July 27 ~ Stratford

A female duck protects her fluffy brood on the banks of the Avon River.

These ducks and swans must be the best-fed ducks in Canada as visitors love to buy a small bag of corn to scatter for the birds.

July 26 ~ Stratford

One of the many things that I love about Stratford, is the meandering river at sunset.

The city adds their Jazz River boat to the scene and everything is perfect!

July 25 ~ Stratford

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Part of our Stratford Tradition, is ice cream from Rocky Mountain ice cream shop.

Traditionally, Maggie chooses Bubble Gum flavour!

Here she 'shares' her cone with a Musketeer Bear!

July 24 ~ Guelph

 Downtown Guelph includes a  huge splash pad / skating rink in front of their new City Hall renovation!

What a great idea to bring families onto the downtown core.

July 23 ~ Camping

 

The sun set at the opposite end of the lake to this photo, but somehow projected a pink glow onto these clouds, making them seem almost like mountains!

July 22 ~ Camping

 After the rain, the sun started to evaporate the water, leaving a delightful misty aura.

July 21 ~ Camping

What can be more Canadian than a canoe and sunset?

July 20 ~ Camping

 

I have never before seen clouds like this !

They were rolling and boiling and black, just at 5 pm.

I was fascinated with their magnificence and power!

July 19 ~ Camping

 

The next storm was only wind, and bent a tent pole!

 

July 18 ~ Camping

 

I took this shot from inside the tent, daring to open the zipper  just enough to record the wash!

July 17 ~ Camping

The first storm brought an hour of extremely close lightning, horrific wind, and cracking thunder.

Here is the sky after the cacophony stopped, and was blowing down the lake.

July 16 ~ Camping

 

The sight of canoes at the waters' edge, stirs my soul.

July 15 ~ Camping

Time for the annual Cumming - Meldrum camping trip to the Lanark Highlands!

Bob J., Sue (Jan's cousin), Jan, J. Bob, Peg.

For four days, we laze in the water, read, eat, paint and enjoy conversations.

This year, magnificent storms came through, so sky watching was added to the entertainment!

July 14 ~ Happy Birthday, John!

Happy Birthday to my son, John, turning 40 today!

John has brought much joy and happiness into my life -

I'm proud of him, and honoured to be his mom.

July 13 ~ Bring on the Bay

Fourteen members of the Ottawa Y Masters competed in the 'Bring on the Bay' swim.

The event raises funds for Easter Seals Kids, kids with special needs.

It was an open water 3 km swim, from Nepean Yatch Club to Britannia Boat Club.

The water was rough, and it was hard to find the swim rhythm, at first, but by the last km, I was finally motoring along. And again, I was the oldest woman!

Back: Tanuja, Wolf, Matt, Jill, Alan.

Middle: Carol, Jen, Catherine, Alecia, Peg, Kim, Barb

Bottom: Evelyn, Gabo.

July 12 ~ After the Rain II

This is a painting of a picture that I originally posted on June 9.

Poppies are beautiful until after a rain or wind storm finishes them.

Then I try to find some beauty in the devastation.

July 11~ After the Rain

Every year, these ordinary Day Lilies stand out royally against the purple Clematis.

July 10 ~ Passages

Surprisingly, this is a 'colour' photo, but nothing in it has any colour!

The Camera Club thought that this photo was also an "A".

The staircase is beside the new Conference Centre, joining The Mackenzie Bridge

(near the Rideau Centre) and Colonel Bye Drive, beside the canal.

The glass reflection is from the Conference Centre wall.

July 9 ~ Peony

My Camera Club liked this photo of a peony, which I took a few weeks ago.

Our theme for pictures was 'passages'.

This picture shows the fully blooming peony, blurred in the background, and the dying peony, focused in the foreground, 'passing' to the finished stage.

I like the colours!

July 8 ~ Swim Exit

My friend, Helen, was at the swim beach to cheer.

She took this photo of the Swim Exit, and sent it to me today.

Once in shallow water, there is then the job of getting the wet-suit unzipped and off!

Guest Photographer : Helen McKinnon

July 7 ~ Still thiking about the Triathlon

After the tri there is exhaustion and jubilation!

There is such joy at having Done It!

Jill, Peg and Nancy all finished second in their respective age groups.

We train together at the Y, with the Masters' Swim team.

July 6 ~ Meech Lake Triathlon

My training partners and friends came to accompany me to the Finish Line for the triathlon.

After 1.2 km swim, 23 km bike (hills) and 6.2 k run (more hills) I was out of energy!

I was also the oldest (and perhaps craziest!) woman in the event.

Jill, (Peg), Nancy, Bob ... thanks!

July 5 ~ How Do I Love Thee...

...

Let me count the ways.

Strawberry Jam, Strawberry-rhubarb pie.

Strawberry Shortcake, Strawberry-rhubarb crisp

Strawberries and ice cream

Strawberry smoothie ...

ah, summer!

July 4 ~ Ah, Summer!

The 'Lazy, Crazy, Hazy days of summer' are  here!

Today we were canoeing on Meech Lake with friends, Gord and Judy.

A picnic lunch, a swim and great friends - what a day!

July 3 ~ Ottawa's Finest View

This view from the Mackenzie King Bridge, is one of my favourites.

Not only do we see the parliament buildings,

 but also the NAC, the canal and the Rideau Street Bridge.

We live in a wonderful city !

July 2 ~ Oh, Canada!

Last night's Fireworks Show was spectacular!

It is a visual reminder of how fortunate we are to live in this wonderful country!

July 1 ~ Happy Canada Day!

Megan pins on Aaron's race number for his first race The Tot Trot,

at the Canada Day races in Kanata!

100 meteres and a pile of 3 & 4 year olds and parents (and grandparents!) all having fun!

June 30 ~ Almost Canada Day!

 Boats are parked along the canal, waiting for Canada Day celebrations!

June 29 ~ Ottawa Jazz Festival

The Ottawa Jazz Festival has been on all week.

Bob and I rode downtown to a few of the free noon hour concerts at the Rideau Centre.

I've always been a Saxophone fan, and enjoyed the music from this artist.