Waiting

This handsome fellow was waiting for his human to come out of a store and had his eyes glued to the door. When I stopped he gave me a 2 second look and then it was back to the door.

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

The Neighbour

This is the next door neighbour of the house with yesterday's bright garage. What a difference. This one looks as if it has stepped out of Charles Dickens' London. It looks much brighter in summer with leaves on the vines and planters full of flowers.

A Bright Spot On A Dull Day

 I was wandering through the Annex neighbourhood on yet another dull day when I spotted this newly painted garage. That certainly is a bright spot and quite brave colours for this area. I'll show you the neighbouring house tomorrow so you will know what I mean.

The Tooth Fairy

One last post from the Santa Claus Parade. I'm not sure how many kids want to be reminded of the dentist but the fairy probably lightens the effect. I'm not sure if that woman posing with the tooth at the front is a dentist but I wouldn't be surprised if she was. 

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

An Empty Pond

I went by the pond in James Gardens to see how the ducks were doing in the cold weather and was surprised to find no ducks there at all. Usually they are there all winter as the pond never totally freezes over. I assume they must have found a nicer feeding place for now.

Christmas At The Casa

I finally got by Casa Loma last week to see the decorations they put out for Christmas. This is the front entrance on what was a cold windy day as you can tell from the flag. They have a special display & event inside the Casa but I had no time for that this year.

Merry Christmas

Santa has arrived and has gone on his merry way back to the North Pole. This nice Santa was spotted on the roof of a porch on one of the big homes in the Annex neighbourhood. He reminds me of the Santa Claus who would appear in the Coke ads in the 50s. 

Merry Christmas to all!

Ready For Christmas

Santa and Frosty and all the creatures are ready for Christmas. I like those Canada Geese at the front of the float and wouldn't mind having one for the deck. 

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Friends

There don't seem to be as many inflateable decorations around this year. I like this one of the polar bear giving some friends a lift.

Play A Little Music

This float from a local radio station features creatures enjoying a little music. These ones look like they would be twirling on their skates as the parade moved along the route like Snoopy & Charlie Brown were in my post earlier this week

Red Dragon

This float from the Chinese community may not be the largest in the Santa Claus parade but it is one of the most striking ones with that impressive dragon.

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Having Fun

This Santa Claus Parade float was from the company with the double arches out front and show creatures having some winter fun. Those people are workers from the parade putting final touches on the float. I imagine that the mouse at front twirled on its skates during the parade.

A Fluffy Beastie

 Wandering along a laneway I spotted this furry creature which at first seemed rather scary but it is actually just a fluffy moth having a little snack. The artist for this one is Blackburn who usually has an animal of some kind in his murals.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Musical Reindeer

This trio of reindeer were probably playing tunes as the float went along the parade route of the Santa Claus Parade. When I spotted them they were just getting warmed up for the fun ahead.

Turtle Island

This float from the Santa Claus Parade tells the First Nation Story of creation. It is a nice story which I can't explain properly but in the story the muskrat creates turtle island (North America) from mud. On the float you can see the small muskrat sitting on the back of the turtle. The wonderful designs on this float were done by First Nation artist Philip Cote.

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

The Return Of The Santa Claus Parade

Our Santa Claus Parade returned a few weeks ago after being a virtual event for the last couple of years. I have a tradition of going down early on the morning of the parade to get up close to the floats and so set off on a cold & windy day. Mother Goose is the leading float each year but this year she had yet to have her wings attached and so I didn't get a shot of her. I'll start instead with the delightful Snoopy & Charlie Brown as they skated among the Christmas decorations. When the parade was underway they were spinning around as the float moved along. I'll show you some more floats in the days ahead.

Orchids

There is a block on Avenue Rd in the Yorkville neighbourhood where every other store is a flower shop. This store specializes in orchids and that whole top shelf along the side of the shop is filled with them of all different colours. When I need fresh flowers that is the area I head to most times.

High Variety

When I first saw this shop I thought it was a very tidy variety store especially with the 'high variety' lettering up beside its name but it turns out that it is just another cannabis shop joining the many others that are open here. I think I can walk to at least 6 of them in under 5 minutes from my place. 

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Annex Glory

 This 8,000 sq ft house in the Annex neighbourhood was built in 1909 and designed by a noted architect. It has had only 3 owners throughout its time but is now for sale for $10,000,000. It has one of the biggest lots in the Annex and one wonders if the property ends up being divided and the house demolished despite an interior that looks gorgeous in the realty shots.

Neighbourhood Quilt

 I have gone by this mural several times to get a shot and there are always a lot of vehicles in the way so this week there was just the one so I stopped. This wonderful quilt pays tribute to the great diversity of cultures in this neighbourhood, Oakwood Village. The artists for this one belong to the Moonlight Murals Collective.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Carvings At School

These carvings are found over the main door of Central Technical School. The top crest is that of the city of Toronto and the two smaller carvings were done by the stonemasons working on the school to represent both the academic side & the technical side of the school. Considering that the school was built in the early 1900s the carvings are in great shape.

Peek-A -Boo

This squirrel and I were both walking through the park and when it saw me coming he stopped and tried to hide behind this almost bare plant. It didn't work as I saw him so he gave up and walked out in front of me. 

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Have Bike, Will Deliver

Purolator has started using bikes to deliver in some areas of the city. It is such a good idea that you wonder what took so long to start this. This bike was spotted in the Annex neighbourhood.

Down By The Lake

I am mining my archives as this time of year is not the most inviting time to be out & about with the short cold days. The sculpture is found near the lakeshore and is by artist John McEwen whose work I really like. It is called The Ballad of Ice and Water and references the changes that have taken place on this land near Lake Ontario. Thousands of years ago it was covered by glaciers which melted and created a large lake which eventually receded to create Lake Ontario leaving this land for humanity to explore and settle upon. I imagine the art was part of the city's requirement for public art to be included in any new building projects.

Fresh Bagels

I pass by this place all the time but have yet to stop and go in but must make a point of heading there one day. I do love a fresh bagel. When passing by late in the afternoon I have noticed that the Fresh Bagel sign is turned off so I assume that must mean they have sold the bagels out for the day.

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Closed For The Season

This gate was spotted at the Sunnyside Bathing Pavillion at Sunnyside Beach. It was built in 1922 as a place for bathers to get changed but these days during the summer it has a cafe and is also a place for weddings and other events. It closes for the winter. I like the gate.

Blue Lady

This is another one from my archives but I think I know where it was, probably the Kensington Market neighbourhood. The lady is so lovely and has really nice details to look at. I think those letters may spell out Awol Crew as the artists. I like it a lot. 

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

It's That Time Of Year

A talented member of the family created this wonderful winter runner for our table. It isn't saying Christmas so we may keep it on for the whole winter.

Find The Birds

I was walking along in James Gardens and heard a lot of tapping coming from above and looked up to see at least 6 Downy Woodpeckers bouncing around in this tree having a grand old time. I tried to catch them all in one shot but managed only 3 here. Can you spot them?

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

From The Archives

I haven't been to the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) since the pandemic arrived but when I do go I always make a point of visiting the Henry Moore Sculpture centre there. The AGO has an internationally known extensive collection of Moore works, most gifts from the artist. The collection contains over 900 works including many of the original plaster sculptures that would be later cast in bronze. This plaster cast, Three Piece Reclining Figure No 2: Bridge Prop, has been cast several times and the bronzes are located around the world. The centre is a wonderful place and I must get down there soon for a fix of art.

December Theme: Luxury

 The December theme for the City Daily Photo Blog community is Luxury and after thinking about it a lot I chose this shot of a Lamborghini which was taken in the summer in the Yorkville neighbourhood. Just imagine the amount of $$$ needed to buy this vehicle!

Taking part in The theme Luxury. Click HERE to see more luxury from around the world.

No Words Needed

These wonderful signs for the washrooms were spotted at the Fort York museum. They are simple but so effective that words aren't really needed.  

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Walkway

This wonderful walkway was spotted at Trinity College at U of Toronto. It was added on to the exterior of the original building which results in having that great stone wall for one side.

Big Eyes

There is something cute about all 3 of these characters, even the pink one with the teeth. This is one from my archives and I have no idea where I was when I took the shot. In a laneway somewhere.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Laneway In Snow

This is the view down one of our laneways in a residential area. The city doesn't really plow these lanes so if we get a lot of snow it becomes a community effort to clear a pathway for the cars. Everything looks so monotone at this time of year.

Just Floating Around

I went by James Gardens to see how the ducks were doing and they all seemed to be gathered at one end of the pond just leisurely floating around. They didn't pay any attention to me as if they knew I wasn't there to feed them. All was very peaceful. 

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Very Red

This shot of a Japanese Maple was taken a few weeks ago on the grounds of Spadina House. Beautiful all year, it had turned this vibrant red for autumn. I was not the only person taking shots of it.

Unhappy Flowers

The snow last week also caught a lot of flowers off guard such as these poor Geraniums in one of my window boxes.  The snow probably protected them a bit from the cold and there look to be a couple of buds that may still like to open. Tough plants.

Future Sneakers

There is a show going on at the Bata Shoe Museum about sneakers of the future and all the innovations to come in production and features. I loved the young boy running by the high tech shoes while he is wearing simple functional sandals. Taken when our weather was a bit warmer than today.

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Surprise

 This was a surprise for me last week when we woke up to a nice snowfall and then the next night got even more. Frank, the snowman, had come out in the nicer weather the weekend before so he was happy even if drivers were not amused with the roads. The first snowfall of the season is always a shock.

Flower Power

 This mural was spotted in the Oakwood Village neighbourhood just south of the Little Jamaica neighbourhood along Eglinton Ave W. The artist for this one is Curtia Wright. It is good to see black lives celebrated.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Red Truck

This red truck was spotted in a laneway outside a mechanic's shop. It is a '67 Ford 100 and is in great shape as even the paint looks like it could be original. Pretty good for 55 years old.

Hanging In There

The squirrels have continued their antics in the Maple trees by my deck but they have eaten all the keys that were easy to get to so now have to change techniques to get at the ones on the ends of the branches. They are such great acrobats. If you look closely you can see that this one is using only one foot to hang on. Imagine eating upside down! 

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

A Cute Cottage

I have always loved this sweet house in the Harbord Village neighbourhood right near the U of Toronto campus. It was built in 1889 and has heritage protection as does its whole area. There are some lovely old homes there. This one has been so lovingly maintained it is hard to believe it is that old.

Glorius Gold

This is a Ginkgo Biloba tree which is fairly common here in Toronto. It is one of the oldest living tree species in the world. They all turn this glorious golden colour and are one of the last trees to drop their leaves in the autumn. And then they seem to drop all the leaves in one day which is rather unique.

Great Entrance

This is the entrance to the Lillian H Smith Branch of the Toronto Public Library. It was built in 1995 and is a standout along College St. The library has a huge collection of rare and notable modern children's book as well as an extensive collection of science fiction and fantasy. Those creatures are real attention getters.

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Lightwave

 These reed-like posts, called Lightwave, are part of an art installation installed along the median of University Ave in the hospital district. There are several gatherings of them along the median and at night random waves of light move along them. They are part of a whole display called Radiant Journey which involves a light display in those trees. I haven't been by at night but even during the day I enjoyed seeing Lightwave.

Heart

 This sweet mosaic mural was found in the same small area as yesterday's sundial. I failed to get the name of the artist for this one but it has a real First Nation feel to it. I'll have to go back one day to check out whether there is any signage. I love the image in the mural - it seems rather comforting.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Where's The Sun?

 I spotted this sculptural sundial while wandering around downtown near University Ave. It's a nice one but unfortunately it is now almost surrounded by condo towers so the sun doesn't really shine on it. It looks good though.

Putting On Weight Before Winter

It has been fun watching the antics of the squirrels as they feed on the keys found on the Manitoba Maple trees just off my deck. They seem to spend most of the day out there. Usually there are 2 black squirrels and 1 grey one and they each grab their own area for snacking. All 3 of them are juveniles so their fur is in great shape and the black ones are very black as you can see in this shot. 

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.