Man, Watching

In New Glasgow, Heather picked up the book, Woman, Watching, at Coles in the Highland Mall. I had the chance to start reading this biography of Louise de Kiriline Lawrence and the Songbirds of Pimisi Bay by Merilyn Simonds.

It starts in Scandinavia and Russia; moves to Canada. She is involved with the Dionne quintuplets in North Bay, Ontario. The next section covers her enthusiasm for ornithology — hence the book title. Heather has reclaimed her book. I will finish it later.

In an e-mail, I received the Spring 2023 Bras D’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve newsletter.

I recall time spent in Cape Breton in 2011, transferring our knowledge of SNBRA (Southwest Nova Biosphere Region) to BLBRA. Checking with David Colville, I discovered that Nick Hill has been providing a newsletter for our biosphere reserve (see SNBRA newsletter) .

Sunday was a good excuse to visit to Hampton Beach at low tide. Afterwards, we followed the coastal road to Parker’s Cove, then back over the North Mountain to Annapolis Royal and home.

From Woman, Watching, the description of rural life in Northern Ontario rings true of the rural economy in Nova Scotia; the need for multiple short-term jobs that will allow sufficient income for a living.

Listening to the Mass Casualty Commission (MCC) I realized the importance of local knowledge (geography) — the culture, the nature and the human infrastructure (road system). This cannot be acquired via an urban environment. There is also a need and value to travelling the backroads, walking, canoeing and other means of transport (bicycle, ATV, snowmobile).

Finally, a shout out to Junction Sixteen (formerly, End of the Line Pub) on our list for lunch this week. Thanks to John Montgomery for the link , and the reference to Ernest Buckler.