Category: Life in Essex County
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Project 365 – #27
Over the river and through the woods,To grandmother’s house we go;† ’Til next time, y’all… †Written by Lydia Maria Child and originally published as a poem in 1844, then titled “The New England Boys’ Song About Thanksgiving Day”. Full text below: Over The River and Through The Woods Over the river and through the woods,To…
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Black and White is More!
Six months or so after moving into this home, and after many hours of discussion, we decided to sell my Rogue (affectionately, “The Mudmobile”) and become a one-car couple. There were many positives and, truly, the negatives have been minimal and manageable. But there are hiccups, and today was a very minor one of those.…
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Glorious Gooses
Canada Gooses are majestic. Barrel-chested.The envys of all ornithologys.† This post is inspired by an article in today’s papers: Ontario man fined $1,000 for ‘throwing large rocks and swatting’ at Canada geese It is the story of a cruel and ignorant resident of my beloved Essex County who, first caught a gosling, and then…
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Joyspotting 2026 #1
1. Look Up: 2. Look Down: 3. Keep an Eye Out For Colour: 4. Follow the Curve: 5. Go Where the Wild Things Are: 6. Seek Out Symmetry: 7. Search for Signs of Abundance: 8. Watch for Weirdness: You can trim a tree but not it’s determination to grow where it wants! 9. Zoom In:…
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Introduction to Joyspotting
A decade or more ago, a friend recommended a hiking and photography tool to me — Joyspotter’s Guide — which is simply twelve prompts for things to watch for whilst out walking. This thought-provoking and inspiring document was created by the oh-so-delightful Ingrid Fetell Lee, whose website is Aesthetics of Joy. Not only does she…
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Smitten with Silos
Silos, especially the older ones, call to me. They’re often the most visible landmarks in rural areas and, to me, Silos are amongst the most graceful and symmetrically appealing architecture in rural Ontario. The etymology of the word silo is the Greek word siros which was used to describe a pit or cellar for holding…
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Cataclysm
cataclysm, noun, cat· a· clysm ˈka-tə-ˌkli-zəm, a momentous and violent event marked by overwhelming upheaval and demolition, an event that brings great changes.† Today I am writing about rape. In Canada, Sexual Assault is defined as an assault of a sexual nature that violates the sexual integrity of the victim. Specifically in this case, drug-facilitated sexual assault. In the…
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A Cold, Snowy Surprise
I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields,that it kisses them so gently?And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”† After a day navigating the countryside, making our way through unexpected deep snow drifts, and whiteouts that had endless…
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There’s a Kind of Hush*
According to the meteorological calendar, yesterday (1st December) was the first day of Winter and this morning, we awoke to this: The winter wood is like a strong old man,Grizzled, rugged, and gray1 Here in Essex County, our mornings are decidedly brisk. Mid-day, and ‘though much lower at this time of year, the the sun…
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Maidstone
When breezes are soft and skies are fair, I steal an hour from study and care, And hie me away to the woodland scene, Where wanders the stream with the waters of green.† Yesterday was just such a day, mild temperature, soft breeze, blue sky and sunshine. Perfect day for a woodland wander! Maidstone Woods, part of…
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Playing With Light
Every day you play with the light of the universe.† ‘Though Mr. Neruda wrote that line describing his devotion to his beloved Maryka, he might have been writing about photographers because that’s exactly what we do – play with the light of the universe. Widely believed to have been coined by British scientist Sir…
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What the world needs now…
Canada-US tensions are running about as high as they ever have, nowhere more-so than here in Essex County where two of the biggest employers are Ford and Chrysler. I admit to feeling very sad that this rift happened in the first place, and that there seems to be no way out. Not yet, anyway. …
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How beautiful…
we can rebuild her, we have the technology1 An intraocular lens (IOL) looks like a small, clear plastic disk with flexible, wire-like “haptics” (springs) that hold it in place inside the eye. A personal lens: glass bending rays.2 I am now the proud owner of what surely must be the two most valuable eyes in all…
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It all began with my camera…
Through my eyes, the world looks like an impressionist’s painting — a wee bit hazy, softly blurry, and with a distinctly dreamy aura. Now, I quite admire the art created by the impressionists, most especially Claude Monet’s “Woman with a Parasol”. It depicts the artist’s wife, Camille, holding a green parasol, standing atop a hill,…
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Essex Joyspotting #1
The scarlet of the maples can shake me like a cryOf bugles going by.* Autumn is, and has always been, my favourite time of year. ‘Though many people are saddened by summer’s end, for me, fall was a beginning — a new school year! I loved school. During the summer break, I missed my teacher(s)…
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I am home…
You know that feeling you get when you first walk through your front door after a long road trip or vacation? It’s a welcome that wraps its arms around you — everything looks and smells and feels familiar and cosy. That’s exactly how I felt when I walked into Kopegaron Woods for the first time…