Concert

Some of the photos I shot at the Mark Knopfler concert.

The venue was Salle Wilfrid Pelletier. We saw Mark play here a few years ago, during the Montreal Jazz Festival. We've seen other acts here as well. It's a terrific hall. Our seats were in the front row of the first balcony, so we had a superlative view of the stage.

Opening act Pieta Brown.



Mark's current band is made up of seven musicians. In addition to keyboards (piano and organ), bass, every kind of guitar, drums and percussion, we also had citterns, bouzouki, banjo, mandolin (yay!), what looked like an octave mandolin, fiddle, accordian, wooden and tin flutes, pipes,

During "Romeo & Juliet" Mark plays his National for the first part. As he did on "Telegraph Road" and "Brothers in Arms."



Due to a pinched nerve, he wasn't able to play standing up. His artistry didn't seem at all affected by his malady, and he was in a good mood.



After the first finale: "Cheers, all!"



There were several encore tunes. Here's Mark during the encore finale.



Tim, Richard, and Guy (keyboards).



After the final finale.



Exiting the stage.



I saw Dire Straits years ago at Red Rock Amphitheatre near Denver. This must be my 3rd opportunity to see Mark perform and I'm so thankful.

Sights & Scenes

"Take me to a shrubbery," says I. So he did.



A costumed tour guide led her group into the gardens as I was posing. Are those lunettes she's carrying standard issue 17th century ones? I don't think so!



Across from the Chateau de Ramezay a film student was shooting other young people tossing a giant head on the steps of the Hotel de Ville.




The wind kept the flags perfectly straight.



I love photographing food here.





Outside the concert hall, an opera costume on display.



Our friend in Montreal gave me 2 tickets to see this gentleman.



That's why we're here. Plus, we just like this city.

Wanderings

So much happened this week, related to the book and the legislature and the Friend From The North Country that I couldn't keep up my blogging as well, until now.

Yesterday there was snow. My FFTNC and I sat at the breakfast table watching very heavy flurries but soon it turned to very cold rain. It was a wet, blustery day and there was no accumulation. The House was in session and we finished around 1.30.

Today I was in a part of the state that received quite a bit more snow!



On my drive I saw some beautiful scenery, and pockets of snow and places where there was green grass and flowering trees and no snow at all!





Oh, how I love the whale tails! Never pass them without getting a photo!



Not too long after crossing into La Belle Province, we came to my favourite garden statuary emporium.



I was shopping for a new bird bath. I bought one like this, only the pedestal is much cuter, a pair of fish entwined. The top is the same. It was on sale, $20 discount!



Our destination.



Escargots and moules frites for supper.



The restaurant was a lovely brasserie close to McGill University with lots of brass rails and murals all round with 17th century motifs. Here's the part that was next to our table.



We stopped at the SAQ for several bottles of my fave Belgian beer. I cleaned out their Morte Subite section. If they re-stock I might buy more.

Sunday Stroll: In My Mother's Garden

Since landing back in NH I've spent an entire day at the Legislature legislating, received positive news about my novel (and was advsied to come up with a new title), had a mandolin lesson, welcomed overnight company, opened up the lake cottage, attended a dinner party, re-connected with my dogs, and a multitude of other activities. I have a great deal I'd like to share in coming days--about my journey and more--so I hope my schedule will allow plenty of opportunity for blogging. Which it hasn't for the past week!

I get my deeply green thumbs from my paternal grandfather and my own mother, and both of them are responsible for my rose-gardening genes. One of the many joys of spending time with family was the opportunity to revel her garden. The milder climate where she lives enables the cultivation of more tender roses than I can grow. I don't know all their names, and have forgotten the ones I used to know, so apologies for the lack of identification.



I covet this white wisteria!



The scent of banana shrub is enchanting. I brought home cuttings to grow as a potted plant, since the one I purchased at Logee's failed me after a few years.



And now--roses!










One of the blue birds.



Thanks for stopping by...it will be a while before my rose garden is in a similar state of bloom! At the moment I've got lots of bulbs and pansies and forsythia, but the fringed bleeding hearts are about to flower and there are flower buds on the lilac!

To continue strolling, stop by Aisling's blog.

Sunday Stroll: Memory Lane, Part 1

With a change of location, I took a break from photographing flowers



for shooting architecture.

As a student, I lived in this building for a full academic year. Happy memories.



These were my windows--the pair with the knotted curtains. I could observe anyone crossing the quad, headed to dorms or dining hall or library or academic buildings or student centre.



The new chapel.



Window behind the altar.



Organ loft.



Outside the old chapel.



The library--a cathedral of books.



Hope you get a chance for some strolling today. To continue your adventures, stop by Aisling's blog.

Activities

I've been rather busy, so sorry about the lack of blogging.

I've been photographing my mother's roses.





Drinking wine.



Eating cakes. (And other local delicacies.)



Re-visiting a former employer.



Admiring azaleas. (And camellias, and dogwoods, and wisteria, etc. etc.)



More later~~