Thoughts from Chickadee Lane

Photo from our front garden This week has been a time of living out Dolly Parton’s words, “Back through the years I go wandering once again.” On Sunday June 25, I was delighted to celebrate with the congregation of Winsloe United Church, PEI; to offer a reflection on the occasion of their 25th Anniversary of being one congregation in a new building. It is a remarkable story. In the mid 1990s, after many, many conversations, five small congregations agreed to amalgamate and become one congregation. They let go of the five buildings and constructed a new accessible church building which was officially dedicated in June, 1998.   Personally, the day was a bit of a home coming as my childhood church home was one of the five. Friends I have not seen for many years joined the celebration sharing stories I had long forgotten, recalling the season of our youth. Tales of teenage years. Parenting years. Working at the lab bench years. Funny how none of us aged! When the new church building was co

Welcome summer! Come on in!  Officially this morning at 11:57 am! In addition to the summer solstice, today we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day - a day set aside to celebrate indigenous culture and indigenous contributions, past and present, to our province and country. The windmills you see to the left are an example of indigenous peoples vision to build a greener world.   As you leave Saint John on Hwy 1 heading west, you will see how the landscape is changing. For decades the horizon has been dominated by Coleson Cove’s twin smoke stacks. Today, ten swirling windmills of the Burchill windmill farm, now stand tall on the horizon of the unceded Wolastoqey territory. Together they symbolize a greener future and a wonderful illustration of the changing nature of New Brunswick's energy.  Neqotkuk First Nations is the majority owner in partnership with Natural Forces, a private independent power producer, and the federal government. When all ten windmills operate the Burchill

                                                                                    Dad at 88.  Since writing for me always helps me feel like I am with someone, today I write about my father.  For me June is filled with Dad as his Presence lingers near between his birthday June 10th and Father’s Day. Robert “Nelson” Stevenson was born June 10, 1920.   Since his death in 2009 it has been my ritual on June 10th, to remember Dad by wandering through the azalea and rhododendron gardens of friend and neighbour Freeman Patterson. Thank you Freeman.   My father was brilliant - a self taught farmer and carpenter. His DNA is on all his children’s homes as he was instrumental in building each of our homes. His DNA is also on everything from crokinole boards to wooden garbage cans as it was my parents practice to not make just one of anything, rather five of whatever was the latest Christmas Gift - one for each home of their five children.   His hands were both rough from hard labour and gentle.

This evening my heart is troubled at the current political situation in New Brunswick. In particular, at today’s release of the government’s changes to Policy 713 which, in its previous state, served to protect the beauty and diversity of humanity;  much like the green house you see above - protecting the plants.  I will reserve specific comment until I have the opportunity to read the new document and hear feedback from 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals. So for tonight, I share three good news pictures from today. The first picture (above) is from my annual pilgrimage to wander through the green houses at Ganong’s Nursery. Row by row, the abundance and diversity of colour and texture is dazzling to behold. The second picture is of Queen Anne's Lace that grows freely along the road side... as if intentionally lined up swaying in the breeze just to make you feel special and your drive more pleasant.   The third picture shows several blossoms from a yellow magnolia tree that stands tall and be

Isn’t it wonderful how often when you really need a good news story - one appears, like that of the cows you see above.   In the midst of wild fires flaring up across the country, homes and livelihoods being destroyed and my daughter’s home in Nova Scotia being at risk, a good news story is so very welcome. The back story began January 23, 2022 on a cold Sunday afternoon when tragedy stuck our neighbours at the Titus Dairy Farm.   Actually the story begins much earlier as the Titus Farm is a multi generation family farm. Today while, Titus cousins, niblings, aunts, uncles, children and spouses are all on board, Jeff takes the lead, while his father Reid works by his side. Once upon a time Reid’s parents Gladys and Eldon ran the family farm.   It was on that January day when fire destroyed the family farm barn, immediately killing several cows. More animals died later from smoke inhalation.   Sirens filled the air that Sunday afternoon, as firefighters gathered from neighbouring Fire De