Taking the Leap

After spending the month of September in the apple orchard, it was time to go down the road to Ontario. We had two objectives: to see how our grandchildren were adapting to life in the Ottawa valley; and to visit old friends who we had worked with, and known since the late ’70’s. The final destination was Petawawa, about a two hour drive west of Ottawa.

We lived in Ottawa in 1977-8. Two children were born at the Ottawa Civic hospital. At the time, I was working with George Argus at the National Herbarium on the rare vascular plants of Canada. George had overall responsibility for this multi-year project. In addition, he was a global authority on the genus, Salix i.e. willows. They are a very challenging taxonomic group.

My companion book for the drive was Peter Sanger’s White Salt Mountain. Published by Gaspereau Press and found at The Odd Book, a second hand book store in Wolfville. It was a challenging read, steeped in deep research into poetry and literature.This clashed with my day to day recollections of living and working in Ontario.

In the Pembroke region, we checked out the craft beer industry, as well as a the second hand book stores.I found a copy of The History of Kings County Nova Scotia. A reprint by Global Heritage Press of 1910 book by Arthur Wentworth Hamilton Eaton. In Ottawa, we found our old residence on Churchill and Richmond. The neighbourhood had become quite ‘up market’, including Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), where we had to go.

Buying Pema Chodron’s book, Taking the Leap.Freeing Ourselves from old Habits and Fears encouraged us to look with fresh eyes at the Upper Canada life style. We discussed the options with Pat and Emily for themselves and their children. We chatted with George and Mary about retirement in the city; condominium living along the Ottawa river.

In a flash, the time had flown by. Thanksgiving in Petawawa, and then two days later Thanksgiving in New Glasgow.. Within the week, it seemed that the colour of the trees had changes in Quebec and Northern New Brunswick. Along the St Lawrence, the geese were gathering into large flocks, getting ready to head South to the next feeding area.

In Quebec, we noted the different approach to tourism. The guide to Chaudiere Appalaches contained detailed maps, with thematic colours for culture and heritage, regional flavours, nature and the outdoors. It seemed that Nova Scotia could learn from Quebec.

Finally, another discovery in the Ottawa valley were the plant nurseries. We thought about our pond and wetland garden in Paradise. We could contemplate a wider selection of herbs and grasses for our climate zone.

Back home. I can now wait for the inter-library loan, to bring in:

Annie Dillard. The Writing Life

David Quammen The Tangled Tree

Peter Sanger. Spar: Words in Place.

Acknowledgement

Edward Wedler is away in Ontario this week. He will likely add graphics next week.

 

References

Pema Chodron 2010. Taking the Leap. Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears. Shambala, Boulder, Co.

Peter Sanger 2005.White Salt Mountain. Words in Time. Gaspereau Press. Kentville, NS.

Arthur Wentworth Hamilton Eaton 1910. The History of Kings County Nova Scotia. Heart of the Acadian Land. Global Heritage Press. http://global genealogy.com

2018-19 Official Tourist Guide. Chaudiere Appalaches. Live it for Real. http://ChaudiereAppalaches.com