In Flanders Fields

PHOTO BY BRIAN WAUGH...

My friend, Brian Waugh, who lives in Yorkshire, England has given me permission to use his wonderful photo of this poppy as today I wanted to post Col. Lt. John McCrae's memorable poem "In Flanders Fields" and this photo just went so well with the poem. See more of Brian's wonderful photos here.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

"In Flanders Fields" was first published in England's "Punch" magazine in December, 1915. Within months, this poem came to symbolize the sacrifices of all who were fighting in the First World War. Today, the poem continues to be a part of Remembrance Day ceremonies in Canada and other countries.

The poem was written by a Canadian - John McCrae, a doctor and teacher, who served in both the South African War and the First World War.

From Lt. Col. John McCrae

Col. McCrae was born here in Guelph and his childhood home is a wonderful place to visiit. I try to go there about once or month or so.

Amazing Dew

DIAMOND ENCRUSTED

While walking in Riverside Park yesterday morning, I was so much in awe as I saw these two dandelions simply drenched with dew and as the sun shone on them, they looked like diamonds.

I lay right down on the wet grass and got as close as I dare without a macro lens!

What a wonderful God we have to create such a wonderful scene!

Remembering the Battle of the Somme

I had an appointment to have my hair done this morning and while I drove, I was listening to the car radio. It was just so emotional to hear them discussing how in one day what the British went through. 60,000 dead in such a short time span at the Battle of the Somme... ONE DAY!!!

I just searched and found this:

"On that day the British suffered almost 60,000 casualties making it the bloodiest day in British military history."

I couldn't see to drive. I had to pull over and park the car until my composure came back...



We must NEVER forget. We must ALWAYS remember.


I had parked behind the Firehall on Speedvale Road beside Riverside Park. This sign is out the front of the Firehall. So I thought I'd share it.

November Poppy

LEST WE FORGET

Photo by Janice Hagan...

Janice said:

"Yesterday, as I was walking around my garden, I found this Poppy. It's the first of November and I didn't realize that poppies really do flower this late in the year.

It made me think of Remembrance Day and I thought about the Canadian soldiers who have died for our country and made sacrifices for other countries. It felt ironic because Jonathan, my youngest son, was out selling Poppies in his cadet uniform today.

I found this newspaper article written in 2002 saluting Canada and our war heros. It really is worth a read....
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2002/04/21/do2106.xml"

Autumn at the OR

The "OR" is such a lovely place to walk and wander. There are many little brooks and waterfalls and little bridges all built away back in the 1930's to 1950's or so by young men who were then residents of the "Ontario Reformatory". It's closed now but what a wonderful place to spend some time.

A Tree in the Park

I love Trees!

In the Park on Gordon Street that runs along the river near the Covered Bridge, I found this gorgeous tree.

My friend took a photo of my dog, Geordie, and I at the bottom of it.

Look Up! Way up!

And here's a closer one of Geordie and I

Look up!

GUELPH CITY HALL DOOR

How often do we take the time to look up to see what's above the doors into our important buildings! I love the carving above the Guelph City Hall main door.

Waiting for the Wind

WAITING FOR THE WIND

How Many Cobs on a Corn Stalk?

DWARFED BY CORN STALKS

My granddaughter and I were wondering what the average number of cobs of corn were on each stalk. Some had said that each produced only one cob and others suggested 5 or 6!

So, as she was busy counting randomly, I thought a photo of her would be nice as she was dwarfed by the high stalks. She's only 11 years old but 5'3" tall!

FRAMED BY CORN

I just wanted to crop her out of the larger photo for her parents to have and thought I'd share with you all too. She's a sweetheart.

So....

How Many Cobs on a Corn Stalk?

Do you know?

We counted many cobs on corn stalks last Saturday.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Happy Thanksgiving
in Canada!

It's Thanksgiving Weekend in Canada and it's a wonderful time for pumpkin pie and whipped cream!

Excitement is Rising!

The Excitement was Evident here in Guelph Today!

As Voting Day Approaches, Don't forget to get out and exercise your right to vote here in Canada!

Today, here in Guelph, the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, visited and I got to shake his hand. No matter what party you follow, it has to be a privilege to meet the leader of your country. He was such a gentleman too as he spoke to me.

PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER

This rally was held at the local Conservative Party candidate's riding office on Victoria Road South, here in Guelph.

GLORIA KOVACH

It was a very exciting time for hundreds of people...

Some, as in the photo below, were too young to vote and some, as this little baby boy, slept through it!!!

Raspberries in October!

When I arrived home from Falls Church, Virginia last week, I was so pleased to see quite a crop of beautiful raspberries waiting for me to pick!


I grew up with the raspberries that started to be ready to pick around July 12 and two weeks later, they were finished for the year! And the rows of canes sat there taking up valuable room in the garden waiting for next year.


I was introduced to "ever-bearing" raspberries a few years ago when a friend sent me two canes which I temporarily placed in my side flower garden border near my deck and they have never ceased to amaze me always producing so many gorgeous berries right up until the time the snow flies.

It's been a long time...

Some more photos for you of our wedding.

The Bride and Matron of Honour
Leaving for the Wedding

My Three Children
Just Before the Ceremony

THE VOWS

Camp Day at Tim Horton's!!!

It's Camp Day at Tim Horton's!!!

Guelph Daily Photo went to Niagara Falls and on the way stopped in at Beamsville, Ontario Tim Horton's! What a great site!

Exit 64 off the Queen Elizabeth Way highway has a wonderful Tim Horton's and the Lincoln Firefighters were in there volunteering when we arrived for our much needed coffee. They sure know how to pour coffee and serve it!

Lincoln Firefighters Shoulder Flash

Over $8.8 million was raised in Tim Horton's Camp Day across the country! Many under privileged children will be able to go to camp this summer due to the many coffees bought by millions of people across Canada!

Three happy customers helping in the effort!

When on the QEW between Hamilton and St. Catharines, I highly recomment this Tim Horton's at Exit 64!