Urban Wildlife

I seem to have become obsessed with befriending squirrels and birds. Particularly pigeons. Clearly I do not have enough to do. I know that people hate pigeons because they're messy but to me they have the same allure as other small city birds. I walk around with walnuts in my pockets and birdseed in ziplock baggies. During the summer there was a flock of around 50 pigeons that used to roost on top of the Shoppers Drug Mart sign. One day they were all gone -
Shoppers had installed metal spikes on top of the sign. Most of the birds took up residence on the roof of the church across the road but essentially, they stopped coming across the road to forage for food. Yesterday I saw a lone pigeon at Yonge and Finch pecking at cigarette butts looking for food. How tragic is that. I whipped out my birdseed and scattered them around and this little guy was so accurate picking out each kernel, one at a time. I felt very satisfied that I was helping a homeless animal.
As for the squirrels - the ones around my building are pretty tame and come to me when called. I was really surprised to discover that squirrels have lousy eyesight. I can place nuts all around it and the squirrel runs all over the place looking for goodies and not finding anything. Maybe they need to touch and nose things first. After tossing about 6 nuts around this guy he finally found the one I placed right under his nose. Earlier in the year this little guy used to jump up on my purse as I rummaged around for the bag of treats. Yeah, yeah I know it's a rodent - big deal.

Attack of the evil toenails

Well I finally did it. After a summer of excruciating pain in the big toes I finally went to the podiatrist to have toenail surgery which involves yanking out the offending portions of nail from the bone. Just the thought of it gave me the willies. My girlfriend had a like response and announced that it was worse than having needles stuck in one's eyes. I don't know where she gets this. Eyeballs freak me out. The podiatrist froze me completely so I felt nothing. Except for the needle prick. Now that the freezing is wearing off I'm sore. So I'm going to take advantage of my justified inactivity and go to bed under the duvet with my girls. And 'baby it's cold outside'.
No pictures of my toes available.

You've gotta have heart

Yesterday was a wonderful day taking a jewellery class from Nancy Donaldson. The inspiration came as a result of Nancy wearing her necklace for the Jane Wynn workshops a few weeks ago. Leslie and Irene rounded out the class of three and this guaranteed all kinds of special attention from our teacher. Beyond the techniques to be learned, the goal was to come away with a necklace of our own doing finished and ready to wear. It's surprising how a once clever girl (i.e. myself) could have so many problems taking on new skills. All I could see in my heart was the mistakes. But it looks fine from a distance and I'm determined to do a few more necklaces depending on where to find the materials. I've been on-line for half a day searching in vain for rebar wire.

You've gotta have heart

I've been looking forward to a class with Nancy Donaldson for weeks now. Yesterday it happened with Irene and Leslie as the 2 other students. So nice to have so much individual attention. Especially since what looked like an easy, straightforward project required all kinds of manual dexterity and problem solving abilities. What's happened to me...? I used to be pretty clever but in my old age I find myself helpless in learning something new.

I first saw Nancy's heart necklace (and Leslie was also wearing one too ) at the Jane Wynn workshop several weeks ago. I lusted after it. Hence the motivation for taking this class from Nancy and here are the results. Of course all I could see were my mistakes but from a distance it looks fine. It's so hard to find the materials necessary - I've been on-line half the day looking for rebar wire.

Brrrrrrr....

Well, winter is undeniably here. At least for today. Until now I've been walking around in sandals due to some ingrown toenails that won't allow me to put on any shoes that I own. But last night it snowed - no real accumulation but the wind was nasty, the ground was wet and I felt it was time to investigate my boots. I found a pair that is one size larger than my shoe size - to accommodate thick socks. I ended up wearing them all day. Too hot. I am still refusing to wear a winter coat. This is way too soon to give in to winter this soon. And the temperature is going up starting tomorrow. I hate this seesaw temp already. What a wimp.

I neglected to show you the necklace I bought from Jane Wynn when she was in Toronto last week.

I just love her work.

A New Sewing Machine

I bought myself a gift last week - online so it was just delivered today.
I had a basic, simple sewing machine that managed to strip me of any confidence in the sewing department. Constantly the bobbin would jam up and I was forced to dismantle the whole business and start all over again. I couldn't figure out how to replace the shuttle cock (is that what it's called?) and I could have used 3 more hands. Now, I don't even sew so why I'm obsessed with having a decent machine is beyond me. Except that I might use it in mixed media ventures. This new machine is computerized. Meaning that you can dial in a stitch or other such functions too advanced for me to grasp at this point. It came with a dvd which is heads above the stupid stick diagrams that are supposed to clarify each point. I've just spent 2 hours trying to figure out how to use the needle threader. I didn't find it that 'easy' as the voice on the dvd insists. Of course I'm watching horror movies at the same time.
So far so good. No jamming of bobbins. I need to try it out more extensively so I shall try it on one of my fabric boxes. A good project as the temperature starts to fall and the rain and wind make walking outdoors most unpleasant.

Back to Normal

After such a lovely weekend of leaving the mundane behind and foraging through my creative debris, I was rudely dragged into an unexpected assault on my girls' bathroom (the girls being the cats). I went out for lunch on the waterfront. It was pretty chilly with that everpresent obnoxious wind but the rough waters still had the power to calm and sooth the nerves. My outing was well-timed as the management had posted a notice that water would be shut down in the building for repairs. When I got home there was a printed form from the management office citing why they entered the apartment. It's supposed to hang on the doorknob but, of course, it was lying on the floor. The handwriting was illegible. "Investigating" was the only word I could make out. Investigating leon? That's what it looked like but I don't know a leon. I followed a trail of plaster pieces and all of them led into the girls' bathroom. Half the ceiling is gone. What a creepy mess. Apparently there's a leak. I have visions of millions of silverfish diving into the apartment through such a welcoming exit. Waaaaah.....