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  • Home
  • About
    • Calendar
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold
    • The Thing with Feathers
    • Sunsets in Britt
    • The Writing Spiral
    • Once Upon a Rocking Chair: A Play
    • From the Cottage Porch
  • Mentorship
    • Creativity Spiral Series
    • Classes and Workshops
  • Podcast
  • Poet Laureate
    • Community eChapbooks
    • Weekly Poetry Present
      • Archive of Poets
    • Monthly Poetry Column
    • Poetry for Occasions
    • Poet Laureate Gallery
  • Stories of Place
    • Georgian Bay
    • Michilimackinac
    • Northumberland
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  • Northumberland

    My First Garden

    July 14, 2020 /

    This morning I sit by my first garden, between the early morning shining sun in the east and the fading moon in the west. My feet in the cool grass. Two cardinals sing in the trees. A gold finch waits by the feeder. Ravens fly from rooftop to rooftop, watching me as I watch them. Since yesterday’s rain the humidity is gone and a breeze rustles the trees, their arms sway against a cerulean sky. It is then I knew my gardener’s soul arrived.

    I’ve always loved the book The Secret Garden, a story about the healing power of a garden. Although my garden is for vegetables, the process of bringing it to life and watching it grow is more rewarding than I could have imagined. My only regret is not planting one sooner.

    Read More

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    On the Rooftop: VOS Theatre Cobourg November 15-23

    August 22, 2013

    Trent University Revisited: 20 Years Later

    September 3, 2016

    Singing Together

    May 4, 2019
  • Georgian Bay

    My Métis Family Story: A Video for Students

    June 20, 2020 /

    June is Indigenous History Month in Canada. To acknowledge and celebrate with my students this year, I created a video to share my family’s story.

    Read More

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    Autumn Leaves on Georgian Bay

    October 14, 2019

    Thanksgiving Tradition: Hike in the Bush on Georgian Bay

    October 9, 2017

    Picking Blueberries

    September 27, 2017
  • Community eChapbooks

    Light in My Eyes

    April 22, 2020 /

    For the subscribers of Poetry Present and all our friends we have put together an eChapbook to celebrate Earth Day and National Poetry Month.

    Click here for the free PDF eChapbook
    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Lessons from the Earth: Poetry eChapbbook

    April 22, 2021

    Introducing Cobourg Present: An eChapbook of Poetry

    February 1, 2021

    The Story of Water

    April 22, 2022
  • Northumberland

    Sunshine on Port Hope Beach in Winter

    February 17, 2020 /

    What a beautiful Family Day long weekend! A friend and I took advantage of the sunshine and went to Port Hope for a walk along Lake Ontario. Finding a sculpture family and seeing a swan was a wonderful surprise! I haven’t used my camera since the Fall so it was nice to take it out to play.

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Meet Felicity Sidnell Reid

    July 27, 2015

    Pop-Up Exhibition of Art in Your Garden

    July 8, 2019

    Life is Just Better in the Hills of Northumberland

    July 13, 2015
  • Northumberland

    In Winter: A Poem for Eric Winter

    January 18, 2020 /

    In Winter
     
    In Winter the sun winked
    from over the lake
    welcoming our voices to
    wind Cat to King.
     
    We meet poetry in kindness
    as he sips sweetly
    hugging our words
    as we share poetry.
     
    We taste his twelve ways
    of graceful inspiration
    his voice inviting creation,
    offering spaces for all of us to raise
    a community of poetic relations.
     
    A story of a witty
    Laureate unwilling
    to live flatly
    on the page…
     
    He sways and he sings
    verses outside of time
    building ballad opera  
    among habitats
    for laughter and sanity
    a legacy of shelter,
    a town of poetry:
     
    In Winter, the sun winked…
     
     
     
    By Jessica Outram
     
    Written in honour of Eric Winter: February 4, 1923 – December 21, 2019.

    “Eric Winter was appointed as the 1st Poet Laureate July 21, 1997. He continued in the role until August 24, 2009. Eric was made the inaugural Laureate in anticipation of and as part of the 1998 year-long Heritage Celebration to mark the 200th anniversary of the first settlements that now make up the municipality. Eric held the post for 12 years, 1 month and 3 days.”

    James Pickersgill

    Sept 19, 2019. In this photo is me, Ted Amsden (Poet Laureate Emeritus of Cobourg), and Jason Heroux (Poet Laureate of Kingston), plus our first Poet Laureate Emeritus of the Town of Cobourg, Eric Winter.

    Eric Winter was featured in Poetry Present twice.

    • Click here to read “Guilt”
    • Click here to read “The Less Inspired”
    Read More

    You May Also Like

    The Secret Garden: The Musical

    July 28, 2015

    Life is Just Better in the Hills of Northumberland

    July 13, 2015

    Summer Adventures at the Theatre: Theatre is Alive and Thriving in Ontario

    August 14, 2016
  • Poet Laureate of Cobourg

    Hometown Hockey

    January 1, 2020 /
    Read More

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    Poetry Invites: Inspired by Cobourg

    December 11, 2020

    Poetry Present: A Weekly Email Publication

    July 12, 2019

    A Poem for the First Day of School

    September 1, 2021
  • Georgian Bay

    Autumn Leaves: Poetry, Photography, and Song

    October 26, 2019 /

    I loved the song ‘Autumn Leaves’ from the first time I heard it. I love the energy of the song and the way I feel singing it. I have spent hours with this song, singing this song just for the sheer pleasure like I did as a teenager.

    At Thanksgiving this year it rained most of the weekend, but there were occasional short breaks. Dad and I went out on Sunday afternoon to take pictures along the Britt road (otherwise known as Riverside Drive). On Monday, driving home I continued to pull over and take pictures. Since the sky was so grey it made the colours pop.

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Lessons from the Métis Sash

    December 14, 2020

    Gereaux Island Lighthouse Gallery

    July 31, 2018

    Thanksgiving Tradition: Hike in the Bush on Georgian Bay

    October 9, 2017
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jessicaoutram

This is my Métis grandfather's baptismal certific This is my Métis grandfather's baptismal certificate. He went through life with two names. The church recorded both. Normandin was his Métis name and Lamondin was his French name. His children would be the first generation to have one name: Lamondin. 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold' shares some of this history...

#MétisHistory #BerniceandtheGeorgianBayGold #middlegrade #Fridayreads #novel
This morning I was looking up my book for someone This morning I was looking up my book for someone to see if it is in stock in Peterborough at Chapters (and it is)... and I was delighted to see that it's been selected as a Staff Pick! Thanks for sharing in the excitement with me.
It's nice to have time to write in the early morni It's nice to have time to write in the early mornings. I look out at the garden as the sun rises, sip my coffee, and reflect. I'm working on rewriting some old blog posts with new thoughts, updating one at a time. So much has changed in a few years, and I am grateful.

https://www.jessicaoutram.com/post/time-for-a-change

#5amwritersclub #mondaymotivation #change #amwriting #surrender #writerslife #writingcommunity
Delighted to find red roses growing in the front g Delighted to find red roses growing in the front garden. Any tips for how to care for them?
My great-grandfather (Louis) received this letter My great-grandfather (Louis) received this letter when he became a lighthouse keeper in 1901, including the same salary as his father (Joseph) received. $375 per year. 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold' shares some of the joys and challenges of this life. 

#GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse #FridayReads
Tuesday morning brunch in the backyard. Tuesday morning brunch in the backyard.
Now that I feel more settled into my new home, it' Now that I feel more settled into my new home, it's time to build a new creative life here. Part of my process is to read, write, and reflect. This week I've been thinking about creative energy and how it can bring so much light into our lives. Like any other relationship, it requires time and attention. (Picture of the Otonabee River, steps from my yard.)

https://www.jessicaoutram.com/post/bring-light-into-your-life-through-creative-energy

#creativelife #creativespirit #writerslife #mondaymotivation
This is the painting that inspired the character o This is the painting that inspired the character of Tom Thomson in ‘Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold.’
Delighted by this new review by the Historical Nov Delighted by this new review by the Historical Novel Society of 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold.'

https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/bernice-and-the-georgian-bay-gold/

#MiddleGrade #NewBook #TBR #SecondStoryPress #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse #HistoricalNovel
The day I finished writing 'Bernice and the Georgi The day I finished writing 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold,' I went for a walk. A few blocks from home on the ground was a sewing needle. For those who have read the book, do you think this was a sign? 

#MiddleGrade #NewBook #TBR #SecondStoryPress #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse
One of Bernice and her sister's chores was to go i One of Bernice and her sister's chores was to go into the bushes on the islands of Georgian Bay and fill baskets with blueberries. Their baskets didn't look like this, but they would certainly need to pick this many berries to help feed their family. How long would it take to find and pick this many blueberries in the wild?

#MiddleGrade #NewBook #TBR #SecondStoryPress #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse
In our last episode, we talked about a summer with In our last episode, we talked about a summer with Rilke? How is your summer going? Have you had a chance to read Letters to a Young Poet?

https://thehummingbirdpodcast.com/

#amplifyBTPMPODS #hummingbirdenergy #amwriting #writers #writingcommunity #spirit #poetry #poets #podcast #writingjourney
Each summer we drive past Lamondin Point many time Each summer we drive past Lamondin Point many times (named after my great-Grandpa Louis Lamondin). He inspired the father character in 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold.' He was the lightkeeper for 29 years! His dad, Joseph, piloted the first ship into the Britt harbour. Being on the water among these islands feels like home to me. 

Have you had a chance to read the book yet? Is there something you're curious about?

#MiddleGrade #NewBook #TBR #SecondStoryPress #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse
Moving to a new house means trying new things. Had Moving to a new house means trying new things. Had fun putting this together today. Used a power screwdriver for the first time. I had no idea that they were so easy to use and made small projects like this a breeze!
Here is what it looks like traveling by boat to Ge Here is what it looks like traveling by boat to Gereaux Island Lighthouse (featured in Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold). What a workout it must be to row in these deep waters! 

#MiddleGrade #NewBook #TBR #SecondStoryPress #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse
Bernice and her family (including my grandpa) didn Bernice and her family (including my grandpa) didn't spend many winters at the lighthouse. They stayed in another house in town. Can you imagine how lonely it would be to live at a lighthouse in the winter with everything frozen around you and no boats passing by?

#MiddleGrade #NewBook #TBR #SecondStoryPress #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse
Bernice and her sister make houses out of moss on Bernice and her sister make houses out of moss on the granite of Georgian Bay in 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold.' This is what the moss looks like... How would you make a house with this?

#MiddleGrade #NewBook #TBR #SecondStoryPress #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse
Our family called the tall house 'the house on the Our family called the tall house 'the house on the point.' It's where they lived most of the winters (instead of at the lighthouse). The logging industry impacted everyone at that time. It was one of the biggest logging towns in Canada. Can you imagine paddling here?

#MiddleGrade #TBR #SecondStoryPress #FeministReads #CurrentlyReading #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse #BrittOntario
I grew up hearing stories of the swinging bridge i I grew up hearing stories of the swinging bridge in Britt that stretched across the Still River. For those reading 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold,' this is what it looked like! 
 
#MiddleGrade #TBR #SecondStoryPress #FeministReads #CurrentlyReading #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse #BrittOntario
This beautiful book written by my podcast co-host This beautiful book written by my podcast co-host @catgrahampoet arrived in the mail today! What an accomplishment to have a collection of New & Selected. And, what a stunning cover. Book looks great, feels great to hold. Looking forward to diving in! Congratulations, Catherine!
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Sunshine in a Jar

1 month ago

Sunshine in a Jar
So delighted to see ‘Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold’ included here!New books for Children, Teens and Young Adults, from your favourite bestselling Indigenous authors and illustrators!*Apli' kmuj's Journey (Pre-Order for Sept 25/23). Written and illustrated by Braelyn Cyr, a status member of the Listuguj Mi'kmaq band.*Auntie's Rez Surprise (Pre-Order for Sept 19/23). Author Heather O'Watch is a Nakota and Nehiyaw woman from Okanese First Nation, located in Treaty 4 Territory. The illustrator is Ellie Arscott.*Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior (Pre-Order for Sept 19/23). From New York Times bestselling picture book author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Bridget George comes Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior, an inspiring picture book biography about indigenous water warriors Autumn Peltier and Josephine Mandamin - with a forward from Autumn Peltier herself.*Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold (2023). Jessica Outram is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario. "A compelling novel about an adventurous girl who finds that the real gold on Georgian Bay is right where she lives." — Parry Sound North Star, June 2023*Maggie Lou, Firefox (Pre-Order for Oct 3/23). Arnolda Dufour Bowes is a Métis writer. She is the author of 20.12 m: A Short Story Collection of a Life Lived as a Road Allowance Métis, which won the Danuta Gleed Literary Award and the High Plains Book Award. Illustrated by Karlene Harvey an illustrator and writer who lives on the unceded and ancestral home territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tseil-Waututh people. *Nish: North and South (Pre-Order for Sept 05/23). The first book in Isabelle Picard’s bestselling coming-of-age series about Innu twins, Léon and Éloïse.*Tyowennatyerénhton First Words. Tyowennatyerénhton - First Words is an introductory Kanyen’kéha (Mohawk)/English vocabulary book celebrating the language, land, and culture of the Mohawk people. An audio download is included to support word pronunciation. Gail Brant-Terry (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory) is an educator with over 34 years experience. Dianne Sedore-McCoy is an educator with over 25 years experience.Please visit our online catalogue for more: goodminds.com/collections/2023-new-releases ... See MoreSee Less

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Sunshine in a Jar

1 month ago

Sunshine in a Jar
This is my Métis grandfather's baptismal certificate. He went through life with two names. The church recorded both. Normandin was his Métis name and Lamondin was his French name. His children would be the first generation to have one name: Lamondin. 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold' shares some of this history...#MétisHistory #BerniceandtheGeorgianBayGold #middlegrade #Fridayreads #novel ... See MoreSee Less

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