Tag: Ottawa
-
The Gift of St. Luke’s Summer
The first killing frost has passed and our eastern Indian Summer has arrived. Folklore has it that this stretch of warm weather predictably arrives on or about October 18th, the Feast of St. Luke. The natural world heads into dormancy while it marks the last kick-at-the-can for us northern hemisphere humans to romp semi-clothed, to… Read more
-
CurioCabinet: Lord Dundonald’s Servants and Their Pets (1904)
Ottawa, 1904 Credit: William James Topley / Library and Archives Canada / PA-208448 It IS Canada after all…. Read more
-
The Oracle at Lee Valley
Yesterday morning Husband and I had one of those insanely stupid thirty-second flash arguments, this time about the best way to sharpen the garden tools. My rule of thumb is he/she who actually does the work has absolute sovereignty – including the last word – over the purchase, maintenance and use of tools/systems around that… Read more
-
Expats: From Neither Here Nor There
Ottawa is known as a government town. It is predominantly middle-class, not obviously flash or sexy. I don’t say these things as a criticism. We chose to live here for the past thirteen years and continue to make that choice for a variety of reasons. But unlike Montreal or Vancouver, with their more obvious charms,… Read more
-
More Urban Than You
Last summer we attended a barbecue at a friend’s house in Westboro, Ottawa’s hip neighbourhood filled with yoga studios, coffee houses and Montessori daycares. It was a stunningly gorgeous blue sky day, the spread of food looked amazing, and our kids happily wandered off in search of other kids to play with. I’m generally happy… Read more
-
Autumn Walkabout, In Town & Out
(Click on each photo to see full image.) [nggallery id=20] Read more
-
The Secret Life of Houses and Other Buildings
Don’t know why exactly it has taken so many years for me to finally attend the Doors Open Ottawa event. Whatever the reason I suspect it would also explain my lack of participation to date in the glorious Jane’s Walk events, too. Seems the dates never make it onto my calendar and then poof! they… Read more
-
Pimp My IKEA
Most people that know me know, that with a few exceptions, I don’t like to shop. It physically and mentally drains me, leaving me peevish and dissatisfied. Plus I resent spending time on an activity that most often yields poor results. What can I say? I want what I want. The problem is I don’t… Read more
-
All Moshe, All Afternoon
I remember when my eldest was about five and we headed to the National Gallery in Ottawa for some regular cultural exploration to keep me from going bonkers. D fell asleep in the van and I carried him into the building. Once inside he stirred and, looking up into the sweeping glass ceilings filled with… Read more