Erwin Buck's Blog

The Little Boy Who Swallowed a Lake

2011-11-17T18:20:00.002-05:00

I am happy to announce the birth of a new children's book. The proud parents are Erwin Buck (writer) and Larry Routliffe (illustrator). The book weighs in at just under 44 pages and was delivered after a lengthy period of labour. Copies are available from Erwin Buck for $10 plus postage, contact: erwinbuck@hotmail.com

Thie Birthday Boy

2011-10-12T06:53:00.001-04:00

Thanksgiving Weekend

2011-10-11T06:42:00.000-04:00

This was undoubtedly the best thanksgiving weekend in a long time. Warm days, spectacular colours, and not the slightest hint of a breeze to break the calmness of the water.

Best intentions

2011-09-26T09:10:00.000-04:00

I had intended to continue the daily blog upon my return from Europe but the summer, the cottage, and Brody laid claim to my time and before long three months passed. So, there will just have to be a gap of three months. Windy day today which always brings out the kite-surfers. Prevailing westerlies make this a beach of choice I'm told.

Tuscany and Istanbul

2011-07-07T20:49:00.003-04:00

For the past two weeks I have been in Tuscany and Istanbul. My blog, as a result, was sadly neglected. In the coming weeks I will add some pictures from each region as time permits. I am heading to the cottage for three weeks and may only have limited time to update the blog. Stay tuned.

Surprise

2011-06-20T09:05:00.000-04:00

Brody surprised Monica on her birthday with a card and the biggest hug ever.

The Geese Family

2011-06-19T08:54:00.000-04:00

Early morning swim for this family of Canada Geese.

Mr. Bear

2011-06-18T08:52:00.000-04:00

Spotted at Hamer Bay, early morning, looking for food. I did not offer him any!

Getting Ready

2011-06-17T09:03:00.000-04:00

Getting the cottage ready for the summer season is a fun job, especially if you have a little assistant to help out with the dirty stuff. Brody is always ready to pitch in.

Cooling off at City Hall

2011-06-16T12:03:00.001-04:00

Relaxing by the City Hall Pool on another hot day. Stayed long enough to have a sausage, the took the subway for the long journey home.

Hugs and Kisses

2011-06-15T12:04:00.001-04:00

Brody was in an affectionate mood when I asked Allison to take a picture of the two of us after a pizza lunch.

Skyline

2011-06-14T12:08:00.002-04:00

It's a boring picture, taken with the iPhone, of downtown, mid-afternoon which is as good as it gets for the day.

Leaning

2011-06-13T22:22:00.001-04:00

I wanted to get a new picture for my profile and asked Monica to take this. She wanted to get artsy, and I must admit the end result looks good, even if somewhat slanted.

Napping

2011-06-12T22:21:00.002-04:00

During the art show I spotted a neighbour and his two year old son, intertwined and soundly asleep on a park bench. A special moment for both I'm sure one which will quickly fade into adolescence.

Kissing

2011-06-11T22:20:00.001-04:00

Celine and Braydon hamming it up for the camera.

Playing

2011-06-10T22:19:00.002-04:00

Summer is around the corner and what better way to spend the nice weather than visiting the water playground. Brody and Teo could spend the whole day here.

Ora and Karen

2011-06-09T20:15:00.002-04:00

An international lunch - Ora, born in Israel, Karen born in Montreal but growing up in Moose Jaw, and me, born in Germany, growing up in Toronto. Lunching in an Italian Restaurant, wearing clothes probably made in China, shoes from the USA (mine anyway), tablecloth from Poland.

Babes and Babes

2011-06-08T20:11:00.001-04:00

It seems like only yesterday when the street had an swarms of little girls. Celine, Jennifer, Jesse, Lee, and of course Allison. Now they all have babies of their own. As Kurt Vonnegut said.. And so it goes!

Sugar Beach

2011-06-07T19:41:00.003-04:00

Couldn't resist seeing how things were at Sugar Beach on the way home from downtown. The beach was well occupied by a variety of sun and shade worshippers and a lone photographer trying to appear inconspicuous.

The Nest

2011-06-06T08:33:00.000-04:00

On a trip downtown, I found a swan who had built a nest at the edge of a small lagoon on the waterfront. She sat calmy on her eggs, surrounded by flotsam and jetsam. Home is whereever you make it!

Comfort Station

2011-06-05T08:31:00.001-04:00

Many visitors to the Art Show bring their dogs. In this neighbourhood the dogs tend to be smaller, whereas in the Beach they are usually much larger. Being a hot day, I thought my four legged friends might enjoy some water and doggie art. Fortunately none of them took the hydrant too literally!

Riverdale Art Walk

2011-06-04T08:27:00.004-04:00

After a slow start, due to heavy rain, the crowds finally came out once the

weather co-operated. There is always an underlying anxiety that I may not make a sale all day. Today felt like that until early afternoon and then, finally, the wallets opened up.

Elvis Framed!

2011-06-03T08:24:00.002-04:00

I was doing some framing outside when, during a break, Elvis suddenly appeared on the work table, appropriately framed. Mmmm, possibility for the Art Show?

Brilliance

2011-06-02T08:20:00.000-04:00

Everything today seems brilliant. The sky, the water, Brody's sweater, the rocks, the grass. Mostly because I am still enjoying the brilliance of colours that I had missed before the cataract operation. And I wasn't even aware of it.

It's a Whole New World

2011-06-01T08:56:00.001-04:00

Today was an exceptionally clear and crisp day and I was astounded at the vibrancy of the colours around me. I had no idea how much my overall vision had been compromised by the cataract in the left eye. The top picture is what my vision was out of that eye, the bottom picture is what it looks like now. Truly amazing.

The Eye of the Beholder

2011-05-31T08:48:00.001-04:00

Today I had eye surgery to remove a cataract which had become quite bothersome. It didn't take long and it's only a local anesthetic. Actually the prep time takes twice as long as the operation. The difference in sight was immediate, and will only get better over the next several weeks.

Flowers on the septic bed

2011-05-30T08:52:00.000-04:00

I made a quick trip to the cottage on what turned out to be a beautiful day. To my delight, the septic bed is covered with flowers. Good thing the lawnmower wasn't working. Years ago I would have mowed them down in their infancy.

The Winner

2011-05-29T22:27:00.003-04:00

Under grey, threatening skies, 2000 women took part in the Toronto Women's Half Marathon. The rain held off, it wasn't too hot like last year, and the winner set a new course record. I am still unable to run due to my ankle injury, and secretly I wished I was out there on the course with all the energetic women (cleverly disguised of course).

The Overhang

2011-05-28T22:33:00.000-04:00

Thanks to my good friend in Germany, Joachim, I was made aware of yet another photo app for my iPhone. This is Camera+, which is quite an improvement over the regular camera in that you can edit pictures in the iPhone before saving them. Something else to experiment with. This is with a high clarity effect.

Have some cone, Opa?

2011-05-27T22:31:00.001-04:00

One of Brody's favourite treats is a waffle cone. No ice cream, just the cone. Everytime I buy him one, he thanks me profusely. And even shares it with me.

The Poster Maker

2011-05-26T09:55:00.000-04:00

In preparation for the upcoming Riverdale Art Walk, I had a brilliant surge of creativity and made up this poster. I think that in a previous life I was a poster designer.

More Soccer Action Shots

2011-05-25T09:51:00.000-04:00

Brody, the goaltender, waiting for the action to come downfield. The games usually have little hiccups, such as everybody falling on the ball, or kicking it into the other playing area, or a little kid picking up the ball and claiming it as their own.

Driveway Soccer

2011-05-24T11:16:00.001-04:00

Ben and Brody were playing a spirited game of soccer when Brody decided that the watering can was more interesting.

Happy Birthday Vicky

2011-05-23T11:17:00.000-04:00

The annual Victoria Day fireworks were spectacular as usual. Capturing them with the iPhone though is a challenge. This is one time when the Nikon would have been much better.

Art Show prep

2011-05-22T20:22:00.002-04:00

The first of my three art shows this summer is quickly approaching. The challenge always is to find something new and different. This image, taken last fall on a tour of Muskoka, depicts Windemere House, a well known resort, (owned incidentally by distant relatives).

The Bluffs

2011-05-21T09:13:00.000-04:00

What started out as a trip to the zoo, ended up as a visit to the Bluffs. No crowds, no traffic, no parking problems and scenery galore.

Kew Park

2011-05-20T09:11:00.000-04:00

Lovely evening for a walk through the park. Grass is green, trees are budding, tulips abound, and best of all, no rain tonight.

Third Time Lucky

2011-05-19T18:19:00.000-04:00

Brody made two attempts to walk up the slide; each time he slid back down. On the third attempt he made it all the way, gave me a high five, and proceeded to do it again.

The Tree. The Mother, The Dog,

2011-05-18T18:16:00.001-04:00

The rainy weather didn't dampen this mother's enthusiasm for taking a morning stroll along the boardwalk. The end is in sight; sun is forecast for tomorrow.

Tree of Many Trunks

2011-05-17T20:05:00.002-04:00

And the rain continues. Not heavy at most times, just a soft drizzle. At least it wasn't hard enough to stop me from running along the boardwalk. This image is of a tree that has at least 12-14 trunks growing out of the sand.

The Magnolia

2011-05-16T20:03:00.001-04:00

Last year the property on which this magnolia tree was sold and there was great consternation. Surely the house would be demolished and the magnolia tree would suffer a similar fate. Neither of which has happened. This year, anyway.

The Turning

2011-05-15T19:34:00.001-04:00

Every year I marvel at how quickly the leaves come out. They seem to unfurl before your very eyes and within a matter of days I can't see anything but a wall of green.

Black and White Day

2011-05-14T19:32:00.000-04:00

It was a grey rainy day at the cottage and I spent most of it inside. I did venture outside to take a hipstamatic of the daffodils, if only for comparison with yesterdays artistic effort. The label on the picture says May 81. I have yet to figure out how to remove this.

Trillium Art

2011-05-13T19:29:00.000-04:00

Today was Friday the 13th and I tried to come up an obvious omen of bad luck. Nothing came to mind. So, instead, I offer one image of three stylized trilliums (1+3). That's as good as it gets!

The Haircut

2011-05-12T19:26:00.000-04:00

It still seems like a novely to take Brody for a haircut. It was his suggestion and now he takes it all in his stride. He did ask 'lady, when are you going to be finished?' but aside from that the lure of the trucks, toys and the ball room are all strong enough to sit still for fifteen minutes.

Ceremony

2011-05-11T22:09:00.000-04:00

It took a bit longer than expected but the roof was completed today by lunch time and my partner in crime of Ben & Buck Roofing Revival celebrated with a topping off ceremony.

The Assistant

2011-05-11T22:05:00.000-04:00

I had to make a quick trip to The Home Depot to pick up extra roofing supplies. I picked Brody up (he loves HD as much as I do) and gave him a new experience, riding in the front to the 'construction' truck. He loved it.

Let the Roofers begin

2011-05-11T22:02:00.000-04:00

For the next two days the main task at hand is the new roof on the shared garage. Nothing in this structure is square or level and it continually challenges us in to think outside of the box.

The Toby Walk

2011-05-11T21:58:00.000-04:00

Once in a while I go on Toby walks, sadly without Toby, but he's beside me in spirit. Trying very hard to take it easy in my new found cast-less freedom, so I am keeping my sojurns short.

Morning

2011-05-11T21:55:00.000-04:00

The cast if off (again, finally!). A new world dawns, or so it feels like. Nothing like a month of playing Hopalong -Cassidy to make you feel grateful when all the body parts are working again.

Sky Writing

2011-05-06T21:19:00.001-04:00

Happen to see this just as it was it was starting to dissipate. The precision of the writing was amazing. This part said: CLEAR TODAY.

What about tomorrow? Enquiring minds want to know.

My new hairdo

2011-05-05T21:17:00.000-04:00

We learned last year that Ferns are easier to take care of and harder to kill than hanging geraniums. Works for me!

The Artist as a Labourer

2011-05-04T21:13:00.000-04:00

Ben has been busy converting the garage to a studio. Satisfying work, he says, and judging by the expression on his face, he is clearly enjoying every moment. Just a little more left to do.

Springtime

2011-05-03T11:37:00.000-04:00

Lots of rain lately, blossoms are out, umbrellas are colourful, and lots of puddles for Brody to wade through in his new boots.

A Night of Firsts

2011-05-02T11:33:00.000-04:00

The Liberals are not the opposition, The NDP is, The Bloq loses it's status as a party, and Harper has his first Majority. Nobody saw any of this coming, at least not the media.

LemeLeme on May Day at the Lake

2011-05-01T11:30:00.000-04:00

This is one of the photo apps on my iPhone. It has 13 lenses, and 11 Frames which means that before you take a picture you should consider which of the 143 options to choose for the most creative result. Or you can just leave it to chance by putting on random.

Rosseau

2011-04-30T22:31:00.002-04:00

A beautiful day in cottage country today. Had lunch on the sunny patio at Crossroads. This statue is a new addition. It is intricately carved (how they do that in granite is beyond me.) I asked the motorcyclists if there was a bike event going on. One of them just shrugged and said 'it's a nice day for a bike ride'! Bring on summer.

The Real Royal Kiss

2011-04-29T22:26:00.000-04:00

The British families on our street held a re-enactment of the Royal wedding. This is Frank and Christine, on the balcony of their 'castle'. Note that Frank is lovingly holding a statue of Queen Elizabeth. Unfortunately the colour of the Queen's dress didn't match the real dress worn in the actual ceremony.

Calvin's Birthday Lunch

2011-04-28T22:23:00.000-04:00

Calvin and I had lunch at South of Temperance to celebrate his impending birthday. He took a picture of me with Germaine, one of the staff, but more importantly a fellow Beacher. She looks infinitely better in this blog than Calvin.

Beach Garage Door

2011-04-27T10:04:00.001-04:00

This garage was built a hundred years ago (give or take a decade), and is now in the process of being converted into a studio by my neighbour, Ben. He is an artist, photographer, carpenter and an avid gardner. Shortly after the picture was taken, Ben removed the door and installed something a bit more fancy!

Beach Garage

2011-04-26T10:00:00.000-04:00

Years ago, this was a garage. Then, a second floor was added, and the lot severed and now is a charming home. It is owned by a former neighbour of ours, Susan, who loves to garden.

Elizabeth of Gananoque

2011-04-25T18:20:00.001-04:00

I asked my good friend Liz to give me her best royal smile since she is a Brit. Will she be getting up in the wee hours to watch the wedding? Natch!

Easter Trouble

2011-04-24T11:40:00.001-04:00

A giant easter egg fell off a truck going to the easter parade. It rolled down Leuty Avenue and came to rest against the Lifeguard Station. No one was injured.

Enough Already!

2011-04-23T18:54:00.002-04:00

The media is in a frenzy about the upcoming Royal Wedding. Maybe there's far too much tragedy in the world - Japan, Syria, Libya, Harper - and this is a welcome relief. I will of course watch it, but I will not be buying t-shirts!

Another Oldie

2011-04-22T18:48:00.000-04:00

I've had this licence plate for over 12 years now, and at most, only two people ever guessed what is meant. I'm tempted to trash it and start using SEPT 12 again. Regardless, today was the first really top-down day. Warm, sunny, hint of summer. Perfect for the Easter Parade tomorrow.

Not So Busy

2011-04-21T18:44:00.000-04:00

All things were quiet today on Busy Street. There was a little bit of traffic, a truck dropping off goods at Value Village, and two children playing hopscotch. Oh, and me, having lunch around the corner.

Bygone Days

2011-04-20T21:05:00.003-04:00

I saw this car in the neighbourhood today, a 50's Buick Regent (my guess would be a '57) and my little hipstamatic really transformed it into something from the past, which I suppose it is in first place.

The Beam, The Rafters

2011-04-19T21:02:00.000-04:00

In the continuing effort to bring the garage to some sort of safety standard, it is now completely overbuilt. This wall will stand long after the rest of the garage has been blown away by the relentless march of time.

Garage Reno

2011-04-18T21:18:00.001-04:00

Ben and I spent the day tearing apart the interior of our mutual garage. Neighbour George was grateful for the 100 year old lumber for his fireplace. Then we erected the partition wall which will hold the roof beam.

What, Snow again

2011-04-17T20:59:00.000-04:00

Woke up this morning at the cottage to a winter's scene. Went for a drive to capture some shots, and took this at the Humphrey Museum, one of the landmarks in the area.

Meeting at Tim's

2011-04-16T20:57:00.000-04:00

The Seguin Arts Council was locked out of their normal meeting room at the township offices so the meeting was adjourned to the local Tim Horton's. Coffee was good, lots of room, everybody behaved. Just like Tim would have.

Green Living Show

2011-04-15T20:56:00.000-04:00

Attended the Green Living Show in the expectation of Karen's group winning a Green Living Award. Unfortunately they didn't win, but we did get into the show for free, and the wine was cheap.

Hockey Night in Buffalo

2011-04-14T08:34:00.000-04:00

And so the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin, and as always, without the Toronto Maple Leafs. The best Canadian team is in Vancouver, and the closest is in Buffalo. Hmm, maye I'll be watching a bit more of Baseball.

Where's Nemo?

2011-04-13T19:39:00.003-04:00

While at the zoo today, we came across a fish exhibit that we had not previously seen. Hundreds of fish, all shapes and sizes, all swimming in different directions. All were swimming horizontally, except for the little guy in front, in a nice vertical straight tuck position.

Small Steps

2011-04-12T19:37:00.000-04:00

My ankle felt sufficiently well enough to try some running, so I ventured out on the sand. Much to my delight, there was no ill after-effect which is a sure sign that progress is being made. Whoo hoo! Where's that marathon application form?

Where did all this Junk come from?

2011-04-11T19:33:00.001-04:00

In preparation for some structural enhancements on the garage, I have been forced to clean out 30 years worth of 'stuff'. My neighbour, Ben, calls it Garage Editing. The only rule of this process is that nothing comes back into the house!

Yet Another Sign of Spring

2011-04-10T19:30:00.001-04:00

Trevor, the resident rock and ice sculptor, has made his debut for the season. This is his 10th year of decorating a part of the beachfront with his ingeneous balancing act.

Another Sure Sign of Spring

2011-04-09T10:36:00.002-04:00

From now till beginning of winter, my Vespa becomes the vehicle of choice (Brody's too) for toodling around. Especially with the price of gas these days. To my horror, it cost $6 to fill it up the other day. Not long ago it was below five dollars.

Sure sign of Spring

2011-04-08T10:33:00.000-04:00

Although I can eat ice cream any time of the year, Dairy Queen is a spring/summer treat. Today was the first of the season, and it tastes as yummy as ever.

The Dog, The Runner, The Fog

2011-04-07T21:34:00.003-04:00

It's six in the evening, fog has rolled in from the lake creating very poor visibility. Not enough to stop the dog walkers or the runners though. Neither of which activity I can participate in at the moment. I don't expect to run for another couple of weeks. Fitting that the dog in the picture is a Schnauzer.

Outdoor Art

2011-04-06T21:28:00.000-04:00

Don't know the story behind this but it is some form of art - perhaps ABA (abandoned bicyle art), spotted on the South Kingsway.

Tree Cutting 101

2011-04-05T21:22:00.000-04:00

Required to cut down a diseased Maple tree. 1. An 80' crane. 2. A Cherry Picker. 3. Man with chainsaw in Cherry Picker. 4. Ground crew

of at least three. 5. Trucks to haul away wood. 6. Lots of money.

ML

2011-04-04T21:19:00.000-04:00

M does not like her identity disclosed in public internet spaces. So, herefore she will remain anonymous but if you are wondering why she looks pleased, it's because she has a new job, starting shortly, at a place not to be mentioned.

Glacier in the Driveway

2011-04-03T08:35:00.000-04:00

By the end of winter, the snow plow has dumped a lot of snow in front of the house. While there is still snow cover onthe ground, it is minor compared to our little hill. I wonder if it will ever melt.

The Sugar Shack

2011-04-02T08:31:00.000-04:00

My friend Barb and her husband Al make maple syrup every year. They tap about 70 maple trees on their property, collect the sap, cook it, filter it, then reduce it again. Then they give most of it away. It is amazing how much sap you have to collect for the amount of maple syrup produced.

Huffing and Puffing

2011-04-01T08:14:00.000-04:00

It's birthday central at the house right now and Brody loves it. Aside from blowing out candles, there's lots of cake and presents. Doesn't matter who the presents are for, as long as there's presents. What more could you wish for.

First Day

2011-03-31T08:11:00.000-04:00

Today was Brody's first day at Playschool. He wasn't nervous, in fact, was looking forward to it. Not so his mother, who spent two anxious hours wondering how things were going. When we went to pick him up, he was sitting on the floor with other kids listening to a story.

Another Day, Another Birthday

2011-03-30T08:20:00.000-04:00

Ah, the relentless march of birthdays. One minute, you're two, Then ten, then sixteen, then twenty one, and now, well, now you're a year older than last birthday.

Where's Brody?

2011-03-29T15:25:00.000-04:00

Was watching Brody on the deck of a swimming pool just before his lesson and it reminded me of Where's Waldo?

Oh oh

2011-03-29T15:21:00.001-04:00

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Over the last couple of years my glasses have regularly been crushed, smushed, bent, and sat upon. Today, while trying to straighten them, I heard a little crack, and the frame broke. Hate when that happens. They cost a fortune!

Today's Heroine

2011-03-27T09:31:00.000-04:00

I couldn't run the Around the Bay race but at least our good friend Rona could. She missed the three hour mark by 21 seconds but she came in third, in her age category. I tried to get a picture of her crossing the finish line but I must have blinked and there she was, already over the line.

Jazz, Alive and Well

2011-03-26T09:27:00.001-04:00

Saturday afternoons don't change at The Pilot. It's like time stands still, except for the artists. Same regulars, same bartender, same Pad Thai.

The Accidental Photographer

2011-03-25T09:52:00.000-04:00

I was driving along Queen Street and came across a rather interesting shot of Streetcars backed up by a car that had lost a wheel. With all the fumbling to get the camera set and driving the same time, this is the only shot I got. But it proves I wasn't driving with my cast on.

The Snow Fence

2011-03-24T09:50:00.000-04:00

With yesterday's dump of snow, I guess the fence is going to stay around for a while. The parks people usually take it down around this time but I have a feeling it will be delayed somewhat this year.

Enough of the White Stuff already

2011-03-23T20:47:00.002-04:00

Stephanie (next door) took a turn shovelling the sidewalk of the day long snowfall. I think we have all agreed, including the Robins who are now wearing little parkas, that it is Spring, and it's time to watch flowers bloom rather than shovel snow.

Supermoon Revisited

2011-03-22T20:44:00.001-04:00

I confess that I was very disappointed at the 'supermoon'. It was bright, and large, but nowhere near what I expected, so I made up my own version of what I expected the moon to look like that night.

The Solarized Owl Hipstomatic

2011-03-21T20:40:00.001-04:00

I wasn't supposed to go out due to my ankle, but I did, and I felt like the owl statue at the library was watching me. But hey, I needed something to read. And I learned that you can further photo-edit hipstomatics, should the need arise.

The Cast

2011-03-20T08:43:00.000-04:00

This picture a day project is going to have to go indoors for the next ten days as I am supposed to stay off my right foot, to give the hairline fracture a chance to heal properly. Lots of reading, tv, photo-editing coming up!

The Supermoon

2011-03-19T08:35:00.002-04:00

Much media hype to the full moon this month because this is the closest to the earth it has been for many years. It has in the past been credited with a variety of natural disasters, such ashigher tidal waves and possibly earthquakes. However, the scientific community can't really agree on the issue, so I'm taking it at face value: a nice, big, full moon.

Cherry Beach

2011-03-18T09:58:00.000-04:00

The first cousin of the Leuty Lifeguard Station is in good shape these days. When I did this project first, 10 years ago, it was almost derelict. Now it has a new life although it doesn't quite rival it's cousin as a local landmark.