Bridlewood Hydro Lines Pathways Update

I have been reporting for a number of years on the deterioration of the pathways through Bridlewood, particularly the pathway along the smaller hydro line through Bridlewood, the latest being this spring’s report.

I finally have some positive news to report. Earlier this fall we noticed work being done on the paved portion of the pathway along the large hydro line through Bridlewood and were pleasantly surprised to find it completely rebuilt within a month. However, the gravel stone dust portion of the pathway remains the same.

Route of the Rebuilt Pathway

The following video follows the paved portion in both directions in order to highlight the fall colours along the pathways.

 

We also were happy to notice that work has begun rebuilding the pathway along the smaller hydro line through Bridlewood and are hopeful they will rebuild the full length of the pathway which is very deteriorated. The following shows were construction has begun along the pathway. We will report further when construction is completed. 

Small Hydro Line Pathway Construction Progress 

UPDATE 2024-11-03 

Portion of pathway indicated as under construction is now newly paved. No sign of work continuing on rest of pathway.

I can also confirm that the redone sections are considerably wider than the original pathways.

Orange Flowers Photo Variations with Franzis Projects Software

These are variations on a photo of orange flowers taken on the grounds of Boldt Castle along the St. Lawrence River with my Panasonic Lumix FZ300 camera, using Franzis Color Projects and Franzis Black & White Projects software.

The  Franzis Projects software is a collection of presets with variations on levels and sharpness, brightness and contrast as well as colour hue and saturation, etc., as well as some filter effects. Most of the presets are manually adjustable but I tend to just use use the extensive collection of presets.

You will notice I am not indicating which effect I used for each photo. That is because I am lazy and the intention of this post is not to teach you how to create these effects but to show you the wide range of final images you can create from one original photo. Just play with the software and see what you can create from your own original photos and a little imagination.

The variations are shown in the following slideshow (can be viewed full screen) with the Original Photo From Camera shown first followed by Franzis Color Projects Versions and Franzis Black & White Projects Versions.

Can Trump Save American Politics

No, not by winning but by losing.

If Trump and the MAGA nation suffer a massive defeat dragging the Republican party down with them perhaps it will lead to a reckoning among life long Republicans that something massive will be needed to save the party.

What about a search inward and a complete re-branding as a “progressive conservative” party, a party with conservative economic policies and progressive social policies that take from the individualism part of conservatism, a party that does not try to make everyone conform to their vision of the perfect American but accepts people as they see themselves with personal autonomy over their being and their bodies and one that welcomes newcomers.

Such a movement could encroach on economically conservative minded Democrats and rebuild the party.

And while perhaps a threat to the Democratic Party it could be the catalyst the Democrats need to move towards being a real social democratic party, a party that is no longer fighting to stop America from moving backwards but one that fights to move America forward.

Woke is Right.

So what does woke mean anyway ?

Accepting people for who they are.

Allowing people to love who they love and marry who they love.

Allowing women (and men) control over their own bodies.

Judging people by their deeds, not the colour of their skin or their religion.

Allowing people to practice their culture or religion as long as it does not harm others.

Not fearing or hating people because they are different than you.

Welcoming newcomers.

Giving everyone an equal opportunity by providing education and health care to everyone.

Practising conservation of the habitat we depend on to live.

Living within one’s means and as a society within the means of the planet’s resources.

Prioritizing people over property.

And sharing.

When you strip away the political ideology and look at these principles philosophically they are basic principles of conservatism.

Woke is Right.