I went for a good long stroll about our fair city yesterday afternoon. With the little fuggers at my side, I headed west on Queen St. Despite the crowds, Bernard Flaco, and Grendel escaped unscathed.  There were loads of things for the canine olfactories to delight in.

All along our route, we encountered several buskers, performing their magic, and entertaining the crowds. I purchased a CD from the old geezer who plays his classical guitar in front of Osgoode Hall. He’s an amiable and talented chap, and he has a left hand that would make Earl envious. I don’t know what Barney and Grendel know of the Terpsichorean Muse, but it sure impresses me whenever I hear this man’s playing. His CD is prety good, and it’s a bargain at only $10.

Farther along we heard an accordionist, a bagpiper, and a jazz rock trio. The accordionist needed practice, and I guess that’s what she was doing on the street besides trying to make a few extra dollars. The piper is a regular on the street, and he plays all the standard highland tunes. If that’s your thing, he’s pretty good too. The jazz rockers were pretty racous and funky. Much to my dismay, the vast majority of people just kept on going without throwing a coin in their cases or even a second glance.

But the best act I saw on the street had to be the puppeteer. He was hamming it up for an old couple who were probably entertaining their grandson. The wee lad had to be only 4 or 5 months old at most. As his granddad held him to watch the puppet show, he was obviously enthralled with the performance. He sat with his jaw agape, flapping his tiny arms and giggling uncontrollably at the puppets. The man hidden behind the curtain sang a variation on twinkle twinkle little star, and the little guy couldn’t get enough.

Now this little display probably wouldn’t have made me take a second look, except for the fact that the youngest audience member was intensely drawn in by the show. Had the wee fellow not been there, I suspect I would have just kept on strolling. It just goes to show you that some of the silliest of entertainments can really hook you. It was so heart warming to see the look on the baby’s face as the puppeteer did his thing. His grandparents and the few other people gathered ’round were as tickled as I was to witness this.

There’s something to be said for taking your time when you have the time. Like everyone else, I can get caught up in my own mind, and not pay any attention to what’s going on around me. I have to say I’m glad I caught this brief scene, because it was proof that life is good, and the simplest of things can be a real turn-on if you’re receptive.

Summer in Toronto is so nice.