Crazy Things I Love

"SORRY WE''RE OPEN"

That is actually a sign we spotted on a shop in Haida Gwaii  I just love these Boo Boos ...we need to have a smile now and then to cut through the mist and fog in our lives. 

There was another one "Bed and Make Your Own Breakfast" ......after all you are still really sleeping in someone's house when you stay at a B&B and if the breakfast call ends at 8:00 AM and you are beat to a snot from traveling the day before and you would like to sleep in till 8:00 AM .  ahem

These do not need any further comment. They made me smile every day.

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This friendly, smiling Santa is by the Smoothy Shop all year round and we visited him in August ....as you can see he just finished watering his garden and is checking his list  with the help of  Isadore.

At the Festival at the Edge of the World in Haida Gwaii there are a number of outhouses ....There is also a contest for businesses in the area to come up with the best decorated KYBO.  This one was the winner (missing from the picture is the waiting bench with wonderful potted plants and outdoor coffee table).  The inside was the prettiest outhouse I ever saw ...complete with hand sanitizers, room deoderizor,  classy magazines (in a rack) ,fresh flowers ....etc ...you get the picture.

I would have driven by this one but I found that the food is actually really good here and the place is quite pleasant. The break-wich bun is awesome.  

No s--- is right!  I can't believe that the 4x4 took this hill ....this is almost a 90 degree drop...."white knuckle-ly"  Sunday drive to Rennell Sound.

This is no Joke ....These signs are all over Haida Gwaii ...a reality of the changing climate and living on the Pacific Coast.

Finally,  This is one that  only a homesick Cape Bretoner would really get ....Jim spied this piece of bark on the hike to Bonanza Beach, and kid you not, he saw the map of CB here complete with the Bras d'Or Lakes.

Ouch now that I'm back home, and trust me I love it here, I feel a little tinge of homesickness for the quirks  of Haida Gwaii and all the gentle folk out there. 

It is true what Jon Kabat Zann said "Where ever you go ...there you are"  I do see myself in the good people I meet where ever I go LOVE IT!

Love and light

Chris

Purple Onion Stew and The Ground grind

Well folks this is attempt # 5 at the promised Java Jive on another 2 well known gathering points on Haida Gwaii

                             

This is the Purple Onion, a place in Charlotte where you can plug in to the local news of the day, meet friends, get to know  what makes a town tick and argue about the politics of the day ....or just maybe sit in the sun or the mist and watch the tide of visitors in Charlotte ebb and flow. That is a good thing . The sandwiches here are reputed to be fantastic but smiles are not always free here.  

  

The big purple couch and chair here will  make you feel like royalty and there is  a kooky sense of humor in the decor as you can see from the aptly labeled Leek room.(washroom)

Now if you were to travel north to Masset  you will find a new little Java hut called the Ground. The coffee here is fantastic and the service is very friendly.

Sydney, a name I wouldn't forget since it reminds me of home, is a great barrista who will add a lovely artistic swirl to your latte for you to contemplate while you get your hit of caffeine



 

 

Like Queen B's there is a display of local artisans for sale. The work on the left was very interesting ceramic but it looked like stone that was stitched together ...real wow factor if you could see it up close!

I think that there must be Gremlins in my computer or this post was just jinxed from the start.  I made so many attempts to publish this and couldn't get it off the ground .....so here goes ......I'm going for a cuppa ....this time I'm back in NS and counting on good quality Green Tea to  get me where I need to be.

Love and light

Chris

Queen B's ... Continued

Sean setting up for the afternoon of music

As mentioned in my previous posting, the Queen B's Cafe here in QC is an exceptional place. It is warm and welcoming, quiet and soothing, yet (at times) boisterous and energetic.
That energy level reached a peak last Sunday (August 29) with the 'Auntie Buttons Art Show and Pizza Party (including 'made-for-the-occasion' Auntie  Button Cup-Cakes!) with LIVE Entertainment!'

It was a 2pm - 4pm family friendly gathering that celebrated the art work of Kim, Jody's sister, (who got the stage name of  Auntie Buttons from her nephew, Isadore.)                  

Auntie Buttons felted works on the wall

With the works of art on display, and the pizzas, cupcakes, and coffees (as well as other beverages, of course) heated up, and the music rocking, it all combined to provide a wonderful way to pass a drizzly Sunday afternoon.

Kim chatting with Laurel

Since it is a small facility, the 'crowd' of 25 - 35 patrons overflowed onto the outdoor patio; and the enthusiasm and joy of those present (actually well represented in the artwork, as you can see in the accompanying pictures) was quite apparent (of course, the playing and dancing children helped, as always).

Jim exchanging stories with John and Donna

Conversations flowed as easily as the many cups of 'whatever' (Jim preferred the regular dark roast while I was partial to Bonnie and Dana's lattes!), and we enjoyed, so much, the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that a venue like this could provide.
Bonnie and Dana were pleased, Kim was delighted to sell a few of her works, and all who attended , I really believe, quite enjoyed with the whole experience.



Art representing life / life representing art !?!

Whatever ... a good (no, a GREAT) time was had by all!!

Thanks to those who made it all happen.

Living in the moment

My jottings and Java at Jags

Senor, dadles pan a los que tienen hambre, y hambre de justicia, a los que tienen pan. 
Lord to those who hunger, give bread.
To those who have bread, give a hunger for justice.
- Latin American prayer


I knew that I wanted to write this blog for a while ....I have been thinking about life's little pleasures and where you find them It occurred to me that one of the highlights of my week is going to Jags on Friday morning for a cappacino ....His are simply the best on the Islands.  First of all ...the coffee at this shop is all Fair Trade (a big plus in my book ) ....the service is always friendly and it is like coming home to be there. I like to go to Jags each week to see Erica's face light up as we walk in AND if you want to know about local local culture, points of interest and events, Jags is your man ... He never makes you feel like he is too busy to share time with customers.  The coffee shop is a solarium with a view of the bay that will take your breath away.

Izzie and Erica discussing muffins

Behind Izzy you see the view of Skidigate

We drove from Guysborough to Haida Gwaii 5 years ago, and made a pact when we left home that we would seek out the 'Mom and Pop' coffee shops along the way and, where possible, search for Fair Trade coffee as we went. You see there is just such a place in almost every town you pass through and it is usually an indicator of the type of  folks who gather  there. We also went with a selection of Just Us Fair Trade coffee and info sheets on that company for our hosts along the way. This proved to be a wonderful brainwave.
There is a sense of social justice with each sip ....and we started to look at coffee in a different way ...It is a treat, not a given. In retrospect, I'm a little sorry  that I didn't take a photo of all these little places as I went.

But for this current post, our first stop is my favorite one in Antigonish ...The Tall and Small;  besides great coffee, they make positively the BEST walnut lentil burgers ever, and the cafe hosts art shows of various local artists as well as performances of some of the best in the renowned Jazz program at St F. X.

The Tall and Small is a Cafe on the right side of this building where folks gather to trade stories and argue about the politics and events of the day. Popular with everyone from Musicians, Artsy university students to fishermen the local Business Professionals ...a happening place in Antigonish

Here on Haida Gwaii you will not find Tims or Starbucks but you will find a thriving coffee industry where people gather and as in all little hamlets each one is a favorite for different reasons and attracts individual tastes.

Queen B's has a wonderful selection of home cooked (mostly vegetarian) dishes and a decadent array of desserts ... all made right there with love by Bonnie and Dana (and staff).  You need to see the joy that this woman exudes and the sound of her voice and laughter is worth the trip! (not to mention....that she is a great hugger)

Bonnie and Dana seen here during  an art opening for Auntie Buttons, where a rainy Sunday afternoon was warmed by sharing stories and song with friends ...live music and homemade pizza, a warm fun family event ...see up coming blog on that one.

Now there is the Purple Onion in Charlotte, the Rising Tide in Tlell and the Ground in Massett up and coming in the next blog  post, each with its own  distinctive culture.


Love and light
Chris

Sharing Food and Memories

War iyo la cuno, baa lagu nool yahay.
Communication and food are the things that one lives by.
-Somali Proverb

Ever wonder what makes the difference between living and life.  I was just reflecting on how when it comes right down to it what I do with my life in the space between bites is what makes it really living.  Sure we need food and the basics to survive but as I always said it  is not how much is on the table as who is around the table that really sustains us in the end.

Here, living on a group of Islands you really  are forced to think about what goes in your mouth and why. Food is not scarce but it is pricy and you don't take that for granted ....you buy what you need and you eat what you buy. So you better make the right choices. It was much the same in the Arctic and for a CFA (come from away) to walk into a food store and make loud proclamations on the cost of food or anything else here is just rude.

In the North, the traditional food is referred to as country food. That is food that you or someone you know fish or hunt for on the land.  Here in Haida Gwaii there is an abundance of fish, berries, deer and most households have a garden and or a small greenhouse. For the most part folks don't take food  for granted  especially if you hunt or someone you know does this for you. Jim had the good fortune to go out fishing with Sean and one of his friends last weekend and the pictures below are of the Salmon they caught.

This one was 30 lbs

For Sean and Jody, the community here on the misty isles are what sustains life too and this past Friday there was a group of  friends who came over to feed the soul with munchies and music.

The wee ones busied themselves with pirate ships indoors and climbing trees and racing about outdoors.

and more stories

while most traded stories and ideas

"no kidding it  was this big!"

Oh yes there was also Atari

I didn't know that there was still one in existence!

Later in the evening  after the wee ones had disappeared into dreamland the instruments came out and the group traded 8's late into the night. 

Hope you make room in your life this summer for some good food and friends to share your Journey too

Love and light 

Chris

Festival at the Edge of the Earth

On August 7th, the first weekend of our arrival on Haida Gwaii we attended the Festival at the Edge of the Earth ....No Kidding that is the real name of the festival here in Haida Gwaii. I must say I'm really charmed! It is nothing like Stanfest (apples and oranges ) I like them both and for different reasons.
To begin with this festival is very small and more up close and personal. The focus is on a family event and kids and parents of all ages mingled throughout the weekend.

The following entry will be about the festival goers and the Life around the festival as opposed to the entertainers ...which I will get to later . Above is Jim and our grandson Isadore on the first evening.

Because the event is small enough there are outhouses instead of port-a-potties ....thus we see !a competition for the best one and the winner is the one below ...the inside was quite lovely and it was sponsored by a local bakery.

As I mentioned before this is a family festival and the planning for it goes on all year with a lot of folks around the islands, giving input long before the festival weekend. I really got a kick out of this sign on the field .

 The lanterns in the lantern parade which takes place at 10:45 each night were made back in May and June.

There was a dancing area in front of the stage and people of all ages got up and shared the dance as you can see many dressed in carnival like costumes and celebrated creativity and music of the people.

During the day there were play areas for small children where there was a "Tickle Trunk" of costumes and the biggest sandbox along with craft activities for the "tween" set. There was also hula hoops and poi going all day long and after dark the more agile of the performers played with fire as we see below.  I got to try my hand at poi and I'm learning and all black and blue from the whacks I take in the process. (poi are an Indonesian invention I believe ...a ball on the end of a leather cord or in the case of the ones I have they are on a wee chain!)

Fire poi at night

Hoop fun

I want to close by letting all you who are kind enough to take the time to read my blog that I've been spending more time doing these days than reflecting on what I'm doing ...I wish I could say it is because I'm present and living in the moment but at the end of a day filled with a delightful two year old I don't have the will or patience to fight with blogger when it won't do what I feel it should.

Stay tuned I should be getting my stride soon.

Love and light

Chris

I have to share a link with the summer as it unfolded for our family.The newest addition was Tara's dog Sophie, a not so tiny St Bernard puppy who won her way into every heart this summer. Here she sits beneath the bentwood rocker,her favorite spot this summer...just trying to stay cool during Dog Days of Summer.She will soon be a resident of the small community of Qikatarjuik in the Eastern Arctic.

Getting to walk the sandy beach of Point Machaud with a group of good friends in June  was another highlight of the summer and I look forward to seeing these sands in the late fall

June also afforded me an opportunity to take in a workshop with this lovely group of Yoginies in the new yoga space in Fall River.

June ended and July began with the Stan Rogers folk festival and it turned out to be the first time in memory where there was no rain ...a time to fill your boots with the best music and folks you are likely to find; a time to renew friendships, and create memories that will warm you through the winter months.

This boat in the still waters at the mouth of the Milford Haven River as it opens into Chedabucto Bay was the last sight I saw as our car pulled out of Guysborough and pointed to the west.

We also bid farewell to Tara for another year as she heads to the Arctic once again with her three pooches after spending the month of July with us. What a wonderful time and opportunity to connect and nurture our spirits ....we were blessed.

Doing the tide

Around here the phrase "Doing the tide " can mean different things depending on who you speak to. Generally  the tide is moving around the tidal fed body of water called the Milford Haven River, taking you around the picturesque community of Guysborough Intervale.

This marks the beginning of our trip. Lesterdale is the name of the little community starting at the bridge near Boylston. I've taken this loop many times by car but yesterday was my first attempt by pedal power.  

My friend Cindy suggested we make an attempt since we hinted at it a few times....this can't be so bad so we dig out the bikes and helmets and head off to the Crow's Nest for lunch ....another of Boylston's best kept secrets 

Wednesday lunches at the Crow's Nest is beginning to fall victim to their success ....the cars were really stacked up this Wed and what a great way to get out and connect with community ....best lunches and service going Thanks Di an Audry for looking after us! This week was home made fish cakes and salad with strawberry shortcake for dessert.

After a short pedal we came to the Connolly farm with these beauties prancing and dancing in the field.

Pedaling is an interesting endeavor. when you have the good fortune to do it with a friend there is always moments of sharing ideas about what you see but there is more time to just be alone with your thoughts in nature. The odd thing is that I was pedaling along with that thought in my head when Cindy brought out the same reflection. The scents of spring , the sound of the song birds, the gurgling of the little brooks along the way is a much different experience on a bike than on foot ...and by car ...it doesn't even factor.

                              

It is interesting that you can tell a lot about most rural communities by the age and architecture of the churches .St Patrick's, Pictured here, was originally constructed in the 1800's and it's upkeep in a little community like this speaks volumes for the people who live here .  In rural communities like this one it is the hub of social and neighbourly activity.(thanks for the picture Isabelle)

 The final leg of the journey took us past a few lovingly cared for farms and past Janice's haughty hens very busy with an afternoon scratch in the garden.

So chalk up another one .....or let me scratch another one off my bucket list. On Wednesday "I did the tide " on a bike (dry, very dry) at the suggestion of my friend Cindy and I have to say I'm very happy that I didn't know it was 28km till we were almost finished.

Now where did I put my list?........hmmmm let's see .....Camping on the beach and seeing the sunrise over the bay....ahh I guess that will have to wait till it feels like the ice is no longer in the bay.

Till then how about trying this ....walk barefoot in the in the early morning when the dew is still on the grass and watch how fantastic you feel for the rest of the day! Go look at the day as it begins!

Love and light
Chris