solstice

Solstice - it actually means, sun standing still. It's the summer solstice today, and the sun loving, warmth loving, person I am is all too excited to celebrate the shift in seasons, the change in the sun's movement which will begin in the other direction overhead. As the days pass from here, it's difficult to believe that the days will actually get shorter. 

But yet there is still so much to look forward to in this, the time of year in the northern hemisphere where people come out of their cocoons and fly near and far embracing the ability to just, be, outside. 

Speaking of just, being, outside...

I have been spending a great deal of time outside these past weeks. I have had many experiences since I last wrote, when I was on the brink of cycling away from Fredericton. 

Oh how I love how fresh air makes me feel, how the expenditure of energy on my bicycle or working in a garden, makes me hunger for delicious food, hunger for more adventure.

To knit together what these past weeks have been for me, I want to recognize the common string of yarn that has brought it all together thus far as I reflect a bit on this, the summer solstice....

It's all these interesting, bizarre, beautiful, spirited, spiritual, challenging, inspiring, generous, cute, loveable, weird, awesome, people...

I've met and been inspired by some seriously fantastic people over the past weeks. I've also deepened my connection and admiration for old friends. The scene of the past weeks goes a bit like this...

Enter (stage right!) the Land Trust that my good friend Kira's friends I've on. There are a number of different homes that are on the same massive expanse of property, most of which are built using straw bale, and eco building designs. They have uniquely defined legally what the land is and how it is treated. On site, an old small church has been turned into a Waldorf school for the children in the community. The river boasts a million delicious fiddleheads to be eaten at every meal, much like I picked and ate during my days with the community. They grow food, they play in the moist cedar forest (which I am certain is home to tiny precious faeries), they cleverly design their homes and gardens to make sense with the other critters, plants that use the space, and recognizing the microclimates and ecozone that they are intrinsically connected with. And the way the adults with children co-parent in the most gentle and accepting way, is so so so beautiful. To know that children grow up this way, it's really special, really fills me with hope to observe as an outsider. 

Enter (stage left!) the Fallsbrook Centre (and the super youthful and fun staff behind the organization). Though they've had their challenges this past year, as they've lost their ED and moved locations, they continue to offer innovative environmental education, internships, ecological restoration, free school, the list goes on. 

Enter (centre stage!) my family. While I was in Carelton county helping out at the Landtrust I mentioned above, my Granny passed away. Grief came flowing fast, hot and heavy like huge the tears that flowed...I took a bus back to Ontario, leaving my bike in New Brunswick, to be with family, and bid farewell to dear Ollie's mortal body, and acknowledge that her spirit is free...

Enter (stage back (is that possible?)) Peggy. My mainstay in Fredericton. Quiet and meek, she is the mildest, sweetest woman, always willing to store my things, have me stay, let me use her computer...

Enter (stage right) random new friends in Moncton, who are all involved in rad social change work in some way/shape/form, and enter the comfiest bed ever with the most beautiful purple sheets that were softer then this bunny that is currently galloping around the house I write this from in Kingston, Nova Scotia. 

Enter (somewhere on the stage) the largest lobster in Canada - don't let it's claws snap off your head!

Enter empty beaches on the New Brunswick shores of the Northumberland straight. Such a warm, and solitude-full place to spend a blissful evening on my own in contemplation. And oh the sunset...over the water, viewed from my tent. How is life so beautifully simple? and how do I always end up making it so complex? Times like these, spent all alone on Murray Beach in NB puts such things at the forefront. 

Enter (centre aisle) Prince Edward Island and the Confederation Trail - flat as a pancake, packed gravel, a good ride across island! I stayed for one night with my childhood friends Aunt and Uncle, where we enjoyed easy conversation and then cycled onwards to Belle River to stay with...

Enter (back fields!) Laurel and Emma and the honey bees, cottages on beaches, green food paint, sunshine, rain shine, pollinator exclusion tents extraordinaire, and a deepening of a connection with a sister in spirit, Laurel. Gotta love her... 

Enter (outta the sound room!) Ferry rides off  Canada's wee island province, and a beautiful, long, but easy ride over to practice sitting. Just sitting...

Enter Dorje Denma Ling and the Shambala Buddist teachings. More fantastic people enter again...from near and far, monks, Buddists, non-Buddists, spiritual shoppers, but genuinely fun and friendly people, one of which I realized really had many of the same patterns as I...
I spent the week at the centre, where I sat for 1.5 hours of mindfullness meditation and chanting in the morning, worked for 5-6 hours doing grounds maintenance with a collection of fun guys (I got to paint the yellowest picnic tables ever!!) another hour of meditation in the evening...in a very short period of time, I learned a great deal about the overwhelming business of my mind, the benefits of meditation, and and and..shit, I could write 5 blog posts on just this one week. Next scene...

Enter Organic Farms and collective housing situations and an abundance of salads. Love the folks at Four Seasons Farm. They were so generous, lived in community, and were seriously into the world cup. 

Enter (everywhere on the stage) HILLS! My that Bay of Fundy Coast is spectacular, but geez, there are some serious ups and downs! 

Enter (stage side) 7 year ago friend-leagues who find you on the side of the road, feed and house you in a comfy bed!

Enter POURING RAIN. Yep, that was all over the place on my way to Wolfville. 

Enter (centre stage please) Wolfville, brimming with good people and good energy. Really liked it! and the surrounds, they were even better. I pedalled up the 14% incline gradient to reach the Lorax Farm and community. I can't say how much I loved the beauty of the people the place the community that I found here. It caused a pain in my chest, it was too beautiful....

Enter Nova Scotian music festivals!

Enter many consecutively long bike rides. 

Next: Windhorse Farm! South Shore! Halifax! Cape Breton. 

Good Night longest day of the year. Goodnight sunshine...giver of so so so much life life life. 

Life. So much life.