Katja Dewdrop Studio

Fly In For A Deal!

2012-03-02T12:59:00.000-05:00

I am having a BOGO Sale at my Etsy Shop

Buy One Get One FREE

Starting today March 2nd until March 4th

Short and sweet

Buy any one of my artworks sized up to 8 x 10 inches

and receive another one Free!

Your choice!

Just indicate which artwork you would like

during checkout in the Message to Seller

Fly in and check it out soon!

Heart Beats

2012-03-01T13:51:00.000-05:00

If you were driving by you would never notice.
If you were walking by, you might not notice even then
or if you did, you might wonder
why is there such a big hole in that tree?
What had happened to cause it?

Well, I caught the culprit
red-handed or should I say
red-capped!

Here he is!

It was Pileated Woodpecker!

Oh! How handsome he is!

I was thrilled

when I saw him!

Pileated Woodpeckers
carve out rectangular holes in trees
to search and eat the insects found there
as well as build nests for their babies

As a matter of fact, I heard
this one's wild call or laugh
before I actually saw him

Pileated Woodpecker also makes
a loud drumming sound
which can be heard all over the forest
as he taps taps tree trunks with his sharp beak

He taps out a rhythm
He is the drummer of the forest!

Perhaps he has a message for me

To honour the raw and true beating of my heart
and to dance unencumbered to the rhythms of life

Echoes

2012-02-24T10:22:00.000-05:00

The following images say alot about my life

at the present time

These photos are reflections

in the Traveller's Return sculpture

by Andy Davies

at Prince Arthur's Landing

here in Thunder Bay

Braving The Elements

2012-02-17T21:07:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you just have to be brave

Waiting

2012-02-15T15:01:00.000-05:00

The hanger hangs desolate

My father wrote his name - Kalevi Maki

onto it
with his unique beautiful script

the hanger is suspended in time

waiting

for Isa to return at any minute

it remains empty

but I touch it tenderly every day

As Red As My Heart

2012-01-31T21:58:00.000-05:00

On New Years Day this year

a family of pine grosbeaks came to visit

What a wonderful start to 2012!

Snow Crow

2012-01-30T22:46:00.000-05:00

Transformations

2012-01-25T22:31:00.000-05:00

We will be presenting

a performance

of The Old Woman and the Barefoot Maiden

at FinnThunder 2012

here in Thunder Bay

during July 27-29

I will keep you posted on

the location

and developments!

This performance

will be a play/dance/performance piece

involving 6 talented women!

Keep your eyes and ears open

for this magical transformation

of our ode to the seasons!!!

Speaking of transformations

here is Crow

the ultimate shapeshifter!

I do love Crow!!

The Old Woman and The Barefoot Maiden (Final Instalment)

2012-01-21T17:53:00.000-05:00

Washed away, washed away

all the darkness and decay

Dust the nooks and crannies clean

Wash the windows, make them gleam

Sweep the threshold, sweep the floor

The maiden knocks upon the door

The barefoot maiden has come to play

Flame in hand to light the day

Dancing up the tiny shoots

Dancing down the earthy roots

Waking up the sleepy earth

A celebration of re-birth

A celebration!

While the whole village slept

Summer travelled through the open window

With strawberry red cheeks glowing

she yoiked a hymn to the light

Helelolo

The scent of birches filled the air

waves lapped softly on the shore

and the little koti sauna smiled

The sound of a kantele drifted from the woods

Fox, Squirrel, and Rabbit pricked their ears in unison

Honey Bear rolled over and sat up

sniffing the early morning air

She’s come back!

Yellow came to life again

as Summer swept a sacred circle above her head

Green sprung to life again

as Summer danced an ancient pattern

through the grass of the pelto

White polar roses sprang out like spangled stars

stone, silently, breathed in unison

to the growing chorus of dreams, hopes, and prayers

Kokko (Bonfire) roared back to life

The sky above billowed like a blue tent
The midnight sun rolled across the northern sky

Her name was Suvi

The Old Woman and The Barefoot Maiden (Part VII)

2012-01-13T20:33:00.000-05:00

As she closed her eyes for the last time,

she caught a glimpse of Black Swan’s beautiful tar black feathers

and felt softness encircling her

Her soul breath –löyly—

ruffled the bird’s feathers like a soft wind

Black Swan flew over the dark forests,

over the snow laden trees,

holding tenderly her precious cargo

Black Swan flew over the Tunturi,

along Linnun Rata, the Milky Way of Birds,

then crossed the River Tuoni,

bringing the Old Woman to Tuonela,

the place of sleeping we all enter when we die

The old woman rested her weary bones.

Tammi Kuu and Helmikuu passed….

it seemed Winter would never end!

Then,

Tuonen Tytti, the mistress of the forbidden abode,

told the Old Woman it was time to return

The vāki—
the people, animals, growing things and spirits
of the Middle World—were waiting for her return

She must go back

Tuonen Tytti ordered the Black Swan
to take the Old Woman
to Middle World, the realm far above Manala

There she stood on the horizon,
on the lovi,
the opening joining the worlds

Her back bent over,
she surveyed the great expanse of white
that stretched beneath her feet as far as she could see

Tentatively, she took a step,
her white felted boots
leaving behind a puddle of melted snow

She took another and another,
leaving puddles of water wherever she trod

With each step her back straightened
and she grew stronger

By the time the rains started,
her back was fully straight
and she walked with a spring to her step

The rain washed away her old wrinkled skin,
leaving in its place
the luminous skin and eyes of a young maiden

The rain on her tongue rejuvenated her
she spread her arms wide
and whirled round and round

Beneath her bare toes,
rivers and creeks swelled with water
as Rain refreshed the winter weary land

The last vestiges of the old woman were washed away

To Be Continued ....

The Old Woman and The Barefoot Maiden (Part VI)

2012-01-08T14:52:00.000-05:00

At this point

in the performance

Della sings her song entitled Oi Aiti/Oh Mother

It is an ancient Finnish song of lament

sung by women

Della sings it in Finnish

included here are the words translated into English

The images of Della

are from her performance piece

"The Echo of the Ancestors"

in Marquette, Michigan

during the Finnish Grand Festival 2005

I want to tell thee my worries now

O mother, my breast is troubled

As the storms of life stole my peace

And that which was dearest to me

In the morning of my life I fell in love

And watched the golden clouds

O mother if only I had known to look

In the black earth of death

Perhaps I would have kept

My childhood faith in my breast

And perhaps the glow of my hope

Would still be light in the sky

O mother comfort me

Thy child’s cheek is burning

As the struggle and disappointment of life

Have hurt me sorely

-------

The Echo of the Ancestors

was created, written, sung and performed
by Della

You can watch Della

singing Oi Aiti/Oh Mother

in a different context

for the Finnish Heritage Building Fund

at the Finnish Labour Temple
a CD and DVD was created as a fund raising project

Local singers

as well as performers from Finland participated

Della appears at 4:51
Enjoy!

Happy New Year 2012 To You!

2012-01-03T19:04:00.000-05:00

Wishing you many blessings

and new possibilities

for the upcoming year!

May you speak your truth loud and clear!

Don't forget to ruffle some feathers!

Spread your wings and soar!

Look life full in the eye!

Always care for and show compassion for others!

Aim high for what you want out of life!

May creativity, fulfillment, and serenity

be yours throughout this year!

The Old Woman and The Barefoot Maiden (Continuation)

2011-12-30T14:26:00.000-05:00

Musti got up as if beckoned and sat by her feet.

The Old Woman began to chant familiar spells,

her words running together quickly at times,

other times her voice rose sharp and loud,

then hushed quietly, the words barely discernible.

"Auta Luonto, aina voimaa te vereni vahvenmaksi…

Help me, Nature Spirit, give me power,

make my blood run strong and stronger...

nosta neito …raise the maiden.."

She tossed small bleached ptarmigan bones on a white reindeer skin.

Looking closely at the pattern the bones told,

she read the map of the coming Spring.

A young woman stood on the horizon,

poised by the kirjokansi, the dome of stars.

As the Old Woman muttered under her breath,

the only sound outside her window was the creak of snow,

the laugh of Pakkanen, the Frost.

Her death was close but she was not afraid.

She knew that when she laid her old bones on the reindeer skin,

Black Swan would come for her,

come to take her across the River of Death to Tuonela.

To Be Continued ....

I See The Beauty In You

2011-12-28T18:44:00.000-05:00

The Old Woman and The Barefoot Maiden (Continuation)

2011-12-27T14:11:00.000-05:00

It began slowly.

First, her step slowed.

Then, her feet felt heavy, clumsy.

Her black dog, Musti,

watched from the door

as she muttered to herself, cursing herself

mihinkā ihiminen…. Voi Hyvānen aika, aina hukassa

Her memory had begun to fail her.

She misplaced things.

She began repeating herself—

and not the old stories she learned as a young girl

listening to Muori and Faari.

Old Lady Larin once said

that on the longest darkest night of nights

in Talvi Kuu—Winter Month—

one could easily find the beginning of the yarn.

What story had she yet to tell?

She busied herself in her pieni mȍkki, her small cabin.

Pian, Pian green would have its song.

Soon, soon young girls would run out into the nightless night,

trailing white bedsheets, seeking lovers.

Her twisted fingers reached into the back of the cupboard.

She would need her heaviest blankets now.

Her felted boots.

Woolen undershirt.

She pulled out the red socks with the curious markings

that she had knit many years ago

when her fingers, her step, and her laugh were quick.

Now, her eyes only saw what was not done,

what was done wrong.

Peace, Joy and Love

2011-12-24T10:03:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas

Hauskaa Joulua

The joy of the season

to you and your family

May Peace resonate in every corner

of our beautiful troubled planet

Peace, Joy and Love

Katja

The Old Woman and the Barefoot Maiden (Continuation)

2011-12-23T16:08:00.000-05:00

She gathers her inspirations

through one last glimmering brilliant red-gold dance.

Wind (Tuuli) kicks up and sings a bolder song

as she whirls and twirls to its northerly rhythm.

It bites her heels.

Like a frenzied wolf chasing its prey,

she spins and spins

until every last red, gold and yellow leaf

has shimmied back onto Earth.

She spirals and spirals into a Dance of Death.

As Silence enters her, she comes to a standstill.

She knows she must enter the Earth

to create space for new beginnings.

No niin, nyt on Talvi. Yes, so now it is Winter.

Winter is not the time for new beginnings—

that is Spring’s work.

Winter’s work was death,

the stillness from whose decay leaked

all sorts of unasked lessons.

To Be Continued ...

The Old Woman and The Barefoot Maiden (Continuation)

2011-12-18T13:51:00.000-05:00

As we gather here today,

Autumn’s frolic of yellow, orange and red

has entered a deep dream.

Her spiral dance to Earth has made way

for the silent steps of Winter’s waltz

where she once again wraps herself in white furs,

slows down her tempo,

and glides across icy mirrors of reflection

into the cave of introspection.

Before her return to Darkness ,

she dances one last rapturous tanssi.

There is much to gather before she can greet the Great Bear

in the uppermost branches of the Tree of Life.

There are mushrooms to pick,

flax to spin into linen.

Honey mead calls her name,

reminding her of her Vappu ritual.

The seeds of her labour are ready to burst forth.

She dances faster, with more determination

than she did in the summertime.

To Be Continued ...

The Old Woman and the Barefoot Maiden

2011-12-13T16:03:00.000-05:00

It started like this.

My sisters, Della and Taina, and myself

write articles for the quarterly

Finnish-American newspaper

New World Finn

Usually we take turns writing an article

but for the Autumn 2011 issue

we focussed on the seasons

and how they manifest

in the boreal forests of Thunder Bay

we wrote round and round

where one sister would write a paragraph or so

then pass it on to the next sister

who would integrate the last sentence

into the beginning of her writing

and who would then pass it on

to the next sister

who would integrate the last sentence ......

so it kept going round and round

until we got this ...

Round and round the seasons go like a circular dance that never changes.

Spring follows Winter follows Autumn follows Summer follows Spring follows …

Repeatedly, the seasons dance this sequence of movements.

Taking her cue from the spiral dance,
Crow crafts a cyclical pattern to build her nest,

weaving roots, flower stems, dandelions, feathers, moss--

even strips of plastic from discarded grocery bags.

Round and round, layer upon layer she weaves
until the nest forms a perfect circle with no beginning or end.

Along the north shore, since we were young girls,

we sisters have looked forward to the choreography of seasons,
to each season’s rhythmic beauty.

The change in seasons is one reason we love living by the boreal forest,
and when away from home, are compelled to return again and again.

The seasons repeat in our lives in a never-ending story.

To Be Continued ...

The Old Woman and the Barefoot Maiden

will be excerpted

in following blog posts

Please drop by.

The Colour of Dogwood

2011-12-08T10:36:00.000-05:00

Red is the colour

of dogwood

stitched into the beige, brown, gray

of the autumn boreal landscape

He is such a weasel ....

2011-12-01T20:25:00.000-05:00

Why would people say that?

It has such a derogatory connotation

Perhaps they have never seen

how adorable weasels really are!!

I came upon this little fellow

a couple of week ago

while out walking with little Sam

As you can see

Weasel's winter coat

was coming in!!

Last Day of Cyber Monday Sale at my Etsy Shop

2011-11-28T13:21:00.000-05:00

Last Day

of 25% off sale

in my Etsy shop

Just type in coupon code

Thanks58

during checkout

Sale at my Etsy Shop

2011-11-25T14:53:00.000-05:00

Psst -- pass it on

There is a 25% off sale at

my Etsy Shop!

It is for this weekend only!

From Friday November 25

to Monday, November 28!

Everything in my shop is 25% off!

The sale is to celebrate my Name Day which is today

and it's just in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday!!

Drop on by for a visit!!

Starling Murmuration

2011-11-22T15:21:00.000-05:00

I spotted this murmuration
of starlings
on my way home from work one late afternoon

It was as if the sky was pulsing with black birds

pulsating, undulating, swelling

I loved to watch the birds' acrobatics
and how even though there were so many birds
they moved as if they were one
I wished that I had filmed
this wonderful phenomenon of nature
and felt blessed to witness it
Here are two short videos
that allow you to witness this beauty
Warning!
they can take your breath away!
100,000 starlings fill the skies
Murmuration

To Pause and Reflect

2011-11-04T20:35:00.000-04:00

Sometimes life gets so busy

there is not enough time

just to pause and reflect

on the things that are important to us

I think that is why

I made so many images

of the reflections

in the McIntyre River

my camera, Mother Nature, the universe

was trying to tell me

to take a deep breath, really look at the beauty around me

and to reflect on living life in a meaningful way

to see that life is not always as it appears

and maybe that is good

that there are other ways of being and living

just like this otter's den that is so well hidden

along the river

Sometimes it is good just to drift

sometimes you don't need a destination

There is no need to rush along

Just stop and muse

Happy All Hallow's Eve!

2011-10-31T19:30:00.000-04:00

Reflections

turn the world upside down

and distort reality

Reflections

help us see the world in a different and new way

Happy Halloween!

Happy Samhain!

Autumn Reflections

2011-10-28T16:40:00.000-04:00

To Isa

2011-10-11T19:47:00.000-04:00

I miss you so much

Isa

Giving Thanks

2011-10-10T15:59:00.000-04:00

Thanks giving or giving thanks
for the blessings in my life
and there are many!

The gift of going for a walk

with my sister, Taina

to Squaw Bay

on Fort William First Nation

Thanks for
the waters of the lake
the sky
breathing in the vast clear air
of Mother Earth

Thanks for
finally finding the pelicans
I had been searching all spring
and summer for

They were cavorting
with the cormorants and seagulls

Never give up

looking for the things

that give your life meaning!

Thank you
for my sisters
my son

Thank you
for the wisdom
of knowing
when to go with the flow

and when to stop
and stand tall
for what I believe in

I am blessed
to have a heart that is full
not one made of stone

Thank you for
the connections
I share with
my family
my friends
my community

Thank you
for the strength of faith and love
that helps me navigate
an unknown future

Thank you for all
that crosses my path
as I journey
through the mysteries of life

Thank you for
my dear readers!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Starring Starlings

2011-09-29T20:26:00.000-04:00

More Joy

2011-09-18T19:20:00.000-04:00

2011-09-15T20:55:00.000-04:00

This is the last instalment

of the red winged blackbirds

at the marsh

Here are a female and male red-winged blackbird

doing some serious yoga!

Flights of Fancy

2011-09-11T14:09:00.000-04:00

With A Song In Your Heart

2011-09-07T14:45:00.000-04:00

Joy

2011-09-05T14:22:00.000-04:00

Happy Labour Day!

May you be as busy and joyful

doing the work you love

as a beautiful hummingbird!

Amusement Rides

2011-09-04T14:29:00.000-04:00

Here are some more images

from the CLE

I stood across the river

with my little dog, Sam

and took these photos

I have never been much

for amusement rides

and even more so

at this time in my life!

Standing up too quickly even

can make me dizzy!

Childhood Memories

2011-08-27T20:07:00.000-04:00

Memories of childhood

can be hazy and blurry

like dreams almost

These photographs

are actually reflections

in the McIntyre River

of the CLE which is our local fair

August Flowers

2011-08-22T20:04:00.000-04:00

Reflections of Wedlock

2011-08-18T21:29:00.000-04:00

Blackbird Thoughts

2011-08-12T12:12:00.000-04:00

Just like a blackbird

I feel like flying away today

But instead

I will stay put here on my branch

enjoy the greenery and nature all around me

and keep my eyes and heart wide open

to life's blessings and beauty

Happy Friday!

Graffiti Bird

2011-08-10T21:07:00.000-04:00

Royal Ontario Museum Musings

2011-08-09T12:05:00.000-04:00

One afternoon Della and I met up with Sandy
at the Royal Ontario Museum

We spent the afternoon
scouring the exhibits
there was just so much to see!

these ancient Goddess figures
called out to me

I don't usually care for insects
but this bug exhibit was awesome!

The most amazing exhibit was
Oil by Edward Burtynsky
His images of the oil industry
from processing to refining
was thought provoking and gives us a glimpse
into how oil is extracted, processed, utilized, and then discarded
for instance, one photograph was of mountains
of tires discarded in a scrap yard

most of us do not even wonder how tires

get to us or where they go after we are done with them

we fill our gas tanks, get someone to change the tires
and continue on with our mad dashing around
Burtynsky's images make us stop
and realize the damage we cause to the environment
His photographs were so large
that you felt like you were inside of each image
You could see the tiniest detail so clearly

I suggest if you get a chance to see them
please do!
Edward Burtynsky explains Oil
in his own words
These images are meant as metaphors to the dilemma of our modern existence; they search for a dialogue between attraction and repulsion, seduction and fear. We are drawn by desire - a chance at good living, yet we are consciously or unconsciously aware that the world is suffering for our success. Our dependence on nature to provide the materials for our consumption and our concern for the health of our planet sets us into an uneasy contradiction. For me, these images function as reflecting pools of our times.
********************************************

I was inspired by my niece Emma's photographs
of the bustle of Bay Street reflected in the windows of the ROM
so Peanut and I went for a walk
and this was the result!

Kensington Market - Part II

2011-08-03T16:03:00.000-04:00

Kensington is such an eclectic neighbourhood

from its immigrant roots

to its incarnation today

Kensington Market

2011-08-02T21:41:00.000-04:00

My nephews Nicolas and Jake

live in Kensington Market

so when I was in Toronto

Della and I headed that way

There was amazing artwork on so many buildings

To be continued ...

Sparrow Spotlight

2011-08-01T12:27:00.001-04:00

Happy August!

When The Heart Rules The Head

2011-07-28T19:26:00.000-04:00

A few images of a flicker

I added textures to

Meanwhile .....

2011-07-22T18:03:00.000-04:00

It is hard to believe that summer is speeding by so quickly

here we are almost at the end of July

and this is my first blog posting of the summer!

First I must apologize for my absence.

But you see, my computer has been ill

... well actually it was the hard drive!

It was defective and sickly.

But not to worry Donna Brown at PC Medic

came to the rescue and now

my computer is humming a summer song!

I'm glad to be back

and making up for lost time

Please check out my posting

over at Enterprising Women

where you can also find

inspiring stories from empowering women,

advice and all sorts of goodness

I hope your summer

has been sizzling

with all sorts of summer-time fun

and more to come, of course!

The View From Here And There

2011-06-15T15:37:00.001-04:00

The view from my sister Della's window is amazing

she lives in the downtown core of Toronto

right in the middle of all the action at Bay and Bloor

on the 20th floor

facing Lake Ontario

I was mesmerized by this view

always looking

always photographing

I have lots of photographs to share with you

which I will blog in stages

the sky was continually changing

so the view was different every time I looked

Toronto's iconic CN Tower

looks much like this on sunny days

But there was that foggy moment

one afternoon

it did not last long

The view from my window

here in Thunder Bay is decidedly different

and I am always looking out here too

Luckily my camera

is almost attached to my eye, hand and heart

and is always at my fingertips!

Storytelling, Laughter and Tears

2011-06-13T11:38:00.001-04:00

Last week I photographed

Ivan E. Coyote

as well as local queer authors

Ma-Nee Chacaby, Ray Moonias,

Betsy Martin, Gwen O'Reilly, Susan Goldberg

at the Learning Cafe

during Thunder Pride Week

It was a special evening

with much laughter

thanks to Ivan's storytelling

Betsy's story about snowshoe baseball

as well as tears

due to Ray's heartfelt poetry

and Susan's story about her Mother's death and her wedding

Gwen held us rapt with her love poems

Ivan E. Coyote

is an award-winning author of short stories

as well as a renowned storyteller

which was much in evidence that evening

Ivan speaks to the audience

as though we are all her close friends

She tells us of the beauty of falling in love, her strong family ties,

growing up in Yellowknife, her travels as an author and storyteller

She tells us what life is like for her

and we want to hear more!

Joan Baril, Ivan, Margaret Phillips of the Northern Woman's Bookstore

Check out Joan's blog

Betsy Martin, Ray Moonias, Ma-Nee Chacaby

Susan Goldberg

also check out Susan's blog

Gwen O'Reilly

Focussing On What's Important

2011-06-09T13:05:00.000-04:00

I have been on a quest

for pelicans

going to different locations

in Thunder Bay

where they have been spotted

but they continue to elude me

They weren't at Mission Island Marsh

I was so sad that they weren't there

that I almost left without seeing the beauty

of the sunlight dancing on the water

the magic that was right before me

All it took

was to put my camera

in manual mode

to focus on

what was in front of me

and I was blessed with

another way of seeing

Nuthatch With Your Tea?

2011-06-01T22:03:00.000-04:00

Nuthatches and chickadees

are two of my most-loved birds

I love their quickness

and their antics

nuthatches especially make me laugh

their nasal call even makes me giggle at times

they both are so tiny

yet absolutely perfect!

While I was perusing

Yes Magazine online

I came across the most wonderful photo essay

written and photographed by Betty Udeson
a professional photo journalist
her photographs of birds on teacups and jugs
blew my mind
and totally inspired me
I had to try it myself!

My Mother collects teacups
this particular cup and saucer is one of my favourites

I took these photos
on Mother's Day
a day spent doing what I love to do
as you can see!
and my son even made crepes for my Mom and I!
The perfect gifts!

The chickadee and nuthatch
were the only birds
who were brave and adventurous enough
to try out this new addition
to their traditional feeding area!

Of course I'm going to have to try
other cups and saucers to check
which are their favourites
and to see if any other birds
will be bold enough
to join me for tea!

The Sky to Toronto

2011-05-26T21:53:00.000-04:00

Here are some more images of

the flight from Thunder Bay to Toronto

that I took in April

Lake Superior

A river runs through it

Not sure what this is!

Starting the descent into Toronto

Everything looks like little Lego pieces

from up here!

Arrival in Toronto!

to be continued ...

That Place in our Soul

2011-05-20T15:46:00.000-04:00

All places are marked on us and we have a map of that place in our souls
Michelle Stuart

Everything has a story
EVERYTHING

listen carefully and you can hear the story
behind the lonely call of the loon
or the hawk perching silently in the tallest tree

what does the water lapping
at the shore of Lake Superior
reveal to you?

from Mission Island Marsh

the wind at times
whispers her tales
and other times
she leaves us breathless
from her ardent spiels

even the land
has her own story to tell

and we living in Thunder Bay
know this
we only have to look out
onto the harbour

from Mission Island Marsh

Nanabijou or the Sleeping Giant
has the greatest story of them all
as told by the Anishnawbe
the original inhabitants of our region

from Hillcrest Park

Many a time
I go to Hillcrest Park
with my journal and camera
sit upon the stone ledge
and face Nanabijou
over the blue shimmering waters of Lake Superior
breathing deep
and revelling in the human-like formations of rock
which stretches out before me
Sometimes I tell her my own story
she listens silently
the air becomes deep with meaning
and I know she hears me
although I have not said a word out loud

I am tied forever to this land
where I grew up
Nanabijou has always been sleeping in the harbour

through my childhood, adolescence and womanhood
it is no wonder that I feel connected to her
she forms part of the ground beneath my feet

So can you imagine my joy

when I looked out the window

of the airplane

on the flight from Thunder Bay to Toronto

and saw Nanabijou from the air?

She has different stories to reveal

from that vantage point

in the sky

where my feet weren't even touching her ground
just dangling miles above

These images were taken with my
Canon Powershot SD1000 camera
but next time I will use my Canon Rebel T2i
to do justice to Nanabijou's mysteries,
cliffs and curves

I refer to Nanabijou
as SHE because she is part of
Mother Nature and Mother Earth
and also because this is how our local landscape
speaks to me
I hear her in a decidedly female voice
but for you it might not be like this

and also
if you observe The Sleeping Giant
from Mission Island Marsh or Squaw Bay
her contours are that of a woman!

Trophies and Confessions

2011-05-15T16:12:00.000-04:00

Kiitos, thanks Heli of Tuulen Kertomaa - Wind Stories

for giving me this trophy for my blog

On niin vaikia kirjotta Suomeksi

pyydän anteeksi kun pitää kirjotta Englanniksi

Writing in Finnish is difficult for me

so I ask Heli's forgiveness for writing this in English

She tells me that I have to tell you

eight things that I have not told anyone before and

then to pass the trophy forward to eight others

What I am going to tell you are not secrets

but most of my readers

probably do not know these things about me

1. Almost every night my eyes pop open at 4 a.m. I don't want to wake up at this time but this has become almost a nightly occurrence and I wish it would end! Yawn!

2. I love watching movies especially comedies with my son and enjoying junk food at the same time!

3. I have to wear my cozy slippers everytime I am at home. Nothing feels right if I don't have them on my feet!

4. I believe with all my heart that we can change this damaged world into a paradise where there are no wars, where racism, sexism, classism, ageism, homophobia, and all oppressions and injustices have disappeared. Where we take care of our Mother Earth. If I did not believe this, I would not be able to enjoy the innocent smile of a child or the whistle call of the red-winged blackbird.

5. I love to be active. I do yoga every morning. I walk four times a week. Two of those walking days I do hill walks where I walk up and down the hills around Hillcrest Park. The other two walking days I take my little dog, Sam, for a walk or should I say she takes me! She is the best walking buddy! I usually have at least one camera with me while walking! There is so much beauty all around us! I also lift weights twice a week.

6. My favourite flowers are daturas and peonies. But I am waiting for the lilacs and juhannus (midsummer) roses to come into bloom!

7. I am going to have to get a job soon. This saddens me as it is heart-breaking, mind-breaking, soul-breaking to give up my dream of making a living through my art.

8. As I look out the window while writing this, the trees are swaying in the breeze and the songbirds are singing as they fly from branch to branch. Nature is what sustains me, is my muse and nourishes my being. I am thankful for her blessings in my life.

I am going to pass this trophy forward to the following women whose blogs I absolutely love!

Taina

Johanna

Hanne

Henrietta

Marja-Leena

I know that's not eight names

but I've never been able to follow rules anyways!!