Tiny Art From Victoria

Artist: Ruth Van Egmund

The Junction is a little shop. Outside, in business hours, you may see a refurbished wooden chair or possibly a small side table, an updated bookshelf, or a whimsical little piece of art. If you stop long enough to peer through the large windows, a store full of repainted furniture, lamps and lovely pieces of china. High up on the walls are large paintings ~ cityscapes and landscapes. Lightly scattered over dressers and tables are more of the whimsical small art pieces from found objects. While all of this is a wonder to me, I always navigate carefully to the back of the shop where, on a low shelf are wonderful tiny paintings by local artist and store owner, Ruth Van Egmund. Paintings of our natural world and the tiny things we don't always notice as we brush past them.

Artist: Ruth Van Egmund

Yesterday, when I had a few minutes to browse one of my favourite stores, I purchased two of her tiny paintings, about the size of a coaster. Displayed on my bathroom wall, their colours and ‘fishy’ content are a perfect match for my decor. 

When Christmas shopping, traffic and general busyness needs a bit of a pause visit The Junction at 1543 Fort St. here in Victoria, B.C. Or if not in Victoria, Ruth Van Egmund is on Facebook and Google for an internet browse of her extensive artworks.

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”

~ Pablo Picasso

Piano Jazz at Christmas

Christmas music. I’ll admit it. I love most Christmas music. My preferred is smooth piano jazz. Mellow and lovely whether it’s Jingle Bells or White Christmas. I can hear the clip clop of the horse in Jingle Bells. White Christmas shares calmness with visions of a silent snow fall. Even the soaring Hallelujah course almost pales. That magnificent music is reserved for special and more sacred times and venues. But for background music at home, there is none that beats smooth piano jazz. James Taylor or an unknown pianist on YouTube. Both have satisfied my soul, giving me much peace and joy. In a busy family, I’m afraid any music of such delicacy would be lost in the activities of this beautiful holiday season. Baking cookies with the kids or wrapping presents with a fun snowman wrapping paper. Putting up a Christmas tree or decorating with the important pieces of the season. Welcoming friends and guests into your home or last minute grocery shopping. Once the evening quiets, or maybe in the morning before everything gears up, my smooth jazz piano Christmas tunes are an excellent companion.

“Ah, music,” he said, wiping his eyes. “A magic beyond all we do here.”

 J.K.Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Snow and Silence

Dallas Road, Victoria, BC Feb. 2017 

It was Kelowna, Dec. 13, 2000. I found this poem in one of my journals from 2000. Reviewing my journals has become part of my personal archaeology. Looking for any highs, lows or in-betweens of my life so I can really feel my transitions. That short time in Kelowna following my return to Canada from Texas became very chaotic in several ways, not to mention that Christmas was only days away. Those are stories for another venue and another time. Needless to say, my heart was pretty sore and was desperate for relief. I found it with trusted friends and with pen to paper. Both are little tricks that calm my soul and offer a pause when all around seems to be crashing around. I have edited this significantly but the feeling it still invokes in me has not been changed.

Snow and Silence

I walked last night with two friends. 

Lake Okanagan was still.

It was -7C.

Lights lined the waterfront and 

climbed through the city 

spread into the hills.

Snow fell delicately

crystaled white flakes

against a darkened sky.

A light breeze persuaded

these sparklets of ice to

slip sideways through 

dried leaves and drifting

golden willow branches.

Veils of steam rose in

fine clouds that hovered

inches from the lake’s

glassy black surface.

Crunching, matched footsteps of 

three bundled up women

broke through snow and silence,

covered ears and crisp footsteps 

quieted any words wandering away

on puffs of breath into the snow drift.

An ever faithful flock of ducks huddled

 ~ warm to warm ~ green and brown heads 

tucked under shining wings out of the cold.

Water blocks stared at the marina ~ 

glossy, black and empty ~ 

spaces beside the dock

where few boats wintered,

blanketed with snow and

resting in the stillness.

I walked last night with two friends. 

Lake Okanagan was still.

It was -7C.

"Silence is a source of great strength."

~ Lao Tzu

Book Review ~ The Library Book by Susan Orlean

How many of us experienced public libraries in our childhood or adolescence? Following an interview, a year ago last spring on CBC radio, with the author Susan Orlean, I knew it was a must read book. It was so new that it was not yet readily available at the local public library, so I purchased a copy and have not been sorry. After reading this beautifully written book that is packed with information, humour and history. I immediately decided that The Library Book would be put forward for book club. It proved to be a good choice and not just about the books content. As soon as one area was mentioned ~ the Los Angeles Public Library fire of 1986 taking seven days and all Los Angeles Fire Departments to extinguish, the suspected arsonist with fanciful alibis ~ conversation moved to personal experiences with libraries. Growing up in a small prairie town without a public library, I was fascinated by the authors description of the experiences she had shared with her mother. Susan Orlean's vivd descriptions of the library fire itself, the devastation wrought to the building, books and the librarians was brilliant. Then there was the history of not just the Los Angeles library, but about librarians, the architecture, and the wide ranging benefit all libraries provide to the public. Despite the great benefits to global communities at large, libraries have been targeted by invaders to a country to stamp out and remove ‘the danger’ of the written word ~ a sad chapter that has gone on for centuries. Another side discussion flared up about today’s threat to democracy and whether book burning could ever occur in our democracies. There is history of the Carnegie libraries that were and are free libraries which cracked open ‘membership’ only and allowed access to everyone. The electronic age and how to build and maintain a presence using technology rather that being pushed aside by technology has been key to not only the Los Angeles library, but globally. Meetings were held with the community about possible alternative uses of the library in Los Angeles, some dismissed as inappropriate, how to develop an effective interface with the homeless population that utilized the library, and in general, numerous program development ideas. From a time when libraries were only for men and run by men to the present when libraries are for all people, Susan Orlean, with her talent for exquisite and often fun writing, opens the door for us all to walk into our own library spaces. Our afternoon’s library space became our time for Christmas crackers, coffee, tea and goodies. We laughed, wore crowns, and read our silly jokes almost acting like children.

“There are so many things in a library, so many books and so much stuff, 

that I sometimes wondered if any one single person could possibly know 

what all of it is. I preferred thinking that one does ~ I liked the idea that 

the library is more expansive and grand than one single mind, and 

that it requires many people to form a complete index of its bounty.”

~ Susan Orlean,  The Library Book

Title: The Library Book

Author: Susan Orlean

Copyright: 2018

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Type: Hard Copy Edition

Format: Creative Non-Fiction

ISBN: 978-1-4767-4018-8 (hard cover)

ISBN: 978-1-4767-4019-5 (trade paperback)

ISBN: 978-1-4767-4020-8 (ebook)

Wintering

Victoria, BC - December 14, 2008

Solstice in winter is a nice break for everyone both secular and non-secular. Cultural celebrations and winter solstice celebrations cross over at this time of year. However, solstice predates many of them as it is based in astrological phenomena. 

Winter solstice, which is really the beginning winter, is a time when the light of the sun comes just a little earlier. This year, the date is December 21st, so still 11 days of the heavy darkness of this ‘pre-winter’ season when the darkness is nudged aside toward spring. My opinion? Spring is still is too far away. That opinion is reserved for every foggy, rainy day beckoning hibernation indoors with a cosy pillow and blanket. My memories of the prairie freezer temperatures are absolutely the same. Getting outside to make a good snowman or snow angel is impossible, let alone starting a car to get to the warmth and companionship of the skating rink. But the winter solstice, with the light edging earlier, is a reminder that winter, as beautiful as it can be, does not last forever. Rain and fog soaks the red trunks and branches of Victoria’s arbutus trees and willows against our ever green lawns. Gently falling snow on the vast expanse of prairies and scattered small farms, the arching elm trees of Regina’s city streets creates Christmas card vistas. Whether fog or snow, if the temperatures dip too far life slows, whether we like it or not. 

Winter-like weather at least two or three months before December 21st, will not last forever. It only feels like forever. Winter solstice tells us differently. Our excitement about the lightening of the sky in the morning has transcended centuries, cultures and history. If I have to hunker down in my home, without  crawling under the covers, Christmas time, Hanukkah and other sacred winter traditions, join hands with candles, good food, family and coming together. Books, toys, gifts all kinds ~ maybe even a new pair of pyjamas only worn at Christmas. All to celebrate the return of the light in whatever form chosen. Winter solstice stops the pall of winter, wherever a person resides. 

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”

~ Hal Borlund

Homemade

From the annual Gingerbread Showcase 2019 themed
'Building a Diverse Community'
presented by Habitat for Humanity

Arts and crafts abound at Christmas time. Although they seem hidden throughout the year, they spill out from homes in droves in summer and fall at Farmer’s Markets and festivals. But at Christmas time they really strut their stuff. Churches, community groups and schools. Anywhere that requires not only an injection of funds, but a celebration of Christmas past and present on display. All for admiring and of course for sale. I’ve not attended one this year, but will be looking for homemade soaps and hand made wooden toys. What else? Paintings ~ acrylic, watercolour or oil. Crocheted or knitted sweaters. Pottery and wall hangings that hold plants or are just beautiful. From macrame to quilting. From soaps to candles to vinegars and oh my……the baking! Delicious homemade breads and pies, muffins and candies. Sadly, I’ve missed most of the fairs here in Victoria, but there are one or two left. If I’m quick I may be able to get to one. If I was to go farther outside of Victoria or up island, there are more. 

Arts and crafts are much more than hobbies to fill time and draw dollars away from bank accounts. They involve loving works of creativity and dedication from many hands, hearts and minds filled with creative spirit. Crafting is not to be taken lightly, even though it is fun. It requires patience and precision. Arts are the way our souls sing ~ expressions of what only the mind of the artist can see. Arts and crafts, with even the smallest connection to home and amid the soft chatter of a market, are blessings we all can enjoy. Arts and crafts bring home and community together.

“Handmade and heartfelt; Harriet wanted everything she did to be like this.”

~ Helen Oyeyemi, Gingerbread

Annual Magic Lessons

The Island of Misfits
Gingerbread Showcase 2019
Victoria, BC
Habitat for Humanity

Annual Magic Lessons

“Magic and music?! Well, Serena, that’s just silly.” Harry loved teasing his little niece about Christmas and was always chastised if his mother caught him. “I can hear music and I love to whistle along, so I know it’s real. But magic? Come on, little one, why do you say 'Magic and Music are Christmas'?”

“Well, Uncle Harry, just because it is.” Serena was very patient with this uncle. She knew he was teasing her but this was a serious issue for her. She worried about him a lot at Christmas time, ‘cause that’s when he teased her the most.

“That’s not a good enough answer, young lady And besides that’s the answer I always got from your grandmother when I was your age. Now, tell me….if there’s magic, where is it? I want to see it.”

“Well, for one, Santa comes down the chimney, doesn’t he?”

“Yes, that’s the way the story goes. But…….”

“..And we don’t have a chimney, do we? So, Santa got in last night anyway. He must have magic, right?”

“Well….it could be kind of….I’ll have to think about that.”

“And then there’s the lights and the Christmas Tree.”

“How is that magic?”

“Well, the lights are all a mess when daddy gets them out. And the tree is not even a real tree. But when we put all the lights and decorations on the tree and turn the lights on then all sorts of pretty colours and sparkles happen! And I’m getting tired of explaining all this to you again this year. Do all grown-ups forget about magic things, Uncle Harry? Let’s go in the kitchen and find the magic cookies….and they are magic ‘cause mom puts flour and eggs and milk and sugar all together and now they are sugar cookies with icing and sparkles. Then we build a house out of gingerbread. See, there’s more magic with all the candies and snow icing.”

Uncle Harry knew about another kind of magic cookies but he didn’t think little Serena even knew about them so he just kept that to himself. He didn’t want to spoil her innocence about what ‘magic’ was.

“Well, Serena, that sounds like a good idea. We’ve been doing some pretty heavy thinking and talking, so sugar cookies and some cold milk sounds pretty good. I really don’t know about all grown-ups, but this grown-up doesn’t see much magic any more at all ~ until you and I have our little Christmas talks. Then I remember my own magic times when I was a boy. Helping your grandma bake sugar cookies and Christmas cake. Turning the lights on the Christmas tree at night to see the magical colours and sparkles. Thank you, Serena, for making your old uncle remember some of the real magic.” 

The only sound in the kitchen was the sound of munching cookies accompanied by someone softly whistling an old familiar Christmas carol.

“…we are better throughout the year for having, 

in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.”

~ Laura Ingalls Wilder