The Short of It

One of my favorite teachers, Sister Matthew Byrne, from my Grade 10 year, taught history and literature. She was an actor in her own way as well, one who could make a short story or an historical event come to life with her performance in front of the classroom.

My favourite memory of Sister involves the short story The Sniper by Liam O'Flaherty. Set in Ireland during the Civil War or the front of the classroom, the sniper, or a middle aged nun, was perched with a rifle, or yardstick, on a roof top in Dublin, or behind a desk. The nun's veil, lifted forward over her head, mimicked the cap worn by the sniper. How could any student forget that presentation?

Over the years, I have tried numerous times to embrace the short story genre, each time without success. Some fellow book club members feel the same about short stories, finding them unfulfilling, wanting the development of characters and plot which come with a novel. 

Then there is Alice Munro. Alice takes the short story to a whole other dimension in a rural Canadian setting. She is similar in age to my mother and writes of a time I know through my own life and my mother's. However, she has an economy of words, each one crafted to the story and explores life in a way which is universal. Her last collection of stories, Dear Life, has made me a fan of the genre.

Munro's Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013 was well deserved. Her work is accessible to every reader, but challenges us to look beyond the story for the learning of a lifetime. After reading dear Munro, I will approach short stories differently. However, when you know the best, others may pale in comparison.

Signs of Spring

It is happening much earlier than usual. Spring is usually late in eastern Canada, long after the day when the sun crosses the celestial equator, bringing more light and heat to the northern hemisphere. In our part of the world, spring is a slow starter.

                                                                                               First Day of Spring 2015

This year is different. Until Monday this week there was slob ice in the harbour, a Newfoundland term for slushy or broken ice, floating as a mass in the bay.

On Tuesday, with the change in wind direction, the ice was gone. 

Last week there was a V of geese in the sky which is also unusual for this early in March. The streams and brooks are running and the ground is thawing; the snow is almost gone.

Hear the sounds of spring here.

This is new territory for us. What does this mean? Will the grass turn green earlier? Will the trees begin to unfurl their leaves before the first week of June like they usually do? Will the earth be warm enough for planting earlier this year? Will there be frost as late as mid June as is often the case?

Meanwhile, we are enjoying the sights and sounds of spring now, the luxury of days without snow in early March. Maybe the barbecue will find its place on the patio early this year too.

For us, that will be a sure sign of spring!

Twelve Trees

When we arrived at the end of the boardwalk one day this week, we noticed a man coming out of the trees along the shoreline, past the trail. "There's a lot of erosion along there this winter," he said, pointing along the shoreline beyond the boardwalk. "In that short stretch, there are twelve trees which have fallen onto the beach." 

Looking at the area, the damage was obvious. The red soil, typical of the island, was visible along the shore. Trees had collapsed onto the beach from above. The shoreline which extends the length of the boardwalk into the city, is lined with armour stone, which has reduced erosion.

You can see the difference in erosion from the rock-lined shore to the exposed coastline. We have lost at least a meter, (3 feet) of coastline in this area.

The provincial government estimates that we lose from .3 to 1.5 meters, (1 to 5 feet) of coastline annually. It appears that we are in the upper range of that estimate in this area of the shoreline. The rate if erosion is alarming. 

In Summerside, Prince Edward Island, we rely on groundwater for our water supply. 

Our little city is on a small stretch of land between Northumberland Strait in the south and the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the north. Erosion can cause intrusions of salt water into the water table. 

Two wells have been lost to salt water already. Erosion poses a threat to our water supply. The armour stone has helped prevent further salt water intrusion into the water table as well.

Our island is very flat. Models showing the effects of rising sea levels due to global warming show our island submerged. While we will not live to see this happen, this island is home to our granddaughters. What are we leaving for them? It is frightening to consider.

The Fox and the Crows

During a late afternoon walk last week, the wind, which was relentless for two days, had ceased. The stillness of the air was welcome and fellow walkers commented about it. It was sunny and cool but a glorious winter day.

Wildlife around the boardwalk was active. Mice, squirrels, chickadees, mourning doves, blue jays and crows were busy feeding from the bounty left by islanders around the feeders along the trail. 

The animals continued to feed as their admiring fans stopped to watch or photograph them. People chatted as they watched.

On the way back down the trail, as we approached one of the feeders, two crows on the upper side of the trail were loud and boisterous, cawing as if to answer each other. They almost fell off the branches as they cawed so vehemently. As Newfoundlanders say,  "Something was on the go."

Then, as we talked to a woman with an Alaskan malamute which eyed the squirrels,

we saw a fox

stalking 

through the trees.

The crows, having seen it long before we did, cawed as they watched its every move. When the fox moved towards something on the ground, grabbed it and moved away to eat, the crows increased the clamour. They had lost their supper to the fox.

Walking across the bridge, heading home, we passed a man carrying a camera and tripod. We pointed out the position of the fox. There will be woodland photos of the fox circulating around Summerside, Prince Edward Island and beyond this week.

The Magic and Screen Blindness

It did not last long, less than five minutes. The cloud cover dropped the ceiling so that the heavens appeared much closer than on a clear day. 

The sky's blue gray hue was reflected off the land and sea.

It felt magical.

Indian Head Lighthouse at the mouth of the harbour at Summerside, Prince Edward Island, was a speck in the distance, framed by the naked stems and branches of young trees. 

The island sandstone, was an anchor for the scene, a more artistic use than its usual erosion prevention.

Then the sky started to brighten, as the clouds began to part and the usual sky blue appeared in patches. The sun threatened a breakthrough as well which was not welcome on this particular occasion.

 You could feel the ceiling lift as the sky continued to clear. The moment was gone.

Lacking a view finder, my camera's LCD screen was useless in this light. Point and shoot were my only options and using the zoom was tricky. I am pleased with the resulting photos despite my screen blindness. However, there is a screen protector in my future.

The Descendant and the Artist

It was our first trip to New York and we lined up for the Museum of Modern Art. We wanted to see so much art but the main reason for the visit was to see Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night . We headed to the gallery but Starry Night was not there. When we checked, the painting was on loan to another museum. I was so disappointed. Everything we saw after that point was lost on  me. 

My interest in this painting was partly due to the song Vincent by Don McLean, written in 1971. 

You can hear the song and see some of Van Gogh's work here.

Also, I knew the story of van Gogh from my high school history class and was familiar with much of his work. But my interest went beyond books and music. The parish priest, Father Adrian Kimenai, of my home parish of Mary Queen of the World, in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, was from the Netherlands originally

and was a great nephew of van Gogh.

I met Father Adrian when I needed a reference from my parish priest as I applied for teaching jobs with the Catholic school boards in Newfoundland. He was not in the parish very long at that point, so we did not know each other beyond a nodding acquaintance. We had a long conversation during which he asked me about myself and I eventually wrote a reference which he signed. During that conversation he asked me what I knew of van Gogh. That was when he told me about his connection to the artist, though I cannot remember the exact genealogy he explained at that time.

Mary Queen of the World Church was on the main floor of a building with the school upstairs. Father Adrian was instrumental in having a new church built, separate from the school. Then a most interesting thing happened, the great nephew of van Gogh, saw to the commissioning of Newfoundland artist Gerald Squires to do the art work for the new church. 

The story of the church and the art is here. You can see the Last Supper done by Squires in the article.

The work is incredible, depicting the stations of the cross, the last supper and the resurrection, in a Newfoundland setting. While costly at the time, the work is worth millions of dollars today. This art attracts people every year to see the incredible work done by Gerald Squires.

An interview with Gerald Squires is here. This interview is long but fascinating. Watch the first few minutes to see some of the stations of the cross.

Meanwhile, in 2009, when we visited Amsterdam and planned to visit the Rijksmuseum,

 we were elated to see Starry Night on loan from the Museum of Modern Art. A dream came true!

Father Adrian Kimenai died in the Netherlands in 2014. Gerald Squires died last year in Newfoundland. The priest was the visionary, the artist was the master who gave it form. Incredible art is the legacy.

Dogs of the Trail 1

There is shared sentiment among dog owners. They love these loyal creatures and spend a great deal of time caring for them. They spend money on food, grooming, toys and medical needs. "Let the dog out, let the dog in," is their mantra.

When one dog lover meets another, they exchange knowing looks. They both know how that four legged creature can stare her way into your heart. The soulful eyes watch every move, pick up on every emotion. They make you wonder, who is in there?

Young people, busy working and raising children, have found a way to incorporate a dog into their busy family. Seniors have their own way of doing the same, but sometimes, the dog becomes a focus of life, its needs become their needs, its companionship a vital part of life. Exercising the dog keeps many seniors active, as once or twice a day, they hit the streets, trails and boardwalks with the dog. Many one-sided conversations with these excellent listeners can fill lonely hours and provide a sense of security, especially during long nights.

To honour these wonderful animals, I take pictures of some of the dogs we encounter on our walks. Not all of these dogs are owned by seniors but most are. Each is a beautiful creature who fills the life of the owner(s) with companionship, exercise, security and love. 

People are proud of their dogs, eager to have their pictures taken and talk about them. The pictures do not do justice to these beautiful creatures but they give a glimpse of the many faces of these canine friends.

Introducing...

Nolan, a seven year old chocolate lab. Nolan's fur is like velvet. He never forgets anyone he meets.

Jersey is a fourteen year old border collie. He was brought home from a shelter four years ago. Jersey barks, "Hello," to any dog he meets on the trail and knows where all the bird feeders are located.

Barney is three years old and is allowed off-lead on the trail. This day, he rolled in poop and needed a bath when he arrived home. Show him the lead and he's ready for a walk.

Jag is a seven year old cairn terrier, a Scottish breed, hunter of rodents among the rocks. Jag only understands French though treats break all language barriers.

Shadow is a six year old shih tzu. When the couple brought him home, they did not name him for two days until his name revealed itself.

Hero is a four year old golden retriever, red in colour. He follows the family around the house and is great with children.

Winston is a two year old pug, named after that famous Brit.

Enzo is a four year old boxer from the same home as Winston. Enzo was focussed on Winston the entire time I was talking to their owner.

Lucy is a five month old chocolate spaniel, who found her new owners after their previous dog died of old age. She keeps her owners busy!

Love and loyalty in the canine world comes in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours.