23. The Money Shot

I don’t know why I thought today was the day to post the money shot, but it feels right, so here it is. Walk by the Bank of Canada building and look up to the sky. Volià Viola Desmond, who will appear on the new Canadian $10 bank note.

I try to be positive, but there is just something something about the note. Is it because it is supposed to be a (rare) tribute to a black person, that has been muddied by the fact that she is purple? Or the look on her face. There isn’t an adjective for it. She does not look like a nice person. Or a fiery person. If it isn’t about looks, then why bother filling the bill with her purple face?

Or could it be that the wonder of a black (purple) person on the bill will be over-shadowed by the astonishing thing they did. They printed it longways. Who does that? And why?

22. Grief

Today I found out my nephew died by suicide, 11 months after his girlfriend died by suicide. I can’t imagine the pain of his parents and brothers. I can relate to, remember, and imagine his pain. Weepy day.

The crack in the clouds? That’s where his spirit slipped through this earth on his way to heaven.

21. Thwarted

My lovely captured princess fortress stay is not to be. Which is a bit disappointing since that was the only reason I had accepted the weekend work.

I just realized I don’t have any pictures of grumbly angry clouds; clouds that would be suitable to my current state of mind and this post. I will keep my eyes pealed. No doubt I need a collection of them.

Ah well, maybe the run-of-the mill hotel will have some good sky pic opportunities. Here’s hoping.

It is never a good idea to leave home. That’s my message and it’s a good one.

Later. Jan 5, 2019. I have been constantly on the lookout for angry clouds, without any luck. Maybe Canadian clouds are too polite to be angry? Sorry.

Later: These are not very grumbly clouds, but look at the clear bright blue of daytime on the right and the blobbily yellows of sunset on the left. Pretty cool. My sky has a split personality.

20. Back in the day

I just found out that I may be going back to my favourite hotel in Montreal next week. It has a window seat (with built-in tray for martini glasses… or a sandwich) that looks out to the clear blue sky as if I am a princess prisoner in a fort - one who will never be rescued. Which is just fine with me.

19. Park by the Cornfields

That is so very Canadian! I was meeting my friend under very crisp cool and gray Ottawa clouds at the Cumberland Harvest Market, and she texted me: Park by the cornfields. The assumption being, I know what a cornfield looks like. Being Canadian, I was up to the task.

It reminds me of travelling in Africa, where all the cars would park under the one tree in the parking lot, hoping for shade. Parking as a cultural event.

The market was exactly a replica of several episodes of Midsommer Murders. Except there were no horses. There were hounds. I don’t know if a dead body was found today, but I wouldn’t be surprised.