Winter Driving In Canada

A little drive-by shooting for your viewing pleasure. It won't be long and the world will be here in Canada. (2010 Olympic Games) Many people, I believe, have misconceptions about my country, but when it comes to their 'picture' of our landscape and what it's like to drive here in the winter, I think they are 'dead' on. This was a 1.5 hour drive in Ontario yesterday. Back and forth to pick up my Daughter and Baby J; who really has become Toddler J overnight! Canada has a lot of land. A lot! It goes on for miles and miles and miles. In most cases it only takes but a few minutes outside any major city, town, village or hamlet to see this kind of landscape in the cold months. Many visitors ask 'What do you do with all this land?'. (especially the Japanese!?) Well, if it's below the permafrost, we farm, we grow, we hike, we snowmobile, we walk, we let the dogs go wild, we run, we bike...we love our land. What do you think?

Summer Porches

I did some drive-by-shooting this morning. I also have taggedy-tag-tag news. (Liberty Speak)At a garage sale to raise money for Crimestoppers here in The Beach I snagged an antique bedroom suite for $40 dollars. I got a twin headboard, foot board, bedside table, highboy, desk and chair. Hey Hey Hey. That was awesome. Here are some homes from Collingwood. The banana yellow one is called The Breakers and it is right on the waterfront. This shot is the artist's studio. Not a bad place to create. I am drawn to the other ones because of their invitational porches. My Designer friend in the city has a summer porch. She has a faded braided rug, wicker sofa, chairs, tables, lanterns, candles and other wonderful accessories. Early in the evening it would just be her and I (nibbling on baked brie cheese and grapes..water crackers) and then along came so-and-so on her bike, then what's-her-name would walk by...before sunset there was standing room only on that veranda. What great times we had on that porch, finishing off bottles of good white wine (many) and laughing. swiggedy-swig-swig. (Liberty Speak)

As always, you can enjoy the photos bigger and better by clicking on them!

The Gas and Veggie Connection

My daughter wanted to make all of you a healthy snack for the blog party. I would have settled for a white layer cake; my all time favorite. Well, this meant having to go to the market for fresh produce. Wish I had one of these that El Beso is getting. I'd walk more. On the way I pulled one of my 'drive-by-shootings' and look what came up. Canadian Soldiers marching down the street. In front of a gas station no less. (and after I just posted about the price of gas - weird eh?) I said to my girly-girl, 'You know honey. I can't ever remember seeing anything like this growing up. We never knew war or talked about war. We always felt safe in a dreamlike world. We were the generation that got to skip that hell. But this is today. And things are different. And we can never forget that.' Enjoy the veggies. They will give you gas. And gas will give you war.

Love Painting Sex and the City

Have I told you that Canada has a lot of land? Well we do. A helluvalotta the stuff. You see, we are the 'true north, strong and free' and what that really means is: Winter, ice caps, polar bears, hockey and the Artic. So, as a nation we huddle along the longest unprotected border in the world; hoping to feel the heat of Texas or Florida, butted up against the United States of Amercia. Most of us live in Ontario, Southern Ontario in and around Toronto. An artist I know had a feature shoot at her farm in Caledon, Ontario with Victoria Magazine a few years ago. The Japanese photographer, natural-light brilliance Toshi Otsuki, asked one question: 'What do you do with all this land?' She didn't really know how to answer that and then she realized that 'we' take it all for granted. In fact, it only takes a few short minutes in a car to experience vast acres and acres of lush landscape in Canada - I urge you to take this challenge from anywhere in our country - you'll find out that I'm not lying. It's amazing. Miles and miles of undeveloped land. So here I was this weekend driving down yet another farming road near my home (drive-by-shooting and singing badly to Hard Candy and laughing out loud alone about Samantha and the sushi scene) and I just kept thinking about that lovely painting in the movie. To my delight, the #1 keyword analysis of my blog is 'Love Painting Sex and the City' - not just the first item, all 21 down the list - which means two things: 1) Other people are trying to help me figure out the mystery (who is the artist?) and 2) Other people are hitting dead ends like I was and are ending up on Liberty Post and folks - I'm looking too. I've even asked Holly of Decor8 and Pia to help me. If anyone can source it, they can. We can go up and down the information highway for miles and miles; just like the roads up here in Canada...nothing for miles. No answers. Just dreams of something very amazing. Hopefully the bloggers over at the official Sex and the City blog will get back to me!

Love Caught by a Sunbeam

As many of you know I like to do 'Drive-by-Shootings'. No, not with guns and bullets silly, with my camera. I just open up the window of my car and start shooting. I think that if we all used cameras instead of guns, our world would be a much safer place. Looky here! Tucked in beside all of the primary-coloured newspaper boxes; nestled into the warm weathered bricks....love caught by a sunbeam. (Just click the image to enlarge). Now this my friends, made my day.

Girl on the Street Inside a Cultural Mosaic

Ahem. Yes. I've been at it again. Much to the embarrassment of my family members who were ducking down in the back seat of the car. I've been doing some 'Drive By Shooting'.

I was reading Natalie's blog and took a step outside her door into the world of Girl on the Street. After reading about the remarkable contributors and the incredible Chauncey Zalkin, it occurred to me that the entire planet could be represented on that blog or any other international blog from inside Canada alone. Here, the testing ground of peace, tolerance, understanding and harmony. (that Global Leaders don't seem to be tracking)

We are a 'Cultural Mosaic'. Women come from far and wide. A country where over 200 ethnic groups live, love and learn together. You'll notice on my sidebar that I describe my editorial content in this way. Freedom, friendship and opportunity are evident everywhere I look. And it's working.

These two women (mother/daughter?), were walking on Yonge Street. The longest street in the Greater Toronto Area. Perhaps they are Latin, Italian, Portuguese or from the Middle East. In my home, Canada, it does not matter. We are like an intricate, colourful, strong mosaic back splash in a kitchen. A place is set for everyone and everyone is welcome. How about that? Click on the photo to enlarge. I love the irony of the sign in the background. Mona Lisa. I also love the girl's belt, their sunglasses and the running shoes. By the way, stripes are in for Spring. They were everywhere...but you already new that.

Winter Crisp & Arthur

If you ask any Canadian, they will tell you that as long as there is a tad of sunshine on any given icy day, they can make it through. Warm sunbeams streamed into my car on my long and winding road trip that I took this past Tuesday. The windmill farm is so dramatic in the winter. It scares me when I zoom by. Don't know why. It just gives me chills. I opened the van windows and took great pleasure doing some 'drive-by-shooting'. Miles and miles of desolate country roads with the ever-passing Mennonite carriages trotting along. The children all bundled up; rosy cheeks and cold smoke swirling from their giggling mouths.

I finally made it to Arthur. It wasn't my final destination, but I included the photo of the water tower for my daughter's boyfriend. That's his name. Arthur. He, Scott (we don't call him Arthur - we call him Scott - it's a Canadian thing...) is a talented musician. He is in the group The Beat Bureau. The Beat Bureau was founded in the Summer 2007 with the intent of bringing a new sound to hip hop. With the help of some good friends and family members they managed to build their own studio and are dreaming of the day their music will get well deserved exposure. They focus on the production of hip hop with the use of synthesizers, electric and acoustic guitars, and ancient samples. Watch for their new album entitled "Annualbum" coming soon.

Another surprise coming soon is a CD that Scott(Arthur) and my daughter are producing for me as a Mother's Day gift. She sings/writes - He plays/sings/writes/produces etc.. I lovingly call them John & Yoko. She says: 'Mom, I hope you don't think I'm that weird' and I say 'Weird is good. Remember my 'Liberty Theory of Success'. Works every time. I can't wait to hear it and I will be sure to share it with you!

It was a sunny, winter crisp journey. The happy blue-skied calm before the storm. And did we ever have a doozy! And more to come today. Ah...to be in Canada.

What My Eyes Saw Today in Five Minutes

Loveliness on one lovely street corner, in one lovely building, in a troubled world. Thank goodness we have them. (the lovely, the loveliness and the soldiers)

Benazir Bhutto

This is not a post about the tragic assassination of Benazir Bhutto. This is a post about 'PEACE', 'Liberty' style. It's simple really. If I go out and my door is not locked, you do not have the right to go inside and steal my stuff. Same goes for unlocked cars. And our small children. They are ours, so don't be kidnapping them. As far as hurting someone else physically, psychologically or emotionally. Nope, you can't do that either. If we want to have a spiritual life, any type, that's our business, not yours. Everyone is equal. We all have the right to choose who leads us. Doesn't matter what country you're in, you can not control the people. The people decide how life will be in their world. Now for guns. You can have one, but if you have one the chances of you actually using it is far greater than someone who doesn't have one. Borders. O.K., here's my rant on this. We live in a global world. There are no borders anymore. We all live on this Earth. Wars: no wars allowed on this planet. And if you want to start a war, you must have a vote by everyone to see if it can go forward. Women: we are just as capable as men to do anything. Again, I'll repeat: We are all equal. Benazir: I've been hearing so much about 'Why did she stand up out of the vehicle?' In a peaceful world overflowing with manners, that is a perfectly acceptable behavior. Now go be nice to your pet, your elders and take a good look in the mirror. What can you do personally to contribute to the peace process? (Blowing yourself up is not one of them.)

"Democracy is the acknowledgement that different points of view exist."-Irshad Manji , A Great Canadian Woman. The New York Times describes Irshad Manji as "Osama bin Laden’s worst nightmare." Oprah's Magazine has given Irshad the first annual Chutzpah Award for "audacity, nerve, boldness and conviction." She takes both as a compliment.

Weathering a Storm with Kate Spade

I do not go anywhere (and I really mean anywhere) without a magazine. Last night as we drove through a freakish storm, I became just a tad frustrated. Do you know how hard it is to read about Kate Spade touring Napa Valley when your driver won't allow you to turn on the interior car lights so you can actually see? Grumble. Guess I'll save this October 2001 issue for coffee time in the morning. Have a told you that I have a new magazine policy? : Yes, now I only buy magazines at second hand shops, yard sales or by borrowing them. This way I feel as though I am participating in the recycle/share movement.

Note: If you are a magazine editor/publisher reading this post, I welcome any and all complimentary subscriptions and in turn I will write glorious, lengthy commentary about your publication.

Freaky Deaky Elvi and Drive By Shootings

The entire area is 'hound dogging' and ready for the big Collingwood Elvis Festival. You just have to imagine how weird it is to experience this event. The Town of Collingwood has about 15,000 people - they have sold 200,000 tickets to this 4 day event! People travel from all over the world to see Elvis impersonators and shop in the Elvis market, drink gallons of beer, shop in the stores that are Elvinated. It is surreal! I'm going there today. (it's only 10 minutes from the beach and even we 'Beachers' get involved with Elvis concerts.....we don't want to feel left out)

When you see a bunch of Elvis impersonators (young Elvis, army Elvis, fat Elvis, handsome Elvis) we call that 'The Elvi'.

I went to Collingwood yesterday, just to check out the progress - a giant stage - a huge one in the middle of the main street (which gets closed off) - event planners buzzing around - and lots of new faces landing in town.

I've started a new series of what I feel are interesting 'Drive By Shootings' - photographs I snap while I'm driving (yes, I'm safe) - I stumbled across this little new project because you can't find any parking this time of year, but I don't want to miss any shots. So this is the first shot of a series. More to come over the next few days. (It's also part of my Blacks/Browns/Whites Thursday a shinyhappysummerprojecttime from Hula Seventy)

I am saddened by all the gun crime here in North America and I just wish these people would use cameras instead of bullets, don't you?

Hey! Perhaps, just maybe we could all do a collective project to raise awareness of this issue.

Calling All Bloggers: Let's share some 'Drive by Shooting'. Give it a try - just hold the camera out the window of your car or while you're riding your bike and click - you will be so surprised to see what gems you come home with! (Caution! Please drive/ride safely - keep your eyes on the road and never mind what the camera is doing - it makes the discovery of your creation even more fun!)