Perspective

When I think I have everything in my life figured out, I discover I have been examining too closely.  

I have looked at minute details, become too serious and forgotten the larger perspectives.  

I step back.  And suddenly, I see how varied, expansive and beautiful the world really is.

Atlantic Books Today

You know those contests in which you just sign in, sign on, sign up and perhaps you'll win a prize, but never do? Well, I won.

The prize?  A 49th Shelf prize pack of books written by local authors.  What fun! 

Now I have:   how the gods pour tea by Lynn Davies
                       Savage Love by Douglas Glover
                       My White Planet by Mark Anthony Jarman
                       Grist by Linda Little
                       Portrait of Julia by Robert MacNeil
                       an "I Read Local" button
                       a cloth bag for my books

Happy reading for me.  Thank you Atlantic Books Today and 49th Shelf.

Just when you think you'll never win one of those contests...


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First Snowfall

First snowfall, 

first flakes soft feathering, 

ice on your tongue.

Big Tancook Island, Nova Scotia...more

We had frequent visitors at the cottage we rented 

on Big Tancook Island.

The neighbour's cat...

the neighbour's hens...

each wandered through exploring

and ignoring us.

This is the view from the cottage 

on Southeast Cove, Big Tancook Island.

The first piece of land, the darkest to the left is

the other curve of Southeast Cove.

Behind that is the tip of Little Tancook Island, 

and behind that again

is Blandford on the mainland.

On clear nights, 

we could see the light at Peggy's Cove

sweeping the sea.

This is the evening sky 

on our last day at the cottage.

There the night sky was free 

from light pollution so the stars

were visible, incredible,

overwhelming. 

There was so much more to do and see

than we had time to explore,

both on the island and in the Chester area.

  

We'll have to return.

I'm hoping 

soon.

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I've written so much lately about the cottage and the Tancooks 

that people have asked if I was advertising for them.  The answer is no.

I've received nothing for the writing.

I enjoyed the island so much, it is difficult to stop talking about it.

Go, see for yourself.

Big Tancook Island, Nova Scotia

Southeast Cove, Big Tancook Island

A week ago, we left our car and cares on the mainland in Chester, Nova Scotia, and hopped aboard a whale watching boat to make a windy, wet trip to Big Tancook Island.  The property managers for our vacation rental met us at the dock and drove us to the cottage.  It was hardly a "cottage", outfitted as it was with every convenience and recently re-finished.  We were the first to rent this modern three-bedroom home.

Views toward Ironbound Island and a neighbour's dock

After we got ourselves settled, we sat out on the deck near the water (the fire-pit area) to acquaint ourselves with the scenery and to breathe summer, relax.

The ferry was down for repairs to a cracked propeller and was fixed by the next day.  The whale watching boat was faster but the ferry was dryer and could easily hold more passengers and supplies.  Both were intriguing ways to get on and off the Island.

Aging dock at bottom of the property

I'll be writing more about Big Tancook Island in the next few blogs.

We've been home for 2 1/2 days, and I miss the Island very much.


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Last of May

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Though spring was late this year, the yard has, at last, leafed in.  And, when our yard leafs in, we are surrounded by walls of green, closing us off from neighbours, in a cozy, friendly way.  We are wrapped in nature; rapt in nature, too.  It feels so good.

The Leaves in May

All at once the trees wear chartreuse; 

life rising,

swollen with spring.

Forsythia in Bloom

The yellow birds sing

throats full of spring. In windows,

forsythia sun.

Spring Squills

 

The first flowers of spring

in our yard

are the squills (scilla bifolia).

 

They pop up in the places we planted them

and in the places

where the squirrels moved them...

always surprises.

 

 

They grow in a circle under the crab apple tree

and in waves though the grass.

 

They don't stay long,

but long enough to comfort 

my heart's hope for spring.

 

Crocus Flowers Bloom

The sun shines

The crocus flowers bloom

My heart hums a tune

the song of robins

Need I say more?

A Perfect Rainy Monday

Raining...again…today.  I wanted to be outside raking winter’s debris from the yard, but it’s raining again today.  I look out the window and can see work, which needs to be done.  I can’t see past my list: rake, trim, stake and repair.  The list nags at my brain.

My internal critic wants me to be out there getting stuff done; ticking off another chore from the list.  It’s not a good way to begin the day.

But, what’s this in my yard?  

A pair of mallard ducks have landed.  They waddle up the gravel path to the paved driveway.  It, too, needs work, as the frost has pushed and heaved the driveway into humps and depressions where puddles of rainwater pool.  I wonder if the ducks are looking for a drink from a puddle, but no.

They are looking for something else, necks outstretched and clearly searching.  Ah, they’ve found it, but what?  I can’t see anything but dark pavement, but they are rushing to a flat spot near the puddles. They appear to be eating something.   Heads down, heads up and shake. 

I can’t see anything from inside and know if I open the door to get closer, they’ll fly.  I grab the camera and wind the lens out and watch.  Worms.  Thin pink earthworms are lying on the pavement after the hard rains.  And the ducks are eating them, bending down and sucking up the worms, like children sucking up spaghetti noodles, one at a time.  

I hear myself laughing. What a delight!

I laugh at the ducks.  And at myself for fretting over my list.  Everything has its time and its purpose. The world does not end because I can’t rake today.  

This day is already perfect, just as it is full of rain and worms.  The ducks are relishing the opportunities this day offers, just as it is. 

I will too.

words and photos are ©copyright 2009-2014 Carol Steel

A Gift of Flowers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A gift of flowers from my friend

 

 

Saturday

Outside
icicles grow,

dripping from the eaves
and from the bird feeders.

 

 

 

Inside,

fragrance fills our home.

So it does,  Irish Stew

and Irish Soda Bread.

 

Slow dripping

and slow cooking...

Saturday

sublime.

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

Rub-a-dub-dub little man in a tub...

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday...he's actually having a bath in the sink, the perfect sized tub for him.  Gary is holding him so he doesn't slip while I take pictures.  I think he looks so much like Grampy Richard here.  Sweet boy!

From My Windows

Wordless Wednesday

Photos are copyright Carol Steel

Happy Birthday to my Daughter



Happy Birthday to my Daughter

In the midst of a surprise snowstorm in October and more than a month early, an erratic labour produced a lovely child with enchanting pale blue eyes; eyes the colour of autumn morning skies.

A new woman in the world.  A tiny pink mouth in a miniature of her father’s face.

She would grow to be generous, make spontaneous decisions, and have boundless capacity for love and sudden laughter.

A mixture of warmth and adventure, ever bringing home stray friends, excelling at school and university, especially in the sciences, arts and writing.

A woman of strong will and inner strength, graceful movements and slow temper, wise counsel and empathy.

She is all this:  world traveller, gourmet cook, handy-woman, organizer, maker of lists, caretaker of the environment, working Mom, fierce and loving mother of two sons, civil engineer, wife.

And more:  red haired, blue-eyed baby, now Senior Construction Project Manager, with wicked wit like her Dad’s, fit and slender, healthy and strong, more beautiful than she knows herself to be.

Happy Birthday to my daughter...

As you walk your own path,

as you dream your own dreams,

as you live the life you choose,

may your living be blessed.

I love you,

Mum

Words and photo are ©copyright Carol Steel.

Everything's Coming Up Roses

Have you ever had a day when you keep noticing the same phenomena over and over again, like a private message just for you?  I have.

Recently, I had a day in which the colour rose kept turning up…everywhere I looked.  I was awake early and saw the sun rising over the neighbour’s rooftop, rosy hues in the dawn sky.

The sunrise started me humming the tune “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.”   I smiled and noticed my insides were bubbly and light.  It was a cheery start to my day.

Later it rained (as red skies in the morning foretell) and the sedums in the garden became vibrant rosy pink in the wet.  I smiled as I noticed them.  Felt happy too.

 

As the day was ending, sun and cloud mixed.  The rain had slowed and the hydrangeas in the front garden glistened with droplets and were edged with rose.

All day long the tune ran through my head and rosy hues popped up, not just in my own yard but everywhere I went.

Ever had a day when colours displayed themselves and music sang itself to you, over and over again?

I wonder why it happens.

Photos and words are copyright © Carol Steel.  Words in red contain hyperlinks and will take you to another site with additional information, if you click on them.

What is it About the Water?

What is it about the water? 

Whenever we have the chance to explore the coastlines of the Maritimes, we do.  There is something nourishing and healing about being close to the shore.

We explored the Terence Bay area of Nova Scotia driving all the way to the end of the peninsula to Lower Prospect.  At the end of the road, we sat and watched people perching on the granite boulders, massive stones which are so prevalent along that coast.  We watched people far out in the Bay in their kayaks. 

We were careful not to cross private property lines, though there does seem to be something inherently wrong about people owning the coast.  Then again, I suppose if I had the money to buy a 300 to 700 thousand dollar property, I might be touchy about people crossing my property lines as well. 

But I don't and won't, so feel happy to be able to look, smell the salt breeze, and feel the spray on my skin as waves splash.

I do appreciate where we live, here in the Maritimes and am content to take photos and enjoy what is free to enjoy.

Because there is something healing and nourishing about being close to the water, isn't there?

Photos and words are copyright Carol Steel.

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My First Grandchild

My first grandchild, my first grand-daughter is graduating this year.  It is an exciting milestone for her, for me and for the whole family. 

What will her future hold?  What is her next adventure? 

None of that matters much this week because it's prom night, then graduation...with all the dressed-up and going-out fanciness that the celebrations of finishing high school promise.

Her Mom is proud of her.  We are all proud of her.  She is an amazing young woman facing a future filled with opportunity and dreams.

All of us wish her joy and happiness,

and want only the best in life for her.

Congratulations

on a job well done.