Everything Old Is New Again

Having rented a car for the weekend, I stopped by to visit some long time friends in the neighbourhood where I previously lived for 21 years. Audrey and Bob were packing the car to for a visit to Ingleside, but stopped to have a chat before heading out. As they spoke about their fact finding quest to uncover their roots, they mentioned a series of novels written by a local writer, Maggie Wheeler. Maggie is a fiction writer who sets her stories in the The Lost Villages of Farrans Point, Altsville, Mille Roche, Moulinette and Dickinson's Landing. All six villages were flooded when the St. Lawrence Seaway Project was undertaken in the 1950's.

I grew up in Iroquois, one of two villages that survived, but only because those homes deemed sturdy enough to be moved, were painstakingly picked up and deposited a mile or so northward where they were relocated in the new village of Iroquois.


Morrisburg, the second community, suffered to a lesser degree as more homes could be left in place. The villages were able to keep their names but lost was the character, feeling of continuity and perhaps the spirit of some of the older life-long residents of the village.


The next day I drove the 90km to Iroquois to visit Mum. As I sat in her living room catching up on the latest news, my eyes scanned the coffee table and there, to my great surprise, was a copy of All Mortal Things, by Maggie Wheeler... and it was a signed copy too. The preceeding week, Mum had attended a dinner where Maggie was the keynote speaker. She won the door prize. To make things even better, Mom had also been given a Christmas present of A violet End, another book in the series. Serendipity. One day I learned of the books, and the next I came face-to-face with two, without having had to look for them. With the promise of retuning both in good order, I headed home with what would be the start of a nostaligic trip to my past.

This morning I sat on my balcony overlooking the Rideau River, lush green parkland, and the noisy Vanier Parkway. I sat entranced by the rich storytelling of Maggie Wheeler. The storyline is purely fictional but the geographic setting and placement in time are historically factual. As I read I frequently lost attention when passages and descriptions triped my mind to my youth growing up along the river, and to the part that Iroquois and my family played in the great St. Lawrence Seaway project. Reading this book I was reminded of an old song. It is true - everything old is new again in this new novel of crime and mystery set in the lost villages.

It's Happening Right Next Door...

They've started and things will never be the same again.

© Joan Anderson

I've lived here for 2 years and truly enjoyed the great unobstructed view and morning sun shine pouring into my bedroom window. I've watched the sun rise, the morning mist roll in, and the birds soar in the thermals, but this will all soon be gone. The field has been used for years like parkland and was a great place to walk the dog and let the kids expend some of their excess energy. No longer. A big housing complex is underway. When complete, there will be lowrise buildings at the far end of the field and a huge 23 story building sitting nose to nose with me.

© Joan Anderson

Now I wake in the morning to the relentless noise of heavy equipment as it strips away a generous layer of soil. The site was once home to a garbage dump so the earth must be carefully removed to keep toxic dust at bay. I wonder what would keep the machines at bay?

It's gonna be a long and noisy summer... well a long and noisy couple of years, but who's counting. Bummer!

Ottawa and the Byward Market

With cooler temperatures today, it was a great day to walk to the market.

© Joan Anderson

Summer berries, cherries and bedding plants fill the stands, and kids now out on summer holidays wander the streets in small tight groups. If it's a 'gaggle of geese', it must be a 'giggle of girls'. It's good to be there on a relatively quite day for that will soon change. We are only 3 days away from Canada Day. I'm looking forward to getting out with my camera to wander the streets, check out the activities, and try for that definitive Canada Day image.

Overheard

In the washroom of McDonald's eatery... female rapper who could rival many of the well known recording artists. I'd love to quote her but I'd be banned from this forum. Rap is not my favourite form of vocals, but content aside, I couldn't help being impressed by her talent.

Walking home... Comment made by man trying to direct his unleashed dog back home. "He's not mine. I'm his."

Bali Celebrates Galungan

Bali, one of the very special places on this planet, celebrates Galungan today, June 27th. It is one of the most important religious celebrations of the Balinese calendar and honours the ancestors as they return to their former homes. It is a time for celebration, prayers, offerings and entertainment.

© Joan Anderson

To honour their return, the men create special gigantic offerings called Penjors. Tall bamboos are cut and stripped of their leaves, then the top is bent to the ground and tied in place for several days so that a permanent downward curve is formed. They are then cut loose and leaves, sheaves of rice, and coconuts are tied to the pole for decoration before the penjors are raised into place on the street in front of each Balinese home.

© Joan Anderson

On rising the morning of Galungan, the streets are alive with rich colour steeped in tradition, honour and artististry that is unrivaled in Canada. I have had the honour of being in Bali for this wonderful celebration and was able to photograph the event.

© Joan Anderson

Pangnirtung here I come ...

© Joan Anderson

Yeaaah! I'm heading north again in September. Aeroplan just confirmed that I snaged one of two frequent flyer seats available daily on a First Air flight to the Arctic. Three hours flying time will get me from Ottawa to Iqaluit (1,302 miles) where a 50 seater twin prop makes the 1 hr flight to Pangnirtung - weather permitting.

Pang is an isolated Inuit community about 50km south of the Arctic Circle on Baffin Island in Canada's spectacular north. My first trip there was in October/November last year, 2006, and what a super experience it was! Nestled on the shore of Pangnirtung Fjord, and backed by rugged mountains of the Arctic Cordillera, the entire village enjoys spectacular views, occasional visits from Polar Bears, an abundance of wildlife, and is home to some of the best carvers, printmakers and weavers in the Arctic.

© Joan Anderson

If you would like to see more of the north, check out the "Gallery" section of my website at: www.JoanAnderson-Artist.ca

September is still a few months off though and now is the time for me to enjoy my summer and soak up the southern sun. In contrast to Pangnirtung where todays temperature is a balmy 5C or 41F, Ottawa is hot and steamy at 35C or 95F. Many will be moving at a slower pace today, while others will either stay inside or seek out those cool airconditioned oases.

Dragons and Drums

© Joan Anderson

It was my first time there and it more than met all my expectations. Armed with camera, lenses, tripod (which I didn't use) and a healthy dose of curiosity, I made my way to the shore to check out the boats. Having a rather large camera and long lens slung round my neck turned out to be a big advantage. As I stood at the barrier erected to separate tourists from the boats and equipment, a volunteer from one of the major sponsors of the event approached. He had spotted my Nikon and kindly asked if I would like to go beyond the barriers and take a closer look. How good is that, I thought to myself. Walking out on the docks I had the opportunity to take a close-up look at the magnificent dragon boats, snap a few photos, and hear more about the boats and history behind them. It also provided me with an introduction to the Press Tent and opened the door to an even better photo opportunity. Being a freelance photographer has it's advantages. Soon I found myself in the company of five other local photographers sitting on the bay at the finish line, ready to photograph the boats as they swooshed across to victory!

© Joan Anderson