“I am grateful for curiosity, ….

“I am grateful for curiosity, ….

which keeps my brain elastic and my spirit young.”  fr. a book entitled simply, Gratitude

I recently attended my second Unscripted Twillingate festival and thoroughly enjoyed it.

My first event was presented by TA Loeffler   at the Beothuk Interpretion Centre in Boyd’s Cove, NL. I think everyone must know who TA is but, if not, just  click her link above and have an adventure!  This event, Miksang Photography Adventure  was joyful, contemplative and stirring to the senses. Miksang was a new word for me, it is Tibetan and basically means ‘good eye’.

First  a mediation with TA and then we had a drumming demonstration by staff member Desmond Canning of the  Beothuk Interpretation Centre Provincial Historic Sites .

Desmond made this drum from spruce, steamed the wood and molded it around an old bicycle wheel. A ridge in the wood and sinew holds the oxford cloth (no, he doesn’t buy it at The Mall in Stoneville:)) but gets it from a store in Labrador. The sound is amazing and it is so interesting to listen and to watch. Check out the Interpretation Centre’s website and listen to Desmond tell the stories of drumming.

Interior of Interpretation Centre

After a snack, we hit the trail for a unique photography experience. TA  divided our photo journey into colour, form, texture and space and we were encouraged to take photos using each component. I found ‘space’ the most challenging.

A most interesting exercise occurred when we were divided into pairs, one person closed their eyes and became ‘the camera’ with their ‘lens’ (eyes)  opening and taking a picture when their partner gently pulled their ear. One workshop member described it as “a flash of vividness.”

I love it when you go to an event and almost instantaneously, you bond with like-minded individuals. I believe we were all “in the moment.”

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Hole in Leaf

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there is a crack, a crack in everything

that’s how the light gets in.”  Leonard Cohen

 

As I rubbed my hand over the trunk of this tree, I experienced three different textures…..forgot to tell TA that….bet she would have been impressed…I was using two senses simultaneously:):)

 

 Thank you Twillingate and Dr. TA Loeffler.

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom”.  Marcel Proust

 

This is one of two posts that I will write on Unscripted Twillingate.

 

From Ray Charles to North Beach.

From Ray Charles to North Beach.

We attended an amazing show at Beaches Heritage Centre in Eastport on Saturday. Georgia on My Mind – Ray Charles Tribute was produced by Brian Way and Sandy Morris.  Lou McDonald, with Janet Cull as backup singer, performed the songs of Ray Charles. Unfortunately, I don’t have the names of the other musicians but, together they made it a night to remember.

Beaches Heritage Centre is fast becoming a favourite venue of mine.  Click on the link above to get more information and a list of events. I believe it will close for the season at the end of October, but be sure and check it out next year.

The following day we drove to North Beach in Lumsden. We arrived there late in the afternoon. The winds were high and it was raining so we just stayed in our CV and read, played crib and listened to the roar of the wind.

By the next morning the rain had stopped, the winds were diminished but still high.

North Beach is a combination of camping sites (no services) and cottages/cabins. It was a refreshing morning to take a walk and explore.

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North Beach

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Is there anything that is better than to be out, walking, in the clear air?  Thomas A. Clark

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Lasagne Noodles

I am fascinated by the different seaweed on this part of the coast.

 

The wind and vibrant earthy colours are stirring to the senses.

“The most lonely places are the most lovely.” Thomas A. Clark

 

Jelly Bean Point was a surprise and a delight.

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Many uses for old washer tubs …from flower pots to fire pits.

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I think the Queen’s head might blow off here today, her hat for sure!

I think these people must really love birds….there are no trees at all here, but they have somehow managed to ‘erect’ some birch trees.

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Mitts made from an old sweater.

I bought these from a lady from Nova Scotia who was at the Craft Fair in Lewisporte, NL. She had rows upon rows of them. She makes them from old sweaters and lines them with fleece……so warm and cozy…a welcome addition for this morning walk.

Their colours  blend well with the natural surroundings!

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White  fork.

A fork in the road!:):)

The Road Not Taken

by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence;

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

and that has made all the difference.

Happy Hiking.