O Canada, I miss you.
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| Image Courtesy of YYT Photo & Design |
I haven’t seen you since last July. Highlights from that
trip to New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island: visiting with friends at the
safehouse in St. Andrews (NB) and
with other friends in the Montague (PEI) area; a Souris sunset, set to music; and a tour of the Belfast Mini Mills, where I
purchased a hat that I’d wear for a good portion of a long New England winter.
I’ve resorted to staying semi-connected by electronic correspondence
with friends and by these other means:
Music: Alan Doyle (from
Petty Harbour, NL) and The Beautiful Band in Lowell, MA. At that outside show part
of the summer music series, the
lads and lone lassie fiddler filled the air with frolicking tunes. Can’t remember
if “When I am King” made the setlist that evening. To keep Newfoundland and
Labrador close to heart, I’ve been practicing that song on the guitar and performed
it for the first time in public at open mic at the local coffeehouse.
Books: Mark
Critch, a Newfoundland comedian, mentions Great Big Sea in his book, Son of a Critch.
Funny, insightful and entertaining, the book also left me feeling grateful—for my
childhood, my family and all the adventures my wife and I have enjoyed Newfoundland.
Black
Ice, a story billed as a tribute to the Colored Hockey League of the
Maritimes, grabbed a hold of me not just because of the hockey; George and Darrill
Fosty did their homework about Maritime history that connects that part of
Canada to places I hadn’t considered much. Enlightening.
Internet TV. Ever heard of Jonny Harris? I hadn’t until my wife mentioned the Newfoundlander’s
Still Standing show. In
the past month or so of 27 episodes, I’ve been mystified and misty-eyed as Jonny
meets Canadians who dwell in small towns, from Bamfield (BC) to Fogo Island
(NL). These hearty and enterprising folks have stuck together through difficult
times, evolved and endured. My kind of people.
My wife and I have visited some of these towns. So many
more, we’ll put on our wish list. Top of that list: Bell
Island, NL.
See you in two weeks, Canada.
