Asia at the lookout
A spring walk through the Hope Bay Forest has a unique, fleeting complexion this day: Continue reading
A dream come true
Hope Ness
A happy day in Hope Ness
A cool breeze from Georgian Bay to the east was blowing this morning, so it was still toque-weather for me. But those two little ones, and the bigger ones too, were having the time of their lives in the great Hope Ness outdoors.
“Grandpa” at the controls of Mr. Massey Too, with Allie, Asia, Jacob, Mirabella, and son-in-law Scott enjoying a trailer ride.
It was a homecoming for my two youngest daughters, Lila Marie and Kathy, who were both born just around the corner and as little children used to visit Wilma and Cliff Butchart at this very Cathedral Drive homestead. Continue reading
Choose the bright side
The gnarly old willow tree in the front field is starting to show its leaves
The most important act of the day is the choice you make to look on the dark side or the bright side. That’s the life-changing thought that occurred to me this morning as I wrote down the usual way-too-long “to do” list. Continue reading
A sacred place
This year’s recent Sources of Knowledge (SOK) forum based in Tobermory at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula about an hour north of Hope Ness focussed on First Nation history in this area.
Hope Bay, looking out to Georgian Bay, from the top of the Niagara Escarpment
I regret having missed it; otherwise, I would have been aware of the special presentation virtually right around the corner from me on the other side of Hope Bay at the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Community Centre at Neyaashiinigmiing (Cape Croker).
I’m kicking myself: it may have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear much more about the significant archeological work done at Nochemowening. Known in recent years as Hunter’s Point, Nochemowening, is an area of land below the Niagara Escarpment on this side of Hope Bay. It is part of Hope Ness. Continue reading
Set your vision free
The understanding of who you are is within you.
Trapped inside, often for far too long, that clear vision of one’s true self desperately wants out, so it can be free at last to find its right path to becoming real. But things can get confusing, and we can lose our way.
I am reminded of the bird we saw two summers ago, a frantic little creature that somehow got trapped between two window panes in a second-floor room of this old farmhouse.
The window where the bird was trapped; and one of Wilma Butchart’s creations
We shared that special moment, didn’t we, my love? It told us something very important. We even knew what it was. But by then I suppose the troubles were already insurmountable.
Keep going
The “new garden” at Cathedral Drive Farm, Hope Ness
Sometimes, in the absence of joy that comes from being in love, or otherwise feeling down for whatever reason, you just have to keep going.
Yes, there’s something to be said for simple endurance and survival, for just putting one foot in front of the other, for the knowing from experience that your life will get better, possibly in the very next moment.
Counting my blessings
I’ve been counting my blessings this week; and there’s two of them right there, Lila (lily) Marie and Mirabella (beautiful miracle) Dorleon, my youngest daughter and youngest granddaughter.
You are loved
Oh, now that’s a good one, that Daily Prompt, “abandoned.” Good thing I didn’t spot it early this morning; otherwise, I might not have got anything else done except a very long-read indeed on the topic of abandonment. Continue reading
In praise of daffodils
The morning sun, yes, the sun, is rising through the Hope Bay Forest which comes almost right up to my front door. And there they are – in part of the large garden of perennials a strong, extraordinary woman planted many years ago with so much care and devotion – a “host of golden daffodils,” risen and now blooming.
Daffodils lovingly planted many years ago by Wilma Butchart
Finding Hope Ness 