The fall rainbow is on. The colours are radiant here in Newfoundland, like nowhere else I have ever seen. They’re not just colourful – they’re fluorescent and iridescent – it is marvelous here this time of year. We just try to hang on as long as we can, dreading the coming of winter but loving its harbinger.
Enchanted Evening (Literally!)
No doubt there is no shortage of entertainment out here on the Baccalieu Trail. Take Friday, for example, when The Berry and I got to spend a night with faeries!
That’s right, Friday night was spent in an Enchanted Wood, complete with faeries, faerie dust, and friends. The Faerie Queen of Newfoundland (a.k.a. Lisa Day) and the Faerie Queen of Ontario (a.k.a. Soozi Schlanger) put on an awesome show and party, unlike anything I’ve experienced outside New Orleans.
Soozi is a singular woman with a singular talent, with an uncommon mix of talent, charm, charisma, energy, and history – truly amazing. She’s been on the road with Jordie (see pics below), and recently performed at The Ship in St. John’s. She is an artist, a poet, a musician and has a genius not unlike that of our own Clifford.
And what a show she, Lisa, and Jordie put on for us! Lisa read a wonderful piece of literature (an excerpt from the book she is working on), sang with Soozi and played the Cajun washboard. Soozi recited, sang, bounced around, smiled and laughed and put on one of the best shows I have EVER attended. It is quite the road show. It made me long for New Orleans again, and for when I had my entire life ahead and had dreams of road trips and free spiriting all over the world.
It left me with smiles and memories. It was a rare and special night where you meet someone and feel like you’ve known them all your life. And you end upa little more convinced that faeries and magic do exist!
And please folks, less than a week and you won’t hear me making this request anymore – from now until the end of the month, if you enjoy my blog, please vote for me for a TopBlogs award (no registration necessary to vote). Just head to this link, and my category is Best Business or Professional Life Blog, on the bottom left. Thank you!
Clifford George Original
Without further comment, here is a poem that Clifford sent me, based on an evening you may remember from the blog, where a group of friends gathered in front of Ocean Delight for an evening of fire and friends ….
DINNER IN THE BEACH
Late summer evening light as the sun sets and settles beyond the Shag Rock
Darkening shadows cast itself upon the beach
Moonlight flickers and dances on the sea’s surface
Glimmering and flickering on a long row of wine glasses
On a long table that reaches down the beach
Whispering sea droplets nibble at the low water mark
Seashells serving the best of food soon dance back out to sea
Friendship finely tuned around a campfire of dreams
It is my finest summer moment, cherished forever
With friends caught in this special creation under the stars
End
And thanks, as always, to Clifford, for sharing his poem and so much more.
Spring Hare Fun
Well, Whiteway’s Spring Hare is all said and done, and it was wonderful. The Spring Hare is an annual story-telling, poetry reading and art display event that celebrates local talent and art. This year was a full house, with fantastic art work and entertainment, great food and drink. What a potpourri of talent we have in this province. If you missed this event, don’t worry – Whiteway will have another art show this year as part of the Come Home Year Celebration. We’ll keep you posted!
As promised, here are some shots from the event. The first couple were taken by Albert Legge (and thanks to him – most of ours came out fuzzy – lets blame that on our camera!)
Me with the lovely Lisa Day, President of the Spring Hare Committee – thanks, Lisa!
Captive audience. Bonus points if you can find Joe Friday and The Berry!
And here’s the famous Albert Legge!
The great Dr. Gerald Squires.
And the Hare Broom Award goes to Gerry Squires!
Art from the lovely Renee Butler-Harnum.
And from the equally lovely Clifford George.
And here’s Clifford with Jane Prior.
And the Hare Broom Award to Tom Dawe, too!
Hard to believe all this was a free event! Can’t wait til next year!