May 13 2024 - Speeding Down

 

We thought things would go faster and faster.  And speed limits have consistently risen since driving began.   Next door to us in St. Catharines, the speed limit is reducing to 40 km/hour in residential streets.  There are 1,300 signs going/gone up to let people in on the change. Even closer in Lincoln (aka Beamsville) the speed limit is going to be 40 km/h on local roads.   What about Grimsby?  Our approach to 40 km/hr is a speed camera in front of Park School on Main Street, taking pictures tfor speeding tickets for over 40 km/hr.  That's actually a regional initiative. Are we going to see 40 km/hr in Grimsby?  I don't see anything in the news so far. But we'll you on  the places to visit that are within 40 km of Grimsby - they include Niagara Falls, the Butterfly Conservatory, and Niargara-on-the-Lake.  You can get there on the QEW driving 110 km/hr.     This is from the archives - the 13th Street Winery Magnolia and blackberry greenhouse - turned into a watercolour print.

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Apr 22 2024 - Priscilla Queen of the Desert Rides Again

 

The bus in the 1994 movie "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" has begun a journey to being restored into a museum artifact.  This story hit the news in the last week - $2.2 million Australian is being raised to restore the bus and its interior for display at the National Motor Museum. Priscilla started out as a 1976 Japanese model Hino RC320. It was owned by Sydney company Boronia Tours before it was sold to a couple who leased the bus to Latent Images, the film’s production company, for the duration of the shoot in September and October 1993. Afterwards, the couple hired it out occasionally, including to the Australian band the Whitlams, who used it as a tour bus for six months in 1994. Its location was lost for all these decades, although there have been "pretenders to the throne" - for example the bus that was driven around the 2000 Olympics closing ceremony in Sydney.   "Michael Mahon said he bought the property, and unbeknownst to him the bus in the paddock, in 2016. He said the property belonged to musician Ian Ross East, whose friend brought the bus to Ewingar when she moved there. After the community told him about the bus, Mr Mahon did some research on the provenance of the bus and started making calls." Then it got complicated as it was abandoned on a deceased estate.  They had to wait a year for someone to come forward to claim it.  That completed, they got started on moving the bus to the museum and starting the restoration.  There's talk of putting the giant high heel back on the top again. I've used all the filters on this version of the Spring Magnolia around the corner.

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Apr 21 2024 - Snow Blizzard Cherry Blossoms

 

The Weather Network has a video of winter snow and hail blizzard conditions in China.  Normally, the cherry blossoms fall to the ground/water creating a beautiful pink blanket.  Pink petals on the ground is desirable.  Pink petals, snow and hailstones is serious.  With climate change, the Weather Network is extremely busy - floods in Dubai, snow in China.  Here in Niagara the video says cherry blossoms Niagara and they are showing the Magnolia trees at the Floral Showcase in Niagara Falls.  They are beautiful pink, so maybe a good substitute for cherries.  We have more flower festivals in the area on the horizon - not just cherry blossoms.  There is a tourist tulip display on Seventh Avenue, just north of Fourth Street.  They grew fields of Dahlias last summer - I assume a picked flower crop.  They are advertising a tulip festival this weekend.  These flower festivals are starting to pop up in Ontario - the one that is best known is in Fenwick - TASC - they are advertising 2 million tulips this year.  They open in a week.   Checking the weather forecast, there don't seem to be any blizzards on our horizon.  The picture of the Magnolia tree with snow was from 2021 when we did get a snowstorm in April. The sense of movement is created with multiple exposures in camera.

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Apr 19 2023 - Spring Fever

 

Spring fever goes two ways: The term spring fever may refer to an increase in energy, vitality, and sexual appetite, as well as a feeling of restlessness, associated with the end of winter. A lift in mood with the arrival of spring, and longer periods of daylight, is often particularly strong in those suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), who experience lows or depression during the winter months Spring fever, also known as “Spring Disease” in the 1700's and 1800's, was an illness that usually occurred in the Springtime and involved fatigue, malaise, easy bruising, bone pain, hemorrhaging of the scalp and gums, and poor wound healing.  If left untreated, (which most cases were, until a miraculous cure was discovered) it lead to jaundice, seizures, neuropathy, and death. The illness “land scurvy” usually occurred in the Spring of the year, and more commonly in urban areas, which were largely void of fruits and vegetables (and especially citrus fruits) during the winter. And that's the difference between spring fever then and now.   Here's the difference between two springs in Niagara.  Same garden on our street, same month, different years, different weather. Read more daily posts here: marilyncornwellblogspot.com Purchase works here: Fine Art America- marilyncornwell.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca

May 16 2022 - How Many Muscles?

 

That's a lot of muscles to exercise in the Muscle Fit class at the Y.  There are over 600 muscles in the human body.   So good thing I count on the Y to take care of organizing the exercise of all those muscles.  Monday is Musclefit day so got me thinking about this. Our training is very organized and divided into groups:  chest and back quads and hamstrings biceps, triceps and shoulders gluten and abdominals I don't know how many of the over 600 that includes, but it is geared to the 21st century first world non-active human.  We go to the gym to "be active".   We've figured out that each week adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and 2 days of muscle strengthening activity, according to the current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans .   Does that sound like a lot?  Sounds like the minimum to me.  That is 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week.  What do we do the rest of the time?   If you were a manual labourer would you be harming yourself by working every day?  We think of manual labourers when we think of physical work. What jobs are there that are active and pay well?  Articles point to the medical professionals such as therapists. Nurses and teachers are on their feet during the work day.  It is true that some of the most demanding jobs are hand labourers and material movers. Did you know that the most physically demanding job is to be a dancer.  The overall physical demand index of 97.0.   And yes, there is an increase of physical hazards in hard labour work.  There are so many hazards that there is an encyclopedia of occupational diseases.  Is there a light side to this?  Always in the realm of jokes. I pulled a muscle digging for gold.  It was just a miner injury.   What muscle group do you use the most when kidnapping someone?  The abductors. I have great muscle memory I totally remember when I was in shape.   The Magnolias have dropped their blooms in the heat.  This was what mine looked like on Saturday - this is likely Magnolia Susan.  Huge dark pink blossoms with this beautiful centre. Read more daily posts here: marilyncornwellblog.com Purchase works here: Fine Art America- marilyncornwellart.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca

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April 19 2022 - Snow in April?

 

Snow in April is discouraging and disappointing.  It isn't unusual, though, in Niagara.  The average snowfall in Ontario is around 3 days in April.   It seems to me to depend on whether it is at the beginning of April or the end of April.  By the end of April, winter is finished in our minds, and we are moving towards much warmer weather.   Headlines like  "record snow falls for Easter Monday..." make me turn the page on spring thoughts.  In doing so, I found this headline in Science Daily. Do you know that there are new scientific guidelines for 'near-death experiences'? The article says: "for decades, people who have survived an encounter with death have recalled unexplained lucid episodes involving heightened consciousness and awareness. These have been reported using the popular -- yet scientifically ill-defined -- term "near-death experiences."  There is a newly published "guidelines and Standards for the Study of Death and Rea-called Experiences of Death".   Among their conclusions: Due to advances in resuscitation and critical care medicine, many people have survived encounters with death or being near-death. These people -- who are estimated to comprise hundreds of millions of people around the world based on previous population studies -- have consistently described recalled experiences surrounding death, which involve a unique set of mental recollections with universal themes. The recalled experiences surrounding death are not consistent with hallucinations, illusions or psychedelic drug induced experiences, according to several previously published studies. Instead, they follow a specific narrative arc involving a perception of: (a) separation from the body with a heightened, vast sense of consciousness and recognition of death; (b) travel to a destination; (c) a meaningful and purposeful review of life, involving a critical analysis of all actions, intentions and thoughts towards others; a perception of (d) being in a place that feels like "home," and (e) a return back to life. There's more HERE.  In the same article is this statement: "Cardiac arrest is not a heart attack, but represents the final stage of a disease or event that causes a person to die," lead author Parnia explains. "The advent of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) showed us that death is not an absolute state, rather, it's a process that could potentially be reversed in some people even after it has started. "What has enabled the scientific study of death," he continues, "is that brain cells do not become irreversibly damaged within minutes of oxygen deprivation when the heart stops. Instead, they 'die' over hours of time. This is allowing scientists to objectively study the physiological and mental events that occur in relation to death."

Here's a picture from last year's April snowfall - that was a lot more snow and was on April 21st. R

May 29 2021 - What Cost $1 Billion? Crazy Stuff

 

Do self-made billionaires buy different things than other rich people? I wonder that with all the tech billionaires.  It doesn't seem so when you go through the items that you would "never imagine" excessive amounts of money buy. The headlines (and there are lots of them) are consistently full of superlatives:  10 of the weirdest things 16 craziest 13 strange 20 insane bizarre spending 15 outrageous These adjectives seem "outrageous" at first, but then reading through the lists, it seems that the superlatives are accurate.  Such strange and amazing things people create and buy. What caught my eye was the inclusion of Bill Gates in the list of outrageous things bought by the rich. What did Bill Gates buy? "Bill Gates and Leonardo da Vinci have a lot in common: They're both math geniuses who also changed history. It's only fitting, then, that the Microsoft founder would be interested in the musings of the original Renaissance man. In 1994, Gates spent $30.8 million to own the Codex Leicester, a 72-page manuscript that da Vinci compiled in the early 16th century, complete with the master polymath's diagrams, writings, sketches and ideas for future inventions." What was the cost:  $30 million in 1994 That seems modest in comparison to a $1.2 billion super yacht, a $1 billion house, and a $5 billion car collection - the three top items on every list.  In case you want to daydream (remember that's a relaxing activity), there are lists of things that cost 1 billion dollars.  For example:  A baseball team or the Solomon Islands (a country).   This is a Finalist in the BP contest this month - the 1st and 2nd place winners have yet to be announced, so it could move up.

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April 22 2021 - Snow Flowers

 

“One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between man and nature shall not be broken.” —Leo Tolstoy Perhaps this is sufficient for this Earth Day, 2021.     Here are pictures of Sunnylea's Magnolia in the snow - we have two of these 40 year-plus trees on the street.  I am glad this is a seldom-seen combination. Purchase at: FAA - marilyncornwellart.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca

April 9 2021 - Niagara's blossom Trail - Magnolias

 

Last week I wrote about the first orchard blossoms - Apricots.  Today we are covering Magnolias and that's because the Star Magnolias are opening up.  Magnolias typically bloom between the end of April and early May.  My garden in Toronto had both white and pink magnolia trees in the back garden overlooking the conservatory greenhouse.  They made for wonderful spring images. We have a great love of Magnolias, and they are located in many front gardens in towns, suburbs and in rural settings.  Royal Botanical Gardens' has several Magnolia dells - at the arboretum and the rock garden, and along the walking trails. The second image comes from RBG. Our stylized images are of the Magnolia in front of the former Vineland Research Centre on Niagara Street, St. Catharines.  Its distinction is that it is an old, mature tree. The weeping Cherry tree is located here, too.  This is a mini-arboretum.  The historical Yates Street boasts several very large Magnolias in front of heritage homes. Our last two images are in Queenston, taken last year at the end of April.  The Bright mansion, perched on the Niagara River, is a stunning backdrop to the lovely collection of trees on the grounds.  And don't forget Niagara Falls - there is a beautiful magnolia alley at the Niagara parks Floral Showhouse.   The oldest saucer Magnolia is considered to be 400 years old.  It is located in China.   If you would like to see the oldest trees - this is the website Monumental trees HERE.  They are located in Europe.   The saucer Magnolia is not native to Ontario.  Our Carolinian native Magnolia is the Tulip tree and the Cucumber tree. There are only eight native magnolia species inNorth America.  And the Cucumber tree is the only native to Canada.  If you would like to know more about the oldest native trees in Niagara - this is the link HERE.  Niagara Glen Nature Preserve is considered to have the champion-size tulip trees - up to 132 feet tall.  My favourite spot is Paradise Grove, easily accessible with walking trails, and fond memories of childhood picnics with family and friends.   A progression of images from the interpretive to the stylized, an heritage home on Yates Street and then two of  last Spring's Queenston homes and gardens. Purchase at: FAA - marilyncornwellart.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca

May 6 2020 - Horoscopes or Sinkholes - News today

Searching for news today?  Your horoscope comes up on top. Can a horoscope be news?   The Times of India thinks it is and is predicting some long distance travel.  The Chicago Sun Times horoscope has a "Moon Alert" which is:  We have the all clear to shop and do business.  The moon is in Scorpio.  Should we thank the moon in Scorpio for opening up the stores? On the other hand, there is real news in terms of it being sinkhole season.  Spring and summer are the worst because frozen water underneath the surface will start to flow again.  A sinkhole in Central Saanich B.C. was in the news yesterday.  You know the headline:  It just opened up!  That's because that's what sinkholes do. There are permanent world wonder sinkholes.  The one that comes to mind is the Great Blue Hole - a giant submarine sinkhole in Belize.   Here's a picture of the Great Blue Hole - just over a thousand feet across and 407 feet deep and within a massive reef that can be seen from space.  It was made famous by Jacques Cousteau in 1971 who brought his ship, the Calypso to chart it.     The top fives is a YouTube channel with video of 5 sinkholes - two of the videos are real-time with the sinkhole consuming a dump trunk, and then opening up in a highway full of cars.  The video is Here.  Today's picture is a calmer sight, and was taken last Friday in Queenston.  This is the historic town of Laura Secord who saved the country, and William Lyon MacKenzie whose printing press is the oldest in Canada. Here's one of its prettiest  heritage houses with an ancient Magnolia tree in the front.

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