Happy New Year

… and in the end— beauty.

It had been a challenging year for Molly and me with friends and family confronting and overcoming life threatening illnesses and debilitating accidents —and grieving with friends who faced tragic and  life changing losses. 

Graduating from Queens in June with my long dreamt of Masters Degree in Philosophy heralded a new life for Molly and me. The day after graduation, a dear friend drove tandem with me past —after enjoying— the Jardins de Metis / Reford Gardens on my way to  move to Nova Scotia. I built a home on the Eastern Shore, began to once again embrace nature’s offerings, and came to  learn of, and  enjoy, the many cultures that have laid  claim to home in Nova Scotia. Whether marvelling at the power of the sea or the depth of tranquility in the forests, Nova Scotia has become home for me in the deepest and most profound sense of the word.

 It seemed fitting that Molly and I "take a tramp”  to the silence of the woods on the last day of the year— to marvel at the formation of ice crystals on puddles and through moss, to bend deeply to peer at hornworts, and to thrill in the colour of pitcher plants. Returning home, exhilarated by what we had seen, and chilled by the sharpened blades of the north wind, neighbours passing by accepted an offer of a cup of tea. There, in the warmth of my wee lakeside home sitting by the fire we talked of the Eastern shore, of weather patterns, and eating too much over Christmas. After getting ready to go out to a friend’s place for supper I saw the full moon rising over the tiny lake I have come to love. What a “beauteous way” for the bridging  of 2017-2018 I thought, as I headed out the door.

 

Wishing you warmth, adventure, merriment, success, and best of health in 2018.

As ever yours,

Maggie and Molly

Tamarack cones now gilded with age, stood like tiny candles on delicate branches

Cladina Rangiferina — framed by snow

Club moss and Cladina R

Beautiful beautiful Hornwort

Pitcher Plants