First Snowfall

BEFORE

BEGINNING

DURING

LATER

EVENING

NEXT MORNING

All images are mine.

I Read a Poem

I read a poem
(not mine)

words bloom images
fresh, right, vivid.

Can I ever
craft a poem...
so perfect?

He is graduate student
has coaching
has experience
has talent.

I ache in the gaps
between us
and our work.

She is published author
has mentors
has experience
has talent.

Lover reminds:
Jealousy arises
from mirrored
potential.

Truth?
Maybe yes,
maybe no...

Grudging
yet calm,
I return to my work,
write and
write again.

Words sprout
in the envy-green soil,
swell into poems

and
gossamer dreams.

Image and words are mine.

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/

Cast Iron Griddle

Cast iron griddles and memories

last a lifetime; sometimes longer,

if passed down.

Heat griddle on burner,

acrid metallic smell, dollop of grease,

sudden sputter of shortening and steam.

Pancake batter plops circles spreading,

fragrant, bubble and coffee-colour,

crock of dark beans bakes slowly.

Brown bread cools, yeasty aromas,

frying pork chops sizzle and snap,

spatula scrapes across cast iron.

Flip pancakes and chops, add

seasonings, create pan gravy

and the Saturday nights of childhood.

Photo and words are mine.

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/

Wedding in a Whirlwind...more

The wedding was planned, everything was ready,

then a post-tropical storm blew through the tiny village of Prospect, Nova Scotia.  An outdoor wedding set to happen on

the rocks at High Head, on the coast was saved from disaster

by the kindness of the owners of

Prospect Village Bed and Breakfast. 

Knowing of our dilemma, they offered their rear deck
for the ceremony.  They had also offered their living room but Melanie and Kelly were set on getting married outside,
in the wind and the rain.

The Prospect Village Bed and Breakfast had once been a convent for the Sisters of Charity, so came complete with cross and an atmosphere appropriate to the sanctity of commitment vows. 

(I'll tell you more about the Prospect Village Bed and Breakfast

in tomorrow's blog entry.)

Ann, Kelly's mother offered blessings as we stood in the storm.  She is on the right, out of the photo.  Mary Ellen, the Justice of the Peace wore a fetching pink rain coat and a sturdy black hat. 

We couldn't figure out how the hat stayed on

in the gale force winds!

Kelly and Melanie with Zara in the background taking pictures, as Mary Ellen conducts the ceremony.  Kelly started out with a jacket but was soon soaked through,

then opted for just his shirt. 

What the heck he was wet anyway!

Kaleb is opening the ring box and we are crowding around trying to ensure that the box and the ring don't blow away. 

Shortly after this photo, Tim almost left the deck

in a particularly strong gust of wind.

We have these wonderful wet photos taken from the inside of the Prospect Village Bed and Breakfast courtesy

of the warmth and generosity of the owner,

Rosalee Peppard Lockyer who created pictures for us.

Melanie and Kelly exchanging vows.  I am not crying,

just trying to wipe away salt sea spray and rain

from my eyes.  Kaleb is trying not to set sail across the deck.

Doesn't my little girl look happy?

Rosalee was thoughtful to invite Susan,

Melanie's step-mother inside

to watch the wedding, as she wasn't feeling well that day. 

We were so glad she could be there too.

Rings safely landed on fingers, vows repeated, prayers and blessings offered, we were set to go.  Rosalee opened the back door and hugged Melanie and actually offered to let us come into her beautiful home for a glass of wine.  How wonderful!  And brave!  We were all soaked.  We declined her generous offer and soggily climbed into cars to return to Melanie's and Kelly's place for a wedding dinner of seafood and steak, laughter and gifts, photos and music, and of course, a bit of wine.

Blessings on you both as you begin this

new form of your relationship together.

May there be truth and understanding between you.

May you enjoy length of days, fulfillment of hopes,

peace and contentment of mind.

May God bless you and keep you always.  Amen.

Words in red will take you to another site with additional information, if you click on them. 

All photos are mine and Rosalee's. 
 If you want to learn more about the Prospect Village Bed and Breakfast,
please click here http://www.prospectvillagebb.ca/  and if you want more information
about the talented Rosalee Peppard click here  http://www.rosalee.ca/