Tuesday, March 19, 2013

More March Magic... and Mayhem!



March is truly an unpredictable sort... mild like a lamb one day... and fierce like a lion as the saying goes... on the very next. Most folks have become increasingly impatient with these mood swings of manic March... but I savour them in my own way. Strangely... I am uplifted by the sudden return of geese, American Robins, cardinals and red winged blackbirds and their spring voices which I know herald Spring's not-so-distant victory over Winter. However... at another level, I really am saddened to see the snow and ice of winter rotted away... and with it the glorious light and blue shadow which make being outside so very different than other parts of the year. I truly value each season for what it brings into both my personal and painting lives. Beauty ... can be found everywhere... if the eye of the beholder can recognize it... and celebrate it.

This morning, we are again blanketed in newly fallen snow - at least six inches of it at present, with the promise of at least another day or two more days of intermittent snow showers expected to fall in this area. No newly emerged green daffodil shafts can be seen this morning... and I hear no complaint. They will wait patiently... for their time in the sun until this "robin snow"... as farmers in touch with the natural world refer to this late and last brief blustering winter presence. It can disappear in a single day when the now powerful sun of the longer day attacks it in every corner. This is March... the "quick change" artist's only legitimate claim to being predictable. It defies being nailed down... coming and going ... as it pleases!

I choose to find activities linked to the irregular rhythm of this month to focus on. I have observed through many years of experiencing March outdoors that certain human and animal activities are predictable... and are interesting to watch... and to record with my paint box. Birding is one activity which can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors as well. Each morning, Deb and I both revel in watching the antics of our winter feeder residents, as new arrivals join in the feeding and territorial frenzy. Behaviours change... disagreements arise and the pecking order changes. Great fun to observe and discuss... as the new action unfolds daily.

It is that time again when the production of maple syrup begins in our hardwood forests. It is a perennial activity of renewal... a rite of Spring really, which has drawn families together to harvest sap from sugar maples for many generations in some families. It was exactly that in the beginning when pioneer families spent countless hours together... gathering... boiling off and bottling this Canadian "gold standard." For it was... and still remains a lucrative source of income for farmers even today, although the lion's share of money earned today in the industry is governed by large producers with modern technology production methods. In the early days, the money was used to purchase seed to plant the next years crop and to provide sugar products for the home kitchen for the entire year. Refined sugar was rarely seen or used in those early days of settlement. Change as unpredictable and uncertain as the weather of March has deeply effected maple sugaring.

Here is a the ventilator shed... typical of most early Ontario farms which now lays mouldering. IT will likely never hear the laughter... have heat in its pans... or the sweet syrupy smell of Spring. It is something that I treasure in my soul. It is something which I still seek out each year. No spring would be complete ... except that I visit... sketch and collect a few litres of the gold to create a delicious Sunday pancake breakfast. That happened last weekend... expect it will repeat on this one as well! I record these sugar shacks... or "cabanes-du-sucre' as the French Canadians describe them as I find them. They are quickly disappearing... as are the old tapping and pail-gathering and wood-fire boiled methods. Tubing now constantly delivers the sap steadily from the forest to the gas-fuelled evaporator. The production is seamless and the volume huge in comparison to the older methods. However, as to the taste? There is definitely something missing in the final product... and over fifty years, I have sampled my fair share to offer this judgement call.




Perhaps... it is the human hand in touch with his land... or the ash present in the air which adds to the alchemy of the sugar house to create such an elixir... a tonic of renewal for Spring. Whatever the reason... I  to continue to look forward to... and actively pursue and enjoy another Spring - to savour precious life. I drink it with great appreciation... gratitude and thankfulness!


I am deeply blessed...



Winter ... again!


Cheery red breast of a friendly male red poll visitor!



This cardinal didn't travel to Rome! But isn't there something divine and awe-inspiring about him... or his voice???


"Retired... Permanently!" - oil on panel 8x10 inches


Good Painting...and Happy Spring to ALL!!!

10 comments:

  1. it's kind of sad though, to lose all that. Nice post, Bruce.

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  2. Bruce - wonderful words and I too am reluctant at times to let winter go...every season has its wonderful merits. I just visited our Amish neighbor Sat - he was boiling down what will be one of the last batches of Maple syrup. It smelled so good. I am glad there still remains those of us who enjoy and savor the old ways. God bless you and Deb - have a great day and enjoy the last of winter.

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  3. Hi there Mary!... Thank you for dropping by and addoing youyr response and mutual feelings about the post!

    Losing these markers with the past leaves all with a sense of loss. Not everything has to be manicured... streamlined... costed and valued to add worth!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  4. Hi there Cindy!... Good to hear from you again! Thanks for visiting and for adding your own feelings and experiences to the blog!

    Knowing that others share our passions... values and values... makes daily life and personal struggles a bit easier to rise above.

    Thank you for taking the time to participate in this form! I much appreciate and look forward to your visits and your ideas!

    Rich Blessings... Happy Spring!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards
    Bruce

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  5. Hi Bruce, it's turned cold again here and there is snow further south. It could even be a "White Easter" this year. We don't even have birds as colourful as your beautiful Cardinal to brighten things up. Our birds are singing more now though, so Spring must be on the way. There are a few lambs as well but they're being kept inside out of the cold.

    Painting old buildings feels like preserving them somehow. Even when they have finally fallen down, the image will remain and bear witness to their existence.

    Enjoy your pancakes,
    Keith

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  6. HI there Keith!... March madness... for ceratin!

    The birds are singing and are fully engaged in aerial combat manoeuvres... establishing territories and putting the run on the competition - fun to watch!

    Spring is indeed on the way... and literally in the air!

    I love the old buildings as you do Keith. Recording them offers me immense pleasure. Many of my sketches of twenty years back... are now "ghosts.".... Gone!

    Pancakes on the menu on Sunday. I'll pour a larger than usual draught of the gold standard ... just in your honour! HA HA!!


    Thanks for dropping by and for commenting! I always enjoy your thoughts and perspective!

    Good Painting!... and Happy Spring!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. "What light beyond yonder window breaks?" First thing that came to mind with this piece, Bruce. The light is beautiful and I wonder at those who may have lived or worked in this ramshackle little building. The bird photos are so lovely!

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  8. Good Morning Sweet Sherry!... Your voice... puts a ""spring"" in my step... Big "S"... big spring!!!

    You wonder... as I always wonder... whenever I enter these older and abandoned pieces of tradition and settlement. Where are the souls of those who laughed and toiled so valiantly... and peacefully? And why... should their "footprints" left... matter so little to we that remain?

    But "I"... and I believe "You" are always pegged as unabashed "Romantics"... because... we care! Ain't that a crime? HA HA!!

    Thanks again for taking the time to visit and for leaving positive and honest sharings of your own! Much appreciated!

    Good Painting!... and Happy Spring!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. Good morning Bruce,

    Yes, we are back in the throws of winter. Someone forgot to tell Mother Nature it is the first day of Spring. Nice photos and I love the painting, you have made something old and worn look beautiful. Also a quick thank you for the visit to my blog and words of wisdom.

    Have a great day,
    Joan

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  10. Good Morning and Happy Spring Joan!... Thank you for your continued visits and sharings... they are both much appreciated and looked forward to here!

    I am happy that my words... not necessarily "wisdo... just words to encourage you to continue to seek out and to discover your own magnificent journey.

    Your growth... energy and consistent desire to improve speak volumes... and no doubt your resources gained do average into that improvement. But it has much more to do with the work you do... and its consistency! Paint!... Paint!... and Paint some more... in the studio and en plein air!

    Fair journey and much success!

    Good Painting.... Happy Spring to you and Mike!
    Warmesrt regards,
    Bruce

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