A Touch of Spring

We who love to garden get itchy palms come Spring. We can't wait to release the child within, to get our hands in the mud, and to marvel once again at the beauty of creation and new life. With the balmy weather we in Stratford have experienced in March and April, spring duties are progressing ahead of schedule. Gardens that we normally don't touch until mid May have had the vestiges of winter removed and the spring buds have turned their smiling faces ton greet the sun.













Here are a few of the jewels from my front garden that catch my eye when I step out these days. They are too beautiful not to share.

Sculpture of Norval Morrisseau

Mine is a city that invites the imagination to thrive. Many wonderful artists call Stratford home. Not only the theatrical and musical arts flourish here, but visual arts of all types abound.


On my walk home today I saw one of my neighbours out creating a new garden. I stopped to chat and she invited me in to see her finished sculpture. It stands 8 feet tall and is a 3D portrait of Norval Morrisseau, an Ojibway artist and Shaman who is considered by many to be one of Canada's most original and important artists.



When he was 19, Morrisseau recovered from a severe illness after a mystic ceremony performed by a medicine woman, where he was given the name "Copper Thunderbird". In the late 1950's he became sick again with tuberculosis and met his wife Harriet Kakegamic in a sanitorium in Thunder Bay. She taught him to sign his artwork as Copper Thunderbird in Cree syllabics. My artist neighbour, Susan Murar, has captured the dichotomy of the face of the thunder bird interwoven with that of the artist. I was captivated by the sculpture's eyes and the intricate details that pull images from his artwork. Back and front, both sculptures in the set display a wonderful array of Ojibway legends.




If you are ever passing through Stratford do take the time to look up artist Susan Murar. She is a fascinating and talented woman. The statue, by the way, is created from white plasticine.

Imminent Release of the Swans

Stratford's waterfowl are itching to be on the water. Yesterday we dropped by their winter quarters to see how they were faring.






It seems that they have caught Spring fever. Maybe they have sensed that tomorrow, Easter Sunday, they will take part in the annual swan parade. With bagpipes on hand to announce the occasion, they will march proudly past the thousands of visitors who come to see this annual event. The scent of the water nearby is good reason to drop the winter lethargy and pick up speed as they march, or should I say 'waddle', along Morenz Drive to the freedom of the river. With a final burst of energy they will race the last few yards down the ramp and into the water.

For Stratford, the releasing of the swans is like the initiation rite of spring. After the last bird hits the water, the crowds who come to watch will make their way along the trail the runs by the river. It is like we heave a collective sigh of relief knowing that we have survived the Ontario winter. The swans are on the water and there is a communal sense that all is well.

Soon the swans who have found their lifelong mates will be busy preparing nests and before long we will witness once again the miracle of new life as cygnets and ducklings entertain us with their joie de vivre. Easter is indeed a season of new life, of new beginnings.

Jack Returns

It was a beautiful sunny morning, warm enough to wear my spring jacket. The chatter of the squirrels and the new tone in the song of the birds were definite indications that Spring was on its way.

On heading out, I discovered that Jack Frost had once again been back at work etching his beautiful designs on the windows of the car. It almost felt wrong to destroy his handiwork, but the market called, so his artistry had to go.

As I drove across the city, the scene changed. From the bright sun and clear blue skies on Cobourg Street, as I headed onto Mornington a gentle fog hovered above the land. By the time I reached McArthy, a thick fog was blanketing the earth. One could not not see across the field, and the new construction of the adult residence suddenly loomed into view out of the mist as I approached.

By the time I left the market some 30 minutes later, the fog had lifted. The sun brightened the scene with a thousand diamonds that Jack had left behind. He had once again been showering us with the beauty of a Stratford March.


I am anxious for Spring, as no doubt we all are, but oh, I do love the beauty of the winter landscape. Thank you, Jack, for reminding us how blessed we are to live in Canada!

Hockey Day in Canada

All week the excitement had been rising. Along the river, rinks flooded to perfection by our local fire department had encouraged many to head out for free skating and pick-up hockey. On Tuesday, the CBC began moving in their equipment. By Friday everything was set for the big day. Stanley and all the other major Cups had arrived.


A huge tent was set up for a community breakfast.












Most of our downtown stores got into the action with window and storefront décor.



Today, Saturday, dawned bright and sunny. Despite the cold, the river area was bustling with activity amidst an air of festivity and fun. Thanks to Tim Horton's Hockey Day in Canada, we had yet another reason to enjoy our beautiful park area.

ICE CREAM

June 26, 2009


The blistering heat of summer has descended upon Stratford, with temperatures hovering between 28 and 31 degrees Celsius. With the high humidity, we are definitely feeling the change from our long cool springtime.

A favorite spot on a summer evening is Scoopers. There you can find unimaginable flavours of ice cream, frozen yogourt, floats, smoothies, shakes, sundaes, and any other frozen treat you could dream of. You can even create your own delicacy by adding from a wide assortment of fruit or other more decadent toppings.

A few nights ago we headed there around 8:45. We were outside enjoying our cone on the benches provided, admiring the evening sky, when a group hurried up to the door. Sorry, closed! In all, while we savored our treat, at least 14 people arrived, some rushing to beat the deadline, some unaware of the closing time.

So, be warned. If you want a tasty treat on a hot summer evening, plan ahead, avoid the disappointment and aim to arrive at Scoopers before 9:00 o'clock!

MORNING MEMORIES

June 22, 2009

After delivering my youngest, now in his late 20's, to the train station at 6:00 a m, I took my coffee down to the river. The reflections were serene as the river came to life with waterfowl diving for their morning treats and early morning runners making their way around the lake before the promised heat of the day. I traveled at a leisurely pace down memory lane.

When the boys were young, we would often get up before the sun and head to the island for a picnic breakfast. My husband loved the serenity of the early morning before the tourist crowds arrived. Those times remain etched in my mind. Feet soaked from the morning dew, we would play 'Mouse and Eagle', our version of Hide and Seek. I often wondered if anyone saw us hiding, squeaking like little mice, or watched us rushing around the island with 'wings' flapping, making great whirring noises to imitate the sound of the bird of prey swooping down to grasp a tasty morsel. In those days, we really didn't care. We were just having fun with our boys in the early hours of the dawn, stimulating the imagination of future writers.

Once more today, I walked with dew drenched feet, capturing memories. The sound of family laughter echoed through the years. Places where once we hid were now overgrown, but still magical beneath the morning sun.
My Stratford is a place of memories, a jewel caught in time.