A Symphony of Seasonal Sounds

There's something about living in a place that juts out into the most notoriously unevenly tempered ocean on our wonderful planet. Particularly when you're not too far north for bitter cold or too far south for gentle warmth.

We hover somewhere in between. Living on such a turbulent edge of seasons and natures fell moods makes for one of those sublime perks that is Nova Scotia - the seasonal symphony sounds ones ear can attune to.

In winter it is that quick crack of water and syrup freezing under the bark of the trees as the temperature plunges downward. The woods behind our house snap and pop in a cacophony of chill, a gentle breeze tossing an undercurrent swoosh. When the snow has laid it's canopy over the land and the air is brittle as you walk, that distinctive crunch underfoot wakes you up and carries you hurriedly forward. At times when the snow is heavy and falling hard, caught between freezing rain and ice pellets, the sound against the trees is a mesmerizing

When spring descends upon the land like a warm face-towel at the end of a long red-eye flight through the night it awakens you so suddenly. As if the harsh scrubbing of winter had left the land clear to breathe and start anew. Spring rains hypnotize one to sleep, the uncurling leaves bring a sweet undercurrent of happiness in their song. Falling maple seeds spin and if you listen close, they sound of laughter. Different birds take up their songs and familiar tunes are sung of new birth and delights of the rising early worms.

As spring fades and brightens into summer come, the lap of the waves on the seashores around the province seem to calm, as if the sea were laying down it's angry concerto of the winter and spring months. The tempests and squalls will be but interludes to the pervading calm.

Summer rests hot and humid as august rolls in. The blanketing of a fog just the soft timpani of a muted drum over the land. Drops of moisture like the soft bells across the land. Ones heart is restful then, yet chuckling inside.

As autumn rolls in, the colours of the land turn into brilliant cascades of light. Accompanying this Manet's canvass is the gentle rustle and fall of leaves. In the quiet of a sun-dappled glade as one sits, the falling leaves are gentle in their sound and a sigh escapes them, promising they will return with the turn of the seasons.

Where else in the world is one surrounded by such an ever changing symphony of sounds to inspire and ignite so many emotions? No wonder so many musicians, artists and authors have found such inspiration in this province...

(Photo Credit: Dave Saunders Photography on Flickr)

The Clouds of Nova Scotia

Clouds. Yes, we get our share of them in Nova Scotia, but as we say around here "if you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes..." it's close enough to true. Part of the distinct advantage of living on the coast of one of the most dynamic oceans in the world.

As I looked at the clouds in the setting sun yesterday evening, I realized why so many artists have been inspired in this province hanging by a thread off the eastern edge of Canada. The warm haziness and soft yellow of the sun dappling the backyard. If clouds could smile, they must have been, with the sun tickling their bellies in the fading day.

The clouds in Nova Scotia seem to set a tone everyday. Large and bulging with the threat of rain, scattered and loose like escaped cottonballs or stretched and thin with neither promise nor mirth. One minute you'll feel the drama set by the clouds and the next they are wistful.

Inspiring either way. Just one of those small things in this little place off the Atlantic...

(Image: Courtesy, "Dave the Haligonian" on Flickr)

Discovering Nova Scotia Gems

Yet another one of the great little things I love about living in Nova Scotia is the way you can stumble across talent in the real and virtual world here.

Tonight I was going through my Twitter "follows" of recent and came across a very talented Nova Scotia artist. She's active on Twitter and on the Web...because of Twitter, I was able to view, and admire, her work. Her name is Mary Ann Archibald (her painting picture left, and hope she doesn't mind me putting it there!) and she has quite an accomplished career behind her.

From spring through fall I drive all over this province with my camera and go hiking, ready to shoot a shot of a unique spot or a stunning seasonal moment..and sometimes just the bland moments in our lives. Yet as you drive the winding roads of Nova Scotia, and we have some great twisty roads, I like to rev my Jag down into low gear and howl it out onto the tight corners, you can also discover highly talented artisans.

In fact, Nova Scotia seems to have sprouted quite a few artisans judging from the Studio Map a good long-time friend and associated gave to me recently. This coming spring/summer I'm going to be sure to explore the artisans in our province more. The few times I've stopped into a gallery I've enjoyed some great chats and even ended up purchasing a few pieces here and there.

There are so many gifts this little province offers that we miss when we're not looking..online or off!