Author Archives: Melissa

happiness

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately….

Thoreau has always been one of my favourite writers. I fell in love with Walden when I was 18 or so in a university English class and my life has never been the same again.

Back then, as a teenager living in Alberta, going to Concord, MA where Thoreau lived and wrote seemed like an impossibility. It’s a good thing that through God, the impossible becomes possible – because 20 years later I was walking around Walden Pond after a short drive from the home where I was living. Life is definitely like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get!

My photo memories showed me that today, 14 years ago on 10/10/10 we did a forced family fun trip to Walden Pond, and through Concord to take a peek at some of the great American writers.

I think of Thoreau often as I am seeking the peace and quiet of my own woods to clear and calm my mind. The insights and wisdom I get when I unplug from the chaos of electronics and life and plug into the sounds and space of nature is about as close to God as I can get (bonus if there’s a horse around).

The writings of the transcendentalists – many of whom lived in the Concord area – are some of my favourite things to read. Especially when I need a bit of inspiration or need to feel closer to God. Emerson is another one of my favourites. His poem “Give All to Love” is the poem that made me like poetry.

But Walden Pond itself was also a spectacular place. There were people who had made rituals of swimming in the lake, walking the path around the pond, and just being quietly in nature. It was really inspirational and peaceful.

So now I walk my woods with my dogs, working at living more deliberately myself, seeing if I can learn what my woods have to teach.

Walden Pond
The foundation of Thoreau’s cabin

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happiness

Embracing Fall

I have to admit, fall was never my favourite season. How could I embrace fall when it lasted for 2 seconds (maybe 2 days) when the leaves turn yellow and then the wind blows them all away. Plus, there’s usually that September snow storm in Alberta that drives us immediately into winter with a kind of fake fall after.

It wasn’t until we moved to the East that I understood why people got so excited about fall. All the beautiful colours, pumpkins, Uggs, fall clothes, it was a lot of fun.

Then we came back here to September snow and 2 seconds of fall.

However, the last two years we have enjoyed spectacular autumn weather and colours. It’s been relatively warm, it’s been beautiful, and I’m loving seeing all of the changes in our landscape.

I’ve discovered one of my dogs is naturally camouflaged to our fall season. She’s kind of like a tiger in the woods. With the teeths and all.

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Majestic Moose Mountain

We had our trees trimmed last week, and for the first time in over a year we have a mountain view again.

For the last several days, I have spent a great deal of time standing in the kitchen or on the deck, holding my cup of tea and looking west at Moose Mountain. I had forgotten how much I love doing that.

For as long as I can remember, Moose Mountain was “the” mountain that we talked about in our family, both immediate and extended. It’s fascinating to me how many of the houses in my area have been built making sure the view is of that mountain.

When I look through my photos, it’s by far the most photographed mountain in my gallery (and I’ve got several hundred random mountain pics).

It brings me joy, it grounds me, it brings me peace, it brings me home.

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happiness

Sammy Blue Jay

When I was a little girl, sometimes my mom would read me some Old Mother West Wind stories before bedtime. I always loved Thornton W. Burgess’ accounts of the adventures of the creatures of the Green Forest, but Sammy Blue Jay was one of my all time favourites. Perhaps because he was always getting in trouble just for being himself.

When I became a parent and we were living out East, I bought a set of the Old Mother West Wind books for my family and the tradition continued. This time, when we read about Sammy Blue Jay, we could see him right outside the window. I loved many things about living in the East, and by far one of them was the birds – the Blue Jays and the Cardinals being my favourite.

This last year, we suddenly have a yard full of Blue Jays, all of them named Sammy. I have never seen so many here, and don’t remember them being part of my youth on the ranch at all, and I am loving it! They sit in the beautiful tree that is my direct view out of the kitchen window and eat the seeds I put out. I have spent many hours watching and enjoying these birds.

I remember many people disliking the Jays, saying they were loud and obnoxious, but I never felt that way. I did, however, feel that way about our local Magpies, and I remember being shocked when someone I knew saw one for the first time and went on about what beautiful birds they are. I thought to myself (maybe said out loud) “how could anyone like Magpies? They’re so loud and obnoxious”.

Yesterday I was sitting outside and I heard the weirdest sound. After much investigating I discovered it was one of the Sammys singing the song of his people (the song of his birds?) and it was pretty horrible. For a moment I could start to see how they could possibly also be obnoxious. But then, I heard a Magpie go by screeching away and I was reminded that no, in fact, the Magpies are their own special creatures.

Whatever the case, whatever the sounds, I am loving the birds that come to my feeder. They now come up to the windowsill and do a hard stare inside to let me know when their food supply has been depleted. The resident squirrel, not so much. He prefers to throw objects at me from the safety of his tree perch to let me know that his tummy needs to be filled.

Even with the occasional screeeeeech, I find the sounds of nature so soothing. It’s good to remember we all are here sharing life on the planet, we are all part of the same experience, equal in importance and value.

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Eagles overhead, Snow on the ground, it’s Springtime!

A couple of weeks ago I had the most amazing experience. I was outside in the yard with the girl, standing close to the house in the yard with our big old dog when suddenly I heard the girl whisper with intensity “mom, mom, mom, look up”, and when I did I was astounded. Soaring maybe 10 feet over my head was a golden eagle. I have never been that close to one “in the wild”, and certainly never thought one would come down into the yard like that, but man it was cool and scary and inspiring and beautiful.

Since then, spring has officially arrived on the ranch. I’ve seen both golden and bald eagles everywhere, there are gophers poking around, the calves are being born, and of course – it’s snowing (and snowing, and snowing, and still snowing) which means much needed moisture on the ground.

I am so grateful to be able to live with nature at my doorstep (and sometimes trying to get inside the house – sometime I’ll tell my “bears on the roof stories”), it brings me peace and provides harmony to my soul. There is beauty and love in the universe waiting to be witnessed and embraced.

These photos were all taken with my iphone – how about that for some lucky eagle sightings!?!

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happiness

Silent Night

Silent Night has always been one of my favourite songs. Partly because I love how we sing it at the candlelight service on Christmas Eve, but mostly because of Mrs. Taylor who used to look after me when I was a baby. I remember her singing both Silent Night and Jesus Loves Me over and over when I was a little one. I remember her giving me a sugar cube when I got bucked off my first horse when I was around 3 (it was a toy horse on springs that ran off on me and bucked me onto the cement floor of our unfinished basement). Mom used to complain that all Mrs Taylor would do was come over and hold the baby, leaving her to do everything else. But I always loved that lady who loved holding the baby (me).

Sinéad O’Connor has long been someone I’ve admired. Her voice is angelic, I remember as a teenager the first time I heard her sing I had body shivers. I don’t want to talk too much about her here (although I have so much to say about her), but I do want to say this. She was right. About everything. People thought she was crazy, but she stood in her truth.

I came across Sinéad’s version of Silent Night the other day and I can’t listen to it enough. Her voice, that song, it combines into something that brings me closer to God. How have I never heard her version before? Sleep in Heavenly Peace Sinéad.

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There really isn’t much chance of my getting into Stanford (FGK 275)

Spoiler alert: Mom went to Stanford and had the time of her life. Apparently it only cost 7 cents to air mail this gem from San Diego to the ranch in 1959.

University of Sam Diego College for Women

4/28/59

Dear Mom, Dad and Marsh;

First: Official recognition of all your letters, and I’m glad we’re in the social register even though I think it’s a terribly snobby idea.

I usually type off the letters just before class or something like that and don’t bother to look at your letter as I do it but I think I’ve received all of them.

I got a letter from occidental last Saturday and they said they thought there was too many stairs for me there. That leaves just Redlands and Stanford. I hate to put in that $50 to Redlands until I hear something definite from Stanford as I don’t think I would get it back if I changed my mind about going. There really isn’t much chance of my getting into Stanford but if I was accepted there that would be the place I’d go. I should hear from them in the next week or so. It sounds as though I am already on the waiting list at Redlands so it wouldn’t make that much difference to wait a bit.

I finally got my English term paper done over the weekend. It was 24 typewritten pages. My other one is due on Friday and I haven’t even got going on it yet. I’ll be glad when all this is over.

One of the seniors might sell me her typewriter. She hardly ever types and it is in very good condition. She hasn’t decided how much to charge yet but if it isn’t too much, I think I’ll buy it. this one never was too good and it is getting worse. The keys keep sticking and they are too close. (As a reader I can vouch for this- there are some weird things going on with her old typewriter)

If I get accepted at Stanford, I think I’ll home by S.F. And stop to look over the campus. If I don’t, I’ll enquire about that next route. It sounds as if it might be cheaper.

I guess that’s all the news for now.

Write often

Love Margi

PS They asked me to fill out my schedule here for next year so I did.

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happiness

That Tough Town of Cochrane (FGK 274)

If I was awake and at work at 4am I’d also be posting the time in the letter. I love her letter writing digs – as I’ve mentioned Auntie Sheila was always consistent about writing me letters when I was younger and away and I see now why it was so important. I wish I’d been better about writing back. Her story about getting sick on Chinese food reminded me of a time when we met at my cousin’s place for sushi and I believe it was her first time trying it. We had explained what each type/piece was and she so graciously chose some and ate it all. After she very quietly came up to me and asked what had been the green wrapping around the outside of the sushi and I told her it was seaweed. She had this look of intense relief on her face and told me that she had thought it was snake skin. I remember thinking “and you ate it anyway???” Two things: I respected her so, so, so much for gamely eating something that we all seemed to be enjoying. And secondly I love my family, but if they try to feed me snake skin I’m out. I did learn a lot about dignity and class from that interaction though and it’s stuck with me for years.

It’s funny how for the very first part of our life we want to be taken as older, and then suddenly one day it switches and we want to be perceived as younger.

I should add, this letter was addressed to my grandparents

Vulcan Municipal Hospital

Vulcan, Alta

15 Jan 1957 4:00 am

Hi!

I’m sorry I forgot to thank you for the food and picture. Everybody thinks Margie looks older than me and she does, it’s sure a good one of her anyway. Haven’t heard from her for about a month now I’ve only had one letter from her since I’ve been here but that’s better than what my other sibling’s done. How about it Marsh.

The food didn’t last long, the shortbread toasted pretty good from what I had of it. Miss Sissons ate most of the Christmas cake.

There’s a darn baby in the nursery that’s been hollering it’s fool head off all nite. It’s been fed, burped, and changed. I’m getting very exasperated.

Went to Calgary Thursday and visited everybody. I meant to phone you but couldn’t get around to it. Met Grace and Mort uptown Thurs afternoon and then I stayed with Kathy and Barb that nite. Kathy, Barb, Lois, Kathy’s sister and I went to the show that nite.

Lois crawled into bed with me Friday morning (she was on nites) and then I went down to see Dawn that afternoon (she’s on 4-12). Caught the bus at 5am with Lorraine (she was going to High River). Anne met the bus here and I’ve been working nites (12-8) ever since.

Ted and I went to the show at Nanton on Sat nite but after we got there we found out there was no show so we sat in a restaurant for a couple of hours. We met some people there and talked. Came back to Vulcan and sat in this restaurant for another couple of hours and talked with some characters. They’re going to start charging rent pretty soon ‘cause all we have is coffee.

I wanted to go fishing in Lake MacGregor on Sun but I was informed that it was illegal to fish on Sun. So had a Chinese supper instead. Had chicken chow mein and got deathly sick. I think the meat must have been bad. Went to Arrowwood and I had a ginger ale at Delphines to see if that would settle my stomach. Helped a little but not much. Then I got angry because there was a bunch of of people in there teasing me about that tough town of Cochrane and having to have police protection when you go to visit the Copithornes so I left.

I get this weekend off. I’m going to a dance at Mossleigh Fri nite, staying at Burgers overnight and then coming to Calgary on Sat. Ted wants to buy a suit and Marg wants to pick out bridesmaids dresses so I’ll be pretty busy. Guess we’ll be coming home Sat nite if that’s all right with you.

Well must get busy now so will see you Sat.

Love, Sheila

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happiness

Swimming, School, and Star Wars Day(FGK 273)

Happy Star Wars Day! Here’s a letter written on this day 65 years ago, ages before Star Wars arrived on the scene. May the Fourth Be With You

It amazes me all of the things mom was doing. As a child I remember going family swimming and it was quite a production – just the logistics of getting mom ready and then safely in the pool and then dad held her the whole time. How did she manage swimming then? My goodness she had a lot of courage. On a completely different note I also used to love the smell of the magnolia tree we had in our yard. I also often think of the poor fig trees I had to abandon. Gosh I loved those trees. I cared for them as inside/outside plants in Rhode Island and when we moved to Virginia we put them in the ground and man did they ever grow!! Mom’s blasé comment about the poor man washing up – can you tell she’s a farm kid?

32 Dix Ave

Ormond Beach

May 4, 1958

Hi!

We’ve had a terrific weekend weather wise. I’ve spent most of it at home studying however. I have spent every night of the past weekend studying late. I had to have the first draft of my valedictory address finished by Friday. By the way thanks for your offer to help, but Col. Sampson would kill me if i just got up and said a little speech like the one you enclosed. This has to be ten to fifteen minutes long on some learned (ahem) subject!! This is killing me, but at lest I’ve got most of it written.

Also – correction – I wasn’t chosen to be it. It’s just the result of living at Webb, and not going out too much so I didn’t have anything to do but study and got the highest average in the senior class. Now I wish I hadn’t. (I mean it kind of sounds to me like she was chosen…. And also good job mom!!)

Adams invited me to go swimming at the country club with them yesterday but I couldn’t. It sure was tempting though as it is so warm out. The beach looks so nice although the body of an airman washed up on the Broadway approach last week. Just the chance you have to take in the ocean I guess, you’re liable to run into anything!

Last Friday night the seniors all met over at Vic’s motel on the ocean. There was a full moon and it looked fabulous over the ocean. As it was so warm we all went swimming in his lighted pool then Mr Bailey invited us over to his house, with the Sampsons, to listen to records and to eat. It was quite an evening.

This morning Shirley and I went to the Mormon church in Daytona. We’ve both decided we’ll never be Mormons, but it was interesting. One guy about 20 got up there and started crying while giving his testimony. I never felt so uncomfortable but everyone else took it as a matter of course. It lasted for about 2 hours and the chairs were really hard but they don’t stand up for their hymns luckily for me.

Never mind the information on Lord Byron. I’ve finished him and Shelly and am now on Wordsworth. I have to have Coleridge and Keats finished by the 16th plus an extra 500-6– word essay.

I don’t know what to tell you about Adams’ invitation. Mrs Webb has asked you too you know. Although it would be more expensive, I think you would be freer in a hotel where you could come and go as you please but that’s up to you.

I think Col Sampson is looking forward to talking to you when you come down. He is emphatically against my going to San Diego. He says I’m the type that would do better in a coed atmosphere and being a strong Protestant he thinks they would try to change my religion. I’m beginning to feel like a ping pong ball being batted between the two.

I was making a speech in school the other day and I started laughing in it! I wasn’t even that bad in drama class.

Barb went to a formal dance last night. She got a new floor-length dress and looked quite nice in it.

I can’t think of any exciting news for now so I guess I’ll say goodbye

Love Margie

PS Our magnolia tree is blooming like mad. I love their smell.

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Christmas letters from Florida friends 1957 (FGK 272)

I’m back, up and running!! My site crashed and like most things after taking a break from each other I managed to fix it today. Nothing like a fresh mind to look at things differently. To say the least.

I’m not sure who this letter is from. It seems like an adult in mom’s world while she was in Florida at school. I must be out of practice, this handwriting was a bit harder for me and a lot of it seems like we are missing the context – but it’s still interesting. You know, I love the convenience of text. In fact, if you know me well you know that I very rarely answer my phone or check voice mail as often as I should. Texting (or even email) though great for some things really doesn’t cut it the way these letters do. I love hearing about the normal lives of normal people.

Enjoy!

December 26, 1957

Dear Margaret

Thank you so much for the beautiful sweater you gave me for Christmas. It is just lovely. Bob? And I had a real nice day and often my thoughts were of you and know you too must have been happy to be at home with your loved ones for Christmas.

I do hope you are feeling much better and fully recovered from your cold.

I appreciate too the telegram received here almost 10:45, just before we left for church and also your call from Tampa – it was worth a million to hear your voice from there.

I took the gift to Mrs Franks. She said she’ll get in touch with you. Your crutch top came and other packages and several cards.

Nancy called each day for news of your arrival and I’ve relayed it as I’ve received it.

The Ray Logans, 212 W Comstock Ave, Winter Park came Sunday and we visited for a couple of hours – I promised I’d take you over to see them when we go to Orlando

Love, Mrs Webb

December 26, 1957

Dear Edna and Perc

Happy Holidays to al and many thanks for the first you sent ______ and I. The pin is beautiful and first I’ve ever seen like it and know I’ll always treasure it.

I felt so sorry for you the week before Margi left. I guess you couldn’t understand all the changes until Marg was there to explain. She was wonderful tho and calm as could be even though I know she wasn’t well at all and I worried that the trip would be too exhausting. But she’s got a lot of pluck and stamina to fix most anything .

Bob and I had a nice Christmas spending the eve with _______ and picking her up at 10 and then we had Christmas dinner at ______ and we all picked her up last eve. She didn’t seem to mind working and said they were very funny.

The Logan’s were here to see Marg. They were friends you met in Florida and she’d for you. They are a lovely couple. I’ll drop a line later as a friend is here to take me to her house.

Thank you

Love, Anne

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