No opera today, although the headline may seem to promise as much.

Before we got to Eryna’s house in Thorold we stopped in Vineland. This was our third or fourth visit to The Watering Can Flower Market, a place to find plants and also to have lunch.

Speaking as a resident of Scarborough who loves outside yard-work and indoor cultivation, it’s thrilling to see such an enormous inventory of plants and gardening products, often at prices far below what we pay at the garden centres in Toronto.

It was worth the drive.

We picked it, or maybe I should say “him” up on the way home Thursday after spending Wednesday night in Thorold with Eryna (picture below).

On the way to her place Wednesday we caught a glimpse of the handsome fellow
(Erika is thinking of the plant as a male, although she hadn’t yet given him a name)
…while enjoying lunch.

I had a savory scone with a bowl of squash soup, Erika had tomato-red pepper soup, then we split a breakfast sandwich (egg over easy, bacon & cheese on toasted sourdough bread), and I finished with the best pumpkin pie I’ve ever tasted with ice cream on top.

It was a hot day yet the fans above us in the spacious cafe area cooled us.

Walking around in this big gorgeous space leaves me feeling I’m in an altered reality as if I’m wandering in a museum or art gallery, overwhelmed by so many varieties of beauty. And it smells amazing.

On our last visit to Eryna, you may recall pictures of Meeshko, the beautiful older cat I wrote about last year. I will spare you the reminder of his beautiful face, as he had been ill, wasting away and finally dying a few months ago.

Heartbreak.

Sambuca aka Sam the feral is still alive, although he’s much smaller. Eryna does her best to get him to eat.

After a few weeks a friend encouraged Eryna to check out a couple of cats who were in need of a new home. Eryna couldn’t resist. The newcomers are both female, Zeerka (which means “star”) and Zenia (which means “flower”).

Zeerka is much friendlier.

Zenia is kind of shy, apparently because of a troubled history, bullied by an earlier feline housemate.

You see more pictures of Zeerka because she’s such a social butterfly, a bit of a whore for someone willing to stroke her: aka me.

I’ve only included a few of the many kitty pictures I took, several while juggling iPhone and feline in my lap.

We went to dinner just a few blocks aways from Eryna’s house down Clairmont Street in Thorold. It’s amazing to be able to walk anywhere you want in this charming little town. We’re grateful to Eryna for showing us the sights.

The menu of Pho18 reflects the creativity of Andy and Jenny Tang. Erika had pad thai, Eryna and I both enjoyed Tom Yum noodle soup, a delicious combination of coconut, broth & noodles. I finished with a mango cheesecake and a brilliant Vietnamese iced coffee, with the added magic of condensed milk. We were welcomed by our server, a charming & helpful fellow named Will. You can see their website including their menu here, or call them at 905-680-8889.

I understand their cuisine to be Vietnamese fusion, assembling the synthesis of different cultures with a confident panache.

Next morning it was time to visit some Thorold businesses.

First came Angie O’H Antiques, where I tried out several walking sticks, including the shillelagh Angie herself is brandishing in the photo.

I fell down a black hole for awhile, bemused by model boats, figures of dragons and composers.

There’s so much to see. And Angie is endlessly fascinating.

Next came The Post Office, featuring the original creations of Shannon Passero.

The name is logical given that the building seems to be a repurposed post office / government building. But Canada Post never accomplished anything as brilliant as what Shannon is offering. Inside the unpretentious exterior you find a big showroom to dazzle the eye. Eryna bought four items, Erika five, and OMG prices were reasonable, although yes, Erika has always had an eye for a bargain. She found me right? (only one previous owner).

You can read more about how the store was developed and how it helps build the community. It’s exciting to see creativity & energy building something beautiful and lasting.

Later as we drove back towards Hamilton (where Erika had an appointment) we were again in Vineland returning to The Watering Can.

My few pictures can’t really capture the richness, a space that feels so healthy with oxygen, plants surrounding you not as a jungle but a friendly and well-curated museum.

Our errand was more purposeful this time, going directly to the plant Erika had decided upon the previous day, without stopping to eat this time.

Our new plant only cost us $49.00, even though a GTA store (not naming names) would have charged us four times as much or more. It’s about the same height as Erika which is to say 64 inches.

The Watering Can isn’t just a plant warehouse but much more. Erika showed me the write-up they share on this plant, known as a Fiddle Leaf Fig (ficus lyrata). Helpful staff showed us information on a page in a big book, that’s also available online.

Erika’s expecting her fig to grow. No wonder she called him Figaro.