Toronto Islands

Hello everyone.  I hope you’ve all been well.

A few days I visited Centre Island.  For those of you who are interested, the Toronto Ferry Dock is located at the foot of Bay Street.  And you have a choice of docking at one of three islands.  Centre Island is one of the more popular islands because of the abundance of activities to see and do.

I decided to follow one of many trails, and since I brought a lunch I enjoyed it at one of the many picnic tables.  Since I’m an animal lover (which you’ve probably gathered by now from my website), I visited the zoo.  And then strolled along one of many walking paths.  For those of you who are hungry there is a Pizza Pizza outlet, an ice cream shop, restaurants, and other food shops to entice you.

The beautiful maintained island showcases fountains, as well as an abundance of plants and flowers.

If you’ve never been to the islands, please put it on “your must see, and do list.”  I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

Bye for now.

Talk soon.

Marjan

Hello Everyone:

Well I was at the Gardens again today.  I couldn’t resist.   So please admire these lovely flowers.  I did.

And have yourselves a wonderful weekend.

All the best,

Marjan

Hello everyone.

Hope you’ve all been well since my last blog.  I have some good news.  For those of you who haven’t had a chance to check out my memoir.  Exciting news!  It’s free for downloading on #amazonkindle.  Take a peek.  You may enjoy it.

Have yourselves a great weekend.

All the best.

Marjan

Toronto Botanical Garden

777 Lawrence Avenue, East, Toronto, Ontario

(416) 397-1341

#torontobotanicalgarden.ca

Hello everyone.

Yesterday I went to visit the Botanical Garden.  What a treat!  Not only was it a warm and sunny day,  but the grounds with it’s walking trails, and flowers were spectacular.  If you have an opportunity to visit this setting, there are lots of things to see and do.  Please check out the website, and address that I’ve included at the top of the page.

Have a wonderful evening.

Talk soon,

Marjan

Toronto Harbour and Queen’s Quay.

Hope you had a great day today, by yourself or with family and friends.  I went to the harbour, as you can see, and enjoyed the weather as well as the scenery.  Have yourself a great evening.

Marjan

Hello

A few days ago I went and saw the movie: Disorder.  You may not have heard of it yet, since it hasn’t been widely advertised.  But I read some interesting reviews, and it peaked my interest.

Written and directed by Alice Winocour, one of the actors include Matthias Schoenaerts who is a Belgium Actor and producer.  Mattius is best known for his roles in The Drop, and The Danish Girl.  In this movie he plays a brooding, psychologically wounded ex-French Special Forces soldier (Vincent), who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress-(shown holding his head, tremors in his hands, skittish), and has been told by his physician that he’s not ready to return to military service.  In the meantime one of his military army buddies offers him temporary work. He is to be part of a security detail that for one day will protect a group of important Europeans  businessman, while they attend a party at a villa owned by a rich Lebanese businessman (Whalid).   When Whalid (who Vincent discovers that evening could be an arms dealer) has to suddenly leave town on business, Vincent’s boss asks him to say on for a few days, and be a the bodyguard for Jessie, Whalid’s wife, (Diane Kruger) and her son.   But he’s not the best candidate . Vincent  experiences bouts of paranoia (where he believes he, Jessie and her son are being watched and followed while on an outing).  When the threat  turns into reality the movie becomes a taut, action thriller.

This movie may not be for everyone.  It shows how PTSD can be extremely stressful and frightening for an individual, as they try to differentiate between what’s real and what isn’t.  And at times I found it difficult to watch Vincent, when he exhibited the signs and symptoms. (excellent acting by the way).

The movie was well written and directed by a very talented individual who I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about in the not too distant future.

Talk soon.

Marjan

HIGH PARK – TORONTO

Hello

Since I last blogged I hope you’ve all been well.  It’s nice to see the temperatures occasionally climbing into the double digits during the day.  We deserve it.  Don’t you agree?

This morning I visited High Park.   If you’ve had an opportunity to read my memoir (pardon me while I close the door) you will see that I refer to it in my book.  Today I wanted to share some  pictures with you.  I’m continually amazed that my smart phone is able to  produce such awesome pictures.   For those of you who’ve never had an opportunity to visit this beautiful municipal park, it sits on l61 hectares, and  is referred to as a recreational and a natural park.  There are many things to see and do–hiking and walking trails, cultural and sports facilities, a restaurant, a zoo, playground for children. And they offer events during the year.   Check out their website :  www.highparktoronto.com.  Should you happen to visit Toronto this weekend, or for that matter at any time, you may wish to place High Park on your must see list.

Well the weather is beautiful today, so I’ve decided to venture out once again.  But I promise to be back.

Keep well.

Talk soon.

Marjan

               RIVERDALE FARM

Hello

Today I visited Riverdale Farm.  The day was beautiful, and I felt one is never too old to visit an actual farm with some cute and interesting animals.  Riverdale is an actual working farm with pathways through wooded areas,  historic barns, ponds, and covered with lots of flower gardens.  A wonderful place for adults and children alike.  In l894 the Riverdale Zoo opened to become Toronto’s first zoo, but it was closed in l974, and the animals  were relocated to the new Toronto Zoo,  in Scarborough.

The site was then restructured as a farm.  And on this farm you’ll find a few barns.  One of which was donated to the City of Toronto in l977.  It is referred to as a bank barn since these barns usually sit on the sides of hills or river banks.  Another barn is called the Pig and Poultry Barn.  It houses pigs, turkeys, chickens and domesticated waterfowl.  Also on the site you’ll find a Victoria-style farmhouse– the picture is the first one on the left– and there are public washrooms in this farmhouse.   There is also a three-story building where recreational and interpretive activities are offered to the public.

The baby goat pictured  in above my script is quite delightful.  She and a sister hang out together in an enclosed area.  Mother was not far away.  But I couldn’t entice her sister to come over to  pose for me.    But as you can see this cutie was quite brave.  She probably wondered why this crazy woman (me)  was whistling and clapping to get her attention, and needed to investigate.

When I left Riverdale Farm I walked over to Allan Gardens Conservatory, and took a few pictures.  The flowers are beautiful.  I’m sure you’ll agree.

I hope you’re all keeping well.  I think the double digit temperatures are here to stay.  About time, don’t you agree?

Keep well.

Talk soon,

Marjan

Good morning:

Hope you’ve all been well since my last post.

It was nice to see the temperatures go above 20 degrees yesterday.  Hurray.  I think things are finally looking up for us.  And it won’t be long before we see them continue to climb.  We deserve it.  Don’t you agree?  But we can’t really complain about the weather since the winter was one of the nicer ones on record.

It’s now been five months since my memoir was published.  And the comments, and ratings  on goodreads and amazon have been much appreciated and informative.  If you have time to rate or give it a review please feel free to do so.  But please don’t feel you’re under any obligation.

A few days ago I submitted  a short story into the Australian Book Review Short Story competition.  I’m sure there will be submissions from many excellent and accomplished writers.  But who knows I may get an honourable mention.  The winning entries will be announced later this year, and I’ll keep you informed.   I’m presently working on another writing project  but haven’t decided if it will stay a short story or evolve into a novel.   I’ll let you know.

I have a dental appointment today.  So I will sign off for now.

Have yourself a wonderful day.  Talk soon.

Marjan

Allan Gardens Conservatory.  Toronto

It’s another cold day outside so I thought I’d bring you some lovely plants and flowers to look at and cheer you up.   And here they are.  Yes, they do have names.  But your homework, should you wish to attempt it, will be to find out what they are.   I’ve also decided to  provide you with a little history about the gardens, that is open year round, since you may wish to drop by for a visit someday.

The property has six greenhouses that are home to a variety of exotic plants from all over the world,  as well as seasonal flowers, and covers over l6,000 square feet.   A beautiful cast-iron and glass domed “Palm House” that houses some of these plants was built in l910 and is under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Open from l0:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m daily it is easily accessible by TTC.

I’d love to talk more  but I’m off to visit the grocery store.  One must eat you know.  So be good, keep well, and we’ll talk soon.

Marjan