Art is everywhere, if you choose to look.
Lately, as the weather becomes a slightly more pleasurable each day, I am taking the opportunity to get back out on the streets of Toronto to observe what really happens here.
Last Thursday, on the way to an appointment, I was fortunate to notice something I had never seen before.
Just about any day you’ll find Ross Ward hunched over on Yonge Street tending to his art. The ‘Birdman of Toronto’ has been a fixture on these streets in various locations for well over a decade, and during each day he crafts, and sells, palm-sized birds.
Once only a hobby — this is now more than whittling — Ward carves out shapes of common birds from reclaimed wood. There is always a piece in progress, and always a small flock for sale on his concrete workspace.
Perhaps in our day-to-day journeys, we don’t look close enough at all the people. We don’t often observe enough to see art just happening here and there on our landscape. I’ve wandered this street how many times and only last week did I notice the man. I saw him again on the weekend.
Appreciating the beauty of his work, I bought a bird as a gift for someone . . . or maybe a souvenir for myself to one day remember my time in this city.
Couldn’t we all use more memorable hand-made art?
02/29/2024
It is not just another day, it’s an extra day; the calendar’s chance to make up for time lost over past years.
Today is an opportunity, perhaps even a blessing.
Lately we have been fortunate to experience a few additional minutes of daylight in the season where we really need it. Today we get a few more hours of sunshine (weather permitting). We are allowed an extra cup of coffee (treat yourself to a special brew), more time with loved ones, or an occasion to catch up on time lost (just like the calendar).
Today is a good day for finding the balance that may have eluded you and realign your internal clock.
There is more time to express yourself, time you don’t allow yourself often enough. It’s not just a few extra hours it is an entire day!
Enjoy the fortuitousness of it all.
It matters as much as you want it to.
What will you do with this extra day?
j.g.l.