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