astrodon

Latest Posts by astrodon

Some recent hikes over the past few days in the Hamilton area. We are lucky to have so many trails and natural areas. #hamont #fallcolours #fallcolors #hiking #princesspoint #princesspointtrail #victoriapark #eramosakarst #karstexploring #caveexploring #rbg #rbgcherryhillgate #cherryhillgate #radialtrail #mountainbrow #happyhamiltonhikers (at Hamilton, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGtktEyHFwj/?igshid=1ib5odvbu2bl1

Feeling rather crappy for the past few days. Figured I'd try some hiking and time outdoors which often helps get me out of my funk. Started with the Chedoke Radial Trail from the golf club to Scenic Dr and along the top of the escarpment to the 403 and back. Most of the falls along this stretch were dry or nearly so. Also there weren't any good jumping cliffs. Then, being slightly hazy/cloudy, thought we might get a good sunset so wandered over to Bayfront. Nice but not glorious. Nice enough to be out but none of it helped my mood. (at Chedoke Radial Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFqPouhFUhv/?igshid=1o2896dlrllr8

Oh oh... Either someone lost their balloons, or some of the squirrels are having another party and I wasn't invited again. 😔😥🎈🎉 #hamont #lostballoons #squirrelparty (at Hamilton Mountain) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCROBevHpal/?igshid=5u06hs2h2rox

At The Spoons #thespoons concert tonight at the Festival of Friends #festivaloffriends at Gage Park in Hamilton. Great to see both Gord and Sandy play some of their classics and hear some tracks from their new album. I had a crush on Sandy in the 80's and she's still looking good. 😍 Big crowd there to hear them play. Even my good friend pretended hard that she was having a good time. Lol Someone even brought their pet Burmese python to the show. #hamont #hamiltongagepark #gagepark #sandyhorne @amethystjeantiu (at Hamilton Gage Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0xM6Uhnk_j/?igshid=1wszut13yeirh

If Congress won't begin impeachment proceedings against Trump (and his admin), then Canada has no choice but to unleash its massive air force and bring reason back to North American. (England - you are on your own) Hundreds of squadrons are stationed at parks along the border across the country, ready to be deployed by the thousands. These are nasty as both paratroopers and ground forces. (Dual-combat arena forces). #impeachtrump #impeachgop #stoptrump #canadianairforce #canadianparatroopers #canadiangeese (at Bayfront Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0WeWvynmCP/?igshid=1d3k7svu7cdny

A couple of sketches from tonight's #sitelines art drop-in. @centre3_ @sitelinescentre3 . A great free art environment for those with lived experience of mental illness. Art therapy is a great way to calm the mind. #arttherapy #mindfullnessart #mentalhealth (at Sitelines) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzrCE0KnWzV/?igshid=1wzosumrdb1bg

Out for a hike in the pre-Spring-like weather and seeing some old friends. Nice to be feeding the black capped chickidees, the downy woodpeckers and nuthatches. Sadly the cardinals, sparrows and red-winged blackbirds were less sociable.

Interesting that there is a pecking order (pun intended) in who feeds first. Both the chickidees and the woodpeckers. In the case of the chickidees, size seems the determining factor. In the case of the woodpeckers, the females control the pace.

Also a nice gathering of Canadian Geese, Trumpeter Swans and Mallard Ducks. I think though they were protesting all the tourists.

#hamont #rbg #naturehike #teasingspring #chickidees #nuthatch #downywoodpeckers

With the March Break upon us, i decided to take a trip with my favourite transport. #tardis #arlingtonhotel #wishfulthinking #takeatrip (at Arlington Hotel) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuyCXlah9qk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1pnphmx9v5c5a

Brain Anatomy

Cerebellum - located at the back of the brain beneath the occipital lobes 

Functions: 

Fine tunes motor activity or movement

Assists in maintaining posture, sense of balance or equilibrium, by controlling the tone of muscles and the position of limbs 

Important in one’s ability to perform rapid and repetitive actions

Frontal Lobe -  largest of the four lobes 

Functions:

Motor skills such as voluntary movement, speech, intellectual and behavioral functions

Plays an important part in memory, intelligence, concentration, temper and personality

Occipital Lobe - located at the back of the brain 

Functions:

Enable humans to receive and process visual information

Influence how humans process colors and shapes

Temporal Lobe - located on each side of the brain at about ear level

Functions:

Involved in visual memory and helps humans recognize objects and peoples’ faces

Verbal memory and helps humans remember and understand language

Allows humans to interpret other people’s emotions and reactions.

Parietal Lobe - 

Functions: positioned above the temporal lobe and behind the frontal lobe

interpret simultaneously, signals received from other areas of the brain such as vision, hearing, motor, sensory and memory

The CP Holiday Train arrived in Hamilton tonight near Gage Park. As usual, huge crowds showed up to listen to the music (Sam Roberts) and see the festive train. This is the first time that events and conditions (and memory) all worked together for me to actually see the train. Went with a good friend who had difficulty seeing over the crowd even though she's reasonably tall. Cold and windy. A hot coffee afterwards was a very welcome way to warm up. After, I tracked the train to the yards in west Hamilton where it stayed for the night before continuing on to Cambridge tomorrow. I found the Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail was an ideal location to get close to the train for better shots. #cpholidaytrain #gagepark #hamiltonfoodshare #hamont #cpr #holidayseason #timhortons #klitefm (at Hamilton Gage Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqwM4bUhK3X/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qo2zy5abkbvj

A little hiking along the Hamilton Bayfront Waterfront trail on a mild, and what was supposed to be a mixed sun/cloud (saw no sun) day. The Mute Swan young have gotten a lot bigger. Appears that 3 survived. Looks like a beaver has set up shop along the trail. And a good looking hawk/falcon posed nicely for a few of us enjoying the day. I just wish I had brought my DSLR instead of using the phone camera. #waterfronttrail #bayfrontpark #hamont #cloudysunday #hikinginhamont #beaverden #muteswan (at Bayfront Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqnxiwjBY0N/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1g8gfyux4l52f

A piece I've been working on for a few weeks - finally done. An amalgam of some thoughts and images I deal with thru my depression and other issues relating to recovery. Though high functioning at times, it can also be debilitating for long stretches. Death is a major theme. #mentalhealth #sitelines #centre3 #suicideideation #suicidethoughts #depression #anxiety #sweetrelease #highfunctioningdepression #arttherapy #mindfulness #artasrelease (at Sitelines) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqYPx-5BIvT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ruzwhni0vxrt

Got my flu shot today at my local Rexall Pharmacy. Quick and easy. Helps to protect me and others. Now available at most pharmacies and doctors offices across Ontario. Have you got yours? #gettheflushot #getthejab #fluvaccinedoesnotgiveyoutheflu #flushotdoesnotcauseautism #rexallpharmacy #preventthespreadoftheflu #protectothers (at Hamilton, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp8XhFgAdKS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fvqhj4ra0wqi

1 year ago, this cutie came to live with me permanently. Happy anniversary Luma. (at Hamilton, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpNguebBso1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mguu7e200p88

A couple of quiet hours at Cherry Hill Gate and the Grindstone Marsh area of Royal Botanical Gardens. Sunny and pleasant temps. Had fun with some friendly critters. Photos from my phone camera. But they also didn't mind the DSLR when I pulled it out. @rbgcanada #cherryhillgate #grindstonemarsh #rbg #hiking #enjoyingnature (at Royal Botanical Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/BohxUcxB_Qx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jx0v5gyimyma

A fun afternoon with my favourite 4-legged nephew, Carl @sdit_carl and his daddy Jake @jake_and_carl @jake.maurice. Started with training and playing in Gage Park. Then McDonald's for dinner, then a trip to Wal-Mart where I bought him a small toy. He was so good. We worked on his distraction training and he really improved a lot in just 1 afternoon. Smart puppy - and so damn cute. They are a great team already. He's almost 4 months. (Well, daddy is a bit more than 4 months old. Lol) We tried on a hotdog costume while at Wal-Mart. Lol #dogsofinstagram #sdit #servicedogintraining #puppy #gagepark #hamont #puppytherapy (at Hamilton, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoFm1ZEBFAx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=woawbawyfnlo

3 and a half bags of donations prepared for 3 of the community groups I frequently attend and receive so much from. Time to give back a little. Mostly art related supplies. Though I've also included some personal care products that are always in need by MHRC. #sitelines thru @centre3_ , @thelostorganization and #mentalhealthrightscoalition I will also be making a small cash donation to @harrrp since I do pottery there. And they offer a lot more programs. My thanks to all of these organizations who have helped me and many others in our community, especially those dealing with mental health issues. All of you are very much appreciated. I hope that others reading this post will also consider making a contribution. #hamont #hamiltonontario #arttherapy #charity #charitydonation #mentalhealth #mhrc (at Hamilton, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnJrjzknVel/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=kgsfec91y4vz

I attended the Overdose Awareness Day event at Gage Park on Thu. I helped a little with the Centre3 exhibit by hanging a long rope of pink coloured shoes, each representing approximately 2 deaths last year due to overdose. I signed one shoe on behalf of a dear friend who lost someone very close due to overdose. It can hit anyone which is why awareness and treatment options are so important. Lots of community partners and participants. Some good information, and even a Nalaxone training session by Hamilton Public Health. #hamont #hamiltonca #overdoseawarenessday #gagepark #preventoverdoses #opioidcrisis (at Hamilton Gage Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnIQFgZHWTm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dps5ttr2viv0

I was on the balcony trying to cool off early this afternoon when I noticed 2 planes flying in formation. I almost immediately recognized them as the AVRO Lancaster and the Boeing B-29 Superfortress which were part of the Charity Airshow. I was thinking it sure would be nice if they flew overhead. After a long arcing curve over Stoney Creek and Burlington, to my surprise, they came back my way to the Hamilton airport. I rushed to grab my DSLR (though my cellphone would have been faster but poorer quality) and took some shots. These are a few of the better ones. The props aren't turning because they were about to drop out of the sky. Lol #hamont #hamiltonca #airshow #lancaster #avrolancaster #b29superfortress #boeingb29superfortress (at Hamilton, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnFm5TYnx1z/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3stq9ay438kf

I was on the balcony trying to cool off early this afternoon when I noticed 2 planes flying in formation. I almost immediately recognized them as the AVRO Lancaster and the Boeing B-29 Superfortress which were part of the Charity Airshow. I was thinking it sure would be nice if they flew overhead. After a long arcing curve over Stoney Creek and Burlington, to my surprise, they came back my way to the Hamilton airport. I rushed to grab my DSLR (though my cellphone would have been faster but poorer quality) and took some shots. These are a few of the better ones. The props aren't turning because they were about to drop out of the sky. Lol #hamont #hamiltonca #airshow #lancaster #avrolancaster #b29superfortress #boeingb29superfortress (at Hamilton, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnFms3wns8_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1pbpz0h17i9ia

Finally decided I'm finished an art piece I had been working on a few hours a week for about 8 or 9 months. #sitelines #artforms #centre3 #hamont #arttherapy #winterart I got to the point where every time I tried to fix a line, I'd mess up another. I realized I can't improve on it with my limited skills. Lol I wise person told me (@titaniumchild ) that "art is done when you feel it is finished, not when it's perfect. If you wait for perfect, it will never be completed." But it was a learning experience. I have progressed a fair bit from when I started. And it was a good mindful activity to keep me focused for a few hours each week. (at Artforms) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnAF99_nqfX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7n4k5thda39e

Well that's a kicker to ruin a quiet night. Fire alarm went off. Looks like we rated a 2 alarm. Appears to have been someone fooling around and pulled an alarm at 10:30pm tonight. Most of the building evacuated. A few stayed inside - not particularly smart. Most took their pets out. I tried to get mine but she got in such a panic from the noise, I wasn't able to reach her. Glad it ended up being a false alarm. (at Hamilton, Ontario)

Trash Cinema getting ready to begin. Another B-horror flick brought to you by our host Ben. #hamont #hamiltoncinema #trashcinema #movienight (at Doors: Taco Joint & Metal Bar)

A fun painting workshop this afternoon with my good friend (and talented artist) Amanda @amethystjeantiu. It was held at The Hearty Hooligan and put on by @anomalousunderground and their curator Megan Rae. Thanks Megan. #hamont #artworkshop #galaxypainting #nebulapainting #theheartyhooligan (at The Hearty Hooligan)

Puppy sitting this morning with a really good boy. Almost caught his tail. My sock was a reasonable facsimile. #jakeandcarl #hamont #puppysitting #puppiesofinstagram @jake_and_carl (at Hamilton, Ontario)

James St N Art Crawl underway. As usual, lots of music, art, performers, and food. A pleasantly warm July evening. Come on down - runs til 10pm. #hamont #jamesstreetnorth #artcrawl #artcrawlhamont #hamiltonishome #mulberrystporchinband #streetmusic #localartists (at James St. North District)

A couple of "yuk'cles". Via @washingtonpost and @meanwhileincanada1 #funnysayings #funnydefinitions #jokes #jokingaround #hamont (at Hamilton, Ontario)

Wait for it... My 1.5 year old cat just figured out she has a tail. Lol 😂🤣🐱🐈 (at Hamilton, Ontario)

This tiny, tiny creature, imaged with scanning electron microscopy, is a diatom - a single-celled microorganism in a silica shell 🔬 They’re incredibly abundant in the soil and oceans - there are so many that they produce around 20 percent of Earth’s oxygen! 😱 📷: CSIRO https://ift.tt/2lYLr1e

Some more from the Its Your Festival on at Gage Park this weekend. Many vendors, food music and midway. Its a hot day but come on out to enjoy it. Splash pad and Fountain are operating to cool off. #hamont #itsyourfestival #gagepark #food #music #crafts #Midway #canadaday (at Hamilton Gage Park)