We saw this specimen of a skunk cabbage poking through the ground last week. The following is quoted from a botanist's webpage ....

Common wisdom is that skunk cabbage is a stinky, ugly trash plant. Wrong. I have read that the smell comes only from the leaves that only unfold after the flowers are done but that the smell's purpose is to attract pollinating insects. Not possible. It is said that you can eat raw skunk cabbage leaves after boiling; other reports indicate that you'd do better to invite an actual skunk into the kitchen because, then, at least the skunk would (possibly) enjoy the process. We continue to work inside erecting a dividing wall for the bathroom. Here is Gary with his Tom Terrific hat on, allowing him to do the best job ever!

Elements

Arts Morin Heights is having a group exhibition. Saturday is vernissage day. The theme is Elements which I interpret as Earth, Fire, Water, Air or Wind and Space. I made five tiles and using oil paints proceeded to paint the bisqueware. I didn't have enough time to use slips and mason stain so I opted for this approach.

More photos with my Nikon D3100

In the right hands this camera can do a whole lot better but not bad from a newbie.

Evidence that winter is really over

This was the winter that never really packed any punch. Today we could almost drive up the snowbound road. Later this week we will drive up the last 500 feet no more snowshoes.

End of winter, spring is in the air

We have had exceptionally warm summer-like weather. Walking on the path with our snowshoes is not easy as the snow is losing its volume and we step through the ice crust and slide to the side with the snowshoes. It is tricky to walk without mishap.
I took some pictures with the new soft box and camera. Not great but I need to learn how to use it properly. The colour is pretty accurate though.

Arts Morin Heights

I am participating in a exhibition with one fellow member from our group Arts Morin Heights. Myself and Ginette Fontaine are doing the first in a series of mini shows with AMH. Vernissage is Sunday February 19 from 2pm until 4pm at the Library, 823 ch.du village Morin Heights. Please come by and see us. Bring a non-perishable food contribution for local food bank.

Old Photos

I have no new photos. I am aiming at getting some soon. To that end we have constructed a lightbox following John Glick's plans

http://web.mac.com/johnglick/Site/Fresh_Plums_/Entries/2006/10/29_Acme_Lites-A-Lot_our_fun_%E2%80%9Ccompany%E2%80%9D_for_making_things!_posted_here_about_Oct_2006%2C_Yep!.html

So now I still have to acquire an adequate camera (looking at Nikon 3100)as the one to buy.