A New Resolution

As the New Year is rung in, many of us become reflective of who we are and where we are going. We make resolutions to change or better the parts of ourselves we believe are negative. In due time, many of us revert back to how we were previously and feel like failures. Not to minimize the importance and value of trying to be the best that we can, but this year I challenge you to a new resolution: I challenge you to be yourself. Sure, be kind, not just to others, but also to yourself. Be forgiving, if it's warranted and try to look at all situations through the lens of love. As Napoleon once said, "in the long run, the sword is always beaten by the spirit." May you have much spirit in the coming year. I wish you all an abundance of love and happiness. What more could we really want or need?

Market Street Fest

Nothing incites the imagination more than one of Nelson's summer street festivals. Hippies descend from the surrounding mountains to dance freely in the streets to local bands. The artistic crowd sets up tents and tables to display their offerings. A large smattering of Nelson's residents and many tourists turn up to enjoy the festivities and breathe it all in. It's a place to run into old friends and meet new, try Little Miss Gelato's new summer flavours or some old Doukhobor specialties. It's a place to be transported to another plane of reality (but we won't go there). Merchants keep their shops open late and there is no better place to sit back and do some serious people watching. If you happen to be passing through Nelson during the summer and you're curious to discover the "true" flavour of this unique little town, find out when their next street festival is and head down to Baker Steet.

Big Celebrations

I am a little slow in posting these, but Canada Day (July 1st) is marvelous here in the Kootenays. Everyone heads down to the park to listen to the music, sit on the beach, go swimming and participate in all kinds of festivities. This year was no exception. The activities started early and continued up until the fireworks display at the end of the day. I hope today is just as wonderful for all my American friends.

The Aftermath

I feel like I'm taking a real hiatus from my blog this month. Life is a chaotic frenzy and I'm convinced that they no longer make days with the same number of hours as they once did. Like everything else, they're cheaping out in that department. I did take time on Saturday, however, to throw on my Fluevogs and a feather boa. Hey, if a girl can't wear a boa on Valentine's day, when can she? And then I went to check out Hugfest. It was definitely a feel good, pay it forward sort of event. I'm not bragging or anything, but I certainly got my share. Perhaps it's not "the magic bullet" that will solve all the world's problems, but there certainly weren't any grumpy people lurking about and smiles and laughter seemed to abound. So go ahead, find someone and give him or her a hug. Bonus points if you don't know the person. You might just make somebody's day.

Hug Fest

I feel so neglectful lately. I've hardly had a chance to drop in and say hi, let alone post anything. But today, I wanted to send hugs out there to all of you. Scientists have proven that hugging slows aging, improves sleep and increases intelligence. Pretty cool, isn't it? And if that's not enough, just think of that fantastic warm and fuzzy feeling it gives you. For any of you who feel you could use some more hugs or just simply want to come and test the theory, feel free to drop by Baker street between Stanley and Ward from 11 am to 1 pm on February 14th for the annual Inspire Nelson Valentine's Hugfest. I can't think of a better way to beat those winter blues and banish the grey away. Guaranteed to make you smile.

Happy New Year

As we venture into the new year, many of us get reflective. We ponder our life thus far, think about where we want to go, create resolutions, decide what we will no longer do, what we will do from hereon in. I'm perfectly okay with goal setting, but have never really been one for making a large set of resolutions. I am more of a free spirit who cherishes her freedom to follow at will whatever opportunities present themselves. I have difficulty being strictly regimented. I find it a kill joy that stifles creativity. But that being said, I do respect those of you who do go the resolution route. Life would be so utterly boring if we all did things the same way and I've always been of the opinion that what works for one does not always work for another. That being said, I really like the idea that Chani presented over at "Finding My Way Home," to chose a word for the new year: the idea being to "create a theme for the year...a central concept that will change the way we look at things." The lens with which we look at life may not change our circumstances, but it can change how we react to events that come our way and I think that this makes all the difference. If you had to choose a word, what word or words would you chose?

As many of us are looking inward and being reflective, I thought you might enjoy this short animation by Lasse Gjertsen as he ponders the age old question, "who am I?"



Happy New Year everyone. I wish you all joy, happiness, peace and lots of love in the coming year.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you and your loved ones the happiest of holidays and a new year full of peace and love. Merry Christmas.


These pictures are from Christmas on Baker Street earlier in December. The tradition is to have part of the main street shut down. One of the local supermarkets provides food and hot chocolate. Various groups perform carols and other Christmas music. Animals are brought in from a local farm...I'm not sure whether all the animals are babies or just miniatures, in any case, they delight the children almost more than anything else, especially those who get to ride the donkey.

Heart

At the heart of each of us, whatever our imperfection, there exists a silent pulse of perfect rhythm, a complex of wave forms and resonances which is absolutely individual and unique, and yet which connects us to everything in the universe.

~George Leonard

Sleigh Bells Ring

Are you listening?

My mother lent me her beautiful antique sled for the holidays. I've filled it with fresh boughs...plenty of those around here, and put it on my front steps. I keep thinking that the bright red would look smashing against the snow. Presently we're in the middle of a snow storm so I don't dare set it out or I won't be able to find it by morning. I've had to shovel my driveway three times today. That's right, you heard me. We're going to have a white Christmas.

Toast

To my fabulously clean ancestors. Skål

From Reginsmál (25):

Kembðr ok þveginn skal kœnna hverr|
Combed and washed every thoughtful man should be
ok at morni mettr;               |
and fed in the morning;
þvíat ósýnt er,hvarat aptni kømr;|
for one cannot foresee where one will be by evening;
illt er fyr heill at hrapa.      |
it is bad to rush headlong before one's fate.

There's No Place Like Home

Many a voyage has carried me far from home and I have seen numerous interesting sights. The whispers of adventure secretly seduce me at my every turn. They continually pull at my heartstrings drawing me on. But in truth, adventure and excitement never lurk far from the streets of Nelson. Summer is a special time here. Festivals and celebrations abound and bring out the masses. This past Friday was no exception, in fact, it was double the pleasure with the launch of Art Walk and one of numerous Market Street Fests in full swing.

Every summer Nelson's Art Walk invites locals and visitors alike to take a stroll downtown and view the very best work of local artists and craftspeople. Local businesses host the artists and shops and boutiques become instant galleries. They put on splendid receptions, wine, cheese and other appies. Everyone mulls about, snacking while chatting with the best artistic talent in the area.

Meandering back out onto the main street, I am confronted with the city's undeniable bohemian undercurrent. It's impossible not to be drawn in. The crowds, the music, the food, the entertainment...it's all there. I happened upon a troop of belly dancers with the emphasis on belly, at least for the woman who was eight months pregnant. I half expected her water to break during the course of the performance.

And then the motley of a band...an odder collection of musicians thrown together one just couldn't find, I'm quite sure. There was the yahoo cowboy, hat and all, the two who looked like they had just stepped out of Barvaria, the one with the punkish style hair, another who was a frat boy I'm sure. How they found each other must be a story within itself. But boy could they play music. It made us all want to dance right along. For your viewing pleasure, the following video snippets will almost transport you there. Now close your eyes and click the heels of those ruby slippers together. There truly is no place like home, at least not if your home is Nelson.

I AM Canadian!

Lots of excitement here on Canada Day in Nelson and Lake Side Park is definitely the place to be. The crowds came out en masse and there was vibrating activity for all...food; face painting; marionettes; clowns; bubbles; bands and music (of all sorts); games; dancing; and good old mulling about. Of course we mustn't forget the fireworks which are on the agenda for this evening. Another classic Nelson celebration. Check out the photos.






Happy Birthday Canada!!!

Kaslo May Days

This weekend I trundled off to the quaint little village of Kaslo to investigate all the fuss I’ve heard about their May Day celebrations. Encouraged by a couple of friends who told me to check it out, I did. My first impressions left me saying “Wow!” For as small as Kaslo is, they sure know how to throw a party, and so they should, locals have been celebrating May Days since 1892. That’s well over one hundred years.

The festivities span from Friday through Monday of the May long weekend. They include events such as the choosing of the May Queen, pancake breakfasts, ball games, carnival games, logger sports, car shows, craft fairs, dances, parades, beer gardens, live music, outdoor movies and, of course, the May Pole dance. It is a festival not to be missed.

Obviously I couldn’t spend the entire four days perusing about, much fun as it would have been, so I chose to go over on the Sunday. Kaslo is about a scenic hour’s drive from Nelson along Kootenay Lake. The weekend weather was fabulous…perfect for a Sunday drive.

Sunday’s events included the Logger Sports, a very typically Canadian event; although I must confess that this was my first time attending such a spectacle. The town was there in full force with testosterone thick and heavy in the air. The fellow sitting next to me, an Acadian who had made his way out west decades ago, gave me a brief run down on each event, then proceeded to show me his tattoos, as he put it, his mid-life crisis a little after mid-life. I’m so sorry I didn’t get a picture.

Enthusiastic crowds cheered each event, but the highlight was the log rolling finale. That was when we got to watch Darren, a Nova Scotian boy as well as the world log rolling champion. I tell you, does that boy ever have fancy footwork and I bet he’s a great dancer too. With him on the log, those other boys couldn’t have avoided getting wet had their life depended on it. I’m including a video clip a little further on of a similar event that took place at Gross Mountain in Vancouver for those of you who are interested (and I actually think it might Darren on the log…apparently he was at that event as well).

After that, I took a walk down the main street to see the vintage cars, everything from a 1924 Model T to an antique hearse from the 40’s or 50’s.

Finally, out of mere curiosity, I ended the afternoon by checking out the Burnout Contest, an “exciting tire spinning burnout” competition. No one seemed to be able to tell me what the actual purpose of this final event was or how one determined who won, but I think it’s nothing more than to see who can burn the most rubber and make the most smoke…definitely an event for the guys. And I must admit, their enthusiasm was contagious, that was until the noxious fumes almost knocked me out. Perhaps that is the same reason why the men were having difficulty articulating more than how “cool” they thought the event was.

Overall it was a fun day full of festivities and I would definitely recommend checking it out if you are ever in the area over the May long weekend.

Shoe's Off

So as I said earlier, last weekend was the celebration of the reopening of the Capitol Theatre. There was much fanfare and the whole town was a twitter. The Capitol put on a fabulous show celebrating the diverse talent of this region...and I can't tell you just how much talent there is here. It gives me shivers just thinking about it. We saw singers, musicians, stand-up comedians, choirs, soloists, and the list goes on.

Until one has been to a truly local Nelson event, one can't quite grasp how intimate these shows can be. Of course when we invite outsiders to perform for us, there is never quite the same back and forth banter as we are really on our best behaviour for our out of town guests. But this was, in all senses, a local event, almost like a talent show one would hold in one's own living room, like the ones we used to put on when we were children to entertain the adults...but of course with much more talent.

The evening finished off with the showing of "Shoes Off," a Canadian short flick which I will share with you shortly. There are so many things about this little movie that are so Canadian, I could probably write another post about just that. But you need to know the local connection, so I will try to focus. The music was written by our very own, very talented Don McDonald. My understanding is that Don actually won a Cannes for this particular musical score. But the connection doesn't stop there. The soprano that you hear towards the end of the movie is Alison Girvan, Don's beautiful and equally talented wife. The violinist, Wendy Herbison, is another long time local, in fact, she was both of my sisters' music teacher for many years. So without any further delay, please join me in watching "Shoe's Off."

AtomFilms.com: Funny Videos | Funny Cartoons | Comedy Central

Local Celebrations - Capitol Theatre Restoration

Another week has come and gone. I meant to post this last week, and then life got away on me yet again. In any case, last weekend was the twentieth anniversary of the restoration and reopening of the Capitol Theatre here in Nelson. But the Capitol Theatre's history goes back to 1927 when it first opened at a cost of $75,000 which was, undoubtedly, a pretty penny back in those days, and indeed, it was lauded as one of the finest theatres on the continent at the time. It served mainly as a movie house in the Paramount chain of leased theatres, delighting audiences with all the earliest films following the silent movie era. These showings were interspersed with live dramatic performances of traveling companies and local groups.

The thirties were the hey-day of cinema and crowds flocked to see nightly shows complimented by live acts to introduce the movies. In the mid-thirties, the old Opera House in Nelson burnt down and the 1000 seat Civic Theatre, which I understand was a depression "make work" project, was built. It's initial purpose was for live theatre.

During the wartime forties, cinema began to fall out of fashion as people had less time and money. Eventually, Famous Player, holding the lease on both theatres, opted to book the larger Civic Theatre for films. The Capitol continued to sporadically show films along with live acts and music shows, however, as time went on, these began to dwindle in number. By the fifties, as necessary repairs and improvements to the building were neglected, the Capitol fell into disrepair. For awhile, it was used as an auction hall and furniture warehouse and at some point in the sixties, the seats were eventually removed. By this point, the roof leaked and the Theatre which had once held audiences spellbound, sat in a dank pool of water. Indeed, its future looked bleak.

By the early eighties, the seeds of a dream had been planted, and the Capitol Theatre Restoration Society had formed. Locals began to raise funds, and soon thereafter, the City of Nelson acquired the building. Through a fortuitous stroke of luck in the mid-eighties, a significant government grant allowed the project to really get under way. The Theatre was completely gutted, and received an extreme makeover. The original side murals on the walls were lovingly restored, the stage area was increased, and among other things, rich crimson carpets and seats were installed. By the time the repairs and restoration were finished, this original Art Deco Theatre had never looked more grand. Since this time, the Capitol Theatre has reclaimed its prestigious place in Nelson's history as it has once again become the hub of the performing arts in this community. If you're ever passing through, make sure you check out.

Merry Christmas

Hello everyone! I know it's been awhile since I've posted anything. This is an extremely hectic time of year and I've had a lot going on. And now I am away and am not sure as to how often I will have internet access. In the new year, however, I will be back (hopefully in full force). In the meantime, I wish you all a very merry Christmas, a wonderful holiday season, peace, joy, love and all the rest.

Things I Love About Nelson # 6: Cottonwood Market

Every Saturday from the end of April to the end of October an area just on the edge of town called Cottonwood Market magically comes to life. I try to go as often as I can.

It's more than just a spot to buy local produce. It is the largest market in the West Kootenays with a unique setting beside some waterfalls and a small park. It's the stomping grounds of young and old alike and is a mecca for the diversity that colours this region.

It's a time to mingle, zen out and take it all in. It is a spot where one can find organic farm products, ethnic baking, preserves, crafts, import clothing, jewelry, and various collectibles or used items.

It's also a spot to mellow out and listen to some local musical talent, be it a band with a Latino flare or Russian gypsy music. The locals aren't shy about rhythmically moving to the beat of the drum, stomping their feet or simply nodding their head to the flow of the music.

One can attend every single market and honestly say that no two are ever alike. Creativity and a unique culture unquestionably flourish here. There have been many visitors who I have taken to Cottonwood and the response is almost universally big eyes, gaping mouth, nodding head and then finally, "ah...this is Nelson." If you are ever in the region, make sure you stop by the Cottonwood market where tourists and locals alike converge for an unrivaled Kootenay experience.

Random Bits of Happiness

Yesterday was Canadian Thanksgiving. I thought I'd list some of my favorite things, those things for which I am thankful, those things that in their little way or sometime big add to my happiness. So, in no particular order...


Cuddles, thunderstorms, blowing bubbles, listening to the waves lap upon the beach, a smile, a hearty laugh, Scrabble, sunshine on a crisp autumn day, coffee with friends, dark chocolate, finding seashells, picnics at the beach, travel, stimulating conversation, learning, my bed, feather pillows, family, hugs, Christmas, steaming cocoa, chattering squirrels, the wind through my hair, mountains, light fluffy snow, art, music, snuggles, candle light, high speed internet, a thoughtful word, a secret shared, a swim under the moonlight, a clear starry night, dinner with friends, Sunday brunch, Earl Grey tea and cookies, people watching, bare feet on green grass, soft kisses on the forehead, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, random acts of kindness, comfortable silence, family, childhood memories, creativity, whipping cream, crunchy leaves beneath my feet, autumn colours, roller coasters, ice cream, blog reads, fresh air, a fire on a cold snowy night, foreign films, unspoken understanding, a good book, eureka moments, hot stone massage, comfort food, a glass of wine, antiques, architecture, dressing up, dressing down, a day of skiing, a secluded cabin, unexpected visits, a thoughtful gesture, a sense of humour...

So what makes you happy?

Shiver Me Timbers

Avast! Today be International Talk Like a Pirate's Day. Arrr! That's right ye varmit scums. Dust off yer boots, grab ye selfs a rum and drink that cellar dry. But first make sure ye know yer name or you be walkin the plank to visit Davey Jones' Locker. Arrr!

My pirate name is:

Mad Mary Read

Every pirate is a little bit crazy. You, though,
are more than just a little bit. Even through
many pirates have a reputation for not being
the brightest souls on earth, you defy the stero-
types. You've got taste and education. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Uff Da!

Please excuse my tardiness in all things blog related these days. I have been organizing, almost single handedly, a reunion which started today. We have about 65 people in attendance, which is by no means unwieldy, but…still, there are things to do, questions to answer, activities to organize, entertainment to dream up. And I am exhausted. Will be back in a few days. Cheers.