Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Rewind ... and Back to Forward

Today is Canada Day... a dreary and rainy one in Rockport... though the sun did manage to shine through the greyness for a few encouraging hours this afternoon. Though the predictable influx of tour buses with hordes of Asian visitors kept pace... the usual steady flow of independent travellers was down over previous years for certain. Somehow... it didn't really seem like Canada Day for me personally. Perhaps that "rainy day feeling" as well...  incorporated the worry and sadness that has lately beset our family due to Allison's sudden health crisis.

I worked in the Gallery throughout the day and did make a number of sales of smaller offerings and I did sell one 8x10 inch riverscape canvas... so that this post is not at all intended as a "grumble". It is rather an attempt to reflect upon the copious blessings that offset the situation mentioned above. Weather and health issues remain outside our best attempts to control... or even to predict them. Often they arrive and catch us unprepared. The secret of dealing with these rests entirely with one's attitude.

Allison has just recently completed her second chemo treatment. Though she does experience nausea and at times an ambivalent appetite... her worst complaint seems to be the reduction of her usual high energy level. She continues to live in her usual manner... going to the university to do some work and some writing to keep up with those deadlines. I cannot at all fathom how quickly she has come to face this opponent with such candor and bravery. But I am... so very proud of "Her". She is made of that "good stuff" that separates the gifted... from the ordinary.


                                                     Forest Spirits... Forever Soul Mates!

Tomorrow morning, I will head up to Kingston to be with her and her Mom while she has the port implanted in her chest... the port through which the remainder of her chemotherapy treatments can be more easily and safely administered. Another of the "continuing education" events that I had never expected... or planned for. But I am becoming highly educated as to just how deeply embedded and active cancer is within our society.

The fear coming out of this realization is only offset by my constant amazement at the resources and treatments that are available to those who suddenly find themselves victims and hostages to this dreaded disease. Add to this revelation the presence of a legion of dedicated... caring and competent medical personnel... at all levels. We are deeply blessed in this country we live in for the availability of the multitude of health services offered in hospitals right across the country.

So... on this "different" Canada Day for AWB... I would like to reach out... recognize and thank each of the specialists, doctors, nurses and support staff in our medical profession and hospitals. Canada is a place of greater Hope because of the good work that you do on our behalf. Canada is a truly unique and special place that I am deeply blessed to call my Home.

Happy Canada Day... to ALL!

In closing I offer these glances back at favourite paintings which document my pride and my enjoyment over a lifetime in painting the Canadian landscape.... east to west.


 "Morning Has Broken, Stonehurst South NS" oil on canvas 24x30 inches


"Rustico Lighthouse, Rustico PEI" - oil on panel 20x24 inches


"Les Grands Couleurs de Charlevoix"  - oil on canvas 4x3 feet


"Silent Night" , Farm Point, Quebec' - oil on canvas 30x36 inches


"The Dimming of the Day, White's Falls, ON " - oil on canvas 4x3 feet


"Northern Thunder Chippewa River, ON" - oil on canvas 12x16 inches


"Still Soaring, Indian Head Saskatchewan' - oil on canvas 12x16 inches


"The Real Canadian Idylls, Kananaskis, AB" - oil on canvas 3x4 feet


"Squamish Light, Squamish, BC" -  oil on canvas 3x4 feet

14 comments:

  1. Allison is very certainly made of "Good Stuff"! Very special indeed!!!! God Bless!

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  2. The paintings you've shared here are just stunning, Bruce. Happy Canada Day to you and your family. I am so glad you and Allison's mom are standing united in this battle she is facing. The best medicine and I send hugs to all of you.

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  3. Every time I look at your paintings...and these ones in particular...I feel as if I've come home. Lovely!

    Tell Allison to get lots of rest...and best to avoid crowds while undergoing chemo. (What a strong gal she is! ). More than anything, tell her we are all thinking about her, and sending healing thoughts and vibes in her direction!

    Big hugs, Bruce!

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  4. Hi there Foxy! Thanks for your visit and kind words of support. You would know ... after all the years spent with our family... that Allison is indeed made of the "good stuff". Her constant striving and beautiful spirit give ample evidence of that truth!

    Blessings... back tom you and yours Karen!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  5. Happy Fourth to you Sherry! Thank you for your kind and uplifting words.

    Our family has fought many demons over the years Sherry... none of them has gotten the upper hand yet. Real Love... does conquer all! We stand as a family in complete Faith... Hope and Love! We are deeply blessed!

    Good Drawing and Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  6. Good evening Wendy!... Thank you Wendy for your kind thoughts and wise suggestions offered to Allison. She is conscious of the need to remain out of the public eye and large crowds.

    We are committed to restoring her good health and to sharing her journey closely. We are deeply blessed as a family!

    Good Painting!... and a belated Happy Canada Day to you. But as a proud and grateful Canadian yourself... you realize as I do... that Canada Day... is every day!

    Thanks for dropping by and for offering your "healing thoughts and vibes"> I'll pass them along to her!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. All the best for you and your family - sorry I am a day late in wishing you a Happy Canada Day (our day comes on the fourth and I may forget that, too, except for the constant sound of fireworks which begin tonight and continue through the 4th and on...). Wouldn't it be wonderful to capture the childish awe and thrill of fireworks in our hearts and minds. Wishing Allison bright orange, red, yellow, blue, fireworks to warm her heart, bring her energy, and keep her looking up and up with joy.

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  8. Good evening Rhonda!... Your message rich in colourful expression... steeped with imagination and well wishes does much to add positive energy and Hope for each member of our family at this difficult time!

    Thank you for taking from your own creative time to send along these meaningful and much appreciated thoughts to us!

    Good Painting... and Creating!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. Happy Canada Day, belatedly. We are heading up to Parrsboro next Sunday and will spend the week in the little cottage overlooking Cape Blomodin and the Bay of Fundy.
    You remind us all to enjoy every moment.
    Hugs and love to you and yours and special energy to Allison xo

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  10. Hi there Mary!... What a joy it will be to be back in la Nouvelle Ecosse for you - a painter's paradise... as we both well know. I'll look forward to seeing t copious and colourful new "Winn-ers" Mary!!!

    Yes... enjoy every moment and treat life like a blank canvas. Squeeze out copious amounts of pigment and brush it on like there's no tomorrow!

    Hugs back to you Mary... from Allison and all of our family! Be safe!

    Good Painting and Exploring!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  11. Hi Bruce, you too are part of that support staff: I'm sure the presence of a loving father is just as important as the other treatments. I hope you can keep your spirits up through this, and that there is some light at the end of the tunnel soon.

    All the best,
    Keith

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  12. Good evening Keith!... Thanks for checking in with your encouragement. I too believe that my role is a strong part of Allison's healing. We are soul mates and always depend upon the other for strength and courage.

    My spirits are fortified by Allison's courage and determination. "We"... WILL defeat this disease together. I have faith in that knowledge!

    Thanks again for adding your own presence... that fortifies me as well Keith!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  13. Hi Bruce laddie! thank you for posting your beautiful paintings a treat to the eye to celebrate Canada day. Wishing Alison all the best, thoughts are with her. Take care. Caroline in Scotland.

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  14. Good morning Caroline ... in Scotland! ... Good to hear from you again Lass.

    Glad that you enjoyed my stroll across Canada... it's been a great journey over the years! Glad to share it with fellow artists in my own small way!

    Allison is well underway in her chemo treatments and has obviously faced many new changes and challenges. But she is never alone with them. Her family has "circled the wagons"... and we are "all in"... to support her in the battle to drive out this demon.

    Thank you for your consistent and positive presence Lass. I much appreciate our ongoing friendship.

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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