CHRISTMAS IN MUSKOKA - THE RAIN, THE WINDS, THE FLASH-FREEZE, OH WELL; IT'S AUTUMN IN GOD'S COUNTRY
AT FIVE O'CLOCK, THIS EVENING, THE SKY TO THE SOUTH WAS, AS SUZANNE SAID, "TOM THOMSON-ESQUE." LOOKING TO THE NORTH, IT WAS A "A.Y. JACKSON-ESQUE" SKY. WE'RE GROUP OF SEVEN FANATICS, SO A LOT OF OUR ANALOGIES, HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THEIR ART WORK. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A PRETTY PICTURE, ON ITS OWN MERIT, IF WE DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE WIND WARNING FOR SOUTH MUSKOKA. THIS WAS A PAINTED SKY THAT WAS LEAPING OFF THE HYPOTHETICAL CANVAS. YES, IT WAS GOING TO BE A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT. THE PERFECT BACKGROUND WEATHER IF YOU WERE THROWING A MURDER-MYSTERY EVENT. STROLLING WITH THE DOG MAY BE A LITTLE CHALLENGING, DEPENDING IF THE DOG IS BIGGER THAN DOROTHY'S "TOTO." LOTS OF ICE OUT THERE TO TRIP YOU UP, AND WIND TO BLOW YOU AWAY.
AS I SIT HERE, OVERLOOKING THE MAIN STREET OF OUR LITTLE BURG, MID AFTERNOON ON MONDAY, THE RADIO NEWS IS WARNING THAT WE ARE IN FOR A WILD NIGHT OF HIGH WINDS, RAIN, DROPPING TEMPERATURES, AND FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, SNOW SQUALLS. WELL, IF YOU LIKE VARIETY OF WEATHER, INCUMBENT OF THE SEASON, THIS IS GOING TO BE AN EXCITING LATE FALL AND WINTER SEASON. THE BIGGEST DISADVANTAGE, I SUPPOSE, IS THAT WE'RE ENTERING THAT ZONE OF THE COLDER SEASON OF THE YEAR, WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF MUCH UNOBSTRUCTED SUNSHINE. IF YOU HAVE A NEED FOR BRIGHTNESS IN YOUR DAYS, YOU MAY WANT TO FIND SOME INDOOR LIGHTING SUBSTITUTES. AT LEAST WITH A CANOPY OF SNOW, IT'S MUCH MORE PLEASING TO THE EYE, THAN THE GREY AND BROWNS OF LATE AUTUMN. I'M PLEASED EITHER WAY, BUT AS A FELLOW WHO HAS A LOT OF TREES ON HIS PROPERTY, HEARING NEWS OF HIGH WINDS ALWAYS MAKES ME PENSIVE. A FLASH FREEZE WILL STOP THE SNOW FROM DIMINISHING TOO QUICKLY, WHICH UNABATED COULD CAUSE FLOODING CONDITIONS HERE IN SOUTH MUSKOKA. I'VE JUST WATCHED TWO ARGUMENTS TAKE PLACE, JUST TO THE SIDE OF OUR MUSKOKA ROAD SHOP, PROBABLY FAMILY MATTERS: BUT I WONDER IF THE BLEAK ATMOSPHERE MADE THINGS WORSE. WHO KNOWS. I DON'T THINK I WITNESSED CHRISTMAS SPIRIT HOWEVER, BUT THE GATHERINGS HAVE NOW DISPERSED WITH NO REAL CASUALTY OTHER THAN SOME HURT FEELINGS TO PATCH-UP. THE RUBBER NECKERS WERE OUT IN FULL FORCE, SO THEY MAY SUFFER FROM MUSCLE STIFFNESS LATER TONIGHT. I DIDN'T HAVE TO STRAIN MY NECK TO SEE IT UNFOLDING.
THE TRAFFIC THIS AFTERNOON IS HEAVY, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHY. I SUPPOSE, WITH THE PENDING BAD WEATHER, NO ONE WISHES TO WALK UP THE STREET, WHEN THEY CAN MOTOR THEIR WAY ALONG. THE HEAVY AND DARK CLOUD COVER, AND THE FACT IT IS NOW AFTER FOUR O'CLOCK, HAS GENERATED LIGHT SENSORS TO SWITCH-ON THE STORE SIGNS EARLIER THAN NORMAL. I'VE FELT A COUPLE OF TUGS AT THE CAR, FROM THE GUSTING WIND, AND IT APPEARS ON THE VERGE OF A TORRENTIAL RAIN AT ANY MOMENT. THE BANNERS ON THE LAMP POSTS ARE STARTING TO CATCH THE WIND, AND THE UPPER BOUGHS OF A DISTANT PINE ARE WAVERING AGAINST THE HORIZON BRIGHTNESS OF AN OLD SUN. THE CANADIAN FLAG AT THE POST OFFICE RISES QUICKLY IN THE SUDDEN WIND GUSTS, AND THEN FALLS BACK TO ITS POSITION, HANGING STRAIGHT DOWN. IT HAS REPEATED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST TEN MINUTES. YUP, SOMETHING ROUGH IS BREWING OUT THERE, SO IT SHOULD BE AN INTERESTING EVENING AT BIRCH HOLLOW; HOPEFULLY MY NEIGHBOR'S PINE TREES REMAINING UPRIGHT. WE JUST GOT A NEW ROOF, SO I'M OVERLY PROTECTIVE. MY LAST ROOF SUPPORTED THE WEIGHT OF SEVERAL TOWERING POPLARS, A COUPLE OF BIRCH TREES, AND AT LEAST TWENTY PINE BOUGHS, THAT FELL IN STORMS, WHICH CERTAINLY DIDN'T ENHANCE THE WEATHER RESISTANCE OF MY SHINGLES. THANKFULLY, NO MATTER WHAT WAS THROWN AT THEM, THE SHINGLES HELD TIGHT. I'M REASONABLY CONFIDENT THE NEW ONES WILL BE TOUGH AS WELL, BUT WE HAVE A LOT MORE TREES TO TEST JUST HOW TOUGH.
THE CATS GET PRETTY FREAKY IN STORMS LIKE THIS, AND BURROW INTO SMALL SPACES, AS IF TO LET US KNOW, THEY EXPECT A WIZARD OF OZ SCENARIO TO UNFOLD. I JUST DON'T THINK THEY APPRECIATE THAT, IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY WILL STILL BE SPIRALING THROUGH THE AIR RIGHT BEHIND US; BELOW OR ABOVE US.
BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES AS THEY SAY. I'M REMINDED ABOUT MY FATHER HAVING SURVIVED WIND AND ICE STORMS, SERVING ON THE WAR SHIP "COATICOOK," AS PART OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON, DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR. I'VE SEEN PICTURES OF THE ICE BUILD-UP ON THE DECK OF THE SHIP, THAT HAD TO BE CLEARED OFF, IN ORDER TO KEEP THE BALANCE OF THE SHIP IN HIGH SEAS. AS MY DAD EXPLAINED, THIS WAS A CASE, WHEN YOU DEFINITELY WANTED TO BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR FOOTSTEPS, OR ELSE. SEEING AS I PROBABLY WON'T HAVE TO BATTLE HIGH SEAS, OR CHIP ICE OFF THE VERANDAH, TO AVOID THE HOUSE CAPSIZING, I'LL PROBABLY BE ABLE TO SCOOT THROUGH THE EVENING, WITHOUT ENGAGING THE CHAINSAW; WHICH I DON'T OWN BY THE WAY. MY BIGGEST INVESTMENT IN MECHANICS, AS FAR AS FORESTRY GOES, ARE THE PIONEER BUCK SAWS AND AXES IN THE SHED. SUZANNE WON'T LET ME OWN TWO MACHINES SHE THINKS WOULD KILL ME. A CHAINSAW FOR ONE, AND A CHOPPER (LIKE PETER FONDA RODE IN THE MOVIE "EASY RIDER.") I CONCUR BECAUSE I KNOW SHE'S RIGHT. DOESN'T MEAN A FELLOW CAN'T DAYDREAM.
THE CLOUDS ARE JUST WHIPPING BY, ALONG THE HORIZON, AND THE GUSTS HAVE BEEN GETTING STRONGER AND CLOSER TOGETHER, IN THE PAST FIFTEEN MINUTES, BUT IT HASN'T SUCKED UP THE VEHICLE YET. I'D HATE TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN BEFORE DINNER. THERE'S FRESHLY MADE CHILI AT HOME, SO BY GOLLY, I'M GOING TO FIGHT THE ELEMENTS. I MUST BE FED BEFORE I BECOME PART OF THE ATMOSPHERE. IF YOU SHOULD SEE MY, OR BIRCH HOLLOW FLYING BY YOUR WINDOW, YOU CAN WRITE TOMORROW'S BLOG FOR ME.
A GOOD BOOK, SOME INSPIRING ART, INVIGORATING MUSIC, SOOTHING CLASSICS, AND SOME EGG NOGG - MY CHRISTMAS IN MUSKOKA
I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR FOR WHAT IT DOESN'T HAVE OF EXPECTATION
THE CHRISTMAS SEASON, FOR MY BRIDE AND I, IS USUALLY A QUIET ONE. EVEN AT THE SHOP, THE PACE IS PRETTY SLOW THIS TIME OF YEAR, AND AFTER A BUSY SUMMER SEASON, WHICH THIS YEAR DIDN'T SLOW DOWN UNTIL THE END OF OCTOBER, WE'RE ALL A LITTLE WEARY OF WORK. DON'T GET ME WRONG. WE LIKE HAVING A BUSY SHOP, BUT ANYONE CONNECTED TO THE TOURISM INDUSTRY, KNOWS HOW DEMANDING THE SEASON CAN BE, SERVING OUR VISITORS AND COTTAGERS. THE ANTIQUE SHOP AND VINTAGE MUSIC BUSINESS, HERE ON MUSKOKA ROAD, DOUBLES AS OUR RECREATION ROOM, AT THIS GENTLER TIME OF YEAR, AND WE CONSIDER CUSTOMERS, ALL PART OF OUR CHRISTMAS GATHERING. THEY DON'T KNOW THIS, AHEAD OF TIME, BUT IT'S JUST THE WAY WE LOOK AT IT, AS SOMETHING TO RELAX THE YEARLY STRESSES. IT'S THE ONE TIME OF THE YEAR, AND FOR A SOLID MONTH, THAT WE DROP OUR FORMALITIES A TAD, AND VISIT WITH OUR FRIENDS A LITTLE LONGER. IN THE SUMMER SEASON, WE CAN'T CARRY ON CONVERSATIONS FOR MORE THAN A FEW MOMENTS, BEFORE OUR SERVICES ARE REQUIRED ELSEWHERE. WE DON'T HAVE STAFF. WHEN YOU DO BUSINESS WITH US, YOU WILL BE DEALING WITH A YOUNGER OR OLDER CURRIE. IF THE STAFF MEMBER'S NAME DOESN'T END WITH "CURRIE," YOU'RE EITHER PAYING THE WRONG CLERK, OR IN A DIFFERENT SHOP ALTOGETHER. CULTURALLY, AND SOCIALLY, IT'S GREAT TO HAVE A LESS DEMANDING OFF-SEASON. IT'S THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN WE CAN SIT DOWN FOR A COFFEE IN THE SHOP AND TALK ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS, HISTORY OR MUSIC. OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT TURNS YOUR CRANK. IT MAY BE A DRAG ON THE SHOP ECONOMY, BUT WE'VE BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS LONG ENOUGH, TO KNOW HOW TO FACTOR-IN THE WINTER MONTHS, BANKING A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA TO SEE US THROUGH THE SEASON OF SQUALLS. AS WE ARE A HOMETOWN BUSINESS, THAT HONORS TRADITIONS ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY, WE WANT IT TO BE A FESTIVE RESPITE FOR ALL THOSE WHO WISH TO VISIT. POINT IS, OUR HOUSE IS TOO SMALL TO HAVE A BIG CHRISTMAS, SO WE JUST TRANSFER OUR MERRY CHRISTMAS UPTOWN. IT'S NOT LIKE WE SERVE TURKEY AND PUMPKIN PIE TO ALL OUR GUESTS, BUT WE DO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BESTOW CHRISTMAS CHEER, AND WELCOME OUR PATRONS TO ROAM AT WILL, RECLINE IN OUR NOSTALGIA ROOM AT THE BACK, AND ENJOY THE COMFORTS OF SOME GOOD BOOKS. WE HAVE CHAIRS FOR FOLKS TO SIT FOR A SPELL. IT'S MORE A CURRIE TRADITION, THAT GOES BACK THIRTY YEARS, EVEN BEFORE WE HAD KIDS. SUZANNE AND I ARE VERY TRADITIONAL AND HERITAGE-SENSITIVE, SO OUR CHRISTMASES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FAMILY ORIENTED, WITH ALL THE HISTORIC AND HEIRLOOM ATTRIBUTES WE CAN MUSTER.
HONESTLY THE MOST IMPORTANT REALITY OF OUR MUSKOKA CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS, IS THE TOTAL RELAXATION FACTOR. FOR ELEVEN MONTHS, WE WORK IN THE SHOP SIX DAYS A WEEK, AND HUSTLE ANTIQUES ON ROAD TRIPS, ON THE SEVENTH. WHEN SUZANNE WAS TEACHING, AND WE HAD OUR BRACEBRIDGE SHOP, WE OFTEN TRAVELLED ON SUNDAYS, TO GATHER INVENTORY. WE HAVE ALWAYS MADE ANTIQUE HUNTING RECREATIONAL, SO WE CAN'T CLAIM IT AS SHOULDER-TO-THE-GRINDSTONE WORK; BUT TRUTHFULLY, IT IS STILL A TIRING LABOR, EVEN AS MUCH AS WE LOVE OUR ADVENTURES.
DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, WE BRING THE WHOLE WORK-THING DOWN TO A MANAGEABLE ROAR. WE ARE HOME-BODIES FROM THE FIRST OF DECEMBER TO THE SECOND OF JANUARY. THIS IS THE REASON WE TURN THE SHOP, IN A STRANGE METAMORPHOSIS, INTO OUR SLIGHTLY-SEPARATED FAMILY ROOM, THAT ALSO HAPPENS, CONVENIENTLY, TO HAVE STUFF FOR SALE. WE MIGHT EVEN BE CAUGHT, DURING THIS TIME, WEARING SLIPPERS AND PANTS THAT LOOK A LOT LIKE PAJAMAS. WE ALSO HUNT-UP TACKY CHRISTMAS SWEATERS, AND WE LIKE TO SEE OUR CUSTOMERS LAUGH AT OUR FESTIVE FOLLIES. MAYBE ANDREW WILL DON A SANTA'S CAP, AND JACKET, AND MAKE RATHER MERRY AT HIS CHORE OF RE-STRINGING GUITARS AND MANDOLINS. ROBERT MIGHT WHIP UP SOME FROTHY HOT CHOCOLATE OR EGG NOGG, AND SUZANNE COULD EASILY GO ON A HOME-COOKING BINGE, AND FILL THE SHOP TIN WITH FRESLY BAKED COOKIES. MY TASK? I TAP OUT CHRISTMAS STORIES FOR THIS BLOG, AND FOR THE OTHER MEDIA OUTLETS, THAT I HELP FILL THE OPEN SPACE ON PAGES, BETWEEN THE ADVERTISEMENTS; AND AS IF THIS ISN'T ENOUGH, SUZANNE WILL GIVE ME CHORES TO DO, BUT WITH ONLY THE KINDEST INTENT. I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THIS!
THE REALITY IS, WE LOVE THE CHRISTMAS SEASON, ESPECIALLY HERE IN SOUTH MUSKOKA, AND GRAVENHURST SPECIFICALLY, AND WE WANT TO CELEBRATE AN OLD FASHIONED HOLIDAY WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS. IT'S GREAT FUN HAVING OUR FRIENDS DROP BY FOR A VISIT, AND QUITE FREQUENTLY, A JAM SESSION WILL BREAK OUT, GIVING US INMATES, A MUSICAL TREAT TO MORE FULLY HIGHLIGHT THE SEASON. IT'S A TIME FOR THE OWNERS OF THIS ENTERPRISE, TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE SOME COOKIES AND A HOT BEVERAGE AS WELL. IN THE BUSY SUMMER SEASON, WE SIT DOWN AT BREAKFAST, AND AGAIN AT NIGHT, AFTER THE BUSINESS OF THE DAY. THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS ONE WE CLAIM AS A WORKING VACATION, BUT LET ME TELL YOU, WE ENJOY SHARING IT WITH OUR FRIENDS. TO US, THAT'S WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT. WE'VE GOT ALL KINDS OF TOYS TO PLAY WITH HERE, AND BY GOLLY, WE SHARE THEM ALL THE TIME.
IT GIVES US A LOT OF PLEASURE, TO LET OUR FRIENDS HAVE ACCESS TO OUR VINTAGE INSTRUMENTS, THAT WE HAVE AS STUDIO EQUIPMENT, FOR RECORDING PURPOSES. AT CHRISTMAS WE DON'T BOOK MANY RECORDING SESSIONS, SO WE INVITE FOLKS TO HAVE A LITTLE PEEK, WHERE SOME OF OUR TALENTED, AND NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED MUSICIAN FRIENDS, COME FOR A LITTLE RESPITE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IT'S PRETTY NEAT BEING ME, BECAUSE I GET TO MEET WITH THESE TRAVELING MUSICIANS, WHO HAVE COME TO CHECK OUT THE SHOP; BUT FIND A FEW MOMENTS TO SIT DOWN IN THE STUDIO, TO HAVE A CHAT. WHAT GREAT ROAD STORIES I'VE HEARD FROM THESE KINDLY FOLKS, WHO WILLINGLY SHARE THEIR ADVENTURES WITH US. AND THEY DON'T MIND TALKING TO THE WRITER, HUNKERED DOWN IN THE CORNER OF THE STUDIO, THE BOYS CALL, "OH, THAT'S JUST MY DAD." I CAN'T SHARE THE NAMES OF ALL THE CANADIAN AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED MUSICIANS WHO VISIT HERE, OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, BECAUSE SOME ARE TRYING TO ESCAPE THE MEDIA FUSS AND BOTHER, AND WE PROTECT THEIR PRIVACY WHEN VISITING. THERE ARE OTHERS WHO FEEL THE EXACT OPPOSITE, AND LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH OUR OTHER MUSICIAN FRIENDS, AND CUSTOMERS, EVEN PLAYING SOME TUNES WHILE THEY'RE HERE. ONE AFTERNOON, AT AROUND THANKSGIVING, A BLUE GRASS BAND SET UP IN OUR FOYER AND PLAYED A FULL SET FOR OUR CUSTOMERS. THEY ASKED IF THEY COULD, AND WELL, YOU COULDN'T GET A BETTER PRICE. IT WAS NEAT AND THE CUSTOMERS SEEMED TO ENJOY THAT HAPPENSTANCE OF THE WHOLE AFFAIR. THE GROUP WAS ON THEIR WAY NORTH TO ANOTHER EVENT, AND JUST WANTED A BIT OF PRE-CONCERT PRACTICE IN OUR FOYER. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN, BUT WHEN IT DOES, WE WELCOME THE INTRUSION ON OUR BUSINESS DAY, FOR SURE.
ANOTHER OF THE CURRIE TRADITIONS, I STARTED EVEN BEFORE I GOT MARRIED, WAS TO SET SOME RECREATIONAL / CULTURAL PROJECTS FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF DECEMBER, THAT WE'VE EITHER PUT-OFF THROUGH THE YEAR, OR THAT WE HAVE DETERMINED IS ABSOLUTELY SOMETHING WE HAVE TO DO, BY THE END OF THE ROLLING YEAR; IN ORDER TO BALANCE THE WORK OF THE PREVIOUS ELEVEN MONTHS, WITH THE PLEASURES WE OFTEN CAN'T FIT IN OTHERWISE. SUZANNE LIKES TO BAKE CHRISTMAS TREATS, AND HER FAMOUS CHRISTMAS CAKE. I LIKE TO WATCH MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS-SEASON MOVIES AND TELEVISION SHOWS, AND CATCH-UP ON READING. I'VE ALREADY IDENTIFIED ONE BOOK THAT I'VE DECIDED TO RE-READ. IT'S A BIOGRAPHY OF CANADIAN GROUP OF SEVEN ARTIST, A.Y. JACKSON, WRITTEN BY THE PAINTER'S FRIEND AT THE TIME, O.J. FIRESTONE. IT IS ENTITLED "THE OTHER A.Y. JACKSON, A MEMOIR," AND WAS PUBLISHED BY MCCLELLAND AND STEWART, IN 1979. THE ARTIST HAD DIED IN APRIL OF 1974, WHILE A RESIDENT OF A NURSING HOME, NEAR THE VILLAGE OF KLEINBURG, ONTARIO, NOT FAR FROM HIS FAVORITE LATE-LIFE HANG-OUT AT THE MCMICHAEL GALLERY IN KLEINBURG.
I ENJOY READING ARTIST AUTOBIOGRAPHIES, AND I'VE READ JACKSON'S "A PAINTER'S COUNTRY," TWICE NOW. THERE'S A GREAT STORY IN IT ABOUT JACKSON AND HIS CANOEING PARTNER, DUMPING THEIR CANOE IN THE MOON RIVER NEAR BALA. BUT I PREFER THAT I MATCH-UP AUTO-BIOGRAPHIES WITH CORRESPONDING NO-HOLDS-BARRED BIOGRAPHIES, WRITTEN BY UNBIASED AUTHORS, EXPERTS IN THE FIELD, AND FROM LIFE-TIME CONFIDANTS; SOMETIMES FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS, AND OTHER GENERAL BIOGRAPHERS, WHO HAVE REFUSED TO TOW THE LINE, WHEN IT COMES TO PROVIDING SOME COLOR, TO WHAT CAN BE A DULL STORY WHEN TOLD ONLY BY THE ARTIST. WHAT I LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, ABOUT THE FIRESTONE BIOGRAPHY, OF JACKSON, IS THAT IT DOES OFFER INSIGHTS ABOUT THE WAY THE ARTIST LIVED AND WORKED, LETTING US IN, ON SOME OF HIS FAMOUS PECULIARITIES; WHICH BY REVEALING IN DETAIL, I WONDER, IF THE AUTHOR CROSSED THE LINE AND UNVEILED TOO MUCH.
FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN KNOWING THE NITTY GRITTY, ABOUT JACKSON'S PERSONAL LIFE, BEYOND THE GLORIES OF HIS ART SUCCESSES, THE FIRESTONE BOOK IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT; IF YOU ARE A CANADIAN ART FOLLOWER, OR YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE SOME OF HIS ART PANELS IN YOUR COLLECTION, THE BOOK IS QUITE ILLUMINATING, AND DID I MENTION ENTERTAINING? I HATE SANITIZED BIOGRAPHIES. AUTO-BIOGRAPHIES TELL THE STORY THAT IS FIT TO PRINT, ACCORDING TO THEM; BUT SOMEWHAT EMBELLISHED, AND IN GLOWING TERMS. NOT THE WORTS MOST READERS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT. THIS PARTICULAR BIOGRAPHY OFFERS SEVERAL CRITICAL INSIGHTS THAT JACKSON, IF ALIVE TO PROOF IT, MIGHT HAVE FELT WERE TOO PERSONAL AND SENSITIVE FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION; AT LEAST IF YOU KNOW ARTISTS AND THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT REPUTATION PRESERVATION, DURING THEIR PROFESSIONAL LIVES, AND EVEN AFTER THEY'VE PASSED ON. ACTUALLY, I THINK THE MAIN EMPHASIS IS ON THE ENDURING LEGACY.
ALL FOLKS IN THE CREATIVE ENTERPRISE, WONDER HOW HISTORY WILL TREAT THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. IT'S FASCINATING TO READ DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON ARTISTS, AND FROM THOSE WHO KNEW THEM BEST. I'VE READ PERSONAL BIOGRAPHIES OF PAINTERS, THAT WERE SO EMBELLISHED AND FULL OF PURPOSEFUL MISTRUTHS, THAT I FOUND MYSELF DEBUNKING THEM RIGHT FROM THE FIRST CHAPTER. IT'S ESPECIALLY POIGNANT, WHEN YOU HAVE READ THE BIOGRAPHY WRITTEN BY AN AUTHOR, WHO WAS NOT INTERESTED IN MAINTAINING THE NEAR-PERFECT OVERVIEW OF THE ARTIST'S LIFE AND TIMES. SIGN ME UP FOR THAT ONE. THERE HAVE BEEN ARTISTS, WHO LAID IT ALL ON THE LINE, UNAFRAID OF DOING THEIR LAUNDRY IN PUBLIC. THIS IS THE MINORITY. BOTTOM LINE HERE, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME QUIET HOURS, IN DECEMBER, TO READ FIRESTONE'S INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE ON A.Y. JACKSON, BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE AN HONEST, DELVING, INTIMATE STORY, THAT DOESN'T PULL ANY PUNCHES, OR ROUND OFF THE SHARP EDGES OF HIS PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE. IT'S NOT JUST A STUDY OF HIS ART WORK. HE PAYS ATTENTION TO THE ARTIST'S QUIRKS AND SOMETIMES CONTROVERSIAL OPINIONS ABOUT OTHERS IN HIS PROFESSION, AND THOSE STAFFING THE GALLERIES, WHERE HIS WORK HUNG; AND THOSE DEALERS WHO SOLD HIS PAINTINGS. AND HIS RATHER SCATHING ATTACKS ON ART CRITICS HE DESPISED.
HERE ARE A FEW PARAGRAPHS FROM THE OPENING OF THIS WELL WRITTEN TEXT:
"A.Y. Jackson was to become a kind of folk-hero during his lifetime. Many people knew him in the role of painter, and many more learned to admire his work. But few really got to know the man himself - creative, tenacious, and genial," wrote O.J. Firestone.
"I had been struck by a passage in a review by Michael Ballantyne of 'A.Y.'s Canada' in November 1968, 'There are regrets in everyone's life, but looking at A.Y's Canada, one of the things I know, I will regret, is never knowing Mr. Jackson and, more importantly, never having had the chance to roam at least a small part of Canada with him.' I realized then how lucky I had been to know Alec well. Most Canadians had not had that good fortune; one way of thanking Alec was to share with others my recollections about him over a twenty year period.
"I don't know anyone who fully understood Alec. His was a complex personality. There was a great deal more to him than could be gleaned from the non-personal conversations he preferred, but I got some insight into the personality that he hid so well behind the placid and friendly exterior," wrote Firestone. "After his move to Manotick, in 1955, and to Ottawa in 1962, I learned much about
Alec Jackson, the man, and A.Y. Jackson, the artist. He had two personalities - one an outgoing, selfless, and modest man to whom most people responded warmly; the other, the dedicated artist determined to achieve creative fulfillment whatever the cost, fiercely loyal to Canada, and scornful of small-minded people, unable to see beyond their noses, and share the wider horizons that were part of his life's vision. Even when he felt scornful, however, he rarely antagonized people or lost his temper. His good sense of humour and his chuckle softened the impact of many a critical remark. I learned more about his art in those years (what he considered quality and what not), about his remarkable perserverence in meeting his own high standards, even when it took him months to realize what he wanted to achieve, and about his desire not to leave paintings he considered mediocre to posterity. He taught me more about the history of Canadian art in the last half-century, than I learned from any other artist, or from art catalogues, books, and critical reviews, or from visiting retrospective exhibitions. He was a walking encyclopaedia, particularly about art during the interwar period, and he usually elaborated his stories with references to his own experience."
I'll share a little more from the Firestone book tomorrow, if you can spare a little time to check out my blog.
HOPE THE STORM SLIPS BY GENTLY, AND IF WE HAVE TO HAVE SNOW SQUALLS, TO SATISFY MOTHER NATURE'S CRAVING FOR AN EARLY WINTER, POSSIBLY, AS AN EARLY CHRISTMAS KINDNESS, IT WILL BE A LIGHT, PRETTY, DAZZLING LITTLE DUSTING, THAT WHILE GIVING MUSKOKA A TOUCH OF "THE PICTURESQUE," DOESN'T BURY THE CAR, OR US.
BE CAREFUL DRIVING OUT THERE.
FROM THE ARCHIVES; In the year that Andrew and Robert have jointly owned this amazing guitar pictured below, many musicians have sat in our Gravenhurst studio playing this storied instrument. It was also used on a new CD by up and coming folk musician Shawn William Clarke. The LP version will be released this coming Saturday in Toronto.
A SUNNY MORNING ENJOYED IN THE SNOWY ONTARIO WOODLANDS - A FAMILY ADVENTURE - BEST ONE YET
-TO PICK UP A RELIC OF CANADIAN MUSIC HISTORY
I DO FEEL GUILTY ON DAYS LIKE THIS! I CAN'T HELP IT! WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE WORK, AND THE GRID-IRON OF TURNING A PROFIT, IS TOO MUCH FUN TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT. I'VE TRIED TO EXPLAIN THIS BEFORE, AND I'M NOT SURE IF I MADE MYSELF CLEAR. IT'S ABOUT THE ANTIQUE AND COLLECTABLE PROFESSION GENERALLY. WE GET THIS RUSH, YOU SEE, WHEN CIRCUMSTANCE (FATE) PREVAILS UPON US, REALLY NEAT OPPORTUNITIES. I COULDN'T COUNT A DAY LIKE TODAY AS WORK, OR MUCH MORE THAN A TYPICAL BUSINESS EXPENSE OF TIME AND MONEY. WHAT WE GET FOR OUR INVESTMENT, IS THE RARE EXPERIENCE OF ADVENTURE ROLLED INTO DISCOVERY; AND IN THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WE'VE HAD HANDS-ON CONTACT WITH SOME REMARKABLE TREASURES. AND BY THIS, I DON'T EQUATE THAT WITH CASH VALUE OR QUICK PROFIT. BUT WHEN YOU'RE IN OUR PROFESSION, AS OUR FAMILY HAS BEEN INVOLVED FOR DECADES, EVEN TEMPORARY POSSESSION OF CULTURAL ANTIQUITIES, RELICS OF A BYGONE ERA, ITEMS WE ADORED IN CHILDHOOD...BUT IT TOOK REACHING ADULTHOOD TO AFFORD THEM; MEMORABILIA THAT TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY, BECAUSE OF ITS PROVENANCE, AND PIECES OF NATIONAL HISTORY YOU GET TO STUDY, AS CLOSE AS YOUR OUTSTRETCHED ARMS, EVEN IF ONLY FOR A FEW MOMENTS. THIS CAN HAPPEN EVERY DAY AND SOMETIMES TWICE TO THREE TIMES. IT MIGHT COME IN THE FORM OF MINT CONDITION, RARE COUNTRY RECORDS, OR IN THE BAGS OF OLD BOOKS WE'VE ACQUIRED. A FIRST EDITION "GONE WITH THE WIND," ISN'T OUT OF THE QUESTION. ONE DAY WE'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO SECURE A 1940'S LIONEL TRAIN SET, AND THE NEXT, A PUMP ORGAN FROM AN HISTORIC MUSKOKA RESORT.
MANY IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WE DO, OR HOW WE GATHER OUR INVENTORY. AT TIMES WE HAVE A HARD TIME EXPLAINING OUR OBSESSION WITH THE PAST, AND AS FAR AS HOW WE GATHER VINTAGE ITEMS, MOST OFTEN THESE ARE TRADE SECRETS WE CAN'T POSSIBLY SHARE.....IN CASE YOU HAPPEN TO BE A COMPETITOR. WE WILL OFFER YOU THIS! IT'S A DREAM JOB. WE GET TO RUN A MUSEUM A BIT. PLAY WITH THE STUFF, NOW AND AGAIN, SHARE IT WITH OTHERS, LIKE SOME OF OUR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, AND THEN SELL PIECES TO THOSE WITH PASSION LIKE OURS......WHO WISH TO OWN A LITTLE HISTORY AS WELL. WE CAN FEEL REAL GOOD ABOUT OURSELVES, WHEN WE SEE A CUSTOMER LEAVING OUR SHOP, TOTING ONE OF OUR ANTIQUE PIECES. OF COURSE WE WANT IT ALL TO GO TO GOOD HOMES. WE'RE VERY POSSESSIVE, SOMETIMES REFUSING TO SELL HISTORIC ITEMS, IF WE SUSPECT AN ORIGINAL FINISH, LET'S JUST SAY, ON A GUITAR, IS GOING TO BE STRIPPED OFF INSTEAD OF PRESERVED. WE ARE STEWARDS OF ORIGINAL FINISHES. SO THE STORY BELOW, WILL EXPLAIN WHY WE ARE OVER ZEALOUS ABOUT PROTECTING ORIGINAL FINISHES AT ALL COST. IF WE'RE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT IT.....WELL SIR, IT WON'T MAKE IT OUT FOR SALE. EVER!
TODAY'S BLOG HAS A LITTLE GUILT ATTACHED, BECAUSE WE HAD ONE OF THOSE INCREDIBLE DAYS OUT ON THE HUSTINGS, DOING WHAT ANTIQUE HUNTERS ARE BEST KNOWN FOR.......WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, ENJOYING THE VERY FINE COUNTRYSIDE ALONG THE WAY. THESE OUTINGS REMIND ME OF THE OPENING CHAPTERS OF "ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE," BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS A PEAK OF SENSORY STIMULATION, SEEING MUSKOKA AND AREA, IN ALL TYPES OF WEATHER, ALL TIMES OF DAY AND NIGHT, OVER THE FOUR SEASONS. IT'S A SORT OF "AWAKENING" AND LIBERATION, EACH TIME WE VENTURE OUT, WITH OUR TYPICALLY HIGH EXPECTATIONS, OF WHAT WE MIGHT FIND, AND THE NEAT PEOPLE WE MAY MEET ALONG THE WAY. THIS WAS OUR DAY FOR REDISCOVERY. I HOPE YOU'LL APPRECIATE HOW CRAZY-HAPPY WE CAN GET, BEING "US.".....FOLKS WHO COLLECT THINGS OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE.
THERE'S AN UNMISTAKABLE ENERGY IN OUR SHOP TODAY, THAT'S KIND OF HARD TO EXPLAIN, UNLESS YOU BELIEVE THAT AN OLD GUITAR POSSESSES QUALITIES OF ITS FORMER OWNER, AND ALL THE CULTURAL HISTORY IT HAS BEEN EXPOSED. NO, THAT'S JUST FOR SENTIMENTALISTS AND POET / PHILOSOPHERS. I'M NOT SURE IF REALISTS AND LIVE-FOR-THE-MOMENT VISITORS HERE, WOULD SENSE THIS AURA OF DISPATCHED KARMA, UPON THE WILLING SOUL. MAYBE. MAY BE NOT. I HAVEN'T HEARD SUCH RUGGEDLY HEWN GOOD HUMOR IN THIS PLACE, ALL YEAR, AS HAS BROKEN OUT BETWEEN STAFF AND CUSTOMERS, AT THIS TIME OF WRITING....WHO ARE MORE LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED GOOD NEIGHBORS; THEY'RE HERE SO OFTEN...ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS SPECIAL GUITAR ARRIVED. THERE'S NO DENYING IT HAS INSPIRED A LOT OF CONVERSATION, DEBATE, AND MUSIC PHILOSOPHY, ABOUT THE ARTS BEING GOOD FOR THE SOUL. I WON'T CHALLENGE THIS. I LIVE IT EVERY DAY. IT'S WHY I LIKE WRITING IN OUR COMFORTABLE, ART-LINED MUSIC STUDIO, IN UPTOWN GRAVENHURST. I'M SURROUNDED BY INSTRUMENTS WITH SOUL. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY I CAN EXPLAIN IT. NOW WE HAVE ENHANCED IT SOME MORE, WITH A UNIQUE ADDITION TO THE CURRIE COLLECTION, OF WHICH WE ARE IMMENSELY PROUD.
WHEN I WRITE ABOUT OUR MUSIC AND ANTIQUE BUSINESS, HERE IN GRAVENHURST, I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW EASY IT WOULD BE TO THINK OF US AS "HORN BLOWERS," TO THE EXPONENT OF TEN. I'M PRETTY SURE, THERE ARE FOLKS WHO READ THIS BLOG, WHO DISBELIEVE MY CLAIMS ABOUT FAMILY SEEK-AND-DISCOVER MISSIONS, AND ANTIQUE HUNTING ADVENTURES. FOR THOSE, MY SUGGESTION, IS TO ARCHIVE BACK TO YESTERDAY'S BLOG, ABOUT THOSE WHO WRITE PROPAGANDA, AND EMBELLISH STORIES TO ELEVATE THEMSELVES. APPARENTLY THE TRUTH DOESN'T DO THIS "SET ME FREE THING" FOR EVERYONE. I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND IT LIBERATING. SO AS THE GUY WHO WROTE THAT TOME, I CERTAINLY WOULDN'T CONTRADICT MYSELF ONE DAY LATER. SO HERE IS A STORY FOR YOU, THAT I WILL CALL OUR REMARKABLE VISIT TO EMSDALE, ONTARIO, AND THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY GALLERY, OPERATED BY OUR KINDLY HOST, KAREN ROBINSON. IF I CALLED HER FOREST RETREAT A "HEAVEN ON EARTH," THAT WOULD BE MY OPINION. SO I CAN GET AWAY WITH IT!
THE PHOTOGRAPHS ABOVE, WILL HAVE ALREADY GIVEN THE STORY-AWAY BY NOW. IT'S THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR BELIEVING PHOTOGRAPHS TELL THE TALE MORE EFFICIENTLY..... THAN ANYTHING A WORDSMITH CAN HAMMER INTO THE SAME SPACE. WE ATTENDED THE FOLKSY HINTERLAND GALLERY, TO PICK UP AN IMPORTANT, (AT LEAST BY OUR DETERMINATION OF CANADIAN MUSIC HERITAGE), 1969-70 GUILD GUITAR (MODEL M-20), OWNED, PLAYED, AND ENJOYED BY WELL KNOWN AND RESPECTED CANADIAN MUSICIAN, MENDELSON JOE, FORMERLY OF THE POPULAR LATE 1960'S GROUP "MAINLINE." THE BONUS, OF COURSE, IS THAT WE MADE AN ART PURCHASE AT THE SAME TIME. YOU SEE, MENDELSON JOE, IS ALSO ONE OF THIS COUNTRY'S HIGHLY REGARDED ARTISTS, AND THE GUITAR ISN'T JUST FOR PLAYING (BUT IT DOES SOUND AMAZING); IT'S AN EARLY EXAMPLE OF THE MUSICIAN / ARTIST'S (LATE 1970'S) CREATIVE FORAY WITH PAINT....AND WE ARE CONSUMED BY THIS AMAZING ART PIECE THAT YOU CAN ALSO PLAY. ANDREW HAS JUST NOW PUT IT DOWN, AFTER PLAYING IT FOR THE PAST HOUR, AT THE GRAVENHURST STUDIO; AND CO-OWNER, BROTHER ROBERT, HAS PICKED IT UP, ADMIRING THE CHARACTER OF THE NOSTALGIC INSTRUMENT, WITH ITS WHACK OF MEANINGFUL ADORNMENTS. HE'S PLAYING IT NOW AS WELL, AND BY THE EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE, HE'S PICKING UP ON THE VIBES FROM THE MUSIC HISTORY, HE AND HIS BROTHER REKINDLE EVERY DAY IN THEIR SHOP AND STUDIO. IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR VINTAGE MUSIC BUSINESS, YOU'LL APPRECIATE JUST HOW PERFECTLY THIS ARTFUL PIECE WILL FIT INTO, THE LEGACY THEY'VE BEEN BUILDING THEMSELVES, HERE IN SOUTH MUSKOKA.
THE BOYS WERE EXCITED TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, OFFERED TO THEM BY MENDELSON JOE HIMSELF, SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, AND ANDREW HAS BEEN GLOWING EVER SINCE. IN THEIR STUDIO THEY HAVE NUMEROUS "NEVER WILL SELL" INSTRUMENTS, SOME BECAUSE OF RARITY, OTHERS BECAUSE OF WHO PERFORMED WITH THEM PREVIOUSLY; SUCH AS A GUITAR ONCE OWNED BY COUNTRY SINGER, SMILEY BATES, AND ONE OTHER, A GIBSON, THAT WAS USED BY A STUDIO MUSICIAN ON THE POPULAR CHILDREN'S SHOW, "ROMPER ROOM." REALLY! OF COURSE, INCLUDED ON THE "PROTECTED LIST," ARE INSTRUMENTS AND AMPLIFIERS THEY USE FOR RECORDING AND PERFORMING THEMSELVES. WE HAVE THIRTY OR SO ANTIQUE VIOLINS, MANDOLINS AND EARLY 1900'S GUITARS HUNG ON THE WALL, AND WHEN THERE ARE MUSICIANS JAMMING, EACH OF THE VETERAN PIECES, RESONATE WITH THEIR OWN UNIQUE VIBRATIONS, ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUAL CONSTRUCTION, ADDING TO THE AUDIBLE MAGIC OF THE DIGS.
WHAT MENDELSON JOE CALLED "THE LITTLE MAHOGANY GUILD," IS NOW PART OF THE STUDIO'S PERMANENT COLLECTION, AS BOTH A FINE INSTRUMENT TO PLAY, AND A REALLY INTERESTING ART PIECE TO VIEW AND WONDER ABOUT. DEPENDING ON THE LIGHT, AND ITS POSITIONING, THE TEXTURED FINISH CAN LOOK THREE DIMENSIONAL ONE MINUTE, TRANSLUCENT THE NEXT. THEN THERE'S THE HISTORY CONNECTED TO THE VINTAGE GUILD, AND PART OF THIS CAN BE VIEWED IN AN ARCHIVAL PHOTOGRAPH, OF MENDELSON JOE, IN HIS BIOGRAPHY, ENTITLED "ALIEN," HOLDING UP THE SAME GUITAR, MINUS SOME OF ITS LATER ART WORK,... WHILE ON STAGE AT MASSEY HALL, IN TORONTO, WHERE HE OPENED FOR PATTI SMITH. IN THE PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN BY ART USHERSON, THE PERFORMER IS SHOWN HOLDING THE GUITAR, HIGH OVER HIS HEAD, WITH THE BACK OF THE GUITAR VISIBLE TO THE AUDIENCE. THE WORDS "BYE BYE" ARE PAINTED ON THE BACK. ON CLOSE INSPECTION, UNDER OUR STUDIO LIGHTS, THE PASTORAL SCENE OF THE COWS GRAZING, WAS PAINTED OVER THOSE ORIGINAL WORDS, BIDDING FAREWELL TO THE AUDIENCE. WHAT A TREASURE. NO ONE IS GOING TO STRIP OFF THIS FINISH, LET ME TELL YOU.
IN MENDELSON JOE'S OWN WORDS, "THE LITTLE MAHOGANY GUILD," WAS WELL SUITED TO HIS STYLE AND THE SOUND HE DESIRED. IN A COMPANION NOTE, WITH THE GUITAR, HE NOTES, "I BOUGHT IT NEW AROUND 1970 WHEN I WAS STILL PLAYING IN THE BLUES-ROCK GROUP CALLED 'MAINLINE.' IT SOUNDED GREAT AS AN ACOUSTIC, AND WITH AN ELECTRIC PICK-UP, IT SOUNDED EVEN GREATER THROUGH AN AMPLIFIER. I HAD OWNED A COUPLE OF GUILDS BEFORE, SO WHAT DREW ME TO IT WAS THE NECK. THE PARLOR SIZE WAS ALWAYS PERFECT AS ONE WHO PLAYS SEATED.
"I'M ONE WHO PLAYS ALMOST DAILY. I USED FINGER PICKS BACK THEN AND PLAYED HARD AND SWEATY. AFTER I LEFT THE GROUP IN '72, I USED THIS LITTLE GUITAR; LATER DECORATED IT WHEN I BEGAN PAINTING IN '75, AND USED IT (MY ONLY INSTRUMENT PLAYED DAILY) UNTIL IT BEGAN TO COLLAPSE IN THE EARLY '80'S. ME THINKETH THAT COLLAPSE WAS PRECIPITATED BY AIR CANADA HANDLERS (THEY HAD DESTROYED MY L3 A COUPLE OF TIMES). IN 1982, I FOUND A LITTLE CEDAR TOP MADE BY J.D. MACKENZIE. HE TRADED IT FOR TWO PAINTINGS. I PLAY THE 'J.D.' TO THIS DATE AND I LOVE IT."
AS WE HAVE QUITE A FEW TRAVELLING MUSICIAN PASS THROUGH OUR SHOP EACH YEAR, TO AND FROM GIGS THROUGHOUT THE REGION, AND BEYOND, WE OFFER THEM A STUDIO-RESPITE, FOR SOME COOKIES AND A BEVERAGE (ON SATURDAYS).....A LITTLE JAM IF THEY'RE UP FOR IT, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY AROUND WITH SOME RARE AND UNIQUE INSTRUMENTS IN OUR PRIVATE, BUT SHARED STOCK. WE GET A LOT OF SATISFACTION, SEEING THESE INSTRUMENTS BEING ENJOYED AND CELEBRATED; ESPECIALLY BY MUSICIANS WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT CANADIAN MUSIC, AND ITS RICH CHRONICLE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT. WE ARE SO PROUD, AS A FAMILY, TO BE ABLE TO OFFER MENDELSON JOE'S WELL TRAVELLED, WELL USED, GALLERY ART PIECE, FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR PATRONS, WHO WOULD OTHERWISE, NEVER GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY SUCH A NICELY CONSERVED PIECE OF NATIONAL MUSIC, AND ART HISTORY. IN ONLY TWO HOURS, BACK IN THE SHOP, WE HAVE ALREADY HAD THREE VIEWINGS, AND SUBSEQUENT INSTRUMENT FONDLINGS, FROM OUR VISITORS....WHO SHARE OUR RESPECT FOR THE WORK AND MUSIC OF MENDELSON JOE. THROUGH TWITTER, MORE COMMENTS.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK, AND A TURN, ON THIS LITTLE GEM, DROP IN AND SEE US. IF IT'S ON A SATURDAY, CHANCES ARE GOOD YOU'LL ALSO GET A FRESHLY BAKED COOKIE, FROM MOMMA CURRIE'S KITCHEN.
BUT YOU KNOW, THE GREAT PART OF THE DAY FOR ME, THE CHAUFFER, WAS THE FABULOUS VIEW I HAD, AT KAREN ROBINSON'S GALLERY, ON THE STAR LAKE ROAD, IN EMSDALE (NORTH OF HUNTSVILLE), AWAITING ANDREW, ROBERT AND SUZANNE, WHO WERE VISITING WITH THE GALLERY OWNER. I HAD THE VERY GREAT BENEFIT OF THE BEST VIEW ON THE PROPERTY, BACKED, THIS MORNING, BY CBC 2'S SUCCESSION OF SYMPHONIES. I HAVE NEVER WITNESSED, SO MANY BIRDS AT A FEEDER, THAN ON HER GALLERY PROPERTY. THERE HAD TO BE THIRTY OR MORE CHICKADEES, AND TWO OF THE PLUMPEST BLUE JAYS I'VE EVER SEEN. THE SNOW AMIDST THE EVERGREENS, THE BEAUTIFUL PLAY OF LIGHT AND SHADOW, IN A MOST ENCHANTING FOREST; I MUST ADMIT, IF I'D SAT THERE FOR HOURS ON END, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN, MOST SINCERELY, A JOY ON EARTH. SO FOR OUR FAMILY, WITH NARY A WORD OF EMBELLISHMENT, IT WAS CERTAINLY A DAY FOR THE FAMILY ALBUM, YET IT WAS ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE A BUSINESS TRIP. THIS IS WHY I LOVE MY PROFESSION. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT'S COMING NEXT. AND THAT'S THE ALLURE!
THANK YOU SARAH UNGER, FOR CONNECTING US WITH MENDELSON JOE. THANK YOU KAREN ROBINSON, FOR INTRODUCING US TO HIS FASCINATING, STORIED ART WORK. AND THANK YOU, MENDELSON JOE, FOR PASSING-ON THIS SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF CANADIAN MUSIC HERITAGE, THAT SO MANY OF OUR VISITORS, MUSICIAN GUESTS, AND STUDENTS OF OUR MUSIC INSTRUCTION, WILL BENEFIT FROM LONG INTO THE FUTURE. WE ARE PROUD TO BE ITS STEWARD.
SOMETIMES YOU KNOW, AS A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE WELFARE OF MIND AND BODY, YOU JUST HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE SHOP, AND THE HOME REGION, AND EXPLORE THE ONTARIO COUNTRYSIDE. WE LIKED WHAT WE SAW. WE JUST NEED TO DO IT MORE OFTEN.
ROBERT JUST ARRIVED IN THE STUDIO TO SEE ME. "DAD, YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO BELIEVE THIS. A GUY JUST CAME IN AND ASKED IF WE HAD ANY "MAINLINE" ALBUMS. I HAD TO TELL HIM THAT WE WERE SOLD OUT, BUT WE HAD THE GUITAR THAT WAS USED BY A MAINLINE MEMBER....AND HE DIDN'T BELIEVE US....UNTIL WE FLIPPED OPEN THE GUITAR CASE (WHICH WAS ALSO DECORATED BY MENDELSON JOE). HE SAID, 'I'VE GOT GOOSEBUMPS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS. WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF THIS HAPPENING?' IN OUR STORE SIR, VERY LIKELY. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. IT'S THE WORK OF THE RESIDENT SPIRITS I THINK." COINCIDENCES AND SPIRITUAL STRANGENESS. WE COULD WRITE A BOOK ABOUT ALL THE WHACKY PARALLELS THAT HAPPEN AROUND HERE, BUT YOU'D PROBABLY THINK IT WAS JUST A STRANGE FICTION. IT'S ALL JUST THE PATINA AND CONNECTED PROVENANCE OF RUNNING A HAUNTED VINTAGE MUSIC AND ANTIQUE SHOP.
DROP IN SOME TIME FOR A CHRISTMAS SEASON VISIT. YOU MIGHT SEE THE GHOST OF OLD FEZZIWIG HIMSELF, IN THE SPIRIT OF CHARLES DICKENS, BECAUSE YOU SEE, THIS "CHRISTMAS CAROL" CHARACTER, IS THE ROLE-MODEL BY WHICH WE DO BUSINESS. YES INDEED, THERE'S MORE TO LIFE THAN MONEY. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
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