Making Eye Statements

Monday, 16 October 2017

Meaning and Joy

“...our human nature demands meaning and joy

...accept that this meaning and joy will involve

a passionate love of the physical world.”

- Philip Pullman, from his lecture “The Republic of Heaven”

in his forthcoming essay collection, Dæmon Voices

Yesterday’s Sunday New York Times Magazine (October 15, 2017) brought a marvellous article, “The Magician of Oxford” by Sophie Elmhirst (free when I checked the link) about Philip Pullman, the luminous author of His Dark Materials, an epic fantasy trilogy for young people of all ages.

I have been an over-the-top fan of Pullman and his trilogy since its publication - The Golden Compass in 1995; The Subtle Knife in 1997; and The Amber Spy Glass in 2000. His creation of a parallel fantasy universe that starts in Oxford University and ends up in the company of armoured polar bears in the high Artic is wondrous indeed. One of my great joys in teaching Middle School English for many years was introducing Pullman’s books – and its stellar heroine, Lyra Silvertongue - to annual waves of eager young readers. I can hardly wait to introduce the trilogy to my grandchildren and grandnephew.

And now comes the news that Pullman is about to publish a prequel (my descriptor, not his) that starts off when Lyra is six months old and “being hunted by henchmen of the Magesterium” to quote Elmhirst. And it will be another trilogy!

Title of the trilogy: The Book of Dust

Name of the first volume: La Belle Sauvage

Publication date: October 19, 2017!

Woohoo! Guess what I’ll be buying!

And while I wait impatiently for the arrival of La Belle Sauvage, I am posting photos that humbly attempt to honour Pullman’s philosophy above:

“...our human nature demands meaning and joy...[that involves] a passionate love of the physical world.”

Pullman is an atheist, but his writings have always beckoned me to a spiritual dimension that parallels and enriches his plot lines.

I hope that you will enjoy these images and that you will join me in celebrating Philip Pullman.

Toronto City Hall

Silver Lake, near Perth

Spring Brook Road, Hastings County

Ripley's Aquarium, Toronto

Bill's Meringue, Pre-Low Carb Days

Lindi's Papers

Lake Consecon

Queen's University, Kingston

Portsmouth Harbour, Kingston

Monday, 9 October 2017

With Open Eyes

“So much of what we do is by virtue of luck, to be sure,

but we get luckier the longer we remain patient, with open eyes...

...Patience is allowing your body of work to surprise you,

to take unexpected turns, to become something you didn’t expect,

and to allow your curiosity to lead you further down the rabbit hole.”

David duChemin, The Soul of the Camera - The Photographer's Place in Picture-Making

(Rocky Nook Inc., 2017)

This blog posting is a celebration with two strands, combining into one.

The first strand: I’m writing this piece on Canadian Thanksgiving Monday. Thanksgiving has always been one of my favourite Canadian holidays – a time for gratitude, family, friends, and the first real taste of autumn. It is very different from American Thanksgiving in late November – gentler, more measured, fewer Tweets.

It is also the fourth anniversary of my marriage to Bill Stearman, my dear husband.

Bill and I both lost beloved partners in the last decade. To have found love again in the autumn of our lives is indeed a miracle, one worth celebrating. It is not a coincidence that we chose to marry on Thanksgiving weekend, 2013.

So, the first strand today is a celebration of my life with Bill.

The second strand: I’m currently taking a year-long online photography course (with 1300+ other people!) with the remarkable Canadian photographer, David duChemin. David’s profound book, The Soul of the Camera, is a source of inspiration and challenge that nourishes my photography. His online course is called “The Compelling Frame: A Mentor Class in Creative Photographic Composition.”

So on this Thanksgiving weekend, my second strand of celebration is for David duChemin’s photographic vision.

And here’s how these two celebratory strands combine: both strands feed my soul, give me courage to take risks, and open up my life to unexpected joys – “with open eyes” as David duChemin says. Thank you, Bill. Thank you, David.

The photos that follow: they were all made in Prince Edward County in the last two weeks. Bill and I share a deep love for Prince Edward County. We spend many happy hours driving around, visiting friends, and reconnecting with our roots. I hope these photos reflect my feelings for The County – and for Bill.

Enjoy.