Forsythias, Magnolias, and Cherries (Oh MY!)

Saturday must have been the most scenic day possible in the cemetery.  The forsythia were in full, abundant bloom; the magnolias were in early bloom so the purple was ascendant over the white; and the cherry blossoms wore their early bright pink. Every turn in the path brought another spectacular colour pallet.  A grey sky provided a contrast that enhanced the bright hues.

After drinking in this beauty, we went to Oriole Park to pick up garbage for Earth Day.  The sleet (or was it hail?) pelted down and it became cold! After purging the park of cigarette butts, we hurried  to a warm welcome, scented by croissants, for a breakfast of coffee, bagels and goodies.  Features were home-made marmalade! pistachio cake!  very chocolate brownies!  As always, the opportunity to chat and catch up with folks who walk at a different (faster than me) pace was delightful.

Another Saturday morning with the TPW!  Aren't we blessed?

Movies on a Rainy Day (BY DANIELLE)

 

In case you hadn’t noticed, we have had a LOT of rain recently. The brave people who seem to be happy when wet, are madly training away for events to come. Others have taken the sage advice of one of our members and settled down on the couch (sofa, settee, chesterfield, etc.) to watch movies. Now some of us grew up with a horror of turning the television on during daylight hours. Others grew up with the television providing background sound and light to their days. But few of us were sent to play outside in a downpour. This is why, lately, we can enjoy streaming movies without the guilt instilled in us by those parents who thought of screens as a terrible indulgence and a waste of a day.

Thanks to P.’s recommendation, I spent a pleasurable time watching Bill Nighy (one of my all-time favourite actors) in The Beautiful Game, and thanks to my husband, watched Scoop, a film about how the BBC managed to get Prince Andrew to talk about his involvement with sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. What an afternoon! I feel like I had a chance to peer (pun intended) into the depths of the British class system. I am not going to write a thesis here but would be very happy to involve any of my fellow walkers in a discussion on the topic – the next time the sun shines on us.

Spring! (BY BARB)

 

Spring.  Can we say it's finally here?  On this gorgeous weekend with sunshine and a teasing temperature reaching the +18 mark. I still think it's a miracle (and despite our upside down winter) that trees start budding and with forsythia, pussy willows and those petite crocuses popping up telling the world they may be small but mighty. Tulips. Daffodils. The beguiling smell of hyacinths.

Even the word "spring" conjures up a physical rebound.  In my eyes, people out walking do have that spring in their step, as they shed their winter clothing (armour?) and embrace the sun and warmth, and give thanks for mother nature and the miracle that is spring. And let's not forget the rituals of spring.  Spring cleaning?? observing neighbours cleaning up their gardens, talking to other neighbours that they may not have seen in months. Spring races.  Training for races? Getting out the garden and balcony furniture.  Having enough faith to keep pansies outdoors.  And new babies coming into our world. All beacons of much needed hope in our sometimes dark and worrying world. 

And for those of you taking in the solar eclipse on Monday, enjoy this once in a lifetime phenomenon. Me, I'll be inside protecting our beloved four legged one. He's a sensitive soul that, like many other animals, might be affected by the unexpected darkness in the middle of the afternoon. And according to an article from CBC, because of the diurnal clock signal kicking in   -  "not surprisingly, birds are going to go to bed"  Who knew?  Or any excuse to have a nap!

Looking Ahead (BY DIANE)

 

Well it seems that winter is having a last hoorah before we (hopefully) settle into some real spring.

We have lots to look forward to. A reminder that on April 20, after walking, we will be doing some good work for the community by picking up litter at Oriole Park. We will go directly after walking. Thanks to B for organizing and to C who has offered to host us for coffee and tea and sweeties afterwards.

Then we have the Sporting Life 10K on May 12th - if you have already signed up remember to use your coupon before the race!  And on May 23rd a whole bunch of us are off to Ottawa for either a 10K or 21K. Training for both distance and hills is underway.  I confess that, between bad weather and various work conflicts,  I have not dug in quite yet - but I vow to do so!

Come summer we have pool parties, adventure walks, more races and, of course, lots of breakfasts and chats. Just thinking about it cheers me up on what is a very gloomy day - but, on the plus side, it is perfect weather for a cozy day at home.

Spring has definitely not Sprung! (BY PHILIPPA)

 

And the birdies are hiding under mounds of snow!  Saturday morning could have taken place in December or January but surely shouldn't be this late in March.  So much snow fell over night that the cemetery grounds were sheathed in snow and glittering in the sunlight.  And even though the warm sun and blue sky were heavenly, the air was cold and the snowy surface of the road melting, making it very slippery for us to walk on.  We had to walk carefully and move more slowly in order to avoid falling.  But we made it defiantly once around and no falls were reported.

And so I am still looking  forward to "Spring" as described by Billy Collins in his poem below.  Surely it cannot be too far away, can it???

 

Today

BY BILLY COLLINS

If ever there were a spring day so perfect,

so uplifted by a warm intermittent breeze

that it made you want to throw

open all the windows in the house

and unlatch the door to the canary's cage,

indeed, rip the little door from its jamb,

a day when the cool brick paths

and the garden bursting with peonies

seemed so etched in sunlight

that you felt like taking

a hammer to the glass paperweight

on the living room end table,

releasing the inhabitants

from their snow-covered cottage

so they could walk out,

holding hands and squinting

into this larger dome of blue and white,

well, today is just that kind of day.