Category Archives: Art

Reaping rewards after the stinky Summer of 2026

29 Tuesday Sep 2026

Posted by in Art, community, creativity, family, Food and Cooking, gardening, Health, photography, reading, therapy, Travel, writing

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I have accepted that I have no control over world events or the weather. I am just maintaining personal health, nurturing relationships, contributing to local community causes and charities of choice.

The following photographs and thoughts may be of interest to the general reader. If not, they will serve as memory care records after my brain succumbs to old age.

So, buh-bye, stinky summer heat! We are winding down gardening season and reaping small rewards.

In the Lee Valley Vegepod, sifting stones from houseplant pots (playing in the dirt)
Empty containers (possibilities for next year)

Cooking and experimenting

The weather in the Ottawa region recently has been perfect for comfortable outdoor activities, and indoor kitchen cooking projects. Even prior to the official autumn equinox, I was practising with preparing some favourite comfort foods.

First pot of chili con carne (a weekly go-to for winter cooking)
Farmer’s Market apple pie (a favourite Sunday dinner dessert)

On Sunday I tried a combination of two internet recipes for stuffed spaghetti squash. It received mixed reviews. I don’t think I will try this one again.

Stuffed spaghetti squash (I used the garden tomatoes and basil ingredients)

Balancing decadence with support for an immigrant friend

A couple of weeks ago, I treated myself to hotel stay downtown in preparation to attend as a guest at a friend’s Canadian citizenship swearing in ceremony. It was scheduled for the early morning next day and I did not look forward to commuting by bus or taxi. At the ceremony, I observed 74 new Canadians swearing in, some were entire families with small children. It brought tears to my eyes. Afterwards, I treated my college classmate to a gift bag of Canadiana goodies (maple sugar concoctions, a shiny souvenir) and a lunch at a posh downtown restaurant.

If my budget can allow it, I plan to do more of these downtown stays, scheduled around cultural events, meetups with friends and old coworkers.

bubble bath in a posh hotel (luxury and relaxation)

The room with a bath also offered two Queen size beds. I used the many pillows to build a nest in one bed, to curl up in while snacking like a kid and exploring 100 channels on the wide screen TV. It was great!

LAC view from hotel window

Although I lost the “river view” option by requesting a room with a bathtub, I gained a view of a quiet street, what looked like a government building going through renovations, and the Library and Archives building (LAC) in the distance. I have an affinity to the LAC and fondly remembered the Doors Open Ottawa tour I took in June.

I have been testing my social anxiety limits and entertainment budget by:

  • Lunching out and catching up with friends.
  • Participating in Rotary club events to raise funds, socialize at lovely locations, and occasionally attend a lunch meeting in person.
  • Attending an Ottawa International Writer’s Festival event with a friend who holds a season pass. That required commuting to and navigating busy downtown Ottawa by foot, observing crowds of people attending events for the city’s 200th birthday and Nuit Blanche – all under a full moon. The author interview was good but the church pews were not comfortable for long sits with short legs. After ten minutes of searching the underground parking garage for my friend’s car, she kindly gave me a ride home. I appreciate the generosity of folks with vehicles who can transport me to and from places.
Book cover of Agrippa by Robert Harris and OIWF 2026 fall schedule

The Author warned us that his latest historical fiction contained some acts of cruelty and violence, a common trait of the ancient Roman elites. We drew many parallels to the current US administration.

Planning for the cooler months

  • Volunteer in person at the library, at Rotary club and community association events (I appreciate that I can perform the majority of tasks online).
  • Set up the DayLight lamp in the living room / home office area.
  • Continue the seasonal wardrobe organization, phase II (keeping a few summery outfits in case we get a warm Thanksgiving).
  • Get new Winter boots.
  • Try more comfort food recipes for sharing with loved ones, focusing on the healthy options.
  • Move that body!
DayLight Lamp on a kitchen counter above a dining table

I like to think that the DayLight Lamp supports positive feelings during the dark mornings of winter. That’s when I do my best writing. Well… you be the judge.

Thanks for dropping by. See you in a few weeks.

T

Coming full circle from a park bench

10 Wednesday Jun 2026

Posted by in Art, community, creativity, libraries, photography, therapy, writing

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I recently came full circle with an obsession and have hopefully relieved myself from continuing a thoughtful and quirky hobby. I have been collecting benches residing in public spaces for 24 years.

It started in 2002, from an encounter with The Secret Bench of Knowledge in front of the Library and Archives building in Ottawa in 2002 while attending a writers festival. The whimsy and mystery of the statues appealed to me. That was during a dark time with my foray into writing, attending poetry readings and presentations while working full time, raising three children and surviving an unhappy marriage. I felt trapped. Writing and networking with writers helped me find some escape and offered some therapy.

I wrote a review of the writers festival, posted as web pages which survived as a PDF where I shared my experience about this thing called “the poets’ pathway” and eventually joined like-minded folks in an environmental group and literary project.

The Secret Bench of Knowledge in front of the Canadian Library and Archives Building on Wellington Street

Fast forward to 2026 when I reunited with the bench and its occupants during Doors Open Ottawa and a visit to the Library and Archives building on Wellington Street. I felt an obligation to see this building and its dusty collections as a 2022 graduate from an Archives and Records Management college program.

The LAC stacks on the secluded 7th floor

The volunteer guides on the selected floors were knowledgeable about the various collections as well as the virtual display for the new Adisoke building that should open in 2027. There have been delays due to the pandemic, the supply chain, and trade tariffs applied by the orange menace and his money grabbing sycophants.

My first Doors Open Ottawa experience was in 2016 and I have since tried to visit the interesting buildings around the city that offered the public a peek into hidden treasures over the first weekend of June. I was hooked, although with limited energy and patience for crowds.

I highly recommend you attend one of these Doors Open events if they are offered in your own city. It can open your eyes and mind to its rich architecture and culture. I also recommend writing as therapy, in your private journals or in a blog where you can whisper – or shout – into the void.

Thanks for dropping by.

T

Creative reset revelations

08 Monday Sep 2025

Posted by in Art, community, creativity, economy, Health, therapy, writing

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“Comparison is the thief of joy” (widely attributed to Theodore Roosevelt)

Are you a creative type who sometimes feels like you need a reset, a boost, or supportive motivation? Does it feel like your world is off-kilter lately? I was looking for inspiration beyond my childlike doodles that kept me comforted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This too shall pass. COVID-19 doodle therapy from 2020

Perhaps you are a sensitive type, becoming saddened and overwhelmed by world events, disgusted by greedy billionaire men and cruel dictators. Do you turn off the news and turn to YouTube clips of your favourite late night hosts and interviews?

Well, a couple of weeks ago the Universe provided me with a YouTube ad by a chipper UK artist, offering a free, ten-day online “Creative Reset” art course. Sign me up!

Staring at the blank page

For the first couple of days, I was committed although the instructor did most of her demonstrations with acrylic paints and oddball materials. I tried my best with the dollar store water colours in my limited workspace. I was determined to create. The demos and assignments challenged my logic and aversion to waste. My chosen paints did not offer a good sense of flow and brilliant colour mixtures. I lacked workspace and storage space for the recommended output of copious practice pieces.

I appreciated the frequent check-in emails and Q&A sessions with the instructor and her coaches. Thousands of people from all over the world had registered. I embraced the shared interest and joy emanating from the group. I felt a sense of community.

I soon became distracted by the comments and reactions in the live video chats, which I learned how to hide from view. I became overwhelmed by the number of posts in the dedicated Facebook group, and the increased notifications in my profile. Agh!

Was this the result of my lack of focus, possible ADHD symptoms that developed during the pandemic – or undiagnosed neurodivergence? Why did I find it counterproductive to participate in this worldwide community?

The first few assignments

Around that time, I developed symptoms of a summer cold; my throat was sore, my nose was runny. I started to cough. And cough. And cough. I became disappointed with my outputs after viewing photographs of others’ work in the Facebook group.

“Comparison is the thief of joy”

I needed to take a break. I felt overstimulated and disheartened. My sides hurt from coughing. My head hurt too. I medicated and drank plenty of water. I slept. I forgave myself for quitting the course at the final assignment. I allowed myself to rest.

Lessons learned?

  1. Welcome interest in new endeavours but moderate your energy and attention;
  2. Resist comparing your art work with others’;
  3. Continue being a creative type on your own terms;
  4. Use that letter from your GP to get tested for the autism spectrum.

Thanks for stopping by. How are your creative pursuits going?

T