Every year, for as long as she was tall enough to reach the counter while standing on stool, I have had a Christmas baker. Actually, in those days I had a baker year round but at Christmas she always insisted that we make an extra effort. One year, after she had gone to the other side of Canada to study physics at McGill, I made a comment at work about how she would be home tomorrow and I had better stop and get all the ingredients for Christmas baking.

A coworker replied “oh you are such a great mom, baking for your daughter.”

I was confused for a moment. Then the mental image I had about what would be happening with these supplies and the one she had began to meld. I laughed and then explained. I would leave for work the next day with the counters stacked with baking supplies and when I came home they would all be transformed into Christmas baking. In addition, the kitchen would be spotless and supper would be ready with a backdrop of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger still in the air. My baker would be smiling a passionate satisfied smile, the house would be toasty from an oven that had been working overtime, and with a candle on the table and music in the background she would ask about my day and begin to bring me up-to-date on her studies.

 

Now, after completing a master’s degree in physics, she teaches science at a private school here in British Columbia. The beauty of this is she gets the same kind of vacations as she did when she was a student – which means that, most years, my Christmas baker still arrives home ready to do magic… or science – to her they are the same thing (and this year she brought most of the ingredients).

There are those of us that bake, like me, because we love the end result. Then there are those, like my Christmas baker, who love to bake because it is science that tastes good. For example, I don’t ever remember exclaiming about how the baking soda was reacting with the water as I mixed the ginger snap cookies - nor how interesting it was to determine how much canola oil to use when you didn’t want to use butter and so on. I just wanted to bake the baking and get the kitchen cleaned up before it was time to make the next meal or go to bed. I liked to think about eating the things that were being made and about other people eating them. Now, this is true of my Christmas baker as well, but she while she is watching you munch on her crafted delights she will be regaling you with scientific facts about the interactions of the ingredients that lead to your delicious mouthful.

 

This year, as she is working away, she says to me “if I was ever going to do anything besides teaching - which I LOVE - I would have a little bakery café and serve nothing but the best, healthy, wholesome food that is delicious.”

Oh, did I not mention that she bakes mostly with whole wheat flour – even in her dream bars and ginger snaps. The best part is you have to be keenly aware to notice. The dream bars taste like they have coconut in them but nope – it is whole wheat.

My Christmas baker is off already with cloth bags stuffed with tins of baking to give to our various family members and her friends. I have two tins left to package and mail today, plus a host of items in the freezer for when holiday guests come by. Ah, the Christmas baking is finished for another year.

Thank you Josie with much love mom.

p.s. Note to readers: I did make the shortbread and the candied pecans.  

warm regards,

Terrill

© 2009 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

You are welcome to use and share material from this Blog in whole or in part, as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. Please also notify me where the material will appear.

The attribution should read:

"By Terrill Welch. Terrill Welch is a writer, photographer and artist. To learn more, feel free to browse through her http://terrill.gaia.com website."

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blog: http://terrill.gaia.com/blog
twitter: https://twitter.com/terrillwelch

email: tawelch@shaw.ca phone: 1-250-539-5877
 
Appreciation is a condition not a symptom.

 

When do inner peace and freedom dance together in your life?

Whenever there are big shifts in my life I know there are also new experiences to be mined - so I start searching, observing...

Even little shifts or simply being present offers us delights that may otherwise be missed in my complacency.

Joy is an internal appreciation rather than an expectation of perfection.

I've never experienced the deep satisfaction, joy and contentment that has come with my decision to focus on creative works as I have today, at this time in my life.

Though my social justice, leadership and coaching work over the past 30 years has been thrilling - I now am ready for what is next.

People say it's surprising to see my signature block say "writer, photographer and artist" yet they realize - they have been experiencing these aspects all along.

I suggested to those on my distribution list when I made this transition from executive leadership coach to my creative work that it may be a perfect time to "unsubscribe." Only one subscriber took me up on my offer - with a very personal note and lovely exchange.

When we are authentically ourselves, we can change what we "do" without loosing credibility.

The various aspects of ourselves need diversity of expression and their own time in the sun.

I'll always be passionate about women's issues, women's leadership and executive leadership coaching - now where is my camera?

warm regards,

Terrill

© 2009 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

You are welcome to use and share material from this Blog in whole or in part, as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. Please also notify me where the material will appear.

The attribution should read:

"By Terrill Welch. Terrill Welch is a writer, photographer and artist. To learn more, feel free to browse through her http://terrill.gaia.com website."

redbubble: http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch

blog: http://terrill.gaia.com/blog
twitter: https://twitter.com/terrillwelch

email: tawelch@shaw.ca phone: 1-250-539-5877
 
Appreciation is a condition not a symptom.

 

For weeks and weeks, David and I have been keeping a secret. Our progressive steps towards the exchanging of vows on December 10, 2009, at 9:30 am, in the tiny St. Mary Madalene Church (built 1897), on Mayne Island, began several years ago when I received the following poem David wrote to me for Christmas...

Saying the words

We are not married.

 

But I have tried to imagine the vows – there would have to have had

to be vows to be pledged;

 

and if there were vows, in traditional words, my own thoughts would

have had to be planted in them, for the words to be said…

 

“…To love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others

and holding only unto her…?”

 

                                    When I watch you thinking of something

and choosing a note or tone inside yourself from among all its

lovely sisters and brothers,

 

telling me what you are thinking and feeling, expressing it to me in

words in one translucent congruent ring,

 

 

it makes you distinct for me; it’s only your heart I desire, only your

thoughts I want to have read.

 

“and do you pledge…love and loyalty…?”

 

                                                Yes, and reasons arrive,

 

old ones and new ones, overlapping each other, like ripples on a

pond.

 

My confidence in everything you do wells down below the circles.

 

I hear you speaking softly, slowly, eloquently in their sound.

 

“and will you declare …in the joining and the giving of rings…

In joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health…?”

 

                                                I have already gone past

 

those points of no return, silently tracing up and down the fingers and

palms of each your hands.

 

If your heart line were to betray you, I would look for it like a hunter,

and in that stealth,

 

Share my pulse with yours and whatever other wealth…

 

“for richer or poorer,…

and to be to her in all things a good and faithful husband…?”

 

                                                Coming from your bath

 

mermaid cool, your skin rich and fragrant, you are the light of my

path,

 

my safe harbour, the relaxation of my guard, the muse for candid

telling of the truth.

 

Living here without your inspiration is unthinkable as death.

 

“as long as you both shall live –  . . ?

 

                                                When I look at my own horizon

 

and think as far out as I can, to the brink at the edge of the world,

 

Even if you were lost I would think of you waiting there for me.

 

I would willingly lose myself inside your universal sea.

 

I would still have memory these days give, to savor and to drink.

 

What therefore hath been joined together, let no man put asunder . .

 

Forasmuch as these words have been witnessed, before…this

Company . . .”

                        These thoughts would sit inside these vows for me,

 

inside the formal ritual, and tell me how I feel about the two of us.

 

Would I need to say these things so others “bear them witness?”

 

Or is it enough to write them in these symbols, just to you?

 

“therefore, by the authority of the state, . . .”

Do you even need to see this, or to have this read?

 

Or is it enough just to whisper the words in my dreams when I’m

beside you,

 

when we lie together, touching each other lightly, my lips next to your head . . ?

 

“I pronounce you, . . . .”

By old words understood, unsaid,

by old rituals, elemental,

I thee wed.

 © 2005 David L. Colussi

 

Yes, WE ELOPED!

We were married by our friend Tamsen (Thomi) Glover who happens to be an Anglican Priest (some of the time anyway). Her husband John and our neighbour and friend Joyce Kallweit stood up with us. We came back to our home for coffee and lemon/cranberry cake decorated with a real holly branch (made by Linda at Sunny Mayne Bakery & Cafe). Then we ran away on the noon ferry -- not for the original two days but a whole three. Upon our return, we have madly phoned our collection of eight children, my brothers and sister, David's sisters and my parents. Now we can tell the world!

We will have a few photos eventually, but for now, let's just close with the blessing from our ceremony...

May your love be firm,

and may your dream of life together

be a river between two shores –

by day bathed in sunlight, and by night

illuminated from within.

May the heron carry news of you to the heavens,

and the salmon bring the sea’s blue grace.

May your twin thoughts spiral upward like leafy vines,

like fiddle strings in the wind,

and be as noble as the Douglas fir.

May you never find yourselves back to back

without love pulling you around

into each other’s arms.

 

                 By James Bertolino (1988) A Wedding Toast

So now you know our secret...

warm hugs

Terrill (and David)

I most wanted to post one of my seascapes or landscape photos. While I was browsing I came across this photo taken the last time I was home visiting my parents on their farm in north central British Columbia, Canada. As luck would have it, my cousin and great aunt unexpectedly showed up for a visit as well and stayed for lunch. It is customary in this farming community to “do up the dishes” if someone feeds you a meal – that and taking off your shoes and boots at the door are important practices (both are intended to keep from causing too much of a burden on your host). So we had no sooner swallowed the last bite of a homemade soup and biscuits when my cousin and aunt were ready to joyfully fulfill their part of the exchange.

There is a great unspoken love and respect between my mom, her aunt and her cousin. As my mother’s daughter, I, by extension, am part of that great love. On that day it filled the room and I understood what I had been homesick for and why I not only wanted to come home – but needed to come home. There is a bare simplicity in my parents’ home that is rare in North America. Nothing distracts from the unconditional respect, caring and love they have for us.

This love, this part of being in community with my family and extended family is the greatest gift I receive from the world. It becomes the lens, the heart and the thinking that informs all else that I experience and do.

warm regards,

Terrill

Wait for me...

Quick whistle of shore birds.... longer notes of eagle in solo over head... waves cresting - moment by moment...



rush, swish, rise and fall - connecting in a dance - moment by moment

crisp dusk moves swiftly, heading off the last of today's sun. cherish life - moment by moment



last light is often the light most appreciated.... may darkness wrap you in a warm blanket of possibility.

warm regards

Terrill

p.s. Lyrics If I should fall behind

by Bruce Springsteen

We said we'd walk together baby come what may
That come the twilight should we lose our way
If as we're walkin a hand should slip free
I'll wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me

We swore we'd travel darlin' side by side
We'd help each other stay in stride
But each lover's steps fall so differently
But I'll wait for you
And if I should fall behind
Wait for me

Now everyone dreams of a love lasting and true
But you and I know what this world can do
So let's make our steps clear that the other may see
And I'll wait for you
If I should fall behind
Wait for me

Now there's a beautiful river in the valley ahead
There 'neath the oak's bough soon we will be wed
Should we lose each other in the shadow of the evening trees
I'll wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me
Darlin' I'll wait for you
Should I fall behind
Wait for me

Similar take on the song from 1999 with E Street Band



(there are others... to a waltz but I like this older arrangement.)

 

Days that arrive early are those that wake me when the trees are still shrouded in their black gowns of night. These days have an undefined urgency. I’m reminded of a few lines from Mary Oliver’s poem “Nature”…

 

Forgive me.

For hours I had tried to sleep

and failed;

restless and wild,

 

I could settle on nothing

and fell, in envy

of the things of darkness

following their sleepy course ---  

 

Today is one of those days. With coffee in my Christmas mug, I think about what is the total number of feet of the front gate and fence. He wants to hang Christmas lights. Today we shall go get these beautiful LED lights that use 98% less electricity. I moved the winter bird feeder into the smallish fir tree by the house. I’m hoping this spot will be more to their liking. I need to order the calendars and the canvas prints that will be gifts. Oh, and then there is the secret I’m keeping - for another week and half. May daylight creep across my desk soon, so that I may still be wearing my veil of curiosity.

Warm regards,

Terrill

Over the years, so many of you have commented on how much you have enjoyed my photographs. Finally, some of your favourite images are available for easy purchase in prints, as greeting cards and even a 2010 calendar at http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch

Have a browse. Order your own high-quality copy of the images that you have come to love. Here are some quick links:

Live Your Vision Calendar: http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch/calendars/4230213-5-live-your-vision

Calendars are printed on high quality, high density paper that’s easy to write on, and come bound and ready for hanging on your wall. The cover and all pages are printed on 200gsm high quality satin art paper. Redbubble’s tagline is: “With Calendars this good, you’ll make up a social life just so you can ‘check your calendar’ each day”

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints (a personal favourite option), Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, and Framed Prints.

To get started, click on the image quick link below and then click on the “buy/preview” button to the left and you can view your image choice displayed in the various options available (prices will also be displayed).

Sandstone shoreline:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch/art/4228354-2-sandstone-shoreline

Georgeson Island by moonlight: http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch/art/4228248-2-georgeson-island-in-the-moonlight

Witness rock in Georgia Straight:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch/art/4228341-2-witness-rock-in-georgia-straight

These links will get you started. There are more than ten other images available. Once you have one image open, it is easy to go to the “browse art” option on the top right above the “buy/preview” button and look at others.

New images will become available every few days. A shortcut to your desktop of

http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch

is advised.

Redbubble provides a money back guarantee of their printing http://www.redbubble.com/about/guarantee

Important: to arrive before Christmas orders must be made through Redbubble by December 9^th. No pressure – just letting you know so you are not disappointed.

Best of the holiday season to you,

Terrill

© 2009 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

You are welcome to use and share material from this Blog in whole or in part, as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. Please also notify me where the material will appear.

The attribution should read:

"By Terrill Welch. Terrill Welch is a writer, photographer and artist. To learn more, feel free to browse through her http://terrill.gaia.com website."

redbubble: http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch

blog: http://terrill.gaia.com/blog
twitter: https://twitter.com/terrillwelch

email: tawelch@shaw.ca phone: 1-250-539-5877
 
Appreciation is a condition not a symptom.

 

Last evening I read a list of “The 100 Best Books of the Decade” compiled by Erica Wagner with a sense of disappointment. There were a few titles I had read where I could remember the story line, but mostly the 100 listings had not even made it to my personal reading list. I was feeling a bit foolish as I am not a literary major (or even a minor). Maybe I have no literary acumen? But I asked a colleague, Tess Dickenson,  what she thought of the list and her reply was: “I can think of dozens of books from the last decade that were better ... i.e. more memorable.” I felt vindicated.

Which leads me to this morning when I was reading the Canadian Globe and Mail weekend edition (hard copy – a rare Sunday morning treat at $4.50 a pop for us islanders), where, on page F15, I discovered a review that excited my novel-quest curiosity more than anything had in a long while (An aside note: the Globe 12th annual 100 best and most influential books of the Canadian year are also listed in this November 28^th, 2009 publishing of  section F, Globe Focus & Books.)  Before I connect you to Brian Boyd’s review of The Original of Laura: A Novel in Fragments by Vladimir Nabokov let me list (in no particular order – grabbed in an armload off of my bookshelf) a few of my favorite novels:

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood (2000) *

Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1915)

Break of Day by Sidonie-Gabrielle Collete (1928)

The Underpainter by Jane Urquhart (1997)

Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov (1957)

Memory Board by Jane Rule (1987)

A Severed Head by Iris Murdock (1961)

He, She and It by Marge Piercy (1993)

The Journey by Anne Cameron (1986) *

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden (1997)

The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields (1993)

Three Ply Yarn by Caeia March (1986)

Les Guerilleres by Monique Wittig (translated from French by David Le Vay – 1971)

The Unlit Lamp by Radcliffe Hall (1924)

* I have read and enjoyed almost everything that Margaret Atwood and Anne Cameron have written.

As we can easily see, I have some glaring biases towards mostly women novelist and of those many are lesbian fiction writers. In fact, the odd-listing-out is Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov. So with no apologies and from this acknowledged reference point, I now give you “Nabokov in fragments is still Nabokov” by Brian Boyd.

I beg of you please, give me time to order The Original Of Laura: A Novel in Fragments before you charge ahead and relegate my request to a “we are sorry, we have sold out and have your request on back order.” I’m teasing. My order is in and I should have the book in time to share with my partner over Christmas. He read Pnin aloud to me when we were courting. Now you know how Nabokov found his way in amongst my women novelist.

What would you list as some of Your favourite novels?

Warm regards,

Terrill

© 2009 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

You are welcome to use and share material from this Blog in whole or in part, as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. Please also notify me where the material will appear.

The attribution should read:

"By Terrill Welch. Terrill Welch is a writer, photographer and artist. To learn more, feel free to browse through her http://terrill.gaia.com website."

blog: http://terrill.gaia.com
twitter: https://twitter.com/terrillwelch

email: tawelch@shaw.ca phone: 1-250-539-5877
 
Appreciation is a condition not a symptom.

A gift from Caroline Myss



An amazing story about the power of forgiveness and our fear of change.
Shared with me by twitter friend Alan Sharland.

warm regards

Terrill

News flash for southwest coast of Canada: we have sunshine, we have sunshiiiiine! (high squeaky voice at the end)

My camera is off to the repair shop but it was a morning just like this one from a year ago in December...




We knew our chances were good for a brilliant day today when we woke up at about 1:00 am and the stars were like Christmas tree lights hanging in the sky.

Today will be an outside day for us to clean up branches from the storms of the past few weeks - and to enjoy the sun:)

warm gratitude and thanks for your friendship and inspirations.

Terrill