Blueberrymoon

09:10 am

This was taken at Northport beach at around 6 pm. We are looking towards Prince Edward Island on the Northumberland Strait. It is one of those beaches that is shallow and full of sand bars so you can walk out for ages at high tide and still just be in up to your waist. These were a group of kids looking for wee crabs and starfish.
I also have a horizontal version of this pic and cannot decide between the two. You can click on the picture to go to my Flickr and see the horizonal one. Which do you prefer?

05:35 pm

We stopped in this really great place called Chatterbox Cafe to have some lunch. I adore the two sentries on either side of the door.It is in Pugwash. Delicious food, books and free internet....what more could a traveler ask for?

Pugwash is an interesting little place. It has a bright spot in the history books. Home to the Thinker's Lodge. Where the first of the Pugwash Conferences was held

The first meeting, was held in 1957, here at the birthplace of the American philanthropist Cyrus Eaton, who hosted and financed the meeting. 22 scientists from around the world attended. (seven from the United States, three each from the Soviet Union and Japan, two each from the United Kingdom and Canada, and one each from Australia, Austria, China, France, and Poland).The stimulus for that gathering was a manifesto issued in 1955 by Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein -- and signed also by Max Born, Percy Bridgman, Leopold Infeld, Frederic Joliot-Curie, Herman Muller, Linus Pauling, Cecil Powell, Joseph Rotblat, and Hideki Yukawa -- which called upon scientists of all political persuasions to assemble to discuss the threat posed to civilization by the advent of nuclear weapons . These meetings still go on today. A basic rule is that participation is always by individuals in their private capacity (not as representatives of governments or organizations).

In 1995, fifty years after the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and fifty years after the signing of the Russell-Einstein Manifesto, the Pugwash Conferences and Joseph Rotblat were award ed the Nobel Peace Prize jointly. "for their efforts to diminish the part played by nuclear arms in international politics and, in the longer run, to eliminate such arms".
The Norwegian Nobel committee hoped that awarding the prize to Rotblat and Pugwash would"encourage world leaders to intensify their efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons".

In his acceptance speech, Rotblat quoted a key phrase from the Manifesto:

"Remember your humanity".

09:18 am

H and I went to Port Howe for a couple of nights. It was great to be out of the city. A friend of mine rented a cottage for a few weeks and invited us to stay a bit. People who have a cottage to go to are so fortunate, a place to recharge and shed the stress of regular life. Ahhh.
This was taken in Oxford through the window of a fascinating store. That's H waiting for me to finish poking around.
We got to talking to the owner who was from Newfoundland and she told some great tales about the hauntings and goings on in that place.

It used to be a hardware store, the oldest in Cumberland County, built sometime in early 1800. When they were renovating, a paint can flew off the ladder and shot down the counter. Another time she had the door shut and was alone, dancing away to the old Wurlitzer juke box, when a small mirror that they had on the door, shot off the door and across to the the counter again. It did it twice. She figured maybe the ghost of old Mr. Dunstead(?) didn't like change. She then took crazy glue and stuck it to the door, it dropped to the floor later.

They live in the apartment upstairs and that is a busy spot too:) Who knows, fun to hear tales like that tho....
I took a picture of her just after her stories and when I  tried to upload it, it was a corrupted file. Did not work.

09:58 am

I got tickets to see Elton John in September!  Yay! Very exciting. Very EXPENSIVE, but he is one of my big faves. An icon. We will be on the floor, I wanted lower bowl but clicked on "the best available seats" and this is what we got. I love his music. Benny and the Jets! I used to work at a pizza/pub place in Toronto when I was 19 . They had a juke box full of great music and every night after closing, I would blast that song while putting the chairs up on the tables and sweeping the floors. Brings me right back every time I hear it.

In other news, my vinyl painting sold! I went down to the gallery yesterday to get a picture of it in daylight and couldn't find it anywhere. Gone! Someone on vacation from the US purchased it. I am happy but sad that it is not there for anyone to see anymore.

I have ten small flower paintings for sale at Love, Me Boutique. That was a fun project. Something bright and cheerful for summer.

My last bit of Friday catchup is a bit odd. H and I have sponsored a girl from Nicaragua for several years. I just got a message from them this week saying my sponsorship of her has stopped, she is out of the program.  Said it doesn't happen very often but this is the case here. My  Virmania has gotten MARRIED. She is 13!  Turning 14 in November. I was VERY surprised. The letter did address that and said although it is uncommon, early marriages do take place still . They have partnered us with a new wee girl named Darling.

04:31 pm

This is where I was on Sunday. We had a family gathering at my brother's house, mainly his wife's family. They are a huge crowd! Lots of kids:) Isn't the pool lovely. They have a terrific place about a twenty minute drive from us.
I had a great time taking pictures.....don't we all!


Yee Haw! Love the thumbs.


This is A, she's a sweetie.



A's older sister and a friend



The newest member


More pool!

07:57 am

July 14th. Bastille Day. This is a national holiday in France. It was the day the Bastille was stormed and the new French Nation was born. Always lots of fanfare and celebration.

I was in Paris one year on Bastille day and the Champs Elysees was shut down for a parade at dusk. It was a military parade in honour of some anniversary I can't remember. Possibly the liberation of Paris. Jeeps and soldiers and then tanks rumbled along the street. You could feel the earth shake. Quite oppressive and very daunting. People were very quiet. There was an old man next to me who started to get very emotional. It had brought flashbacks of the war to him. The last time he had witnessed tanks, and felt that ominous rumbling was during the occupation of Paris by the Nazi regime and then the liberation. Jets flew very low down the length of the boulevard and then fireworks erupted from the Arc de Triomphe and continued for thirty minutes! Quite a spectacle.There were thousands of people in the crowds that night.

Another Bastille Day was spent on the tiny Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon. Quite different. These salty wee islands are part of France  and are situated just off Newfoundland. The day started with a thick grey  fog that rolled in off the sea and later, in the town square, everyone was invited to share a small glass of wine with the Mayor and then  a feast of mussels for anyone who was inclined. Red, white and blue ribbons decorated lapels and small flags were draped gaily across windows and  door ways.

Two very different Bastille Days but interesting nevertheless.

Today's festivities  will include some painting, housekeeping and fitness activities

07:12 pm

Nova Scotia Memories

What a gorgeous day here. Actually we have had an amazing run of wonderful weather. Just beautiful.

I spent the entire day painting today and did not see much of the sun. That is the thing with being self employed, you work when the work needs doing. I am finishing up on the commission for the condiment labels, still more to do, far more work than I thought it would be but interesting and very satisfying ultimately. I have not had much time for my eBay painting and so made sure that I managed to finish one today and get it up.

We are going to Alberta in two weeks for a vacation to visit my brother. I want to have things organized and taken care of before we leave so there is a lot of stuff  I have to get done. I would like to have extra paintings finished so I can start some auctions as soon as we get back. That's another thing about self employment.... when you are not working, there is no income.

My brother lives in Red Deer which is halfway between Calgary and Edmonton. My mom and daughter and I are going. The only thing I really want to do is visit Banff. I have never seen the Rockies. We will be at a hotel in the West Edmonton Mall for two nights before we leave. H's idea of heaven. I have yet to be convinced:)

07:46 am

I

The VinylView  opening was a lot of fun and the works of art were so creative and some quite remarkable! Well worth popping by if you are able.  I am going back for a less crowded view. The show runs until August.
HERE is a little slide show.

08:21 am

Barrington Street

Ok folks, put on your vinyl pants and head over to The Argyle Fine Art Gallery down at Historic Properties tonight at 7pm!

A night of celebration of two great loves ...music and art, as over 60 artists locally, across Canada and abroad such as Las Vegas, come together to put on a show like no other in Halifax! Expect the unexpected! Vinyl records were used to create works of art in every medium you can imagine.

The show opens at 7pm on July 10th. Continues until August 4th.

The gallery will be closed from 5pm until opening time, to prepare for all of you lovely guests.

There will be a special live performance by Dreamsploitation throughout the evening. CD's will be available for sale.

ALSO!! VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE WORK IN THE SHOW while at the gallery or online, and the artist may win his/ her own Gold Record!

Sounds like fun doesn't it.
Some of the submissions are AMAZING!

09:32 am

Isn't she a cutie? We were at the Farmers Market on Saturday and she caught my eye. They had just arrived from Newfoundland the night before and the wee thing was all tuckered out.

02:18 pm

Well, things are finally slowing down on the social circuit. Our guests have gone and the Prom is over and now  that we've had a bit of fun, it is back to business as usual! Here are some prom pics.  My daughter is in the middle in the royal blue gown.
Gorgeous day here in Nova Scotia. Hot, sunny and marvelous.

10:42 am

Wildflower Cottage

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

It is a humid and warm one here. The sun appears to be peeking out.

H will be on her way home from PEI. It was rainy and dark the whole time they were there :(  They stayed in a friend's cottage the first night and the second was going to be spent in the tent.

Well, it didn't happen because the rain was lashing down and there was thunder and the ground was mud, so they all spent a very uncomfortable night sleeping in the car. Next  day was continued  rain, and the prospect of another night in the car. Hard to have fun at a beach in the rain .

I found a cottage nearby that could sleep 7, booked it, and with the help of some other parents paid for it.

H called me just after they had checked in to say THANKS!!. She  told me that when they opened the door and walked in they all started screaming and jumping up and down as teenage girls do when happy and excited.
So glad to get out of the wet weather and into the warm and dry. First thing they did was make tea.

Then went out to visit Green Gables, Anne's House.

Anyway, despite it all I think they had a great time. First time camping did not work out so they will try it again another time. A learning experience for all.


 

12:33 pm

I am going cross eyed uploading a bazillion prom and graduation pictures!
Will post some when I am finished. It was wonderful and they all looked beautiful. So happy and proud of themselves.

Yesterday H and six of her friends set off for a camping trip to Prince Edward Island. First time off on their own.
It is raining and cloudy. I hope the excitement of being on their own will carry them through:)

11:14 am

Another wonderful day here in Nova Scotia!

I just coloured my hair and feel like I've asphyxiated myself. What nasty stuff. Toxic fumes!  Not sure if I'll be doing it again for a while, if ever. There is such pressure to keep away the grey. I wanted to doll myself up a bit for H's graduation.
Why do we do these things to ourselves?

It's like teeth whitening. My dentist told me the other day that when he started his practice, B1 was the top of the scale, given to the whitest  natural enamel. He laughed and said now that that's just where they start (!) when whitening teeth. 

We are creating such artificial standards for ourselves. It's impossible to be natural and reach those standards. We will always fall short because they are only attained through chemicals and intervention. Sigh.  Where are my Crest white strips?

The picture above was taken at the start of the Public Footpath along the Northwest Arm. It runs from the Dingle to the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron. A lovely walk that not many people know about.

01:26 pm

Fun stuff! This is a painting on a vinyl record!
I am taking part in a group show  called Vinyl View at  the Argyle Fine Art Gallery  that runs from July 10th- Aug 4th.
It is being held in conjunction with the Jazz festival. The exhibit is any kind of art made with vinyl records.... sculpture, jewelery, whatever you can dream up. I have also painted the record jacket. This is entitled Bernstein's Bouquet because the album I painted over was Bernstein's Greatest hits:) I kept the very centre of the flowers unpainted so the vinyl would give it a sparkle.
Here is a Facebook page about the event. Some of the submissions are really cool. Worth popping in to see. I'll post a reminder when the show is on.

PS. Jen W, submissions close on July 5th. Anything you might be interested in doing?

06:57 pm

Moon Window Cat

Very boring name for such a pretty picture. I was too tired to come up with something poetic.

Busy day that started with me taking the van to the garage because of progressively wonky steering and a suspicious noise. It is still in the shop and will cost me $1355!!!  Ack.
At some point soon I will have to do the..."is it worth fixing" scenario.
The plus is that I have no  car payments now.

Humid and foggy here. Keep fingers crossed for sunshine on Thursday evening!

08:43 pm

Psychfringe, recognize this?

10:38 pm

Yay, 2008 version!! Makes me smile.

09:29 am

These are the gates of the Halifax Public Gardens. They are really quite beautiful. This was lovely in colour too but I thought it would make a good black and white photo. H was in there doing a photo shoot for a school media project. She had her friends bring several changes of clothing and they all posed  for a  fashion shoot:) H  had to design a web page, do a poster and a presentation on her "fashion line". They had a ball and some of her pictures were amazing:)

They will be back here in a week for more picture taking.......PROM! Keep your fingers crossed for a warm sunny evening next Thursday.

I've had a very gratifying thing happen to me recently. My work is going to be used  to decorate a new Pediatrics Unit at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The designer contacted me a while ago through etsy, and I just shipped off the prints yesterday to their framer! I am  thrilled to think that my work is going to help brighten the unit and cheer children up. Grateful too.

01:48 pm