Friday, 10 August 2018
Thursday, 9 August 2018
A summer afternoon
On Tuesday we visited Cantigny park, which is located a couple of towns away from us. It is the former estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, who was the publisher of the Chicago Tribune. He served in World War 1 and saw action at the Battle of Cantigny. After returning home, he renamed his estate in honor of the battle.
Colonel McCormick never had children. When he died in 1955 he left his fortune to establish a charitable trust. He also directed that Cantigny should be transformed into a park for the general public to enjoy. The mansion was turned into a historic house museum which is open for tours.
There is also a war museum on the property. The First Division Museum chronicles World War 1 as well as later wars. Displayed outside the museum are tanks from the various wars. Children are allowed to climb on them. There are also beautiful gardens on the grounds.
We took the house tour, and checked out the war museum. Both were great. Photos are not allowed inside the house. It Is filled with personal things, plus so many antiques and works of art. It is truly magnificent.
Colonel McCormick never had children. When he died in 1955 he left his fortune to establish a charitable trust. He also directed that Cantigny should be transformed into a park for the general public to enjoy. The mansion was turned into a historic house museum which is open for tours.
There is also a war museum on the property. The First Division Museum chronicles World War 1 as well as later wars. Displayed outside the museum are tanks from the various wars. Children are allowed to climb on them. There are also beautiful gardens on the grounds.
We visited here often when the kids were small. They loved to climb on the tanks!
We took the house tour, and checked out the war museum. Both were great. Photos are not allowed inside the house. It Is filled with personal things, plus so many antiques and works of art. It is truly magnificent.
Here are a couple of museum pictures.
I thought of Amy while walking around the rose garden. I think everyone would enjoy it.
It was a very nice day!
Wednesday, 8 August 2018
Paraprosdokians
Amy sent these great paraprosdokians.
Don't you just love that word?
A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence is unexpected...
1.
2. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
3. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.
4. A day without sunshine is like, well … night.
5. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
6. Those that live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
7. Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.
8. The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.
9. It is said that if you line up all the cars in the world end-to-end, someone from California would be stupid enough to try to pass them.
10. If the shoe fits, get another one just like it.
11. The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first.
12. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day, drinking beer.
13. Flashlight: A case for holding dead batteries.
14. God gave you toes as a device for finding furniture in the dark.
15. When you go into court, you are putting yourself in the hands of twelve people who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty.
Here are a couple more paraprosdokians.
Today a man knocked on my door and asked for a small donation for the community pool, so I gave him a glass of water.
And in honour of your president...
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
Tuesday, 7 August 2018
You Never Know...
I came across this little video yesterday. It made me feel so happy.
A young man playing for money on a street corner. Four irrepressible young men happening by.
When I started digging, I discovered that there is so much more to this story.
The violinist's name is Wuilly Arteaga. His story is both heart-breaking and inspirational. It reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit.
Wuilly Arteaga, 24, is from Venezuela. During last year's deadly protests against President Nicolás Maduro he stood in front of the tanks and riot police and played his violin. The National Guard destroyed his violin, jailed him, and tortured him. When he was released he found safety in NYC.
He came from a poor family. He dropped out of school at the age of 8 and taught himself to play the violin by watching YouTube videos. He continues to speak out against injustice.
You can read more about him here.
I am in awe at the courage of this young man.
A young man playing for money on a street corner. Four irrepressible young men happening by.
When I started digging, I discovered that there is so much more to this story.
The violinist's name is Wuilly Arteaga. His story is both heart-breaking and inspirational. It reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit.
Wuilly Arteaga, 24, is from Venezuela. During last year's deadly protests against President Nicolás Maduro he stood in front of the tanks and riot police and played his violin. The National Guard destroyed his violin, jailed him, and tortured him. When he was released he found safety in NYC.
He came from a poor family. He dropped out of school at the age of 8 and taught himself to play the violin by watching YouTube videos. He continues to speak out against injustice.
You can read more about him here.
I am in awe at the courage of this young man.
Monday, 6 August 2018
Let's forget the scary pies
The pie post yesterday left me feeling unsettled. So what can I do? I guess I can share the meal that we had last night.
Progeny number three joined us after golfing with DH. It was a coma inducing meal of steak, potatoes, and veggies. I rarely cook beef anymore, this was an exception. It is safe to say we all enjoyed it. So without further ado- here are a few pictures.
Duncan rarely shares his perch...
But when big brother comes home, he is happy to oblige.
Then of course there is the food..
This was my plate, and of course I could not finish all of it.
Someone really wanted to help me out.
Yes, he was given a few bites, it was such a big potato after all! Maybe a little bit of steak...
He was completely satisfied.
Have a good Monday everyone!!
Sunday, 5 August 2018
Pie for everyone... maybe
I know it is early for Halloween, but these pictures of pies really creeped me out. I love pie but don't think I would sample any of these!! {{ Shiver }}
I guess he is sort of happy...

This would be a no way ever.

EEK!!

Well, I hope I haven't totally ruined your Sunday! Regina may ban me after this! 😱
Saturday, 4 August 2018
Riddle me this
Put on your thinking caps. I thought it might be fun to solve some riddles. Please try not to use the Google machine. 😉 I will update the post with the answers later in the day. Have fun everyone!
Answer:
Answer:
Answer:
e n t - They represent the first letter when writing the numbers one thru ten.
Answers now included.
1)
I like indigo but not blue, I like onions but not turnips, I like forms but not shapes. According to the same rule, do I like tomatoes or avocados?
Answer:
Tomatoes - I like all things that start with a preposition.
2)
When I'm used, I'm useless, once offered, soon rejected. In desperation oft expressed, the intended not protected. What am ?
Answer:
A poor alibi or excuse.
3)
How many cats are in a small room if in each of the four corners a cat is sitting, and opposite each cat there sit three cats, and at each cat's tail another is sitting?
Answer:
Four cats, each near a tail of a cat in an adjacent corner.
4)
What is the next 3 letters in this riddle? o t t f f s s _ _ _
Answer:
e n t - They represent the first letter when writing the numbers one thru ten.
This next one is my own personal favorite riddle..
5) If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?
Answer:
Pilgrims!
Answer:
Pilgrims!
Friday, 3 August 2018
Golden Bridge
This footbridge recently opened in the mountains of central Vietnam. It is named Cau Vang or "Golden Bridge". It is supported by two giant concrete hands reaching toward the sky. The bridge was created to evoke the image of "giant hands of Gods, pulling a strip of gold out of the land."
I think it is very unique. Those are some big hands!!




Thursday, 2 August 2018
Life's a Carousel...
Regina is right. I find I am always on the lookout for ideas for a post. Pallottine sparked this one yesterday with a comment he made. It reminded me of how much I have always loved old carousels.
Pallottine: "Oldie But Goodie...The oldest wooden merry-go-round in the United States can be found in Burlington, Colorado. The Kit Carson County Carousel was built in 1906."
It is beautiful- but what's with the zebras and lions? Well, it seems that the Elitch Gardens agent, rather than accept the order as it stood, hand-picked the animals that pleased him from all those on the factory shelves, even though several were not originally intended for this carousel.
I am a purest. Carousels need horses. Beautiful magical horses.
I found this perfect quote.
"... a carousel is more that just a machine...it has been called magical by a friend of mine. I think of it as a spiritual dimension-more than just experience, more than just memories." -Will Morton
Expo 67, Montreal
Fifty-one years ago this summer, I rode on this beautiful carousel at Man and His World.
"The carousel was manufactured in Belgium circa 1885. After a period of time in the United States, it was brought to Montreal for Expo 67. According to the records of the National Carousel Association it is the oldest merry-go-round in Canada, and one of the ten oldest in North America."
I was sad to read that this beautiful carousel has been stored away and badly neglected over the years. However there are hopes of bringing La Ronde's Antique Carousel back to life.
Here is another gorgeous antique Merry-Go-Round. I would love to ride on this one. Ah, the places I could go perched atop that beautiful horse in the front of the picture.
Not all my carousel rides have been wonderful. My dad used to show his roadster horse at all the little country fairs. So we spent a lot of our growing up years at one fair or another.
I have a vivid memory of being on the merry-go-round. I was about 5 years old. I was on a horse on the outside of the ride. My younger sister was on a horse beside me. And my mother and baby sister were sitting in a chariot a little way behind. I remember that the ride was going very fast and I heard a clicking sound coming from my horse. Suddenly the horse came out of the tube that was attached to the floor and still hanging onto the horse we were now flying around out at the side of the ride. Luckily, the horse was still attached at the top. I can remember my mother screaming for the attendant to stop the ride. He couldn't hear her at first over the organ music. A father who was with his child on one of the horses saw what was happening and jumped down and ran over to grab the top pole to keep me from swinging outside of the ride and maybe flying away completely.
I remember that I was terrified of Merry-Go-Rounds for years after that experience. My sister, who was only four, remembers how scary it was. Probably not helped by my mother's panic. I am sure she gave the poor attendant hell. However, I am glad to say, my love for these exquisite machines won out over my fear.
My sister just told me there is one at Santa's Village where she lives in Bracebridge. I will have to make sure I go for a ride next time I am there. I hope it is an authentic one. With horses.
Love's A Carousel
Thank you, P. ; ))
Pallottine: "Oldie But Goodie...The oldest wooden merry-go-round in the United States can be found in Burlington, Colorado. The Kit Carson County Carousel was built in 1906."
![]() |
You can see the actual carousel turning here. Make sure to turn on the band music. |
I am a purest. Carousels need horses. Beautiful magical horses.
I found this perfect quote.
"... a carousel is more that just a machine...it has been called magical by a friend of mine. I think of it as a spiritual dimension-more than just experience, more than just memories." -Will Morton
Expo 67, Montreal
Fifty-one years ago this summer, I rode on this beautiful carousel at Man and His World.
"The carousel was manufactured in Belgium circa 1885. After a period of time in the United States, it was brought to Montreal for Expo 67. According to the records of the National Carousel Association it is the oldest merry-go-round in Canada, and one of the ten oldest in North America."
I was sad to read that this beautiful carousel has been stored away and badly neglected over the years. However there are hopes of bringing La Ronde's Antique Carousel back to life.
Here is another gorgeous antique Merry-Go-Round. I would love to ride on this one. Ah, the places I could go perched atop that beautiful horse in the front of the picture.
Not all my carousel rides have been wonderful. My dad used to show his roadster horse at all the little country fairs. So we spent a lot of our growing up years at one fair or another.
I have a vivid memory of being on the merry-go-round. I was about 5 years old. I was on a horse on the outside of the ride. My younger sister was on a horse beside me. And my mother and baby sister were sitting in a chariot a little way behind. I remember that the ride was going very fast and I heard a clicking sound coming from my horse. Suddenly the horse came out of the tube that was attached to the floor and still hanging onto the horse we were now flying around out at the side of the ride. Luckily, the horse was still attached at the top. I can remember my mother screaming for the attendant to stop the ride. He couldn't hear her at first over the organ music. A father who was with his child on one of the horses saw what was happening and jumped down and ran over to grab the top pole to keep me from swinging outside of the ride and maybe flying away completely.
I remember that I was terrified of Merry-Go-Rounds for years after that experience. My sister, who was only four, remembers how scary it was. Probably not helped by my mother's panic. I am sure she gave the poor attendant hell. However, I am glad to say, my love for these exquisite machines won out over my fear.
My sister just told me there is one at Santa's Village where she lives in Bracebridge. I will have to make sure I go for a ride next time I am there. I hope it is an authentic one. With horses.
Love's A Carousel
Thank you, P. ; ))
Wednesday, 1 August 2018
Clever graphic design
I haven't been very active on the blog lately. After all the turmoil of the past seven months, now that I'm beginning to settle, the loss of Peter and all the memories rushed back to the centre of my thoughts, so I'm having some rough days. I would like to thank GrannyJ and Roxie (who's turning into a very inspired blogger, despite the initial reluctance...) for keeping things going, and of course all of you for your continuing participation in the discussions.














Here are some clever play with words, I hope you enjoy them:
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