Upkeep Required

We pass by the former St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church on our main street often, but it took us until now to have a closer look and to see how the front stonework and windows require some attention. Of course, our phones came out, and the snapping began. But first, here's bit of a historical overview.

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Carleton Place has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1888. The church was constructed of native stone with Beckwith stone trimmings and features a basement finished for Sunday School rooms. It was the first Presbyterian congregation in Carleton County and was served primarily by itinerant preachers until the 1840s. The wooden church was replaced by the present brick church and spire in 1884, and it has continued to be a hub of religious and social activity for Presbyterians in the village and surrounding farms.

What I cannot easily remember or find is when the church was sold, but I am guessing that it was perhaps around 2012, and what was left of the congregation merged with the Almonte Presbyterian Church. If I recall correctly, the building was sold to an All Nations Church, and it is now a Kindred House congregation.

Onto the photos, which after some experimentation, I decided to convert to b&w. 

Sue took her own angles. I haven't seen hers yet, but she will probably save them to use for a suitable prompt.

I have a final photo of the window in the turret on the other side of the door. I don't know if you can tell, but some of the panes are missing entirely.

Just for fun, here is another version of Sue taking her photo. I decided on using selective colour, even though her outfit isn't especially colourful. I like to experiment with this style every now and then.

Delightful Dawn

When I gazed out my den window at 6:30 yesterday morning, I spied a lovely sky. This is of note since they are rather scarce at this time of year, by which I mean all winter. At first, I thought, that's nice, and then I thought that the moment required a photo. I grabbed my phone, put in 8x zoom to miss as much of the roofs (why not rooves?) as possible, but I still had to crop a little afterward.

I guess that is nice enough, but editing is like kissing someone. Occasionally, things just take off, and you never know where you will end up. In this case, I just made this touch and that touch and ended up with something that I never envisioned.

Metaphorically speaking, kissing can take you to pretty exciting places.

Pizza and Chips, Here and There

Yes, credits are needed for the hungry, but for some reason, I began to wonder about British pizza. It seems that whenever I see people passing around pizza on British telly, the slices are very thin and cardboardy stiff. I assume that it is a prop for tv, but when they are already spending gazillions of £ on production, why don't they get a realistic pizza? I mean there is surely good and proper pizza in the UK. Yes?

I no longer purchase chips on a regular basis although I do miss them greatly. I don't mind various flavours including the occasional Salt & Vinegar, but we usually purchase plain because that's what Sue favours. I guess I favour flavourless too, but I am also apt to enjoy other flavours. Of the various flavour options, I probably most enjoy Sour Cream & Onion.

Ketchup chips are available in Canada, but they aren't my preference. I understand that they are not widely available in the US, or perhaps I am wrong. I have heard the same about All Dressed in the US. Our grands seem to like All Dressed, and I don't mind them but probably not as much as other flavours.

There are a lot of favours and flavours in this post, now what flavour do you favour? And don't forget my pizza musing if you have something to add. Tell me that Brits can get thick, gooey pizza. It’s the land of my ancestors after all, and I presume many current relations of whom I know nothing, and I am concerned for them. lol

The Sidewalk Rule

The sidewalk rule is an etiquette practice that originated in medieval times, where men would walk on the street side to protect women from waste and other hazards. This practice demonstrated chivalry and protection, forming part of a broader code of honor that guided social interactions. It was considered a man’s duty to protect his companion while walking, reflecting the expectations of the time and the law surrounding pedestrian safety.

The concept dates back to medieval chivalrous behavior, where protective actions towards women were expected from knights and gentlemen. Knights were guided by a code of honor that emphasized loyalty, bravery, and generosity, which evolved into a course of social norms for courteous behavior in a world where chivalry mattered. Sidewalk Rule Defined - The Accident Network Law Group

On our daily hobbles, I simply must walk on the street side of the sidewalk even when that results in Sue walking on my cane side, which can be a tiny bit awkward at times. However, neither of us can deal with me on the inside as in the photo.

My mother and I once encountered my beloved grade 5 teacher and her beau walking toward us. He was on the inside. My mother was scandalized, thus irrevocably searing the sidewalk rule into my young brain.  She couldn’t have been much more troubled had she witnessed a mugging  

I don't know if The Sidewalk Rule fell out of favour for some time, but if so, it is making a comeback.

The sidewalk rule has gained traction on social media ... as a test of chivalry in relationships and as part of a traditional course of dating etiquette. The rule suggests that a man should walk closest to the street when walking with a woman, positioning himself as a protector from oncoming traffic and other hazards. This simple act of chivalry has gained significant attention and sparked discussions about pedestrian safety, relationships, and etiquette.

The trend has been viewed millions of times, with many users sharing their own experiences and opinions on the matter. Women often praise men who follow this rule, viewing it as a test of a partner’s care ... Despite its seemingly simple nature, the sidewalk rule has raised important questions about the role of protection in relationships and the broader implications for pedestrian safety. Sidewalk Rule Defined - The Accident Network Law Group

Good intentions aside, winter conditions often shrink the sidewalks, making them too narrow to proceed side by side, so I am left to walk the respectful 6 paces behind my noble beauty.

Tough walking conditions

Funny Walking

Me on a typical morning when Sue

makes me go on a typical walk.

Speaking of walking . . . 

Not about walking, but I'm in a mood now.

Happy Monday. Have a good week. 

Sue has come in and told me that I should repost our Silly Walking video from COVID days. 

Icicles and Me

The temperature is beginning to rise, at least sometimes. After dropping over to Nick's to watch a tennis match, I went walking with Sue, who required something with red for her daily photo, it being Valentine’s Day. As you know by now, I have a red coat. I also have a red cap.

Wie tried various poses, but I am not a good model. I am told that I have a good smile, but I find it difficult to fake it. I guess I find it difficult to a fake anything. I like this photo, but Sue favoured the second pose for her post.

The two downtown old mansions both sported impressive icicles.

Happy Sunday and week to all.

Valentine's Day Breakfast

As you know, we tend to celebrate special days with breakfast out although, sometimes, we opt for lunch. You may also recall that we usually go out either before or after the special day, particularly if it's a special day for all, such as Mother's Day. This time we drove a little outside of town to Generations Inn on Mississippi Lake, which is part of Mississippi River before the river passes through our town, just to the north or east.

Whatever its history Generations Inn is a restaurant, particularly for boaters in season.

We were the only customers on a late Wednesday morning, but we had confidence that the absence of diners did not portend negatively against a positive culinary experience on a bleak, midweek winter's day, and we were not disappointed.

The main dining area is on the glassed-in porch.

A fireplace make it very comfortable.

We were not disappointed with the food. In fact, I've never had a breakfast quite like it.

Of course, it was very pricey, but it was worth it, and I am glad that we did it once. Maybe we will return someday for a fish 'n chip lunch or supper.

From the dining room, we see the very white snow on the lake beyond the trees. As we have mentioned in previous posts, here the Mississippi River widens into what we call Mississippi Lake. If you squint, you may see two ice huts out there. If you can't, I have zoomed in and enlarged that portion from the second photo in the third image.

A section of the same photo as above but enlarged somewhat to aid the viewer to, hopefully, see the
two ice fishing huts. One is somewhat obscured by the bush, but the vague shape is present.
The other is just to the left of the bush and is partly red, and if you look very closely,
you might see two people way out there by the red hut.

Now for Susie and Johnny looking pleased with themselves.