A man & his workshop

A tired man sits in his workshop in the garage, hoping the woman and her camera will soon leave so he can have a nap in his comfy chair. (He's actually talking to Shelby who is just out of the frame, so it doesn't make for a great shot, but I'm getting short of daily photos with our gray days outside, so ....) Feeling very grateful to all of you this morning…. thanks so very much for all your comments and encouragement - altho I don’t always mention it, I definitely think it and feel it every single day. Hope you have a wonderful weekend and find many, many photo ops! 11/16/19

Roger & Bella

Cats are such good cuddlers, even with each other. Thanks so much for all your comments on the photos Mackenzie sent from Ghana, I hope you found them interesting… 11/15/19

The Cape Coast Castle

"One of the most famous castles in Ghana's dark episode of slavery is the Cape Coast Castle. It began as a trade lodge constructed by the Portuguese in 1555 on a part of the Gold Coast, which later became known as the Cape Coast. Up to 1,000 male and 500 female slaves were shackled and crammed in the castle's dank, poorly ventilated dungeons, with no space to lie down and very little light. Without water or sanitation, the floor of the dungeon was littered with human waste and many captives fell seriously ill and died. The men were separated from the women, and the captors regularly raped the helpless women. The castle also featured confinement cells - small pitch-black spaces for prisoners who revolted or were seen as rebellious. Once the slaves set foot in the castle, they could spend up to three months in captivity under these dreadful conditions before being shipped off to the New World. The castle's involvement with slavery eventually stopped as a result of Britain's ban on the slave trade. Cape Coast Castle went back to its previous function as an essential site for (non-human) commodity trade, after which it was turned into an army training facility. In 1957, when Ghana became the first sub-saharan African state to regain independence from British colonial rule, the ownership of the Cape Coast Castle was transferred to the new government and subsequently to the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board. More than just museums, this castle and many others are filled with haunting histories, revealing the horrors of the slave trade. By serving as a strong reminder of Ghana's dark history, the castles continue to pay respect to the millions of people who suffered at the hands of slavers. They are far from forgotten, even in the 21st century. (quoted from an online article - Ghanaian Slave Castles: The Shocking Story of the Ghanaian Cape Coast" by Culture Trip) Mackenzie toured this castle, it was a heartwrenching experience and brought her to tears. The horrors of this place still live on the walls for all to see. 11/14/19

Ghana Countryside

“Although relatively small in area and population, Ghana is one of the leading countries of Africa, partly because of its considerable natural wealth and partly because it was the first black African country south of the Sahara to achieve independence from colonial rule. In addition to being known for its lush forests, diverse animal life, and miles of sandy beaches along a picturesque coast, Ghana is also celebrated for its rich history—its habitation possibly dating from 10,000 BCE.” (Britannica.com) Ghana enjoys all the benefits of being politically stable and a leading democracy in Africa, due largely because of the acceptance of all belief systems. Christians, Muslims and the traditional belief systems all live side by side. They are a country of open hearted, friendly people who have welcomed Mackenzie wholeheartedly. This is a photo Mackenzie took while she was out walking in the town she is living in, called Asamankese. It’s about an hours drive north of the captial city of Accra, situated on the coast.. 11/13/19

Joyce & her pink umbrella

Mackenzie has sent lots of photos home from Ghana. These are two of my favourites - her friend Joyce with her pretty pink umbrella. I couldn’t decide which one I liked best, so I combined them. I’m so very grateful for all the kind & thoughtful comments that you left on yesterday’s photo of my mother in uniform. Thank you so much, it was an emotional day for me & it helped to share it with you.... 11/12/19

With grateful hearts, we will remember

Both my parents fought in WWII, they actually met in India during the war and married shortly after the war was over. I posted this photo in 2013, but it seems so appropriate for today that I decided to post it again. This is my mother, Dr. Beryl McQueen (nee Gee) taken in 1940. She was one of the first female Medical Officers in the British Army to be shipped to India in the second World War. She lived a long and very interesting life, leaving us in 2014 at the age of 101 years. Unfortunately, she lost all her memories and when you loose your memories you loose your life long before you die. But she told us her stories and we keep them for her. I remember all her stories about the war and I tell them to my girls and they tell them to their children and on it goes, and the memories won’t ever be lost. We remember for you, Mom … and for all of your family & friends that gave so much and lost so much and now are gone - we will remember…. I promise. 11/11/19

Mackenzie & Joyce

You may remember that Mackenzie (my granddaughter) is currently in Ghana, West Africa, for a 3 month Practicum for her University degree. She is having an amazing adventure as well as working very hard, has met some wonderful people and has found a home away from home. She has done some travelling in Ghana, this shot was taken at beautiful Kokrobrite Beach, near Cape Coast on the Gulf of Guinea, with her dear friend, Joyce. Thought you might like a little update :) 11/10/19

Setting sun

While in Riding Mountain Park, we spent a couple of evenings watching & waiting for the sun to go down, hoping for that spectacular ‘sunset over still water’ that we all dream of. Alas, it didn’t happen. Cool, clear September evenings don’t lend themselves easily to colourful sunsets …. but it was still a lovely way to end each day. 11/09/19

Morning fog at Moon Lake, Riding Mountain Park

We were going to do a morning hike, but it was a little too cold, damp & windy….. Thank you so much for all your comments, greatly appreciated, always! 11/08/19

Bears were here

A close up of the damage done to the oTentik in Riding Mountain Park. I suppose one way to look at it is that although they worked really hard, they didn’t get in through the wall, so the construction must be quite sturdy. I don’t know what happened with the door because it was covered up. Probably someone left food inside. There’s always a reason why these things happen and it is almost always thoughtless humans. To the left of the building in yesterday’s shot, there is a bear proof container for food. It takes so little to keep yourself safe… 11/07/19

The 'oTentik'

The latest idea for camping in the remote areas of Riding Mountain Park and other Canadian National Parks. They are available to rent, all year round, & are a ‘combination of a tent and an A-frame cabin’. They are very basic, cozy & comfortable offering an indoor picnic table & chairs, bunk beds, barbecue, and solar lighting. This one was not in use when we found it & was obviously awaiting repairs. The door was missing and the white area you can see on the lower left was clearly caused by a bear trying to get in. I’ll post a close up of the bear damage tomorrow. I have to say that if I’d seen this prior to renting an oTentik, I would have said: no thanks, seems a little too bear friendly for me. It seems they can just remove the door & walk right in! 11/06/19

Leaves on the beach

Taken on our last day at the lake. Added a little painterly effect in Topaz Impression. Many thanks for all your comments, I appreciate them so very much… :) 11/05/19

Folllow the leader

Even though it’s unclear where we are going or why…. I wonder if anyone is questioning why they are walking east when it seems obvious that they should be going south… :) 11/04/19

Hanging on for the very last minute...

They’re still here. Thousands of them. They will stay until the very last of the water is frozen and all options are gone. The temps hover around zero C. evey day so it’s cold, especially when the north wind picks up. I don’t know how they cope with the cold. It’s harsh. And it’s time for them to go. Sadly. I really miss them when they’re gone. I hope you guys down south will take good care of them... :) 11/02/19