World Treasures, another Yarn Shop and THE BIG EVENT

Another glorious Spring day here. My first stop was to a place I had not been since I was a child, The Royal Ontario Museum.  I never tire of dinosaur bones and rocks, with plenty of other ancient treasures as well. It was teaming with little kids, but when dinosaurs are around I think you have to expect that! 

The Royal Conservatory of Music

ROM

I love how the Museum Station of the subway is all decked out in things ancient!

Even better than ROM, however, was the Art Gallery of Ontario. I completely overdosed on the Group of Seven.  Huge, modern building with European, Canadian and Aboriginal Art. If I lived here I would buy an annual membership and go often. I loved it!

Rembrandt 

Monet

I learned something interesting about the Impressionists.  Paintings were hung in huge groupings, like in the picture below, until the Impressionists came along and wanted their works hung in much more individual spaces, the way we arrange paintings in galleries to this day.

I also learned that The Group of Seven artists would create miniature paintings while out in the field, then use these to create their larger canvasses. It was interesting to see the two side-by-side, as the gallery has many of these small originals.

I've decided that the best way to explore a city is to seek out the yarn stores! I discovered yet another charming neighbourhood today call Mirvish Village. The famous Honest Ed's Department Store is there, along with a couple of streets of old houses that have been converted into sweet shops.  I found a yarn/quilt shop there that I want to work for!  So beautiful.

And finally, tonight was the big event, Alex's recital.  It was really wonderful.  The programme was sophisticated, varied, and the musicianship excellent.  I am very proud.  I will make you all listen to the recording when I get it!

Back home tomorrow. It's been a short, but fabulous, trip!

Libraries, Yarn Stores, a lovely lunch and Canada Geese - finally!

When I travel I go to libraries, so that's what I did today. I know it's a bit strange, but I think they're wonderful and here in Toronto are some of Canada's biggest and best! After walking the wrong way on Yonge, I finally found the Toronto Reference Library. Very beautiful, huge public library, with the everpresent technology all over the place.  There was even a room with computers and software allowing you to publish your own book.  I also went to the University of Toronto Robarts Library. Again, a spectacular building with numerous rooms with computers for study.  U of T of course has many libraries, but the Robarts seems to house very specific collections and reading rooms. It was wonderful!

Toronto Reference Library

University of Toronto Robarts Library

Upon my friend Gail's advice, I also spent some time on Queen street.  What a funky place trying hard to gentrify. It was a mix of neighbourhood half-way houses and chic decorating stores! Went to two great yarn stores and yes, I bought more yarn (because there might be a shortage)! I wonder if they have half-way houses for people who can't stop buying yarn?

I love the old buildings with the CN tower in the distance.

I have long wanted to see the famous Canada Geese at Eaton Centre, and finally did today! What a treat. I didn't realize that they were installed in 1979!

And finally, my cousin Patty drove into town and we had a fabulous lunch together. I hadn't seen 

Patty in over 20 years, and now in the past 6 months, we've seen each other twice.  I wish we lived closer because I know we would be fast friends.  I like her so much, it feels that there is no distance or years between us!

I covered many miles today. I got on and off the subway or streetcar 6 times! It was so much fun and it is really quite easy to get around Toronto.  It is a big, grey city for sure, but the neighbourhoods are very unique, people are friendly and there are some amazing things to see and do.

I'm here...at the centre of the universe!

I'm here for three days on a whirlwind trip to Toronto.  Alex is performing in his third-year recital on Thursday night, so until then I have the town at my feet.

Lovely Westjet flight with only one hysterical passenger. Poor girl. I felt badly for her until the captain came out and offered her drugs! I want drugs! How come I can't have drugs? I have to rethink my usually quiet librarian manner and be more hysterical!

I've already seen one star...Wendy Mesley walking down Bloor!

I'm watching the Raptors as I write. I know nothing about basketball, but hey, when in Rome...