 Quick snap with a point and shoot - Barrie, Ontario “o, swear not by the moon, the fickle moon, the inconstant moon, that monthly changes in her circle orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.” – said Juliet to Romeo. That Shakespeare, always being spot on.
| The moon has always been an inspiration to poets, artists, musicians and writers. Last night, Saturday, May 05, 2012, the earth was greeted by a SUPER MOON. The term refers to a full moon when it is at its closest and brightest. This occurs approximately every 14 months. Last night’s moon was 14 percent closer to earth and appeared 30 percent brighter.
No matter where on the planet, providing skies are clear enough, this is an event that can be observed by all. Artists, songwriters, playwrights and poets, will continue to be inspired by the fickle moon.
| Some well loved 'Moon' songs:
Moondance – Van Morrison
Bad Moon Rising – CCR
Moon Over Bourbon Street -Sting
Harvest Moon – Neil Young
Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
The Whole of the Moon – the Waterboys
Fly me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
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 The Canadian penny; the copper; the cent – the most common coin in any given handful of loose change, will be eliminated this coming Fall. With it costing 1.6 cents to produce each penny (which is no longer solid copper, but copper-plated), the government found the time to stop production is this year.
The Penny is not the first Canadian coin to stop being minted. There was a half-penny token in use in the early 19th century. Okay, technically it was in Upper Canada, before Confederation. Still, if all those years of penny use will not be remembered fondly, just think, it could have been worse had the ½ cent remained in use.
As we say goodbye to this piece of monetary history, we can greet lighter handbags and pockets, slower-filling coin jars, and perhaps a mad rush of cashing in paper-rolled copper coins. There needn’t be a rush – the coin will continue to be accepted, just no longer minted; no new pennies after this year.
If you are not inclined to cash in those pennies, perhaps you will hoard them for nostalgic reasons. OR you can do this...
 Penny Floor: Apartment Therapy |  A penny saved is a penny earned
Penny pincher . Penny Candy. Penny Lane
Put pennies on their eyes
Turn up like a bad penny
See a penny pick it up, all day long you’ll have good luck
Or Perhaps get creative like some of these Etsy Artists: Common Cents TreasurySee the entire TREASURY here. |
Will you miss this common copper (plated) coin? A penny for your thoughts.
Spring has Sprung, Really Sprung.
In like a lion...out like a lamb??
March came in like a lion this year. At least in southern and central Ontario it did. Perhaps the lamb is the one to be feared. The lamb showed up way before the end of the month.
Basking in the summer-like weather, walks along the waterfront, out in shirt sleeves or short sleeves: All alright, right? Maybe not.
The early arrival of warm weather just seems wrong. More so because Winter was a weak contender this year. The mild winter with low snowfall was certainly applauded by many, but abhorred by others. Snowmobilers and ice fishermen, and the businesses those activities support were among the not-so happy ones.
The maple syrup industry saw an early start, but could just as easily see an early end this season. With warmer weather the sap stops flowing.
| More serious consequences of the abnormal weather conditions include:
- A mud slide in Craigleith, Ontario; one large enough to call for evacuation of homes at the base of the hill
- Unsafe ice conditions; instances of ice-fishermen needing to be rescued, as seemingly safe ice broke up and gave way. The warm temperature had caused large areas of open waters, which when met with strong winds caused the water to push beneath the ice and break it up.
- In New Brunswick warm temperatures caused the ice on the Saint John River to break up early, resulting in ice jams and subsequently the worst flooding situation the area has seen in decades
| So the warm weather is pleasant, and uplifting, but really could be met with trepidation. It would be a very sad reality if future generations of children say incredulously, “People used to skate outside?!?” – yes, outdoor rinks were another casualty of this winter that wasn’t. Here’s hoping that next year we can be back to complaining about the snow storms and long, cold season. After all, Spring should be welcomed, not questioned.
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