Ontario In Winter

This art piece was inspired by an email sent to me by my friend Jane Nixon in Florida. The email was titled "Ontario in Winter" and was simply a plain white page with nothing on it. It gave me the idea for this wintery scene: (it did soak up a lot of white paint)

The original photo used for this watercolour was taken through my car windshield while driving into somewhat of a blizzard, around noon, about half way between Lucknow and Wingham Ontario, in January 1978. You can see that the boundaries of the roadway lack definition. As you might imagine, driving at high speed through these so-called "white-outs" can be dangerous. Email me if you'd like me to send you a matted blow-up of this winter scene.

Click on the picture to enlarge it, "back" to return.

. . . And from my friend Tricia this equally wintery poetic inspiration:

"I get this poem every winter and every winter I love re-reading it.
It's a beautiful poem and very well written."

A poem by Abigail Elizabeth McIntyre

SHIT

IT'S COLD!

The End.

Remembering the old Eskimo (oh sorry, Inuit) dog-sledders' admonition, "Auk ti yuk nick ully ack noots." (loosely translated:  Never eat yellow snow!), I signed this endearing artwork in a warm, flowing yellow, in bright contrast with the snowy background.

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Alicia's Is One Of Our Favorite Stores

Wendy and I usually go to one of the three Farmers' Markets on Saturday, but because we drove to Port Stanley yesterday we decided to come here to Alicia's Fine Foods (formerly Sikorski's Fine Foods) It has always been a favorite of mine. The owner Alicja Sikorski is related to the Sikorski Sausage Co. family (the sausage factory is also located here in London) so she stocks their wonderful line of sausages and deli-meats at great low prices.

Chocolate to die for. Alicia's Fine Foods offers over 100 chocolate brands, the largest collection in London.

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100 chocolate brands, candies, pasta, sauces, frozen desserts, juices, coffees, and 120 different teas. They also offer healthy and natural foods, glutenfree products, natural nutritional supplements, fresh organic milk products, books on healthy eating, European cosmetics, newspapers and magazines.

Alicia’s Fine Foods showcases over 25 types of sausage, more than 40 cold cut deli meats, 30 salamis, hams, wursts, plus domestic and imported cheese in over 120 styles, and certified organic meats.

The freshest European whole grain breads and rolls, 100% rye, 100% spelt and other specialties are baked fresh daily on the premises. Try the desserts and treats such as cookies, cakes and almond rings from Alicia’s Fine Foods. Mealtime is a breeze with their custom made signature sandwiches, creative salads, homestyle soups, and prepared foods such as cabbage rolls, and perogies.

A large selection of easy to prepare deli foods, unique taste sensations from countries and cultures worldwide, as well as natural healthy lifestyles products and special diet foods.

Alicia's Fine Foods is a fabulous place to shop. Once you enter you are immediately embraced by the sounds, smells and customs of a true European marketplace.

There is more... cabbage rolls, an amazing variety of Perogies, goulashes and stews.

The shelves are brimming with an amazing selection of olive oils, vinegars, mustards, jams, and biscuits. Consider over 90 differed kinds of mustard, over 120 flavor filled teas or over 100 varieties of jams and condiments.

No other store in London offers this unique atmosphere combined with the incredibly large selection of so many of Europe's delectable delights and abundance of products, at fair and attractive prices.

With over a quarter of century of experience and service, owner Alicja Sikorski still walks and works the aisles assuring that each customer receive the personal care in service. Stroll the aisles and choose sumptuous and delicious food and goodies imported from many European Countries. CLICK HERE to visit Alicia's Fine Foods web site.
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A Weekend Drive To Port Stanley

We seized the opportunity to drive the 24 miles (36 km) down to Lake Erie through the new fallen snow (snow has been a little scarce here this winter) to the little fishing village of Port Stanley. The town is pretty sleepy this time of year. While Wendy shopped at Joshua's (large building right) I meandered along the docks on the harbour's seawall where the fishing boats lie locked in ice, at least for the frozen months.

Click on the picture to enlarge and the "back" button to return.

I love the contrast of the white snow with the stark, rectangular buildings and the cluttered array of equipment and antennae on the fishing tug. The way the buildings are situated causes the image to be mostly made up of straight horizontal and 90° vertical lines. The earthy colours complement each other, which I think is somewhat lucky since the buildings undoubtedly have different owners. Winter or summer this vantage point, with it's symmetrical and uniformly aligned buildings, interestingly juxtaposed with nature and the fishing vessels, always draws me back.

Fishin' Ships

Above is my summer picture which I only post here to show the same kind of line symmetry that I find so fascinating about this scene. Notice how high the water was when this picture was taken.

It's an easy 24 mi. drive from London to Port Stanley on Lake Erie.

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Happy Robbie Burns Day

For my friend Tricia and all my Scottish friends and everybody else.

Uploaded to YouTube on Jun 17, 2007 by Liozzo

"It's one of the Bard of Scotland's great poems, sung by Andy M. Stewart with Gerry Butler as Robbie Burns. 18th and 19th century Scottish paintings and etchings were adapted as the background, and a number of actresses portray Burns' wife and many loves. One can only hope that the movie about the life of Robert Burns will one day be made. If anyone can do it, Gerry Butler is the man." - Liozzo

If you wish to see it on YouTube CLICK HERE.
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The Human Brain Is Quite Amazing

This is really weird. Focus your attention to the cross in the middle of the pictures and catch the freaky looking aberrations in your peripheral vision. Is this how a caricature artist sees the world?

Click on the picture to enlarge. Back button to return.
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Congratulations Captain Mike, Well Done!

Sue and Mike back from Hong Kong

Our long-time friends Susan and Mike celebrated a momentous event this weekend.  Captain Mike Beatty piloted his last flight before retiring after 39 years of service as an Air Canada pilot. In his amazing career he has flown every type of plane in the AC fleet. I happen to know that Mike was learning how to fly before most of us were learning to drive. Susan went with him on his final assignment and says she had a terrific flight and a wonderful weekend in Hong Kong. Well done Mike. We are very proud of you! We look forward to spending some time with you now that you've joined the ranks of the retired.
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1460 More Days

Four more years. I really hope the US Empire lasts that long. Just so you all know: Barak Obama anagrams to Kaaba Rambo. CLICK HERE to see what Kaaba means and  CLICK HERE to try your own other amusing Anagram.

Let's hear it for good ole Kaaba Rambo!  World's most prolific money printer. God Bless America.
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What The Heck Have You Been Doing All Day?

Age-Activated Attention Deficit Disorder

This is a great video but then, I did have to watch it a few times. My friend Hans Felch from Alberta sent it to me. The sad truth is, memory disorders are... just a minute I have to look it up!

If the above player doesn't work, try YouTube CLICK HERE
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"Why Do You Call Him Dash?"

Dash Takes Tim For A Run In Our Back Yard

Click the picture to enlarge. Esc or Back to return.
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Boring Month and Not Even Any Snow Now!

I find this month a  bit of a let-down as far as interesting things to talk about. I guess "no news is good news" but it doesn't do much for my blog. Please keep checking. I promise to post anything that wakes me up from my Winter hibernation.

Don't worry about me, I'm keeping busy!

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Hmmm. Think About It...

I contend that for a nation
to try to tax itself into prosperity
is like a man standing in a bucket
and trying to lift himself up by the handle ...
-- Winston Churchill

A government big enough
to give you everything you want,
is strong enough
to take everything you have.
- Thomas Jefferson
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The world is getting to be 

such a dangerous place, 

a man is lucky 

to get out of it alive.
W. C. Fields 

A Guy From Another Era...

My "Artist" look.

 You can never have 
too many birthdays! 

Tim 

What will it be like in this crazy world ten years from now? Maybe better, maybe worse but as I've always said... You can never have too many birthdays! For better or worse, have a drink to me on my big day. I hope to see you soon. Cheers my good friends, and "bottoms up".
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Dash's Operation

I find it amusing that the Cat Clinic is right next to Featherfields Bird Store.

Dash was in for the big "operation" today. (In vet talk, his orchiectomy) Poor little guy! It will be interesting to see if he still finds his "Frosty the Snowman" so appealing. While he was there he also "went hi-tech" as he received an ID microchip the size of a grain of rice implanted between his two shoulder blades. How long before the government starts doing these things to us humans?

The end of a long day for Dash. His first stay at the Vet's. In at 9 out by 4 and we're a couple hundred bucks lighter.
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We're Booked!

We just booked a condo in Fort Myers Beach. For security reasons I can't say when we will be there on this blog, but it's a two bedroom for a whole month and it's right on the beach, so email me for the details. Maybe you will come and visit us in Florida. We intend to drive down.

Beach is "sugar white"

Condo	Restaurants	Things to do	Shopping
Transportation	Beach

A trolley runs the whole length of the beach for $0.50 ($0.25 seniors)

 As you can see it's only 2 hours 11 min. to Fort Lauderdale airport. Click Map to enlarge.

The condos were built way back in the 1960's and 70's so they even show up on the chart. Probably the biggest buildings on the beach back then.

Great bars and restaurants with "Happy Hour" on the Intercoastal.

This is a boater's dream location, with lots of places to go and the fishing is good. We plan to rent a pontoon boat when my friend David visits so we can spend the day exploring. I tried to convince Wendy to let me take my dinghy on the car rooftop but she doesn't want the smelly motor and gas tank in the car.
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