Ribbons 2013

Well, it is October 3 and no word from the organizer of the Ribbon Project. This is not surprising. In fact, I didn't even think about it until October One had actually arrived. Only a few people took part in the annual art project last year and its profile was becoming increasingly low. It's natural that such things end eventually.

However, it feels a little strange to me. The first week of October has become a "stop and take stock" time for me. Summer is definitely over and the fall/winter routine is firmly in place. The danger of being swallowed up by the day-to-day is ever present. It's good to pause and reflect now. With that in mind, I took my camera to work with me yesterday and this is what I saw on my way home.

I have undergone many personal changes in the past few months. I feel that I am in a better place than I was this time last year. That is something worth remembering; worth taking stock of. I remain ever grateful for the beauty around me and the joy that is possible if only I open my eyes and recognize that it being offered. So, Ribbon Project or not, I'll be carrying my camera over the next few days and making myself stop and look around.

Day 7 - Green

The final day of this year's Ribbon Project fell on Thanksgiving Sunday. Interesting. At my sister's home I tied my green ribbons to mark the beautiful appetizer spread she laid out as well as her glass fowl collection which I've always found whimsical and amusing.
Thankful. It's something to ponder. For what am I thankful? 
As a friend of mine recently remarked, "Every day above ground is a good one." It sounds a little trite - possibly even cynical. However, during a year when some old friends have left and there has been much loss and uncertainty, that little line makes a lot of sense. So, I'm thankful that I'm still here and that will be enough for now.

Day 6 - Orange

Saturday of the Thanksgiving long weekend. A perfectly cool and clear day for doing some work in the garden. Then it was off to lunch with a fellow knitter. Not bad at all.

Day 5 - Blue

I did tie a few ribbons on my way home to the bridge over Lakeshore Blvd. that leads to my hood. It's a very cool view from up there (though I admit to being a teeny bit frightened over all those lanes of traffic). However, I forgot to bring my camera. Maybe I'll walk down there on Thanksgiving Monday and see if they're still there.
I spent last evening quietly at home...knitting. Big surprise. Many a recent evening finds me working lace at my dining table listening to Laurie Brown on CBC. Not a party, no, but heck. It keeps me sane.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Day 4 - Red

The only thing I saw yesterday that inspired me were these cool mushrooms that sprang up over night along the lake shore bike path. I tied my red ribbon in the morning and was delighted to see it still there that evening.

Day 3 - Pink

It was crazy foggy here on Wednesday.  Here is that same darn condo tower, looking up from the garden at the Sony Centre theatre. Below is the East side bed of the garden. It was to have been plowed under years back to make room for the street level development that was supposed to partner the condo building and be of so much benefit to the community.  They publicized artist's studios and class space along with retail and a Toronto historical info centre for tourists. Not surprisingly, as soon as construction started, they announced a budget short fall and only the condo tower went ahead.. At least the pretty garden survived and wasn't turned into parking.

Day 2 - Yellow

I went to the Tarragon Theatre to see No Great Mischief starring my two imaginary boyfriends, R.H. Thomson and David Fox.  I was lucky enough to see this premiere in 2004 and had to catch the remount. The play has grown, if it's possible, even more magical with time and age.

Before the show, I dined down the street at the Apollo Eleven diner. The usual please! Greek salad, fries and coffee. Passing the theatre's staff entrance I paused to tie a ribbon in memory of those many years ago when my ex-husband worked there and I had the pass code to this door. The Daughter and I visited him many, many times as he worked late. We washed her baby clothes in the costume department laundry. We barbecued dinner in the courtyard. Heck, I even worked there a few times myself before the Baby Days. All happy memories. Last night, during the play, I tied a ribbon to my seat's armrest. Naturally, there is no photograph of this.

J.D. Nicholsen, David Fox, R.H. Thomson.
Photo courtesy Tarragon

Day 1 - Purple

Oct 1 fell on a Monday this year so The Ribbon Project will take place across a work week and into Thanksgiving weekend. Interesting.
The email with Day One's colour choice came late yesterday due to an internet problem. . It wasn't until my afternoon break that I discovered the choice. So, there I was, wondering the block around my office realizing that there's nothing I "like" enough down there to note with my purple. Then I saw the Bixi stand. I thought of my friend Michelle and how she's always praising Bixi  to the skies. I thought how lucky we are to live in a city with such a neat cycling program. Heck I thought about how much I like my friend Michelle. So I tied one of my purple ribbons.

Ribbons 2012

Well, it's the beginning of October and that means the 7 days of The Ribbon Project. I seriously considered dropping out this year. Fewer people took part last year and I was wondering if the event still has legs. Also, being honest, I've been depressed the last while and I felt that my current state is not conducive to creativity. Then the email invitation came in that funny, familiar font, and I immediately said Yes. The project has become a bit of a touchstone for me over the past five years - a sort of annual check in.  I like being part of this small group of people I've never met. Tying ribbons and snapping pics has become my autumn tradition. So let's see where this goes this year.

Day 7 - Yellow

Naturally, I couldn't resist this tree on yellow ribbon day.No, it is not an oak but it is spectacular.  If, like me, you are old enough to have fond memories of the Tony Orlando & Dawn television show, here is a musical trip down memory lane for you.

Day 6 - Blue

Blue skies today!

Day 5 - Red

Red has so many meanings in our culture,  It is the colour of royalty, of blood and war and of sex.  It is also red heart coloured Love.  In the spirit of positivity, it is on the Love that I have decided to focus.

I love my beautiful and sweet calico cats.  Every day they bring me joy.

I love that High Park is rehabilitating the marsh lands.  Now you can see swans, ducks and several kinds of heron here.  Blackbirds are plentiful as well.

I love this approach along the bike path going downtown each morning.  When there's a bit of wind, the boats are all swaying attractively.

I love locking my bike (double locking actually) outside my workplace on my favourite rack.

Day 4 - Orange

Orange like the marigolds I planted in spring alongside the tomatos.  They're supposed to keep the bugs away.  Well, they didn't work against the slugs but now, in October, when the tomato plants are long gone, these flowers are prettier than ever.

Naturally, being a Torontonian and a Canadian, I can't think of orange without thinking of the NDP and especially of our beloved Jack Layton.  Did you know he helped design and implement the use of the now familiar ring and post bike racks?

Day 3 - Green

Green you say?  There lots of green in my hood!

Day 2 - Pink

"Pink as autumnal blush", said the email.
Alas, it rained and rained on Sunday and I had to take the streetcar to work.  Irony.

Ribbons 2011 - Day 1

Can you believe it's October already?  With the first seven days of October comes the Ribbon Project - the interactive art project in which I've participated for the last several years.  The email arrives in September and I always say yes.  Then, suddenly, October 1st has arrived and I find myself wandering about with a purse full of camera and coloured ribbons.
This year October 1st fell on a Saturday and the organizer, Hannah Godfrey, chose a ribbon colour we've never before used - black.  I had a few lengths of black tie-line in the drawer. I carried them with me throughout the day.  However, nothing I saw wanted a black marker. What can black ribbon do?  Mark a spot of mourning?  Tie off cable to a grid in a theatre?  These were the only two images that came to me.  As I wasn't feeling particularly mournful, and I was no where near a lighting grid, my ribbons remained untied.
And thus was my theme for this year's project born.  Using the colour of the ribbon to inspire the marking.

The Ribbons of Others

This years's Ribbon Project has been loaded onto the Flickr page,  Sadly, it appears there were fewer participants than past years.  However, the photos are stunning and the ribboning is heartfelt. Go check it out.

Thursday Yellow

How glad I am that the last day of this year's Ribbon Project was such a gloriously sunny one.  The walk to the grocery store was stunning with so many beautiful stops along the way.  And of course, I have to plug my mayoral choice with a ribbon.  Yellow flowers and ribbons for a green Mayor.  Go Joey Pants!

Wednesday Green

I decided to go to knit night at Lettuce yesterday evening.  It was already growing quite dark as I walked through Kensington Market so all my photos blurred.  The days are so short now.

Purple Tuesday

I had an interview today downtown in one of the souless high rises of the Financial District.  The TTC imploded and I arrived about 10 minutes late.  Bad start.  The woman had me fill out a form then sat me down at a table and told me, while fingering my resume as if it was dirty, all the reasons I am unsuitable.  Five minutes, in and out.  For this I pressed my pants and wore the pinchy shoes?
Anyway, I left the area a different way than I arrived and inadvertantly stumbled into this courtyard with some unusual fountains.  I've passed the front of this building hundreds of times but had no idea what lay behind.
Thus, my gratitude for this day is that I discovered some new loveliness in this hard, hard city.