Feb 10 - Feb 28, 2014 - Photo A Day Project

The long, icy winter continues to hang on here in Ottawa -- the news tells us it has been the coldest in 20 years. 

Canadians traditionally bond by complaining about the weather, but this year I think most of us are bored with that worn-out conversation. Everyone just seems to be peeking out between their toques or hoods and neck scarves while hustling from door to car, which we then start up, cranking up the defroster and heated seats, scraping and brushing down the windows yet again, and getting ourselves to the next warm indoor spot. Once inside again, we all whine briefly, but really... it's gotten to the point where we just sigh and use that energy to warm back up and get on with life. 
Spring is bound to come soon, right?

In the spirit of one thing coming to an end and something new blooming, I've decided, after an eight-month stretch, to once again end the photo-a-day project and change my focus to the restaurant reviews and my immigration story. Wonderfully, my friend, photographer Don Douglas, has begun fatmumslim's photo challenge, so the tradition continues within the family.

So here you are... my final installment of daily pictures... 
at least for this round!
[Thanks for your kind feedback during this project. I hope you enjoy -- and send your friends to peruse -- the upcoming reviews.] 

10 - I Am

... a soup-makin' mama!
First attempt at cream of broccoli and oh yum!!
(P.S. Notice that counter top? Prepare to see it GO.)

11 - Mistake

Working on the set-crew script and oops!
those pesky borders.

12 - Out and About

Such beautiful abundance.

13 - Perfect

OH the minute details required in training a crew!

14 - Heart

Our VD Exchange :)

15 - My Drink of Choice

A warming winter weekend whistle-wetter.

16 - Create

These folks truly make us believe they're
living in a nursing home.
Excellent actors!

17 - Vegetable

Green curry with shrimp & veggies
including lovely, delicious radishes.
(Not so pretty, but you must trust me about the taste!)

18 - Magic

Director Jim McNabb's vision
brought to life.

19 - Feet

Showing my Saudi student an online conversion site.

20 - Peace

Bought this pin in the mid-80's in San Francisco
and still love it and all it stands for.

21 - Funny (yes, that IS sarcasm)

Our neighbour clears a path so the melting
snow can reach the drain.

22 - An Act of Kindness

There were so many today, but this is the only one
I caught on camera. We were at the far reaches of the
Costco parking lot. It was freezing and windy.
This wonderful woman saved us from having to return
the cart to the store. It's the little things...

23 - This is Where I Relax

Chillin' after a delicious dinner with friends
and snugglin' with wild-man Kenji

24 - Half

Working the current play at the Ottawa Little Theatre

25 - Cut

Yummy spanakopita!

26 - Light

Or MANY lights!

27 - My View Today

New sink and counter tops get installed!

Panorama of the new look

28 - Reflection

Co-crew-chief Nadine in the backstage mirror
ready to carpool home.

In Response to the 16th Mass Shooting of 2012

As someone who lived 50 of my 54 yrs in the states, who fell in love with a Canadian and has lived in Ontario the past four years, I can't tell you how refreshing it is to be surrounded by non-gun-toting people. Canadians are not afraid of each other. I can walk or ride my bike anywhere without wondering whether this or that person might mug me, or go off on me or my loved ones. (Yes it happens--more often in the largest cities, but compared to the U.S., VERY rarely.) I'm grateful for Canada's gun control laws. I had absolutely no idea how pervasive the underlying daily paranoia was until I moved out of that soup.

I've thought about this a lot, actually. How is it that these two neighbouring countries are so very different? One answer may be the way that the countries were established. America became the U.S. through war. Canada continues to be part of the British Commonwealth. The Constitutions and Bills of Rights are fundamentally different, and in many ways, almost opposite. The U.S.'s emphasizes independence and individual rights. Canada's focuses on being interdependent, and acts as a guide for the world's peacekeepers. It is no surprise then, that the cultures are so diverse.

Many people in the states are saying that it's time to write gun control laws. There are even ugly accusations that those who lobby for free access to guns are complicit in the murders at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I do not believe the U.S. will ever allow gun control. From the time American kids are children we are taught that owning guns is a fundamental right. "And nobody better take my rights away, dammit...." In addition, there are now billions of dollars involved (the National Rifle Association lobby, to name just one piece of that pie) that has -- and would again -- turn this into a battle unlikely to be won.

IF the laws were ever changed, with the sheer number of guns already owned and continually sold in the states, the black market would be gigantic overnight. I can't count the number of times I've heard the chant "If guns were outlawed, only outlaws would have guns." You probably know it well enough to have chanted along, don't you?

From my viewpoint, the answer to this problem is less about attempting to win a fight to control the weapons, and more about creating a less violent culture. I believe that what you resist, persists. Rather than fighting yet again, perhaps it is time to evolve.

Peace, kindness, and respect must be practiced and taught. Those who see violence as an answer to their frustrations are NOT mentally healthy. Am I the only one who sees cutting funding to education and mental health programs as counterintuitive and counterproductive to helping terrified and angry people with inappropriate coping skills become healthier?

There is no quick and easy answer to our problems. However, if we want to live in a safer world, taking steps toward building a more peaceful existence rather than escalating mistrust and separation seems the wiser -- in fact, the only direction in which to move.