Ouch!!

One of hundreds damaged by the ice storm.
It's the last day of 2013. Tomorrow for many, is a day when we try to get a fresh start on our lives and live up to our resolutions. I hope you get the chance to regenerate like this tree will. Happy New Year and keep on clicking that camera.

Monday Bikes - Rent A Bike

According to the BIXI web page it is the most economical form of city travel! The big problem is that the company has run into finical problems. As of next spring, Toronto’s bike sharing network will be run by the Toronto Parking Authority. Between now and then, the TPA will be seeking out a private company to operate the system, as well as a big-name sponsor to offset some of the operating costs. In the next year, the City of Toronto plans to expand the bike-sharing network to 102 stations, with the help of some Pan Am Games legacy funding. Thanks to the Toronto Star Newspaper for the above info.

Museum Subway Station - Toronto

When you are in Toronto there is no mistaking which stop to get off for the Royal Ontario Museum.

Winter Home

Feversham, Ont. - Nothing special today. Just a scene that caught my eye.

Condo At Night

This was taken before the ice storm came and took down power lines.

Meeting

Happy face.

December 25, 2013

Christmas is at it's best when you are with family. In fact, I cherish my family more than any other gift.
Merry Christmas!

The Good, The Bad And The Ugly, Of Freezing Rain

A night view looking outside the back of my home. The after effects of last weekend's freezing rain storm is still clinging to the trees. It's staying cold so the ice is not melting. In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) there still are about 300,000 homes an businesses without electric power. As the Hydro crews fix one break in the power grid another tree or branch topples and takes some more electric cables down with it. It's two steps forward and one step back. It may be the weekend before power is restored to all homes across the GTA.

Mondy Bikes - Hudson's Bay Jacket

The coat is a Canadian icon. The Hudson's Bay Company introduced their brand of striped blankets in the late 1700s.
The material was adapted into coats and has been around in various styles ever since.

Just a footnote in what has happen to me in the last 24 hours. After the ice storm last Friday night another one started on Saturday night. The electric power went off at 2:30 A.M. Sunday morning. Came back on at 12:43 A.M. Monday. The wife and I are from the greatest generation so we were able to tough it out. It also helped to think of the people who found themselves much, much worst off with other storms that have plaguing the world.

Keeping Warm

Perhaps these pigeons standing on the heat vent are more intelligent than we give them credit for.

Old Man Winter - He's Back

Havelock, Ont. - Officially today is the first day of winter. Brrrrrrrrrrrrr..

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I had scheduled the first photo for posting today one week ago. This is what I really woke up to on December 21. There was a freezing rain storm over night. I was too chicken to go outside and I just stuck my camera out through an open window.

Young Couple

I saw them again later and realized they where looking for signs of direction. Nobody likes to get lost.

Snowplow

The men and women that operate snow removal equipment will work up to twenty-four hours straight in one shift.

Signs Signs - Street Sleeping

Someone has scratched out the word "have" and written "want" underneath it. Which way do think it should be?
Have or want? I'm linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs.

Winter Storage

Preparing to remove the boat from the water before the winter freeze.

Monday Bikes - Walking

College St., Toronto. - It's not too often that you see someone walking their bike in the bike lane.

Snow

First real snow storm of the season. Compared to other parts of the country, it's just a baby.

The Fountain

Here's the fountain.

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Here's what people do at the fountain.

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Here's a different view of what people do at the fountain..

Haircut

Pickering, Ont. - Working late at the barber shop.

I Spy With My Little Eye

Standing on the corner waiting for a green light I was wonder what he had his eyes on. The light turned green and he waited for the young lady to proceed. Then he stepped onto to the roadway and bent over and picked up a cigarette buttt and put it in his pocket.
Now that's what I call really being aware of the need to recycle.

Signs, Signs - Graffiti Busters

If there's somethin' strange in your neighborhood...
Who ya gonna call? I'm linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs.

No Guard

At this time of year, a day at the beach season is definitely over.

Monday Bikes - Hand Grip

It was the blue colour that caught my eye.

Snug As A Bug In A Rug

She's new to the hobby.

Making Waves

Due to mild temperatures December 3 felt more like a spring day rather than a winter day. The beavers were out and more active than normal. I spotted three beavers swimming around. This one passed under a bridge that I was standing on. He appears to have a small portion of a branch in his (her?) mouth.

Nelson Mandela

My tribute to Nelson Mandela who stood as a guiding light in a world with
political and religious leaders that are dragging us all into darkness.
For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live
in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. Nelson Mandela

Red Or Pink?

Toronto, Ontario. - Some people might say it's red but it's my blog and I say it's pink.

Slow Smoke

I wonder if his mother knows he smokes.

Ted Henry's Tree

Yesterday was a freezing cold day. Today (Sunday Dec. 1) it is mild and things have started to thaw. About an hour after I took this photo it began to rain. You can see my original posting of Ted Henry's tree here.

Monday Bikes - Bundle Up

It's that time of year again when keeping warm is important.

Lineup

They call them job fairs. Lineup and fill out a application and hope you get the minimum wage job.

In Search Of...

Tom works in an army surplus store. I have been searching for a Navy Seal`s hat but I am having difficulty finding one. Of all the stuff they have in this store Tom was unable to help me locate one. I am beginning to wonder if there is such a thing.

She's Got Her Whole World In A Cart

If God were woman, life would not be so harsh.

Bright

It`s a very bright, sunny, cold, winter, day.

Think Pink

Lady in pink. I'm Linking to Madge's Weekly Top Shot

Morning Traffic

On their way to work.

Monday Bikes

Watching the traffic go by.

Window Cleaner

I saw this guy lowering himself down the side of the building and I thought for sure he was going to land on someone.
He made a perfect landing with zero casualties.

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Then he spotted me and gave me the look.

Kick Start Your Day

Number one. A beautiful sunrise always helped me start the day right.

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Number two. A good cup of coffee.

Talking

Communicating the old fashion way. No texting.

Seeing Red

I'm used to seeing gray donkeys.

Signs, Signs - Church Wellesley Village

Church Wellesley Village, home to Toronto's original LGBT oriented community. I'm linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs.

Ageing

Growing old is not always kind.

Monday Bikes - Spots

I spotted the spotted bike lady locking her matching spotted bike.

The Weather Network

I'm out for my morning walk and it was just an ordinary day until I reached the waterfront.

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There was a cameraman.

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Then there's the weather guy doing live forecast and also interviewing local dog walkers.