stillpoint

musings from Canadian author Cheryl Cooke Harrington ... home of The Write Spot

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

cherry blossom time...


In the spring of 1959, the citizens of Tokyo, Japan made a gift of two thousand Sakura cherry trees to the people of Toronto as thanks for Canadian support of Japanese refugees after WWII. The little trees found a new home in High Park, thus beginning a springtime tradition in our city: cherry blossom time. 

I'm a couple or few years older than those cherry trees, born and raised in Toronto, but until this week I've never had the chance to see the trees in bloom. What a magical sight it is! 

My friend and I set our alarms for oh-gosh-thirty on Monday morning and made our way through rush-hour traffic to arrive at High Park a few minutes past eight. The parking lots were already busy, the grassy slopes full of people with cameras, people walking, people gazing up at the masses of pale pink petals in mute admiration. (There was even a bride with her photographer – lovely dress but no competition for the absolute perfection overhead.) 

Cherry blossoms on the hill, High Park, Toronto

Click on any photo to see larger version. (Images will open in new window.)







The vista over Grenadier Pond seemed stark as we emerged from the tunnel of blossoms but we soon discovered more signs of spring along the pathways... a gorgeous pair of Merganser ducks on the pond, daffodils blooming in pretty clumps, early flowers in sheltered suntraps, and  my favourite  riots of brilliant yellow forsythia.













Our rambles eventually lead us to the famous High Park Zoo, a Toronto institution since 1893. The zoo made news world-wide last year when the resident Capybaras escaped and went walkabout for most of the summer. Bonnie and Clyde are safely home now with three sweet babies as a reminder of their "summer of love". ;-) I've got lots of zoo pictures (including some of the Capybabies) to share next time, so be sure to check back. Meanwhile, happy spring!






stillpoint... blog of Canadian author Cheryl Cooke Harrington








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Tuesday, April 11, 2017

a wee tree update...


The Easter Bunny stopped by our house a bit early this year and dropped off a special treat... for the Christmas tree. So, as promised, here's our wee Grinchy tree, sporting a cheerful new outfit for spring. [If you missed the fashion show, follow this link to see wee tree's post-Christmas costume changes.]




Our little tree is incredibly patient and continues to thrive, but his humans are running out of decorating ideas. (Suggestions welcome. All I've got is a vague idea about a giant strawberry for June!) On the other hand, maybe it's time for a new pot with some fresh soil and a shot of fertilizer. Wee tree would likely appreciate a few months of rest and relaxation before Christmas rolls around again. 





stillpoint... blog of Canadian author Cheryl Cooke Harrington

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