Walking through the newly landscaped Clarence Square Park on my way home; looking back toward Wellington Street. It's a substantial improvement to that little part of the city, and includes a large, fenced dog run and numerous new trees. My enjoyment of the one-minute walk through it mornings and evenings is enhanced too.
It wasn't so bad going back to work after the long weekend. I started a new walking route, taking a longer way to and from work, via Richmond Street.
Happy birthday Dad. I love you very much.
I smelled these blossoms before I saw them.
A lot of people criticise the obligatory art that comes with every new condo. I like these pieces a lot though; how they evoke both rail and water travel. Tribute to the rail corridor just north and the harbour just south. I always admire how that one there flirts with the western sky.
The [big, important] proposal is coming together; feeling better about it than anything I've done since I started this job last June. Tired though. Ready for it to be over.
Dinner tonight with Ceri. I heat up leftover turkey chilli I'd frozen in the freezer. While messing around in that freezer I found some leftover roasted peppers and onion, and added it to the chilli. We also had salad wth bocconcini and strawberries (marinated in lemon, lemon zest, oil and wine vinegar), and pita toasted in the oven with olive oil and rosemary.
It was delicious.
(Bed now – BEFORE eleven.)
It was 15°C when I left for work this morning. Practically spring! Didn't wear gloves, or a scarf. When I left work to come home it was 5° and gusting winds and drizzling, sleeting and even hail at one point. My hands were so cold, holding my umbrella and my camera that I couldn't hold the camera still enough to get a clear shot of anything. This one came out relatively clear and I'm glad. I liked this couple, and particularly the colour of her coat and beret against the grey evening. I have no idea what their faces look like, but from behind, they reminded me of my friends Jamie and Frank.
…that wind was wicked. Making my way up toward that sky, I was almost walking in place. Weather people said it was well above 0C. Pfff right. The pictures look so benign.
Winter, I'm over you. Go away, get some rest, try again next year.
The main objective of the afternoon was to go to the grocery store and re-stock the pitiful refrigerator, and get things for tomorrow's family dinner. Walked by way of the Harbourfront on the way home, watched people skate, looked at the water and some of the ships docked there.
Later we took the streetcar to Broadview and Danforth, and had souvlaki in Greektown and walked up the Danforth to Monica's for wine, more food and a game of Mexican Train with a fun bunch. Got a ride back to Bloor and Spadina and walked home from there. 1:30 or so, fall into bed, tired and full of food. Blessed.
Last night Ceri and I were talking about how difficult it is to wake up in the mornings these days, and I agreed with him that’s it’s all January’s fault. Then, this morning I find wakefulness particularly elusive and when I finally drag myself out of bed I find it’s because it’s even darker than usual, thanks to heavily overcast skies and rain outside. My discombobulated state lingers when I find my apartment still dark as night even at 8:30 when I’m leaving for the office. As I round into Spadina Ave. the wind whips down and tries to wrestle my umbrella from me, but I win and when I get up into the street it’s not so bad.
I adore the colour of the atmosphere when it rains; I think that’s why I have this perpetual love for rainy days. The colours are mystical, and they paint the world under those clouds sinking low to enclose us protectively, and the glint of wet pavement, and lights taking on an incandescent glow sparkle against that purple-blue-grey hue in a way I find both comforting and inspiring.
Okay, generally, rainy days in January are not so charming. But it’s +4C and feeling absolutely balmy. Thinking about the forecasted big freeze coming our way this weekend, me and my rose – I mean purple-blue-grey – coloured glasses try to capture photos of the colours over the course of my journey while considering buying a new warm coat because it is, after all, January.
The colours of rain – beautiful thing number eighty-three.
When I walk inside my office building this morning, a woman is saying, "it's god-awful-ugly out there" and I'd just been thinking about the gorgeousness of the city under rain.