The last Friday of February is a good time for me to reflect on what’s been happening and what I enjoyed during the month. February has been a calm and joyful month that is ending with an exciting travel plan.
Health & Fitness
I continued my outdoor cycling and walking which supplemented my indoor fitness routine of cardio, strength workouts, meditation and yoga. I was pleased with how often I was able to cycle this winter. I enjoyed time in nature – always a happy time for me.
Up until this week, February weather conditions have been mild with above normal temperatures on most days. On Wednesday, an overnight winter storm brought about 15 cm of snow. With a few days left of this short month to go, this would be Toronto’s only significant snowfall for February.
Family & Friends
My sisters and I made plans for a reunion next week. If everything works out, we’ll be together for the first time since the pandemic started. I’m looking forward to this exciting trip and quality time with my sisters. Stay tuned for my destination reveal in March.
I enjoyed three walks with family and friends to explore public art exhibits and free cultural events in February.
Walk #1 was the Icefest 2023 Dreams and Fantasies ice sculpture trail. The daytime high temperature reached 8C (46F) so we arrived early to see the sculptures before they melt. We all oohed and aahed over more than thirty incredible ice sculptures. For my complete Icefest23 image gallery, click here.
Walk #2 was to the Art Gallery of Ontario where we saw the remarkable bronze Couch Monster elephant sculpture by artist Brian Jungen. Check out the information board or the link provided to learn why he called this creature “couch monster”.
Walk #3 was to Toronto Sculpture Garden to see the Afrophilia sculpture installation by artist Frantz Brent-Harris. These sculptures in their vibrant orange and red reflect the energy and attitude of young Black people. This installation celebrates a culture of self acceptance.
What public art have you discovered recently?
Blogging
I continued hosting the weekly Weekend Coffee Share linkup and Photographing Public Art Challenge (PPAC). Thank you to all who have shared updates, comments and/ or photos from around the world. Here’s the links for February’s posts in case you missed any and want to catch up:
- Little Norway Park Benches
- Red Hearts and More
- Outside the Box | Animals
- Dreams & Fantasies #Icefest23
For more blogging fun, I’m linking up with #TheChangingSeasons hosted by Ju-Lyn and Brian, and #WBOYC hosted by Donna, Sue, Jo and Debbie.
Reading
Aside from reading up on my travel destination to prepare for my trip, I also read or listened to four excellent books and discovered four new-to-me authors. Thank you to all who shared the best book you read in January. I read three of the books you shared. Here’s what I enjoyed reading this month:
- February by Lisa Moore
- The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman (on Barbara’s bookshelf)
- The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw (on Donna’s bookshelf)
- The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (on Jennifer’s bookshelf)
What’s the best book you read in February?
Weekend Coffee Share
I’d love for you to share what’s been happening, simple joys in your week, and/ or favourite public art from around the world in the comments or via Weekend Coffee Share linkup #108 InLinkz below.
Happy March!
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Natalie the Explorer 
Couch Monster looks amazing as a structure! Thanks for sharing
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I was impressed with the artist’s creativity of the Couch Monster. Thank you, Alex, for stopping by.
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How lovely to be able to meet up with your sisters after all this time – you must be so excited. I loved all the sculptures – especially the ice ones – something we only see in restaurants here because the weather never gets cold enough for them to last outside in the open!
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Hi Leanne, I’m very excited to meet up with my sisters. I’m pleased you loved the ice sculptures. It was great fun to walk the ice sculpture trail and take pictures. Due to the warm temperatures, a few of them already melted and toppled over by the time we got there.
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Thanks for including the Couch Monster and information on it. It’s always inspiring to read about all you do, Natalie. I hope the planning for your reunion goes well. There nothing like getting together after a long absence.
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Dan, I was impressed with the Couch Monster sculpture and how the artist created it. I’m very excited to meet up with my sisters. Fingers crossed that our travels go smoothly. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend!
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I ooohhh & ahwwweed over the ice sculptures too. Amazing! #Weekendcoffeeshare
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Karen, The ice sculptures were impressive. I’m pleased you like them, too. Thank you for linking up. Have a great weekend!
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The red sculptures are amazing and also love the ice sculptures. I hope you enjoy your very exciting reunion with your sisters, how lovely
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Ali, I’m fortunate to see so many beautiful artworks and learn about these accomplished artists. I’m pleased you love the sculptures. I’m excited to meet up with my sisters. Fingers crossed our travels go smoothly.
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🤞❤️
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Ice sculptures and 8 degrees. Our winter festival is postponed a week because it’s -32. But we’ve got lots of snow and we need it and one can dress for cold. As to the reunion, awesome! Enjoy.
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Yes, the above normal temperatures were challenging for the ice sculptors. By the time I got to the ice sculpture trail, a few of the sculptures already melted or toppled over. I heard about the extreme cold temperatures in the Prairies and Alberta. Stay safe and keep warm, Bernie.
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Good to see you are off on interesting travels again. Those sculptors are amazing. Any plans for Spain again? I am off to Mexico for a wedding but also a little exploration. Best book, I think I will recommend The Blue Bar by Damyanti Biswas, set in Mumbai. She blogs on wordpress too.
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Georgina, How lovely to hear from you. I’m pleased you like the sculptures. Spain is on my list of places to revisit. I have a few trips to make this year. If I do go to Spain, it will be either May-June or in the fall. I’ll let you know when I know. Thank you for your book share. I’ll take a look. What part of Mexico will you be visiting?
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Cancun for 10 days and so will go to Tulum and Merida and various sites and wildlife places. Then we go to Monterrey in north for the wedding of my friend’s son to a lovely mexican girl! Fun!
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Your itinerary sounds wonderful. I liked Cancun and Tulum when I visited those places. Chichen Itza is well worth a visit, too. Have a safe and fabulous trip!
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Thanks. We will stop at Chichen Itza on way to Merida
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That Couch Monster is amazing! I hope you and your sister have a wonderful time together. I’ve been looking at airline prices and hoping to fly down to see my sisters… at some point this spring.
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Joanne, I was impressed by the artist’s creativity of the Couch Monster sculpture. I’m pleased you like it, too. I hope you get to see your sisters soon.
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Those ice sculptures are amazing. That would be my favorite walk!
I wish I could tell you my favorite book of February, but I – literally – haven’t touched a book (except for the Lonely Planet) in over six months. No time to read. Or, better, different priorities, as always.
Sad about the couch monster. I hate it when humans “break” animals and think they are above everything else.
Have a great trip in March, Natalie, and happy weekend!
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Liesbet, I’m pleased you like the ice sculptures. I enjoyed that ice sculpture walk very much. A few of the sculptures melt or toppled over but most were still in good shape when we got there. The Couch Monster sculpture is thought-provoking. I was impressed by the artist’s creativity. I understand how your lifestyle doesn’t leave you time for leisure reading. I hope all’s well with you and we’ll share travel stories after I get back from my trip.
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The Secret Lives of Church Ladies has been calling to me. The unicorn ice sculpture seems perfect to me, a mythical being slowly melting away. How cool is that!
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Ally, I love that unicorn ice sculpture, too. I was glad to see it before it melt or toppled over. I’d love for you to share your rating of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies if you decide to read it.
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Those ice sculptures are cool. You always share the best images for the PPAC. I participated this week too.
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Thank you, Shari, for your compliment of my images for PPAC. I’m pleased you like the ice sculptures. I’ll be over to your blog this evening.
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THe sculptures are so interesting! Thanks for the tour.
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Thank you, Antoinette, for joining me.
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The ice sculptures are amazing – you do find the most wonderful things to share. I need to get out on the streets of Wellington and see what I can spot, or rather, not just walk past and ignore because ‘it is always there’.
I am glad you enjoyed the Richard Osman! It is a fun read.
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Thank you, Barbara, for your compliment. I’d love to see public art in Wellington, NZ. I started paying attention to public art in Toronto a few years ago and have discovered so many talented artists and amazing artworks. Thank you for your January book share. If you have a best read in February, please let me know.
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Sounds like you’ve had a good month. I love the ice sculptures and the Couch Monster is fabulous, with such an important message behind it. And of course I’m curious to see where you’re off to in March! Here’s a PPAC contribution for you from my February trip to Colombia: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/gallery-the-street-art-of-candelaria-bogota/
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Thank you, Sarah, for your comment and PPAC contribution. I’m pleased you love the ice sculptures and the Couch Monster. Those sculptors are so talented. I’m excited about my trip; will share after it’s complete 🙂
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Toronto seems to have so much amazing public art – you seemingly have new (and interesting) places to visit each week. The ice sculptures are amazing. Glad you enjoyed the latest Richard Osman – I think they’re getting better.
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Jo, Yes, Toronto has amazing quantity and quality public art and best of all, they are free. I’m just scratching the surface. The latest Osman book was a fun read.
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Hi Natalie, those ice sculptures are exquisite, very beautiful. How exciting to have a trip with your sister to look forward too. I hope your plans come true. Enjoy this weekend!
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Hi Maria, I’m pleased you like the ice sculptures. The sculptors did an excellent job while working in challenging weather conditions. Have a great weekend!
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Loving that icy crown!
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I’m glad you love it. The top part of the crown was getting porous due to above freezing point temperatures.
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Hi, Natalie – Thank you for linking up with us at What’s Been On Your Calendar. I am delighted to read that your February has been calm and joyful. ❤
Our area of Vancouver Island also received a big pile of snow over the past two days (with even more predicted on the weekend). This is our third significant snowfall this winter. As pretty as it look from my window, I am wishing for it to all go away soon.
Wishing you a warm, happy and snow-free March ahead!
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Hi Donna, It must be unusual to have three significant snowfalls and more snow to come on Vancouver Island this winter. In Toronto, February has brought more sunshine than January so I’m enjoying that. Thank you for your warm wishes for March. I wish you the same.
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Thanks, Natalie- This much snow for Parksville has been very unusual indeed!
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Hi Natalie thanks for joining us for #WBOYC and sharing your month with us. I have my fingers crossed that you and your sisters will be able to catch up. We have had a late Summer with very hot and humid weather and you have the snow! Enjoy March and see you for the next #WBOYC x
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Thank you, Sue. I’m excited to meet up with my sisters. I hope the weather cooperates for our travels. Have a wonderful March!
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Loved looking at your arty walks, particularly the ice sculptures! They’ve always fascinated me. Thanks for the link-up!
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Gail, Thank you for linking up. The ice sculptors did an excellent job in spite of the balmy weather. I’m pleased you like those ice sculptures.
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Great post, Natalie, so much to enjoy. Couch Monster is wonderful but I also love Afrophilia.
Here is mine:
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Thank you, Sofia, for your PPAC contribution. I’ll be over to your blog shortly.
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Sounds like a great February. I hope you have a good weekend and a wonderful week ahead. Also hope your March is even better than February 🙂
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Thank you, Trent. I look forward to meeting my sisters. March will be better than February with longer daylight time and spring arrival 🙂
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You have some beautiful places to cycle! And what interesting art exhibits. The elephant is particularly fascinating to me. I love the Afrophilia busts – and what they represent. I enjoyed reading “Jane Goodall: 50 Years at Gombe.” It was such a good overview of her life’s work. She has always been one of my heros.
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Michelle, I’m fortunate to live close to a cycling network and have lots of public art to explore. Thank you for your book share. I’ll check with my library.
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Here is mine for this week https://boomercoupletraveljournal.wordpress.com/2023/02/26/philippine-diary/
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Thank you, Teresa, for your PPAC contribution. I’d love to see your photos from the Philippines. I’ll be over to your blog shortly.
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Will post when I get the chance! Thanks Natalie.
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Beautiful photos, those sculptures (both ice and otherwise) look very exciting. I’m always fascinated by artists, the way they can use very different material to share their vision with all the painstaking details is very impressive.
First time taking part in the Weekend Coffee Share, love the diversity of the posts! Thanks for organising! https://lifewithmia.com/2023/02/25/from-the-english-language-all-the-way-to-the-incas/
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Miss Andi, Welcome to my blog and thank you for taking part in the WCS! I’m pleased you like the sculptures. Like you, I was impressed with the artists’ creativity and skills. I did a lot of “oohs and aahs” when I saw those sculptures 🙂 If you like other WCS participants to easily see your post, feel free to add your link using the InLinkz blue button at the end of my post. It’s optional. I hope you enjoy the linkup and consider joining again any week.
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It sounds like your February was quite good. I loved reading about all these sculptures. It makes me miss city life (I was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands), since there’s hardly any public art here.
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Astrid, Cities do have some perks. Does your care home organize excursions? Perhaps they could organize a trip to see art.
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Unfortunately not that I’m aware of. I do try to go to different places with my husband though.
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Hopefully as the weather gets nicer, you’ll be able to go out more often.
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Loved the ice sculptures Natalie.
I’ve always wished I had such skills.
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Gary, I’m pleased you love the ice sculptures. Those sculptors were highly skilled and worked in cold outdoor conditions.
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Such wonderful sculptures, Natalie!
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Thank you, Pam. I’m pleased you like them.
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Those ice sculptures would make me ooh and ahh. I liked the others as well, but the ice sculptures are only possible in winter and make the season beautiful.
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Exactly. I was happy that the Icefest event returned and I got to see all those beautiful ice sculptures before they melted.
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wow, stull trying to get my head around the Ice fest… so the ice sculptures just melt by the end of the day? 😭
~B
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B, Yes, they melt and fell into pieces by the end of the day as the temperature rose to 8C. The annual Icefest event is on for two days. February is our winter month and it’s normally cold. When the temperatures stay below freezing point beyond the event dates, the ice sculptures last longer than 2 days. This year day 1 overnight temperature was about minus 15 Celsius but on day 2, the day temperature rose to 8 Celsius. This was why we went early on day 2 morning to see them while they were still in good shape. When we got there, at least two sculptures already toppled over and broke into pieces.
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looking at those temperatures I am going to have to say I am child of winter who does not know winter hahaha our winters very rarely gets below 15 degrees Celsius… and right now we chilling at a warm 25 Degrees… Summer I guess.
Checked out the post the with the ice sculptures, there’s some creative people out there…. and next burning question is how do they make them haha put water in a freezer than chisel it with a chain saw or something? hahahaha actually at those temps I am guessing water in a bucket would just wake up frozen ? Who needs a fridge lol
~B
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Excellent questions, B. The ice sculpting process goes something like this: Big ice blocks are delivered to the event site. Depends on the design, ice blocks may be stacked to different heights. The sculptors carve the ice blocks using saws, chisels and other tools. Some sculptors wear eye goggles to protect their eyes from the flying ice powder while they power saw the ice. They work outdoors in winter conditions and wear winter clothes and gloves as needed. These ice sculptors are highly skilled and know how to work with unpredictable weather conditions on ice. The usually cold outdoor temperatures keep the sculptures in shape. This is one event that I look forward to attending every winter. The theme changes every year.
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I love the story behind the Couch Monster–and the artist is right about how creatures are never the same once held in captivity to perform for us.
Have a great time with your sisters!
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Thank you, Janet. I was impressed with the Couch Monster sculpture. I’m pleased you love the story behind it.
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Such beautiful walks. So very nice. Love all of them. Thanks for hosting this great party.
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Patrick, Thank you for your comment and linking up.
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Hi Natalie, We were in Toronto last weekend, I remembered your blog. Here is my weekend coffee share link. http://specialmomsblog.mom/2023/02/27/when-it-rains-it-pours/
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Hi Ganga, I hope you had a nice visit in Toronto. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
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Natalie, you are fortunate to have sisters you want to spend time with and have things in common. Hopefully all goes well. Always good to catch up with you and your walks.
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Suzanne, Yes, I’m fortunate to have sisters and we get along well. We traveled and vacationed together a few times before covid pandemic. I enjoy following your updates and walks, too.
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Love those ice sculptures, Natalie 😃 Here’s mine: https://jezbraithwaite.blog/2023/02/27/album-pathway-fan-of-195/
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Jez, Thank you for your PPAC contribution. The Album pathway is a brilliant idea. I wonder how many or what percentage of bands you recognize.
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A lot of them are from my era growing up so I’d say probably about 75-80% 😂
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That’s impressive!
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LOVE those ice sculptures. That couch elephant is awesome too. The creativity of people is amazing. I’m hoping to finish a book by tomorrow night. I didn’t do a lot of reading in February. I’m reading Before we Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, and I’m listening to Giver of Stars. Both I’m really enjoying though the first one is heartbreaking. I love getting reading ideas from others.
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Kirstin, I’m pleased you love the ice sculptures and the Couch Monster sculpture. I look forward to the Icefest event every winter. Thank you for your book shares. I’ve read and enjoyed Giver of Stars. I’ll add Before We Were Yours to my TBR list. Have a great week!
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I really like the Afrophilia busts — it’s such a nice contrast on a snowy day. The couch monster is interesting too — I couldn’t tell if those were couches for a moment. My favorite read in February is “Pachinko” — it already made its way to be a contender for my top reads for 2023.
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Julie, Thank you for your book share. I’ll check with my library after I finish my current book loans. I’m pleased you like the Afrophilia busts and the Couch Monster sculpture. They’re visually interesting and carry important messages.
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Those ice sculptures are brilliant Natalie! I do hope your reunion with your sisters goes well and you have fun together. Thanks for joining us for #WBOYC this month. I’ve been busy with family the last few days so am late reading everyone’s posts.
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Thank you, Debbie, for your comment. My reunion with my sisters went very well and we had a lot of fun. I’m late replying to your comment as I was with them 🙂 I’m pleased you liked the ice sculptures. Happy March!
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Another action packed month of lovely tours & walks, Natalie!
I particularly love the Couch Monster! It reminds me of Artur Bordalo’s sumatran tiger sculpture which is now at Gardens by the Bay:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/7m-tall-tiger-made-of-trash-at-gardens-by-the-bay-underscores-global-wastage-crisis
May I add your post to The Changing Seasons?
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Ju-Lyn, Thank you for sharing the beautiful Sumatran Tiger sculpture and its important message. I’d love for you to add my February wrap-up post to The Changing Seasons. I updated my post to include #TheChangingSeasons. Will visit yours shortly.
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So happy to share my capture as I was reminded of it from yours.
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It’s cool that I get to see public art in Singapore without leaving home.
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Sounds like a fun filled month. Love the art.
Thanks for joining in The Changing Seasons 🙂
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Thank you, Brian, for hosting The Changing Seasons. I thought I missed the date to contribute but Ju-Lyn was kind to let me in 🙂
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