, touching, grabbing, and finding the unsafe item in the environment faster than one can think about. The language development between 12 months and 24 months amazes me. From pointing and one word to 2- 3 word sentences and before long even correct verb tenses. My grandchildren's development has been such a reminder of the joy of experiencing the world from a fresh perspective. Do you have a toddler in your life? What do you enjoy the most? For me it has been the pleasure of being part of my little people's lives.

THE MCMICHAEL COLLECTION

Due to the generosity of Robert and Signe McMichael , a beautiful gallery in Kleinberg, Ontario houses the Group of Seven artists' collection, many works by Emily Carr, Inuit, Northwest Coastal Native Art and Woodland Native art by such persons as Norval Morrisseau. The grounds have developed with the northern pine trees to reflect the parts of Ontario where many paintings were created. Major Canadian artist Tom Thomson painted in Algonquin Park which ironically is where he died at a young age. His main works are there in the gallery. A.Y. Jackson, J.E. H. MacDonald, Lawren Harris, Arthur Lismer, F. H. Varley, Franklin Carmichael and A. J. Casson forming the Group of Seven- their works are the masterpieces of the collection. It is easy to stop and reflect on each painting or go from room to room to obtain an overview of each artist's style. Different exhibits of new artists or themes are displayed occasionally so there is always something new to enjoy along with the original exhibits. This is one of my favourite places to visit and it is very close to my home- an easy drive of 20 minutes. When there have been family guests, it is a spot to take them and to have them gain a glimpse into Canadian art from the landscape perspective in a peaceful, quiet, rustic setting.

Do you have a favourite art gallery? What type of art do you love? Are you eclectic? Liking art from different eras and styles? Do you like one particular style only? Like a photo, a picture captures a moment in time.

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THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE

The bridge had been on my mind for awhile since I had seen it on the way to a wedding recently. So on my Sunday drive, finally took the photograph. It looks as if it takes you somewhere but there is nothing around, it is in a field. It looks to me as if it belonged to another time when the area was just bush and farms, not the built up housing developments so prevalent in the area now. There seems to be a road or path leading to it but from the highway it would be difficult to maneouvre a vehicle. Do you see a bridge to nowhere? Is it taking you somewhere? Or do you see a different story?

A DRIVE IN THE COUNTRY

Sometimes a drive not far from home can bring small pleasures. Yesterday, I wanted to photograph a bridge to nowhere west of Woodbridge, Ontario. Finding the bridge, decided to take a different route home and ventured into the small town of Kleinberg- a trendy place with cute stores, crafts, little restaurants, people from the city and nearby walk around on a Saturday/Sunday and can be pretentious or cool. I photographed the street- early morning with no one there. Enjoying the Fall colours along the route back home, snapped more photos. Have you ever taken a drive and just enjoyed the view, stopping to enjoy the common, everyday things?

LIFE PRESENTS ITSELF

Have you ever been trying to solve a problem and just plain wonder what you are going to do about a situation? Somewhere along my journey in life, I started to rely on my favourite saying

" Life will present Itself!"

By taking a step back from many circumstances, the solution begins to unfold. Being right, being in a power struggle, boxed into a corner can create the need to have an answer and the best answer of everyone involved. By waiting for the process to evolve gives the responsibility back to others and well life. Taking a break allows the mind to declutter and make room for new ideas to enter. Of course,there may be times such as an emergency, action needs to happen immediately and one does the best possible action in the moment! In counselling with people, presenting the various options available allow the person to chose a road and to add whatever is needed to travel safely. For me, personally and professionally, I do have a way if asked for an immediate answer, not to be trapped but say- " Let me think about it and I will get back to you!" Some may say, let me sleep on it. Doesn't a new day sometimes often bring clarity to your life? If I have become too emotionally involved in something, some distance or a day or two, reduces the emotional response allowing for a softer conclusion. Although, we all get caught in knee jerk reactions to situations. That is why I try to ground my energy, figure out what needs to be said or done. Life can bring people, ideas to us that are necessary to get to the next step. Like the picture, is the solution just around the corner? Around the bend? What do you use to help get to the next step? Have you ever wished you had waited for a different answer?

THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY

Or TGIF as we say to our many colleagues on a Friday. For some Friday is just the start of a weekend shift. For most it is the start of our beloved weekends. Why do we all try to put a week's worth of fun into two days? Waking Saturday morning knowing it is the weekend! Of course for the retirees it does not have the same significance anymore! My weekends are spent with grandchildren, trying to catch up with the many household tasks and enjoying my interests. I have learnt to try to spread the mundane things like laundry, mopping floors and decluttering over the week. An hour here and there does feel so burdensome. How do you enjoy the Friday before your weekend? Are you glad it just arrived? Here's to Friday and the opportunity to have a break from our regular work week.