Cold, Cold Saint John Doors

When most folks in my corner of the world consider a winter get away they usually picture someplace warm, perhaps a tropical drink in hand and toes in the sand. Or … hardier travellers might head for the ski hills. I tend toward city visits.

But in this particular trip, I’d have to say, I didn’t time it very well.

I haven’t been to Saint John, New Brunswick for years, so I was looking forward to a little exploring.

A VERY little exploring, it turned out.

The combination of bitter cold temperatures and brisk windchills (ie -30C) with ice covered sidewalks conspired against me.

I managed a quick jaunt along Germaine Street and wasn’t disappointed with the architecture.

Luckily, the city makes a visit a little easier in winter with pedways and tunnels connecting some of the must see spots…

… Such as the very charming City Market.

That said, I feel a return visit during one of the warmer months is warranted – for sure.

For now, I’m in full agreement with Norm Frampton – enough with winter!

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A Wobbily Door

The bitter cold of this (so far) snow-free January let up yesterday. I could NOT resist taking a nice long “Thinking Walk” (to borrow a phrase from Winnie the Pooh).

I was rewarded with this beauty of a fishing shed and her wobbily door.

As you can imagine, I wasn’t alone. Lots of dog walkers. I bet most doggies protested two days ago when the wind chill was -20C. But yesterday was a glorious 10c above. And out we all trotted!

(Honestly, a girl has to have a flexible wardrobe to get through winters here.)

The crows were plentiful, too. They were calling to each other, foraging in the grasses and even, like this one, stopping to rest and appreciate.

At least that’s what I like to think he was doing. Or maybe he had me under surveillance.

Crows know things.

Linked with Norm’s Thursday Doors

A Snowy Door

The School of Architecture Building of Dalhousie University in Halifax. Quiet on a snowy December evening.

Photo taken in December.

Linked to Norm’s Thursday Doors

Law Office Door

Just sitting here admiring the door to my lawyer’s office. Especially impressed by how the new, locally crafted main door matches the vintage door to the right.

I’m not sure what purpose that original red door served – but there must be a story there …

And wow!!! What a fine example of a “Lunenburg Bump”!!

Linked with Norm’s Thursday Doors

Agricola Street Doors

I took a walk north along Agricola Street this afternoon. And yes! I spotted a few gorgeous doors.

Some absolute glowed in the slanting November afternoon sun.

And here’s a snazzy door knocker:

And sunny streets cape.

Linked with Norm’s Thursday Doors.

She’s Still a Standing

Here she is in mid October. The blossoms turned to seed pods ages ago. I assume they continue to ripen/dry on the stalk. And there’s almost nothing left at the base.

The good folks at the City have offered to give seeds to anyone who wants some. But not fast government people! Agave Maria isn’t giving up yet.

I don’t think so, anyway.

The weatherman is calling for a “weather bomb” tonight and tomorrow: high winds and lots of rain. So, just in case, I popped by to see her today.

Some very creative person has been running a twitter page in her name; it’s hilarious to follow. ( @AgaveHali if you are interested.)

Yesterday’s tweet suggests the poor plant is beginning to worry about the low temps:

You can see, too, that she’s changed her handle in keeping with the season.

While visiting today, wandered the Gardens appreciating the gorgeous autumn colours.

It will likely look very different after the wind gives the leaves a push.

Hope you enjoyed the visit.

Doors of Kings Landing

Back in the ’70’s, plans for a dam on the beautiful St John River in New Brunswick threatened a group of 18th Century buildings. Some bright spark had the idea to move them out of harms way. The result is s vibrant, living historical village.

We visited on a very hot holiday Monday and all the doors were thrown open to welcome a bit of breeze as well as us visitors.

The delightful staff not only welcomed us into their homes and places of business, they drew us in the 18th village with the play acting. We were encouraged to lend a hand to help with the chores. Because it takes a village to … well … make village.

Linked to Norm’s Thursday Doors

Agave Update

Last month I shared the story of our local celebrity Agave plant. You might recall that this momma plant set up her once-in-a-lifetime flower stalk a wee bit early in the season. When she quickly out grew her greenhouse in the Halifax Public Gardens, she had to me moved outside into some very chilly temps. She attracted National attention as we all crossed our fingers for her.

Just after I shared the post with you, we suffered some pretty seriously freezing temps. It cold enough to pretty much wipe out the wine grape crop and half the blueberry crop (just to name a few) province-wide.

We worried.

Her flower stalk completely stopped growling. It was even reported that the Agave had suffered too much and had, in fact, died before she could bloom.

We mourned.

But! Look!!

Just when we’d abandoned hope, she rallied! And today, a closer look suggests that she is ready to bloom!

At least, that’s how it looks to me.

It’s nice to see that she has lots of company in her garden bed now. Including two sister agaves.

I’m going to have to drive into town next week to check again. I’ll be expecting some flowers.

Stay tuned….

Lines

This way to the beach!

Hirtle’s Beach in Lunenburg County, NS to be exact.

WPC – lines

Rise & Set

It takes love to hold on when you want to let go.

It takes love to let go when you want to hold on.

– Kate McGahan

We are moving.

Packing up this home of ours, downsizing , editing out stuff, distributing, donating, and cherishing.

We are letting go.

In preparation, I’ve read the life-changing books of tidying up and death cleaning. I’m following the rituals laid out therein. And, as much as I want this ( to rid my life of the unnecessary accumulation of material stuff), I’m here to tell you – it’s a gruelling process.

But we are getting there, certainly over half way now. Just a few more weeks before we are outta here, and there’s nothing like a deadline!!

We will be saying good bye to this beloved view, which has gifted us countless beautiful sunrises – each one uniquely breathtaking. There have been many mornings when all four of us have gathered at the window together to witness the start of another day. I bet I’ve taken a thousand photos of this view. Shared a few here, in fact.

But life is all about change.

The time has come for us to free up some time. For a new start. Our “empty-nester” house.

So! (Against my better judgement and) to my husbands absolute delight, we are building a new house. At the moment, it’s just an idea on paper, but once complete the new house will afford us views of sunsets. Here….

It’s going to be good. Trading early morning coffee for cocktails at sunset, perhaps? Sunrises for sunsets.

WPC – rise/set