Laura D'Alessandro ([info]flossyflotsam) wrote,
@ 2008-07-28 16:33:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend  Next Entry
Current mood: drained
Current music:Adele - Chasing Pavement

Adventure Time

On Wednesday I took the bus to Ottawa, where Rhonda was waiting at the bus station for me. We spent the day downtown, and met up with Carolina in the evening to see The Dark Knight, which we all enjoyed immensely. Thursday was spent in Kazabazua, where Rhonda's parents live. It was really great spending time in the country, and we did some rural exploration. Friday I went to my uncle's photo studio with my brothers to take sibling portraits, and a spiffy burger restaurant afterward. Saturday was spent downtown Ottawa with my brothers, where I ended up seeing Wall-E again. We also got to meet up with Phil's sister Jenn and her boyfriend for a short while. I had a hell of a time getting back to my mom's place after, though. My younger brother had sent me to wait for a bus that had ended hours before. After about two and a half hours of busing, waiting and finally taxi-ing, I got there. It was sort of a traumatic experience, as I had no means of communication. Sunday we visited my Grandfather, who is a resident at the Pearly-Rideau Veteran's home. The trip felt long, the second half more than the first, though.

There are a lot of photographs under the cut. Just thought I'd warn you.

Gizmo, Rhonda's family dog. He is too cute.


Begging us to bring him on our exploration. Rhonda caved in to his puppy eyes. Who wouldn't?


Some of their vehicles.


Their place doesn't really look like a junkyard. Most of it is very clean and green.


If I could just take photos of garages/shacks/barns for the rest of my life I don't think I'd mind.






There were blueberries everywhere. Very tasty ones at that.


Also choke berries. Not as tasty.




This garage even had a creepy bedroom on the top floor!




A not quite developed acorn. Looks more like a fat caterpillar to me.


Sophie! Rhonda's grandma's dog.


Sophie's doghouse. I find doghouses super cute. I would love to design them.




Rhonda brought me to an abandoned cabin. Not only was it abandoned, but it seems it was done so in an eerie rush.




A big rat climbed up from behind those curtains after this was taken.




The fact that the door was fortified with wood planks creeped me out.


Gizmo really likes water. He was running around with his head emerged. Seriously, though, I really want a big happy loyal dog someday.








Just because they have a tub outside for their dog doesn't mean they're hicks.




Phoebe, their spazzy calico.


She likes to play bite. Rhonda doesn't seem to mind.


On the drive back to 'civilization'. This horse is far skinnier in person.






Now we cut briefly to the rest of the days. My late grandma's cat, passed on to my mom.
She used to be named Angel, but it was changed to Babe. Both horrible names in my opinion. She is also spazzy.


Pretending to be far richer than we are. We all took money shots, but I like Christian's the best.


At The Works, the spiffy burger restaurant we went to after the photo shoot.


I like what they serve their beverages in.


Fast forward to the last day. At the Pearly-Rideau, visiting my grandpa. Alzheimers is a horribly cruel disease.


My trip lowered my immune system and I am slightly sick again. Just a funny sore throat and a bit of mucus currently, thankfully.
Editing those photos took too long, and I haven't even showered yet. Best get to that.

Aaaah! Marisa and Alex are moving to Montreal in a few short days!!

(33 comments) - (Post a new comment)


[info]antiquestores
2008-07-28 09:18 pm UTC (link)
Looks like a sweet adventure.

(Reply to this)


[info]thruyourveins
2008-07-28 09:22 pm UTC (link)
omg that calico cat is SO CUTE. i love your photos.

i hope you feel better soon!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]flossyflotsam
2008-07-29 01:41 am UTC (link)
Yeah, Phoebe is a cute little cat, but too spazzy/shy for my taste. I like my cats to act like dogs in their social spectrum. Though, she does play fetch like Ada does! Always a plus!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]slashthetears
2008-07-28 09:29 pm UTC (link)
the pictures are gorgeous, the two kitties and the dog are adorable. i love the closeup shots of the plants, my favorite is the blueberries one :]

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]flossyflotsam
2008-07-29 01:44 am UTC (link)
Thanks. :)
I like the blueberry photo too, even though it was of a not so great bunch. Most of the bunches were very ripe, healthy, and tasty, though!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]cauliflowers
2008-07-28 10:33 pm UTC (link)
ooh, I love The Dark Knight! anyway, I love the creepy feeling of the house; I esp like that bedroom in the roof~

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]flossyflotsam
2008-07-29 01:39 am UTC (link)
The bedroom in the 'attic' was so surreal. It was also kind of funny. I liked that the bed was even made.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]amandakenney
2008-07-28 11:15 pm UTC (link)
That is a very beautiful place. But also, you did a great job in taking the photos! So pretty!

(Reply to this)


[info]cowboys_bash
2008-07-29 01:05 am UTC (link)
Wow what a fucking boondock rhonda lived in holy shit

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]treeofhappy
2008-07-29 01:19 am UTC (link)
lol I don't even know what that means.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]flossyflotsam
2008-07-29 01:34 am UTC (link)
Hah, I'm glad I am not the only one who doesn't understand!

Sweet icon, Rhonda!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]cowboys_bash
2008-07-29 03:07 pm UTC (link)
It means hick-fucking-ville. I thought my teasing rhonda was exagerated but hooly mother fuck. Bring on the fucking pig races.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(Anonymous)
2008-07-30 01:53 am UTC (link)
No Cindy, it's lawn mowers. They race lawnmowers.

emily

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]flossyflotsam
2008-07-30 03:10 am UTC (link)
Don't they have a four-wheeler race too?

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]cowboys_bash
2008-07-31 01:56 am UTC (link)
LOLOL!!!! yee-haaaaawww

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Anonymous)
2008-07-29 01:23 am UTC (link)
I can't believe that you'd never been to The Works. That place is The Shit (not to be confused with Shit).

And Laura, start eating some goddamn vegetables and fruits and stop getting sick! goddamnit woman....

em

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]flossyflotsam
2008-07-29 01:37 am UTC (link)
Dangit Emily, I doooo eat veggies and fruit! Though, on this little trip I didn't have very much choice over my diet. I ended up eating three hamburgers in three days, yikes! But I ate a bunch of berries too. Mainly blueberries, both at Rhonda's and at my mom's place.

The Works was certainly an incredible hamburger experience. But pricey too!

Edited at 2008-07-29 01:45 am UTC

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]busyflash
2008-07-29 04:24 am UTC (link)
awesome photos!!!
labs are the best big, huge, loyal dogs!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]strawberryoes
2008-07-29 05:05 pm UTC (link)
I agree with this statement. :D

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]flossyflotsam
2008-07-30 03:10 am UTC (link)
I agree too. Labs and also golden retrievers seems to be very happy, loyal dogs. Though if I ever get the space I think I may like to own an even larger dog. My concierge has a Japanese Akita and she is incredibly sweet and happy. I think I would love one someday. Oh animals! I cannot get enough!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]_vitabrevis
2008-07-29 05:14 am UTC (link)
the bedroom in the attic is so awesome!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]flossyflotsam
2008-07-30 02:44 am UTC (link)
I agree! I am thinking of drawing it out in my sketchbook. I really ought to practice drawing spaces more. You are a constant reminder of that with your lovely illustrations, in fact!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]lost_in_my_room
2008-07-29 01:50 pm UTC (link)
I love your photo adventures, but i've told you that.

i agree about the Alzheimers. it took my grandfather long before it killed him.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]flossyflotsam
2008-07-30 03:00 am UTC (link)
I'm sorry to hear that, Rob. Alzheimers is one of the worst diseases out there, in my opinion. Memory is so precious.

At this point my grandfather remembers much of his past, but his short term memory is completely gone. I am grateful that he still remembers who his family is, though. His health isn't so great, so hopefully he will pass away before the Alzheimers erases his memory completely. Aside from eating, he really has nothing to do but lay in bed. They do take him out for air and get him to participate in certain activities, but he doesn't watch t.v. or read books, I mean, how could he? It would be maddening. I just feel so bad for him. It's definitely difficult visiting him.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]lost_in_my_room
2008-07-30 12:15 pm UTC (link)
soon as my grandfather got in the nursing home i had to already consider him gone. he remembered his wife, he remembered his past but he couldn't reconcile the images in his head of people who were much younger in his memory with the people talking to him now. it was terrible. his mind was one of his greatest assets in life and now that it was gone he was very lost the whole time. it was painful to watch so, as bad as i felt saying it, i was glad when he was finally gone, just so his constant confusion was over. i hated knowing that his amazing mind was deteriorating right in front of me

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]xwideopenwoundx
2008-07-29 01:52 pm UTC (link)
Aww man that looks like so much fun, I love exploring forests and fields and stuff in the country, especially when you discover an old abandoned cabin!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]flossyflotsam
2008-07-30 03:03 am UTC (link)
Aside from the bugs, I think I would love to live in the country. Maybe someday! Rural exploration is a lot of fun, and I just really love the smell and aesthetic of it.

Oh, the cabin had already been discovered, but I don't know if Rhonda had gone in it before or not. Didn't seem like it.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]rhymeswithmulva
2008-07-29 04:18 pm UTC (link)
Nice photos, thanks for sharing!:)

Sorry about your grandpa:( My grandpa (deceased) had Alzheimer's as well. He basically became a child. It's very sad indeed.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]flossyflotsam
2008-07-30 03:07 am UTC (link)
Aw, I'm really sorry to hear that. Alzheimers is far too common.

Yeah, it really is heartbreaking. I don't see my grandpa very often, but I can only imagine how difficult it is for my mom and her siblings, who visit him once or twice a week [all on different days]. I don't know if I would be able to take that kind of emotional pain. I hope I never have to.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]rhymeswithmulva
2008-07-30 05:31 am UTC (link)
Ya i really hope they can find a cure although i'm not very optimistic about that stuff. My grandpa never went to a home. My grandma took care of him until he had a fall and never recovered. He died in the hospital. I can't imagine being in her position. Someone who was once your partner/equal, later having to change their diapers. It's sad and beautiful i guess. She's a remarkable lady sticking through it all.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]strawberryoes
2008-07-29 05:05 pm UTC (link)
I love the Works!! Not cheap, but so good and terribly filling XD

Your adventure looked like fun!! I love the dog and the old creepy things.

(Reply to this)


[info]bangbang_powpow
2008-08-26 09:24 pm UTC (link)
I love farmland, and especially old abandoned farmhouses! When I was in england I was so charmed by the country side that I am seriously considering moving to an old farmhouse to raise sheep and outlive my life there... Just like, knitting and drinking tea...

there is this old cottage that is all but abandoned near my cottage, its really small and sweet and easy to get into, and filled with all sorts of old tacky stuff, kindof like that farmhouse. It, also, is slightly eerie. It makes me of this old milk truck from the 1950-60's on my camp's territory, out in the middle of nowhere thats just sitting there. Its really cool until you see the axe marks on it and begin to wonder how the hell it got there!

I always leave these hugely long "slice of life" stories in your comments page, sorry!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]flossyflotsam
2008-08-28 03:57 pm UTC (link)
No, don't be sorry, I love reading them!

I would also really love to in the country at some point in my life, though probably later than earlier in life.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(33 comments) - (Post a new comment)

Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…