When the Universe Speaks.... Listen!

The term "Universe" defies exact description or definition... even by the greatest scientific minds... simply because it "exists " far beyond the boundaries of this very temporal band of existence we know as earthly existence. I use the word in my own unique way to explain what others might refer to as Karma... Destiny...Fate... just to name a few. To "me" the Universe is simply...."Existence". I make no effort to understand it in terms of its beginning... or its end.... I simply accept that "I" exist in the Now.... and for now!

I well understand also... that in the course of one's journey... opportunities arrive... or are presented that we must respond to - Choices by which we map and travel on our individual journeys. Often we travel "in parallel"... or on similar planes with others... but more often we travel alone.... inwardly speaking at least. Sometimes it is often difficult... painful and at times even dangerous to to make certain choices offered. They visit us unexpectedly... often simultaneously with a multitude of other choices... making the process of deciding bewildering and unsettling. Ultimately... one must bare the burden of choosing... perhaps with advice and counsel... but again ultimately on one's own.

In the spring of 1989, I made a choice when the opportunity to travel to study for eight weeks in Venice, Italy in a Venice Summer School course being offered by Queen's University to complete my undergrad arts degree. It marked the end of an almost 20 year quest using extramural winter and summer courses... while teaching and raising a family to reach this goal. My school board and my family supported that decision and I was "given leave" of both responsibilities to make this happen.... a huge gift to "Me"that became a pivotal turning point in my personal and my artistic lives.

Venice was indeed Paradise "found"... for "Me." I had begun my journey at age four sketching (copying) David, the Pieta... Laocoon.... and others from history textbooks in our home. Drawing and painting provided "Me a vehicle for expression... and for escape through "Imagineering" into my own Universe. That has been so... during the whole course of my life.

Venice and my eight week "affair" with "Her" sent me back to Reality on a high at first... wanting to share everything that I had experienced with anyone willing to be trapped for endless hours. But gradually... as with all highs comes... the low! Reality paled and for many years afterward never quite measured up to that freedom and environment that I had been immersed in. I was stuck between Reality... and Paradise "lost"!

It has been a very long and painful recovery... for all of us involved. But today... the wheel has come full circle and that long ago choice: ... "To go... or not to go... that is the question!"... has finally been justified in my own mind.

My daughter Allison followed "Me" to that same place ...Venezia... using the same summer school opportunity eleven years ago this week in her last undergraduate course with our Alma Mater Queen's University. She and I both stood at the top of our class of about twenty-five students and found our True Selves in that experience. I found my artistic place... and "She"... through her intellect and persistence... a PhD in Art History... authorship and an emerging place in teaching at the university level.

Today... she is in her beloved Venice... without all of her initial fears, financial challenges and misgivings. This week... "She" will be leading twenty-five Queen's students along the streets of Venice and environs... as the teacher of that summer school class!

The Universe does "speak"... to each of us in mysterious ways. How or whether we answer... is our own decision!

Wish that "I" were there to share the Serenissima with you Allison!

But that's another story... for another... at this moment... distant post perhaps!

POSTSCRIPT!!!

Allison entered a sandwich recipe contest online sponsored by Country Harvest... with three $1000 cash prizes being offered to 3 of the 10 finalists selected by the judges. Her VERY TASTY "Divine Marinated Chicken Pesto" entry was chosen amongst the 10 finalists. DO VISIT the site www.countryharvest/contest/gallery.php to see her recipe and others. The others look delicious and nutritious.... BUT Allison's Pesto Chicken is indeed ....DDDDDDDDivine! I've tried it! If you would... both Allison and I would appreciate your having a look-see... and your vote... one vote each day until the contest closes on May 15th! Sure would help a young woman... "doin' her best"... in Venice!

Good Painting!.... Voting!,,,and Heavenly... no Divine.... Intervention! HAHA!!!

Love you Jemima!!!

XXXXXOOOOOXXXXX

Warmest regards,

Bruce

Paradise.... Gained... Reclaimed! - Part Two

In my last post... I bemoaned the [too] sudden "loss" of the Paradise that we most certainly "found" in the Barbados. How could a place of such new and visually stunning beauty... of unusual human warmth and acceptance... complete freedom of movement... and physical

warmth not be an ideal for the term "Paradise"... "Eden"?

I was well-acquainted with the biblical use of these two terms... but I was curious about the other possible meanings for them... so, as is my usual practice when my curiosity runs wild... I searched out their dictionary meanings. I found that Paradise and Eden... beyond their biblical relationship... shared the notion that they both represented "a place of delight... contentment or bliss." In other words... they both represented an enhanced state of mind.

This latter concept of the word Paradise better suits the notion of what Deb and I both had experienced... and the feeling of dejection... no withdrawal that we both felt upon our arrival back to Canada. We discovered... and sadly to our chagrin... that the country remained unchanged and still... much in the same icy cold clutches of winter. I think that we both might well identified with and felt the same disorientation at that moment... as the "original"cast of the biblical story... when they were expelled... forever... from Eden!

Over the past week back in Hillsdale, our earlier life and state of mind has been difficult to return to... with our minds continually volleying back n' forth between the two diametrically opposed states of mind... Eden vs Reality... and a very tropical vs polar natural environment. Add to that... the reality that small retail businesses everywhere and especially in the Arts... (including our own) are facing some uphill challenges over the next few months.

I really did enjoy our trip to Eden... Paradise... call it whatever you will... both from a tourist'point of view and from an artistic stance as well. However, I came away with much more in the way of benefits. We enjoyed visiting my eldest daughter Lisa's world... and having the benefit of her presence... knowledge of... and passion for the Barbados. I came to better understand and feel more comfortable, as her Father... with her passion and desire to fully make her life there at some time in the near future.

As a died-in-the-wool history buff... I spent much of my time there acquainting myself with the past histories of the Island... both natural and human... as a way to better understand what was unfolding before "Me." I came away with such respect for the Bajan populace as a whole. They have finally... after 300 years of slavery... injustice...oppression and suffering started to enjoy a more equitable quality of life and their rightful place as pilots of their own ship. The yoke of control under slavery and British Colonialism is disappearing... and being replaced by educated Bajan leaders who are prepared and willing to lead their countrymen towards economic self-determination and political decision-making. Their time has finally arrived!

In this process, they have managed to retain their strong and proud connection to their black cultural identity. They continue to maintain an unusual sense of humour... tolerance... and Faith in God and in themselves. We were approached only twice by some one asking for a hand out... and those individuals truly seemed in desperate need. People were visibly "making ends meet"... or as the phrase goes on the Island... "Doin' the best I can!"

Medical care... drugs and hospital care are free to all Bajans. Education is free all the way through from Primary School through to Post Secondary Education. There exists a number of exceptional community colleges and even North American University campuses in the Caribbean... each providing even the poorest, but intellectually capable and motivated students the opportunity to advance in their culture. The US and Canada... being more affluent and able to provide this same level playing field to their poor... should take notice. It CAN be done!

I had planned to run a number of posts to give a more elaborate reporting of my discoveries... but I could be locked into that task far beyond space... or interest allows. I think that you can see that I came away enriched and motivated by the experience. But more than that even... I returned more grateful for the Freedom that I have enjoyed... simply by the good fortune of my birth. The experience made me even more deeply aware of the many simple daily blessings that we all share in our Western World.

In closing... I wish to thank my lovely daughter Lisa for her generosity and love... in providing this uplifting experience for Deb and I. I am forever grateful to "Her" for this gift of the heart! I wish too... to thank her Bajan partner Dorian for spending many hours of his time showcasing his beautiful country... and opening up doors and our eyes to places and experiences that no tourist can hope to reach reach into... or come to understand in such a limited stay. Thank "You".... "Big D"!!!

I am posting the remainder of my Barbadian sketches. I hope that you enjoy them... and they might tweak your fancy... to pay a visit to this friendly... safe Jewel of the Caribbean . You will never regret the decision... I assure you!

I will use this post as well... to bid my other lovely daughter Allison... "Bon Voyage"... and safe journey to your very own version of Paradise ...found... Venezia. Enjoy your teaching assignment and research opportunity... and then get back to us to share stories about our separate Edens!

The mantra for Bajans... as posted on the walls of schools... and spoken from the hearts of their spiritual and government leaders appears so simple on the surface... but it touched my soul and I have adapted it as my own simply because... I believe its every word and will try to continue to practise it in my own daily life:

"Life is complicated. Do your best!"

Can "You"?... Will "You".... try to your best?

"I" will !

Happy Easter to all. Give thanks for your blessings for a few moments... if only quietly within!

Good Painting to ALL!

PLEASE NOTE!.... It would seem that I ahve a spacing glitch in this post that I can't figure out for the moment. If you wish to leave a comment... scroll down.....WAY DOWN! It is there! HAHA!

Thanks,

Bruce

Paradise.... Found... then Lost! - Part One

We're back in Canada... and as I write..... again "Lost" in a world of white! It is snowin' and blowin'... much the way it was at our departure to the Barbados on March 28th! Winter just seems to be hanging about... reluctant... no defiant to surrender his icy grasp. I will admit... that adjusting to these dramatic changes... all in the course of a few days is both difficult and discouraging. I never imagined myself admitting to that fact because I generally much enjoy the winter season. But it's true!

It seems quite reasonable to span both Paradise locations by beginning today's jpeg show with Canadian "Gold".... McCutcheon's World Class #1 Maple Syrup meeting Bajan "Gold"....Apes Hill Gay Rum... both World Class Champions in their separate classes! A fitting head-to-head meeting of the two cultures.... through their sweet...sugar -related cousins!

We truly did find... and experience Paradise on our visit. The Island is indeed a Paradise in every respect... from exotic flora and fauna... to landscapes that endlessly continue to open before you... like gifts under a Christmas tree - each unique... and each breath-takingly different than the others. I think that you can easily sense from my description that both Deb and I were in a state of rapture. I could not bring my Self to settle to any kind of painting for that reason... I was on sensory overload. I also was completely overwhelmed by the heat and humidity at first.

My thermostat runs hot at the best of times... which accounts for my ability to paint outdoors comfortably throughout the entire winter. I found myself challenged to withstand this sudden change of temperature... even though the Trade Winds continually provide relief at all times of the day... and the magnificent variety of trees and palms a ready supply of shade wherever you travel.

It was only after the first week of touring... swimming and acclimating ourselves... and Deb recovering from a very bad initial sunburn... that we were able to move about with ease... and a mind to sketching. I wore my trusty 60 sunblock every single day top to bottom... and still managed a pretty nice tan. "Mr Golden Sun"... is harsh and unforgiving of those who snub their nose to his might. A good decision to cover up!

When we visited Bridgetown to purchase my oil supplies from the art store there, I learned that the oils and canvases I had intended to purchase had been totally purchased "in bulk" and were unfortunately not available until the next shipment from the mainland. Wisely... I had foreseen this possibility and had brought along my trusty watercolours, ink pens and sketch kit in reserve. That decision paid off in spades for me and in fact worked out to be a much better choice overall.

Bajans are not accustomed to plein air painters en masse... and many are even adverse to having their photos taken... or even their houses... without prior permission. A lesson to future plein air painter-visitors! I learned that uncomfortably... from experience. Lesson Learned! I managed six nice sketches that I was satisfied with... but more importantly, I have a digital library of over 500 images to "play with" at my leisure... and be certain that I will !!!

In this post, I will offer jpeg images to attempt to introduce you to the Barbados... as we saw it and enjoyed it. This is akin to offering you an hors d'oeuvre from a banquet... but I feel that it will be interesting to share these images in conjunction with my humble sketches... to give you a taste or flavour of this magnificent part of the world!

The first sketch was done directly from Lisa's balcony overlooking the fifth fairway of The Apes Hill Golf Course... a stunning course ... with a stunning view! This first sketch shown here was done from the balcony of Lisa's home overlooking the fifth fairway of the spectacular Apes Hill Golf and Polo Club. From this vantage point... and in this same scene... I watched the four cruise ships that arrive and depart each day. A comfortable and shaded spot to put my watercolours first into action!

Let's hope that today's snow... is just a "Robin's Snow"!!!

Good Painting to ALL!

Spring... Just tricklin' in!

Spring is definitely in the air! Bird song of every sort is almost cacophonous in the early mornings and late evenings... as males seek out mates... and establish territorial rights before the nesting gets underway.

How joyous it is on my walk to hear familiar voices... absent over the winter months. Red

Winged Blackbirds... Robins... Canada Geese by the droves now ply the stubble of the now snowless corn fields in search of early sources of food. In one group of three adjoining cornfields , I encountered a resting and feeding group of migrating Canadas... in the thousands... likely preparing for their last long push to their spring breeding and summering destinations in the northern reaches around Hudson and James Bay.

I came back the next day in late afternoon... camera in hand... but really didn't expect to find them still there. They were! And when I got out of the car they lifted. The noise of their combined voices of alarm raised goose bumps on the back of my neck... as they lifted... and kept circling... wanting to return to their resting spot. I quickly snapped a couple of pictures, then quickly got into the car and headed off... not wanting to discourage their need to resume their fuelling and resting needs. What a privilege it was to view this spectacle! A once in a lifetime event for "Me"!

Yesterday, I experienced yet another once in my lifetime event! I conducted an oil painting demonstration... live on Rogers Television Daytime... a local cable programme. My work has made a television appearance on more than one occasion... but this was the first time that I either visited a studio... or took part in a broadcast. All exciting stuff!

I decided to keep the demo in the "Spring" mode... and commited to paint... yes... you guessed it - another maple syruping picture! I used a previously painted and posted 7x5 inch pochade piece.On this occasion I enlarged the format....painted it on a black toned canvas... and transformed it into a nocturne. Things went smoothly and comfortably in both the interviewing and the painting processes combined. The interviewers really knew their stuff! I came away with a fairly decent 28x22 inch canvas that I will "tune up" after our return in April. Here's what's there ... after one hour of talk n' paint!

Well... this will be my last post before leaving for the Barbados... so here's wishing everyone...

Good Painting!... and Happy Painting! See you in April!

Spring... Has indeed sprung!

"It isn't what you look at that's so important. It's what you see."

-David Thoreau

Spring does indeed seem to be gaining momentum... and Winter... now soiled and confined to irregular skeins in open spaces and fugitive pockets sheltered in wooded areas appears to be in retreat. Despite the cold wind... the stronger sun rises earlier to warm the morning and remains longer to encourage the spirits of both the human and animal worlds in the latter part of the day.

I saw... and heard my first American Robins today... a sure sign in this part of Ontario that Spring will continue to unfold... until the world is once again green and fully alive. Recently- returned, migrant Canada Geese have already paired at Rumble's Mill. Their constant... raucous bugling and head bobbing behaviours reveal their keen readiness to begin the ritual of creating life anew.

The sap is running well... but a little behind schedule at local sugar bushes. McCutcheon's operation of upwards of 6000+ taps was well under steam. Their bush had a steady flow of sap... and visitors to their shanty to taste the 2011 syrup... and to pick up their maple treasures... as I did. A large bottle of their 2011 syrup and a large batch of their scrumptious "to-kill-for" maple candy will be in my luggage headed south... for a Barbadian-Canadian breakfast during our stay with my daughter Lisa.

It was wonderful to spend time with the entire McCutcheon clan... all there to cover the bases in the family operation. I had met son Jesse a number of years ago... when on a cold, but sunny March day in 2005, I painted their home and shanty. That plein air foray initiated and forged my special friendship with Rene, Ken and their family. That painting now has a place of honour in their lovely and tastefully decorated brick home. And yes... a gallon of their maple syrup did figure into the price. HAHA! What a sweet deal!

Today... I finally got to meet daughter Carley... a friendly and attractive young woman. Actually... I first "met" Carley when we touched bases via my blog... and hers! I had absolutely no idea that she had been operating a blog since 2006 under http://www.sugarmaple.blogspot.com/ . Neither did I realize or guess that we shared so much in common... in addition to our sugar maple roots and interests! Both she and I are involved in art.

We both had copied AY Jackson's "Scarlet Maples" at a very early age... and share a deep love of the Canadian Group of Seven painters. We both love and are addicted to Gordon Lightfoot's music... especially his song from his award-winning album "The Summer Side of Life" aptly entitled Maple Music. And did you know that Moxy Fruvous' hit... Maple Syrup Trees was written by Pete Seeger?.... And that Pete taps sugar maples himself?

"How sweet it is!.... This Universe of ours... and small too! It just goes to show you that everything isn't simply "black and white". There exists a" lot of grey"in Life... that we fail to see or understand. Life is about reaching out... risking... being open to share and to new learning opportunities. In this fashion... Life remains purposeful... exciting... challenging and rewarding... right up to the end of our time here.

Life is about choice. One should put the Past to rest... it's forever gone. Embrace the moment as "You" are able. Look to the Future... but only to set goals. It will arrive... and pass as well... despite worry... or whining complaint. Being with the McCutcheon family... even for just a few days in Spring puts life truly in the proper perspective for "Me". Each of us makes choices that offer possible Rewards.... or Consequences. Life does bring and Prosperity... and with it Joy. But also Adversity... and with that state... Depression and Sadness. Life is always about paradox. How we choose to lead our lives is our responsibility alone... even in partnerships. It is NEVER too late to be the person... or be in the place you always desired to visit... or live in.

Shakespeare said it ever so well in Hamlet:

To be... or not to be. That is the question."

And for each one of us... on our own terms and by our own will... it is!
Me thinks... that "I" be finished ... and need only end... by adding some "black and white" sketches to wrap things up in this post. The last two quick sketches represent a traditional bush operation and McCutcheon's modern gas fired operation. The first image is a pointillism study from 1977... the second a test linocut image... to match the poem below... inspired by the New Sugar Moon and of the Spring which we are just experiencing. It will soon become the subject of a larger painting. But that's another story... for another day... and post! Stay tuned...

I truly hope that I have infused some "Maple Magic" into each of your lives... and that you have a better understanding of where that sticky stuff on your pancakes comes from! Do drop by Carley's wonderful Sugar maple site as linked in the lines above. You'll find more facts and recipes... the list is long and interesting! Way to go Carley! If you're in the area per chance... drop by McCutcheons and tell them that Bruce sent you... and to treat you .... sweetly!

A Sugar Moon

Moonlight falls the length of the sugar maple stand

Guarding with silence until the return of Spring.

Somber silhouettes in the winter night,

Their arms reaching... thrusting into the inky blackness

In the vain hope of capturing the celestial disc.

The now deserted shanty waits patiently

The return of excited the voices of those...

Who pass the long nights

Sharing labour... and laughter.

Again this Spring perhaps?

Not likely.

Not again.

Paradise lost.

Sadly... forever.

A.W.B

Dec. 14th, 2006

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

What's on tap....locally? - Part Five

Nothing with a sudsy head for certain ! Just gallon upon gallon of clear... "sweet water" as the native tribes referred to it... dripping noisily into well-seasoned sap buckets slung either alone ... or in clusters on mature maples in every hard maple stand in the Oro-Medonte. Where the bucket brigade has given way to the plastic world... sap is sucked under pressure through miles of clear plastic piping or tubing that spiderwebs its way from the tapped trees throughout the bush... via plastic arteries. This plastic waterway transports the sap directly to stainless steel holding tubs in the main shanty. Here.. it is gathered and held until it is piped over to the gas fuelled stainless steel evaporator in specific increments for boiling.

While the newer process is obviously geared to a more efficient... volume-oriented result, both share the same result - Liquid Canadian Gold! Both produce the same various grades.... light ... medium and dark syrup that are bottled and sold. However, despite the method... it can be duly noted that the maple syrup made by every man and operation... will vary in taste and patina. Each year, there are World Championships held to bestow awards of excellence to producers across Canada and the US.

Making syrup that "has pedigree"... along with superb taste gives serious producers...."a leg up" in the marketing of their product either locally, nationally, or even internationally. So maple syrup production in high yields areas like our own... is BIG business!

Check out the creche of ribbons... trophies and awards earned by McCutcheon Maple Syrup... and note that at least two World Champion Ribbons are amongst the spoils! Check out that neat... zany... off-the-wall Maple Violin crafted by a local crafts person. And yes... it can be played !

Yesterday, I drove over for a visit with my maple-producing friends Rene and Ken McCutcheon at their farm and bush operation. They are "back-to-the-land"... conservationist folk who have "walked the talk." They and their two children have lived totally from the land they own and have had stewardship over. They also run a premier apiary business and are fine honey makers. They even combine the maple syrup and honey to make maple butter - a must on our spring time breakfast table! Great on hot cross buns! I am... Soooooooooo predictable! HAHA!!!

Rene also is an acclaimed potter and ceramicist. Her earthy, uniquely designed pieces... once again are cross-pollinated with her love of maple syruping and honey production. Her tableware, jars, pots and bees wax candles and molds quickly find their way out of their sugar house and their Saturday stall at the local farmer's market... and into the kitchens and homes of countless admiring customers such as ourselves .

Too quickly... she recounted yesterday. So she and Ken decided to take a winter hiatus to re-energize after the sugar house blitz and honey production last season. They spent six restful weeks in BC. The year after year... night after sleepless night ritual that has governed their adult lives... manning the ever-demanding boilers... boiling... sterilizing... bottling and vending tasks that make up the six week season made them come to a decision to take a break. Refreshed... they are back on duty with their family... their bush open to visitors from 1:00 thru 5:00 pm daily during these next six weeks.

Oh yes... and did I mention the snowshoeing "parties" around the bush in waist-deep snow to drill and attach tubing? And as well... flushing and cleaning the miles of plastic tubing joining over 6000 tapped trees... which must be cleaned when the season closes... but must be redone... before the new season begins? Oh... and yes the sterilizing... labeling and pouring of bottles by grade in preparation for sale? And as well... there's making the specialized products that are unique to their shanty. They create maple butter and maple candy poured formed into the delicious maple sugar in leaf-shaped candies that our family fight over!

I think that you must get the full picture at this point. This is a way of life... not a way to just make a living. They have dedicated their entire young and adult lives to their passion... and to the careful stewardship of their piece of Mother Earth. They have educated their children from the proceeds of fir trees that they and their children planted... nurtured and finally harvested to pay for the bulk of the their schooling costs. They no longer harvest trees... but when we first arrived in the Oro-Medonte... we annually cut our own first Christmas trees from their dwindling stand of spruce, balsam and Scotch pine.

I have very much enjoyed sharing this ritual with you... and am proud to introduce you to our uniquely Canadian rite of Spring activity here in the beautiful Oro-Medonte region. If you ever find yourself travellin' our way... look me up or call. I would be happy to act as your personal tour guide in the area ! It's worth the visit!

My "surprise" that I have alluded to ... but withheld... is that on March 28th thru' to April 13th... Deb and I will be heading to the Barbados to spend two weeks with my eldest daughter Lisa at her home there. YES! My (empty) trusty 55 year old paint box will be making the trip too! Lisa has many activities planned for us.... snorkeling... cricket match... polo game and touring. But... I will head out on my own from time to time... to make Barbadian landscapes... comin' yer way soon I hope... so stay tuned!

The Universe "speaks"... in mysterious ways. Some "conversations are hard to decipher at times... and are even frightening to contemplate. But my belief is... and has always been.... If you "stay the course! Keep the Faith! Work hard!... and BELIEVE! Good things come round!

Don't be fooled by the red mackinaw... and beard! It 's not me! It's Ken... in his "office" suit! The mackinaw is formal dress in this neck-o-the-woods! HAHA! The boys are ours.... photo circa 2009. Liam ... the tallest is now 16 and is momentarily holding at 6 foot 3 inches. Bryn will be 15 in May and is now looking me in the eye!

In my final Maple Syrup post Six, I hope to draw a comparison between the traditional and the more modern methods and the shanties to clarify how they differ in appearance and function using pen and ink sketches.

This will be the "final run"... for certain!Promise !

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

Sap... is indeed runnin! - Part Four

Finally... the combination of sub-zero night time temperatures and sunny above zero conditions have nudged the sleeping sugar maples into Springtime awakening. The distinctive rat-a-tatting of sap falling into rusted and weathered galvanized sap buckets permeates the usual silence of these still snow bound hardwood stands.

The smell of wood smoke fills the air... blended with the sweet perfume of evaporated maple steam eminating from the overhead louvred ventilators atop most sugar shanties. Black-capped Chickadees, my own favourite bird friends... picking up the presence and new activity in the bush dart and dash all around the bush excitedly. Spring is suddenly... literally... in the air ... and everywhere!

Yesterday... I was offered an opportunity to man a shanty during the day time part of the operation at a local producer's bush. I knew very well what that meant. It would mean four to five weeks of gruelling... non-stop work in the shed... feeding the always-hungry hardwood fuelled firebox under the evaporating pan... maintaining a constant flow of new sap to the evaporating pan to replace the ready maple syrup which had to be transferred to an awaiting storage tank to be cooled before being bottled or canned.

When people complain about the exorbitant price of a gallon of maple syrup... I smugly smile... and say nothing that would honour such a statement of complete ignorance of the amount of labour ... and skill that goes into producing a single gallon of maple syrup. It is pure "liquid Canadian gold" - the coin of a realm where one's "work" has no guaranteed hourly wage... no union protection... no paid benefits... no "sick" day considerations... no severance packages... no paid holidays... no government subsidies... none of the side benefits of so many urban job settings.

However... what it does have... is an environment where one can set their own schedule... work from home... with their family members at their side. An environment free of laptop... cell phone and Blackberry interruption and annoyance... replaced by laughter and camaraderie in the company of people that you love and respect... and who conversely... feel the very same way about "You." In simplest terms... "work" to these folk is an avocation - a Life ... as well as a living! And "I" very deeply respect... and cling with them to their value system! Strange...EH?

I have much enjoyed writing these posts dedicated to our unique Canadian rite of Spring... and also sharing my knowledge... experiences and paintings in regards to the making of maple syrup. I have been encouraged... no thrilled to have comments and questions from followers of my blog who knew little of how this North American product was produced. Some have also added their own experiences... while others have set off on a search to find more information on this subject.

This was... and remains the ultimate goal for my creation of "Journaling With Paint". Having a personal forum where "I" can be in touch with other creative minds in a non-threatening and encouraging forum... is an essential part of my need to learn... and to share learning with "Others" who have a shared passion for making Art. One of my visitors and now a friend, Keith Tilley of Scotland asked me what the purpose the cupolas atop each shanty served. So I will respond to his very valid question in response making use of two additional posts.

I had fully intended close out my Maple Syruping series with one more post... Part Five... adding some photos and information to "fill in the blanks" about the actual shanty construction and operation... and a couple of AWBs thrown in! However... due to the considerable interest generated by all of the posts... from different parts of the world... I will extend my discussion and sharing by adding yet another post after the next one.

Being able to share this particularly unique Canadian activity... and the beauty of our seasons and landscape gives me great pleasure. Blogging is a powerful agent for sharing ideas... and for putting one in touch with other cultures and "Ideas" across vast distances. I hop e that my dwelling on this particular topic does not offend... or discourage anyone from visiting further. Be patient... and I'll ramble on to a new topic!

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