The Forest City

 

There are a number of explanations given for how London, Ontario, came to be known as the Forest City. One thing that all seem to agree on is that the city has lost the vast majority of the tree cover that gave the city its well known moniker. 

I am not a hundred percent sure of the origins of the Forest City nickname and I am even less sure that the name no longer fits. Viewing the city from Lookout Court in the southwest end of town, the city seems to disappear under the thick foliage of city trees.

An annual treat

 

In this southwestern London neighbourhood the early bird gets the asparagus, at least in late spring. The small, totally open at the front, shed-like structure sits empty most of the year. But annually, in late May and and stretching into early June, a large "open" sign announces to the world that locally grown asparagus is again available.

The fields are small and located immediately behind the little wooden structure. The asparagus is good but there isn't a lot. It goes on sale daily at nine and it is gone by noon. The asparagus grown at Greenland is special. 95% of the asparagus sold in Ontario is one hybrid, a variety developed at the University of Guelph called Guelph Millennium.

Greenland asparagus is a heritage variety. Many believe it is sweeter than the asparagus sold at the local grocery stores. What no one can dispute is that it is fresher. Greenland asparagus is picked every morning  and with luck it is sitting in a little water in one's fridge just an hour or two later. One never peels Greenland asparagus. It is tender. Guaranteed.

I have wondered how long until the asparagus fields are a feature from the past and suburban housing fills the former fields. According to the family that owns the little farm, it isn't going to happen any time soon. Wonderful!

Mural Monday

 

It is Mural Monday for members of City Daily Photo and I am not one to buck the rules, at least not if I remember. No promises here. Today's image was taken back in April in East London. East London has more murals in a very small area than any other area I know in London but I will keep and eye.

Lilac bushes are trees

For years the lilac in our backyard was known as a bush. But, it grew and grew and now that it towers more than 14 metres in the air it is a tree, a lilac tree.

There's a reason gardeners trim back plants regularly. Stop and many plants will grow until they no longer fit in their allotted spot in the garden or yard.

Dwarf Blue Spruce trees may be kept trimmed and small for years but halt the trimming and the little tree will no longer be little. 

One learns very quickly that many a dwarf tree is not a dwarf at all. Stop the trimming and you learn very quickly that it was merely stunted.

Succulents can prosper in Ontario: surprise!

It's spring and time to fill those open patches of ground in the gardens around the home with new plants. One set of choices that might surprise you, they surprised me, are the succulents. This is Canada. The far North. The land of ice and snow. Why would one plant succulents? These plants belong in Texas, not in Ontario.

And yet, some succulents like the echeveria plants, also known as hen and chicks, actually do well when planted outdoors in southern Ontario. I planted one a few years ago and was very surprised when come spring both the original plant and the small, surrounding offshoots not only survived the winter but were strong and healthy and ready to grow and flourish through the warm days of spring.

Some plants are amazing.

Not such fun photos at the Rec Room

The restaurant was called the Rec Room. Along with food it offered games, lots and lots of electronic games. It also had photo booths supposedly designed with children in mind. The photos were taken in front of a blue screen and a cool background was added later. The place is a preferred spot for birthday parties.

Unfortunately, the photo booths are not designed for small kids. My youngest granddaughter had her birthday party at the Rec Room and all her little guests had photos showing mostly the tops of heads. The little girls were too short. 

Disappointment reigned. Thanks to Photoshop, the memory of the day was saved. Photos of the little girls were merged with photos of African animals and the little girls were delighted -- even if the delight didn't occur until some hours after the party.

Police patrolling Springbank

 

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.