Academic Reflection

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it” – Edith Wharton

One of the beautiful buildings surrounding Harvard Yard is reflected in a window of the Harvard Memorial Church.  The church stands at one end of the Yard, opposite the Widener Library – to dramatic effect.

Photos were taken in 2014 as I wandered the grounds. I felt smarter just standing there!  And looking at these photos makes me feel it’s time for another visit.

WPC – Mirror

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A Walk in the Snowy Woods

 

“The woods call to us with a hundred voices” – Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne’s House of Dreams

Breaking in the snowshoes – or are they breaking us in?

 

This tree doesn’t seem to know which way is up.

Serenity

A soft July morning in lovely Lunenburg………
Weekly Photo Challenge – Serenity

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Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering “It will be happier” – Alfred Lord Tennyson

It seems to me, that the year renews itself several times during the 12 month calendar.

Obviously, New Years Day (Champagne, Fireworks!!) starts us off on day 1, month 1 ….. a blank canvas of opportunity, wish lists and resolutions. One of my favourite things to do this time of year, is to open a brand-new calendar – the old fashioned kind that I can hand on my kitchen wall – and go through it, noting birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and other important dates. …..A little OCD? maybe 😉 …….It represents a document of anticipation (and, yes, order).

Following that, the beginning of the growing season offers fresh hope and infinite potential as seeds sprout and leaves unfurl to reach for the sun. For sure, it’s also a time of hard labour and fretting. But, oh! The world if so full of possibility!

And then, there is the return to routines and schedules in the late summer/early autumn. For me, at least, that time almost always feels like a fresh start. I’m ready, then, to settle down to a different kind of work.

Each of these represent equal opportunities to hit the “refresh” button. Be happy! 😀

This photo was taken in the spring, as the first pea shoots reached for the trellis.

New: Weekly Photo Challenge

2014 Review…of a Fledgling Blog

HEARTFELT THANKS to all of you who have popped in for a visit!

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here's an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 770 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 13 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Warmth

On this rainy December Sunday afternoon, in corner of the brand spanking new Halifax Central Library, a man and a child share a moment. Their position on the cozy sofa under the glow of that floor lamp suggest that they could be at home. But then, I understand that the architect’s aim was to design a space that will become the “city’s living room”. Judging by this intimate scene, and the many others we witnessed, I’d say it’s a great success.

Oh My! Good Morning!

“I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.”
― E.E. Cummings

A Light in the Window

Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness – Chinese Proverb

It’s a dark, wet, gloomy night….after a dark, wet, windy, gloomy day.  We are presently under the influence of a “stalled nor’easter”, just the kind of weather that makes you want to stay in bed.

Lucky for me, though, I was scheduled to spend the day with 20 five-year olds as their substitute teacher. No outside play today, due to the weather. But we got along cheerfully anyway, with songs and stories, with crafts and hugs.  Lots of hugs.

Its a brand new school, designed to be “green”, and very energy efficient.  The large windows usually allow us to get by, happily, without (or with a minimum use of) the overhead lights.

But, today it was so dark.

I was compelled to keep the lights on.  And when I did flick the switch off as we left the room to go to the library, the darkness was punctuated by the glow of the the fairy lights on the class christmas tree.  That made for a very cosy place to return to with our fresh library books.

Even though it was only mid-afternoon, it was still raining when I drove home. As I dogged puddles and potholes (no way of knowing just how deep those bad boys are!), and with an eye on the overflowing ditches, I caught sight of a house in which a single candle was lit in the kitchen window.  No other lights were on. A signal of hope, I thought.  A sign of welcome.

What a warm sight, that little light, on a dark day.

I Wonder……

It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines who you will be when you can’t help it (Oscar Wilde)

Between the Santa Parade and the Town Tree Lighting, we popped into the little comfort centre to warm up. That’s where this sweet old print found me. Someone donated it to a fundraising sale, and it was destined to come home with me.

I wonder what stories it could tell.

When I turned the frame over, I saw that it came from Eaton and the date is 1928. Does that mean it is from the former Canadian department store, Eatons? Or some other Eaton?

I wonder who originally bought it, and where did it hang? A child’s room? Across from a window, perhaps, as the colours appear faded. And if so, who grew up in that room? And how long did it hang there? Was it still there until it was donated earlier this month, or tucked away somewhere?

I wonder who the two little girls are in the print? Are they the artist’s models, or purely imaginary? I love that the girls are sharing one book, even though there is a stack of books beside them.

I wonder when the original painting was created? The print might indicate 1928, but the clothing on these little girls looks more like early 1900’s.

Such an engaging little scene…..and one that raises so many questions.

Over the Edge

“The Edge – there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.” – Hunter S. Thompson

I took this photo in Toronto several weeks ago. Since I have a fear of heights, watching this window cleaner slide over the edge of the building was absolutely terrifying.

Photo 101