Chasing the Fokker

On Tuesday, we headed down the road a bit to view an unveiling of airplane models created by the town's Men's Shed group. Quite a crowd gathered to witness the two models which were hung from the rafters of a trucking establishment.

The models were of the Red Baron's, Fokker Dr. 1 and Captain Roy Brown's, Sopwith Camel. Fittingly, the Sopwith Camel is chasing the Fokker because that is how the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, met his end.

Roy Brown was officially credited with shooting down the infamous Red Baron on that day in 1918 although it was likely ground-based artillery that finally accomplished the deed. Nevertheless, the story is that Brown was in pursuit, and that is what caused the Baron to fly low over allied artillery as he maneuvered to evade his pursuers.

The date of the presentation on Tuesday was April 21 2026. It was appropriate for the official inauguration of the deed that occurred on April 21 1918.

Roy Brown was born here in Carleton Place in 1893. The house in which he lived still stands, not far from town hall and just across from the mill that his grandparents owned.

He has become our most honoured former citizen even though he settled elsewhere in Ontario after the war. There is a statue of Roy near town hall, and there is a park named after him as well as a prominent mural, all of which have appeared in this space in times past. (Remembering Roy Brown, I Am but a Lowly Tripod, Roy Brown Park)

Back to the present, the replica models are well constructed and to scale. They are made of solid material, and it is said that they would be sturdy enough to fly if they were powered.

The Men's Shed certainly did and outstanding job that will be viewed with admiration and pride for many years to come.

Roy Brown's Sopwith Camel chases the Baron, flying above and behind
as the Baron's Fokker points downward in his final descent.

Upon Reflection

On Monday Evening, I had the bright idea to visit Riverside Park at sunset. I was hoping to get sun reflecting in the temporarily flooded ponds that I also showed here the other day. For the most part, we were a little late for that, at least where I was. I went mostly right while Sue veered to the left. She caught more reflection that I did. Since she got the better photos, I'll show mine first, two of which included her in the frame.

My two fav photos, the one immediately above and the one below didn't involve water or reflections at all. Go figure. I love how the setting sun lit up the grasses.

I did get this one with some reflection and a bench, but I had to do some editing to get it looking as good as it does.

I tried to avoid direct shots of the sun as the variation in light can really throw-off a photo, but Sue managed those, as well as reflections, very well.

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

JJ’s accident keeps on with its repercussions. Not only did Dani lose her vehicle, but JJ will be out of pocket for getting the car towed and then likely have increased insurance premiums. Now, there are repercussions for us too.

As you know, we loaned our ancient, 2010 car, Hermione the Honda, to Danica to help her get to her final exams. It was a nice thing to do, but they say that no good deed goes unpunished, and they appear to be correct.

Danica hit a road hazard on the expressway, or the road hazard hit her. I am not sure which, but she was fearful that she had blown a tire. Thankfully, she hadn’t. That would have been frighteningly awful on that busy, urban highway.

Unfortunately, on the weekend, we saw that there was some damage near the passenger door: a bit of a dent and loose molding. 

I took Hermione into the auto body shop just around the corner. She’s a 2010 model with many scratches and scrapes, so we just want to keep her functional. There is no way that the car needs to be restored to pristine condition.

The estimate is $200 to refasten the molding. We’re getting off easily compared to what could have happened. Nevertheless, it appears to be very true about good deeds and their subsequent punishment. 

After the Croci

This Monday morning dawned cold but bright, with prisms being cast upon my wall. 

Yesterday was not so fine, also cold but overcast and windy and miserable for walking. However, when we checked out the crocus patch by the abandoned building, we were delighted to find a profusion of squill/scillia. So although the croci are pretty well done for the year, the squill are spreading their joy.

Part of one patch but there was another patch as well.

The squill flowers are smaller than a fingernail, but pictures had to be taken. They won't be sharp in the stiff breezes, but soft focus has its own charm.

If you go back up to the first photo, you may see some purple flowers to the right and back. They are somewhat larger than the striped flowers, but they are also a type of squill. (In both images the common names are at the top and the proper Latin designation at the bottom, but you probably have to enlarge the photo to see the Latin versions. Of course, I can only rely on the iPhone's ID,)

On somewhat miserable morning, we were quite chuffed and charmed to find these little beauties gracing an otherwise forlorn piece of property.

Look Maw, No Jacket!

We're back to the cold on this Sunday morning after the overnight temperature dropped to below freezing. 

But yesterday was a different story.

After walking downtown wearing just a jacket and not a coat, I actually doffed it in the car as we sipped coffee and  feasted on delicious blueberry scones down by the water.

I will spare you the de rigueur car selfie in favour of the one that Sue took on our very brief stroll in the park.

Did you notice? No jacket on the old boy, and no snow or ice in the background.

There was, however, a lot of water, so we didn't get far along the path. We did not require Gandalf to shout, "Thou shalt not pass!"

There was a lot of ponding all around the path.

Our promenade may have been a short one, but how lovely it was. It was one of those almost sublime, early spring days that winter-weary Canauckleheads appreciate so much.

Danica is Nineteen

We celebrated Danica's 19th yesterday. The official birthday is tomorrow, but she'll celebrate with the other family today and her friends tomorrow. Usually, her birthday is accompanied by brutal weather, but this was a nice, warm day, the first nice birthday after the very first one.

The Card

The Food (Mexican Lasagna)

The Cake

The Girl

The Flowers (two tulips from the bouquet)

Almost the Whole Fandamily (+2 and -1)

We were sitting around, sometimes looking at old photos on the tv, when suddenly, there were two weird and amusing popups. It was the kids doing things with AI and inserting them onto the screen somehow: first one by Jonathan, the second by Danica, who was not to be outdone by little brother.

Swept

Yesterday morning, I heard a noise outside my window. I investigated in time to see the street sweeper go by, cleaning up the winter’s debris near the sidewalk where the snow gets piled. It’s almost a better sign than the return of the robins because some of those silly birds come back way too soon. Guy up the street was thrilled enough to post of the occasion on fb, and here I am blogging. Silly Canadians we be. 

BTW, the front yard glacier has now been gone for a week, and it has been raining cats and dogs with no white stuff in view.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, but I heard another strange noise outside the other evening. I looked out to see two kids playing with balls, without coats. I am not sure when I last heard or saw such a thing.