The beach is still open

On this outrageously hot day, Glendyn joined me in taking the girls down to the beach, where they discovered that a section of the lake has been protected by a floating fence and has some sort of cleaning devices installed to keep it goose feces free. We weren’t expecting it, so they didn’t have their bathing suits, but the water was so inviting that they couldn’t resist going in with their dresses on, meeting up with another swimming girl who shared her snorkel and mask with them as they avoided the rocks being thrown at them by a chubby little Chinese boy (until I went and had some stern words with his parents). I always enjoy meeting people who lead interesting lives, so as the girls had their fun, I had a great time picking Glendyn’s brain about filmmaking, life in Australia, parenting, and more.

september-swimming

Yesterday, in addition to the zombie walk (see the entry before this one for lots of pictures) we also made it, at least briefly, to the Junction Arts Fest. One of the regulars there is this guy who always brings his snakes and walks around. They’re very tame and calm, and he was happy to let Nefarious and Cassie touch them. This was the one we first saw him with, and later he returned with a different one as well as its faux tree “roost” which contained the skin that it had recently shed.

Later in the evening, after the march, we went to the park for some after dark playing, and I really think that Toronto may be getting cleaner from my time lying on the slide staring up at the night sky. I am quite certain that last year there were no stars to be seen, but these days when I lie there, I look up and I see at least fifty bright beautiful stars glittering above me. It’s a wonderful change. People should not live in a starless world.

snake-dude

girl-party

8 Comments

  1. wlfdrgn wrote:

    Is the air getting cleaner, or are the lights getting better? There’s a big push in a lot of areas to install lights that don’t shine up, and replace with less up-oriented lights when replacing existing ones.

    Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 7:00 pm | Permalink
  2. Shannon wrote:

    That’s an interesting question… I’m actually not sure. The area of the park I was at actually doesn’t have any lights at all — which is quite bizarre because all parts of the park are well lit except for the kids playground.

    Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 7:22 pm | Permalink
  3. apolicious wrote:

    I’m proud to say the city where I grew up was the worlds first international dark sky city. one of the major issues I have living in the city now is the lack of a night sky.

    there’s obviously some clever trickery involved with this photo, but it gives you a hint as to what I used to have. on certain nights, you could see an arm of the milky way.
    https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0804/flagstaffsky_usno_big.jpg

    Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 8:06 pm | Permalink
  4. Pyro Lizard wrote:

    Dark skies are one truely wonderful thing about where I live in Wyoming. My skies are dark enough that I can see a fair bit of the Messier objects through my 8″ telescope from my front porch.

    It’s so amazing to me that a city could enact any dark sky legislation, though. I’m just suprised you could get that many people to care about the issue. Very few people around here ever bother to look up, despite the fact that they’ve got some of the best views in Ameica.

    Monday, September 14, 2009 at 10:48 am | Permalink
  5. Melanie wrote:

    I’m jealous of anyone who can see stars. Living in Las Vegas sucks for that :(

    Well, living in Vegas sucks in general :P

    Monday, September 14, 2009 at 11:51 am | Permalink
  6. Warren wrote:

    I’m rather sad I missed out on the Junction Arts Festival and the Cabbagetown Festival as well. Both I hear are really great events to check out. Unfortunately I was busy working and fixing up my apartment with my girlfriend.

    Monday, September 14, 2009 at 8:33 pm | Permalink
  7. Elizabeth wrote:

    This song, by a most favored band of my girl reminds me of you and your’s.
    Animal Collective
    My girls
    Isn’t much that I feel I need
    A solid soul and the blood I bleed
    With a little girl, and by my spouse
    I only want a proper house

    There isn’t much that I feel I need:
    A solid soul and the blood I bleed.
    But with a little girl, and by my spouse
    I only want a proper house

    I don’t care for fancy things
    Or to take part in a pressured race.
    But to provide for them when they ask
    I will, with heart, on my father’s grave

    On my father’s grave

    I don’t mean
    To seem like I care about material things,
    Like our social status,
    I just want
    Four walls and adobe slats
    For my girls
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zol2MJf6XNE

    Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 6:24 am | Permalink
  8. Layla wrote:

    Is there anything cuter than little girl feet w. chipping toenail polish? I didn’t think so. I continually impressed w. how you raise Nefarious and all the rad stuff you do w. her. She is going to turn out to be such a cool lady!

    Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 11:15 am | Permalink
Wow Shannon, that's really annoying! What is it, 1997 on Geocities? Retroweb is NOT cool!

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