Northumberland
This section includes posts about Northumberland and the surrounding area. Sitting on the patio of the Oasis Restaurant downtown Cobourg on a perfect summer’s day I thought I could do this: I could live here. A few months later when I was thinking about applying for a new job, I applied in this region–and voila! Here I am!! I've lived in Cobourg since July 2011.
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My First Garden
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.
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Sunshine on Port Hope Beach in Winter
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.
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In Winter: A Poem for Eric Winter
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.
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Pop-Up Exhibition of Art in Your Garden
The first time I saw an art exhibition outdoors was in Stanley Park in Vancouver, summer 2000. Paintings arranged in community circles, framed by open sky, tall trees, and carpets of green grass captured my imagination. I’d much rather meander through rows of art in the garden than walk through a gallery. Maybe it’s the way the sunlight and shadow dances across the canvas. Maybe it’s the way the earth beneath my feet and the breeze through the trees makes me feel more alive. Maybe it’s the quiet conversation the art seems to be having with its surroundings.
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Lavender Labyrinth
A perfect summer’s day. Blue sky. Bright sunshine. Slight breeze. I went to Laveanne Lavender Farm to walk the labyrinth. This winter I was dreaming of building a labyrinth in my yard. So far that remains a dream. Luckily, there are labyrinths nearby that I can visit.
I haven’t spent much time with my camera lately so it was nice to dust it off and remember how to frame a shot, focus, and adjust the settings. I still have so much to learn about photography!
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May in Northumberland
A beautiful Saturday morning in Northumberland. First, time with my camera exploring Cobourg and Brighton. Then, reading poetry by the water in Presqu’ile Park. Finally, shopping!
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Singing Together
At our year-end choir meeting, one of the singers said “singing in a circle looking at each other is one of the most powerful experiences.” In January I started singing with Safe Harbour, a local chamber choir, a mentor choir for SONG, a local children’s music program.
