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