“Those who contemplate the beauty of the Earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” — Rachel Carson Growing up, I rode ponies and climbed trees and swam in lakes. These experiences weren’t always comfortable or happy. However, these were the experiences which taught me how to be independent, curious,…
Tag: nature
Nature as the ‘Other’
Where my skin ends And the “other” begins, Is a space to make choices. I move, I walk, and my body Burns energy, glowing energy, Moving under my skin. Sitting in a house, a car Everywhere, air-conditioned air Leaves me feeling – Hot, cold, tired, dry. Moving on my own two feet Feeling sun-soaked air…
Riverside Park, Cambridge Ontario
On one of those January days where the air is crisp, the breeze low, and the sun bright, I headed out to Riverside Park in Cambridge, Ontario. Riverside Park covers an impressive 102 hectares; it is Cambridge’s largest community park. Visitors can take a hike along one of the many flat and well-maintained trails any…
The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey
Abbey, Edward. (1990). The Monkey Wrench Gang. Utah: Dream Garden Press. Four main characters, who meet randomly in serendipitous circumstances and are united in their common hatred of industry, drive the plot of The Monkey Wrench Gang. Bonnie Abbzug, a mix of Jewish heritage, cabaret training, and university education, is the beautiful young lover of…
The Painted Bird by Jerzy Kosinski
Kosinski, Jerzy. (1965). The Painted Bird. Grove Press; New York. Let me begin this review by providing the potential reader with a warning – this book describes incredibly disturbing acts of violence and sexual depravity. The plot follows a young boy, abandoned by his parents during World War II, as he wanders from one village…
Two Unpublished Research Projects
There are certain days when I pile through my old university files and feel nostalgic about the younger me who pursued abstracted research with a clear heart, believing totally in the value and importance of said investigations. Two of these projects stand out to me as being particularly original – they were fully ‘my’ ideas…
The Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse
Hesse, Herman. (2002, 1927). Steppenwolf. Picador; United Kingdom. My first exposure to the work of Herman Hesse was in his most well-known book, Siddhartha. While Siddhartha relies heavily on the stories and principles of Eastern mysticism to engage with a series of (very distinct) self-discovery experiences, Steppenwolf is set in European culture and addresses the…
Winter at the Royal Botanical Gardens
Although the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG), located on Plains Road West in Burlington Ontario, is better seen in the summer, their winter programming also promises much in the way of nature-based educational entertainment. While visiting the RBG Centre this past March Break, I had the chance to see their exhibit on Savage Gardens/Nature’s Ninjas. All…
Glen Bernard Summer Camp – Sundridge, Ontario
Though Glen Bernard Summer Camp isn’t meant for hikers only, it was a part of Ontario which afforded me many beautiful pictures and fond memories. Anyone interested in outdoor pursuits should visit the general area encompassing Glen Bernard Summer Camp – known to tourists and residents alike as the Almaguin Highlands Region – at least…
Hiking, Trails, Google, and Some Fun Ideas
Over the past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Thames Valley Trail Association’s (TVTA) 40th Anniversary, which partnered with the Hike Ontario Annual Summit. Besides being an informative and inspiring event, it took place in the beautiful and newly-renovated Watershed Conservation Centre with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA). Some of the…
Returning to Reality
After a lovely weekend away at camp for the COEO conference, I’m having a hard time facing the reality of life once again. The weather on Saturday was particularly beautiful, and I slipped away from the crowds of people quite often to gaze in rapture at the yellows, reds, and oranges adorning the trees. Leaves…
A Weekend Away at Camp
This weekend, I will be heading up north to spend some time at the Glen Bernard Camp as a part of the “The Unconvention” hosted by the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario (COEO). I’m going to be leaving my laptop at home – so, no emails, no Twitter, no Facebook. My phone will only…
Maria Legault 