A quiet place

A quiet place
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

This old chair sits in a quiet corner just off the main drag in Elora.
It looks to be well used.

I think the "feel" of this place was best served by recording this image on film, It has a quiet softness about it, much like the location.

"Never be afraid to sit awhile and think." ~Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun

No Doug - Like THIS !

No Doug - Like THIS !
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

A few hardy souls, Doug, Andrew, Grant and I walked the Trans Canada Trail in St. Jacobs yesterday.
At one point we were surrounded by chickadee's and this moment presented itself.
It's good to have friends, it's even better to have friends who you can laugh at / with!

I know the photo is awful but it is one of my best :^)

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. ~Albert Schweitzer

Carolers - Downtown tree lighting extravaganza

Carolers - Downtown tree lighting extravaganza
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

I know, I know, it's only November but have you noticed that the merchandisers start earlier and earlier with each passing year?
Barely has Halloween finished before the Christmas offerings are flooding the shelves.

Last Friday evening we in Guelph celebrated the lighting of the tree in our downtown square. Despite the "it's November, dammit! " chorus there is something special about this little gathering. Bumping into old friends every one smiling and happy makes me think "why isn't it like this all year long"?

Yes even this old pagan can feel the wind of change that this time of year brings and I love it !

Even if it is November ...... <|:^)

I hear that in many places something has happened to Christmas; that it is changing from a time of merriment and carefree gaiety to a holiday which is filled with tedium; that many people dread the day and the obligation to give Christmas presents is a nightmare to weary, bored souls; that the children of enlightened parents no longer believe in Santa Claus; that all in all, the effort to be happy and have pleasure makes many honest hearts grow dark with despair instead of beaming with good will and cheerfulness. ~Julia Peterkin, A Plantation Christmas, 1934

Limehouse - Somewhere over the rainbow

Limehouse - Somewhere over the rainbow
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

The forecast was not particularly good for today but we ventured out for a while anyway. The minute we arrived at our destination in Limehouse, Ontario it started to rain!

Luckily it was but a passing shower. As we stepped out of the car we were greeted by this spectacular rainbow. Not only was it complete but double. It was going to be a good day ...

Two quotes for today:

The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears. ~John Vance Cheney

and after a weekend surrounded with good friends, you know who you are ..

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. ~ Irish Blessing

Hilton Falls - Birch Bark

Hilton Falls - Birch Bark
 
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

'Tis the season of slanting shadows. Now I will seek out the woods where fingers of light probe deep and sometimes land upon something special, like birch bark.

From within or from behind, a light shines through us upon things, and makes us aware that we are nothing, but the light is all. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fifty Point Conservation Area - Dock O' the Bay

Fifty Point Conservation Area - Dock O' the Bay
 
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

I love mornings.
If I sleep past 6:00 am I feel like I have wasted half the day. :^)

On Saturday morning a few brave souls (Doug, Grant and Karen) and I set off long before dawn to capture the sunrise at Fifty Point Conservation Area.

Was it worth it ? Of course !

The sun is but a morning star. ~Henry David Thoreau, Walden 

Ignatius Centre - Whitewash

Ignatius Centre - Whitewash
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

Wandering the trails at the Ignatius Centre this weekend was something that is not new to me by any stretch of the imagination.
However this day I felt a thankfulness that there are still those who work the land in concert with the way it should be worked. That there are still those who love it as much as I do but are lucky enough to make it their life.

In the old orchard I stopped and plucked an apple and was reminded of the old song "Hey farmer farmer, put away the DDT now. Give me spots on my apples, but leave me the birds and the bees" by Joni Mitchell.

Yes it was covered in spots but it still tasted good :-)

But it did make me think .....

Will urban sprawl spread so far that most people lose all touch with nature?
Will the day come when the only bird a typical American child ever sees is a canary in a pet shop window?
When the only wild animal he knows is a rat - glimpsed on a night drive through some city slum?
When the only tree he touches is the cleverly fabricated plastic evergreen that shades his gifts on Christmas morning?
~Frank N. Ikard, North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, Houston, March 1968