Stories of life and events along the North shore of Lake Superior.
Flip Through 2012
Meditating on the past is a natural consequence after Christmas. This
is such a reminiscent time of year. Some might even say that a flip
through 2012 is inevitable.
Although, the present moment can be quite fine also. I
stole one the other
morning. The light from a full moon danced across the lake, leaving a
light trail before sinking into a bed of sea smoke. As the moon slid
away, sunrise pink blushed the early morning blue. Such a marvellous
sight from such a non-technological source. No YouTube here.
But, technology drives our world
and as we speed into the next year,
electronics makes it even easier to check out what was. I’ll share a
couple of my own personal highlights. This week I am enjoying Adele’s
CD 21. Her Rolling in the Deep sends shivers down my musical spine.
What a powerful voice she has. And as for the books I read in 2012, I
started the year off with Margaret MacMillan‘s Paris 1919 and am
ending it with Tolstoy’s War and Peace. All that War of 1812 stuff got
me into the heavy tome, although I suspect it will take me about
another 200 years to finish it.
Regarding my 2012 columns, I want to thank all of you for reading
my
missives. Your enthusiasm is most appreciated. As I perused my 2012
stack of writings, some memories jumped out at me.
On Jan 24th I wrote about the abandoned Eastman house beside Highway 17,
right across from the Mississauga River. There is something so enticing
about that empty old place. It must house hundreds and hundreds of
stories.
On April 2nd it was fun telling about the digital camera we found
at the mouth of the Agawa River. The trusty little unit had spent the
winter by theshore until spring break up released it into, and back out of,
thelake. The wonder of Facebook made it possible for us to find the owner,
Scott Matthews. We returned the camera intact.
On May 30th I enjoyed sharing the recipe for lamprey pie. (Yoikes)
And then on July 23, 2012 there was the coincidental July 22, 2004 entry from a
notebook in the light keeper’s house on Otter Island. That grand old
lighthouse is one of my favourite haunts on Lake Superior.
For Aug. 9th, the connections between the wonderful Olympic opening
ceremonies, Shakespeare and Lake Superior wove together.
The Aug 20th paddle on the little lake with all the little frogs is my
great memory for stormy winter days.
On Sept 24th honouring Glenn Gould was an honour,
as was writing the Oct 22nd story of Baumgartner jumping into space
and landing in the New Mexico desert.
Nov 19th gave me the chance to describe the incredible light filled
Dieppe memorial on the Windsor waterfront. And Dec 4th was for imagining Mark
Carney as he played hockey on an outdoor rink.
I’ll end the year with just one more story. Last week, scientists
called off their search for microbial life in the water of an
Antarctic subglacial lake. The 100,000 year old lake, lying beneath 3
km of ice, remains inaccessible for now. The scientists couldn’t reach
the hot water cavity they had created to supply the water needed for
the drill. However, the researchers will return to the Antarctic in
four or five years to try again. Science! You gotta love it.
I like this story because I like ice. It is such a winter
treat. Last
year there wasn’t ANY ice on our stretch of Lake Superior. I missed
watching it form, missed that glimpse into an artist’s heart. The
creations are magical. High crystal cliffs, singing ice sheets and
shining reflections always refresh the spirit.
And that transformation from liquid to solid is a natural
miracle
everywhere. The little frogs in the little lake sleep within an icy
grasp. The pages of the Otter Island notebook curl up with frost
flowers. And skating on an outdoor rink can open the soul.
However, even if the ice man does not cometh, I shall embrace whatever
the winter of 2013 gives.
So Happy New Year everyone and may your 2013 be full of
fine, fond memories for the years to come.
