Mayflower Land

Today in class, while discussing the heavy topic of ‘ecocide’, the term solastalgia came up. This is the term used to describe the feeling of loss or sadness related to environmental change.

After going through examples from my students, I shared my own example - Mayflower Land. 

Image source: www.whatabloom.com

For anyone not from Nova Scotia, the mayflower is our provincial flower. It is a small pinkish-white flower, which tends to be in full bloom during the month of May. For many of us, it was the first signs of spring. It has a light but floral sent, and makes a lovey centrepiece in any small vase.

But as far as Mayflower Land goes... that’s something different!

When I was a kid, I grew up in a few smaller neighbourhoods, where kids would gather after school or on sunny days throughout the summer. I am so lucky and thankful to have had these experiences, and the memories of playing street hockey as the youngest member in goalie, or playing endless games of tag, or acting out Power Rangers scenes in snowbanks are some of the highlights of those early years. Some days I wish I could go back.

There was one particular place, however, that we would always come across. A place we would lovingly refer to as Mayflower Land. A hill covered with these tiny, yet beautiful flowers - they seemed endless. If I close my eyes and really think about it, I can still see it; I can even smell them. And it was magical - almost like a real life Narnia - having to pass through a wooded area in order to reach this hidden gem. I sometimes wish I could return, if for no other reason than to see if it is actually how I remember it.

Unfortunately some years ago this mystical place was transformed into an extension of that subdivision. While I’m happy those families have a safe place to rest their heads, I often wonder if they ever knew what their land once was.

Thinking about Mayflower Land frequently makes me smile. But I still get a pain of sadness whenever I remember that it is no longer there.

-the Orange Canadian

Free Fallin'

It wasn’t Jerry Maguire that got me hooked onto this tune, but it sure has been relevant as of late. And it seems that Tom Petty has been taking over the airwaves this past week, and I’m also okay with that.  But, it’s a different type of free fallin’ I’m talking about these days...

Male relatives, colleagues, and any creepy guys I don’t know, this is your warning to choose a different page.

One of the hardest parts of winter is how much work it takes just to get out the door. Add in a puppy who requires occasional, and dare I say, additional, visits to the cold out-of-doors, and this struggle becomes real pretty quickly!

When I wake up in the morning, I like to slowly ease my way into it... starting with a quiet cup of coffee and a few minutes to just be with my thoughts. But, I realize that one of my responsibilities as a dog owner, is that I must take her out to pee, and of course for a walk. And 9 times out of 10, I’m cool to do that while I wait for the water to boil. But there’s just one part of getting ready for those early morning releases that I just can’t stand. The dreaded bra.

Look, I’m in my cozy p-jams. I don’t want the cold air to change that just because I have to go outside. So, this past week I did something I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing... I’ve been taking Gertie for a walk braless. And it’s...been...awesome!

I know you smaller chested ladies are fortunate enough to be able to do this on a whim without the fear of public outcry, but that’s not a blessing I’ve been given. Taking to the streets, with only a few layers and my free flowing ladies is slightly nerve-racking, and yet it’s been freeing all the same. In a small and weird way, it’s been kind of empowering. I know it’s small potatoes, but really - why am I going through all the work to put on a bra just to take my dog for a quick tinkle stroll? It’s bad enough we have to countdown the hours until we are home from work so we can take it off!

- the Orange Canadian