isobelmtl

Writing under a Montreal sky

Category: Uncategorized

  •   I thought I had a rule not to write about religion.  Perhaps the rule is an illusion, though.  Many times I write about flowers or trees or birds.  The sky, insects, snow or rain have all featured here.  All these things are a manifestation of the divine, I think.  So, it should not be…

  • On Tuesday I read at a charming Cafe in Ste Anne de Bellevue.  Twigs and Leaves is located on the main drag just above the waterfront strip and almost under the bridge that leads to Ile Perrot.  Street number 73 I think.  Search it out and go there. Although it was only my second reading…

  •   Daffodils are among my favourite flowers.  All the other little darlings that come before: snowdrops, crocus, little blue stars, are beloved, of course.  They can survive snow and have survived several falls this year.  When the  daffodils bloom, though, I know it is really Spring.  These are miniatures and the big magnificent bunch will…

  •   It has has been a roller coaster week.  I have had a few emotional ups and downs. Dear reader, as the Victorians used to write, I will spare you.  It is the mark of a dear friend that he or she can stand to hear the excruciating details of the knife twists endured by…

  •   Sometimes I go to visit my mother in the cemetary on the hill in the middle of our city. Of course she is not really really there, but then, where is she?  She is, I suppose, the person who has had the greatest influence on me.  When I see her name and the dates…

  •     I had a wonderful surprise yesterday.  I never could have imagined that a concert in the auditorium of a little -known high school far from the centre of town would move me to wonder and to tears.  Some dear friends of mine ( in fact I am one of two godmothers to their…

  •   The Monarch butterfly reserve in Michocan province in Mexico is at a very high altitude.  The mountains are craggy and covered with a sort of pine tree.  That’s the tree Monarchs like to mate in.  Just like they like to feed on milkweed that hasn’t been sprayed with Monsanto Round-Up. They’re fussy that way.…

  •     I told you I was cleaning up.  Now, could you throw this out, sell it for $10. or take it to the Salvation Army?  No, neither can I.  So, I have to find a spot for it on some wall or other.  The kitchen or dining room would be best but given the…

  •   It will snow in two days time but yesterday my crocuses were invaded by bees.  They even tried to get up into an innocent snowdrop. Can you see the three bees in the picture? They’re quite small and I wonder if they are Mason Bees.  Now I’m showing off that I know about different…

  •     I’ve been throwing out things and taking things to the Savation  Army to recycle.  I had my handyman come and put up some new bookshelves so that some books that I love could have pride of place.  I have a set of Dickens that my grandfather bought in an estate sale.  I never…