In the Fog ....

 ,,,, at the cottage on the cliff.

It was silent and very grey.

We couldn't see the mountain.

We couldn't see the ocean.

The quiet was unnerving.

The mist and fog was creepy.

It lasted all day long.

By night it had drifted.

We had a bit left by bed time.

And the next day it was sunny.

Doesn't this look like it

should be in a movie?

Dh trying to capture the look of

the fog in the trees on the cliff.

What did I do while he

played photographer?

Made a big pot of Irish tea

to last us all thru the afternoon.

Just Because.

It was a tough week. So many emotions, so many tears, so many questions and no true answers. So it was touching that dh stopped at one point and picked up this sweet package for me, complete with a little ribbon. I love it! We haven't figured out what the plant is just yet but it's colorful and the spot and felt flower and purple butterfly are sweet additions. It did help my heart and reminded me that even in the darkest of times, flowers will still bloom. And love will always get us through.

Jersey Day.

Yesterday was "Jersey Day" across Canada, a tribute for the bus tragedy in Saskatchewan. It started as a movement in schools and quickly spread to include many businesses, organizations and government offices. Truly, it was heartwarming to see our country dressing in their favorite hockey jersey's or any sport jersey they could find. I had a presentation yesterday at a community forum .... my topic was grief of course, timely, yet planned months ago. And it fell on Jersey Day. So, I put my jersey on and headed off, wondering if I'd be the only participant/speaker to do so. I was touched to look out at my audience, a sea of jerseys, a sea of caring hearts, a sea of emotion, a sea of love. After the forum, I went over to my Centre to have lunch with my staff and walked in to a room full of teachers, aides, parents and preschoolers ~ every single one in a colorful jersey, even the sweet babies in mom's arms! I wish the families and the injured players could have seen all that I took in yesterday. I wish they could see the love and the emotions we are all holding for each and every one of them. In the midst of this anguish, a day full of support and compassion. A day to remember.

Joining In ....

Tonight we've joined families across Canada who have placed their hockey sticks outside their front door. Ours are now resting on our front veranda. A small gesture to show that we support those who are mourning and those who are healing. This has gone viral and we've posted our pictures on FB and Instagram to join in. It won't heal everything but it's one small way to reach out and show we care. I hope the families affected will see all the photos and know they are not alone in their journey. #hbstrong

 

A Grieving Country.

On Friday afternoon, a bus carrying a hockey team and their support members and coaches was broadsided by a semi trailer truck. Within seconds, 16 were dead and 13 had injuries ranging from minor to critical. This news, shocking and unbelievable, spread quickly across our country. And now we see it is news in other countries. There is so much to take in, so much to think about, so much to wonder. And the big question "WHY" is present in every conversation. These hockey players were young, just babies really, between the ages of 16 to 20. Their whole lives were ahead of them. And in an instant, they were gone. This accident happened in a small community in Saskatchewan, the Province next door to where we live. But it has touched the lives of every Canadian. We are a large country in terms of size. Our population however is small, just under 36 million, tiny compared to so many countries around the World. The size of our vast land makes it the 2nd largest country in mass in the World. Amazing. And yet, everyone knows someone who has been affected by this tragedy because we are all connected. 

For now, in the days after, as we try to make sense of it all, life has stopped. We reach out, we hold, we cry, we rage .... for now, life is at a standstill and this is all that matters. For the families, the injured and our country.

Building a Fire.

In our old house, we had a wood burning fireplace. We didn't use it often but when we did, the smell of a fire would linger for days. Each time we'd come home, it felt so cozy and warm, even without the fire roaring on the grates. However, we didn't use it very often. Partly because it had a flue that didn't draw as well as we hoped, so we found it very hard to actually start a fire. We did have it repaired but it didn't change much. So when we built our little house in the big woods, we decided to install gas fireplaces in the great room and our master bedroom. I love that with a flick of a switch, we have an instant fire and warmth. I thought I might miss the smell of a fire but we do have a fire pit in our back garden, so it hasn't been an issue. The best of both worlds really.

It was a treat to discover our bed and breakfast cottage had a wood burning fireplace. We made a fire almost each night we were there. And with a good flue, the fires started quite quickly. In our next house, we might put in one wood burning fireplace and one gas fireplace. We'll see when we get there. Upper left picture is the very comfortable wicker chair and ottoman that I enjoyed sitting and reading in. Shot beside and lower left is dh making the fire. The bottom right hand shot is the roaring blaze that warmed up the cottage after a rainy day. 

Do you enjoy a nice crackling fire?

Do you have a fireplace in your home?

Quiet Cove.

We love taking a hike through Ruckle

Park on the south end of the island.

It's quiet and pretty private. And there 

is so much to look at for us to explore.

Logs that are hollow inside, likely

from bugs or the ocean waves.

Love the exposed roots along

the coast line ~ an exotic look.

The rocks have had thousands of

years of history and waves crashing.

Moss is everywhere. I love the look as

well as the soft feeling under my feet.

Rocks, trees, roots, pebbles, sand,

waves, fish, butterflies and silence.

Happy Spring ....

There are buds on our trees the melt is well underway. I just wish all the snow that fell while we were away would have been all gone by the time we landed. No such luck. But at least the sun is shining and Spring is in the air. Can't wait to see which bulbs we planted in the Fall will come through. It's exciting to think under all the snow and a layer or two of dirt are tiny little flowers, just waiting to bloom and bring fresh scents and smiles to our landscape. I know it will be worth the wait. 

We had a nice landing and a quick bus ride out from the airport to where our car was stored. A short drive home and then in to our warm bed for a long sleep. Woke up yesterday morning to a clean house and no items on our to do list, so we decided to head in to the big City and replenish our Antique Mall booth as we did sell a number of items while we were away. We also stopped in at the big box store to choose the crown moulding and chair rail we'll be installing sometime this Spring. Excited to have a project to do that will enhance the look in our home. We then realized a store we knew was online happens to also be a brick and mortar store so we popped in to see if by chance they would have the armchair we're thinking about investing in for our Great Room. Currently we're using our son's armchair but would like to get that back to him now that he and his family are in a larger condo unit and have space again. Fell in love with the "Cardiff" and will order it this week. Fitting, as part of dh's family is Welsh. I'll post pictures once we have the new acquisition in place. 

On the way home, we stopped to buy gas, then took in two bins, a box and two bags full of bottles. Went over to the grocery store to fill up our big water bottles for our cooler, then picked up a beautiful ham to make our Easter dinner. It was soooo good. Not salty or greasy at all. We were just going to buy a small half ham but ironically, it was $16 for the tiniest size. And our past experience with that brand is its way too salty for any of us to really enjoy it. So we went with the natural ham, raised locally, for a very reasonable $20.10. Much better deal. With creamed corn and freshly baked biscuits, it was a scrumptious dinner. This morning, after dropping dd off at school, I went back to the grocery store and bough more eggs, a big block of cheddar cheese, some broccoli and onions, and pie shells. My task this afternoon? To use up the left over ham to bake a couple of large quiches and tons of small ones for the freezer. Lots of chopping to do, so I'm off to begin this project. Have a great day!