Santa's Computer

 

Location: Hudson's Bay Company, Queen Street West

Date photo taken: 23 December 2020

This friendly looking computer, which keeps track of the GPS coordinates for those on the NICE list among other things, is one of the animated Christmas windows on display at the Hudson's Bay store on Queen Street. It's the second year that the windows have offered the same behind the scenes glimpses into Santa's operations, but this year the Nutcrackers flanking the windows are sporting masks and holding signs with messages such as "Be safe, wear a mask" and "Thank you for practicing social distancing".

Flying Christmas Pig

 

Location; Regent Park
Date photo taken: 22 December 2020

Happy Holidays! May you find joy in unexpected places.

Brownley Apartments

 

Location: 40-42 Isabella Street, between Yonge and Church

Date photo taken: 3 February 2013

Image 3 in the Portals series

It's been awhile since I posted my last door pic, so here's another Art Deco favourite. The Brownley Apartments were built in 1931 and the building is listed on the Toronto Heritage Registry. While today this section of Isabella is mostly dominated by later 20th century apartment complexes, prior to the construction of this building it was largely given over to comfortable single family homes. For those paying attention, remnants of the older street still persist and the two buildings just west of the apartments are prime examples. The Jared Sessions House at 34 Isabella was built prior to 1860, and 36 Isabella, known as the Robert Wood House, was built in 1885. 

One of my favourite things

 

Location: Eglington Avenue and Kennedy Road

Date photo taken: 27 February 2017

Image #15 in the Traffic Signal Box Series

I love the treatment Margaret Cresswell gave this traffic signal box as part of the Outside the Box project in 2015. It's simple but thanks to that delightful earworm of a song, strikes me as both whimsical and full of possibility. When I was scrolling through my photos, this one just jumped out at me. These days I can't leave my apartment without seeing boxes in the hallway, scattered around the lobby, and overflowing from the mailroom. None however are tied up with string. 

Friendly Robot

Location: 1712 Ellesmere Road

Date photo taken: 18 February 2017

This friendly-looking flower loving robot can be found on the barrier wall edging the property of Community Living Toronto at 1712 Ellesmere. On the other side of the wall is the portion of Line 3 that extends between McCowan station and the McCowan Yard, where the trains rest when not in service.

The mural is one of several that were painted as part of the WALL EXPRESSIONS - Community Strong!! Event held over a weekend in June 2015. A collaboration between Team SPUDBomb, StreetARToronto and Toronto Police Services, the project was designed to inject some extra colour, fun and positivity to the neighbourhood.