What's It All About, eh?

Cape Breton evokes deep memories and strong emotions for me as well as a deep appreciation for the beauty of my adopted island. My hopes are that you too might find the photos evocative - maybe a view you've not enjoyed before, or an 'Oh I've been there', or if from away that you may be encouraged to visit this fair isle so that you might come to love and breathe Cape Breton as I do. One word about place names that I use - some are completely local usage while others are from maps of Cape Breton that I've purchased over the years. I frequently post travel and other photos that are of interest to me - and hopefully you.

On the right hand side bar find my take on Single Malt whiskey - from how to best enjoy this noble drink to reviews (in a most non-professional manner) of ones that I have tried and liked - or not. Also musings, mine and others, on life in general.

Photographs are roughly 98%+ my own and copy-righted. For the occasional photo that is borrowed, credit is given where possible - recently I have started posting unusual net photographs that seem unique. Feel free to borrow any of my photos for non-commercial use, otherwise contact me. Starting late in 2013 I have tried to be consistent in identifying my photographs using ©smck on all out of camera photos I personally captured - (I often do minor computer changes such as 'crop' or 'shadow' etc but usually nothing major), and using
©norvellhimself on all photos that I have played around with in case it might not be obvious. Lately I have dropped the ©smck and have watermarked them with the blog name.

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Fall On The River

©smck     18 October 2013

Looking somewhat north toward the head of the NorthEast river from the church yard in town.

Welcome




Welcome Romania

I hope that you enjoy looking at my photos and other things - please return again, Himself.

Fall's In - Tide's Out

18 October 2013

First posting from my Panasonic DMC FZ200

Poison Ivy

notice the Poison Ivy vine on the left of the tree

17 October 2013




One of the dangerous native plant species of at least the eastern part of the U.S , Poison Ivy leaves turn a beautiful yellow to yellow red in the fall.  Birds eat the small seed berries and I have often wondered if they are affected by the poison.
I am one of the lucky ones that seldom get 'poison ivy' - a nasty itching, blistering swellings of the skin that ooze fluid and which can spread the affects farther on the skin.  Once when I was about 12 to 13 I helped my father burn a pile of debris which contained poison ivy vines from cleaning unwanted shrubbery etc around the house.  He too was normally immune but the smoke carried the poisoning agent to our skin and we both were covered over our whole body with the rashy, itchy, blister-like swellings.  We were pretty poor in those days so no doctor, or medication was available.  However Dad used another native plant - Narrow Leaf Plantain - that an old indian had told him would relieve poison ivy and it worked well for both of us.  Within less than 24 hours of our outbreak the plantain had relieved the itching and lessened the swellings and within two days we were better. Usually the condition can last a week or more, especially if you break the blisters when scratching to relieve the itching.

What's For Dinner?

16 October 2013





by smck