CHUCKMAN KODACHROME COPY – 1985 MARCH 16 – MARJIE IN BLUE AND WHITE STRIPED SWEATER – TORONTO – I STILL REMEMBER THE TIME I TOOK THIS – WE WALKED DOWN YORK MILLS ROAD, THE STREET MARJIE’S HOUSE WAS ON (WE WEREN’T MARRIED YET), TO A LITTLE PARK AND MARJIE POSED FOR ME – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
JOHN’S UNFINISHED PORTRAIT OF MARJORIE – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
CHUCKY’S PORTRAIT OF HIGH SCHOOL MARJIE – PAINTED FROM AN OLD SNAPSHOT MARJIE TOLD ME WAS HER FAVORITE PICTURE OF HERSELF AS A GIRL – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
JOHN AND MARJORIE ON THE ST LAWRENCE QUEBEC – MARJIE WAITING ON THE DECK OF OUR SHIP FOR PERCE ROCK – THE RETURN TRIP FROM LES ILES-DE-LA-MADELEINE 2014 – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJIE TURNS ON THE GLAMOUR – MODELLING HER JUST-FINISHED SWEATER IN OUR CHUCKY EVERGREEN GARDEN (YOU CAN SEE THE IVY HAS LARGELY DIED FROM FROST AND I HAVEN’T CUT IT BACK YET) – MARJIE WAS IN A KNITTING PERIOD WITH PERHAPS LESS SEWING THAN EARLIER – 2014 – HAMILTON Leave a comment
CHUCKMAN KODACHROME COPY – 1986 AUG 10 – A LOVELY SIGHT OF MARJORIE SITTING ON THE BEACH – GLENN MICHIGAN – THE SEXIEST PHOTO I EVER TOOK Leave a comment
MARJORIE GETS A KISS IN PORT DOVER – FROM OUR GIRL MIKO – ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
CHUCKMAN KODACHROME COPY – 1986 NOV 28 – MARJIE IN TWEED COAT ON ERIE CANAL GATE – I THINK HER EYES WERE NEVER MORE ALLURING – WE WERE THERE ON A VISIT WITH GRANDPA IN BUFFALO – LOCKPORT NEW YORK Leave a comment
PORT DOVER – MARJORIE GREETS SPRING AT SILVER LAKE PARK WITH RIP AND MIKO – WE OFTEN WENT THERE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN – WE WOULD SEE BIRDS AND TURTLES AND FISH – ONCE WE SAW A WHITE HERON BUT I DIDN’T HAVE MY CAMERA – I LOVE THIS PICTURE – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
PORT DOVER – MARJORIE ENJOYING A GLASS OF WINE ON “THE PIAZZA” OVERLOOKING THE LAKE – WE CALLED IT THE PIAZZA BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT MARJIE’S DAD USED TO CALL THEIR TINY APARTMENT BALCONY WHEN SHE WAS GROWING UP IN ALISTON – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJORIE WITH GLASSES LOOKING BEAUTIFUL ON THE DECK OF THE HOUSE AT PORT DOVER – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJORIE READING WITH A LITTLE COMPANION IN PORT DOVER – MIKO – ONE OF MARJIE’S SMALLER QUILTS HANGS ON THE WALL IN THE BACKGROUND – I HAD ONE OF THE LARGEST ONES DISPLAYED ON THE LANDING OF THE STAIRS TO THE LEFT – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJORIE AND GRANNY – I LOVE THIS PHOTO – ALISTON 1990s – GRANNY’S STAMP (SEE ON A POST BELOW) WAS MADE FROM IT – THE POST OFFICE USED TO OFFER CUSTOM-MADE SHEETS OF STAMPS WITH A PHOTO FOR A PREMIUM PRICE – JUST AS WITH THE TWENTY-DOLLAR BILLS I MADE FOR HER (AGAIN, ON A POST BELOW) SHE WAS REALLY TICKLED – WHEN WE LIVED IN MAINE, I USED TO PERIODICALLY SEND HER COPIES OF BOOKS THAT I WAS FOND OF AND SHE JUST LOVED THAT – WE ATTENDED MANY LIBRARY SALES IN MAINE IN MANY DIFFERENT TOWNS AND I FOUND SOME GREAT OLD CLASSICS – AT EASTER OR HALLOWEEN, WE WOULD PUT TOGETHER A PARCEL, ARRANGED NICELY LIKE AN EASTER BASKET INSIDE A BIG BOX, WITH ALL THE SEASONAL CANDIES AND TREATS TO SEND HER – SHE HAD A REAL SWEET TOOTH AND I ENJOYED SEEING ALL THOSE SEASONAL CANDIES, MANY OF THEM THE SAME ONES I KNEW AS A BOY – WE REALLY DID HAVE A WARM FRIENDSHIP – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJORIE AND JOHN – A WARM AND MEMORABLE TIME ON LES ISLES DE LA MADELEINE – JUST A FEW YEARS AGO AND IMMENSELY HAPPY – 2014 – THIS RESTAURANT IS LOCATED IN WHAT WAS AN OLD STONE CONVENT NOW CONVERTED TO AN INN – WE HAD JUST BEEN DRIVING IN AN AREA NOT FAR AWAY WHICH RESEMBLES PARTS OF SCOTLAND WITH STEEP HILLS AND ROUGH GRASSES AND GLIMPSES OF SEA WHEN WE STOPPED HERE – OUR SWEET-TEMPERED WAITRESS FROM QUEBEC CITY TOOK THE PICTURE FOR US – SHE WAS THE GIRLFRIEND OF THE OWNER’S SON – MARJIE MADE ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THIS TRIP OF A LIFETIME – I TOLD HER OF SEEING THE ISLANDS FROM THE AIR DECADES AGO (THEY ARE UNIQUELY SHAPED AND SURROUNDED WITH BEACHES) AND THEN WE SAW A RICARDO COOKING SHOW EPISODE LOCATED THERE – I WAS SURPRISED THERE WERE SOPHISTICATED CRAFTS SUCH AS CHEESE-MAKING AND BREWING AT SUCH A FAIRLY REMOTE PLACE – IT SHARES SOME OF THE BETTER QUALITIES OF MAINE BUT WITH LESS COMMERCIALISM AND IT HAS ASSOCIATIONS OF OLD FRANCE AND THE DAYS OF L’ACADIE – THERE IS A KIND OF PLEASANT SIMPLICITY (FAR MORE SO THAN MAINE) I’VE SEEN FEW OTHER PLACES AND THEY WORK TO KEEP IT – FENCING THINGS IN (EXCEPT WHEN IT COMES TO SOMETHING LIKE A HERD OF CATTLE AND THEN IT IS JUST A SIMPLE WIRE FENCE) IS NOT ALLOWED AND THE SIZE OF HOUSES IS LIMITED SO AS NOT TO ALTER THE FEEL OF THE PLACE – A CHARMING MAN WHO RAN A CAFE EXPLAINED THAT WITHOUT FENCES THE KIDS CAN WALK TO THE BEACH FROM ANYWHERE (A TRULY LOVELY THING TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF) – ABUNDANT WILD FLOWERS – GORGEOUS MARSHES – GORGEOUS MILES-LONG STRETCHES OF BEACH – RED SANDSTONE FORMATIONS – MANY SMALL FISHING BOATS – OVERALL A SENSE OF SERENITY – THE MORE-OR-LESS OFFICIAL SYMBOL FOR THE ISLANDS IS A ROW OF WASH HUNG OUT ON A CLOTHESLINE AND THAT’S A SIGHT YOU SEE MANY TIMES – ESPECIALLY CHARMING WHEN YOU SEE IT NEXT TO A LITTLE ROW OF BRIGHTLY COLORED HOUSES MARCHING UP OR DOWN A HILL – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJORIE AND JOHN – THANKSGIVING TOAST AT THE ANCASTER MILL NEAR HAMILTON – HAPPY TOGETHER – 2011 – MARJIE WAS WEARING SOME OF THE DANGLY-STYLE EAR RINGS I ALWAYS LIKED BEST ON HER – SHE HAD GOTTEN AWAY FROM THEM FOR QUITE A WHILE – OVER THE YEARS I GAVE HER MANY PAIRS OF AS GIFTS, INCLUDING A FEW I MADE – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJORIE AND JOHN – PORTLAND MAINE – OUR BACKYARD – ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJORIE AND CHUCKY IN PORT DOVER – GLOWING HAPPINESS – ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
CHUCKMAN KODACHROME COPY – 1987 NOV 26 – CHUCKY AND MARJIE AND BARRY – MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE – NEW YORK – I HAD ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE THIS – WE MADE A BRIEF THREE- OR FOUR-DAY TRIP TO DO IT – AND THAT INCLUDED OTHER STOPS – I THOUGHT NOTHING THEN OF DRIVING 500 OR MORE MILES IN A DAY – WE WENT TO THE STATUE OF LIBERTY TOO WHICH TURNED OUT LESS THAN A SUCCESS – MARJIE BECAME TERRIFIED PART-WAY UP THE TINY WINDING STAIRS INSIDE THE UPPER PORTION – THEY ARE DIZZYING – WE HAD TO GO BACK DOWN WHILE THE BOYS RACED ON TO THE TOP TO TELL US LATER ALL ABOUT IT – TAKEN BY BOB Leave a comment
CHUCKMAN KODACHROME COPY – AUG 26 1988 – MARJIE AND JOHN ON THE LIFT BRIDGE – PORT DOVER ONTARIO – LONG BEFORE WE LIVED THERE, WE USED TO MAKE WEEK-END TRIPS TO PORT DOVER FROM TORONTO, OFTEN ALSO VISITING THE DRAMA OF LONG POINT – WHEN WE WENT TO LONG POINT WE MADE A HABIT OF DRIVING ON THE TALBOT TRAIL WHICH HAS A NUMBER OF HANDSOME SIGHTS ALONG THE WAY AND IS THICK WITH CAROLINIAN FOREST Leave a comment
MARJORIE CHUCKY AND MIKO – NEAR THE FISHING TUG MARINA – I LOVE THIS PICTURE – PORT DOVER – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
CHUCKY TURNS SIXTY-FIVE, BUT WHAT A WAY TO GO – I’M WEARING MY WONDERFUL “TOM” SWEATER MARJORIE MADE FOR ME (AS IN THE SWEET BRITCOM “THE GOOD NEIGHBORS”) – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
CHUCKY AND MARJORIE – PORT DOVER – JOHN WEARING A FAVORITE SHIRT-JAC MARJIE MADE FOR HIM – MARJIE MADE THIS WHILE WE LIVED IN MAINE – THE CLOTH CAME FROM A FABRIC STORE WE FREQUENTED IN ROCKLAND (PRETTY MUCH OUR FAVORITE TOWN IN MAINE) – THE BUTTONS WERE FROM A SEWING STORE IN PORTLAND THAT HAD A VERY LARGE SELECTION OF SUCH NOTIONS – THEY ARE COPIES OF OLD AMERICAN INDIAN-HEAD NICKELS AND I REMEMBER WHEN WE SHOPPED FOR THEM – OVER THE MORE THAN FIVE YEARS WE LIVED IN MAINE, I’M SURE I GOT TO KNOW JUST ABOUT EVERY SIGNIFICANT SEWING STORE ON THE COAST BECAUSE THIS PERIOD WAS MARJIE’S MOST PRODUCTIVE FOR MAKING ITEMS OF CLOTHING – MAINE IS LOADED WITH CRAFTS PEOPLE AND ARTISTS AND OFF-BEAT CREATIVE PEOPLE – THE SEWING WAS MARJIE’S OUTLET FOR THESE KINDS OF IMPULSES – SINCE SHE WAS A GIRL READING ELISABETH OGILVIE BOOKS SHE HAD WANTED TO GO TO MAINE AND THAT WAS WHAT PUSHED US IN THAT DIRECTION – SHE EVEN GOT TO MEET ELISABETH THERE – WE HAD MANY OTHER INTERESTING EXPERIENCES INCLUDING THE PERIOD I SERVED AS NEWSPAPER RESTAURANT REVIEWER, AND WE HAD ONE OF THE PRETTIEST LITTLE HOUSES IMAGINABLE – IF THE UNITED STATES HADN’T STARTED YET ANOTHER DAMNED WAR WITH ALL ITS LOCAL ACCOMPANYING HYSTERIA, I THINK WE MIGHT HAVE STAYED IN MAINE WHICH OTHERWISE WAS A PLACE PLEASANTLY DIFFERENT THAN A GREAT DEAL OF THE COUNTRY (QUIET, PEACEFUL, CREATIVE, HISTORY-BOUND, BEAUTIFUL ON THE SEA), BUT THE NEW WAR BROUGHT ALL THE AMERICAN MANIAS INTO FORCE IMMEDIATELY (FLAGS ON EVERY CAR, “SUPPORT THE TROOPS” SIGNS, FLAGS ON LAWNS, THE TALL SIGN AT THE DOUGHNUT DRIVE-IN WITH “HONK IF YOU SUPPORT OUR TROOPS,” “NEVER FORGET” T-SHIRTS AND SWEATSHIRTS AND CAPS IN EVERY STORE, EVEN GAS PUMPS WHICH BLINKED THE MESSAGE ENDLESSLY “NEVER FORGET”- IT WAS SICKENING) – I THINK CAN WEI TOOK THE PHOTO – 2009 – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJORIE LOOKING DOWN FROM BALCONY – 4235 RUE DE RICHELIEU AT TOP OF RUE SAINT-PHILIPPE – 4TH FLOOR, AND IT REALLY WAS THE FOURTH FLOOR AS WE ENGLISH-SPEAKERS COUNT THEM, WALK-UP FRONT AND BACK – SAINT-HENRI NEIGHBORHOOD – 2017 – DURING THE HOLIDAY MONTH WHEN OUR HAMILTON HOUSE WAS SOLD AND WE FOUND A MONTREAL APARTMENT – SAINT-HENRI IS A LESS DEVELOPED NEIGHBORHOOD THAN LE PLATEAU WHERE WE STAYED BEFORE BUT IT IS ATMOSPHERIC AND HAS INTERESTING SIGHTS – I WAS SURPRISED AT THE NUMBER OF ENGLISH-SPEAKERS – WE HAD TO CUT THINGS SHORT WHEN WE GOT THE CALL THAT OUR HOUSE WAS SOLD – OUR AGENT, A TOP OLD PRO GAL IN HAMILTON, TOLD US TO SIT DOWN BEFORE HEARING THE OFFERS – SHE HAD USED THE “OFFERS ABOVE A SET PRICE” METHOD AND SHE QUICKLY GOT THREE VERY HANDSOME OFFERS – SHE KNEW IT WAS A WINNING PROPERTY – OF COURSE OUR HOUSE WAS REALLY FIXED-UP AND A CHARMING PRIVATE GARDEN NEVER HURTS (NOT COMMON IN CONDOS) – WE HIT THE PEAK OF A STRONG SPRING MARKET AND WE WERE PRETTY DELIRIOUS ABOUT THE RESULT – SO WE WENT TO SEE AND RENT THE MONTREAL APARTMENT ON WHICH MARJIE HAD HER HEART SET AND SOON DROVE HOME TO BEGIN THE UGLY BUSINESS OF TAKING A HOUSE APART WE HAD LIVED IN FOR A DECADE WITH THE ADDED FACTOR OF SERIOUS DOWN-SIZING, SOMETHING I HAD NEVER DONE BEFORE – I MADE SO MANY TRIPS TO A DONATIONS PLACE WITH A CAR FULL OF STUFF, AND WE TOOK EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO GET PEOPLE IN WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ITEMS – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJORIE IN THE SNOW ON SHERBROOKE O – JAN 14, 2018 – MARJIE DOESN’T LIKE TO TAKE OFF HER SUNGLASSES IN BRIGHT CONDITIONS LIKE THIS – SO I TOOK ONE PICTURE WITH THEM ON BUT WHO WANTS TO SEE A PICTURE OF BIG SUNGLASSES? – SO A COUPLE MINUTES LATER WHEN WE STOPPED ON OUR WALK AGAIN, SHE TOOK THEM OFF WITHOUT MY ASKING – I THINK THE RESULTS ARE VERY PLEASING – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
CHUCKMAN KODACHROME COPY – 1982 MAY 20 – TEXACO HEAD OFFICE TOUR OF NANTICOKE REFINERY – BILL RON JOHN GREG JENNIFER LANA ROLLY – NANTICOKE ONTARIO – THIS WAS A GREAT TOUR WITH A LAKE PERCH LUNCH AT THE ERIE BEACH HOTEL Leave a comment
CHUCKY’S OLD TEXACO CANADA OFFICIAL PORTRAIT – ROUGHLY THE SAME TIME AS MY FIRST MARJORIE PHOTO ABOVE, THE ONE IN THE BLUE AND WHITE SWEATER – ASHLEY AND CRIPPEN STUDIO TORONTO Leave a comment
CHUCKMAN KODACHROME COPY – 1987 AUG 6 – CHUCKY – WARREN DUNES – MICHIGAN Leave a comment
HOW WE SPENT CHRISTMAS WEEK: CHUCKY IN HIS CHRISTMAS TARTAN – RETURNING FROM THE BUFFET – BENMILLER INN NEAR GODERICH – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
CHUCKY AS RESTAURANT REVIEWER FOR THE MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM NEWSPAPER – A DREAMY LITTLE JOB IF YOU ENJOY FOOD AND WRITING – MARJIE AND I ALWAYS WENT TOGETHER WHICH MADE FOR SOME WONDERFUL OUTINGS WITH FINE DINNERS – SOMETIMES I’D MENTION HER IN A REVIEW AS MY SPECIAL CONSULTANT FOR THIS OR FOR THAT – WE COVERED WHAT THEY CALL THE “GOLD COAST” OF MAINE FROM DOWN IN YORK AND OGUNQUIT AND KENNEBUNKPORT UP THROUGH PORTLAND AND CAPE ELIZABETH AND ON UP TO BOOTHBAY HARBOR AND TO WISCASSET AND ROCKLAND – NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT WAS A REAL ADVENTURE AND LOTS OF FUN Leave a comment
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, A GREAT MANY OF MY REVIEWS ARE ON-LINE. THEY, OF COURSE, ARE LARGELY OUT-OF-DATE, BUT I THINK SOME OF THEM WERE QUITE ENTERTAINING. I HAD FANS WHEN I WAS WRITING. YOU WILL FIND THEM AT:
CHUCKMAN’S MISCELLANEA OF WORDS
http://chuckmanmiscellanea.blogspot.com/
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – LIVING ROOM – REFLECTIONS OF THE DINING ROOM – THE CHAIR ON THE LEFT IS A BEAUTIFUL RECLINER MARJIE BOUGHT ONLY MONTHS AGO – BECAUSE WE’VE GIVEN UP HAVING A CAR IN THE CITY, BUYING IT WAS QUITE AN OPERATION WITH A LOT OF EXPLANATIONS AND CLOTH SELECTIONS MAILED BACK AND FORTH AND PAYMENT BY COMPUTER – STORES THAT SELL THIS KIND OF CUSTOM STUFF TEND TO BE MORE OUT IN THE STICKS – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – LIVING ROOM – FOCUS ON THE FIREPLACE – A REAL WOOD-BURNING FIRE PLACE WHICH IS SOMETHING OF A TRADITION IN MONTREAL APARTMENTS – MARJIE WANTED TO USE IT BUT I WAS VERY WARY BOTH FOR SAFETY AND THE CHANCE OF SOOT BLOWING IN – MONTREAL IS ON A MOUNTAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF A RIVER AND THE WINDS GET PRETTY STRONG – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – DINING ROOM – MOSTLY ASIAN – WHERE WE HAD WINE EVERY AFTERNOON ABOUT FOUR AND TALKED ABOUT ALMOST ANYTHING UNTIL DINNER, OFTEN WITH SOME SOFT MUSIC PLAYING – THE CHAIRS ARE FROM THE OLD CHUCKY MUSEUM – MARJIE FOUND THE WONDERFUL IMITATION BAMBOO PLANT ON THE INTERNET – AND YOU SEE “BUDD” BUDDHA (HIS NAME IS EXPLAINED IN A LATER POST) FROM THE GARDEN IN HAMILTON ON TOP OF THE CASE – THE TWO FRAMED PICTURES INCLUDE A PIECE OF CHINESE TEMPLE ROBE AND A FAVORITE RENOIR PRINT OF GRANDPA’S THAT I GAVE HIM ABOUT FIFTY YEARS AGO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – COZY CORNER OF THE LIVING ROOM – BEAUTIFUL IN THE EVENING LIGHT – THE HASSOCK ON THE LOWER RIGHT HAS A SMALL URBAN STORY – WE ORDERED IT NEARLY A YEAR AGO AT A SMART STORE DOWNTOWN WHICH IS ABOUT 8 OR 10 BLOCKS AWAY – WHEN IT CAME IN WE WALKED OVER TO BRING IT HOME – I CARRIED IT FROM THE STORE IN A LARGE PLASTIC BAG – IT PROVED A GOOD DEAL HEAVIER THAN I EXPECTED AND KEPT BANGING ME IN THE LEGS AS WE WALKED THROUGH CROWDED STREETS (IT DOES HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL WOOD FRAME) – THE PLASTIC BAG WAS ALSO STARTING TO TEAR AND I HAD TO KEEP SHIFTING MY GRIP – WELL, WE DID MAKE IT HOME AND IT PROVED AN ATTRACTIVE AND USEFUL ITEM (IT STORES THINGS INSIDE) – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – ASIAN CORNER OF THE DINING ROOM – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – A CORNER OF THE DINING ROOM – GRANNY’S GINKO – GRANNY LOVED THE GINKO TREE IN THE SMALL ALISTON ARBORETUM – AHEAD ON THE SITE YOU MAY SEE THE CUSTOM-MADE TWENTY DOLLAR BILL WITH A GINKO THEME I MADE FOR HER – SOME YEARS BACK, WE CAME ACROSS A MINIATURE REAL GINKO THAT I PLANTED AS A MEMORIAL IN GODERICH – WHEN WE LEFT GODERICH, I TOOK IT HOME AND GAVE IT A HUGE POT FOR THE HAMILTON GARDEN – IT THRIVED AND I HOPE IT STILL DOES – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – IN THE DINING ROOM – BIRDS COLLECTED WHILE LIVING IN PORT DOVER – WE SET A KIND OF INLAND-SEA THEME FOR THE HOUSE THERE AND COLLECTED ALL KINDS OF CURIOS OVER TIME SUCH AS SEASHELL BATHROOM CABINET KNOBS AND FISH DECORATIONS – THE BIRDS WERE PART OF THE EFFORT – I’VE ALWAYS LOVED BIRDS TOO – YOU SAW MANY INTERESTING ONES ON LAKE ERIE OVER THE YEARS – THE MOST DRAMATIC WAS THE ANNUAL RETURN OF FLOCKS OF TUNDRA SWANS FROM THE SOUTH WHERE THEY WINTER – THEY ARE VERY LARGE AND GRACEFUL BIRDS – ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES WE SAW THEM RETURN, THE ENTIRE FLOCK SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT ALMOST UNDER OUR WINDOWS, RESEMBLING A FLEET OF STURDY LITTLE BOATS BOBBING ON THE WATER – THEY GAVE PERIODIC LITTLE HONKS, THE SOURCE SHIFTING FROM BIRD TO BIRD, I GUESS AS PART OF EACH BIRD’S BIRDLY DUTIES, AND IT WENT ON THROUGH THE NIGHT – ABSOLUTELY ENCHANTING – WE SAW SOME OF THEM EVERY YEAR (WE LIVED THERE FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS) BUT THEY NEVER REPEATED THAT EARLY CLOSE-UP PERFORMANCE – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – MATISSE IN THE FRONT HALL – THE PRINT IS FROM A SHOW AT THE A.G.O. IN TORONTO YEARS AGO – THE TABLE AND THE CHAIR CAME FROM DIFFERENT PLACES OVER THE YEARS – THE CHAIR IS PART OF A SET WE BOUGHT FOR THE HOUSE IN PORT DOVER – MARJIE HAD SEEN IT IN HAMILTON AND THAT WAS THAT, SOLD – ONLY TWO WOULD FIT IN OUR SMALL CAR SO I MADE TWO TRIPS FOR THEM – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – THE HALLWAY – WHEN MARJIE WAS TRYING TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FROM HAMILTON TO SEE APARTMENTS IN MONTREAL, A PHOTO OF THIS HALL CAME UP – IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT FOR MARJIE – WE WENT TO SEE IT WHEN WE TOOK OUR THIRD MONTREAL AIR-B-AND-B VACATION – ALL THE CEILINGS IN THE APARTMENT ARE ABOUT NINE FEET TALL – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – RIGHT BY THE FRONT DOOR – THE FLORENTINE-STYLE HALF-TABLE AND MIRROR CAME FROM A USED FURNITURE SHOP ON LOCKE STREET IN HAMILTON AND WERE A TERRIFIC BARGAIN – THEY WERE ALSO IN OUR HAMILTON FRONT HALL – THOSE TWO PRINTS (OF DEGAS AND RAPHAEL DRAWINGS) GO BACK TO CHUCKY’S 1960s DAYS IN TORONTO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – ALWAYS ON THE BED – SUKA’S BELOVED DUCKY – SUKA ALWAYS LOVED STUFFED ANIMALS AND WE TRIED MANY KINDS BECAUSE HE WAS PRETTY TOUGH ON THEM WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER – THIS BRAND WORKED BETTER THAN MOST – WHILE IT CAME IN MANY KINDS OF ANIMALS, THE DUCK PROVED LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT FOR SUKA – WE USED TO KEEP A FEW BACK-UPS FOR HIM – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – COZY KITCHEN – IT’S A SMALL SPACE BUT ATTRACTIVE AND WORKS WELL WHEN YOU ARE NO LONGER TURNING OUT ELABORATE MEALS AS CHUCKY ONCE DID (EVERYTHING FROM JAPANESE AND INDONESIAN TO GERMAN AND ITALIAN – I ALWAYS LOVED FOOD AND SERVED FOR A TIME AS THE RESTAURANT REVIEWER IN PORTLAND – THERE’S AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF MY REVIEWS ON THIS SITE) – ON THE LEFT YOU CAN JUST SEE THE BIG FRAMED PRINT OF SUKA – ON THE RIGHT IS A SET OF DICK-AND-JANE MAGNETS ON THE FRIDGE WE BOUGHT IN CAMDEN MAINE – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – DINING IN THE SKY – PART OF DINING ROOM – THE SET FROM THE COTTAGE IS PERFECT IN A SMALL SPACE, URBAN OR RURAL – ON THE RIGHT WALL IS A CHUCKY PHOTO OF NUNS IN THE SNOW FROM THE 1960s IN TORONTO – THE PRINT WAS MADE IN THE DAYS WHEN I USED TO RIG UP MY OWN DARKROOM IN AN APARTMENT BATHROOM – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – THE BACK BEDROOM – JUST A SPLENDID SMALL APARTMENT ROOM LOOKING OUT ON THE COURTYARD – THE LEMPICKA PRINT FROM THE COTTAGE IS PERFECT HERE – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – LIVING ROOM – CAILLEBOTTE AND OGILVY WING CHAIR AND GRANDPA’S LAMP – THE CHAIR HAS BEEN RECOVERED TWICE OVER THE YEARS, THE LAST TIME BEING IN PORT DOVER – GRANDPA’S BELOVED LAMP CAME FROM HIS OLD IRISH AUNTS AND IS ABOUT A CENTURY OLD – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – OVER THE BED – THE GRILL-WORK TRIPTYCH FROM A HAMILTON “JUNQUE” SHOP YEARS AGO – I WAS ALWAYS FOND OF IT AND IT HUNG FOR YEARS ON A STAIRWAY LANDING IN HAMILTON – IT WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO HANG HERE, BEING HIGHER UP WITH A MUCH LARGER SECTION OF WALL MAKING POSITIONING HARDER (AND THEN THERE’S MY AGE FACTOR THROWN IN) – MARJIE AND CHUCKY WORKED TOGETHER ON IT AND GOT IT JUST ABOUT PERFECT – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MONTREAL APARTMENT TOUR – POTS ON THE LIVING ROOM SHELVES IN MORNING LIGHT – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
SUKA’S LATEST GLAMOUR SHOT – AT COZY COTTAGE GODERICH – 2013 – I JUST LOVE THIS PICTURE – HE LOOKS SO SPARKY AND BEAUTIFUL – MARJIE AND CHUCKY HAD A LARGE PRINT OF IT MADE AND FRAMED RECENTLY TO PERFECTLY FIT A SPACE IN THE APARTMENT KITCHEN – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
COZY COTTAGE GODERICH – EXTERIOR – WE MADE A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS HERE (WHEN HAVE WE NOT ANYWHERE?) – THE TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF WOODEN FENCES REALLY MADE THE PLACE, JUST NICELY FRAMING IT FROM THE STREET – OUT OF THE PHOTO ON THE RIGHT WAS A NICE LITTLE STORAGE SHED – ON THE LEFT WAS A SHORT DRIVEWAY – HAD WE STAYED TO LIVE, WE THOUGHT OF PUTTING AN OPEN CARPORT THERE (THE AMOUNT OF SNOW IN GODERICH IS SERIOUS) AND MAKING IT COMPATIBLE WITH HOUSE ROOF LINE – WENT SO FAR AS TO PHOTOGRAPH A HANDSOME ONE WE SPOTTED IN WOODSTOCK ON OUR DRIVES BACK AND FORTH – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
COZY COTTAGE GODERICH – DINING FACILITIES – IT MADE A VERY PLEASANT PLACE TO SIT FOR DINNER IN THE EVENING WITH THE SHUTTERS OPENED – WE WERE BOTH FOND OF THE DINING SET (NOT ACTUALLY A SET WITH CHAIRS AND TABLE BOUGHT AT TWO SEPARATE STORES IN TORONTO) – IT IS ONE OF THE FEW ITEMS OF FURNITURE WE BROUGHT BACK HOME TO HAMILTON – IT NOW SERVES THE MONTREAL APARTMENT – 2013 – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
COZY COTTAGE GODERICH – FRONT HALL – WE BOUGHT THAT ARTIFICIAL TREE IN HAMILTON AND I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT LOOKED GREAT WHERE WE PUT IT – TO BRING IT TO THE COTTAGE WITH ALL THE OTHER STUFF WE HAD PACKED (WE GENERALLY WENT FOR A 2-4 WEEK PERIOD), MARJIE HAD TO SIT FOR THE WHOLE DRIVE (ABOUT 2 1/2 HOURS) WITH IT JAMMED IN FRONT OF HER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
COZY COTTAGE GODERICH – LA CUISINE – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
COZY COTTAGE GODERICH INTERIOR – LIVING ROOM – 2015 – BY THIS TIME WE HAD BOUGHT TWO RECLINING CHAIRS FROM THE VERY USEFUL LOCAL HOME HARDWARE TO REPLACE THE LARGE RED STUFFED ONES WE HAD ORIGINALLY (NOTHING FANCY – JUST FROM THE BRICK – WE GAVE THEM TO A LOCAL CHARITY) – I BOUGHT A RECLINER FIRST BECAUSE MY BACK WAS REALLY STARTING TO BECOME SORE WHEN I DID EXTENSIVE YARD WORK – IT DEFINITELY HELPED EASE THE PAIN AS NOTHING ELSE HAD – THEN AFTER TRYING MINE A FEW TIMES MARJIE DECIDED SHE WANTED ONE TOO, SO WE ORDERED ANOTHER – SUKA LOST HIS FAVORITE PERCH OVER MARJIE’S RED CHAIR BY THE WINDOW BUT GAINED ANOTHER – HE COULD FIT NEXT TO HER ON THE SEAT OF THE RECLINER AND THEY SOMETIMES SAT FOR HOURS SNUGGLED TOGETHER THAT WAY – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
COZY COTTAGE GODERICH INTERIOR – LOOKING TOWARDS FRONT HALL – THE ENTIRE COTTAGE HAD JUST OVER 500 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE INSIDE – A TINY PERFECT DREAM OF A PLACE – 2015 – JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
LOOKING OUT TO SEA – MARJIE AND SUKA – LONG POINT ONTARIO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
COME ON DOWN, THE WATER IS FINE – MARJIE AND SUKA – LONG POINT ONTARIO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MOM, I REALLY DON’T LIKE THE WIND AND WAVES – MARJIE AND SUKA – LONG POINT ONTARIO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN Leave a comment
TWO BRAVE EXPLORERS – MARJIE AND SUKA – LONG POINT ONTARIO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
LOOKING BACK ALONG THE SHORE – LONG POINT ONTARIO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
RUNNING – SUKA AT LONG POINT ONTARIO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
PLEASE MOM, CAN WE GO HOME NOW ? – SUKA AT LONG POINT ONTARIO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
GETTING RID OF LOOSE FUR – SUKA AT LONG POINT ONTARIO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
TRYING TO HIDE FROM THE WIND – SUKA AT LONG POINT – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
BABY WOLF ON THE BEACH – SUKA AT LONG POINT – HE’S NOT FOND OF THE WIND – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
BIRD MADNESS – LONG POINT ONTARIO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
TREKKING – LONG POINT ONTARIO – MARJIE AND SUKA – THE BEACH GOES FOR MILES – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
LOOMING CLOUDS – LONG POINT ONTARIO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
PRETTY SCARY STUFF – LONG POINT CAN GET SOME SUDDEN WEATHER DEVELOPMENTS AND IT IS ALWAYS SOMEWHAT WINDY AS A LONG PENINSULA STICKING DOWN INTO LAKE ERIE – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
NEW ENGLAND ON LONG POINT – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
THE TALBOT TRAIL HEADING FOR LONG POINT FROM PORT DOVER – INN AT NORMANDALE ONTARIO – A SPECIAL AREA OF CAROLINEAN FOREST ALONG LAKE ERIE’S SHORE – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
CHUCKMAN KODACHROME COPY – 1968 AUG 24 – CHUCKY’S MOM AND WAYNE – A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF TWO HAPPY PEOPLE – ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDEN – ROCK GARDENS – HAMILTON ONTARIO Leave a comment
CHUCKMAN KODACHROME COPY – 1986 AUG 5 – MARJIE GOING INTO A NOVELTY STORE – SAUGATUCK MICHIGAN – A PRETTY SUMMER TOWN ON LAKE MICHIGAN IN THE REGION WITH THE WORLD’S LARGEST FRESH-WATER SAND DUNES AND MANY BEAUTIFUL ORCHARDS – BOTH ALWAYS GREAT ATTRACTIONS FOR CHUCKY Leave a comment
CHUCKMAN KODACHROME COPY – 1986 JULY 26 – CHUCKY AND GRANDPA – DELAWARE PARK – BUFFALO Leave a comment
CHUCKMAN KODACHROME COPY – 1987 AUG 19 – MARJIE AND HER SON BARRY SITTING ON A WALL BY LAKE ERIE – PORT DOVER ONTARIO Leave a comment
CHUCKMAN KODACHROME COPY – OCT 21 1988 – MARJIE WITH MEL AND MIKE AND JIM – INN ON THE PARK TORONTO – AFTER AN OFFICE LUNCH – SOME OF MY CREW PLUS MARJIE WHO WAS THE LIBRARIAN AND OFTEN DID RESEARCH FOR US – WE’D HAVE THESE “EXPENSES” LUNCHES EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE – ALWAYS A GOOD TIME – I HAD REALLY NICE PEOPLE TO WORK WITH – BY THE WAY, THE INN ON THE PARK IS NO MORE – IT WAS THE PLACE MARJIE AND I FIRST KISSED OVER DRINKS AFTER WORK Leave a comment
CHUCKMAN KODACHROME COPY – AUG 12 1989 – JOHN AND MARJIE BY BURLINGTON ZEPHYR TRAIN – MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY – CHICAGO – WOW, I THINK ALL MY SUN BURN IS FROM BEING NEAR MARJIE Leave a comment
BACK IN HAMILTON – BLACKY’S PUMPKIN IN THE EVERGREEN GARDEN – OUR FRIENDLY LOCAL SQUIRREL APPARENTLY PLANTED A PUMPKIN SEED LAST FALL FROM THE PUMPKIN I LEFT OUT TO HELP THE ANIMALS OVER THE WINTER – WE’RE HELPING HIM WITH THE FARMING – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJIE IN MONTREAL – PARC SIR-WILFRED-LAURIER – SUKA SPOTS SOMETHING IN THE PARK – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJIE IN MONTREAL – RUE SAINT-DENIS – POURING US SOME WINE IN A CHARMING PIZZERIA – JUST LOVED OUR WALK ON THAT VERY MONTREAL STREET – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJIE IN MONTREAL – EATING ON THE STREET – ONE OF THE CITY’S OLDEST DELIS – VERY PLEASANT – A GIANT SMOKED MEAT ON RYE WITH FRIES – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
THE MARJIE-WISTERIA-IN-A-TALL-POT CREATION – I LINED THE POT WITH FOIL-PLASTIC INSULATION AND HAD STONES IN THE BOTTOM FOR DRAINAGE AND WEIGHT – THE WISTERIA COULD NEVER HAVE GROWN IN OUR BUILDER’S FILL SOIL – I HOPE IT DID OKAY BUT WE WEREN’T AROUND THE NEXT YEAR – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
THE EVERGREEN GARDEN – FRESHENED UP FOR SPRING – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
WHERE ALL THE GOOD STUFF COMES FROM – MARJIE’S KITCHEN IMPROVEMENTS – WE REALLY CREATED A BEAUTIFUL AND COMFORTABLE HOME IN HAMILTON AND DESPITE THE SHORTCOMINGS OF THE CITY AND MY LOVE FOR MONTREAL, I OFTEN WISH WE HAD STAYED – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
BARREL OF SQUASHES – THE MATZ FARM IN AUTUMN – PORT DOVER – FOND MEMORIES OF THIS FAMILY FARM WHICH SELLS EVERYTHING FROM PEACHES EARLIER IN THE SEASON TO SQUASHES LATER – THEY ALWAYS PUT ON A DISPLAY FOR VISITORS WHICH IS CHARMING – THE KIND OF STUFF WHICH JUST GETS THIS OLD PUMPKIN-LOVING BOY – WE BROUGHT CAN WEI, OUR CHINESE STUDENT, HERE A COUPLE OF TIMES FOR PICTURES – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
AUTUMN COLOR BY SILVER LAKE PORT DOVER – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
THE OLD RAIL STATION RESTAURANT IN KINGSVILLE – THIS LINE WAS BUILT BY THE WALKERS OF WHISKY FAME FOR PEOPLE FROM WINDSOR – IT WAS A VERY GOOD RESTAURANT WHEN WE WENT FOR DINNER – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
ACROSS THE STREET FROM ROLAND’S BED AND BREAKFAST IN KINGSVILLE – WHAT THE WALKER FAMILY CAME FOR LONG AGO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
ENTRY AREA FOR GUESTS AT ROLAND’S BED AND BREAKFAST IN KINGSVILLE – THIS WAS THE SUMMER HOME OF THE WALKERS OF WHISKY FAME – THEY DEVELOPED A NUMBER OF THINGS IN THE AREA INCLUDING A HANDSOME RAIL STATION (JUST A WALK FROM THE HOUSE) FOR ARRIVALS COMING FROM WINDSOR – THE DISTRICT TODAY HAS A SIGNIFICANT WINE-GROWING INDUSTRY – WE ARE ALMOST ACROSS THE ROAD FROM A BEACH ON LAKE ERIE HERE – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
ALWAYS FRESH-SQUEEZED: ROLAND BEGINS BREAKAST AT HIS KINGSVILLE BED AND BREAKFAST – HE HAS A BROTHER IN FRANCE WHO IS A CHEF AND HE COOKS A MIGHTY FINE BREAKFAST HIMSELF – AN INTERESTING MAN WITH MANY INTERESTS – HIS PLACE WAS VERY ENJOYABLE – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJIE POURING COFFEE AT ROLAND’S KINGSVILLE BED AND BREAKFAST – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
BACK HOME ON DUKE STREET IN HAMILTON: OUR LITTLE FRIEND CHIPPIE IN THE EVERGREEN GARDEN – I WAS HAPPY TO GET THIS PICTURE BUT I HAD EARLIER MISSED A PRICELESS ONE – I GAVE CHIPPIE REGULAR LITTLE SERVINGS OF NUTS AND HE REALLY BECAME FAMILIAR WITH ME – THE TIME I MISSED AS UNPREPARED CHIPPIE WAS NEAR OUR BACK DOOR STANDING ON HIS HIND LEGS WITH HIS ARMS STRETCHED OUT IMPLORING UNDOUBTEDLY FOR MORE NUTS – I NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE IT – IT WAS HILARIOUS – MARJIE SAW IT TOO – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
A WONDERFUL WOMAN CALLED GABRIELLE – SHE’S GONE NOW BUT I’M GLAD I HAD A DAY WITH HER AND HER FAMILY – I GOT THE WARMEST BIG HUGS WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GO – LONGEUEIL QUEBEC – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJIE IN AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT AT THE MARCHE JEAN-TALON IN MONTREAL – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
SUKA PEEKING OUT OF THE WINDOW OF THE APARTMENT IN MONTREAL – IT WAS ALWAYS AT THE TOP OF OUR SEARCH LIST WHETHER PETS ARE WELCOME – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
THE COURTYARD OF THE APARTMENT WE RENTED IN MONTREAL’S LE PLATEAU – A VERY NICE APARTMENT IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WITH WHICH I FELL IN LOVE – THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME WE USED AIR B AND B AND OUR EXPERIENCE WAS GOOD – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
MARJORIE AND SUKA ENJOYING SUNDAY LUNCH IN MONTREAL – RUE HUTCHISON AND AVENUE FAIRMOUNT O – A TURKISH RESTAURANT AND VERY PLEASANT – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
HAPPY SNOW FACES – SOME CHARMING OLD CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS – HAMILTON HOUSE – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
CHRISTMAS IN TORONTO: MARJIE AT THE HUDSON’S BAY STORE WINDOWS – BUT IT WILL ALWAYS BE SIMPSON’S TO ME – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
CHRISTMAS IN TORONTO – MARJIE IN HER NEW BOOTS – AT THE HUDSON’S BAY STORE CHRISTMAS WINDOWS – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
CHRISTMAS IN TORONTO: EVEN THE MICE ARE DRAGGED INTO ADVERTISING NOW – TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS WINDOWS AT HUSON’S BAY STORE – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
CHRISTMAS IN TORONTO: CHARMING TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS WINDOW AT HUDSON’S BAY STORE – A JOHN CHUCKMAN IMAGE Leave a comment
CHUCKMAN'S PHOTOS ON WORD PRESS 