I received a phone call from Pam Ellis at the Bridgetown library. Last time I was there, I noticed a commemorative shelf of Ernest Buckler books and medals. The librarian encouraged me to request Gregory Cook’s (ed.) Ernest Buckler: Critical Views on Canadian Writers, published in 1972 through inter-library loan. It arrived this week.
The collection of criticism addresses all three of Buckler’s books: The Mountain and the Valley (1952), The Cruelest Month (1963) and Ox Bells and Fireflies (1968).
The copy on the shelf was donated by John Montgomerie, dated 1975. John is also a member of EBLES (Ernest Buckler Literary Event Society). Only after reading Cook’s book did I fully appreciate that Buckler only wrote three books.
After reading Harold Horwood, The Magic Ground, today (Friday) I found myself in Kentville and decided to visit Gaspereau Press on Church Street. Even though the sign said ‘no visitors’ I was welcomed and able to ask about Horwood’s Cycle of the Sun. I purchased #24 of a limited edition of fifty copies. Cycle of the Sun is a five part poem. The five parts are Proem, Fire Festival, Caribou Hunt, Winter Solstice and Return of the Sun. From the prefatory note:
“Life was an interlocking series of cycles closely related to the seasons and the migration of game animals (particularly seals, caribou, fish and birds). The cycle of the sun was, of course, paramount to all this, and was seen as the mainspring of the cosmology.”
“The Inuit, the northern hunters, are those whom the author has been associated both by family and by experience”.
From Chelsea Green Publishing, I received notice of a book by Robert Somerville, Barn Club: a tale of forgotten elm trees, traditional craft and community spirit. The email includes a link to a short YouTube video. The construction of the barn reminded me of the work of Alex Cole at Little Foot Yurts. For several years, Alex has coppiced poles for yurt construction on Andrew’s property, within the context of hands-on workshops.
This serves to illustrate common values, plus illustrate alternative use relationships to the Acadian forest landscape.
Afterthought.
Peter, my brother, sent me this audio link from the BBC. Hope you enjoy it, as much as I did.
Sacred Cows and Sushi Rolls
Postscript
Congratulations to Lunn’s Mill beer company on their fourth birthday. It’s good to support local.
Acknowledgements
Pam Ellis at Bridgetown library. Unknown staffer at Gaspereau Press. Peter for the BBC4 point of view. Edward for his artistry. Heather travelled with me to Kentville.
References
Gregory Cook (Ed.), 1972, Ernest Buckler: Critical Views of Canadian Writers, McGraw Hill.
Harold Horwood, 2003, Cycle of the Sun, Gaspereau Press.
Robert Somerville, 2021, Barn Club: a tale of forgotten elm trees, traditional craft and community spirit, Chelsea Green Publishing.
Ernest Blair Experiment 
Bob
Just now got around to listening to the John Connell piece. Very lovely indeed! So, many thanks to your brother for sending it to you and you to us.
Brian
Brian Arnott Principal Novita Interpares | Leaf + Branch
novitainterpares.ca >
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