It’s been a beautiful October to be walking around the city! With lots of sunny days and above normal temperatures, it’s been a great autumn to be outside…. outside exploring or just sitting contentedly enjoying the sunshine.
below: Life size statue of Dr. Norman Bethune sitting outside the Medical Sciences Building at the University of Toronto (close to Queens Park Circle). It is the work of Canadian artist David Pelletier. Bethune is depicted writing in his journal. Across the bottom of his apron these words are written:
I am content
I am doing what I want to do
Why shouldn’t I be happy – see what my riches
consist of. First, I have important work that fully
occupies every minute of my time. I am needed.
Norman Bethune was born in Gravenhurst in 1890. He graduated from medical school at U of T in 1919, after taking some time off to serve in WW1. He also served as a doctor during the Spanish Civil War in 1936 and 1937. The following year, 1938, he went to China help the Communist Eighth Route Army during the Second Sino-Japanese war. It was here that he died of septicemia in November of 1939. He is credited with helping to bring modern medicine to rural China during his brief stay in that country.
as I walk Toronto 