In the little town of Craighurst, we came upon a plethora of artsy little trees.
Such a wonderful venture for someone to undertake! Each work of art was created, on metal, by a local artists.
All pieces are located in and around the main intersection of this small country spot.
This last one, though, is the one I love the best. Created by my favourite artist, it stands proudly in the middle of a farmer’s field. Down the road from where we live.
This, D18 1941 Martin, guitar was recently discovered resting in the basement of an old house in Toronto.
The prevailing story is that, 50 years ago, it’s guitarist would open for acts in Massey Hall. Prehaps even for the Everly Brothers, the storyteller says.
When brought up and out of that old dark basement, the case was is serious decay. The body of the guitar was floating with strands of sky blue/turquoise/grey mold. The keys had all changed colour.
A local musician picked up this dear old instrument. He lovely had it fully restored. Renewed, in a golden shade of brown, this light as a feather guitar now dawns a set of light strings and musically rings.
Bluegrass music flows from those strings, as the quitarist sings his funky tunes.
Whether or not this oral history is 100% accurate is truly irrelevant, as the story keeps our musical history alive and strong.
The world is full of interesting and fascinating stories. We need to stop and listen, and sometimes right them down.
Thank you, Mark, you brightening my day with this one. The rebirth of a D18, 1941, Martin Guitar.
Just a little bit of sunshine
Just a little bit of rain
Lots and lots of love
And our garden
Is happy again.
Their faces are blooming
Their stems tall and straight
Swaying with the breeze
In our little piece of Eden
Doing as they please.
If people could be flowers
Instead of ivory towers
What a peaceful place
Our world would be.
Finding wisdom in hoola hoops, tattoos, bare feet, nail polish in multiple hues, and in powerful words.
I met a very chatty ten year old who delighted in comparing the colours of the nail polish we were wearing on our fingers and on our toes. She reflected on the numerous hues of mauve that adorned her finger nails, and on the pinks and oranges on her toes.
I met a beautiful, little four year old amidst an array of hoola hoops. She taught me, with very clear and concise instruction the step by step way to twirl hoola hoops on my arms. She taught me how to twirl a hoola hoop around my waist. With great wisdom she advised me that if I was afraid that the hoola hoop might hit me in the eye, that I should just close them.
We met Barefoot Sue, a grandma who has been walking barefoot for the past twelve years. Through the forests, through ice and snow, into restaurants and supermarkets, anywhere but on hot coals and fire, to connect with the earth to enhance happiness, health and strength. She is a keeper of the water. I am a keeper of the tree.
I noticed a tattoo on the back of a beautiful woman. To me, this tattoo represents power, wisdom, confidence, and strength and sisterhood.
My deepest interaction of the weekend was meeting indigenous artist, poet and painter, Paul Shilling, Chippewas of Rama First Nations. As I read his poetry and purchased a piece of his art, he shared a very different finger nail story.
And still, I read the very powerfully words that he has written. Words that begin with, “I accept your apology. Your apology made me cry from somewhere deep inside for my mother and father, sisters and brothers, and for my children. “
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Feeling patriotic this Canada Day long weekend?
Needing a boost, or wanting to extend that feeling?
Then travel to King’s Wharf Theatre in the pretty little town of Penetanguishene, located on the southeasterly tip of Geogian Bay in the traditional and Treaty territory of the Anishinabek, the Huron-Wendat and the Haudenosaullce.
Enjoy the show, Sorry, I’m Canadian!
You will laugh until you cry. Your heart will burst, and grow with pride!
Enjoy the show with good friends and the experience will be even better!
Proud to be Canadian!
Who is the poet of the flower?
The answer changes by the hour.
Petals of
blue,
and of white,
and of pink.
The scent of the flower,
Cause the poet to think.
The stem,
The stalk,
Where in
The flower's beauty
Locks.
Grown
In sand, and soil,
And rock.
God's paint brush
Moves,
With grace and ease.
Beauty, found and sought.
We were our very own one car parade as we very slowly and very carefully traveled the 12 kilometers of narrow dirt road, through forests and wetlands, to the very peaceful and tranquil Victoria Falls. A very different parade than the one taking place in England to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
On the right of the bridge is the wet and wild Victoria Falls with it’s many rocks and rapids.
To the left of the bridge the dark waters lazily gather before turning and tumbling down the rocky falls to join the rapids below.
The water forming large Eddie’s before transforming into a flurry of rushing water.
So much to explore. So much to see.
We spotted a beaver close to this spot.
Ontario has so much to offer.
The Humble Hotdog
A perfectly charred Red Hot, placed upon a warm bed of homemade zuurkool and mushrooms gently sautéed in a buttery pool of crushed garlic.
Then topped with carmelized onion, a homemade cucumber relish, diced tomato, green onion, and drizzled with a thin line of mustard.
All balanced with a slice of sweet, air fried pineapple.
With a side of potato salad topping up a perfect, almost summer meal. When shared with family, decadence was created.
Next to family, good friends make the best company when enjoying the humble hotdog. And what better place than a nieghbourhood Food Truck party.
With traditional toppings of mustard, ketchup, relish and chopped onions. Just like great friends, there is something to be said for condiments that are tried and true.
The re-entry of the humble hotdog into our home was inspired by the hotdog showdown on Monday’s Marilyn Denis show. The chefs made this comfort food just a little too hard to resist.
I don’t recall my first introduction to this popular food, it was not a part of the Dutch cuisine that graced the table of my childhood home.
But now, on occasion, it will grace the table I now share.
Growth and renewal
The colour of spring
Rebirth
Pine green
Mint green
Milkweed green
And jellybean green.
Emerald, lime, spring, forest, teal, chartreuse, olive, aquamarine, turquoise, blue-green, sage, jungle green, light green, viridian, malachite.
Spinach, kale, broccoli, avocado, asparagus, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kiwi, collard greens, edamame, chard, bok choy, green beans, green tea, mustard greens, cucumbers, arugula, beet greens, celery, zucchini, lime, peas, apples, lettuce.
The green of grass
The green of grain
The green that's gracious
The green that's growth.
Psalm 1:3 'the leaf shall not wether'
Groovy Tales of a Well Adult 