Down Memory Lane

Well, I was going to post more photos of the Museum of Natural History in Washington, but once again blogger isn't being agreeable and wouldn't let me upload photos. So let's take a walk down Memory Lane.

On the weekend, the local paper had an article on the bakeries that were in town in the 1950s. McHutchions was on the main street, two blocks away from downtown. I remember the smell of baking bread as I walked down the street when I was a teenager. If I had a few cents in my pocket, it would draw me in to browse over the large selection of cookies, candies, cakes and other delicious bake goods. Often I would chose a date square and be on my way.

When I was younger, Dad would bring Mom, my younger sister and I to town on the odd Saturday morning and we would wait at Uncle Jim's or Aunt Theresa's for the stores to open at 9am. We would browse Kresge's, the Metropolitan and Woolworth's.

Not far from Woolworth's stood the White Bakery. They handed rainbow sugar cookies out to children and we would coax Mom to stop in so we could get our treat. Those cookies would melt in your mouth. I can still remember how they tasted.

Today, there is only two bakeries in town. One is at the far end of the city and the one that is near us isn't anything like the bakeries of the 1950s. There is no smell of baking bread, but there are some nice baked goods on display. About twice a year I stop in to get a small treat, but it just isn't the same.

Do you remember going to the bakery when you were young? If so, I'd enjoy hearing about your experience.

The Woman in the Mirror

Tonight at Writer's Circle, we did a little exercise about what we saw in the mirror. This is my story.

When I look at the woman in the mirror, I have a difficult time believing she is really me. When did the lines, wrinkles and crow's feet begin to show? Something I most definitely missed until they had completely taken over.

I have difficulty comprehending where all the years have gone. It's like I'm still young and that woman in the mirror is my grandmother. For in my mind, I am young. This woman cannot be me.

But, as I look back over the years and reminisce about all that has taken place in my life, I have to admit that the years have sped by so quickly that they seem to be blurred together. Yes, that woman in the mirror is me, but I will continue to be young in mind and spirit, if not in outer appearance.

The End

If you care to join in and write a short version of who you see when you look in the mirror, I would be delighted. If you do participate, be sure to let me know.

I will continue with our Washington trip soon.

Some Winter Beauty

The boys came over today. It was a beautiful winter day, though a bit chilly. It was 18 Celsius or, for my US friends, minus 7. The sun was shining and there was little wind, so we picked Mom up and headed to LaSalle Park in Burlington.

This is what we saw when we first arrived. Lots of Mallard ducks in this area and quite a few seagulls.

The harbour was frozen and the sky was a beautiful blue.

Mute (orange bill) and Trumpeter (black bill) swans were plentiful down the path at the feeding area.

Three Canadian geese were making their way toward the feeding area. It looked like they were walking on water, but it is really ice.

The water was open at the feeding area. A man who was feeding the swans said that the birds weigh between 30 and 40 lbs.

Canada geese, Mallard ducks and swans all together at the feeding area.

A beautiful Mute swan.

One of the volunteers dishing out corn for all the waterfowl.

We enjoyed the day, though the walk back to the car was a bit chilly. We were facing into the wind, but what better way to enjoy a beautiful winter day?

On the trip to the Marina, we saw a Cooper's hawk at the side of the road. He was gorgeous. After I dropped the boys off, I drove along the river and saw an otter. That was a surprise. I didn't realize otters lived this far south. I know we have them in northern Ontario. Interesting day.

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

Jordan had requested to go to the Museum of Natural History, so on Wednesday morning that's where we headed.

Black bear and her cub.

Plains Bison, also known as a buffalo.

Grizzly bear.

Caribou

Polar bear. This guy sat on a shelf high above the room. He certainly looked real.

The sign in the museum near this display said, "Prepare to meet your ancestors," or something very similar.

Leopard

Kangaroo

Tree kangaroo. I never knew these existed until we went to the Zoo on Tuesday. Odd, hearing about them twice in two days.

Lioness' making a kill. The boys found this quite interesting.

Can't remember what this represented. A Senior Moment.

The Hope Diamond. There was quite a crowd around this display but everyone gave way for those who wanted to take photos.

A quartz crystal and a gigantic one at that.

Woodpeckers of North America. I enjoyed this display. They were all beautiful.

Pheasant, quail, partridge. It was very interesting to read about them all.

Tomorrow I will post more photos of what we saw at the Museum of Natural History. It was awesome.