Tag Archives: Ottawa

Thanks for the natural attractions

15 Sunday Oct 2017

Posted by in activism, community, Food and Cooking, Health, therapy, Travel, writing

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It was an extended Thanksgiving holiday peppered with family gatherings, feasting and a lot of car travel. It was also one tarnished by news of another assault on a sacred site in the nation’s capital.

I spent most of my vacation week traveling with family to visit others in the Greater Sudbury area. The long drive was accompanied and enhanced by the natural fall colours. We enjoyed a couple of days of conversation, feasting, playing cards and going on an outing to a natural attraction. We drove farther north to Onaping Falls to visit the AY Jackson lookout.

AY Jackson lookout at Onaping Falls

A walking stick rests after a tour of the natural beauty of Onaping Falls

The lookout was named after a famous painting of the falls by Group of Seven member, AY Jackson.

I enjoyed the fresh, cool air and exercise plus another chance to catch up with older and wiser relatives.

Blonde woman at the bridge over Onaping River and Falls

Blonde woman at the bridge over Onaping River and Falls

When I returned home stiff yet elated, I was relieved that one of the offspring heeded my request to visit le petit apartment and check on the cats.

Tabby cat resting in front of house plants

A peaceful Sunday setting in the Tabby cat’s habitat

While I was savoring the memories of visiting Onaping Falls and viewing photographs of its natural settings, my activist friends in the Ottawa area were having to educate the public, the politicians, anyone who would listen about the shameful activities happening again at a sacred site in the Ottawa River.

You too can be informed. Read this interview of Algonquin Elders.

On this Sunday morning, my pen name got involved with sharing her views on this glitzy invasion at Chaudière Falls and its islands.

Thanks for dropping by. Spread the word. Free the Falls!

T

 

More crowded gatherings tests

30 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Art, community, Mythology, writing

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Last weekend I attended the Capital Ukrainian Festival.

I was looking forward to music, cultural crafts and … perogies.

I was also challenging my aversion to crowds, spending hours in the hot sun and lining up for food.

Ukrainian dancers on stage

Capital Ukrainian Festival – dancers

The musicians and dancers certainly entertained the visitors in the hot afternoon sun. There were all kinds of vendor tents and scheduled tours of the church.

Capital Ukrainian Festival- tents and church

Capital Ukrainian Festival

I abandoned my quest for perogies and other tasty treats due to the long lineups in the hot sun. The shaded merchant tent was more appealing for my delicate complexion and conducive to locating inexpensive, practical items. I found some colourful, blank greeting cards for sending to family and friends. Yes, I’m one of the people who still do that.

I was attracted to the watches displayed by one of the merchants. I was also curious about the symbols on the watch face.

watches brochure

Ukrainian festival – watches brochure

Coat of arms:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Ukraine 

It was the Tryzub Cross. I was curious to learn more. The Tryzub Cross is simply a cross-bar on the middle tine of a tryzub.

But what is a ‘tryzub’? And why should it have a cross-bar? ‘Tryzub’ (тризуб) is Ukrainian for “trident” and is one of Christianity’s earliest symbols. A trident with a Cross is associated with St. Vladimir the Great (980–1015).

Read more here: http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/tryzub.html

The merchant explained the history and practices of the watch manufacturer plus let me try on a couple of the ladies’ models. I didn’t commit to purchasing one right away yet accepted the brochure for something to look at while I digested the price! If you have the means and time to learn more about these beautiful watches, you can visit the vendor’s web site at http://kleynodwatches.com/

Eventually during my wanderings, I came across plenty of Ukrainian Easter eggs.

Did you know…? The word pysanka comes from the verb pysaty, “to write”, as the designs are not painted on, but written with beeswax.

Read on here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pysanka

Pysanska souvenir egg

Pysanka souvenir egg

That appealed to me. Pysaty. To write.

This weekend I also wrote (well… typed) in my other blogs. Drop by if you have the curiosity and time. It won’t cost you much.

Thanks for dropping by.

T

Balancing act

09 Friday Jun 2017

Posted by in community, Health, therapy

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Can Canada heal itself from within while strengthening its international leadership role? 

I was pleased and proud to see our Minister of Foreign Affairs and Federal Government take a stand about world leadership and show support for the Paris climate treaty.

We are a welcoming people to immigration of political and religious refugees. Our constitution protects religious freedom. Our nation though seems to be struggling with appropriate ways to support healing of the Indigenous people in forms of reconciliation.

I am surprised and ashamed that different levels of government are not recognizing Indigenous spirituality with the respect and attention it deserves. I am in disbelief that a condo developer has been allowed to slither in to make offers and divide the very people that could benefit from restoring a sacred site in the middle of our nation’s capital. Read this analogous story describing the history and present challenges. Read about the vision of a spiritual elder.

Why offer an abandoned US Embassy building without wide consultation? Why not summon the political will and heart to lead in an opportunity for healing?

As a mother, settler descendant and citizen, I once again feel compelled to show my support for restoring the sacred site in the Ottawa River. I will take a day off from my professional role to walk with hundreds of others from an island at the site, to begin a peaceful march up to Parliament Hill.

You can too. Let your god or spirits call to us as the right thing to do.

#Canada150 #Reconcilation #Healing #Leadership

Thank you.

T