Falling Into Autumn Again

“I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin and crisp sunburnt leaves.” – Anne Drake

Mid-summer heat and hot pavement have chased us into the coolness of the forest to walk a well known trail just off the Urban Forest Train plaza in Stanley Park. The trail opened to walkers in the spring and will close again before summer ends – I wanted to sit outside after our wander underneath the leafy canopy near the Urban Forest Cafe with plans to read and write while Terry continued on his own park walk. It was wonderful to sit there in the shade with a takeout cup of soothing mint tea and a fresh slice of lemon/blueberry loaf, to edit a work in progress with the background murmur of happy tourists and the periodic train whistle perfect summer sounds on a sunny weekend afternoon.

The presence of wildfire smoke this summer was thankfully replaced by the heady scent of jasmine and other fragrant blooms, the occasional hint of wood smoke drifting into the city a subtle reminder of the many wildfires still burning in the province, our neighbour to the east (Alberta) and down south in the US (Washington). The state of California is also struggling with wildfire activity this summer that has left the sky a deep orange colour in parts and air quality alerts…

Before fall arrives and our upcoming getaway to Vancouver Island there are summer images (and experiences) I hope not to forget – while waiting for a bus on my way downtown, a lovely gentleman walked by heading home with a small red net bag of sunshine bright oranges (the same oranges we bought not long ago sitting in a sky blue bowl on our kitchen counter), seeing those oranges made me smile adding a joyful lift to the day! Another sweet moment I hope to repeat happened while sitting outside on Robson St. with my yoga teacher (Sandra), sipping bold black tea and enjoying a decadent strawberry/cream croissant, the new Korean bakery’s tiny patio, an intimate oasis from the steady flow of West End traffic.

Summer days so far have been filled with long local and park walks, eight weeks of relaxing evening yoga classes, tasty outdoor lunches with a few seasonal visits to local farmers markets and art galleries. Travelling to the Island to revisit a forest landscape and beach we love to celebrate the end of summer at Tigh-Na-Mara is always an enchanting way to fall into autumn!

Now I’m sitting with a spicy lemon/ginger tea on the counter at Veranda with the familiar view of lush green slowly changing colour outside the picture window while my thoughts happily return to our lazy days on the Island. Days that started with cups of tea and coffee on the spacious patio facing the strait while wearing the plush white spa robes that each unit has tucked into a closet. We were blessed with early morning sunshine on our faces most days, the air filled with the buzzing of big black flies with the sounds of Canada geese and ducks chiming in. Sigh…

The memory of discovering a bench placed just so on one of our many daily walks positioned on a trail in the forest facing the Field (where deer gather and owls hoot), filtered sunlight gently inviting all who stop by to sit and take in the view has been replaced by the first storm of the season. Summer here on the mainland has abruptly ended leaving only swathes of colourful dahlias to mark its passing. Furious winds and rain have begun to set free clouds of burnished leaves and errant twigs leaving behind on dry days a trail of black crow feathers and tiny brown acorns. So now we don our cozy jackets and set out to enjoy long walks here in our urban forest and on the busy seawall, the echo of tree frogs and the rough call of the raven never too far away just like those last days of summer…

This beautiful view greeted us each morning as we sat on the patio, we took a chance this trip and happily stayed in an oceanfront condominium unit at Tigh-Na-Mara – we made many meals facing this view accompanied by the sound of the waves.

The units still retain some rustic charm after some much needed renovations, we loved this nook where we hung our hats and umbrellas…

Here I am listening to the waves breathe before a long walk on the beach to Rathtrevor Park to revisit favourite trails and quiet meadows.

Even on a cloudy day the views are stunning! We walked in the forest and on the beach for hours everyday…

No matter the season there are always Bear In Area signs in the forest and even on this sun-dappled bridge we failed to see one!

On that same sun-dappled trail, this is the bench we discovered placed just so, we could hear the tree frogs loud and clear as well as the rough call of a raven, memories to draw on as we fall deeper into autumn.

Landscapes

“There is an eternal landscape, a geography of the soul; we search for its outlines all our lives.” – Josephine Hart

One late spring day I found myself on an adventure! A dear friend who owns a vehicle picked me up so we could revisit parts of the city we hadn’t been to in quite awhile. Our goal, lunch at a favourite hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant called Maizal, located on Main St., a street peppered with cool coffee bars, restaurants and unique shops. We tend to choose two traditional flour tacos to munch on each with the delicious fish taco on offer our first choice with the second one usually something different. Yvonne ordered the perfectly cooked shrimp taco with a small ramekin of guacamole on the side while I ordered a savoury bean and mushroom one, it was heaven with each tasty bite. We made sure to treat ourselves to refreshing glasses of tropical juice (passionfruit and hibiscus) to celebrate the day. It was lovely to sit in their airy space, catch up and watch the world go by (with some folks popping in to purchase fragrant mouthwatering take out!).

Our day ended at the other end of the city with a happy wander through Banyen Books on West 4th Avenue before sitting outside across from the bookstore at Aphrodite Cafe to share two decadent dessert squares with the brilliant sunshine and warm wind as company. Throughout the day (sitting outside or in the car) I was struck by the different landscapes unfolding in a city adjusting to 10,000 newcomers arriving every 37 days, searching for housing and employment – verdant pockets of land making way for tall towers and older three story apartment buildings being demolished to create new dwellings for sale or rent. A fragile glass city struggling with growing pains, desperately trying to catch up with her older siblings (Toronto, New York and London) no matter the cost.

Thankfully, there are other landscapes to delight one’s soul – a beautiful vista of the summer green forest, majestic mountains painted with just a touch of snow and sparkling water, all shimmering before us as we enjoy an afternoon tea and coffee on our balcony each warm day. Other landscapes are manmade and just as beautiful; I recently saw an exhibit with a series of framed paintings and photographs hung on an art gallery wall at eye level, a horizon (or landscape) of a different sort hidden in plain sight!

It’s the landscape of the heart though that remains the most constant despite frequently changing scenery as we navigate the ebb and flow of our earthly lives. Its contours, hills and valleys harbouring precious memories and grand adventures, keeping us company as only a true friend can…

This beautiful landscape was captured above the seawall at Third Beach in Stanley Park (Vancouver, B.C.), there are benches and picnic tables available (as well as concession food) so one can sit, breathe and take it all in!

Deep in the forest stands another landscape – a stand of trees struck by lightning over the years, some left with mysterious portals…

Terry captured another photo of his bike near a peaceful bench in the Rhododendron Garden, leafy shadows stretch across this special spot facing the miniature golf course in Stanley Park.

One of my favourite neighbourhood walks is by these beautiful houses, their front gardens are lovely to look at no matter the season, colourful landscapes to delight the eye!

A recently discovered manmade landscape caught my eye on a walk up to a local Free Library with a tote bag full of orphan books from our laundry room shelves, the colour and design created to make passersby smile.

A recent wander through the Vancouver Art Gallery to take in the exhibit, Black And White And Everything In Between: A Monochrome Journey turned out to be very relaxing. This capture of the gallery wall at the entrance to the exhibit welcomes patrons and piques the imagination, hinting at the restful colours within as well as being a very striking artistic landscape on its own.

Summer Breeze – Bike Series

“The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets.” – Christopher Morley

A quiet trail in Stanley Park conjures up images of enjoying a thermos of tea or coffee on the smooth wooden stump conveniently located by a perfectly carved tabletop!

A pause on Wren trail reveals a “woodpecker” tree, these trees are left for wildlife and can be found throughout Stanley Park. Some are very well used…

This hidden jewel (Beaver Lake) is a peaceful spot for counting dragonflies, listening to frogs as they call to each other or simply sitting on a sunny bench while ravens and eagles soar overhead!

Behind this wildflower meadow above Brockton Oval, a family of coyotes live, Terry has come home with video of a pup and its parents respectfully taken from a safe distance. While sitting on his favourite hill, Terry recently heard a young pup yipping…

We have been known to stop at this lone picnic table at Brockton Oval after a delicious fish and chip lunch at Lumbermen’s Arch concession to listen to crow young or enjoy a mocha gelato…

This photo taken near the majestic Totem Poles captures the natural spirit of the city – big blue sky, dark green forest and cobalt sea, inviting local residents and visitors to explore.

The opening quote should include musicians, too! Thank you to Terry for capturing a beautiful summer vibe on his many bike rides through the park and on the trails.

Tomorrow Is Closed

“Light tomorrow with today.” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

It’s a quietly beautiful day outside my windows – I can see the pale curve of the moon against a very blue background, the sky’s many shades reflecting off the cobalt waters of Coal Harbour. Spring is unfolding in glorious colour with warmer temperatures, the delicate flowers of the chestnut trees one street over are glowing in raspberry and ivory providing fragrant cover for small birds and cheeky squirrels. Crow young are calling to each other from tall trees and cedars, impatiently waiting for the adults to bring food to their well hidden nests. Some days with all the various bird calls and cries, it sounds like an urban jungle out there!

All this beauty and activity always inspires me to wander – one of my first rambles began in the park on a sunny weekend day, there was just enough winter bite in the air to warrant purchasing a warm apple cider from the concession for my walk home. It’s a blissful feeling to sip and stroll taking in all the new green growth, listening to the birds and just being among like-minded people. Imagine my surprise (and delight!) when I noticed the gates to the miniature train station area open to the public again. It made me wonder (and hope) that one of our favourite trails might be accessible too, especially after it was mostly closed these past few years. There’s no harm in trying I thought as I made my way into the plaza and found the trail beckoning me to walk its newly graveled path.

And what a wonder it was to revisit this peaceful trail winding alongside the railway tracks, the miniature train (The Urban Forest Train) transporting happy children and their families through the dark green forest, the children’s laughter a perfect companion as I was the only walker on the trail. The surrounding landscape revealing that some of the trees have been felled or removed due to the devastating looper (Hemlock) moth infestation – thankfully there is still a lot of familiar beauty to admire despite the losses, making me eager to walk this trail again as spring turns into summer…

The energy of downtown calls me as well and I enjoyed another visit to the Vancouver Art Gallery to catch the exhibit – Of & About Posters: The Lawrence Wiener Poster Archive (1965-2021). After an hour or so I came away with a new appreciation of the many posters we come across each day – some taped up in store windows, pasted on weathered telephone poles or others picked up at the local library or community centre advertising upcoming festivals or lectures. The most recent poster (card) I picked up is a cheerful reminder of the beloved Vancouver International Jazz Festival which traditionally heralds the beginning of summer each June. The card’s lively colours and images (orange sun and crescent moon with various instruments and figures on a background of green trees and city buildings) will surely brighten up my refrigerator already peppered with a small collection of souvenir travel magnets!

I also try to see the various free exhibits at the Pendulum Gallery which is located not far from the Vancouver Art Gallery, on that day the gallery panels and spaces were empty. But not long after on a downtown walk home after spending time on the North Shore and leaving the busy Sea Bus terminal, I popped into the Pendulum Gallery to spend some time among a collection of sculptures. Some were sculpted from bronze, alabaster and wood – there was even a metal steam punk piece in the shape of a cool guitar and a futuristic life-size robot mother and child created from metal and found objects which made me smile…

Tomorrow is closed until we open our eyes to a brand new day – a day to embrace spring and the arrival of summer, enjoy a delicious blueberry and banana smoothie, celebrate a birthday on a wooden deck overlooking a lush park or a day to simply be, to let go of yesterday and dare to write a new page!

This striking poster caught my eye at the exhibit, especially the photograph of the gallery taken many years ago!

Lawrence Wiener’s posters were displayed all over the world at many different venues, New York featured a lot of his works and in Europe, Lawrence Wiener even posted his own posters in famous cities on bus shelters and other welcoming spots.

This poster brought back some wonderful memories of London! I wish I had bought a souvenir T-shirt of the iconic Underground symbol but this capture will more than do…

I couldn’t resist this lovely poster’s message, it touches on the seasons, reading, sand and wind, all things that are dear to us all!

Sometimes after yoga practice, I take my book to a sunny counter at Veranda for a quiet read and a delicious smoothie! My current read is the sailing memoir by our friend Sam McKinney (1927-2006) called Sailing Uphill, his words are a delight to read and oftentimes I feel like I’m sailing with him (and yes, we have wonderful memories of sailing with him here on English Bay!).

The Stanley Park Brew Pub has hosted many birthday celebrations over the past few years and it’s a beautiful spot no matter the season! I recently celebrated mine here and enjoyed every minute…

The World Needs More Love Letters

“…in green underwood and cover, blossom by blossom the spring begins.” – Algernon Charles Swinburne, Atalanta in Calidon

The early days of winter feel colder this year despite the warm glow of colourful sunsets painting the sky. Recent below normal temperatures brought several snow days with icy roads and sidewalks and a quiet only fresh fallen snow can bring, alarming the news anchors on TV who in turn recommended that everyone stay home if they can.

So yes, we stayed in for two days – drinking cups of soothing winter tea, watching tiny lacy snowflakes morph into big fluffy stars, the grey sky setting them free for hours. The dark green forest outside our windows quickly became engulfed in a thick coating of white icing changing from urban woodland into winter wonderland.

And now, February is winding down, the days flying by – spring is on its way and I wonder if the world needs more love letters as well as the promise of warmer weather and beautiful blossoms. The news on television and losses closer to home have left me feeling unmoored…

Long walks in the neighbourhood, outdoor picnics with a good friend and a lovely free two hour yoga workshop down by the harbour have helped to smooth raw edges and allow joy back into my world. Recently, I felt drawn to an exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery (Denyse Thomasos – Just Beyond) making sure to find my way there. The vibrant colours, patterns and repetition on her many canvases were a wonderful distraction! I wandered among her 60 works (paintings, sketches and journal entries) for over an hour, her legacy a love letter in its own right.

With spring just a few days away, we couldn’t resist travelling to Vancouver Island for a much needed change of pace only to find ourselves travelling back through time with me writing my own love letter to the world. A letter written at the round brown table facing bright green fir, arbutus and cedar trees outside our patio door in a studio bungalow at Tigh-Na-Mara. A view that recently included two dark brown feral rabbits, feisty squirrels and colourful birds with early mornings and dusky evenings filled with the haunting sound of the local owl.

Leisurely walks through the forest on days gifted with warmer temperatures and sunshine sent us back in time, early signs of spring just beginning to emerge while back on the mainland we’ve been reveling in spring-like weather for weeks now. To see delicate white snowdrops, dainty yellow jonquils and fragrant crab apple blossoms here on the Island again has been an unexpected delight. Vancouver has been in bloom since the snow melted spoiling us with nature’s beautiful bounty, moving so fast that we’ve had to say goodbye too quickly to those first hopeful signs.

We’re heading home tomorrow – let’s launch our own love letters to the world, letters to chase away darkness, provide hope and touch hearts. The title of this post touched my heart, the words written down after I saw them printed on a T-shirt hanging in the window of a T-shirt printing shop long gone from the city’s iconic Robson St., its author unknown…

This is a self-portrait of Denyse Thomasos, if you look closely you can see her holding a paintbrush with her signature pots of paint sitting underneath the chair.

This colourful canvas caught my eye! It reminds me of city life and all it has to offer…

Her larger canvases are filled with beautiful vibrant shapes, I came away from viewing her works at the Vancouver Art Gallery feeling lighter and looking forward to spring!

We couldn’t resist taking a photo of this cool truck parked near another studio bungalow complex at Tigh-Na-Mara (Vancouver Island) where the local owl hangs out in the trees above!

This beautiful gazebo at Tigh-Na-Mara never fails to provide gorgeous views – the tide is really far out at this time of year making walking back to our studio from Rathtrevor Park a breeze.

On one of our long walks through the forest at Rathtrevor Park we came across this peaceful bench, filtered sunshine and shadows making it a magical spot to sit and listen to the calls of the ravens.

Throughout Rathtrevor Park are numerous picnic tables nestled among the trees, in grassy meadows and other unexpected spots making our daily walks here a joy!

Forest Doors – Holiday Series

“Winter is not a season, it’s a celebration.” – Anamika Mishra

Autumn is winding down fast after several weeks of golden light, glowing leaves and drier days – the arrival of winter and the festive holiday season unfolding in red Santa hats showing up on locals and visitors in the neighbourhood. On recent downtown wanders I was happy to see shops and hotels beginning to decorate their doorways with fragrant greenery and colourful ornaments reminding me of London (England). I think this means London captured my heart…

Despite the worries of the world, when I look out my kitchen window, I’m filled with a quiet joy to see the same flame coloured candelabra candle lights chasing away the darkness in the building at the end of my street and for the second year in a row, the regal maple trees at the other end of the street are dressed in colourful sparkling festive decorations – this year the gentleman who climbs a stepladder to reach the high branches decorated every tree. These are beacons, piercing the darkness to bring some much needed light to all.

So does the forest’s visiting artist; each wooden door discovered by ardent walkers and ramblers must bring a smile upon faces bemused by whimsy and a touch of magic. Terry took these last photos on an adventurous walk through the tangled woods with the artist (also named Terry) and now we’ve documented all 10!

Whether this note finds you sitting with a quiet cup of something good or amid the holiday hustle and bustle, I wish you peace, joy and love in the coming new year.

I love the shape and the well worn design of this delightful door, of course, I know what comes next! Who lives here, I wonder…

A forest gnome ready for a winter walk!

The details are amazing on this sweet door! The magical window, metal hinge and artistic doorknob are calling all who come upon it to knock on the door.

And look who’s here! Another tree frog who’s found the perfect home for the cooler days to come…

This intriguing forest door has some height to it making me wonder who might live there.

This tree trunk home is empty! It looks like it’s waiting for just the right owner, too bad it’s too small for me or you, sigh.

On a personal note, we’ve been spending some of our holiday time down at Coal Harbour by Stanley Park watching the antics of a great group of sea lions fishing and feeding – they must have followed a fish run into the harbour attracting other hungry wildlife (gulls, cormorants and Harbour seals). They’ve been here for over two weeks now and we’ve spent hours in their company enjoying every minute!

Falling Deeper

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.” – Og Mandino

A dark copper coloured leaf fell out of my black library tote bag as I sat down at my local coffee bar with a cup of hot chocolate hoping to take the edge off a day cooler than expected as we find ourselves falling deeper into autumn. This one leaf drifted down unbeknownst to me, part of a flurry one windy day. Seeing it tumble out on to Veranda’s red metal table made me smile, a piece of magic created to brighten someone’s day and it certainly brightened mine!

Since returning from our trip to the Island, it’s been hard to leave behind the sacred sense of peace the forest and beach walks gave us each day we were there – I remember that first full day after travelling, we were thrilled to see the tide quite far out making walking home to our studio bungalow that much easier, walking on packed damp sand rather than on a bed of wet rocks and battered driftwood.

A downtown gallery (Vancouver Art Gallery) visit here in the city recently offered its own respite, the upper floor housing an Emily Carr exhibit called A Room Of Her Own, within the title, a question for gallery patrons – does this well known British Columbian artist deserve a room of her own in the new gallery space breaking ground soon? As I gazed at some of my favourite paintings, in my mind’s eye I could see the room already, filled with her signature colours – cobalt blue, dark forest green and shimmering white. Art, it soothes the soul…

November is fast approaching, there are bare limbed trees standing among some still holding fast to their summer finery, soon we’ll be watching for the first of everything – spring buds, delicate snowdrops and early bright yellow daffodils. The great wheel of time turning until it stops. How serendipitous to find a small book at the library (In Light Years There’s No Hurry – Cosmic Perspectives on Everyday Life by Marjolijn van Heemstra, Translated by Jonathan Reeder).

A book written by a poet/journalist translating feelings similar to mine as the city I live in strains under the weight of random violence, chronic shoplifting, manmade and natural climate change, endless protests and a steady flow of newcomers arriving without enough infrastructure or resources to support them. The author looks to the heavens and outer space to find some perspective – her journey is inspiring making me hopeful that I’ll find the means to keep my heart open and be content to do what I can to help or give solace to those who might need it. Meanwhile, a cup of soothing hot chocolate and a comfortable stool looking out onto the space where I sat in the summer is a good start!

The November rains have arrived colouring the sea and sky with the same grey brush at English Bay.

On drier days we can still enjoy the flame-coloured leaves of the Japanese maple on our street!

This striking typography greeted patrons at the beautiful Vancouver Art Gallery…

I never fail to be entranced by the images and colour of Emily Carr’s paintings – images she captured of our province on her many travels.

Just a sample of Emily Carr’s iconic works tells me that she deserves a room of her own!

On the stone bridge near the entrance to Stanley Park (Vancouver, B.C.) one is given a stunning view of the city in all her autumn glory.

Beside the Rose Garden in Stanley Park is this peaceful grove and quiet bench inviting us to sit awhile in the autumnal light.

I don’t normally post this many photos but this autumn has me falling deeper into the fiery reds, golden yellows and dark grey tree trunks!

Falling Into Autumn

“The Time Of The Falling Leaves Has Come Again.” – John Burroughs

Fall is set to arrive during darkness on a summer day we hope lasts forever. Catching a bus mid-morning to meet my friend Yvonne at the Park Royal Mall in West Vancouver on the last day of summer turned out to be a wonderful way to celebrate the ending of a season that gave us endless blue sky, warm days and wildfire smoke.

Once bright green leaves are slowly turning colour – amber, burgundy and burnt orange are beginning to herald the arrival of autumn. It’s not quite sweater season but cooler nights are quickly reminding us to unpack them from drawers closed tight all through summer. I’m no longer sitting out on the balcony drinking a refreshing ice tea, a new fall tea (a cinnamon turmeric chai blend) keeps me company inside as the first storms after the equinox brew outside our windows.

A trip to Vancouver Island booked in late spring is drawing near – the beautiful rustic resort, Tigh-Na-Mara, casts its spell upon us once or twice a year and this year we’ll be celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving there for the first time!

That perfect last summer day found Yvonne and I walking a leaf strewn trail behind the mall after buying a delicious Harvest turkey sandwich to share on a hopefully empty bench facing the ocean. On previous walks we never saw anyone fishing but that day we saw quite a few (we later found out that a Coho and Pink salmon run were making their way to the mouth of the Capilano River) as well as several fishing boats out on the water. The river and ocean became more that afternoon, more than just a rising river sheltering fish from hungry gulls, more than an ocean providing breathtaking vistas – both bodies of water giving us a glimpse of an ancient rhythm honouring the seasons.

As we sat on a bench facing the water and mountains we ate our sandwich half with gusto with the occasional dog exiting the sandy off-leash beach area loping over for a friendly sniff or two hoping we might share. But summer hasn’t left us yet!

There is subtle colour to gaze upon here on the Island – pale green, golden yellow and glowing scarlet leaves tell a different tale, autumn is coming despite the unexpected heat. Tree frogs and ravens sing their songs throughout a forest filled with the scent of wood smoke and cedar. Some of our favourite spots in the park (empty meadows) are now filled with happy campers, tents and RV’s crowding out the picnic tables we usually sit on waiting for elusive deer to appear – there is too much activity this visit but the joyous sounds of engaged children camping out was a lovely distraction and more than welcome on a long weekend focused on gathering.

Now I’m settling back into West End life after a week spent on the Island. Pale pink rosebuds and strings of holiday lights create a bridge between late summer and early fall. Sunshine and rain take turns guiding us towards winter with drier days offering us the chance to kick through fallen leaves and greet the blackbirds returning to roost on the chestnut tree one street over. Despite the winds of change manifesting in our world, ancient rhythms closer to home calm the heart with the promise of spring just a few months away…

This golden beauty was captured in Rathtrevor Park on Vancouver Island in one of our favourite areas to explore.

Beautiful rosehips swaying in a light breeze enticed us across a bridge onto a path that kept us away due to the Bear In Area signs on previous visits but we bravely walked over it and onto a path through a fern filled forest!

Autumn is showing off the beauty of Stanley Park here in Vancouver, we’re very blessed to be able to enjoy the mainland and the Island’s offerings this season. The leaves are gorgeous!

Surprise! Terry discovered two more forest doors with the help of the artist…

And this lovely green door houses what else? A green solar garden frog, he looks as surprised as I’m sure Terry was!

Can you believe this? A door created at eye level, I wonder who lives here?!

It looks like a wood gnome on his way out to do some trail walking which is just what we did on beautiful Vancouver Island.

Forest Door Series (Hello Fall!)

“Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.” – John Muir

What a mystery! A tiny carved wooden door to open…

This door reveals a tiny fairy who’s made a home in a hollow of a majestic tree in Stanley Park (Vancouver, B.C.)

Apparently there are 10 small doors to open in the park, created by a nature artist who purchases the figures from thrift stores to populate the new homes, the artist carves and constructs the doors himself as well!

This fellow looks very welcoming although I guess we should’ve knocked!

This door looks like it hasn’t been opened in a wee while! I wonder what we’ll discover…

Oops, I think we caught him on his way out! His home looks very beautiful draped in dark green moss and silvered lichen…

This whimsical door conjures up images of a favourite mouse, who lives here, I wonder?

It’s a woodland gnome just as surprised to see us!

Wow! This has to be the most welcoming door…

And guess what? There’s already a guest who’s settled in for a cup of toadstool tea! I hope we can join them…

It’s been a joy for Terry to go out on his daily walks through the forest to capture these sweet doors for my latest blog post, on some of his wanders he has come across coyotes slipping quietly through the trees and just recently he spied a young Barred owlet practicing his flying and hunting skills on a path that yielded no artistic doors, just a beautiful doorway into the world of nature.

Blank Eyes

There are blank unblinking eyes across the lane,

each rectangle of hotel glass reflecting nothing.

Not long ago, behind those eyes, lives in flux lived there –

Creating art, shedding tears, trying hard to fit in while we,

their neighbours, warily watched the comings and goings.

And yes, fire trucks arrived to check on fire alarms ringing

as the women tried to find a homely rhythm on hot plates –

saying no to prepared meals on offer,

waiting to return to renovated spaces not that far away,

deep downtown amid the hustle and bustle, back to friends

and familiar places.

Knowing that my world is not their world, but changing it nevertheless

patiently waiting for our eyes to open.

Summer morning light and the beautiful entrance to the historic Buchan Hotel.