writer traveler photographer

Days 5/6 … Psycho

1smNo, Sandra’s not “gone psycho” (although a couple family members may beg to differ.) Psychogeography is a new term for me. I’ve read many definitions –some coherent; some not–but the one I like the best is by Merlin Coverly, a chap who wrote a book on the topic.

He says, “Psychogeography seeks to overcome the processes of ‘banalization’ by which the everyday experiences of our surroundings becomes one of drab monotony.” He adds that if we look at a city as a site of mystery, and wander/walk in an area with our blinders off, we’ll discover ” … the true nature that lies beneath the flux of the everyday.”

I’ve taken the liberty of substituting references he makes to urban and city with words like rural and village. Works for me. And it also fits in with my quest to go beyond seeing the “heavenly visibles” and discovering the “heavenly invisibles.”

Vickie 1sm3smAnd that brings me to this exquisite flower. I found it on a 100 ft. tall  tulip tree (Liriodendron)  within the 10K radius. It’s sometimes referred to as a “tulip poplar” and apparently is also called canoewood, saddle-leaf tree, and white wood. Truth be known, it’s more closely associated with magnolias.

I learned about this tree from Vicki O’Neil. She knew I was doing The July Project and would be on the prowl for the month of July. So she told me about this towering tree that blossomed out in green and orange flowers that looked like tulips during the month of July. It had been planted decades ago by a Mr. Gardner for his wife at the “Gardner Cottage” on the Haley Drive in Deerfield. Not only that, several years ago a huge limb broke off in a hurricane. Vicki had three bowls made; gave two away; still has one. Although the photo doesn’t capture the essence of the bowl very well, the natural grains in the wood are a warm, buttery colour with a hint of pink.

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I’ve known Vicki for a few years and have always been awed  by the amount of information stored in her head (and also stored in albums and notebooks.) It was Vicki who shared with me the story about Maud Lewis (famous Nova Scotia folk artist, 1903-1970) who was born in Yarmouth and lived here for the first half of her life. What is not well known is that Maud gave birth to a girl. Sadly, Maud was told the baby was a boy and he died at birth. The reality was that her daughter (Catherine Maud Dowley) was raised by Alvin and Mary Crosby in Pleasant Valley (who lived next door to where Vicki and her brother Jack live today.)

Vicki’s father was also raised by the Crosby’s … hence a lot of information (and photos) were passed down to Vicki.  I visited the Pleasant Lake Cemetery–where Catherine’s first child, LeRoy is buried–and felt an overwhelming sense of sadness to know that Maud never got to know her daughter or grandchildren. They’ve not been part of Maud’s amazing story, nor have they benefited from her fame.

airport1smBack to TJP.

On my way back home, I caught the word “airport” on a sign as I was whizzing through Deerfield, so I turned around and onto a dirt road that led me to a relatively flat 1500 ft. grass strip  on a hilltop overlooking the area. It’s the site of the Finlay Airport, named for Robert Finlay, a resident of the area who loved flying and donated the land. A small plane was parked next to one of three hangars, and there’s also a clubhouse. I later learned that this is largely the work of volunteers who maintain the airstrip, buildings etc. Imagine that. Volunteers are the foundation of rural communities and do some extraordinary work.

scan0001 smRemember the photo of the log library in an earlier post? Well, I ended up there as well. It’s the Durkee Memorial Library in Carleton, built in 1938. I’ve driven by here hundreds of times and only went in once–some 30 years ago–when I borrowed two books and (blush blush) never returned them. One was moldy and I burned it, but the other, The Electric City, has been thumbed through a lot.

library 1smI called on one of the library committee members, Lucille White, and she agreed to open up for me. Well now … first of all I had no idea that the library was open three days a week. (Tues. and  Sat., 1-4 p.m.;  Thurs., 7-9 p.m.). But the biggest surprise was to discover a museum in the back of the library. Added on years ago by volunteers, it houses everything from the old Post Office boxes to a weaving shuttle that has a burn mark on one end caused by a tallow candle in a home in Chebogue, back in 1812.

There’s also the original map of Yarmouth County (1863) that was discovered in on old barn. It has tons of interesting information about families, who the truckers, farmers, fish merchants ad infinitum were.

library 2smBack in the early 1900s, Carleton was home to a prosperous outfit usually referred to as the “clothespin factory.” It was Miller & Gorgon Manufacturing, and they  not only made clothespins, they also made blueberry boxes, dowels, three different kinds of washboards, and paint brush handles.  There’s a lovely collection of memorabilia from these times in the village. And so it goes.

It’s time for me to move on today but there’s more to the Day 6/7 story related to my 10K jaunt. Will post again tonight. Oh yes. I fessed up to Lucille about not returning the books I borrowed over 30 years ago. She laughed, saying, “Happens all the time.” I offered to buy an new copy of The Electric City, but some kind soul had donated one a couple of years ago. At .25 cents late fee per day, I reckon I owe the library about $2,7375.00

I made a modest donation. And signed up to volunteer. Small atonement for my sins.

ps. photo of the opening of the library from Durkee Memorial Library; photo of  Maud Lewis courtesy of Jim Corning.

 

 

 

 

 

12 Comments

  1. Jennie Morrow Jennie Morrow
    July 9, 2015    

    The original map of Yarmouth is very interesting. I’d love to see that. I bet they could use copies of it as a great fund raiser for the library/museum.

    • July 9, 2015    

      Yes Jennie, that map sure is interesting. I’ll suggest that to them as a fundraiser. Unfortunately the photos I took have a glare as there is a plastic concoction on top of the map but I’m sure if it were taken outdoors and put on the flat with natural light, it would come out quite well.

  2. Sharon Crowell Sharon Crowell
    July 9, 2015    

    Great article! Enjoying The July Project very much. :). Look forward to the next adventure.

    • July 9, 2015    

      Great to see you pop into view Sharon! And happy you are enjoyed these posts. I love doing this. Just wish we had 48 hour days instead of 24.

  3. Margaret Ommanney Margaret Ommanney
    July 9, 2015    

    SO interesting that Maud gave birth to a daughter, but never knew it. Wondering why she was told it was a boy and he had died at birth? So very sad for her … and for her daughter. Wondering what family members are still alive.
    Good stuff Sandra!!!!

    • July 9, 2015    

      I think Maud was not allowed to keep her child because of society’s disapproval in those times (early 1930’s) and, also, her family likely felt that Maud was not capable of raising and/or caring for a child and wanted to “cover their tracks” so if she thought it was a boy, and thought it was dead, she wouldn’t go looking for the child. And if she didn’t believe her parents, she wouldn’t find the boy anyway as he didn’t exist. This is all conjecture on my part. But I have lots of photos of Maud’s daughter and will post some as an addendum as people may find this story interesting.

  4. Mary-Ann Miller (Secr?Tres of Durkee Memorial Library) Mary-Ann Miller (Secr?Tres of Durkee Memorial Library)
    July 9, 2015    

    We welcome you as part of our Library/Museum, both for your help and knowledge that you will be able to bring us 🙂

    • July 9, 2015    

      Thanks for popping into view Mary-Ann! Can’t wait to do my first “stint” as a volunteer. I promise not wait another 30 years before returning any other books I borrow.

  5. Susan Hoover Susan Hoover
    July 10, 2015    

    I thought that flower looked like a magnolia and am delighted to know it is from a tulip tree. I know where there is a tulip tree in Jordan Ferry and must go look to see if it is in flower.

    Why was the child taken away from Maud Lewis? This information should be included in her story.

    I am really enjoying your project and find it very inspiring.

    • July 11, 2015    

      Susan, I think Maud was not allowed to keep her child because of society’s disapproval in those times (early 1930’s) and, also, her family likely felt that Maud was not capable of raising and/or caring for a child and wanted to “cover their tracks” so if she thought it was a boy, and thought it was dead, she wouldn’t go looking for the child. And if she didn’t believe her parents, she wouldn’t find the boy anyway as he didn’t exist. This is all conjecture on my part. But I have lots of photos of Maud’s daughter and will post some as an addendum as people may find this story interesting.

  6. Crystal Hilton Crystal Hilton
    July 12, 2015    

    I’m really enjoying reading about the July project. Thank you for sharing.

    • July 13, 2015    

      Thanks for popping into view Crystal. Happy you are enjoying these ramblings!

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