unexpected appearance of spring flowers

After a stroll along Queen Street West (mah hood!) looking for indications of spring, I thought the tulips on the steps were really unexpected, and a bit ominous. Which mirrors my attitude towards the weather. I turned on the AC today in the car, and I was like "Is this really happening in March?" It's like I'm constantly on edge in an unstable relationship. Will it be sunny, or pouring rain, or angry hail? It feels too good to be true, but the only way to deal with it is to enjoy it.=)

a casual stroll on Queen Street

I recently moved downtown, which I can definitely say is one of the best decisions of my life. There's the short proximity to the clubbing district (which begins literally, the next building over) and shopping and delicious coffee... I'm proud that I haven't lost it from overindulgence (But it's only been a few months, so let's not get too excited.) In the middle of all of that, there are a few peaceful things about the area that I'd like to highlight, which can be found on a quiet weekday evening.

This is Jon, wondering about ... y'know, such and such.

 OCAD legs

One of the last flowers to bloom before winter hits

Lots of old-school brick buildings...

... right across from interesting graffiti.

Jen.

A Tease From The Earth: Fool's Gold

I held the chunk of iron pyrite, or Fool's Gold, in Queen Street West's latest store: Gifts From The Earth. There is so much to explore in a rather compact space. As soon as I walked in, I noticed an eye-catching wall of plants. Plus, the dinosaur skull is also pretty cool.

The store sells jewelry, gifts, and other interesting mineral-based items that I haven't seen since I've been to the science as a kid. The store featured raw quartz and minerals: 

This is topaz, the birthstone for November babies.

These balls are not fastened to each other in any way. They can be pulled out in a string because they're magnetic!

There were also polished crystals dangled near books on stone-related therapies:

Some items took my breathe away, like this eagle carved from quartz that was flown in from Brazil

 

A well-made, polished Buddha shows off the layers of rock was very interesting:

And the decor was well styled. It would be stunning as a table setting:

They also sold jewelry from Toronto artisans and OCAD students:

This was my favorite feature. A gentleman who helped design the store found the tree stump up north, carved it out, and set the quartz in the hallowed space.

The store was a collaborative effort by people who envisioned a centre for a city. Gifts from the Earth also offers yoga and meditation classes, as well as children's programs.There's a lot to think about when you enter the space. The staff is extremely friendly and open to discussing any questions or thoughts you might have. At the very least, you'll be gifted with a better understanding of the earth's natural beauty.