Valdy

My first Valdy concert was held at Georgian College, approximately fifty years ago. The colour of his hair may have changed, but his voice it remains the same.

Music, lifted by the acoustics of a beautiful centuries old church, mixed the vocal talents of the audience with the voice of Valdy and raised up the new songs and those of old up into a balcony that has heard so much!

I was delighted to see a pair of red shoes on Valdy’s feet!

Everyone should own a pair of red shoes!

Traveling from Salt Spring Island, which is cozily nestled between Vancover Island and mainland British Columbia, to nearly everywhere…..

Until next time.

‘Play me a rock and roll 🎵 song’

Art Walk

I had planned, by now, to be done.

Instead, I have just begun.

A spot to sit upon cedar boughs. With coloured

rocks, as a red squirrel chatters in protest, not

wanting to share this space.

A hollow spot, within a healthy tree, gathers

treasures.

Spreading kindness like confetti.

Adding beauty and colour to my forest.

A project left over from a long time ago.

“In the beginning, God made the heavens and the

earth.” Genesis 1:1

“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

A perfect spot to sit and rest, bathing in all the

scents and sights and sounds that the forest has

to offer.

Watch for an updated version this time next year!

Oh, to Fly

Oh, to fly.
To fly away,
with the wind 
on a breezy day!

To be set free,
where I can be
like that branch,
high in the tree.

I went for a walk, 
in my forest today. 
My first walk
since things were blown away.

The earth was still. 
The ground was wet.
It was the best walk,
that I've ever had!

Aurora Borealis

Somewhere in the skies above Western Canada!

Seeing the Northern Lights give a spectacular display across the skies has been on my bucket list for a very long time.

Watching this magical dance with my family, while in different places in Canada, was an added blessing.

Galileo named this display in the night sky, Aurora Borealis. Aurora after the Roman goddess of dawn, and Borealis after the Greek name for the north wind.

Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights, Polar Lights

A spectacular dance of colour across our northern skies!!!!!

Sea Gulls

As the fog lifts
I begin to see,
all the lies
that have been told to me.

The little gull
up on the post,
she knows the one
who told the most.

Orange Shirt Day

My first beading project, not perfect
but it’s mine.

Orange Shirt Day tells the story of a young girl who wears her favourite shirt to her first day of school only to have it taken away from her.

The message that Orange Shirt Day shares with everyone is ‘That Every Child Matters’, and to educate people about Residential Schools and the importance of fighting racism and bullying.

We had a wonderful instructor and great conversation about indigenous artists and authors.

Learning the art of beading at the Simcoe County Museum.

Beading an orange shirt in honour of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.

The wearing of an orange shirt on September 30th is a symbol of solidarity with Indigenous Peoples.

The Colour Yellow

Bird on a Wire

Like a bird on a wire

Like a drunk in a midnight choir

I have tried in my way to be free

Like a worm on a hook

Like a knight from some old-fashioned book

I have saved all my ribbons for thee
(lenard cohen)

Peaches

Originally cultivated in Eastern China, peaches now grow in the gardens of a wonderful and generous friend literally ten minutes from our home.

In many cultures, the peach is a symbol of prosperity and abundance. These trees, planted three years ago, are bearing fruit for the first time. The boughs are so heavy laden with fruit that supports have been put in place to keep the branches from breaking.

Four, four litre baskets of freshly picked peaches and the trees hardly notice.

In the words of the late John Prine.

We blew up or TV
Threw away our paper
Went to the country
Built us a home
Had a lot of children 
Fed 'em all peaches 
They all found Jesus on their own.

A Portrait of my Granddaughter

A portrait of a beautiful little girl and her two favourite stuffies.

Mr. G came into her life shortly after her birth, Mrs. G a few years later when Mr. G started feeling the effects of lots of love and attention.

Both were gifts from a very special uncle. They are the world’s two most loved stuffed animals, each with their own special scent and personality.

Last April, my granddaughter asked me if I would paint a portrait of her holding Mr. G and Mrs. G.

When my 16 month old grandson looked up at my painting and said,’Arya, Arya’, I knew I was on the right track

I chose a canvas, a couple of paint brushes, and my favourite paints.

As I lifted my paintbrush, I began to pray, and as I prayed, this beautiful face appeared on the canvas.

Seeing the joy on her face when she unwrapped my canvas will forever be one of my most favourite memories.