GRAVENHURST BLOG
Since the fall of 1989, I’ve been watching out over these shadowy old woodlands, we call with deep devotion, "The Bog," and I don’t think anyone is more tuned to the change of the seasons than me. Yet it is in the winter season that this 20 acre lowland is most engaging and altogether haunted but in a good and friendly way. It’s the season when I love to get back to the interior to see the way the snow has drifted over the lowland, and encased the north side of the evergreen and birch forest. In all these years looking out this portal, from our bungalow we call Birch Hollow, I’ve never found a shortage of things to write about. Today the view is strikingly beautiful, and it makes me so glad I made a decision to remain in Muskoka, back in my early years, when I had tempting job offers from other parts of the province. I knew nothing else in Ontario was going to be as motivating as these moody woods over the four seasons. And since 1989 I’ve written enough editorial copy to fill my office to overflowing yet, I can’t wait to sit at this keyboard each morning, eager to start another interesting project. I do, without apology, spend a great deal of time daydreaming about this place on earth, and my place within. Then it’s truly time to take a stroll with dog Bosko for a dose of reality.
A very significant number of the writing and research projects we have undertaken, in the past five years, in particular, have all been launched with Gravenhurst as the background. While we don’t go to great ends to promote this, other than what you can read on my online business and professional sites, we do know the importance of working in a place we feel comfortable and inspired. Lately, despite some political differences of opinion with local politicians, I’ve realized that my hometown has become even more important in our creative jags, so much so that we now fully appreciate what that comfort zone has really meant. I can’t work in an environment that doesn’t inspire me. Period. I might as well roll up the old keyboard and move on. I’m too set in my ways to not take this seriously. I’m also superstitious and you’d be surprised about the routine I set out for myself before start another writing day. The point is, and I’ve noted this frequently in my blogs, Gravenhurst has never had to put out any measure of extravagance to keep me living here. All I’ve asked for is a little space and latitude to come and go on my adventures, feel the spirit of a good and caring town, find good neighbors around me, and see the Muskoka woodlands whenever I want. We nearly lost our neighborhood greenbelt, several years ago, when the town thought it would be neat to sell it off, and open the door to the earth movers to expand the residential community. The reason we purchased in Gravenhurst, was in part, the great view next door. Fortunately our good neighbors joined together to mount a force to be reckoned with, and the town backed away from the idea. Since then however, I’ve never taken this property, or this view for granted. To think of it being compromised is still a dull ache in my heart. To look out on this snowscape today, is sheer magnificence of nature undisturbed. I wish everyone could see this in their work day, like I enjoy from my portal at Birch Hollow, during my business hours.
We offer heartfelt family greetings to our many friends and readers, for a wonderful Christmas season, and a Happy New Year. Please take the time to visit some of the other blog and web sites that we have just recently published in late 2009. Watch for my column in Curious; The Tourist Guide, monthly again, beginning on February 1st, 2010.
Drive safely out there. Have a safe and healthy holiday season most of all!