Squares

 Four squares of a stained glass mosaic

Today (May 1st) is City Daily Photo Theme Day and this month's challenge is squares.

So far this spring, these poppies a amongst the very few blossoms I have seen. Hooray for artists!

The mosaic overlooks a parking lot on the east side of Southlake Hospital (Newmarket) and is located on a wing I never visit.  Luckily for my husband and me,  the wife of another patient (visiting the coffee shop in the lobby one day when we were there) told me about it.

The entire 12 squares of the window

This is actually a mosaic of stained glass pieces, glued onto the glass of an old window.

Hmmm. I didn't notice until I put the photos up on my computer screen that the venetian blinds behind the mosaic create shadows on the poppies.

I am linking to City Daily Photo Theme Days  HERE

Rooftop Fence #2

 Definitely not a widow's walk unless the widow is a Lilliputian

Not sure what this decorative fencing is for. Perhaps it to keep pigeons from falling off the roof?

 To guard against ________  (fill in the blank)

Life-size car outside life-size house

I am linking to Good Fences HERE.

Rooftop Garden

 Volunteer worker waiting for...???

Outside the windows of the rehab gym that my husband goes to every day Monday through Friday is a rooftop garden.  I'm dying to go out there but the doors are locked until the weather improves and gardening volunteers clean it up.

 Snow and ice are long gone but dead annuals are still in their pots

A longer view of the garden - volunteer still waiting

But wait!!

 Cleaning the walkway

The volunteer is up and working!  YAY!  Soon, very soon, we'll be allowed into the garden.

I am connecting to Rubbish Tuesday HERE.

End of April

 Farmer's fields

Many fields are turning a little green now, but farmers' fields  are still yellow-brown.

Railway bridge

Marshy areas are also still looking brown.  With temperatures getting warmer, green will soon make an appearance here!


Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES.

Old Town Hall Reno

 Children's artwork on fence

For the past few years, the Town of Newmarket (Ontario) has been undergoing a major facelift. Some of the renovations are in plain view and others are partially hidden.  The old Town Hall is an example of a partially hidden reno, and art by local kids hides some of the mess outside on a side street close to the centre of town.

 Paintings and a little peek at some of what's of the other side of the fence

The old Town Hall is a lovely old yellow brick building that deserves to be rejuvenated.

Bell tower atop old Town Hall

Already  repaired, the bell tower (too tall to be hidden by the fence!) hints at the treasure the building will be when the work on the rest of the building is complete.

More photos from Our World can be seen by clicking HERE.

Blooms at last!

 Chiononodoxa, aka "Glory-of-the-snow"

Finally, something blooming in my gardens!
I am linking to I Heart Macro HERE.

Red Wings

Male Red-winged Blackbird

The red wings are back and ravaging my bird feeders. I wish they knew better how to share with other birds! The announce they are coming in to the feeders from far away, scaring everyone else away.

 Female last fall

I am linking with Saturday Critters HERE.

Manikin Runner

Window reflection, Newmarket Main Street

I like the contrast here of the modern-day manikin runner in the window with the older buildings reflected behind.

To enjoy reflections from around the world, visit James at Weekend Reflections HERE

Balcony

 Fence around balcony, Newmarket

I spotted this fence on a street close to the centre of town. It would be a great place to stand and wave at you adoring crowds, dontcha think?

Longer view

I am linking to Good Fences HERE.

Newmarket Pond

Newmarket park last weekend

When out for walks, I'm still looking for wild blossoms here north of Toronto.   But a sure sign of spring is the red-winged blackbird you can barely see at the base of the cattails.

I am linking to Rurality Blog Hop HERE.

Mother Goose

 Canada Goose sitting on her nest

Apparently the snow last week has not affected the goose breeding season. Out for a walk in Newmarket, I discovered this soon-to-be Momma.

 On a tiny island in Fairy Lake, Newmarket

She apparently felt safe as I was quite a distance away and had to zoom in a LOT with my point-and-shoot to get the closer photo.

Father Goose

As you can see, soon-to-be dad is monitoring the situation.
I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

Ceramic Mural

 A Pictoral History of Northern York Region

This ceramic wall mural is on the first floor of Southlake Hospital (Newmarket).  Since it's on the wall across from Tim Horton's (a coffee/tea shop), I see it at least two times a day.

Fire, but I'm not sure what's burning here

Unfortunately, I can't identify everything in this mural.

Closeup of the texture in this section

Humber-Holland portage from King Creek to Holland Marsh

More photos from Our World can be seen by clicking HERE.

Farm Pond

East Gwillimbury farm pond

This image was taken yesterday (Saturday). No snow. No ice. And no green grass yet, either.  But birds are singing and making nests and, to me, this pond looks like spring.

Happy Easter!

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES.

American Robin

American robin

Yesterday, I took a scenic route home from the hospital. It was raining and there were puddles, but I didn't see any worms where this robin was searching for supper.  It was foraging in the middle of a country gravel road. Sounds scary to me!

I am linking with Saturday Critters HERE.

Wonky Hospital

 Hospital reflected in truck

This vehicle was so clean and shiny that the hospital made a strong and funny reflection on it.

Hospital and utility wires reflected in window across the street

To enjoy reflections from around the world, visit James at Weekend Reflections HERE

Garage Sale Fence

First Bake & Garage Sale of 2014 (that I've seen anyway)

Anyone who lives behind a white picket fence is sure to be a great baker, don't you think?  I did not stop to purchase any goodies, though.

I am linking to Good Fences HERE.

Puddle Reflection

Behind the hospital

Yep, my recent photo file is dwindling and I need to get out and take a few more. Would you believe I actually did walk the streets taking photos of Newmarket on a sunny day last week and THEN accidentally deleted them? True story and very frustrating.   Wish me luck TODAY as I think the sun is going to shine...and I feel like I need a long walk.

April 15th!!

 This is what I woke up to this morning!

Does this look like a beautiful spring day to YOU?

Apple tree

Not me either. (sigh)

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES.

Catfish Trail Marker #2

 MIZI(UK) - Catfish

I have been lucky enough on my lunchtime walks while visiting with my husband (still in Southlake Hospital, Newmarket) to find two of 10 trail markers.  Last week  I posted  another (Gookooko'oo(g)i Owl) HERE.

The metallic medallion is by artist Donald Chretien, of the band Nipissing First Nation.  Jim Menken is the chainsaw carver.

 Longer View

On the plaque beside this it says: MIZI(UK) - Knowledge. Creativity. Courage
Water holds ancient symbolic meaning dealing with the subconscious and depth of knowledge. Water contains all the mysteriousness of the unknown. Fish, the underwater dwellers, are masters of learning and instruct that the land and all its inhabitants are purveyors of learning and teaching.

FYI: I took this photo a couple of weeks ago. so that's why there's still snow.

More photos from Our World can be seen by clicking HERE.

Real Fake Flowers

 Planter outside a local nursery #1 last Friday

Blooms are so scarce here right now and I am so desperate for colour that I have taken to photographing faux flowers.

 Planter  #2

Well, they are cheerful, aren't they?

 Planter outside a local nursery #3

And the twigs are real.

I hope you are enjoying a lovely weekend!

Colourful Glass Beads

Tiny glass beads

I like the various colours and the wonky shape of the hole in the green bead.  I also like that we can see bubbles in the red bead.

Therapy Dog

Digger, an Australian  Cattle Dog

Four-year-old Digger graduated last Sunday and is now officially a Saint John Ambulance Therapy Dog. 

Since 1992, four-legged Saint John Ambulance volunteers have visited hospitals, retirement residences, and long-term and short-term care facilities across Canada to improve the quality of life for patients - reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, distracting the pain ridden.

Congratulations, Digger!

I am linking with Saturday Critters HERE.

The Roxborough

 The Roxborough reflected in building behind Southlake Hospital

The Roxborough is a retirement home across the street from the hospital in Newmarket.

 Weathervane at front of building

I've heard it is very nice inside.  The second and fourth photos are here just to show you what's being reflected in the  first and third photos.

 Reflection in puddle in hospital parking lot

Back side of The Roxborough

To enjoy reflections from around the world, visit James at Weekend Reflections HERE

Fence on the Roof

 At the top of an older Newmarket home

Yesterday while my husband was taking a nap, I took a walk from the hospital to Main Street, Newmarket to see what I could find to photograph.

Looking over a fence to see a fence (Did you get that?)

I am linking to Good Fences HERE.

Widening the Road

 Out in front of the hospital

Davis Drive (the main road from where I live into Newmarket's Southlake Hospital) is being widened approximately seven metres to allow for centre transit-only lanes.  Theoretically, this will encourage people to use rapid transit rather than cars.

Photo taken a little farther back

Along the length of Davis Drive, retaining walls have been constructed, utility poles have been moved and culverts have been replaced. Right now the area is a mess! But the projected drawings are very attractive. Of course, the artists didn't draw in any litter so that certainly improves the look of the area, right?

The road into the hospital's main parking lot

I'm learning some of the back streets of the Town of Newmarket. Imagine my surprise the morning the road into the parking lot was closed off!  It's supposed to be reopened in a couple of days, though!