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!