WUBIE AT 10 MONTHS OLD - TORONTO, CANADA

I was being such a gentleboy, but this little girl was afraid of me. I just wanted to see her up close.

This is my playground. Only the birds, mice, and squirrels always run from me. They don't seem to want to play. Sometimes children or other campers come over and ask mom if they can pet me. I like that. I climb trees everyday, but sometimes go too high and mom has to put her hand us so I can jump into them. When I get home, I'm so tuckered that I have to take a long nap. My favorite nap place is on the floor of the closet--my cave--and my folks leave me alone to sleep and only come by once and a while to pet me.

I'm perplexed. I want to get a birdie or mouse, but mom won't let me. I know I'm fast enough to catch them, but with mom running behind me and this darn leash set-up every bird or mouse in the park knows I'm coming. It's hard on a little kitty like me, but what would I do without my folks!!

STRATFORD - ONTARIO - CANADA

Stratford on Avon is a community famous for their Shakespeare Theater and the Swans in the town park where the Avon River runs through it. For decades there has been a keeper of the swans . The first pair of Royal Swans were given to the city by Queen Elizabeth.
Flags flying over the nearby government building.

The keeper not only feeds them, but cares for sick or injured swans, but often has to break up fights among the swans.

This fellow is giving a high pitch complaint to a nearby swan.
Swans with orange legs, like the one above, are Polish swans, whereby the swans with black legs are Royal Swans.

There is a path about a mile or more along the river and bridges to cross over to the other side. Both sides of the river is in the park with benches, trees, bushes, flowers, picnic tables all along the way.
This mama is looking over a couple of her babies.

This mama is with her older children.
Also using the park and river are ducks and here is one with her ducklings.

Taking a walk along the river path while the swans go about their business. If bothered, they will chase folks.
This fellow is going at high speed (see is wake) from one side of the river to the other. He has seen another swan that is not a friend apparently. He chased the swan out of the water, through the park until the chased swan ran out into the road. That satisfied the irritated swan. However, the drivers on the road where not too happy as the swan took his time finding just the right way to get back to the river without being chased again. I guess this was a swan jam!

Swans and ducks enjoying the grounds of the park.
This bridge goes to a small island in this part of the park.

The day we took this walk, it was cool and quite cloudy. The clouds where very interesting with all their different shapes.
Another look at the very nice walkways they had. One side of the river is bordering downtown and the other is bordering a very nice neighborhood. The path along the residential area is a packed dirt path.

A view of the famous Shakespeare Theater. It's architecture was simply beautiful.

A very accomplished individual. Among his honors is for the use of radium in the treatment of cancer.
Another view of the theater from the river.

Walter on one of the bridges. The views are great in every direction.

Teri enjoying the island park which is a beautiful quiet spot.
Another part of the island in the river.

Tour boat cruises up and down the Avon River.
This is a northern black squirrel. They are the color of coal and quite attractive.

Here is a black swan, black squirrel, and a duck grazing in the park.
Another view of these very interesting squirrel.

One of the lovely homes along the river.

Another home along the river.
This "church" is across the street from the park and has been turned into a restaurant. We noticed from our earlier trip to Canada that many of the churches have been turned into restaurants

ST JACOBS FARMER'S MARKET - ONTARIO, CANADA

The Farmer's Market is so popular that they can sell out before the 3:30 p.m. closing time. Along with the Mennonite farmer's goods, there are also vendors selling all other sorts of things.

You know you are almost there when you come upon a horse and buggy along the road.
Their meat counters have the freshest meats I have ever seen. Below Teri is looking at the cold cuts that are so amazing. We bought some ham that was so lean and tasty.

Inside the large building, where much of the produce, baked goods, and food booths are, several Mennonite ladies are selling some of the farm produce. At most booths, Mennonite teens worked the booth with an adult.

At an outside stand-- just look at these gorgeous peppers. A few hours later, they were almost sold out.

Many other cultures were represented; like this Egyptian food stand. We also saw Polish, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisine.

We ate a spinach turnover with Feta cheese and toasted sesame seeds, and for dessert we had Halva which is toasted crushed sesame seeds mashed to a paste with honey and Pistachio nuts added. Walter remarked to the owner that they had a good deal of Indian food, and she replied "Yes, but healthier."

Here they sold Perogie which is also a turnover, but stuffed with cheese and mashed potato. Also excellent.

There was always a crush of people at the meat and fish counters.

Another look at the farm products. So many people come to this market that by noon, there are no parking spaces and folks have to wait until someone vacates a spot.

This bacon is very popular and quite lean. Sausages, of all kinds, are very popular in Canada as are cheeses.
This area of food stalls was always busy and not just at noon.

In the center of this picture can be seen a women with red hair and a blue top looking towards a man who is bald with a blue shirt. We were sitting next to them and started chatting. They had two boxes of apple fritters and we ask what was so special about them as the line to buy them is always out the door and around the corner for the building. They gave us one to try and they were delicious. It is a dipped in batter apple ring that is fried and then sprinkled with sugar and was very excellent. They said we should get on line, which moves quickly, and at least see the process even
if we didn't want to buy.

So we got in line and quickly we were at the stand . Here the apple gets peeled by this machine.

While finishing up the last batch, the young lady, reaches for more apples.

Now the apples are dipped in a thick batter and deep fried.

Then they are set to cool a few moments and then sugared.

Orders are placed here and boxed to take home.

We couldn't resist!

The Engineers Without Borders Chapter at the University of Waterloo is demonstrating one of its engineering adaptations for extremely backward communities in Africa. This simple but efficient leg powered well water pump can be operated by even a small child.

Engineers Without Borders - International facilitates links and collaboration among its member groups toward improving the quality of life of disadvantaged communities worldwide through education and implementation of sustainable engineering projects

The treadle pump was developed by the team for farmers like in Ghana where less than 0.02% of crops are irrigated, making them prone to failure and famine.

Above, the crowds at the Farmer's Market.

Home baked breads, bagels, rolls, cakes, pies, and pastries.

Typical Mennonite buggy for bringing
things to market

Many flowers and plants were also sold.


The best cherries I have ever tasted. They are three to four times the size of the cherries we are used to seeing. Their flesh is deep red, sweet, and juicy. Your fingers get stained from eating them.

Vintage Conestoga wagon.


Pony rides for the little ones.

This was an extraordinary Farmer's Market and a highlight of our trip to the area.