Thursday Thirteen - 166 - 13 Blogger Spotlights

A few Thursday Thirteen's ago, my fellow Weekend Writer's Retreat blogger Alice Audrey (who writes the serialized story Suzie's House) showcased thirteen bloggers she likes to visit - which I thought was a marvey idea.

So I'm stealing - er, running with that bit of inspiration - and here are thirteen bloggers from my blogroll.

These are all bloggers which draw me back again and again. Some of them I've been blogging with for years. Some are brand new to me. All are delightful.





1 - Apprentice Writer

Maya Missani is a budding comedy writer marking milestones on the road to dropping the 'apprentice' portion of her name. Posting from the Toronto area, she writes book reviews which include comments on the cover art, posts in-depth author interviews and shares hilarious visual humor in the name of mental health.








2 - Around the Island

Robin blogs from just outside Tel Aviv in Israel, the originator of the Sunday photography meme, Summer Stock Sunday. She sells her fine art photography on Etsy, and shares incredible glimpses of life in a country that shimmers with the energies of today and its ancient yesterdays.





3 - Art Predator

Gwendolyn Alley is a published poet from California and an exhibiting artist. She's a returning participant of the Burning Man festival, and is an environmental and social activist.





4 - Elephant Small

Stan Ski has a poetry blog, which I found through Poetry Train Monday. He posted new work without fail for the month of April (National Poetry Writing Month challenge.) He began life in England but now has a family in Thailand, and shares some of his everyday moments along with his highly-accomplished poetry.





5 - Everything and Nothing

Akelamalu blogs from Lancashire, England, where depending on her mood, she may tell us everything, or she may tell us nothing. She travels widely and always takes us along, and is an expert at crafting short, twisty tales.










6 - In The Midst of This Season

Toni is a homeschooling mom of four who blogs from Indiana. Her liquids-spurting-through-nose-inducing humour portrays the anything-but-ordinary lives of herself and her family. She remains ever watchful for those daily blessings that help her to view her cup as half full.







7 - Ire...

Nikita Banerjee blogs from Mumbai in India, posting photography, short fiction and lately the path leading to her upcoming wedding. Keep in mind - Nocturnal Mire. You Mess With Her. You Perish In Her Ire.




8 - Janet's Journal

Janet Corcoran is a new addition to my writer's group here in Nova Scotia. A Real Life friend as well as a Blog Buddy! She posts serialized humorous romantic suspense for the Weekend Writer's Retreat, shares the highs and lows of the writing life and calls us People of Blogland.








9 - Ma Vie Folle

Sheila's Crazy Life chronicles family shenanigans with a wry sense of that’s okay because that’s what life is all about…and if you can’t laugh at yourself then you’re in trouble!






10 - Romance Bandits

The Romance Bandits are a collection of 20 romance writers who turn every blog post into a party once it hits the comments section.





11 - Sans Pantaloons

Andy blogs from Aulde Scotia where he works on new sources of income and hopes someday to grow up and become a useful adult. A self-described curmudgeon, his irreverent humour appears as remarkable photoshopped jokes. I've followed his development as a graphic artist with admiration, especially his obsession with the rose imagery of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.









12 - The Gathering Nest

Debby blogs from Ontario, where she creates incredible collage art, both 3-D and digital versions. She posts photos of all the vintage material she gathers to make her creations, as well as the pieces she swaps with other art bloggers.






13 - Trav's Thoughts

So here's the thing, Travis' blog header says. I have thoughts and I'm sharing them. Travis' previous header reminded everyone that Diversity need not be divisive. The originator of the 5 on Friday music meme, he also writes passionately from the Pacific Northwest about dance shows, shares outstanding poetry, composes moving tributes to those who pass to the Other Side, and fills us in on military history with a sense of immediacy and always with humanity.

Colleen says I'll be sure to check out a few. Thanks!

Kim Richardson says Thanks for sharing these, Julia! They sound really interesting!

Jehara says I can see why you read all these blogs regularly. They all sound lovely. I am off to check them out now.

Through the Opera Glasses - 61 - Each Loss Hurts

It has been eight years since Canada has been engaged against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

During that time, Canadian news stations have routinely broadcast the national mourning of each and every returned soldier who gave his life or her life. As of this blog post, that means 150 repatriation scenes have played out before Canadians.

Sometimes the families assembled at the Trenton air base stand stoically as their loved one emerges from the airplane in a flag-draped coffin. Most often, the sight of the coffin causes the family members to buckle under the weight of the truth now set before them.

As I watched the news last week, it really struck me when the family of Sgt James MacNeil crumpled in pain amongst the others standing respectfully to attention.


Having dismounted from his armoured vehicle, MacNeil stepped on an improvised explosive device.

Sgt MacNeil was the 148th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan.













CLICK HERE to watch the video clip of Sgt James MacNeil's repatriation

What gave so many Canadians pause was the immediate pain felt by so many in Sgt MacNeil's home community of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia.


CLICK HERE to watch the video clip of Sgt MacNeil's funeral in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia



Cape Breton is a tightly-knit island region. What happens to one Cape Bretoner happens to every Cape Bretoner.

At this grim milestone, the raw reaction of this soldier's family, friends and community is a reminder to all of us that each loss hurts.

Travis Cody says Sgt MacNeil has my eternal gratitude for his service and his sacrifice, as do all the men and women who serve and sacrifice in the name of duty.

Akelamalu says The people of Wootton Basset, here in England,seem to spend all their time lining the streets paying their respects to repatriated soldiers these days :(

Poetry Train Monday - 159 - Celebration

In honor of the 4th of July, as a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, I send these lyrics out to celebrate the holiday weekend with the hope that my American blog friends enjoyed our nation's birthday.


Celebration


Celebrate good times
Come on!

There's a party goin on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times
And your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you

Come on now

Celebration
Let's all celebrate
And have a good time
Celebration
We gonna celebrate
And have a good time

It's time
To come together
It's up to you
What's your pleasure
Everyone around the world
Come on!

Wahoo!

We're gonna have a good time tonight
Let's celebrate
It's alright

Celebrate good times
Come on!

- Bell / Brown / Deodato / Johnson / Mickens / Smith / Taylor / Thomas / Toon, 1980



For more poetry, Ride the Poetry Train!

Akelamalu says I love that song!

Jennifer Leeland says How could I not know you have dual citizenship???? Awesome!

Naquillity says Wonderful song choice to commemorate the holiday. Hope you and yours had a great time celebrating.

Summer Stock Sunday - 21

A vintage look at summer for Summer Stock Sunday, hosted by Robin at Around the Island.














This photo was taken by my husband's Auntie Pat, who was a passionate photographer. Luckily for my husband's family, she took loads and loads of shots of the kids as they were growing up. She had her own dark room and a proper camera - but she was also known to use Kodak Instamatics.

Here she grabbed a shot as everyone headed towards an afternoon at the museum in Toronto. In the foreground, oldest boys Ken and Jeff lead the way. My father-in-law David chats with his aunt (I think it may be the same auntie who stood next to him and his mom in the 1930's Niagara Falls picture) as my husband Brad - the excited little guy - rushes to catch up. Obscured by David is my mother-in-law Joan, and probably my sister-in-law Karen, walking next to Grandma Smith.

I love the energy in this shot, the anticipation of heading towards something fun. And Auntie Pat's sense of composition and line turns this shot into something more than just a snapshot, as most of her photography did.

Robin says I love that she captured real moments, not just posed portraits. She must have been quite ahead of her time :)

Dianne says I'm pretty much the family photographer, I hope my photos are appreciated as much as you appreciate these :)

Louise says I can't even begin to tell you how fascinated I am with old snapshots. I get such a kick out of seeing how people dressed back then, how the cars looked, the ads, everything! This snapshot is so great!

Weekend Writer's Retreat - 14

Here's the latest installment of Scorpius' boyhood back story. For the first twelve scenes I've posted for the Weekend Writer's Retreat, we've followed him as a seven-year-old, when he outgrew the nursery where he'd been brought up with the other children of the blood.

But when no one from his family came to claim him, Scorpius was released to serve a falcon master as an apprentice. We rejoin him at age ten.

You can follow the progress of this dark fantasy story arc by clicking on the Works in Progress link just under the blog header.


Scene 14

Scorpius sensed a movement behind him and turned.

One of the lords had followed him out to the tall reeds, where he was set to flush out the larger marsh birds. The noble smiled at Scorpius, his display so at odds with the piercing expression in his eyes. Unnerved, Scorpius nearly dropped his stick.

“My lord,” he said, no longer at liberty to turn his back, to search for the game. Keeping his head slightly bowed, he could still see his master out on the edge of the tree line, likewise speaking to the other hunter.

“This is where you find them, I suppose,” the noble said, gazing around with disinterest.

“There’s bound to be one or two, my lord.” He didn’t smell any spirits on the man’s breath that would explain such odd behavior.

The noble closed in on Scorpius, coming uncomfortably close. Scorpius kept his gaze down, but his breathing shallowed. Without warning, the lord yanked the stick from his grasp and held it up for both to see.

“What would I have to do to coax them into the open myself?”

Scorpius fought the stammer that dragged at his tongue. “Y-you take swipes at the clumps of reeds there,” he said, gesturing towards the nearest one.

The noble stood nose to nose with Scorpius for a terrible moment, the stick raised to strike. Scorpius didn’t dare to look up, could only keep track of the stick from the corner of his eye, his heart beating fast.

At last the hunter turned, strode a few steps and swung with assurance toward the possible hiding place. “Ah, yes,” he said, turning back toward Scorpius to swing again.

The blow struck the back of his head, and he ducked. The yelp that formed in his chest did not get past his lips.

The noble chuckled. “Guess it can get away from you,” he said, again closing in till Scorpius could feel the noble’s breath lifting his hair. Scorpius didn’t answer other than to nod quickly.

“You seem a smart young chap.”

His mind went blank. But he had to hang onto his wits, even as his skin erupted in tiny bumps.

“How long have you been with the falconer?” the noble asked, his voice mild and unsettling.

“Three years this summer, my lord.”

“That would be the very time for which I have an interest.”

The welt along the back of Scorpius’ head burned and protested. He kept his eye on the stick.

“A smart boy like you wouldn’t forget something like a dragon sighting. Surely not.”

Scorpius’ breath snagged in his lungs. His mind flashed back to when he’d first arrived here, when the lord was stabbed to death right in front of him, as he’d hidden in the bushes outside of Richolf’s cottage.

He nearly looked up into the lord’s face.

© Julia Smith

Alice Audrey says But at least he can honestly say that yes, he had seen a dragon in that time period.

Janet says Holy Crap! Great pacing, fantastic tension - I was on the edge of my seat. And I don't like that noble!

Travis Cody says Outstanding tension.

5 on Friday - Set 21

Happy Canada Day! Which was technically yesterday, but for me I've got a four-day weekend, so it's partay!

To celebrate the 143rd birthday of The True North Strong and Free, here are five tunes or performers that are closely woven into Canadian popular culture.

For more amazing tunes, visit Travis at Trav's Thoughts.

1 - Summer Fling - k. d. lang

The smell of Sunday in our hair
You ran on the beach with Kennedy flair

Sweet, sweet burn
Of sun and summer wind
And you my friend
My newfound thing
My summer fling

Laugh...oh, how we would laugh
At anything
And so pretend
The neverending
Summer fling

- Lang / Piltch



2 - Patio Lanterns - Kim Mitchell

I'd spend half the night
Making lemonade
Which we drank a lot
Cause we were all so shy
Shy and nervous

Who was gonna be
Who would be the first to dance?
Who was gonna be
Who would be the first to kiss?
Under those patio lanterns

- Dubois / Mitchell



3 - Life is a Highway - Tom Cochrane

There's a world outside
Every darkened door
Where blues won't haunt you
Anymore
Where brave are free
And lovers soar
Come ride with me
To the distant shore

Life is a highway
I wanna ride it
All night long
If you're goin my way
I wanna drive it
All night long

- Tom Cochrane

CLICK HERE to listen the song















4 - Takin Care of Business - Bachman Turner Overdrive

I'll be
Takin care of business
Every day
Takin care of business
Every way
I've been takin care of business
It's all mine
Takin care of business
And workin overtime

Work out!

- Randy Bachman



5 - Rockin in the Free World - Neil Young

We got a thousand points of light
For the homeless man
We got a kinder, gentler
Machine gun hand

We got department stores
And toilet paper
Got styrofoam boxes
For the ozone layer

Got a man of the people
Says keep hope alive
Got fuel to burn
Got roads to drive

Keep on rockin in the free world

- Neil Young



Mike Golch says Great 5 on Friday, Happy Canada Day!

Jamie says Any excuse to listen to K.D. Lang is always welcome. Enjoy your holiday.

Linda says I just can't decide which of these great songs is going to be sticking in my head for the rest of the day! I guess it's going to be Life is a Highway while I'm Taking Care of Business!

Thursday Thirteen - 165 - 13 Things I Saw at the Halifax Pow Wow

1 - Last Saturday, after my acupuncture session in the morning, I grabbed a bite to eat and headed over to the Halifax Commons to attend my very first Pow Wow.














2 - This was part of the Membertou 400 celebrations, which honoured Chief Membertou's 1610 decision to become baptised into the Catholic faith.

Membertou could read the signs concerning the imminent migration of French settlers at the turn of the 17th century, and sought to create a diplomatic solution to an obvious culture-altering event. As a sign of good faith, he and many members of his family were baptised at Port Royal.

In fact, his embrace of the French culture smoothed the way for strong French and native relations. For a century and a half, the two peoples lived side by side in relative harmony.

Unfortunately, the arrival of the English in the mid-1700's threw this arrangement into disarray. The historic animosity between the English and French, combined with the English tendency to 'civilize' indigenous cultures, led to the mass deportation of French Acadians out of what is now the Atlantic provinces, and drove the First Nations people to retreat from contact with Europeans. What had begun as a welcoming gesture towards the church for the Mi'kmaq decayed as their previous French allies joined in the British efforts to eradicate native culture through the use of residential schools.














3 - Within the past several decades, the First Nations people have re-emerged as a vibrant cultural group.

As someone descended from the merging of the French and Mi'kmaq cultures, I've been longing to attend a pow wow for many years. When I found out that we were having one right here I could barely contain my joy.

Here the master of ceremonies opens the second day of the pow wow with a prayer in his own language. He invited all in attendance to join in, using whichever manner we were used to for praying.














4 - Then the assembled Mi'kmaq and their invited Relatives from out west and down south entered the circle, led by an Elder from Eskasoni, a native band from Cape Breton.

He was very old and walked very slowly, but he in fact danced as well as he was able, and needed no assistance in carrying the eagle standard.














5 - Following behind the Elder, there were First Nations members of the Armed Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted Police.














6 - Included in the competitive parts of the festivities were the drum circles and singers. As these groups competed, they provided the music for the dancers, who filled the circle. I loved it when the MC introduced each group and then told them to "Make 'em dance."
















7 - There were all ages involved in the pow wow. I really loved this little girl in the green dress. She was completely serious and really grooved to the music, listening carefully to the rhythms and dancing very solemnly to what she heard.
















8 - The amount of young men involved really excited me. The arts always seem to draw far more female participation than male, but here the men were out in force.

I couldn't take my eyes off them as they danced.

The guy in the hunting pose in the center of the shot also sang and drummed in one of the circles directly in front of my seat in the bleachers.














9 - After the initial opening parade through the circle, the MC called the different groups of dancers out so they could do their thing. The women included Fancy Shawl and Jingle Dancers.
















10 - I was totally impressed with the Golden Age dancers, especially this woman in the red. She had such a regal way of gesturing with her eagle feather.














11 - The men were awesome!

They included Men's Traditional and Fancy Feather Dancers.


















12 - The young dancer in blue was also a double-duty performer, drumming and singing as well as dancing, just like the young guy in black with yellow regalia.















13 - And how could I be anything but awestruck at the level of dancing done by these young performers? The little one in turquois was just amazing. At one point, as they moved around the circle, she danced on her own as the group moved along in a bunch. She was so intense, she held the crowd's attention as easily as a seasoned adult performer. So, so impressive.

Thanks for coming along to the Pow Wow with me! Hope we can get to another one soon.

Akelamalu says I would so love to see that for myself but your pictures capture everything so well. I was watching Queen Elizabeth arriving in Nova Scotia on TV last night - the mounties looked so fabulous waiting in line to greet her. :)

Anthony North says This looks a brilliant and culturally important event.

Adelle Laudan says Thanks soooo much for sharing this with us. I've researched all of what you showed me over the past couple of years for my writing. Happy T13!