Sunday, October 15, 2023

Green, Very Green in the Aurora Community Arboretum

Green, very green in the Aurora Community Arboretum. My work was somehow rudely interrupted by a mouse. That not so tiny grey furry creature zoomed under the Muskoka chair I was sitting on, and disappeared (nature’s magic). Well, it was really my pouring ‘green‘ thoughts that were interrupted. “What happened to my inside plant? Why did that one tiny fern at the window suddenly change from warm green to a light minty green?” I was thinking. I have two and only one of two underwent the sudden colour transformation.

Aurora Community Arboretum

“All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

My thoughts were also on the Aurora Community Arboretum. “How much can one write about the place?” I thought. But “I like the place and I am continuously drawn to this public green space,” I tell myself. “Why not then?” So much to see, so much to explore and not enough time in the day. In the queue I had this blog post for some time now; rewritten two times already to reflect my latest, then latest again observations; however, with the recurring rain I realized I can continue to re-write. This is the final thought as Aurora remains green, incredibly green in fact, and so is the Aurora Community Arboretum.

Aurora Community Arboretum

The images in this post of the arboretum are still relevant. Aurora maintains the green facade thanks to the spring rains – mist, shower and pouring rains. On some days, torrential rains, just enough to cause floods on our roads. Yes, some streets got heavily flooded last weekend, at least one foot deep. Some people posted pictures on social media of cars stranded on the recently fixed Industrial Parkway South and Wellington Street East intersection. Will the rains continue? If so, it is a good possibility that this year we will have a very green summer all around.

Aurora Community Arboretum

Last Saturday, on Father’s Day Weekend, we missed the warnings. The thunder was roaring so loud that we unplugged all the electronics from the wall, including the TV. Missed all, Tornado Watch and Tornado Warning announcements. But we did watch through the window for the funnel clouds in the sky. Well, just in case, and not to mention for a green sky. Sometimes when funnel clouds are not in the view, a green sky could be a good indication of a tornado; but not always, dark skies can be too. The green in the sky is the physical refraction of the sunlight off the failing hail, and gives off that greenish tint during tornado formation.

“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.” – Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Speaking of green, that brings me back to the walks through the Aurora Community Arboretum in the mid spring, some short and some long walks. I have seen flooding in May on some arboretum paths; however, everything amazingly tends to return to norm. I had some very short walks, just because I ran into someone I know. Someone who looks after the arboretum. Nonetheless, one of the most rewarding walks through the Aurora Community Arboretum so far this year, I had in early June. It was raining, but it was just a mist. I walked from the Aurora Town Hall through the arboretum all the way to the Optimist Park near Northern Lights Public School. It took about thirty minutes to walk, and snapping photos in the rain – believe it or not the images do tell the story very well.

It was a beautiful sight seeing the million shades of green colour around me. The arboretum is mature now yet it looks so new, groomed and clean. It’s been looked after by good exceptional people. Spring does that too. Perhaps, you noticed as well, the new trail signs are now in place to guide you from one end of the arboretum to the other. No reason for panic when I’m lost. I love it; and that day I officially walked most of Trail 2, the Tim Jones Trail; however, not for the first time.

“I love the rain. It’s my favorite weather.” – Kristen Wiig

The dandelion season is over. The blooming daffodils Pot of Gold are gone. Come back next year. Pink trees almost all bloomed away and my memories of them faded away already until they comeback the next spring. The period of whites is now in the picture. Lots of birds, of course if you can find them hiding among the green leaves. They do come out and sing for you if you ask. Just kidding, they need to eat. Plenty of insects to catch. Plenty of mosquitoes that will attack you if you are relatively close to the stream, and I am speaking from experience.

The Father’s Day weekend was probably one of the most hot and humid days yet this year. Indication that summer is here. In fact, physically is almost here. I’m glad. Children will be out of school soon. I’m happy. Time to plan the summer vacation soon. Some local activities and a possibility of another lengthy out of province road trip. What do you think, does a road trip to Newfoundland sound like a lot of fun?

Anna Lozyk Romeo
Aurora, ON

Latest Blog Posts

Anna Lozyk Romeo for Mayor of Aurora, Municipal Elections 2022

To my Living in Aurora blog readers: I am running for Mayor of Aurora.  It is a great opportunity now...

From Shining to Shameful – The Continued Loss of the Oak Ridges Moraine

A picture-perfect vista of soft, rolling hills where wild turkey, deer and coyote once roamed has been reduced to...

North East Quadrant of Wellington St & John West Way Development Appealed

At the February 22nd, 2022 Council meeting, Aurora Council UNANIMOUSLY (7-0) voted to refuse a 6-storey, 150 unit residential...

Important Links

The Knowles Butcher Shop on Fire, June 25th 2021 – Photo Gallery

The so known Knowles Butcher Shop on 9 Wellington Street East is a long-standing building in Aurora, c. 1885....

Church Street School, Construction Site (Photo Gallery)

Photos of Church Street School during the Library Square construction. Photos dated May 22, 2021. Anna Lozyk RomeoAurora, Ontario

Cineplex Odeon – What Year Was This Photo Taken?

Photo of the Cineplex Odeon in Aurora. What year do you think this photo was taken? Your clues are...

Snowflake Path Downtown Aurora, Photo Gallery

Finally, just in time for Christmas snowflake decorations are all working downtown Aurora. ... and this is what we used...

Changes Along Wellington Street, 3-Years Ago & Today

Few changes along Wellington Street. While looking back at some of my old blog posts I came across one from...

Archived

Where is the Forest? I Can’t See the Forest, Why?

Last week on the way home from Arctic Adventure...

Town of Aurora, Where Is the 4th Construction Crane?

Look out for the construction crane in your area....

Birding in the Town of Aurora, Get Ready

Birding in the Town of Aurora is fun, especially...

Think About It

Leadership is Not About the Next Election

"Leadership is not about the next election, it's about...

You Might Also Like