Thursday Tidbits

Posted on June 18, 2015 under Thursday Tidbits with one comment

Slow and steady wins the race

“Slow down, you move too fast; you got to make the morning last”

The 59^th. Street Bridge Song : Paul Simon

We caught up with this gal the other morning while walking The Landing. People who know these things tell us that momma turtle is laying her eggs in the gravel along the roadway. Now that we live a stone’s throw away, our trips around The Landing are just about everyday. We never tire of the scenery and you meet such nice people who stop and chat.

We walked there yesterday. Is it possible to taste a morning? It had rained heavily the night before and it was a warm, sunny morning. Everything was so fresh and wonderful. And speaking of meeting people, we were delighted to bump into Charlie and Patty “D.D.”. Now, just so you know, the D.D.’s lived right next door to the P.D.’s on Hillcrest Street. This was at a time when the neighborhood teemed with children and we lived outdoors. The memories came flooding back. The D.D.’s had one of the first outdoor rinks that I can remember, complete with boards. After all those years skating on the Salt Ponds, we felt like we were one step removed from the N.H.L. Sorry, but nostalgia still rates as one of my worst afflictions. I love the present but those childhood days were so special.

My first few weeks of retirement were anything but dull. ( Some of you know what I’m talking about! ). But now, after five days in Newfoundland, I am ready and rarin’ to go. My road warrior son Peter , and I , are planning a trip to Newfoundland later this summer or fall. We’ll pack our guitars and some copies of my books and head over to do some gigs. I have been talking with some of the folks that I met last week and they are going to try and arrange some venues for us to do a combo of music and storytelling. We might add a third feature: art. At least one artist we met, might join us. It could be a great deal of fun. We’ll “sing for our supper.”

I am looking forward to doing a full length story about the roadside gardens we saw all along the west coast of Newfoundland. They can’t grow anything close to their seaside towns because of the salt water blowing in off of the Strait. It is fascinating to see these carefully tended plots of land on the side of the road and often, many kilometers from their homes.

It was very heartwarming to get the feedback on yesterday’s story about Sally “Central.” The best thing about writing is the rock star treatment I get. ( Only joking! We live in a two bedroom apartment and drive a 6 year old Yaris… hardly the stuff of fame and fortune ). Stories beget stories and several people got back to me with some amazing accounts of their own. Folks in Mabou would certainly remember the time that Sylvia Tyson came to Mabou to tape a ceilidh at the home of Angus and Sally Beaton. A young John Morris Rankin played piano as did Joey Beaton. Dan R. MacDonald played the fiddle, others sang Gaelic and Jim St. Clair ( who graciously shared this story with me ), did some story telling. In the wee hours of the morning, Sylvia Tyson sang hauntingly… a capella. I know it’s an oft over used expression but, my, if those walls could talk.

I am hoping to get back to my regular publishing schedule. I don’t have any excuses for not being able to churn out “Musings,” “Tidbits” and stories.

Thanks for continuing to read my material. As long as you keep reading, I’ll keep writing.

Have a great weekend.