Thursday 29 September 2016

Think of the North

Think of the North - September 2016 - NorthernShy

I think of the North. What it represents to me. Here in the city, when I see the leaves starting to turn, I see the North. When conditions are right and the air is cool and crisp, I smell the North. When people on the street smile and make a brief connection when passing, I feel the North. I don’t have to be there. I don’t have to be in the physical space that is the North. Even though I love that space. I’m here. And I can find the North here. I think of the North and it sets me free.

Sunday 24 July 2016

Three Wishes

Three Wishes - May 2016 - NorthernShy

I’m a saver. Pick up something new & it’ll sit for a while before I wear/use it. Find that special piece that I just know would look good in my art journal but – it is stored away. Rainy day, rainy day, keep it for a rainy day. So would I use those 3 wishes? Would I make everything right; would I ask for more time; would I save the world? Or would I wait. Because that would be me. That would be something I’d do. Perhaps my first wish should be not to be me. But then my wishes still wouldn’t be wished. So I have to stay me and hold onto my three. Save them for that rainy day. And who knows, maybe that day is today. I wish I knew.

Saturday 21 May 2016

if flowers were poems

if flowers were poems - May 2016 - NorthernShy


if flowers were poems
i'd write them all day
a story in colour
till nightfall i'd stay
the garden a notebook
the camera the pen
blooming a sentence
it's spring time again

Sunday 10 April 2016

What I See

Winter Wings - January 2016 - Northernshy

Recognizing patterns & themes in your life can be interesting, and sometimes a little scary too. I’m thinking today about ‘sight'.

I have an Aunt who has not been able to see for quite some time.  She lives alone, far away from us, so that is a worry. More recently, I have an Uncle who is losing his sight. He also lives far away from us. Each are “out of sight”, one might say. Each one is from a different side of the family; genetics covered.

This weekend I experienced a problem with one of my eyes. A trip to the optometrist tells me that what is happening is common for people over 50. However, due to my symptoms, over the next month or so I am at risk of vision loss. 

As someone who takes photographs and creates art – my passion is related to how I see the world. This blog is where I write about how I see the world. 

I did not think until this weekend that I would suddenly be concerned about how I literally “see” the world. Troubling. And then I randomly stumble upon a video, from Quebec Tourism of all places, about the spectacular trip of a blind tourist. Well. If that doesn’t take the cake. Just when I’m worrying about vision loss (in ONE eye) I see this guy who can't see enjoying all the “sights” with such joy. Google it – it is fabulous. And it just goes to show that life really is how you see it – whether you can, or whether you can’t.  

Friday 15 January 2016

January

January - January 2016 - NorthernShy

January is here, looking at us sharply, with dark, steely eyes, and a cold so cold it’s hot on our skin. What can we do, except look back at it defiantly, finding a warm edge to that hardened gaze, glinting with promises of once-in-awhile sunshine and better things to come.  January is here.