Apple in Your Eye

According to a CBC News item, the U.S. Treasury Department reported that Washington now has a total operating balance of only US$73.768-billion. Compare that to Apple's current cash reserve of US$75.876-billion. What's wrong with this picture? .......... Apple has more cash than Uncle Sam

For the first time, I'm participating in James' "Weekend Reflections". Hope this works!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OTHER WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.


NOTE
I will be taking a leave of absence for a short while. However, I do intend to drop by and post comments on your blogs from time to time. I've met some really nice folks in the CDP community and have had lots of fun. I know I will miss you all. Good-bye for now, and keep on blogging! :-)

An Angel's View - Old Port of Montreal

"Our Lady of the Harbour" was made famous by Montreal poet-singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen in his hit song... Suzanne.

Following photos were taken from the belvedere.

You are viewing the harbor from left to right.

In the background is the Jacques Cartier Bridge, connection between the Island of Montreal and the South Shore of the Saint Lawrence River.

On the right side is the Clock Tower and Basin, location of The Montreal Yacht Club.

The large sphere in the far distance was the former American Pavilion from Expo '67 - World's Fair (1967). Currently, it is home to "The Biosphere" which is an interpretative museum about the Saint Lawrence River.

On the right side of this photo is a jagged structure tucked away in the midst of the lush green growth of the Jean Drapeau Park. It is the gigantic sculpture titled "Man" by Alexander Calder. It was commissioned by The International Nickel Company of Canada Limited for the Expo 67 event and was given to the citizens of Montreal for the 325th birthday of the city.

Under the big top! Quebec's own "Le Cirque du Soleil" summer venue is at the Quai Jacques Cartier. The 2011 summer run of "Totem" with the collaboration of Robert Lepage is from June 15 to July 31, 2011.

The building with the silver dome is the Bonsecours Market. Home to the Québec Crafts Council, this building houses 15 boutiques featuring top-quality “Made in Québec” creations: crafts, fashions, accessories and jewellery, design items, reproduction Quebec furniture and more.


Links of Interest: Leonard Cohen's Suzanne - Our Lady of the Harbour

Old Montreal... The Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel 3

Beneath the floor of the chapel lies an archaeological site! In 1996, archaeologists discovered the original foundations of Marguerite Bourgeoys' little chapel... foundations from 325 years ago. Furthermore, this site has revealed signs of even earlier encampments by Native Peoples and artifacts dating back more than 2400 years.

The guided tour of the excavation site was fun. We were led 2 floors down into the basement of the chapel and into a vaulted crypt. From this point, the tour continued, passing through a narrow doorway that led to the dig site itself. Thank goodness the duration of the tour was only 20 minutes because it was very hot down there. As crypt tours go, this was a well-sized group with an informative and entertaining guide.


Note: Unfortunately, there is a "no photos" policy at the dig site. But, I managed to take these two so-so photographs off a slideshow that was being presented in the reception area.

Old Montreal... The Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel 2

The vaulted ceiling mural was painted by François-Édouard Meloche (a local painter-decorator) in 1886. It illustrates eight scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. This magnificent artwork, which had been hidden by a painted canvas that was pasted to the ceiling in the early 20th century, was only discovered in 1994. The three altars of the sanctuary were made of Italian marble at the beginning of the 20th century.

Early Casavant organ, 1910.

In the 18th century, and especially at the beginning of the 19th century, the port of Montreal was bustling. Sailors often came to pray on the eve of an ocean crossing, and the chapel began to be called The Sailors’ Church. These are miniature boats, votive offerings given for a favour sought or in thanks for one granted through the intercession of Mary

Stained glass windows illustrating the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary... by D.-Adolphe Beaulieu, 1910.




Links of Interest: Casavant Brothers Significant Casavant Organs Around the World

Old Montreal... The Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel

The Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel is one of the oldest churches in Montreal. Marguerite Bourgeoys, the first teacher in the colony of Ville-Marie (Montreal) and the founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame rallied all the colonists to build this chapel. Work on the original structure in wood began in 1655. Through the years, it has been altered many times and additions have been made. In 1754, the chapel was completely destroyed in a fire. The present day chapel was built in 1771, over its original foundations. Also, it is often referred to as the "Sailor's Church". In the 19th century, sailors who arrived in the "Old Port" would make offerings to the Virgin in gratitude for safe sea voyages.

This is the rear of the chapel which overlooks the harbour. Here, the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours spreads her arms to the St. Lawrence River and blesses sailors with her protection.

Old Montreal - The Balloon Man

Yesterday was the perfect day for a casual stroll in "Le Vieux Port"... The Old Port of Montreal. The Balloon Man, a regular sighting in this quarter, was in his usual jovial and playful mood. As he was crossing the cobblestone road, he turned and made grimaces at me. Caught him here with a grin and a mischievous look in his eyes! ..... Sorry about the feet !


Links of Interest: Animated Tour of Old Montreal

Little Hercules

This sculpture is located at the Tupper Street entrance of the Montreal Children's Hospital. It was sculpted and donated by Dr. Harry Rosen, Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Dentistry at McGill University, to the children, parents and staff of this institution. Engraved on the plaque are these inspiring words ..... "I will be strong".

Montreal Celebrity - Tommy Lemaire-Ouellet

Sylvain Ouellet is a Quebec certified specialist who is qualified in the removal of oil tanks. Last Wednesday, he and his thirteen year old son (summer help) were at our house to remove our old tank. Young Tommy was basically there to observe and learn the ropes of the trade from his Dad. I was chatting with him and learned that he was really into Kart racing... has been since the age of eleven. He has trained hard and has been very active in the competition circuit. Apparently, he has already won several championships in the sport and is currently, a hopeful to win the "Junior" title in the 2011 Eastern Canadian Karting Championship. Bonne chance, Tommy Lemaire-Ouellet!


Links of Interest: Environment Canada, ECKC #6 Mont-Tremblant

Montreal Then and Now - Place Jacques Cartier

This was Place Jacques Cartier (Jacques Cartier Square) in Old Montreal... about 1930. Market days were twice a week from 1803 until the end of the 1950s: merchants from across Quebec gathered here to sell fresh produce and other goods. (Note: Nelson's Column is the monument at the top right... erected in 1809 to commemorate Admiral Horatio Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.)

Today, Place Jacques Cartier is mainly a playground for tourists. It's a pedestrian zone that features bistros, bars, souvenir shops, street performers and artists selling Montreal / Quebec landscapes. We locals love coming down here too! During the summer months, there's nothing like sipping a glass of wine in an outdoor terrace while enjoying the va-et-vient (people-watch). If you're in the know, there are weekly private parties that are held in penthouse / lofts in this area too. NOTE: You are facing the harbour side... Walk 3 blocks straight ahead and you will come to the St. Lawrence River. Nelson's Column is directly behind you.

I was happy to discover that this building has not been demolished! Nor has it been de-faced with a modern front. In the black & white photograph at the top, look for the building with the "U. Perrault & Cie" sign, on the left side of photo. NOTE: Perrault is a family name that dates back to as early as 1634 in New France.

The greystone building next to it has also survived. From what I can tell, most of the building's architectural details have remained intact.


Links of Interest: Welcome to Shuttsville, Father Julien Perrault - pg.110, Island of Seven Cities - A CBC Documentary

Queen of Hats II

Found this ultra-stylish black and white hat in the window of a thrift shop on Prince Arthur Street.
I think it would look smashing on the Duchess of Cambridge... aka Kate Middleton!
Do you think the Duke would approve?


Links of Interest: Queen of Hats, Anatole of Paris

Montreal Celebrity - Bevin And His Dreadlocks

"I don't pose. If I posed for everybody who have asked to take my photo, I wouldn't get anywhere. There are probably photos of me all over the world."

Bevin, whose acquaintance I made at our local communal gardens, had uttered these words in a matter-of-factly, but gentle manner. "Go ahead, take the photo" he added, and waved me good-bye. Too bad he was in a hurry, I feel that there's something more to Bevin than just amazing dreadlocks.

Ferrari 458 Italia Black Elite Edition

Conspicuous consumption? Yes! But can't a fellow even dream?

Vintage Nash Metropolitan - 1958

By current standards, the Nash Metropolitan is a subcompact car.

Shopping on St. Catherine Street (downtown Montreal) was extra fun this past weekend. It was our annual "largest sidewalk sale in Canada" event. In addition to all the different stalls selling everything from batteries to expensive fashions, there were other activities such as this exhibition of vintage automobiles. The one that really caught my eye was this Nash Metropolitan, a 1958 model. It was sold in the United States and Canada from 1954–1962 and was designed as an economical transportation alternative... marketed as a "commuter/shopping car". What a beauty!

Do you fancy yourself driving this?

Sunday in the Park

A day of calm for mother and child.

Montreal - Domtar Garden - Michel Saulnier - Update

" Through its blend of material, verticality and iconography, this work evokes an Aboriginal totem pole. A totem was an animal or plant, which the First nations of the West Coast considered to be the ancestor and protector of the clan. In this case, the totem is viewed as the protector of the forest resource for future generations. With its upwardly spiralling movement, this "never-ending pole" is intended to convey the idea of renewal and sustainability.

The bear is the symbol of wisdom and the healing arts among Aboriginal cultures. For North Americans, the bear is a mythical animal par excellence. Its presence on this symbolic location serves as a reminder to be respectful of ecosystems in order to conserve and protect the forest and biodiversity. " *

* Source: plaque accompanying the Echo sculpture by Michel Saulnier.

Apparently, the Domtar Garden was created to showcase the elements of both the boreal forest and our local mixed forest. And supposedly, Jack pine, black spruce, white birch, sugar maples, northern hackberry, serviceberry and red-osier dogwood specimens are planted here. But due to the lack of signage, a visitor would not recognize the raison d'etre of this garden... nor readily name one of the specimens mentioned. It was only after I got home and googled the garden that I discovered this bit of information. I am truly disappointed with the management of this project. I think a repeat visit is in order.

Montreal - Domtar Garden - Michel Saulnier

Michel Saulnier's  "Echo" sculpture.
Does it look like a totem pole of teddy bears?

The building in the background is the "Caron Building". It was built in 1923 when commercial skyscrapers' height was limited to 10 floors or 130 feet maximum.

A Downtown Oasis.

This space used to be an old city parking lot. In 2002, the Domtar Paper Company purchased it and collaborated with the City of Montreal to create this green space. Its downtown location provides an ideal respite from the hustle and bustle and it is greatly appreciated by the lunch crowd.

Carifiesta Montreal - Escort on Horseback

8 mounted patrol officers were present at the parade.

(Montreal's cavalry unit consists of 10 officers and 11 horses.)

Invaluable in crowd control situations... events or demonstrations.
BTW, they are available for hire for private events!

Bringing up the rear of the Carifiesta Montreal Parade were eight "Mounted Patrol Officers" of the "Service de police de la Ville de Montreal".

If you look close enough, you'd swear that even these well trained horses had a certain swing in their step when they heard the Carifiesta music.

Carifiesta Montreal - Best Costumes

There was no shortage of flamboyance!

Here are my top 3 picks.

First Prize

First Prize Close-up

Second Prize

Third Prize

Out of the half dozen or so of "be-dazzled & be-glittered" costumes that caught my eye, I've chosen these three to highlight. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Which one of these costumes is your favorite?

Carifiesta Montreal 2011 Parade

The Carifiesta Montreal is a 3 day celebration filled with Caribbean events & festivities. Last Saturday, for its 36th edition, the Carifiesta parade took over the streets of downtown Montreal. There was a procession of 9 floats decorated with the colors of the countries being represented. In addition, there was traditional dance, live bands that played West-Indian and Afro-Caribbean music and flamboyant costumes worn by the Carifiesta masqueraders. These enthusiastic dancers were coming back from their warm-up and were just about to join the parade and enjoy their moment in the sun.

Old Montreal - The Secret Garden

Leaving the restaurant from yesterday's post, I decided to wander up a side street. I wasn't even two blocks up the path when I spotted something out of the corner of my eye. I turned to see what had caught my attention and this is what I glimpsed through the bars of a wrought-iron gate. It was quite the vision. What a pity that I couldn't get a better look at the courtyard. For the moment, this will have to do!

Old Montreal - Le Cabaret du Roy

Server at "Le Cabaret du Roy" in Old Montreal.

No "Zut alors!" forthcoming from this guy. On the contrary, he was extremely friendly and obliging when I asked for permission to take his photo. "Comme ça, mon ami?" (Like this, my friend?) he asked and struck this pose. Something tells me he's done this before!

"Le Cabaret du Roy" is a theme restaurant that recaptures the spirit of New France. It features gourmet meals prepared with local produce. The servers are outfitted in period costumes and there is live traditional music. Great food and entertainment!

More info./photo on "Le Cabaret du Roy".    > CLICK HERE <

Montreal Sidewalk Stamps

1979 Charles Duranceau Ltee Entrepreneurs

In the shape of a maple leaf, these metal plates are stamped with the date of construction of the sidewalk and the name of the contractor that built it. Unlike other cities in Canada, such as Vancouver and Toronto, where every sidewalk is stamped with the date of its construction and the name of the contractors that built it, sidewalk stamps are rare in Montreal. This particular "find" is in bronze and is about 6 inches across.

Does your city do this?

The Morning Glory

Mourning Cloak Butterfly

Click on photo to view large.

While out on my morning walk with Kaiah, my dog, I discovered this little wonder sprawled on the sidewalk. I thought it was dead. On closer examination, I realized that it was a Mourning Cloak Butterfly and it was very much alive. This gem is the first butterfly to show up in the Springtime after having over-wintered here frozen. It thaws out and starts flying again in March. I had just enough time to grab my camera to capture this before it flew away in its characteristic flap-glide motion.

Montreal Then and Now: Dominion Square

 Dominion Square, Montreal 1915.
The building with the dome is the Windsor Hotel.

This is my photo of the print of the original photograph, part of
"Pieces of Pictures" exhibition on McGill College Ave. The original
by Wm. Notman & Son. is housed in the McCord Museum.

Dominion Square, Montreal July 5, 2011.
 The Boer War Memorial by George W. Hill is dedicated to the 

Montrealers who fought alongside the British during the Boer War.

Dominion Square and Windsor Hotel, Montreal, QC, ca. 1890

 By Wm. Notman & Son.

The domed southwest wing of the Windsor Hotel

was totally destroyed in a fire in 1957.

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Then and Now: The Windsor Hotel------> CLICK HERE

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Photo Exhibition - Pieces of Pictures

Photographs of Montreal by Canadian

"Wm Notman & Son". (from 19th Century to 1920's)

Currently on display on McGill College Avenue.

William Notman (March 8, 1826 – November 25, 1891) was a Canadian photographer and businessman. When he died, management of the studio "Wm Notman & Son" was left to his son William McFarlane Notman, an experienced photographer in his own right. The original photographs are currently housed in the McCord Museum.

La Belle Province

Popular Hot Dog and Fries Restaurant / Franchise

Je me souviens

For those of you who are interested, here is an example of the silliness of Quebec politics. The Quebec licence plate used to say "La Belle Province" which means "The Beautiful Province", until the separatist party came into power in 1976. Shortly afterward, in a frenzy to remove the provincial connotation, the motto was changed to "Je me souviens" which means "I remember". Oddly enough, nobody knows what we're supposed to remember. And that's the truth!

Currently, La Belle Province is Quebec's most popular hot dog and fries restaurant franchise.

A Final Spotlight on the Canada Day Parade

Javanese Gamelan of Slendro Tuning Scale

Javanese Gamelan of Slendro Tuning Scale

What's a gamelan ?
It is a musical ensemble from Indonesia, the most popular being from Bali or Java. In traditional Indonesian thinking, the gamelan is sacred and is believed to have supernatural powers. It is only played at certain occasions such as ritual ceremonies, special community celebrations, shadow puppet shows and for the royal family.

Well, you can't believe how excited I was when I heard that a gamelan would be appearing in the Canada Day Parade! But sure enough, there it was, passing right in front of me on an open-air float with several beds of shiny bronze "gong-chimes" and a variety of cymbals, metallophones and drums. An ensemble of 9 musicians produced a mesmerizing and enchanting melody that repeated itself over and over until the drummer gave a signal to change. As the music faded away down the street, it reminded me that this is what Canada is all about... We're a nation of diverse cultures blending and sharing each other's traditions. And, that's why this parade is so meaningful.