Spending a lazy day on Labour Day. I saw this fungus on the trunk of a very old tree while walking in my neck of the woods. I am incredibly lucky to be living in "countryside" surroundings within a big cosmopolitan city.

There is a park at the top of this hillock, and a ravine on the other side. And trees, so many wonderful trees....

 
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Can you hear me now?

The King's Speech was terrific. The movie theatre was full, and yet you could hear a pin drop. The audience was captivated. If you haven't seen it, do. It's one of the best movies ever made.

Altered postcard.

The view from here

As The World  Leaf Turns

Trimarchi Hair Studio

Roberto Trimarchi is an old and dear friend of mine. We go back about 25 years when I first came across a hair salon in Cumberland Mall and had my first haircut in years. Roberto worked there as a stylist. He did such a good job that I stayed with him over the years as he moved to other salons, had his heart broken, and went through a horrific experience that almost took him from us but, thankfully, it wasn't his time and he lived. He took a year off and went to Italy to travel, work, mend. He came back a stronger man, but always with that infectious love of life and gregariousness. Eventually he met his soulmate, the beautiful Rosa, and there was no one happier than I to see him happily married -- except maybe his mother!!


A few months ago, we came full circle. Roberto bought the Cumberland salon and is now his own boss. I am so very happy and proud for him.



At the north end of the mall, you turn left




And maybe you'll see this bright and cheery face. Here he's opening a box of biscotti made by his aunt; one of the benefits of a large Italian family....

But he'll probably be doing this, working his magic. His greatest magic, for me, is in the cut. When he cuts your hair, it stays fabulous even when it's growing out -- the ultimate test.



You can sit outside while you're waiting, this is the only salon I know of that has a private outdoor patio right on Yorkville Ave.

When I saw the back of his T-shirt, I thought: textile art!!!

Trimarchi Hair Studio

31 Yorkville Ave., Toronto

Ph. (416) 967-0824

Another week....

....another seven days of choices. I hope we all make good ones. As the quotation from Saint-Exupéry says, look with your heart.

Recording my new haircut because it will never look like this again. Roberto's straightening-the-hair magic will vanish with my first shampoo! And the humidity won't help. [edit: I don't have straight hair...the secret is a hair iron.]

Have a prodigious week.

City scapes

Toronto is a very negotiable city. I don't own a car, I take the subway and I walk. And this is what it looks like.

Ashley's China, view from Balmuto St.

Indigo bookstore (Stampington magazines sold here)

Looking north on Yonge St.


Bird feed containers at Indigo

A stationery tree (Ashley's)

In other news, royalty is visiting Canada: the Emperor of Japan and Paul McCartney (although not together!)