Since “Idle No More,” my knowledge about Indigenous matters has grown. I’ve only skimmed the surface, enough to know that I know and understand very little. As a child of British descent growing up in Toronto my only awareness involved coveting one of my best friend’s “Indian Chief” hat.
Lessons From Real Life
Beeswax Candles: Why I no longer make them
One of the most profound changes for me was becoming a vegan rather than only vegetarian. Learning more about the dairy, chicken egg and bee product industries was the impetus. Isn’t it interesting that when one searches for information rather than accepting what you grew up with, one’s thinking often changes?
Weathering Challenging Times: My Gardens’ Ups & Downs
In my corner of the world we’ve been pretty lucky so far. Our weather has had its ups and downs, but nowhere near what’s been happening in other parts of the world. This year has been different: apparently the current drought is the worst since 1959. Weathering challenging times like this will take more serious thought and ingenuity as climate change continues.
(Mis)adventures on the Alderville Prairie
The Alderville First Nation Black Oak Savanna is Canada’s easternmost pocket of surviving prairie. It’s a beautiful and wondrous place that I discovered shortly after moving here 15 years ago. It inspired me to learn more and begin my own tiny prairie pocket…I’m now looking forward to an autumn visit to capture in my memory (and maybe in photos) the beautiful waving prairie of the russet Indian Grass and the magnificent Bluestem, along with all the native Asters. Then in the Spring…
Words of Wisdom for Lovers
Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
60 Ideas for Sustainable Living
There are many steps we can each take to reduce our impact on the environment, saving money & our health at the same time. Here are 60 tips: most are free and easy, and they’ll all make you feel good about doing your bit!
Mother Nature Scratches Her Head
MOTHER NATURE: Grass? But, it’s so boring. It’s not colorful. It doesn’t attract butterflies, birds and bees; only grubs and sod worms. It’s sensitive to temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?
FRANK: Apparently so. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.
MOTHER NATURE: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.
FRANK: Apparently not. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it-sometimes twice a week.
The Cab Ride
“After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.”
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~ THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
The Kindness of Strangers…
The kindness of strangers…and the Value of Trust. I recently had problems with my blog. I couldn’t get access to the admin page, which meant I couldn’t add posts or do anything else. I asked for help on the WordPress forum, but the advice given didn’t help until one fellow offered his help if I gave him my password. Would you do it?