Place

I am attached to the place I live; sometimes to the extent of forgetting it is not the whole world. 

I live among maple, birch and spruce, in the company of chickadees and jays, ducks and deer in an old residential area of Riverview, NB. Here, it is easy to forget that the river, the bay, the Acadian forest and mountains so close to me are not the whole world for everyone.

Last weekend, we went to Halifax, Nova Scotia and stayed in a hotel where the scenery was office towers and apartment buildings.  This photo is an elliptical-shaped building, The Martello; the penthouse is offered for $860,000. plus the monthly condo fees.  The other view was the snow covered uprising slope of The Citadel, topped with white masts; it looked like the whole hill might be ready to set sail.  Of course, there were trees and parks within the city, and as always, the gorgeous harbour.

It was unlike what I am used to, that’s all.  Not better or worse, simply different.  And that was good.  My poetry writing mind and my photo seeing mind were piqued and stimulated by those changes.  It was a challenge and gift to roam the city because it was not familiar. 

I realized that I am stuck in my love of the place I live.

It is helpful and nourishing to get away to unfamiliar surroundings, to get unstuck and be invited to walk streets shaded and squeezed by sky scrapers, to notice an abundance of seagulls, oak trees six stories tall, myriad bistros and cafes, all as inviting as our own, but different.

We drove out to Peggy’s Cove on Sunday.  The granite boulders and the ocean were strangely soothing.  The Cove has never disappointed; ice, like thin frosting offered the same visual warning to stay off as did the wet, black rocks in summer.  And like summer, people still walked out to the edges, despite the cautions.

I enjoyed the trip away.  It was good to be free of responsibilities, to do what I wanted, when I wanted.

But, coming home, I relearned something I’ve always known. The damp salt air, the stony beaches, the salt water marsh, the muddy Petitcodiac River, the deciduous and evergreen forests of Albert County, New Brunswick are where my roots stretch deep into the earth and hold me in place.

They are my home.

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.

Words in coloured text will take you to another site 

with additional information, if you click on them.

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.

Prospect Village, Nova Scotia

               Two weeks ago, we visited Prospect Village,

    Nova Scotia.  Enamoured with the village, we spent an afternoon exploring on foot.

The original inhabitants were the Mi'kmaq people, drawn by

the fishing around Prospect Bay. 

Later in 1794, Irish and English fisher folk settled

the Village of Prospect. 

Though the area constantly endures strong winds and salt spray, perched on the rocky shore of Nova Scotia,

it is still considered to be a place of refuge during storms

and a good place to fish.



The name Prospect evolved from its earlier Mi'kmaq name, through subsequent mutilations by Irish and English explorers, cartographers and fisher folk.

We weren't the only foot travellers that day.  A photographer braved the winds and cool weather seeking to capture photos

of the wave action.

The trek through the village was time well spent. 

What could be more peaceful

than a day with wind and water,

friendly people sharing history

and spectacular views at every turn?

All photos are mine.  If you want more info about Prospect Village, check out http://www.prospectvillage.ca/. 

If you're searching for a place to stay, so you can explore this area too, click on http://www.prospectvillagebb.ca/

Wedding Blessing

When my daughter made plans to be married on the rocky coastline of Nova Scotia, she asked my sister to paint a picture of the site.

We travelled to their special place a few weeks before the wedding, took many photos and gave them to my sister for inspiration.

Rounds of wind whip the rough coastline, sending grand waves crashing, seawater foaming, creating a wild venue for a wedding, even more challenging for  painting.

My sister, Wendy is an accomplished artist with work found in Canada and the eastern United States.  So, the painting sounds like a simple request, right?

Not so!  Wendy suffered a debilitating stroke in 2003, losing the use of her right arm.  She has painstakingly re-learned to paint with her left hand.

Just as Wendy is a role model for anyone faced with a physical disability, my daughter is a role model for any woman struggling with painful changes and life-altering decisions.

Because they are both strong women, determined to weather the storms of life with humor and honesty to discover their own happiness, the painting is a link and a blessing between them.

For more information about Wendy Steel, read my blog entry of March 8, 2011.  All photos are mine.  Words in red will give you additional information, if you click on them.

Prospect Village Bed and Breakfast, Nova Scotia

Down a twisting shore road to Prospect Bay, we crest a hill and before us—paradise!  Have you ever been to Prospect Village on Prospect Bay, Nova Scotia?  Unique combinations of older cedar shake homes and modern styles; a combination of respect for the past and valuing of a life lived in a place blessed with natural wild beauty.  Most of the homes in the village have remained in the same families for generations.

We stayed for a few days at the Prospect Village Bed and Breakfast, while in the area for our daughter’s wedding. (See my blog entries for November 15 and 16, 2011.)  Our hosts Rosalee Peppard Lockyer and Allan Lockyer shared the colourful history of this Bed and Breakfast, through conversations over breakfast and a written history left in each guest room.

Prospect Village Bed and Breakfast was built as a summer home, in 1849 by James W. Johnston, then premier of Nova Scotia. Five years later, it was acquired by Patrick Power, a prominent Nova Scotian, and member of the House of  Commons from 1867-1872.  A devout Roman Catholic, in 1875, he gave the property to the Sisters of Charity who turned it into a convent and school.

In 1906, the Sisters of Charity left Prospect, unable to support the convent; the school was closed.  From 1909-1911, it became a “Glebe” or residence for priests who had ministered to this parish since its inception in 1794.  The cross was erected beside the house, on an old graveyard and original church site, to commemorate the 200^th anniversary in 1994.

In 1917-1918, it became an orphanage for children whose parents died in the Halifax Explosion.

In 1926, it was again sold; this time to Margaret Young who operated it as a hotel into the late 1940’s.  Bob Lanigan was a teen when he worked here as a helper in 1932.  In August 2006, he told a story that Margaret could cook the halibut and haddock he’d catch, in a dozen different ways but she admonished him that besides her staples of potatoes and carrots, she had only two things on the dinner menu:  Take it or Leave it!

In 1950, a group of recreational fishing enthusiasts bought it for the Salt Water Fishing Club.  In 1989, it was sold and subsequently converted into a Bed and Breakfast.  In 2006, Rosalee Peppard Lockyer and Allan Lockyer purchased and now share this marvellous and miraculous place with folks who seek accommodations in Prospect Village.

Rosalee and Allan have retained the character of this 4 1/2  Star Bed and Breakfast by including luxurious linens, Nova Scotia paintings and art, Red Oak floors, handmade soaps and crèmes, organic regionally-sourced breakfasts, handcrafted furnishings, live music and unparalleled Maritime hospitality.

In recent years, the Prospect Village Bed and Breakfast has been featured in the National Geographic Magazine in an article on Nova Scotia, in movies such as Baby starring Farrah Fawcett and Jean Stapleton, in Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas with Christina Applegate and in a documentary for TV on the fateful Swissair Flight 111.

Professional singer and songwriter of Maritime heritage, Rosalee Peppard http://www.rosalee.ca/ sings and tells stories with guests in the evening.   She and Allan began the KITCHEN concert series in November 2006.  Because Rosalee’s singing talents and oral “herstory” skills are in ever increasing demand, they are planning to sell this historic property…perhaps to another couple who could cherish the scenery and history of this unique property on Prospect Bay, an easy drive to Peggy’s Cove and to downtown Halifax.

We enjoyed our recent stay at the Prospect Village Bed and Breakfast.  Were impressed with the warmth, charm and ambiance of the place, as well as the gentle grace with which Rosalee and Allan share Maritime hospitality.  It was a superb location for an intimate wedding!

We’ll stay there again! 

Many times, we hope!

All words in red will take you to another site with additional information, if you click on them.  All photos are mine.  Historical data comes directly from conversations and documents at the Prospect Village Bed and Breakfast.   To learn more about the Prospect Village Bed and Breakfast click this  http://www.prospectvillagebb.ca/  and to learn more about Rosalee Peppard click this  http://www.rosalee.ca/

European Starlings, the Original "Flash Mob"

The European Starling was introduced to North America in 1890 and 1891, when about 60 individuals were released into New York's Central Park.  It was part of the local Shakespeare society's plan to introduce all the birds mentioned in their favourite author's writings, according to Roger Burrows in Birds of Atlantic Canada.

Since the 1890's, the starling spread quickly across the continent, often at the expense of other native, cavity-nesting birds.  Despite efforts to control or to eradicate the European starling, it continues to claim wider territory.

European starlings are perhaps the real originators of the "flash mob" concept!  They are boisterous, loud, travel in large groups, making a constant stream of rattles, whirrs, and whistles.  Much of the year, they wheel through the sky and mob lawns in big, noisy feeding flocks.

In summer, these stocky dark birds with short tails, triangular-shaped wings and yellow beaks are actually iridescent purplish-green.  In winter, their plumage changes to brown covered in brilliant white spots; their bills to brown.  Notice the exotic polka dot colouring in this "flash mob" captured by my sister and brother-in-law, at their backyard birdbath.

I also saw starlings just getting into their fall colours, at the Halifax waterfront last Saturday.  As we sat eating our lunch and enjoying the boats on the water, these aggressive birds wandered the boardwalk demanding french fries and any other left-over food from patrons at the Historic Properties.

I did not immediately identify them as starlings, as I thought they kept their dark glossy colours all year round.  As they flew over the water, I saw that in flight their wings are short and pointed, which makes them look like small four-pointed stars.  While doing research, I learned that this star shape is what gives them their name.

These photos were taken by my sister and brother-in-law. 

If you click on any of the red words, you will go to another website with additional information.



Prospect Bay, Nova Scotia

On Saturday, we explored Route 333 in Nova Scotia, turning off on the Prospect Bay Road, travelling all the way out to Indian Point Road.  We ended up in a quaint collection of homes set on the roughly-bouldered coastline of southern Nova Scotia.

We parked the car and walked carefully

through the swampy bits

and over huge boulders

to reach the water's edge.

It was approaching sunset and the wind was up

so we were cautious and stayed well back

from the water's edge, knowing that this particular coast

can be deadly as well as beautiful.

It is wise to treat the Atlantic Coast with respect,

as many have been sucked off the rocks

by a rogue wave, and not all have returned.

For us, on Saturday, it was a windy walk to

a wildly breath-taking coastline, and the

peach-pink glow of sunset for company

on our path home.

All photos are mine.  If you click on the words in red,

you will go to another website with additional information.