Saturday 23 February 2013

Into The Winter.

 Hemlock Bluff Trail, Algonquin, Canada. 
 Morning Light On The Trail. 
 Heaven Within Four Canvas Walls. 
A Frozen Mew Lake. 

Over the Family Day weekend my Husband and I ventured into Algonquin Park for my first Winter camping experience.  We camped in our new canvas tent and inside warming us was a wood burning stove.  The temperature danced around -31 all weekend, however the sun shone bright the entire time which made the deep cold seem like a pleasant contrast.  

This trip was full of misadventure and fun as we learned how to properly use our equipment and work together as a team in frozen conditions!  As always I truly believe that it is in the moments of discomfort, struggle and exhaustion that we push ourselves to limits worth reaching.  The most enjoyable part of this Winter camping trip for me was being uncomfortable, wanting to give up and not doing so.  Choosing to find the will to push myself despite my discomfort is an experience I would gladly take over a perfect Summer's day on the beach.  Thank you Canada for this perfect Season. 

Sunday 19 February 2012

Pin-ups By Gil Elvgren

Curve: The loveliest distance between two points. ~Mae West






Gil Elvgren (1914-1980) Pin-up Artist.

Thursday 16 February 2012

A Sunday Hike

Painting By Christine Kane 
Chris and I woke up, had coffee then proceeded to get ready for our hike.  We packed our breakfast (trail mix, eggs, cheese, cookies and more coffee) and headed to Guelph Line in Campbellville.  It is -10 out but feels like -17 with the windchill and man is there ever a windchill today!  There is snow all over the ground, looks beautiful and more snow is lightly falling as we begin our hike into the forest.  After about an hour's hike we reach Hilton Falls to find a roaring fire already going, as one of the park keepers drives off in his white Halton Conservation Area truck.  I mouth "good morning" as he is already buttoned up by the time we reach the truck.  As the fire warms our bones and spirits we sit virtually alone, except for some noise full chickadees and a handful of fellow adventurers, some hikers, some bikers but none of them stay longer than a moment by the fire.  They exchange a similar sentiment with us each time "good morning," "beautiful day," and "it's nice to see the fire going."  Chris and I are the lucky ones, not just because of the hike , the beautiful morning, the free time and zero obligations on a Sunday to relax by a fire (and drink coffee, snack and chat).  I also think we are lucky because we realize the importance of doing so, how valuable to the soul it is to peer into a fire every so often.  To stop to feel the heat of the flames against your frozen fingertips and to know as we gaze and listen to the hiss and pops of this ancient marvel, that we are among generations of our ancestors to do so.  That we are a link in a human chain that depends on the beauty, grace and strength of fire.  Without this "life force" we would cease to exist.  So we take more than a moment, we sit and we look and we enjoy, because, we are the lucky ones.

Fire and Ice
By Robert Frost 

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Happy Valentine's Day.






Love is Walking Hand-in-Hand by Charles M. Schulz

Love is having a special song.
Love is accepting a person for what he is.
Love is sharing your pop corn.
Love is getting someone a glass of water in the middle of the night.
Love is a valentine with lace all around the edges.
Love is looking out for your friends.
Love is a phone call.
Love is a helping hand.
Love is trust.
Love is being nominated for the neighborhood dog of the year.
Love is eating out with your whole family.
Love is rooting together for your team.
Love is wanting to make someone smile.
Love is listening without interrupting.
Love is being polite to people.
Love is helping your team to win.
Love is visiting a sick friend.
Love is watching someone else’s boring show on T.V.
Love is sitting all the way through a recital.
Love is believing in someone.
Love is not littering.
Love is helping someone through his battles.
Love is hoping that she hasn’t forgotten you.
Love is walking in the rain together.
Love is making fudge together.
Love is flowers from your favorite person.
Love is being tolerant.
Love is meeting someone by the pencil sharpener.
Love is letting your house guest have your room.
Love is waking someone up from a bad dream.
Love is making plans together.
Love is wondering what he is doing right now this very moment.
Love is being a good loser.
Love is buying somebody a present with your own money.
Love is passing notes back and forth in school.
Love is being hospitable.
Love is letting him win even though you know you could slaughter him.
Love is being happy just knowing that she’s happy… but that isn’t so easy.
Love is dressing up for someone.
Love is a push in the right direction.
Love is not nagging.
Love is being faithful to the very end.
Love is when your friends ask to give you a testimonial dinner.
Love is tickling.
Love is an invitation to lunch.
Love is allowing someone to sleep late.
Love is committing yourself in writing.
Love is hating to say goodbye.
Love is mussing up someone’s hair.
Love is loaning your best comic magazines.
Love is walking hand-in-hand.
Love is helping your sister with her homework.
Love is a letter on pink stationery.
Love is being a good watch dog.
Love is wishing you had nerve enough to go over and talk with that little girl with the red hair.
Love is being patient with your little brother.
Love is close dancing.
Love is standing in a doorway just to see her if she comes walking by.
Love is a flag.
Love is a goodnight kiss.
Love is a smile even when he keeps you waiting.
Love is the whole world.
For me...
Love is spending your honeymoon in Algonquin Park.
Love is being woken each day with a kiss.
Love is the laughter that comes after the tears.
Love is pizza on Friday night.
Love is someone shrinking your favourite sweater.
Love is snow on a Valentine's Day....


What is your love is?

Thursday 9 February 2012

I Believe In Bees



I recently read an amazing lttile book, that I think is a must read for everyone. It is called  "Bees" By Candace Savage.  This book provides a detailed scientific journey of a lifetime of devotion by Karl von Frisch and Martin Lindauer to unravel the unique world of bees.  Woven throughout this beautiful book are illustartions, photos and lyrical musings caputuring the essence and significants of the bees imprint on our world.

Sunday 29 January 2012

The "Divine Sarah" Vaughan.



Sarah Vaughan-Sweet, Sultry and Swinging 
"I'd Rather Have a Memory Than A Dream."

I'd rather have a memory than a dream,
For then I'd learn what heaven's all about.
There'd be an angel in my arms, you fit right in the seat,
And then my heart could just keep singing out!

I'd rather have your kisses than a smile,
For then there'd be the magic of romance.
The thrill of being all your own, yes even for a while,
Is something I'd be brave enough to chance!

For dreams are just imagination,
While memories are as real as you,
And I've enough imagination
To wish that all my dreams come true!

I'd rather have you near me than apart,
For then you'd know exactly what I mean,
But when I'm far away from here and long for you, sweetheart,
I'd rather have a memory than a dream!

I'd rather have a memory than a dream!