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Signs of Life
The ol’ blog’s been quiet lately, time for an update. Contrary to the apparent silence in my corner of the internet, I’ve been writing more than ever of late. Truth is, I’m working on… a little book. My last blog post marks about the point where I signed up to be part of a new…
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Shared Attention
One of my favourite things as a father is to experience nature and wildlife with my kids. The problem is that, until a certain age, some kids have the most difficult time actually seeing what you’re trying to point out. A couple years ago we took our kids to a zoo. This zoo had different…
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Winter Reveals
“Summer conceals, winter reveals.” – Annie Dillard A few short months ago, the forest trails were but a thread through the lush green tunnel. Without a trail, in fact, travel through the woods in summer would prove nearly impossible. After a rain, the crowding branches leave you drenched. At times the undergrowth is so thick,…
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The Things Dad Brought Home
Last weekend I ran on the frozen Seine River. Because of the rumours of wildlife along this twisting urban waterway, I kept my camera (the kind that also makes phone calls) handy. Sure enough, within the first couple kilometres I’d chased up a fox, later a small herd of friendly whitetails. And at about the…
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Listening to the Dishwater
We’ve been doing the dishes by hand lately. It’s the daily ritual. (We’ve tried skipping a day, but quickly regret our past selves’ laziness the next.) Some days the kids help out, but inevitably, once the youngsters are in bed, the house gets quiet, and I turn to the mess that is the kitchen. Yes,…
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The Long Night and the Dawn
“No matter how long or dark the night, no matter the pain, or how difficult is is to go on, you can’t stop the dawn.” – Ashleigh, Jan 10, 2021 A couple weeks ago we lost a dear friend. Ashleigh was a shining example of being light in the darkness, showing how light wins when…
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Eight sleeps
Eight sleeps left till The Longest Night Run! We’ve been encouraged by all of you who have signed up so far, along with the stories of why you’ll be braving the night. And we’re so grateful for the generosity of those who have donated, it’s beautiful to see a community come together to support our…
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15 hours and 52 minutes
Ever since the first Longest Night Run, the gaping void between sunset and sunrise during the solstice has beckoned like a menacing “triple dog dare” (Christmas Story, anyone?) We’ve tackled it as a relay, with young and old taking their turn in running/walking/riding through the night. Others have decided to take on longer legs, putting…
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Nocturnal
I saw an owl the other day. Against dawn’s glowing eastern sky, a silent silhouette suspended in the branches between the path and the grassy field. I stopped to watch the rare sight, trying to make out the details of the great creature in the dim light. Although my eyes struggled, I knew I hadn’t…
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Small Kindnesses
Have we ever paid so much attention to our connection to each other? If ever we were aware of exactly how many metres separate you from me, and how quickly we can spread both kindness or viruses between people, it’s now. One year ago, Naomi Shihab Nye said of a poem, “Sometimes a poem just…
