I recently ventured out again, with the same goal in mind. I am unofficially declaring March 13 as Montreal's "Search for Spring" Day. I thought I might find the same crocuses again this year, but either they were not out, or I had the wrong corner on Sherbrooke.
Not to despair - I was lucky enough to catch a couple of other blooms that I have unequivocally determined will qualify for my Spring search.
I am not sure what the rose-petal type flower is in the first picture up above, but it was really pretty, even though it did not have the dash of brilliant color I was hoping for.
We also spotted quite a few of these white flowers, starting to sprout in many locations. I think these are called Snowdrops?
Additionally, I have initiated a new tradition involving this Search for Spring. Once I have spotted said sign of Springtime, I can change out my seasonal decorations. Or perhaps I should say "decoration" - singular. I have a simple garland that graces the doorway to the dining room.
Right now, it consists of snow-covered pinecones, which exude a lovely winter theme. When I put these up, it meant my birthday was on the way, which made it more fun than thinking about being stuck indoors for the winter.
Upon rereading the post from a year ago, I had forgotten about my very first Montreal exposure to alpacas, which unknowingly sparked my alpaca "obsession".
Here I am, quite spectacularly unsuccessfully, trying to get this hungry alpaca's attention. This was an exhibit we stumbled across, set up in the middle of a downtown street last winter, pre-Covid lockdown.
I told David that I would like to have an alpaca. I don't think he is taking me seriously. Perhaps because I also mentioned I would like to adopt a dolphin as well. I guess I really do need some new hobbies.
Last month, Dave and I enjoyed a hike to an unknown-to-us portion of Mount Royal, called Outremont Summit. Thanks to the diligence of our friends Michael and Susan in scoping out this hike, we reaped the benefits of their research, as they knew exactly where to go. The entrance is easy to mistake, as the stone pillars display the cemetery's green logos. Apparently, there is a temporary sign that mentions Tiohtia:ke Otsira'kehne, but it does not explain that this is the Mohawk name of the park (pronounced jojagy ochira'gaynay). This part of the park, purchased by the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery in 1878, had degraded into a dumping ground of sorts by the mid-1970s. Ten years ago the city signed a long-term lease with the cemetery to use the path through the woods leading to the Summit, as part of the park. We meandered our way up to the summit and enjoyed a unique view of northwestern Montreal. We then continued our trek through the Mount Royal cemetery.
Both Notre-Dame-des-Neiges and Mount Royal Cemeteries reside on Mount Royal. Notre-Dame-des-Neiges is the largest cemetery in Canada and the third-largest in North America. I found this grave marker, from a native of Paisley Scotland, dated July 16, 1886. I thought it was notable that this person's age was captured, not only in years but also included the number of days. (72 years and 28 days). That is quite an achievement for the times, eh? Especially since a Google search tells me that the average lifespan in the 1860s was only 45 years.
During our walk, we encountered a group of people staring up into a tree. As we turned our heads skyward to join them, we had the unique pleasure of viewing a screech owl, perched in its little hole. The screech owl is the smallest owl found in North America. Luckily, especially for the ones here in Canada, their acute sense of hearing helps them find mammals, even under heavy vegetation or snow. This tiny little critter was certainly generating a lot of interest from the passers-by and the bird enthusiasts this day!
A fence has separated the two large cemeteries since they were created. Shortly after WW1, in an attempt to show the uniformity of sacrifice between the Protestant and Catholic soldiers, the Imperial War Graves Commission opened up a passage between the two cemeteries, and the Cross of Sacrifice was erected.
A visit to this area would not be complete, in my humble opinion, without visiting Leonard Cohen's gravesite. As I understand it, he is buried in the Congregation Shaar Hashomayim Cemetery, which is located next to Mount Royal Cemetery.
Someday I would like to come back and do one of the historical guided tours that cover the lives of the numerous other famous people who are buried here.
I hope it is not too creepy to have your picture taken in front of someone's grave.
I hope everyone is enjoying a bit of Springtime. I am hopeful (most days) that our future is looking brighter all around.
Stay well! Please continue to be cautious, as we go through the vaccination process.
I am really looking forward to traveling again someday and getting to hug friends and family who are both near and far!
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