The photo above was taken in the lovely garden of St. Martin-in-the-Fields here in Toronto Canada.

I am going to be taking a few days off from blogging, and away from the the computer in general in order to recharge my batteries. I will check in from time to time so please do say hi in the comments section if you surf through. I hope to be back to regular blogging in about a week.

It is not just trash pick-up that has been affected by this month long garbage strike here in Toronto. City-run museums, art galleries and cultural facilities have also been closed off to the public so far this summer and all programming has also been canceled.

This is particularly depressing for history buffs such as ourselves.

Closures include:

The City of Toronto Archives
Colborne Lodge
Fort York
Gibson House Museum
Mackenzie House
Spadina House
York Museum

I have just added a bunch of new photos to the Norfolk Militia Heritage Regiment Re-Enactment Group's website of the Grand Tactical event that was held July 11th. If you are interested in the War of 1812 or historical re-enactment please have a look at the site.

Please note WW is now played all week.

For a list of other Wordless Wednesday participants please click here.

Every day I am starting to feel stronger, and healthier. The new medication is working, and coupled with eating very healthy, and exercise, I am really starting to feel like my old self again.

This week my eldest daughter took her first overseas flight alone, and is visiting friends in England. I am very proud of her for taking the initiative, saving up her own money for the trip, and now enjoying her stay.

Add to all of this lovely summer weather, lots of sunshine, and comfortably warm temps, and I feel blessed indeed.

Thanks for visiting, and hope you are having a wonderful weekend, and week ahead!

Blog Your Blessings

It was in 1955 that Disneyland in California opened its gates. Did you know that it is the only theme park to be designed, built, and operated by Walt Disney himself?

"To all who come to this happy place - welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America ... with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world. Thank you."

—Walter E. Disney, July 17, 1955

Sources: Wiki

I have never been to the flagship park so to speak, but I would love to travel to California one day to see it, and experience the Disney magic.

Have you visited Disneyland?

Happy Weekend!

Bastille Day is the French national holiday, celebrated on 14 July each year. In France, it is called Fête Nationale ("National Celebration") in official parlance, or more commonly le quatorze juillet ("14 July"). It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789. Source: Wiki

Please note WW is now played all week.

For a list of other Wordless Wednesday participants please click here.

The British Library recently placed over two million pages of 49 national and regional UK newspapers from the 19th and early 20th century online for research. And over the past weekend I have been like a kid in a candy store doing various searches through these wonderful records.

You can explore these 19th century newspapers yourself by visiting the British Library website.

Cheers!

Last weekend was my Mom's 75th birthday. We spent the day at my parents house, and celebrated by ordering in her favourite Mary Brown's Fried Chicken. It is a rare treat for her because she is diabetic, and really needs to watch her food intake. Needless to say we skipped on the birthday cake, but instead had cupcakes for my niece, and some diabetic ice cream.

It was a beautiful day, so we decided to take a bit of a hike along the nature trails near my parents house.

Matthew snapped this pic of us while we hiked along the path. My Mom especially loves the waterfront trails, and walking along the beach front.

Here is another view of the beach that I snapped as we walked along. It was a lovely day, even if we did all get a bit sunburned.

Thanks for visiting, and hope you are having a wonderful weekend, and week ahead!

Blog Your Blessings

It was on July 8th 1947 that the Roswell Daily Record published a press release announcing that the U.S. Air Force had captured a "flying disc" they later released another press release claiming that what was actually recovered was debris from an experimental high-altitude surveillance weather balloon. And from there a modern day mystery was born, and the debate still rages as to what actually happened out in the desert so long ago.

For further info you can check out the wiki entry on The Roswell UFO Incident here.

Keep watching those skies!

Today is a sad anniversary for our family as it marks 10 years since the day my father passed away as a result of esophageal cancer.

My Dad in large part shaped who I am today. He never judged, was always quick to remind me that I was just as good as anybody else, and was one of the very few that I knew I could always count on. He was my biggest supporter, teacher, and my friend. He was, simply put, a true blessing.

Alec A. Demeter Aug. 5th 1922 - July 6th 1999

Rest in peace Dad. While the pain does ease over time, th missing never goes away.

I have been adding some new photos to the Norfolk Militia Heritage Regiment Re-enactment Group website this morning. If you like historical re-enactment, and are interested in the War of 1812 please click on the link and check us out.

The photos I've shared above depict life in a camp circa 1812. Don't the tarts look yummy!!!

Please note WW is now played all week.

For a list of other Wordless Wednesday participants please click here.