Only in Ontario

The Dreaded Eastern Snow Tiger

Sleeping Tiger

I made a little kitty house out of a few cardboard boxes and duct tape. As shown, Chicklet likes it…

The dictator

I think we know who the boss is here…

My new shoes

Pretty, comfortable and lots of cushion and support.

A thought

I’m not there anymore and I know how much that sucks, for both of us. So seeing as how I won’t be around to thoroughly annoy you, I thought I would give you a little list of the things that I wish for you.

Well, there’s the obvious. An education. Family. Friends. And a life that is full of the unexpected. Be sure to make mistakes. Make a lot of them, because there’s no better way to learn and to grow.

And, I want you to spend a lot of time at the ocean, because the ocean forces you to dream, and I insist that you be a dreamer.

God. I’ve never really believed in god but I hope that you are able to believe in god, because the thing that I’ve come to realize, is that it just doesn’t matter if god exists or not. The important thing is for you to believe in something, because I promise you that that belief will keep you warm at night, and I want you to feel safe always.

And then there’s love. I want you to love to the tips of your fingers, and when you find that love, wherever you find it, whoever you choose, don’t run away from it. But you don’t have to chase after it either. You just be patient, and it’ll come to you.

Don’t be afraid.

And remember, to love is to live.

Cruelty

It takes all kinds to make the world.

I just saw Slumdog Millionaire and witnessed a lot of unfairness and cruelty, a reminder that the world isn’t all white light and fairies.

We need the dark to contrast the light – that’s not to say cruelty is right, but without a complete spectrum of humanity, where would humanity be?

There has to be accountability and people have to be made responsible for their unfeeling choices.

Apathy

I am considering, or perhaps was considering starting work on a web based listing of national, provincial, regional and local parks and recreation areas in Ontario. It would be fun, useful and a lot of work.

A lot of work.

It was a lot of work to develop the West Coast Explorer but it was a labor of love – I just don’t know if I have that in me anymore and I find that to be both sad and disturbing as I am passionate about the outdoors and the value that it has for individuals, groups and family’s.

Despite having a wealth of outdoor recreation areas, Ontario is a daunting province to explore as the province is huge, the best kept secrets are all about recreation and you need to be very persistent to discover the abundant yet well hidden beauty.

I may try to solicit assistance from Parks Ontario, an idea that worked well in British Columbia, or I may look towards individuals for information, opinions and images of areas that they have been to.

I might, however, just say screw it and have a nap.

Obey my kitty

My kitty declares that all mice, men and women are her minions and shall do her kitty bidding. Her hypnotic eyes compel you to obey.

Failure to comply will have dire consequences, including the look of Great Disappointment!

Meow…

Wolfe Island Ferry

I did not actually get to see the ferry between Kingston and Wolfe Island as it was

1. cold and, and
2. I had to pee

 

but nonetheless, the ferry terminal is pretty in the winter and actually pretty amazing.

You have to bear in mind that this is the winter, it’s cold outside and the water freezes. The only things that move on the water are skaters and ice breakers.

 

That is of course you have a ferry that must run all year round, don’t have an icebreaker but do have an aeration system that keeps the ice at bay in the bay.

 

Looking towards the La Salle Causeway – a combination wharf-road-bascule bridge that opened in 1917.

The Great Cataraqui River is a major recreational resource for the City of Kingston and the starting point (the river’s discharge to Lake Ontario) of the Rideau Canal. In August 2000 it was also designated as a Canadian Heritage River.  

 

Looking from downtown Kingston towards the Royal Military College.

 

The local duck population also benefit from the patches of open water created and maintained by bubbler pipelines that minimize ice formation along the ferry route. The bubble system was installed from Kingston to Dawson’s Point in 1975. The bubble system is run by 5 huge compressors on the mainland.

 

 

I find the ice to be fascinating and beautiful – how ironic that it is enticing and deadly.

 

One of the barges that make regular trips to and from Wolfe Island

 

A tug and sticks

My Kitty

This is Chicklet, my caramel coloured kitty baby.

I’m sure that she is a lazy ass kitty and I suspect that she is half sadistic, half masochistic.

She’s awful cute though.