Solar panels becoming more and more common

The world is changing. Our reliance on fossil fuels is slowly, or maybe not so slowly, waning. This home in the Byron suburb of London, Ontario, sports about two dozen large, solar panels on at least two sides of the sloped roof.

Good Friday

In London, Ontario, Canada, symbols of the risen Christ are everywhere on Good Friday. But crosses are commonly found throughout the cemeteries in town year around. In the coming years this may change.

Better late than never

 Months late, London groundhog sees shadow. Snow expected!

Londoners waited patiently for almost two full months for the groundhog to make its annual appearance. On April 1st it finally showed, popping up in Springbank Park to see its shadow and then immediately scamper back into its den. Why? The forecast: snow! And London's official meteorologist agree with our furry friend. Snow is on the way. 

London is a red zone again. Park use is light.

The City of London, Ontario, has been again been declared a red zone by the provincial government. This means the number of covid-19 cases are climbing as are the deaths. The city continues to vaccinate residents but the process is very slow. Canada, caught without a vaccine-making facility, is at the mercy of other countries for delivery of much needed vaccine.

I have an appointment to get a vaccination but it is for two full weeks in the future. The month will be half over by the time my wife and I get our first shots. The second may not be administered until four months in the future. Canada is so short of vaccine that those who have not been vaccinated are getting their first shot before others are given their second.

It is hoped the Yanks will free up some vaccine by early summer as it appears the Americans will have everyone vaccinated in the U.S. by then. Canadians have their fingers crossed.

American ingenuity? Or a crass rip-off?

This is not an ad. I have yet to taste a drop of coffee from this birthday gift to my wife. I cannot say a thing about the quality of coffee it makes.

That said, I expect it to be good. My wife and I both like coffee brewed in a French press. The French press was, as far as I could determine, patented by the Italians Attilio Calimani and Giulio Moneta in 1929. No, it wasn't patented by the French first. 

What is said to be the most popular design was patented by Faliero Bondanini in 1958. Bondanini was Swiss and not French but he did have his design manufactured in France. Still, the version that made the French press a household name in North America was a Danish company: Bodum.

What makes French press coffee special are the coffee oils remaining in the brew when poured. Sadly, some of these oils are said to change a coffee drinker's blood cholesterol, and not for the better. Paper coffee filters absorb some of these oils and so drip coffee is the brew of choice for those with hardening of the arteries.

Which brings us to the AeroPress. And American invention from Palo Alto, California, it is said to filter out the unhealthy coffee oils but somehow magically retain the full flavour of the ground coffee. To me, it looks like an American take on the French Press with a coffee filter added.

I call it ingenious as it certainly addresses the concerns of those with certain heart disease problems by removing the heart-offending coffee oils. Sales are through the roof. Bodum is jealous, I'm sure. If the coffee is no better than that from a drip machine, it is a rip-off but one in tune with history. The Americans have to get in line behind the Swiss, the French and the Danes when claiming bragging rights to the creative invention of a pair of Italians almost a century ago.

What does the mask symbolize?

 

 

I've spent a little time trying to determine what exactly the mask held in the right hand of the statue symbolizes. I've come up empty. The expression is so peaceful. The expression plus the attire of the woman holding the mask persuade me that this is not a Greek muse holding a mask representing comedy or tragedy.

And the mask is too nondescript to be an "imagine." According to the Britannica, imagines preserved an ancestor's appearance as each was modeled on the features of the deceased person. Sometimes beeswax was used in order to lift and exact likeness. 

My guess is that the mask makes some reference to the theatre as Annie Pixley, the deceased, was a famous and widely respected actress.

There are three stained glass windows in the mausoleum

 

The Pixley - Fulford mausoleum is said to be an architectural gem. It is said to be one of the finest mausoleums in all of Canada. I believe it. From muses to lions to angels, the mausoleum wants for very little when it comes to decoration. And when one enters it, if you can, there are three gorgeous stained glass window awaiting you.

The music of the Gods

 

There are a couple of ladies sitting on the right and left top corners of the mausoleum These do not appear to be angels. This lady is clearly a musician playing an instrument of the Gods, a lyre. Here is link to a discussion of lyres as mausoleum art. I gather this statue symbolizes a harmonious spiritual connection with God.

I was curious about the bare nipple but when I googled it I was directed to some "dangerous sites." I'm sure the bare nipple signifies something but I'm not sure what and may never know. The meaning is hidden even if the nipple isn't.

Lion guarding the Fulford - Pixley Mausoleum

Fulford - Pixley Mausoleum 

As promised, a close-up of one of the two lions that have guarded the Fulford-Pixley mausoleum in London, Ontario, for more than a century. Link to First Post.

One of the finest mausoleums in Canada

Fulford - Pixley Mausoleum 

 I got a request for my photo of the Fulford - Pixley mausoleum in London. This call rekindled my interest in the mausoleum and I shot some new pictures of the incredible structure.

Annie Pixley was a popular stage actress of the 1870s who won international acclaim for her stage performances. After marrying fellow actor Robert Fulford she frequented the London area, spending many summers in Port Stanley south of London on the shore of Lake Erie. On occasion she performed at London's Grand Opera House (now the Grand Theatre). 

Tragedy struck in July, 1886 when Annie’s 12 year old son Thomas died of what was known as "brain fever". He was buried at Woodland Cemetery. Tragedy would strike again Nov. 8th, 1893, when Annie died while visiting relatives in England. 

In memory of his wife and son, Robert Fulford built the Fulford - Pixley Mausoleum. It was completed in 1897. Today it is a popular attraction to visitors in London. It is considered to be among the finest funerary monuments in Canada.

No masks. Are these two sisters?

Most, but not all, folk at the park were not wearing their masks. It did appear that people were clumped together in what may well have been family units. A dad, a mom and some kids. The groupings kept to themselves while keeping distant from other small groups.

These two girls, with their smart phone, were clearly sitting too close together -- unless, of course, they were both members of the same family. Possibly they were sisters. I certainly hope so.

Long lens visually bunches crowd

The effect is known as foreshortening, perspective compression or forced perspective . It makes objects in the distance look closer to other objects in the distance than they actually were. In other words, the folk crowding the sidewalk in Springbank Park Sunday were not breaking all the social distancing rules despite what the photo shows. But the park was packed with thousands of Londoners eager to get out and about thanks to the warm spring temperatures.

Spring is definitely here!

The snow has melted. The breezes are warm. We have sunshine into the early evening. Spring beckons and Londoners are responding by heading for the city's many parks--often blue masks in hand.

Is this a turret?

What is the cone-shaped roof above the porch of this Victorian home called? I'm not an expert when it comes to architecture. I think it may be a turret. This home appears to have been built in a somewhat simplified Queen Anne Victorian style. This would explain the very simple turret.

A heart healthy meal inspired by a local London doctor

 

Today's post was inspired by Dr. David Spence at SPARC (Stroke Prevention and Atherosclerosis Research Centre) in London and located at Western University. When Dr. Spence wrote a book on how to deal with stroke prevention, a big part of the fight to remain healthy is eating right. The last part of his book was dedicated to heart-healthy recipes. 

 

I try to follow Dr. Spence's guidance and last night I discovered I had a fridge full of leftovers. Oh well, when life hands you lemons, make lemon sole, I say. I'm now out of sole, breading, sweet peppers and mushrooms but I do still have lemons. Can't get rid of the damn things. Oh well . . .

 

Dinners like this, very light on the saturated fats and low in cholesterol are an important weapon in the fight against heart disease. Cheers! (Sorry about the yellow tint but photo taken under warm, indoor lighting.)

Almost 150 years old, spinner's home a heritage property

 

Alexander Murdoch built a simple home for a young, working, family man. The 29-year-old was a spinner at a local mill when he built his home in Stratford. What was a spinner? A spinner was the operator of a spinning jenny or spinning mule used in the local mills to make yarn and other textile products. Some of the larger mills had upwards of 200 employees. The mills were the third most important business in Stratford at that time after the furniture factories and railways.

Bungalows common in Southwestern Ontario

According to the Ontario Architecture site, the bungalow style is an American invention, popularized in California in the early 20th century. It was brought to Canada in the early 1910s. The Americans got the idea from the British who built small homes, bungalows, that imitated the style of home the Brits had lived in while stationed in India. The North American version is very different than the British style.

Bungalows are generally one or one-and-a-half storey homes with broad, low-pitched, roofs and generous, large porches. Bungalows are almost exclusively residential and are often made of materials such as stone and brick.

Another gingerbread home

If you are getting the idea that the homes in the downtown Stratford heritage neighbourhood are more varied than one often finds in similar aged neighbourhoods, you're right. This home does not have a plaque but I think it is safe to say it was not one of the most upscale homes in the area when it was built more than a century ago. Today the gingerbread treatment gives it a little extra visual sparkle.

A hotel keeper's home

 

This Stratford home was built by James Rankin in 1880. Rankin was a hotel keeper in Stratford. He didn't live in the home for long. He moved out after about five years. The next owner was a long-time member of Parliament for the area. The story of the somewhat unique looking home can be found HERE.

Not as original as once thought

I was back in Stratford and strolling about the core heritage neighbourhood. Many of the homes are small, compact may be a better word, and were built a little more than a century ago for a mix of clients. A surprising number of the now valuable properties were built for simple working-class families.

I don't know the history of this home but I did chat with the present owner. He told me how two of the nicest features of the heritage property, features that drew him to the home, are relatively new: The half circle stained glass windows above the front windows only date to the late 1960s.

Now, I wish I'd asked if the home has also had an addition or two to enlarge the place over the intervening years. My guess, the roof visible behind the front peak is relatively new. This might have been a much simpler home when first built.

It's March!

 

"I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!" No, this time these are not the words of The White Rabbit but of Frosty the Snowman. 

It's March. Sunday the clocks are jumping forward with the arrival of daylight saving time. Sorry Frosty, your time has passed. It is too late to leave gracefully. It is time to just leave. 

Bye!

A fine Victorian home near St. Joseph's Hospital

 

The area west of St.Joseph's Hospital is dotted with fine, heritage homes. There are a number of fine colourful Victorian homes still sporting the original wooden siding and not sheathed in vinyl as so often happens in London. London was home to a major vinyl siding company and in many areas heritage homes now sport vinyl rather than the original wood siding.

Some fine homes remain

 

The homes to the west of St. Joseph's Hospital in London were once owned by the elite of the city. Many of these grand, old places have been demolished over the passing years but a good number are still standing and in good condition. Walking about the neighbourhood while waiting for friend to be discharged from the hospital can be a real pleasure if the weather cooperates as it did the other day.

The Good, the bad and the ugly

 

My wife and I had to take a senior friend to the hospital to visit the eye clinic. Recently, the friend's one eye endured an operation. The wait for the operation was incredibly long unless she agreed to drive a hundred kms southwest of London to another clinic, a private clinic. The trip was long and the treatment was expensive. And the results were questionable. This was the bad,

The recent trip to the London clinic was her second follow-up appointment. With the eye now fully recovered from its recent ordeal, the examination went well. The doctor told her he could improve on the treatment result. He'd take a laser and reshape the lens in her eye. And, best of all, he would perform the operation immediately. After an hour spent recuperating, she emerged from the hospital with her vision immensely improved. This was the good.

And the ugly? The new hospital addition. Compared to the older, yellow-brick Victorian building, the addition, at least to me, looked downright ugly.

Very moving music

 

The guitar music sounded distant and possibly slightly distorted. It was both. A young man was bearing down on me rather quickly, rollerblading down a paved path while simultaneously playing his guitar. I was unable to grab a picture of the multi-talented musician approaching, but I did get off one fast photo before he disappeared.

Peaches from Austria

The trade between ancient cities and civilizations always fascinated me as a child. Today, as an adult, I am still fascinated by the extent of trade, often global in nature. And I puzzle over what exactly it all means.

Breakfast this morning was waffles. The waffle-maker was made in China by an American company. The waffle mix came straight from the States. The strawberries, maple syrup and whipped cream are Canadian in origin, while the peaches are from Austria of all places. 

When I was a boy Ontario canned and bottled a lot of peaches. No more. All the canning plants in Ontario are long gone. Closed. There are but very few bottlers of peaches remaining in the province.

Tomatoes: Art and not food?

 

These tomatoes looked wonderful in the store. Big, bright red, a bit of green from the vines still attached. These tomatoes are almost works of art. Hot house grown, carefully nurtured for the perfect look, what else could one ask of a tomato?

Well, not to put too fine a point on this, but how about taste and texture to start. These tomatoes are rock-solid hard. They lack juice and are even missing the distinctive tomato fragrance. 

There was a rumour a few years ago that the latest hot-house tomatoes being grown in southwester Ontario were going to be more like the tomatoes so many of us recall from our youth. Since shipping was no longer a problem, these tomatoes are grown but hours from market, tomatoes able to resist the worst handling imaginable would no longer carry a premium. Breeding for taste would become the dominant driver.

I'm disappointed to inform all that tomato breeders are finding it difficult to dig themselves out of the tomato hell into which they have tumbled. Meanwhile, oddly enough, there are still diced tomatoes in cans and those wily canners seem to know where to go when seeking tasty tomatoes.

Imitation, the sincerest form of flattery

 

I often read that the suburbs are horrible places. Why? Well, for one thing, there are too many rows of look-alike homes. I cannot speak for all towns and cities but in London the developers try to NOT sell two homes of the same design side-by-side. There may by a number of similar, even very similar, homes in a new development but these are rarely located right beside each other.

But, in older heritage neighbourhoods, building rows of similar looking homes was not only common but it was often the rule. I think these old times builders must have thought that imitation was the sincerest form of flattery.

The row of homes shown are in a very desirable heritage neighbourhood in Stratford, Ontario, about forty-five minutes northeast of London.

People around the world are going stir-crazy

 

If you go out, wear a mask. If possible, don't go out. Stay in. And millions of folk are staying home, staying in and going quietly stir-crazy. Spring and the promise of getting out gardening is the bright light at the end of the covid-19 tunnel.

My wife has vacuumed all carpets and rugs. She has polished all our wood floors. Our bathrooms are so clean you could  . . . well, you get the idea. At second thought, put that idea out of your mind. 

Heck, the other day she wiped down my bald head and treated it with some fancy lotion. I sparkle.

Today I caught her cleaning our aging toaster. She could smell bread crumbs burning, she said. When she could not knock every crumb loose, she got some blue-striped, plastic straws and made her own unique bread-crumb nozzle.

She got the toaster clean but I'm getting worried. What's next? Spring cannot get here too soon.

Doors are made in London, Ontario

 

Our front door is worn. The steel is dented, the paint is chipped and a kick plate is missing from the bottom. We need a new door. So, my wife and I went looking.

I was surprised to learn there is a door maker just on the edge of London. The company is located in the county to save on taxes. This is not uncommon.

I'm surprised at how much and how little companies like this know today. When I was a boy, I believe if one needed a door, you bought a door. Today the installers much prefer to install a whole package including the frame and sidelights.

If you'd like the weatherstripping repaired in the future, this request may overtax these installers talents. The company can make doors, steel doors, fiberglass doors or even an old, solid wood exterior door. But don't ask for too much maintenance or repair. Weird.

Fences were once uncommon. No more.

When I was a boy, big fences in residential neighborhoods were exceedingly rare. When I was a teen, the first backyard pools began being installed. If you saw a tall privacy fence, one immediately thought "pool." 

Not today. Fences are now easy, quick and relatively inexpensive to erect. Some people like the look of the light, panels made from a plastic-like material. Others see the stone-wall look, or whatever pattern has been used, as a bit on the tacky side. Me? I like 'em.

The first time I went to Europe, I was surprised by all the big walls around residences. The look has not come to North America, at least not yet. But it may be slowing coming here.

Memories of Summers Past

It is now March 2nd. Come March 21st or thereabouts it will be spring. When one goes for a walk today,  one see the memories of summers past and tries, often without success, to ignore the snow and envision the world green rather than white.

The City Daily Photo group theme today: reflections

London Daily Photo is a blog associated with the City Daily Photo group. This is a global group of blogger posting an image every day from wherever it is that they live. As one would imagine, most of the images share views of the blogger's hometown. The first day of the month is theme day. Today the theme is reflections.

Cars smaller when garage built

 

The garage is well cared for, it is painted, its roof doesn't leak and it is unused except for storing patio furniture. Most vehicles today are too large to be maneuvered around the bend in the driveway and eased into the small garage. And if the skillful driver got the car in, it might not all fit inside. Many cars are too long for the aging structure.

Working class housing a century ago could be quite fine

This Stratford home does not have an historical plaque. I think it needs one. I love the small roof extending out over the porch and front steps from above the front door. The semi-circular window surrounded by decorative shingles is a nice touch. 

What I find most amazing about this heritage neighbourhood is the mix of early owners. Some of the original owners were wealthy and the homes show this if you are attentive to detail. But other homes were owned by factory floor workers. The detailing is restrained but by today's standards it is great. 

More and more Stratford is a town where retirees are going to enjoy life in their senior years.

Two to a chair unless all are family

 

The ski hill has greeters positioned at the entrance to the facility. The number of lift tickets available is severely curtailed. Only two skiers are allowed on a chairlift seat. Four are only allowed when all four riders are family members living at the same residence.

With freezing rain expected overnight and a forecast high of seven degrees Saturday, forty-five in Fahrenheit, skiing season is going to be very short.

Not London but Chicago

If you are thinking that's not London, that's Chicago. You're right. I'm posting this not just because it's a great image but as evidence of the amazing tonal range captured by today's smart phones, especially in the highlights.

Recently I was given three cameras. One was an old Leitz film camera. The other two were simple point and shoot digital cameras. Thanks to the ever-present smart phone, I discovered these cameras have no value. The bottom has fallen out of the used camera market, at least here in London.

The Mountain is back!

 

The Ontario government has loosened the covid-19 lock-down restrictions. One result is that the local ski hill is finally in limited operation. My granddaughters had all their ski lessons canceled. There is simply not enough winter left. But, they did get three hours in on the weekend. They had three hours of semi-private ski lessons. The snowboarder shown was hitting the hill alone and appeared to be enjoying being back on the slopes.

Free the two Michaels sign in window

The two Michaels, Michael Kovig and Michael Spavor, have been imprisoned in China for more than two years with no release in sight for either. Macleans, Canada's newsmagazine, reports:

They were detained by Chinese officials in December 2018, in implicit retaliation for Canada’s arrest nine days earlier of Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese tech giant Huawei, and the two men have since been formally arrested and charged with espionage, which means a virtually certain guilty verdict.

Canadians are incensed but finding the action that will free the two men and bring them home to their families is proving elusive. Signs are appearing in windows calling for the freeing of the two Michaels.

A good example of early 1900s housing

The Grand Trunk Railway relocated their locomotive repair shop from Toronto to Stratford in 1870. In the early 1900s the repair shops were expanded and Charles Heppler moved to Stratford looking for work as a machinist.

In 1905, Charles married Ann Hansuld, a Stratford dressmaker. in Stratford. The couple bought a  lot on Water Street and their future home was completed in September of 1907. Within two years the couple was looking for another place to live. They sold their large home to the former owner of the Queen's Inn and moved to another Stratford home.

Architecturally, the home is a good example of the style of home being constructed throughout Ontario at that time.

Plaques often found on historic Stratford homes

If you wondered how I found out so much about the Charles Moore home in Stratford, it was relatively easy. Many of the finest, historic homes in the little southwestern Ontario town carry plaques. These tell the year in which the home was built and the name of the first owner/resident.

Charles Moore home in Stratford. Built 1915.

This home is one of my favourite homes to be found anywhere. It was finished in 1915. Immediately the builder, Charles Moore, 27, and his new bride Myrtle Harris, 22, moved in. The couple had postponed their wedding for a year and half while their home was completed.

The young couple lived in their Edwardian Classic home all their lives. They grew old together in that home. Myrtle passed away in 1983 at 90 and Charles was forced by his advancing age to move into a senior residence in 1990. He died three years later at 105 years of age.

Wouldn't you love to see the interior of this home. They rarely build homes with such elegance today. Agreed?

A 3 day series: 1st, check window treatment

 

While visiting Strathroy I noticed the window treatment on the large windows on the rear wall of an older home. These windows were unique in number, in shape and even in the decoration surrounding each one. I thought this window treatment amazing. 

I stopped, got a picture and then walked around to the front of the home. The front of the place was equally amazing and tomorrow I'll share the why with members of the group.

Should rabbits eat red holly berries?

The rabbits around our home enjoy feasting on many of our decorative shrubs. The green holly with the bright red berries is a favourite with both birds and small animals, like rabbits.

We worry that the red berries, while enticing to wildlife during the depths of a cold winter, may not be good for them. Are the berries toxic, we wonder.

The answer, I believe, is that the berries are the best food, even for cold and hungry rabbits. That said, the berries are not apparently dangerous when eaten but in  small amounts by hungry, little animals like our local rabbits. 

The rabbits around our home enjoy feasting on many of our decorative shrubs. The green holly with the bright red berries is a favourite with both birds and small animals, like rabbits.

We worry that the red berries, while enticing to wildlife during the depths of a cold winter, may not be good for them. Are the berries toxic, we wonder.

The answer, I believe, is that the berries are the best food, even for cold and hungry rabbits. That said, the berries are not apparently dangerous when eaten but in  small amounts by hungry, little animals like our local rabbits. 

The berries seem to be well tolerated.

Sledding hills often closed by concerned city bureaucrats

Part of the hill, so popular with children and even families, has been closed by the city. A father who operates a popular exercise gym in the city, was seriously injured while sledding on the hill with his family. Reportedly, there was a fairly dangerous jump created by neighbourhood kids and the gentleman struck the jump, became airborne and struck his head. It is not known if he was wearing a helmet. A fractured skull was his most serious injury but he suffered other injuries as well.

A very long snow fence has been erected and the snow jump has been removed. Folk in the area are questioning whether the fenced slope is, in fact, where the fellow was sledding. Why? The closed area is thick with brush and dotted with trees.

Most children sledding on the long slope gravitate to the area with smooth, deep snow and devoid of brush and trees.

Surprised to see a Champion grader plowing court

 

London, like much of North America, is getting snow, lots of snow. And when snow comes, the snowplows are not far behind. (Oh heck, I confess, in truth the plows can be quite far behind. There have been times when two, even three days, have passed before a plow appeared to clear our suburban street. On occasion the plow never shows up at all. The city just leaves it to the sun to clear the street and court.)

But today I was happy to see a plow. I was also surprised to note that it was a Champion grader. This make of grader was made in Goderich a little more than an hour north of London. Sadly, it must be reported that the plant, after more than a century of operation, was  closed and the work moved to the southern States where workers make few demands.

Ontario, like many northern states, has lost a lot of manufacturing jobs to the southern States. I don't know the details but the move didn't seem to benefit the Champion company. After moving, it closed.

Chinese glass plant not welcome in Stratford

Visit the southwestern Ontario city of Stratford and you are sure to see signs protesting the locating of a Xinyi glass plant in the town made famous by the Stratford Festival.

CBC reports: A Stratford, Ont., citizens' group is demanding a review of glassmaker Xinyi Canada and its proposal to build a $400-million float glass factory in the community. The group is alleging the Chinese-owned company is a threat to national security. 

The critics also claim the proposed factory would more than double the size of the community's carbon footprint. Anyone familiar with Stratford would understand the immensely damning quality of that argument.

The CBC goes on to report that in a letter sent to Minister Navdeep Bains it is claimed:

"The ownership of the company is basically a bit of a network of holding companies and sub-entities, almost all of which are registered in the Cayman Islands or Virgin Islands and many of the principals involved in those companies have overt links, either to the Chinese government or the Chinese Communist Party."

A snowman and his dog

This snowman had a very faithful dog. How do I know it's faithful? Every time I drive by, the dog is at the snowman's side.

Dead trees make neighbourhood art

 

When big, old trees growing on front lawns in London die, they are not always chopped down -- at least, not completely. Sometimes, if the home owner can afford it, an artist is hired to carver the first ten feet or more of the tree trunk, stripped of bark, into a work  of art. A huge, eye-catching wooden sculpture is the result. And it's a plus for the neighbourhood.