I have lived in London for almost half a century. The other day was the first time I have spotted police patrolling the park. As the pair walked by visitors to the park, they drew very little attention. Clearly, uniformed police are not feared in London, at least not when patrolling a quiet park.
Doors and windows protected by large, overhangs were pounded by the rain falling in wind driven waves. Trees were toppled and large tree limbs downed across the province from Windsor on the southeast to Ottawa in the far west.
In the Ottawa region tall, steel hydro towers buckled under the force of the gusting winds. Hundreds of thousands were left without power. Many were still without power Sunday.
This image showing downed power lines in the Ottawa area was posted by Ontario Hydro.
Springbank Park in London, Ontario, attracts a great mix of folk to enjoy the walks, the playgrounds, the snowboard park and the many large expanses of green grass. Wherever one looks, one sees another group enjoying London's largest park.
My wife calls it a garden but until the tulips start blooming I find the designation very generous. But the tulips are blooming and the small plot hemmed in by interlocking blocks is clearly a garden. My wife and her flower-loving friends always knew it was a garden but today I am onside as well.
When the young girl grabbed the scooter, I grabbed my camera. I had noticed the Muslim girl sitting at the picnic table with a scooter nearby but I did not think the two went together. Seeking her permission before taking her picture, I gestured to catch her attention. She understood immediately and instantly took a pose. I'd have preferred an unposed moment but I think the peace sign adds to the image.
Are consumers really saving money by buying so many items labelled "Made in China." I am not convinced.
I've been seeing these stamped out metal items in garden centres all around the London area. They are simply large sheets of very thin steel with a stamped out pattern. The piece has been painted to resist the elements.
How much would this cost to make in Canada? The ones made in China are selling for about $170 at some centres.
Have you questioned the savings you enjoy by buying stuff made in China? I'm old enough to recall when shirts, toys, appliances and more were all made in Canada and the States. When the plants started closing I did not notice a big drop in the prices of these goods. Did you? Think about it.
When we bought our magnolia tree, it was small, possibly two feet tall, and covered with green leaves and completely devoid of flowers. The first spring was a surprise. The blossoms were more purple than pink and the petals were long and thin. This was not the usual magnolia tree so common on London lawns.
A little digging and we discovered that we had planted a Magnolia liliiflora or lily magnolia as it is commonly known. Originally it was native to eastern China but today is rarely, if ever, found growing wild. The tree has been domesticated and is now found growing around the globe.
The pink tulip magnolia that we thought we had bought is also originally from China but the flowers are larger with a rounder appearance. The colour is usually more towards the pink end of the spectrum.
