tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32733028830439067422024-03-17T10:40:51.044-04:00Recreating EdenMary Soderstrom's blogMary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.comBlogger2671125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-8264428019353493012024-03-17T10:40:00.000-04:002024-03-17T10:40:00.131-04:00Saturday Photo: End of Winter, Sad Rink<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCGXqofImOoNqugfqZA8910OBxtuB1SAw87KjDu8TB7tYdq9dc0tgPp5EUdQwC_fguU8uTTz32aug7B8Qrkh23295qMZ6dO_WMwq05_gXRtTwRTh8nC93GPu-ddmRTievpX322YXd6XUVBZWVlGEcZcEjwrsvGXKthykDjAQ6-67KCGHw_bJnZhmeeBI/s640/rink.end%20of%20winter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCGXqofImOoNqugfqZA8910OBxtuB1SAw87KjDu8TB7tYdq9dc0tgPp5EUdQwC_fguU8uTTz32aug7B8Qrkh23295qMZ6dO_WMwq05_gXRtTwRTh8nC93GPu-ddmRTievpX322YXd6XUVBZWVlGEcZcEjwrsvGXKthykDjAQ6-67KCGHw_bJnZhmeeBI/w300-h400/rink.end%20of%20winter.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> Visited some young friends this week. Their Dad had made a rink in their front yard which only got a little use this winter because it wasn't nearly as cold as it should be.<p></p><p>And this, it appears, is the end of the rink for this year. A little ice left, true, but you need rain boots instead of skatkes. The neighborhood squirrels have discovered it, too. I saw one perched on the edge, leaning over to get a drink one afternoon. <br /></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-67604158754356106462024-03-09T11:08:00.001-05:002024-03-09T11:08:25.889-05:00Saturday Photo: Snowdrops--Is This the New Normal?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSz1pr6Evo0POECEw2VAL4lghZbsZHG5mD2X3Dm3UVO6K4pZ_gigbeQPK1Ss0OcqjNxxMcMPE1RtQy9cKDghCWeoAP_b_hngmbKH6UQ3Q1VO-0scfgFlbmHWMOpxtGPuNb2w09Kjqog168pgG8N0Gf2iakvAitiG19m_8CfLhjPSVaARFcx9A2jUWOik/s3264/snowdrops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSz1pr6Evo0POECEw2VAL4lghZbsZHG5mD2X3Dm3UVO6K4pZ_gigbeQPK1Ss0OcqjNxxMcMPE1RtQy9cKDghCWeoAP_b_hngmbKH6UQ3Q1VO-0scfgFlbmHWMOpxtGPuNb2w09Kjqog168pgG8N0Gf2iakvAitiG19m_8CfLhjPSVaARFcx9A2jUWOik/w480-h640/snowdrops.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> This photo was taken in April 2008 when we still had snow on the ground. The snowdrops this year are already up--March 9!--and the snow cover is long gone.<p></p><p>I'm afraid this is the new normal... Climate change is upon us. <br /></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-2312357454399171272024-03-03T12:53:00.001-05:002024-03-03T12:53:57.083-05:00Saturday Photo: Ice, Open Water and Red-winged Blackbirds<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99n1gOPjn87D9tJAv3Q6G_uHHHNxBpJ3oCrRTuU4iEuwgXpjQmss_qMPRyJZcRG78EEWD3ve229avRYA4-Id2u_8ksLVN19r6236NpoFu-8P7HiW2_yLTyA6oFUGz2j6AV7l84mZNdMlr-Q8JgYFBUaq6GXFQrUalNc7rEA6iEqg5AFOLk8G7AGE3YA0/s640/remaining%20ice%203.3.2024.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99n1gOPjn87D9tJAv3Q6G_uHHHNxBpJ3oCrRTuU4iEuwgXpjQmss_qMPRyJZcRG78EEWD3ve229avRYA4-Id2u_8ksLVN19r6236NpoFu-8P7HiW2_yLTyA6oFUGz2j6AV7l84mZNdMlr-Q8JgYFBUaq6GXFQrUalNc7rEA6iEqg5AFOLk8G7AGE3YA0/w480-h640/remaining%20ice%203.3.2024.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> You can't see them, but we definitely heard them. Red-winged Blackbirds were buzzing and calling this morning at the Parc des Rapides de Lachine. <p></p><p>Usually they arrive the third week in March, but obviously they got the word that things will be a little different this year and came north to check out their nesting ground.</p><p>Climate change!<br /></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-5943825805891936392024-02-24T20:14:00.002-05:002024-02-24T20:14:27.850-05:00Saturday Photo: Blue and Sunny Skies!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49zLX-4LT4aQRwZ3VzLGCstzlcJcmLSTlPh_t7HtkScuUUPaot3POpCjYrl_NyTDka3_qxgUuzJNS2vuYlP_0bSFKiyZ25HBQnv-IkwG1ZBzw_5o4xIwYviIr0o7Lq5K0UV2mWnzTOdUUyeCdFDKuMuY3Oh9HVgdY9RECwIOaUZ26RszR2e1nR8tGrak/s640/IMG_0309.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="640" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49zLX-4LT4aQRwZ3VzLGCstzlcJcmLSTlPh_t7HtkScuUUPaot3POpCjYrl_NyTDka3_qxgUuzJNS2vuYlP_0bSFKiyZ25HBQnv-IkwG1ZBzw_5o4xIwYviIr0o7Lq5K0UV2mWnzTOdUUyeCdFDKuMuY3Oh9HVgdY9RECwIOaUZ26RszR2e1nR8tGrak/w640-h450/IMG_0309.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Haven't had many sunny days this winter, but today was one! Hoorah!<br /><p></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-14659319080811312422024-02-17T14:10:00.002-05:002024-02-17T14:10:25.762-05:00Saturday Photo: Skating at Parc Outremont<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-iBCMbc6iiOetyDJlAIa_C4EFbG7_0hY1-ff-9DzsVVsiCzymRQQlwweR9Nl-h7nKHBK3jGuW0B_KVJLJ_U1_DhlNwXAkDr4TdZKF3U_1iRv6_cgF9t8cFMppUfVqrv57rziONQRha5DqTMfmH4b2Vx6cIxAxP4NYRnGdfyYGZDgpgpdWShs5ULvMD8/s3386/ParcOutremont.20.01.2024.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3386" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-iBCMbc6iiOetyDJlAIa_C4EFbG7_0hY1-ff-9DzsVVsiCzymRQQlwweR9Nl-h7nKHBK3jGuW0B_KVJLJ_U1_DhlNwXAkDr4TdZKF3U_1iRv6_cgF9t8cFMppUfVqrv57rziONQRha5DqTMfmH4b2Vx6cIxAxP4NYRnGdfyYGZDgpgpdWShs5ULvMD8/w640-h376/ParcOutremont.20.01.2024.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It's been a hard winter here for people who like winter sports. There has been some snow but the temperature has gone up and down and the outdoor ice rinks have suffered. This weekend looks like it will be one where folks can have some fun. <br /> </p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-17914248468926849832024-02-10T09:02:00.002-05:002024-02-10T09:02:33.497-05:00Saturday Photo: Waiting for the End of Winter<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnw7kzuK8khBwa-ruSCLQNnhD41BvTCD7J9Qq4hogzApA_LQnfy0yyukaBngi2qXkFmHzKvTv1KHGmNwC782nqkKn67pEYFHPbzdL1XLHqfTDGIXaQwQvoFjPDjBrlPfEQSODcZ5N5gxnCZAkahrGedasWdHRyzeUnDfhpim3LJ8tCR7X_2pp0wY7saA/s2448/waiting%20for%202018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnw7kzuK8khBwa-ruSCLQNnhD41BvTCD7J9Qq4hogzApA_LQnfy0yyukaBngi2qXkFmHzKvTv1KHGmNwC782nqkKn67pEYFHPbzdL1XLHqfTDGIXaQwQvoFjPDjBrlPfEQSODcZ5N5gxnCZAkahrGedasWdHRyzeUnDfhpim3LJ8tCR7X_2pp0wY7saA/s320/waiting%20for%202018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> The snow is melting fast, even though it's not even the middle of February. But some folks have everything ready for sunny days and barbecues.<br /><p></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-43082333111946719652024-01-27T08:50:00.001-05:002024-01-27T08:50:26.501-05:00Saturday Photo: Lanewalker in the City<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpWJdRwPXODbXtzNn9ZEbuwiFxaLFtsea14_yh1EKWnBjMBsZLiHqTISUStJWt3Y8yJZAvc2HUVBDMH4ExZ2QiIchKVvjhaHruI-owCBkdVp6f6hsx8d9AkSUJEuJGoHJXmj1MDvgcJzUcedfUGTOoYkaZt4270orxJ-8noudqs_CY28kgdVcz4ti3WQ/s2485/lane.walker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2485" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpWJdRwPXODbXtzNn9ZEbuwiFxaLFtsea14_yh1EKWnBjMBsZLiHqTISUStJWt3Y8yJZAvc2HUVBDMH4ExZ2QiIchKVvjhaHruI-owCBkdVp6f6hsx8d9AkSUJEuJGoHJXmj1MDvgcJzUcedfUGTOoYkaZt4270orxJ-8noudqs_CY28kgdVcz4ti3WQ/w386-h640/lane.walker.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><br /> Lots of alleys in Montreal don't get plowed, and so during the winter they take on the appearance of country lanes. Good for walking, good for thinking that you're far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. <br /><p></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-9634544870730237522024-01-20T16:01:00.002-05:002024-01-20T16:01:28.438-05:00Saturday Photo: Seeing Double in the Winter<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2VuTOdA_jKI9nSEebuzddf6yOLsimfOkFbv5LPABjIveT6E2tQSLd8nZ8SFVhl9eK9tA6_fMQdojyJbKwCXD-wd2L5JKoWtbd_fh1ZJH2uBIruHpydx8NOlsYibDYiBqI0hsZn4rN8FmdEU5KonBU5QAcuEurjuoMHe_9hLEYrZLHBGb839nfvE8xWo/s1932/flowers.reflected.snow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2VuTOdA_jKI9nSEebuzddf6yOLsimfOkFbv5LPABjIveT6E2tQSLd8nZ8SFVhl9eK9tA6_fMQdojyJbKwCXD-wd2L5JKoWtbd_fh1ZJH2uBIruHpydx8NOlsYibDYiBqI0hsZn4rN8FmdEU5KonBU5QAcuEurjuoMHe_9hLEYrZLHBGb839nfvE8xWo/w324-h640/flowers.reflected.snow1.jpg" width="324" /></a></div>This photo was taken several years ago, but it seems appropriate today. You have to look at it twice or on two levels anyway. In the reflection of outside in the window you see the snow of a Montreal winter, but inside there are flowers and plants braving the season.<p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Good to have double vision on these days when it is cold, but the world is growing hotter...<br /> </p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-18006695664722728222024-01-13T09:37:00.002-05:002024-01-13T09:37:23.204-05:00Saturday Photo: Sunrise, Waning Moon, Winter...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWodQltpXBNzmehdDMHOTi741r28XnJXTnkZv8wVbuEc46BtQ8DISgC59VgHXEIbfwFMZkOQ_AYTl2UV6qacLvDTdj411XV_ATIQwLkD5uMCEhv_CGhRTmAnjj0Rmx7w7UfWgaYH5HnRDg3Bydu1Z-bfkvC4aMd0k7Hlo9tkNUS3r8ROMul_J6uJUqJk/s4032/sunrise.05,01.2024.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWodQltpXBNzmehdDMHOTi741r28XnJXTnkZv8wVbuEc46BtQ8DISgC59VgHXEIbfwFMZkOQ_AYTl2UV6qacLvDTdj411XV_ATIQwLkD5uMCEhv_CGhRTmAnjj0Rmx7w7UfWgaYH5HnRDg3Bydu1Z-bfkvC4aMd0k7Hlo9tkNUS3r8ROMul_J6uJUqJk/w480-h640/sunrise.05,01.2024.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>Took this out the front window on one of the few days lately when the skies are clear.<p></p><p>Nice to see the moon for a change, although as you can see it's waning. Full moon January 25: hope there will be clear skies so we can enjoy the spectacle.<br /></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-3123312348902573002024-01-07T20:06:00.002-05:002024-01-07T20:06:34.030-05:00Saturday Photo: First Morning of the Year<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Rm6ytwYGI1X2d3q528jZp_3-F6-dpiEIWm0YEs2WJzW1IVKxW_1pKpKPzf5T1001Olx_RVLpidJG-KVj0ubj2p5vAtz-lRMGtYCjUtwChyphenhyphen3sJrbXziTGkH5OL5N6MuLCGqhTV59oFyMg1KhbYjlSlmPm0rHiokHFCvah-ouNXZLfHGvAGD-LoYKRMoM/s3707/Geese.%201.1.2024.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2886" data-original-width="3707" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Rm6ytwYGI1X2d3q528jZp_3-F6-dpiEIWm0YEs2WJzW1IVKxW_1pKpKPzf5T1001Olx_RVLpidJG-KVj0ubj2p5vAtz-lRMGtYCjUtwChyphenhyphen3sJrbXziTGkH5OL5N6MuLCGqhTV59oFyMg1KhbYjlSlmPm0rHiokHFCvah-ouNXZLfHGvAGD-LoYKRMoM/w640-h498/Geese.%201.1.2024.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Cold morning of January 1 when the water was warmer than the air. Happy New Year all, a little late.<br /><p></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-1795436004110193952023-12-30T13:22:00.003-05:002023-12-30T13:22:57.686-05:00Saturday Photo: Happy New Year<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnhgTZ94tqVds55m-B8rQ1-8XY81pOsuVXp3-GnQmS2MWJg7cPMSZsyk-GF6PQeV8ngp0fODPqOjHALdhJxD_xm-IDufHswYG0uXttrE1xCkOL39rXu0ORA4izmGnJ27M8IT63r7bCVZH3rtyFnbW_-EL8Ea5Ny7L_3_KY6VIFkDO8i7zGaTv5CEmsh8/s2528/clementine.bonne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2076" data-original-width="2528" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnhgTZ94tqVds55m-B8rQ1-8XY81pOsuVXp3-GnQmS2MWJg7cPMSZsyk-GF6PQeV8ngp0fODPqOjHALdhJxD_xm-IDufHswYG0uXttrE1xCkOL39rXu0ORA4izmGnJ27M8IT63r7bCVZH3rtyFnbW_-EL8Ea5Ny7L_3_KY6VIFkDO8i7zGaTv5CEmsh8/w640-h526/clementine.bonne.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-66362838725102848192023-12-23T19:19:00.001-05:002023-12-23T19:19:10.241-05:00Saturday Photo: Stars...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDrVphE82iv3QWJFuXClmumAGz24-UqYbMT30KAXEQoQw_5xoWUY1ykBkgmHQ8-KowKryFFzly7wZL76Bfof6rNBCq_3uJ_QKj9fND8VB-o2uqY-5-DwDEnxLCG9QXhbj1JWqAuM6NzDi2aZz5Smk2aw-FqnITPIo0cfd_828LtQzthAmip093fegpAQ/s1542/sun.snow.detail.1.1.2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1542" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDrVphE82iv3QWJFuXClmumAGz24-UqYbMT30KAXEQoQw_5xoWUY1ykBkgmHQ8-KowKryFFzly7wZL76Bfof6rNBCq_3uJ_QKj9fND8VB-o2uqY-5-DwDEnxLCG9QXhbj1JWqAuM6NzDi2aZz5Smk2aw-FqnITPIo0cfd_828LtQzthAmip093fegpAQ/w400-h311/sun.snow.detail.1.1.2014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Season's Greetings, and all that.<p></p><p></p><p>Here's a link to my Christmas blog, in which there is much about stars...including the sun. https://soderstromyule.blogspot.com/<br /> </p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-67758898481773524332023-12-17T20:07:00.002-05:002023-12-17T20:07:29.601-05:00Saturday Photo: Ice Doesn't Reflect<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NCjL3DuWYeKOWPMDiOL5UXqFU4YMBFtl2t39E88RIZDgAUYkbBOK7N_V0QKMpaW5C-l54xgto_nOvV9SufkV2OfnkvMg2p-FRNF5i1-kqO3d_FSBJOdOsBfUOy-UNsfD2u_tO6sK5YDXm2b9A_I66r49pzldSLZbeGr4xmOFTUSVYSGpOk8oNoJaJaw/s3055/ice%20doesn't%20reflect.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3055" data-original-width="2301" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NCjL3DuWYeKOWPMDiOL5UXqFU4YMBFtl2t39E88RIZDgAUYkbBOK7N_V0QKMpaW5C-l54xgto_nOvV9SufkV2OfnkvMg2p-FRNF5i1-kqO3d_FSBJOdOsBfUOy-UNsfD2u_tO6sK5YDXm2b9A_I66r49pzldSLZbeGr4xmOFTUSVYSGpOk8oNoJaJaw/w482-h640/ice%20doesn't%20reflect.jpeg" width="482" /></a></div>Maybe you knew this, but I didn't. Ice doesn't reflect the same way that waer does. <p></p><p>This morning at the Lachine Rapids, it was chilly and windy, but the terempuerature was above freezing. Nevertheless, there was a thin layer of ice on part of the pond, enough to support a few gulls, and to interfere with the reflections of the trees surrounding it.</p><p> There is a message there, I'm sure, but it's been a busy couple of days and I can't entertain any weighty thoughts at all... It's like my brain as is frozen as that still portion of pond. <br /></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-51000844065863688462023-12-10T12:29:00.003-05:002023-12-10T12:29:39.555-05:00Saturday Photo: Winter Wonderland<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj279iAMaHPP_J2QVx4msa4h6VXinbTM4lm5n_ccZQX1HHeAgmCPQum2YVp6vPhdQnDJEHBY0OWDkfbxQSxTHoGVdI3GULjsqxWcA4xwZZyhaBxh7asEl_lZ2bdAAG6G393OGChx8Ct33934dI4ubF2c2s-cCkvyan-Wa2NW-Oonj3b_OLRxyCqyk8tMHk/s2388/sledding2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1628" data-original-width="2388" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj279iAMaHPP_J2QVx4msa4h6VXinbTM4lm5n_ccZQX1HHeAgmCPQum2YVp6vPhdQnDJEHBY0OWDkfbxQSxTHoGVdI3GULjsqxWcA4xwZZyhaBxh7asEl_lZ2bdAAG6G393OGChx8Ct33934dI4ubF2c2s-cCkvyan-Wa2NW-Oonj3b_OLRxyCqyk8tMHk/w640-h436/sledding2011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Great snow for sledding this week. A shame it is raining now, but for a while the kids (most of whose teachers are on strike) had a lot of opportunity for playing outside.<br /><p></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-76807310254366023692023-12-03T12:02:00.003-05:002023-12-03T12:02:47.733-05:00Saturday Photo: Winter Flowers<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyViP2Hn2DolR6lC4RU1Tc_maH9NGOQizTyIC02qMv9k3zV1jXCH-ew17wtPezriMw8B_wsfg55iR16UF6CjqDBc7ShJjQeLW7dicoYtbEJuErc2by8g6ZWBWMWRz4Wp7qQLgygYLN9Lw7kiS73e41qWBnBaS6eKptdkDomjHosQxcIttJBsTJBgrzdNo/s2257/window.flowers.quebec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2257" data-original-width="2257" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyViP2Hn2DolR6lC4RU1Tc_maH9NGOQizTyIC02qMv9k3zV1jXCH-ew17wtPezriMw8B_wsfg55iR16UF6CjqDBc7ShJjQeLW7dicoYtbEJuErc2by8g6ZWBWMWRz4Wp7qQLgygYLN9Lw7kiS73e41qWBnBaS6eKptdkDomjHosQxcIttJBsTJBgrzdNo/w400-h400/window.flowers.quebec.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> One of the sadder things about winter here is the disappearance of flowers. After the leaves have changed colour and fallen off the trees, the world is much drabber. And if the snow has not fallen, there's not even the splendour of sunlight on a white landscape with a blue sky as a backdrop.<p></p><p> </p><p>Except...except people fight back with flowers in windows. These geraniums were peeking out from a window in le Vieux Québec the last time we were there. A brave and cheering sight.<br /></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-5550026177563373542023-11-30T11:54:00.000-05:002023-11-30T11:54:03.029-05:00Saturday Photo: Good for 500 Years?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApWAAgeHQ-jdTW8q9QTz4Sb2wLMWO6CUBy-3yhIR55-YW4nQ18rhrWBFoynCsk8zqxEbNPXVnYsrYNcZJjkAxm0Yin25DiE-beoYTDJioEaRlFl6o8h82YGS5ePmE4Fx-xvReEoNLYdJrbjEiC_wHSW5feOeU7RggW0N481Wa-U_HbRe8Uqka-jqBObo/s1200/Library_and_Archives_Canada_Library_and_Archives_Canada_s_new_pr-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApWAAgeHQ-jdTW8q9QTz4Sb2wLMWO6CUBy-3yhIR55-YW4nQ18rhrWBFoynCsk8zqxEbNPXVnYsrYNcZJjkAxm0Yin25DiE-beoYTDJioEaRlFl6o8h82YGS5ePmE4Fx-xvReEoNLYdJrbjEiC_wHSW5feOeU7RggW0N481Wa-U_HbRe8Uqka-jqBObo/w640-h360/Library_and_Archives_Canada_Library_and_Archives_Canada_s_new_pr-.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Where Canada keeps its memories: Took a trip to Gatineau to lend a hand during the current teachers' strike, but I also visited the Preservation facility of the Library and Archives of Canada. Couldn't see inside, but very impressive outside. The aim is to shelter both hard copy and digital records and documents for 500 years. </span><span class="x7l2uk3 xt0e3qv" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">@dundurnpress</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><p></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-63444327517920640952023-11-19T13:17:00.001-05:002023-11-19T13:17:20.132-05:00Saturday Photo: Visit to the Reserve<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBhCaV1TmsICVmXvpbpZKgeLGPORHB1FykMvMJmSn7gCsFGOof0Id16S5Xu-NG-ezdkBRW-UrXuhj8QpQBkwdck8_n466LbezCvu6QIUJ4KWeYf4zLlJeQarpz05wo9e2a7qvCs8bp5MzxP8fdVFTkUBCPFlEvQyunQmZYslwZQtpe6QGVnH72gKILo4/s4032/Map%20abenaki.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBhCaV1TmsICVmXvpbpZKgeLGPORHB1FykMvMJmSn7gCsFGOof0Id16S5Xu-NG-ezdkBRW-UrXuhj8QpQBkwdck8_n466LbezCvu6QIUJ4KWeYf4zLlJeQarpz05wo9e2a7qvCs8bp5MzxP8fdVFTkUBCPFlEvQyunQmZYslwZQtpe6QGVnH72gKILo4/w400-h300/Map%20abenaki.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />A little outing Friday to the Musée des Abénakis in Odanak on the
St-François river. Very interesting, and afterwards lunch at Café
Masko.<p></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-45048036074610544682023-11-11T15:11:00.001-05:002023-11-11T15:11:05.222-05:00Saturday Photo: Early Snow...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6wZaI8ElGbvswiUZPRClsYO0_v3XDShRwaR81wokI0QlbzOeDL2aSnzn9FaYmhFsLzMxB0BngsQQUnmqF_5eZxom7ALkDnIAZ2chnC0JYG6D2VOiLss8KKrqpYJhIS6NCRyg6rfkJhQfUhqyVI7YSggoqcjJlufjGfa5Bgn6pjjtw7gsOznoPJ2YKBI/s4032/early%20snow%202023.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6wZaI8ElGbvswiUZPRClsYO0_v3XDShRwaR81wokI0QlbzOeDL2aSnzn9FaYmhFsLzMxB0BngsQQUnmqF_5eZxom7ALkDnIAZ2chnC0JYG6D2VOiLss8KKrqpYJhIS6NCRyg6rfkJhQfUhqyVI7YSggoqcjJlufjGfa5Bgn6pjjtw7gsOznoPJ2YKBI/w640-h480/early%20snow%202023.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs xlh3980 xvmahel x1n0sxbx x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u" dir="auto">Snow
this week, the second flurry of the year. My birthday is November 8,
and last year was the first year since I arrived in Montreal decades ago
that it hadn't snowed before then. This year, as if to make up for its
tardy appearance in 2022, we had snow on the ground October 30 and again
on Nov. 9. Gone now, but there are still leaves on the trees
even though it's kind of cold.</span><p></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-50553407562238560072023-11-05T12:55:00.001-05:002023-11-05T12:55:08.448-05:00Saturday Photo: Showing off at Concordia...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-hcbVPuwoSA6BJ0ZgZ48XxUeehoRHFMlSUTgJnJ4M_Caubc_MePObeV0bBXzglWaOQnsquM7dghO4-MjBiPTe_toAlofW-laOEoVVnndgJMDI3D6xz5-Zz6xkuRLw65BMpJORlvJcK0Hiejj-8SKEwuVC_cne3I8cn-Y8BV4oHNNnGe-zSz3RmPRhIc/s3024/Read%20Quebed%2011.2023.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="2883" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-hcbVPuwoSA6BJ0ZgZ48XxUeehoRHFMlSUTgJnJ4M_Caubc_MePObeV0bBXzglWaOQnsquM7dghO4-MjBiPTe_toAlofW-laOEoVVnndgJMDI3D6xz5-Zz6xkuRLw65BMpJORlvJcK0Hiejj-8SKEwuVC_cne3I8cn-Y8BV4oHNNnGe-zSz3RmPRhIc/w381-h400/Read%20Quebed%2011.2023.jpeg" width="381" /></a></div><br /> <br />Great fun at the Read Quebec Book Fair. Got to show off my books and talk to some interesting follks. The event was held both Friday and Saturday in the gorgeous atrium of the J.W. McConnell building at Concordia University<br /><p></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-34184375461808429072023-10-28T10:16:00.002-04:002023-10-28T10:16:30.182-04:00Saturday Photo: A Forests of Light<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjS8MKauseTmRGvB_qck9xzM0GFdJjOB0At-uuaaqnoGnD6Hx6vn7mixTD0Ov_2jQhL9dlAPbqUptAgO_n3KlK6XKvQaevs2U6PTD_QFlVeSlJin8Umw-0FuAVvx0mdoQ1jMSW3TwUkBjHHIRDrOw52bWlNwBVlvXzhtPCyXh9DP32RYNbpR5ZzkFx_A/w480-h640/forest%20of%20light.jpeg" width="480" /></div>The way it was in the forest on the north side of Mount Royal this week. The warm weather in September seems to have delayed the trees' gorgeous progression into autumn this year, but things are becoming lovely now. I feel ambivalent about this, because the delay is due to climate change. But I will take a few moments to enjoy the display now...<br /> <p></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-90532885665502956722023-10-21T09:51:00.002-04:002023-10-21T09:51:30.318-04:00Saturday Photo: And a Cardinal in a Grape Vine<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1Osmp89Z3S4Rdea9egNgChLAUATxKC5U4Fdb4uM04v5bmsY4pX4LBS6OMx2PQtdyJFSEyuoQqMdhSFL7POmRGvLuR3oBSRZiZsh3pXPbpjTTJI_dDqSLRoPW_iCW9xMh0Fo_W89727qhPPOmIyjVZ-AyVfEfYQddetulbFpMU_Y1EHe_emiGdQ1BL6U/s1600/grapeleaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1Osmp89Z3S4Rdea9egNgChLAUATxKC5U4Fdb4uM04v5bmsY4pX4LBS6OMx2PQtdyJFSEyuoQqMdhSFL7POmRGvLuR3oBSRZiZsh3pXPbpjTTJI_dDqSLRoPW_iCW9xMh0Fo_W89727qhPPOmIyjVZ-AyVfEfYQddetulbFpMU_Y1EHe_emiGdQ1BL6U/w480-h640/grapeleaves.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Well, you can't see it, but this week a female cardinal visited our grape vine several mornings to feast on the wild grapes growing there.<p></p><p>It was a bad year for pears in out little garden--only three after the squirrels got to them--but the grape vine, which is a volunteer one growing out of our compost heap, had lots of grapes.</p><p>They aren't very good to eat because they don't have much flesh, the seeds are big, and the taste is sour. But obviously that hasn't stopped the cardinals from feasting.</p><p>That we have cardinals at all in the backyard is something new, and probably the result of climate change. Twenty years ago they were a rare sight in the neighborhood but now are rather frequent visitors. </p><p>I have, as you might imagine, mixed feelings about this. Nice to see the birds, but not happy about what their presence indicates. <br /></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-64658600062232746812023-10-15T11:01:00.003-04:002023-10-15T11:01:54.834-04:00Saturday Photo: More Than the Squirrels Can Eat<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCHX0B7r_o59NkOqszwAfINqbsG8Ofssq4j9-8cBnLBQtsBuupEss0YblFhZOh6MGmygcUyGm-Objms4Hex4Ieeaz5-rAcUl9EhgSB4OL2diBNl3qpigKXHWb4wrFR5puCwZoCGCiW64UU4zIQ1lrhe-UFxvoMOr7R__JqhWMmK7_FtVa6ugVnEqLNqg/s3174/abundance.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3174" data-original-width="2915" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCHX0B7r_o59NkOqszwAfINqbsG8Ofssq4j9-8cBnLBQtsBuupEss0YblFhZOh6MGmygcUyGm-Objms4Hex4Ieeaz5-rAcUl9EhgSB4OL2diBNl3qpigKXHWb4wrFR5puCwZoCGCiW64UU4zIQ1lrhe-UFxvoMOr7R__JqhWMmK7_FtVa6ugVnEqLNqg/w588-h640/abundance.jpeg" width="588" /></a></div>A shower of crabapples! Went for a walk in Mount Royal Cemetery this morning to find that the squirrels and other critters have an abundance of goodies on the ground right now. Looks like more than they can eat at the moment!<br /> <p></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-58430216380732760332023-10-07T09:47:00.005-04:002023-10-07T09:47:41.770-04:00Saturday Photo: Thanksgiving Greetings from Montreal<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirE8eipjPT7zdaRnzH6or9a9Xh_OfQX3uXkKbApY3awoxSgZr02Pbh6tfzi01beGI-pEwCCVPD6Lu2260PwEs7vxZfm8nubX6MB8Y9t33sVxmas7ngnx3iDXqzC6kTV-K5v85Aty4ye1cOdCcUkRYbVtCF01YmgbDfNnZ2DKfeBTbOgJpwIdDPQ-6FU1E/s3264/fallafternoon.2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirE8eipjPT7zdaRnzH6or9a9Xh_OfQX3uXkKbApY3awoxSgZr02Pbh6tfzi01beGI-pEwCCVPD6Lu2260PwEs7vxZfm8nubX6MB8Y9t33sVxmas7ngnx3iDXqzC6kTV-K5v85Aty4ye1cOdCcUkRYbVtCF01YmgbDfNnZ2DKfeBTbOgJpwIdDPQ-6FU1E/w480-h640/fallafternoon.2016.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy Thanksgiving weekend, everyone. It's raining here--and much needed--but this is the way I like to think of fall. It's a good moment to stop and reflect on all one has...</span><br /><p></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-75692487883640281712023-10-05T15:12:00.005-04:002023-10-05T15:12:57.611-04:00Just in Case You Wondered What I've Been Reading...<p>I've been asked by a couple of websites that gives suggestions for reading to create a list or two. </p><p> </p><p>Here's the one on<a href="https://booklisti.com/booklist/saving-world-making-sense-of-mary-soderstrom/lxnrdb8 "> BookLis</a>t:</p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynlzDmRHjkSFV81HHHCAnw0T9zz6m9DSwL9S73dwzJ6AtQPH2vAQv8aHfF9xF8SvSnXLXNYww448bDi_aZXMCfoMHQwxdEy76tGsyI3gAS_Vnf2y3XCSK7jzr3sh8o_SNp0AbYAinKfgWUQ62j9-HZrt-kgoDy6JC80CKOHa2Jq1WYr0fAW4xeuFEUEA/s1085/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-05%20at%203.11.20%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="1085" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynlzDmRHjkSFV81HHHCAnw0T9zz6m9DSwL9S73dwzJ6AtQPH2vAQv8aHfF9xF8SvSnXLXNYww448bDi_aZXMCfoMHQwxdEy76tGsyI3gAS_Vnf2y3XCSK7jzr3sh8o_SNp0AbYAinKfgWUQ62j9-HZrt-kgoDy6JC80CKOHa2Jq1WYr0fAW4xeuFEUEA/w640-h342/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-05%20at%203.11.20%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273302883043906742.post-79381344829823370762023-10-01T21:08:00.001-04:002023-10-01T21:08:08.083-04:00Saturday Photo: Asters to Finish up the Summer<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYl0IMRJMCxYW846cnwM9sJTUGczYBam4KLldFOQCBaZgDn65Eincas6jNBKLeW-nAJOiGwPGKwH8sak5N0TY60ehuQMBPVy8Y6iii5yVwhk1PJmUIuXoZ_6or5JabGTcnqXt9scc3RH4RFE-kcuSHApuPrulKLMf6qepZ0thoCmmRWsVYNvl2p2d9wc/s2626/asters.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="2626" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYl0IMRJMCxYW846cnwM9sJTUGczYBam4KLldFOQCBaZgDn65Eincas6jNBKLeW-nAJOiGwPGKwH8sak5N0TY60ehuQMBPVy8Y6iii5yVwhk1PJmUIuXoZ_6or5JabGTcnqXt9scc3RH4RFE-kcuSHApuPrulKLMf6qepZ0thoCmmRWsVYNvl2p2d9wc/w640-h170/asters.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> This has been an unusually fine year for certain flowers around here. Early on there was clover everywhere, in every lawn, reminding everyone that plain grass is just that: pretty plain. Now as the summer fades away with unusually warm temperatures, native asters have come into their glory. I have encouraged them for years in my little centre city garden, but I'm glad to see that they've spread, and now dot many other gardens. Took a drive out of the city today, and saw billows of them. <br /><p></p>Mary Soderstromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265519935852076762noreply@blogger.com0