Ontario

Where My Heart Is

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Laura

I am just back in Hamilton and will go this morning to Brewers just as soon as the kids leave for Toronto to see the CN Tower. It is comfortable here, but I miss THO when I am not there. I miss the cozy space and the trees around it. I miss the sounds of the wind and the chatter of the chipmunks. I miss the howling of the coyotes but most of all I miss my community.

It is not unusual for me to long to be home among my loved ones there. Even though I don’t pop in to see all of my friends and family every day when I am home, I still know that the potential to see them is at hand. The truth is that I have never felt that much at home anywhere, except there, at home. I don’t want to suggest that I have not had moments of comfort in other places. I had wonderful friends and neighbours when I lived in Germany. I have friends in Guelph, Finch, Hamilton and other places that I have lived. Some of my most dearest live very far from me, those in Japan, Jamaica, the UK and my Lithuanian sister friend who is in Germany come to mind frequently. My kids are here in Hamilton area but even my love for them does not make this home for me.

My Hamilton house is small but comfortable. It boasts conveniences and features that we often take for granted – but I do not have these at THO; It lacks for example: running water, electricity, heat, air-conditioning, a bathtub, a full kitchen, refrigeration, indoor cooking, a washer, a dryer, a bus that takes me to the indoor-farmers market and back without fighting for parking, my writing group is here, and it also has a good bright 9×12 studio space. It is a nice solid house with a tidy German looking yard and a nice garden, but it is not my home.

Be it ever so humble and not quite done, here is my home. Here is where my heart is.

Categories: Family, Friendship, Kingston, Nature, Ontario, Simple living, Tiny House Ontario, View | 4 Comments

All My Bags are Packed

Posted on August 19, 2012 by Laura

Though this is not a terribly exciting topic, it is one that is not all together infrequent… and it is part of my Tiny House experience, so here are a few words about it.

From time to time I leave THO and head to Hamilton, Ontario. Sometimes it is because of an appointment, sometimes it is because I have company coming to visit from elsewhere and unless I stack people in my bed then I cannot host them at THO. I also head back to Hamilton for writing/art related reasons, or simply because I am escaping the cold weather in the fall (still not heated).

Whatever the reason, there is always a process. I have something that I call the “back and forth box” which is simply a large clear plastic tote box that carries what I can fit in my husband’s car as well as the items which I do not keep at both places, like paintings in the works, or containers that had food one way and belong the other way. I also bring my laundry back to the Hamilton house because there is a wash machine there.

This visit is for all of the reasons above, excluding heat but including the need to visit Brewer’s Marine about LED 12V lights.

When I pack up to leave there is a process that I use. Pack the back and forth box with stuff including my big toiletries kit (lipstick, mascara, baking soda & vinegar), pack the cooler, put together the laundry including bedding and mats, pack the garbage and recycling. Sweep the floors, dump the compost, check the BBQ is off. Last two things is to pack the dogs in their travel crates and get them safely in the car and then take one last look at THO to make sure that everything is OK.

I think it looks as though it will be there when I get back in a few days.

Categories: Art, Dogs, Ontario, Stuff, Tiny House Ontario | 4 Comments

Norse Guillaume

Posted on August 19, 2012 by Laura

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Guillaume at a Pagan Moot in Kingston and hoped to have the opportunity to photograph him and share some of the experience on here. Guillaume is a Norse Pagan who practices sverd og skjold (Norse sword and shield – combat technique). He also teaches these skills in Kingston, Ontario. He is a rich story teller with a deep, full laugh.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet him again and take a few photographs. I wish that I had the skill of a photographic memory so that I could recall verbatim his telling of the sacrifice of Týr. While Wikipedia gives one the basics of the story, it lacks the passion to which it was shared with myself and the others who were present.

I knew nothing of the Germanic/Norse religion before this meeting and found the story so fascinating that I got a book on the subject which is actually a little more about the Runes then the actual mythology. Later I got some hematite runes too because I found I needed to have something more tangible in my hand while trying to grasp these totally foreign concepts.

There are many interesting aspects of these stories, but what I took away are that of sacrifice for the good of others is key to these beliefs. Like the tales themselves, Guillaume, is a man with a huge presence. His huge laugh brings in those around him and his ability to get to the point of the matter is not only with the tip of a sword. It was not lost on me that he wanted to be sure that I was safe getting to my vehicle after the moot and that he was the last to leave checking that we were all safe. The need to protect those around him is deep and ingrained.

Guillaume’s gear is a combination of hand made items, to which only in retrospect now again do I realize that I should have photographed more closely, made by his own and other’s hands. The man exudes a beautiful hand made quality not just in his clothing but in his very self. His willingness to allow me to take photos and run a story on him was something I also found quite fascinating. I suspect that this security comes from the mans ability to assess the intent of those around him as well as his ability to protect himself and the others who are in his presence from any ill intent whatsoever. Honestly, there are few men who I have ever felt quite as safe with and this is despite the fact that I know him only in passing and very little.

No matter, it was a pleasure to meet him and to talk. Hopefully this world has many men as great.

Bide the ancient law Ye must,
In perfect love and perfect trust.
Heed these words the Rune’s rede fore-fill:
An ye harm none, do what ye will.
What ye send forth comes back to thee,
So ever mind the law of three.
Follow this with open mind and heart,
Merry we meet – Merry we part.

Categories: Friendship, Ontario, Open your eyes, Simple living, Tiny House Ontario, View | 2 Comments

Kingston Pagan Pride

Posted on August 18, 2012 by Laura

Today was the Pagan Pride Festival in Kingston. I have been looking forward to this for weeks.

It was held at the Confederation Park in front of City Hall. For those of you who do not know what Pagans are and are curious, events such as this are a fantastic way to gain understanding about the old religions (and why there is such a huge interest in the revival of the old religions).

Pagans are not one group of people with a single idea, there are many beliefs from many areas of the world and these are a very diverse group who consider themselves Pagan. There are Native, Wiccan, Norse, Goddess, Nature/Earth Mother and many other beliefs. I myself, identify somewhere within Native/Earth Mother spirituality. This said, I am very interested in people’s beliefs, so much so that I took a medial in the topic at University moons ago.

There were workshops, a tarot reader and some vendors too, unfortunately, I had to leave before seeing the dancing and singing. Hopefully I can attend for the whole day next year. Kingston is particularly great in this way because there are so many really great people here who are Pagans. It is a particularly friendly and open group of people!

THO is not being sponsored but, I decided to share the links where I have them because they are all small businesses (and artists) and if you are interested you may want to know where to access items in this area (or on line).

Anglin Bay Pottery
Wolves Den Pottery
Kingston Soap Company
Goddess Blends

We got a beautiful day for it and there was a good deal of foot traffic through. It was nice to catch up with people both Pagan and non Pagan.

Categories: Art, Magical, Ontario, Open your eyes | 1 Comment

Stones, Slope and Fabulous Farmers

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Laura

We got a little rain this morning so the stone dust got packed in a little bit better. This allowed us to add another layer of stone dust to it. The neighbour kids stopped by and wanted to help so I suggested that they stamp the stones in. They happily stomped away. Thanks kids!

The stone is at about the height that want it now, so I think I need to add a little more to it still because it will compress more over the winter. It is just about level so I am thinking that I have to add a small slope away from the building in order to keep the water away. I am not sure how to do this as entire property slopes toward the other side of the house so the natural way is for it to go toward this side of the house. I have to think about this, but I think that I will have to slope it to the East. Also, I am accepting any advice you might have on the subject.

After working at this for a couple of hours I went with the kids over to a wonderful organic farm in Inverary, Ontario. We were reminded that the drought is not just something that effects farmers, it effects eaters. How true.

Her garden looks about a million times better than mine. She is producing all sorts of food for a CSA as well as baking bread and producing eggs for these baskets. Plus the animals… they all need care and attention at all times. Then the crops and the … it really never ends on a bio-diverse organic farm. The entire family seems only willing to stop for in order to have a short food break and then they are back to work.