Teena in Toronto

Friday, 15 November 2024

Artful Dodger Pub, Toronto, ON

I had supper this evening with my pal, Franca, at the Artful Dodger Pub (on Isabella Street, just east of Yonge Street).

We both had chicken fingers and fries … yum!

It was fun to chat and catch up.

Island Foods, Toronto, ON (Gladstone Avenue)

I had lunch today at Island Foods at Gladstone Avenue/Queen Street W.

I ordered what I always order at Island Foods ... a boneless chicken roti. As usual, it was delicious!

“The Bidding War”, Crow’s Theatre, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw The Bidding War tonight at Crow’s Theatre (Carlaw/Dundas E).

The city’s last affordable house is for sale. Heads roll and shrimp tails fly when a frantic, 12-hour bidding war erupts during what was supposed to be a routine open house. Agents turn on buyers, buyers turn on agents, and everything spirals into an uproarious dark comedy of desperation and anxiety.

This season’s largest cast brings everyday homebuyers to life as they grapple with extraordinary circumstances, skyrocketing housing costs, gentrification and sabotage.

From Goodreads ~ "Someone You Know" is an anthology of twelve unforgettable Canadian true-crime stories. Each story reveals the haunting truth and statistical reality that a person is more likely to be murdered by someone they know than by a stranger. And while “stranger danger” is often the stuff of our nightmares and Hollywood horror films, sometimes those who are closest to us are even more dangerous than strangers.

In this uniquely Canadian anthology, Fogarty digs up famous historical cases, often revealing new twists, and explores more recent murder cases that will shock even die-hard true-crime aficionados.

I like reading true stories and Canadian stories so this book caught my eye. It contains 12 true-crime stories with Canadian connections ... some happened in Canada while others involved a Canadian but happened in the USA.

The book is divided into four sections:

Fatal Friendships - when your best friend turns out to be your worst enemy
Family Ties That Bind - when family dysfunction becomes deadly
In the Name of Love - when obsession and jealousy lead to murder
’Till Death Do Us Part - when matrimonial bliss turns into the kiss of death

I found this book interesting. It's amazing what would drive someone to commit murder. I liked the writing style ... there was enough information but it wasn't too detailed. I'd known some of the stories (like the Phil Hartman, Glen Davis and Jane Stafford stories) so it was interesting to get more info about them. It would have been nice to have some pictures, though ... I'm visual so I found myself Googling to see what everyone looked like.

Monday, 11 November 2024

Knitted Twisted Hat

I knitted another twisted hat. It’s a fun and easy pattern once you get into the repetitive groove. I used Caron Anniversary Cake and the colour is Pebbled Path.

I found the pattern here.

I converted the pattern because the yarn is thicker than the pattern. I used 6.5 needles and 6 ply yarn.

Hat is worked in the round on double pointed needles or circular needles.

Cast on 84 stitches. Place marker for beginning of round.

Ribbing Round:

[K1 through the back loop, p1] around. Repeat ribbing round for 8 rounds..

Round 1: Change to larger needles and knit.
Round 2: [K2, yo, k2, k2tog] around.
Repeat round 2 for 30 rounds.

Shape Crown

Decrease round 1: [K2tog, yo, k2, k2tog] repeat
Next round: [K1, yo, k2, k2tog] repeat
Decrease round 2: [K1, yo, k2tog k2tog] repeat
Next round: [K1, yo, k1, k2tog] repeat
Decrease round 3: [K2, k2tog] repeat
Decrease round 4: [K1, k2tog] repeat
Decrease round 5: [K2tog] repeat

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull to gather. Secure end. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit

k2tog = knit 2 sts together

p = purl

St st = Stockinette stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

yo = yarn over

Remembrance Day

The federal department of Veterans Affairs Canada states that November 11 is of "remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace"; specifically, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and all conflicts since then in which members of the Canadian Forces have participated.

Remembering my father, Frank (1935 - 1971)

Honouring Gord's dad, Ken (1925 - 1971)

Honouring Gord's paternal
grandfather, Sid (1890 - 1963)

Sunday, 10 November 2024

Knitted Twisted Hat

I knitted another twisted hat. It’s a fun and easy pattern once you get into the repetitive groove. I used Caron Anniversary Cake and the colour is Pebbled Path.

I found the pattern here.

I converted the pattern because the yarn is thicker than the pattern. I used 6.5 needles and 6 ply yarn.

Hat is worked in the round on double pointed needles or circular needles.

Cast on 84 stitches. Place marker for beginning of round.

Ribbing Round:

[K1 through the back loop, p1] around. Repeat ribbing round for 8 rounds..

Round 1: Change to larger needles and knit.
Round 2: [K2, yo, k2, k2tog] around.
Repeat round 2 for 30 rounds.

Shape Crown

Decrease round 1: [K2tog, yo, k2, k2tog] repeat
Next round: [K1, yo, k2, k2tog] repeat
Decrease round 2: [K1, yo, k2tog k2tog] repeat
Next round: [K1, yo, k1, k2tog] repeat
Decrease round 3: [K2, k2tog] repeat
Decrease round 4: [K1, k2tog] repeat
Decrease round 5: [K2tog] repeat

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull to gather. Secure end. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit

k2tog = knit 2 sts together

p = purl

St st = Stockinette stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

yo = yarn over

Book ~ "We Rise Again: More Stories of Hope and Resilience from Nova Scotia during the COVID-19 Pandemic" (2021) Len Wagg and Angela Mombourquette

From Goodreads ~ It's been more than a year since COVID-19 arrived in Nova Scotia. In the spring of 2020, then-premier of Nova Scotia Stephen McNeil implored citizens to "stay the blazes home" - and they did.

But the full-scale lockdown is now a thing of the past. As wide-scale testing and vaccines begin to have an impact, many people have returned, in limited ways, to their businesses, their pastimes, and even their social lives. And although we are still in the thick of the pandemic,

Nova Scotians, by necessity and by nature, have continued to step up to help one another through the ongoing crisis. Who are these heroes who, on a daily basis, have continued to risk their lives, their livelihoods, and their own well-being to help us get through this pandemic? How have Nova Scotia's front-line workers, business owners, support workers, healthcare workers - people from all walks of life - adapted to find ways not just to survive and help others survive but to thrive through it all?

In the follow-up to his national bestseller Stay the Blazes Home, award-winning photographer and author Len Wagg, now with co-author Angela Mombourquette, brings dozens of compelling stories and powerful images of hope and resilience to light, illuminating the many ways Nova Scotians continue to serve as beacons of hope for all Canadians.

This book was published in the fall of 2021, a year after the world closed down because of COVID-19 and things were starting to open up again. Everyone was trying to figure out what they had to do to keep themselves and everyone else safe. Vaccines were now available (I had gotten mine as soon as I could and continue to do so) and social distancing rules were in place.

There are many pictures and stories of how Nova Scotians reacted and supported each other, with a focus on front line health workers. Because it was written during the second summer as we were all experiencing COVID-19, these aren't memories or recollections ... these are the experiences of people at the time as they were living through it.

The author did a good job in capturing the essence of the time and it's a good reminder of what we all had been through.

Saturday, 9 November 2024

Knitted Twisted Hat

I knitted another twisted hat. It’s a fun and easy pattern once you get into the repetitive groove. I used Caron Anniversary Cake and the colour is Pebbled Path.

I found the pattern here.

I converted the pattern because the yarn is thicker than the pattern. I used 6.5 needles and 6 ply yarn.

Hat is worked in the round on double pointed needles or circular needles.

Cast on 84 stitches. Place marker for beginning of round.

Ribbing Round:

[K1 through the back loop, p1] around. Repeat ribbing round for 8 rounds..

Round 1: Change to larger needles and knit.
Round 2: [K2, yo, k2, k2tog] around.
Repeat round 2 for 30 rounds.

Shape Crown

Decrease round 1: [K2tog, yo, k2, k2tog] repeat
Next round: [K1, yo, k2, k2tog] repeat
Decrease round 2: [K1, yo, k2tog k2tog] repeat
Next round: [K1, yo, k1, k2tog] repeat
Decrease round 3: [K2, k2tog] repeat
Decrease round 4: [K1, k2tog] repeat
Decrease round 5: [K2tog] repeat

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull to gather. Secure end. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
k = knit

k2tog = knit 2 sts together

p = purl

St st = Stockinette stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

yo = yarn over

Book ~ "Stay the Blazes Home" (2020) Len Wagg

From Goodreads ~ On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic and life, at that moment, changed drastically for every Nova Scotian.

People were ordered to practice physical distancing. Everyday tasks like grocery shopping were suddenly fraught with challenges. Travellers scrambled to get home before the borders closed, and were then ordered to self-quarantine. Hospitals and health-care facilities prepared for a potential influx of critically ill patients. Through it all, Nova Scotians reacted with kindness and empathy, and came to recognize their everyday heroes - from grocery clerks to delivery drivers to the doctors and nurses on the front lines. But tales of some who flouted the rules arose. During a daily media briefing, Premier Stephen McNeil made the spirit of the order perfectly clear: "Stay the blazes home."

Through dozens of powerful stories that illuminate the generosity and ingenuity of Nova Scotians, "Stay the Blazes Home" captures the many ways Nova Scotians adapted to and embraced life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Featuring photographs by author and award-winning photographer Len Wagg, in addition to submitted images from all over the province, "Stay the Blazes Home" serves as a record of the resilience and the spirit of Nova Scotians in a time of crisis. Portions of the proceeds from this book will be donated to local mental health initiatives.

This book was published in the fall of 2020, just after the world closed down because of COVID-19. Though it's only been four years, it seems like a lifetime ago. I think Nova Scotia (and the rest of of Atlantic Canada) stood out for the way they handled social distancing. They created family "bubbles", restricted travel from outside the provinces and the premier of Nova Scotia ordered everyone to "stay the blazes home".

There are many pictures and stories of how Nova Scotians reacted and supported each other. Because it was written during the first summer of COVID-19, these aren't memories or recollections ... these are the experiences of people at the time and their struggles to survive and adapt the best they could. The stories include how businesses pivoted, what people did to entertain themselves since we were all isolated, weddings, graduations, visiting eldering and sick loved ones and more.

I think the author did a good job in capturing the essence of the time and it's a good reminder of what we all had been through.

Friday, 8 November 2024

Basic chunky knitted slippers

Gord asked me to knit him some slippers and I used this pattern. They were quick and easy.

I used a bulky yarn (5) and a 6.5mm needle and made a medium size slipper. I used a Caron Anniversary Cake. Since it's variagated (the colour is Pebbled Path), the pattern of the colours is random.

Sizes:
To fit lady’s shoe size 5/6 (7/8 - 9/10).

Finished Foot length
Small 5/6 - 9" (23 cm)
Medium 7/8 - 9½" (24 cm)
Large 9/10 - 10½" (26.5 cm)

Abbreviations:
Beg = Beginning
Inc = Increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch
K = Knit
K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together
Rep = Repeat
Rem = Remaining
RS = Right side
St(s) = Stitch(es)
WS = Wrong side

Instructions:
Note: The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ).

Beg at back, cast on 2 sts.
1st row: (RS). Knit.
2nd row: Inc 1 st in first st. K1.
3rd and 4th rows: Knit.
5th row: Inc 1 st in first st. Knit to end of row.
Rep 3rd to 5th rows 4 times more. 8 sts.
Next 2 rows: Cast on 10 sts. Knit to end of row. 28 sts after 2nd row. Place marker on last st of last row.

Work in garter st (knit every row) until work from marked row, measures 4½" [11.5 cm]. Place second set of markers at each end of last row.

Knit for a further 3 (3½ - 4)" [7.5 (9 -10) cm] from 2nd set of markers, ending with a WS row.

Shape toe:

1st row: K3. *K2tog. K3. Rep from * to end of row. 23 sts.
2nd and 4th rows: Knit.
3rd row: K3. *K2tog. K2. Rep from * to end of row. 18 sts.
5th row: *K2tog. K1. Rep from * to end of row. 12 sts.
6th row: (K2tog) 6 times. 6 sts.
Break yarn, leaving a long end. Thread end through rem sts and draw up firmly. Fasten securely. Using a flat seam, sew instep to 2nd set of markers.
Sew edges of back triangle to cast on sts of sides to form heel.
Sew a pompom to each slipper if desired.

Thursday, 7 November 2024

Fat Bastard Burrito Co., Toronto, ON (Queen Street W)

I picked up burritos for supper at Fat Bastard Burrito (Queen Street W/Dovercourt Road).

I ordered two small chicken burritos and it was apparently better to get the Game Time Deal as we’d end up with free nachos. Sounds good to me!

I had a couple bites of my burrito but focused on the nachos since I can have my burrito tomorrow whereas the nachos will be soggy tomorrow since there was lots of stuff on them. They were yummy and filling.

"Seven Gates", The Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON

I spent the afternoon volunteering at The Theatre Centre on Queen Street W (west of Dovercourt Road) as an usher at Seven Gates. It’s here until Sunday and colourful and lively.

Surrounded by three large film screens with the camera lens as your eyes, travel a breathtaking odyssey through worlds of inspiring archetypes. Journey to the realm of seductive emotion, the fast-moving web of thoughts, the mysterious subconscious, and so much more. Your heart will be pulled, tickled, broken, healed, and melted with bliss along the way. Featuring the artistry of 42 dance artists, originally composed eclectic music is expressed through Ballet, Sufi Dance, Street Dance, African Dance, Middle Eastern Dance, Contemporary and more. Be transported on this epic mystical adventure.

Wednesday, 6 November 2024

Knitted Twisted Hat

I knitted another twisted hat. It’s a fun and easy pattern once you get into the repetitive groove. I used Caron Anniversary Cake and the colour is Pebbled Path.