May Flowers

 By Maryanna Gabriel 

"Lulled in these flowers with dances and delight."

- A Midsomer Night's Dream

Exciting family news. A son has been born to my first born daughter and I am overjoyed. This morning I was lost in my garden and it seemed as if the day had the same sentiment. The happiness of growth. 

Helicopters Flying Over Mount Erskine

 By Maryanna Gabriel 

Helicopters have been going back and forth across Mount Erskine where I live on Salt Spring Island. One was flying particularly low, moving methodically back and forth. I was working in the garden tried not to get thrown off my bean planting with all of the thudding through the trees. They were looking for something.

I squinted up through the canopy of green and stared at it. The helicopter was huge and the colours seemed vaguely familiar. Then it came to me. It was the same banding as on a squad car for the RCMP. Well, it must be something important to bring out such a big bird.

I asked a couple of people what was going on but nobody knew. Later I noticed the article on CBC news. A sociology professor from UBC, Sinikka Gay Elliott, was missing. Her car had been found a block from my house. The local news exchange said our Country Grocer was donating sandwiches to the Search and Rescue and locals were asked to stay out of the way to let the pros do their work unhindered. In nearby Portlock Park, tents were assembled as hundreds gathered, looking for her. Search and Rescue came from Duncan and Port Alberni and beyond. I heard from a friend yesterday, it was thought she was depressed. 

It could have been suicide. Or, she could have been hiking and injured herself but it was not a good sign we were on day three without finding her. A cougar could have gotten to her. Or maybe she was abducted and goodness knows what. 

Well, yesterday, they found her. No foul play suspected. 

Mother & Pimms

 By Maryanna Gabriel 

It is Mother' s Day. I am writing a book as some know, and am at the part where I am describing my last visit with my mother. I sat down yesterday to the computer to tackle the edits and began to retch. She died over ten years ago and still it is hard. Mothers are our very blood and bone. 

Given that my daughters are far away, and no invitation for High Tea at The Empress Hotel is forthcoming, I decided to have a bucket list experience in a quiet kind of way. Reading British novels is a favourite past time and it seems the characters are forever sipping Pimms during late afternoons in English gardens. I have always wondered what it tasted like, so yesterday I bought some, thinking I would give it a try. 

Oh dear. I must not be making it right. Think marmite that has water added to it, with an alcohol level. The taste was alarming - I don't really like it. Now I have a whole bottle of the stuff. 

Red Dress

 By Maryanna Gabriel

I am proud to say red dresses are flying here on Salt Spring Island, a symbol of an indifferent society, giving voice to a gender and race that has been voiceless. In Canada, thousands of First Nations Women have disappeared.

In British Columbia there is a highway east of Chetwynd, and south of William's Lake, where wild rivers and snow capped mountains overlook a road that is particularly bad, nicknamed The Highway Of Tears. Author Jessica McDiarmid has documented the stories in her recent book, raising the alarm there is an "elephant in our national living room". No longer possible to ignore how little is being done to stop the murders, these red dresses deserve redress. 

Rainforest Flying Squad - Warning Explicit Content

 By Maryanna Gabriel

All the work needing to be done on the property has been overwhelming. I put out an ad for help and had the nicest young man respond. For three days we worked together and I was impressed that he arrived on time - always an accomplishment on Salt Spring Island. He was considerate and worked hard. Every penny was worth it and so I tipped him.

As he left, he told me he was going to a protest. A company is logging old growth forest in a sensitive area. I know the region well, a beautiful part of Vancouver Island not far from Clayoquot Sound. Protests years ago saved this delicate region which was eventually made into a park. Being a lover of trees and all too familiar with the desecration of Vancouver Island, I had a funny feeling as he was leaving. 

"Take care out there. Look after yourself," I called out. He turned and nodded thoughtfully. 

I thought he was very brave. That was a couple of days ago. Today he is on the CBC news. Listen to these loggers make racial slurs and threaten him. Of course, the news version is all bleeped. 

The young man is part of a movement called Rainforest Flying Squad. The group has launched an appeal to the British Columbia courts against Tree Farm Licence #46. "Teal Jones’ primary method of logging is clear cutting, ensuring the loss of biodiversity. They have stated their intention to cut “all available old-growth until it is exhausted.” https://laststandforforests.com/

I should have tipped him more. 

Twilight Zone

By Maryanna Gabriel

Saturday morning is market day on Salt Spring Island, a time for a local inhabitant to proceed with caution with the crowds. Normally it is impossible to wend one's way into town and errands on a Saturday morning are out of the question. I braved it.

It was like the twilight zone. The streets were practically deserted as the recent travel restrictions have impacted visitors. A quick glance at the stalls showed me the vendors were all set up. However, nobody was there. It felt so eerie. 

It is always good to retreat to the garden. The Dogwood, the flower for British Columbia, is in full blossom. It feels soothing to stand under.