Nearly 3 years later…

I had nearly forgotten I had set up this blog! Time to return to it.

Recently returned from a trip to PEI where I visited most of the Anne shrines on the Island: her birthplace, the site of her Cavendish home, the schoolhouse at Lower Bedeque, her Montgomery grandparents farmhouse (“Ingleside”), her aunt and uncle’s farmhouse (“Silver Bush”), and her gravesite. And, of course, I visited Green Gables where I thoroughly enjoyed the Balsam Wood and Lovers’ Lane walk and the trek through the Haunted Wood to her Cavendish home. I have re-connected with Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of my childhood favourites – the Emily of New Moon books. I’m on a quest to learn more about her and to read all of the Anne books as well as the others. As a child I devoured The Tangled Web and Magic for Marigold, in addition to the Emily books. I only read Anne of Green Gables and not the rest of the series. Now, I’m reading the sixth book, Anne of Ingleside, after thoroughly enjoying Anne’s House of Dreams. I feel like I’m re-connecting with my childhood self by reading L. M. Montgomery. I recall idyllic summers of reading at my Holyrood home, either in the living room or outside in front of the backyard fireplace. Maud’s wonderful prose and descriptions of her PEI environment embody my own love of reading and nature.

Silver Bush at Park Corner: inspiration for her Pat books.

In Maud’s world at Silver Bush

Inside out

I’ve been toying with setting up a blog and actually using it for awhile now. Perhaps now is the time. I’m interested in art, parenting, fitness, health, cooking, knitting, house and home, gardening, friends and family, spirituality, traveling, camping, music, education, renovations, yoga, reading and writing. My interests are so vast that sometimes I get frustrated about the lack of time to dabble in everything!

Right now I’m focusing on getting into shape (I’ve lost 9 pounds in about 9 weeks), trying to find a more permanent position in my career, working on my Masters, parenting, and creating art. A lot to pack in for a single mom. Plus time for family and friends. Lots of juggling going on here.

A presentation on Arthur Lismer is in the works this morning and a walk in the neighbourhood. It’s going to be 20 degrees Celsius today! I just had a call to sub at a west-end high school for art this afternoon. Just what I need. An afternoon in another great art room and a chance to make some money to pay my bills. It certainly has been an interesting journey, this subbing work! No two days are the same and no planning or marking. The downside is no benefits or security or stable income. Living on a song and a prayer right now…!