#284 Weekend PerfectShawn

Today was an awesome day.  Practically perfect!

Slept in,  had some delicious home-made Pumpkin Waffles with Sauted Green Apples for breakfast. 

A walk under the fall colours with the dogs so we could all get some fresh country air. 

Then picked up Marcel's Mom and drove up Mont Orford to see more fall colours and have a delicious lunch at Auberge Quatre Saisons. Then back to her house for a bit of a visit.

And before we got back to the cottage we took a little drive and stopped off at a Native Artisans shop in Eastman.  They carry good and handicrafts from Tribes and Nations of First Nations People from all over Canada and the US.  Marcel picked up Shirt, and a pendant of his Spirit Animal (Sea Turtle) and I got him a small Wood Inlaid trinket box (also with his Spirit Animal) to store it. And I got a new Smudge Set (after having displaced an earlier one) a New Abalone Shell, some White Sage and a beautiful Raven's Feather. All the more special to me because the owner doesn't usually sell anything Crow/Raven there as it is his Tribes Sacred animal, so he didn't charge me what most of the other large Feathers were going for in the shop ($10.00, $15.00 or more) But I explain the Crow was my Spirit animal as well and so a fair trade price of $5.00.  I shook his hand when we left and said I appreciated the gesture. 

We'll be back to trade post because it's wholly owned and operated by Natives and quite frankly it's nice to be able to purchase their work and products directly from them and not some third party site on the web, or touristy shop in Old Montreal.

Back to the cottage and time to relax with the dags on the sofa and just relax and hear all the geese as the honk in the twilight hours as they rest on the lake before continuing their flight south in the morning.

#206 Feathered MeditaShawn

Mixed messages.

This morning I was out on the balcony and two crows were on a neighbouring building and cawed "hello" to me. Nice. Put a smile on my face. I waved and said "hello" back. (Yes, I really did)

I got ready and went gleefully to work. It really set the mood for my morning commute. 

Then...

I arrived at the office. Or more specifically I was walking through the parking lot towards the entrance and I saw something that made my heart stop and sink into my stomach... There was a dead crow on the lawn beside the building. I'm assuming he was flying at night and due to some upper floor offices leaving all their lights on (which confuses birds) he hit a window. From his appearance I'd guess it was quick and hopefully painless.

I love crows. I mean, I really REALLY love crows and so this was actually rather sad. 

I moved his body under one of the shrubs that circle the building and then when I looked around I saw many feathers scattered about.  I took three.

Okay, I know that sounds sick and morbid, but is it. We often pick up shed feathers at the beach, and really while these were not shed as naturally, they were loose from the body.  I will keep them and they will be a reminder to me of the fragility of life. That you never know when your time draws to a close. Enjoy the day, live in the moment and just be thankful for where you are every moment.

#195 Poetic PredicShawn

If you're familiar with the Poem about Counting Cows, you'll know that:

"Three Crows a Letter"  is the third line of the poem.

Well I received a Postcard in the mail today from the friend I recently re-connected with. The postcard was from Finland. The card was on a piece of pre-cut, black balsa wood that when you snapped out the pieces, you could put them together to form 3 crows.

I could NOT have been happier!  Receiving it on HER birthday was a little odd, but then I was already thinking of her today (and had planned on emailing her when I got home tonight - I don't know where she is at the moment... possibly still in Finland, or in Nova Scotia, back in the US or in Spain...  she does tend to travel about!)

Receiving mail in this day and age that is NOT a bill is rare and welcome.  When you can play with it and make crows, well...  simply awesome!

#125 Save the Ravens PetiShawn

I saw a post on Facebook today. A petition to stop the Idaho Government from culling over 4000 Ravens. 

Here's the thing, I absolutely love Crows and Ravens are absolutely near and dear to my heart. They are on par with Marcel, the dogs and my parents; so Idaho's plan is very disturbing to me.

If you're interested to know more about the petition and if you want to sign it yourself, click on the picture below.

#073 Lyra

100 years ago today, my Grandmother was born. 

Lyra Grace (Scott) Newbury.

I've spoken about her before, about spending time with her at her house during my summer vacations as a child. She and I are as much Family as Friends. We are birds of a feather, (crows if you asked) It is in part she who started my life long love of Crows. It was she who taught me the Counting Crows poem:

One crow sorrow,

Two crows joy,

Three crows a girl,

Four crows a boy,

Five crows silver,

Six crows gold,

Seven crows a secret never to be told.

From the moment I memorized that poem not a day has gone by that I do not repeat it in my head when I see crows. I will continue repeating it until I repeat a line for each crow I see. And while I repeat the poem, I think of her. 

She passed in May of 2008, and not a day goes by where I don't think of her. I miss her terribly.

In July of 2009 I got a memorial tattoo for her. Some might find it rude or disrespectful, because it's a crow. But to me it's the highest honour.

She sits eternally on my arm, protecting me and watching my back.

Happy Birthday Nanny.

I Love you.