In the past week, I've been rediscovering some of the local lore of my hometown, from some distance away, that is. I have undertaken to delve into the rich tapestry of the region's author and artists,through observance of their craft.
I have found it to be, thus far, similar to summer's first dip in the lake. I stick my big toe in cautiously, then half my foot, then up to my ankle, before eventually taking the plunge. My face tingles with the freshness of the cool water and, once again, I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I missed the lake.
That feeling on my face is what I associate with my current venture. I forgot how much I loved these people's work, and am thrilled to be tracing my steps but from a different angle. I'm catching so many more aspects of what they created, like the light thrown from a prism. If you look at it only from one side, you won't see the fragments tossed from the other side. (That might be grossly incorrect- I am not a scientist, obviously!) However, it really is a delight to go back to these people and their lifework or leisure, and appreciate it from a broader scope than I was able to as a youngster.
If you are ever in the Ottawa Valley, I would encourage you to check out some of its local flavour because I'm certain it is bursting with creative genius nearly unparalleled across the country. And of course, I'm not biased:)
So I pull out my library card for the hundredth time and scan the shelves industriously, and madly google local artists and drool quite unabashedly at their work, wishing I could see and touch it...this has to do for now! I think I'll check out some galleries around here, too. If I limit myself to only one geographical region or a specific style in my search, then can I really say I'm pursuing art itself???
This past weekend, I got to spend time with friends old and new. A bunch of running friends got together for a birthday, and we had a grand old time. It's funny how spending time with an older crowd, some twice my age, is just as fine as with my own demographic; it may be fairly obvious but I get a lot of enjoyment out of mixed age groups, where you can be drawn together by something you all have in common, but nothing else. What fun.
Some friends were visiting from out of town, and I got to spend time with them on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, after a great dinner, we ended up playing some spontaneous board/group games by candlelight due to Earth Hour. A nice alternative, although I got pretty sleepy from playing a hard game of soccer just before supper.
I don't know if it's the same for you, but I am just fascinated by people's connections to each other. I like to figure out how different people in a group know each other, and that's when I can truly enjoy myself, when I know the different connections. It's funny. I guess it just seems like you can relate to the group better when you have that information, which may explain why it's not as fun in a more disjointed group when you're the newcomer and have no idea of the background to the friendships or connection points.
But I digress...because I can, since it's my blog... : )
This Easter, I won't be going home, unfortunately. There's a choral performance mentioned to me by a friend that I'd love to check out, but I'll be here. Liz's boyfriend is coming for a visit, and we are hoping to check out a sugar shack after going to an Easter service. What could be better! I can't wait.
Ciao for now, meine freunde.
