88 Cubbies

From Hamilton Spectator

"This drawer will make a terrific display case for minutiae"

I purchased the print drawer for $50. Over-priced? Maybe. But I've counted 88 cubbies and $50 divided by 88 = 57 cents per cubby.

"My first shelfie"*

Once it is dusted, washed and attached to the wall over my computer desk, the drawer will provide me with a lot of entertainment as I try to fill each wee spot with a meaningful (at least eye-catching) piece of flotsam and jetsam from my long and productive life. 57 cents is pretty cheap, say compared to going a movie.

Wow. With that kind of build-up I'd better start looking for some decent stuff!

More to follow.

Link to Custom Birdhouse 16

Photos GH

*I may have coined a word. A selfie of a shadow = shelfie?

favourite photo of the week

"one man's trash is another man's birdhouse"

photo by gah

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Things I Like: some keys are very expensive

I was told this morning how much I would have to pay to fix the innards of my remote-entry car key. (The new battery I put in last week didn't bring it back to life).

!$115!$   !$115!$

["Some keys are more than expensive"]

Several of the things I could spend $115 on ran through my mind:

lumber (I can buy enough red cedar for 2 - 3 dozen birdhouses, worth $500 at least)

hockey (I can buy 6 regular season OHL London Knights tickets or half a season's worth of old-timer hockey, pour moi)

craft beer (five lovely trips to Milos Craft Beer Emporium at Talbot and Carling, or 30 - 35 bottles at the LCBO)

valuable supplies (food, gear for the shop, t-shirts, etc.)

I said to the dealer, "I can still open and close the car door with just the key, right?"

He nodded and I promptly drove home.

All I have to do now is remember to lock the door manually when it's filled with lumber, hockey tickets, beer, or other valuable supplies.

Life is about priorities : ) Wish me luck.

Photo by GH

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a stolen idea

I thumbed through a picture book of Canada at a used bookstore recently and fell in love with a French Canadian barn. I thought, I could live in that beauty. I'd make birdhouses and maple syrup all winter and smelly old cheese and comfortable Reitveld chairs all summer.

Then my mind drifted to what was actually possible. I could make birdhouses that would remind me of old barns.

So I made a few sketches, bought a trunk load of lovely barn board - gray on both sides - and went to work in the shop.

Not a bad first round.

I could live in that second one!

Photos by GH

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Downtown London: “Just another gated community?”

Will two Renaissance towers (or more) help rejuvenate the downtown? Yes, in some respects, perhaps as much as a tall glass of homogenized milk will quench one’s thirst.

How many millionaires, young professionals and affluent empty-nesters does it take to fill Renaissance II?

 ["Are you affluent? Have a house to sell?"]

How many reasonably-priced small, tidy apartments are being built downtown for those who will not fit into the “tower profile”?

                      

                            

["A good-sized gated subdivision?"]

[Photos by G.H. of Aug. 1 Free Press article]

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Bicycle London: Meadowlily Hill is a steep one

Friends and I biked east from Wortley Village on London's pedestrian/bike path yesterday and visited an old relic... Meadowlily Bridge. The hill on the other side was too steep for us to attempt, but go for it next time you’re out cycling. It’s a workout in itself.

The more times I’m on the bike the more enjoyable the rides get. The collection of paths available to cyclists is certainly one thing I like about London. (“But please, sir. I want more.”)

You can read more information about the significance of the bridge at historicbridges.org

E.g., “The bridge still stands after almost 100 years of service, but is in poor condition. It is maintained for pedestrian usage only. A high chain link walkway was erected down the middle of the bridge for safety reasons. It consists of 3 spans over the South Branch of the Thames River.”

Have you been cycling more this summer than in the past? Why?

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Things I Like in London 4

Last week, on a day when a popsicle would melt and fall into one's lap within 30 seconds, grandson Ollie and I visited one of many green spaces and playgrounds within reach of my house. 

I parked my bike under a shade tree (at a wee park on Duchess St., one half block east of Wharncliffe. Ollie calls it 'The Green Park') and watched him dig in the dirt for several minutes before I suggested a swing ride... to create a breeze, to keep me awake.

After the swing we rested under another shade tree near my bike and Ollie's trailer. Cold juice my wife had packed for us went down well. Sweet.

And so was the shade, and faint breeze, as we sprawled atop the cool grass.

'The Green Park' is A1.

[Photo by G.Harrison]

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Things I Like in London 3

Yes, I own a world-famous belt. From Quigley’s Leather Works. London, Ontario. 1969. Five dollars. It holds my pants up. I like that about it.

[“My belt is showing signs of wear. Yikes.”]

A local reader, after reading my column about said famous belt, wrote me a hand-written letter. When my wife handed me the letter I said, “I bet this is from someone who is at least 85-years old.” And I was right. I talked to the sender yesterday on her front porch. She is 93.

[Betty L.’s belt is in much better shape. She said,

“I didn’t wear it as much as you did.”]

[“The ladies’ version is half the width of mine”]

In the letter she mentions her own belt, bought also in the 1960s. She couldn’t recall how much she paid. (How is it that I can recall what I spent on the belt, to a nickel!? And yes, I still have the first dollar I ever earned. Why do you ask?)

[“One of Betty’s Teddies isn’t done. That’s why

there's a needle sticking out of its ear.”]

Her belt is in very good condition but is half the width of mine. So, she likely paid two or three dollars at the time.

I like her hand-written letter. In it she told me a story that made me truly smile, then laugh right out loud. (More to follow).

I like that she welcomed me to her front porch and let me take a few pictures of her belt and two Teddies.

Thanks, Betty.

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Things I Like in London 2

In a recent column I hoped to get readers thinking about what one could buy for 2 or 10 or 25 cents years ago and shared the memories of a local man, age 93.

I write: Mr. James recalled that 25 cents was once the price of admission to the Rex Theater (aka The Savoy) on Hamilton Rd. near Egerton.

I said that sounded pretty steep and Bert mentioned that people got more than a movie for their quarter.

He said, “They could buy sets of dishes as well, a piece at a time, though you’d have to pay more for some larger items.”

I had never heard of such a thing and scribbled ‘gravy boat - more $’ in my notes.

Later I asked readers, “So, did you ever see a John Wayne western with a teacup and saucer in hand, or The African Queen with a gravy boat in your lap? I’d like to know.”

Two days ago H. McDonald of London emailed the following photo:

[H. McD.“My mother bought this at The Rex, 1945.”]

I like quick responses. I like seeing historic items of this nature. I like photographs from others that support what I write.  

Oh, and I like a particular memory the gravy boat recalled to my mind. Pass the turkey, please!

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Things I Like in London 1

Wooden you like to know?

I like some of the street art carved upon local tree trunks, and examples on Hyman St. caught my eye yesterday.

I like the man with the thick moustache and wooden smile.

These soldiers may remind some of a long-forgotten military encampment in nearby Victoria Park. An equally long-forgotten battle cry came to mind when I saw it...

“The Wood Coats are coming, The Wood Coats are coming.”

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