Just as Saturna anticipates our upcoming artists' show on
March 16 and visions of spring skip up everywhere, I'm looking at some photos I
took just recently. Photos of being snowed-in! A reminder of how very surprising
life, even a fairly simple life, can be.
 |
| path from our place, Saturna Island (Janet Strayer photos) |
Spring comes relatively early in this part of Canada. Earlier in
February we'd already seen the crocuses and daffodils up from the
earth, the sun smiling upon them for several days with the promise of spring.
Then POW!
Large powdery flakes of snow took over the terrain during
the last weekend of February. The sky turned white. The sea a pewter grey. No
sight of the distant mountains. Few clear edges at all. The temperature
dropped dramatically. Still, it was beautiful on our land at Saturna. But it was cold. Very
cold.
 |
| Janet Strayer studio (before the tree hit it) |
We hadn't been at our home for a week, leaving it without
heat. On arrival, it takes about an hour to heat up the house by raising the thermostats. This time, we had about half an hour of electricity before the power went totally out!
Many islands were affected,
including Saturna. We could hear trees falling nearby as we walked the path you
see.
No power at our place for nearly three days. Cold and
getting colder. No heat, no electric light. Our one central fireplace was
huffing and puffing so much we'd used up most of the stored dry wood and were
cutting some wet logs. Smoky. Even with the fireplace going, we wore hats and gloves in
the house.
No painting for me -- fingers much too stiff and mind unable to
thaw. What a disappointment as I so look forward to my studio time, painting. Life
was reduced to basics: shelter, food, and appreciation for what we had.
The power came back after about three days and we decided to
try to drive out and take the ferry to Vancouver. We had work to do there, too. One route was blocked by fallen trees, and our wheels couldn't get
enough traction through the snow. The other route was steeper but shorter and
downhill. We made it.
Stopping at the store beside the ferry terminal to revisit
the current Art Saturna show, I had a huge surprise.
My painting wasn't there! What?
Terrible? Not at all. It had just been sold. One of my worst weekends and it was
topped off by this very welcome news. My thanks and good wishes to the couple
who purchased my painting. May it join you in your home with all the warmth
and abiding meaning art can convey.
Back at Saturna now, two weeks later, there's a fallen tree
atop my studio. It seems to have done little damage and can be chopped for firewood. All in
all, it's quite an eventful life we lead...or wander our way through.
If you would like to read more about my eclectic take on
this eventful life (travels, art, creative tips and adventures), please see my blog at
janetstrayer.blogspot.ca.
