Hey...Where did that come from?

I was google map surfing and came across this odd circle in Quebec that I dont recall.

Here is a close-up. How could I have missed this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manicouagan_Reservoir

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manicouagan_Reservoir#Manicouagan_impact_crater

http://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Manicouagan_Reservoir&params=51_23_N_68_42_W_type:waterbody_region:CA-QC_scale:1000000

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&cp=51.383333~-68.7&style=h&lvl=9&sp=Point.51.383333_-68.7_Manicouagan%20Reservoir___

Galations 2:19

¹⁹ “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”


I was doing a little surfing this morning and came across this passage on a fellow bloggers post. It was a revelation moment for him. 


In my opinion, the new Christian Law is a parallel to the old Judaic Law. While it is useful for instruction in righteousness, it is not righteousness. It becomes merde when used to divide creation and to draw lines. It shifts our focus from a God who dwells within, to a God who has expectations for rule following. Christ, The God Child, fully God and fully man, dwells in me and I in Him by the very faith breathed in me. I have deep love and gratitude for this union and I AM FREE!


I have trouble with some of my christian brothers and sisters because they are busy making camps by which they can be identified. They are busy building one way bridges and putting up fences and drawing lines. They are worshiping the law and tradition and idols of every sort, while becoming increasingly insulated they are so heavenly minded, they are no earthly good.


When Christ divided the loaves and fed the people he told them about the bread of life. They couldn't believe that it was free.......we still cant.

Dressing Up

One Cloud

One Cloud - Rob Martino
Chapman Sick

Fall Trip to Emerald

Road to Camp

This is "HWY" 805. Camp is about 40KM north. Last town was River Valley and that is the postal address for these parts. No electricity..no cell service, but there are a lot of great radio stations!

Red and White Pine 

This Red and White Pine appear to grow from the same trunk. Alex pointed them out to me. I stopped the truck, took a picture and looked closer. These 2 trees merge as one, although clearly they began as seperate seedlings. The Red Pine is flourishing and the White Pine is beginning to die. The woodpeckers have been having a feast in her bark.

Mist on Manitou 

The time was 10:45am and the mist was still rising from Lake Manitou

Mist on Emerald

11:00am at Emerald and the mist was beginning to break. 

The sun did come out and it was a glorious day!

Camp

This is my school bus and newly acquired shed. I got a call that the shed and platform were to be disposed of,  so I raced to camp to spec it out. The shed is a bit rough and needs a few repairs, but the platform was good. We managed to put it in place and I spent the day building the crib and foundation. I do plan on building a bunkie for Sue and I on that foundation. We will have a double bed and a woodstove. 

Munchies for the journey fresh from the garden

One of the neighbors gave me a hand and gave me a couple of railroad ties. When I picked the wood up he said it would cost me. I said how much and he said "just a thankyou" so I said Merci! and later he came to admire my work and give me crap for not calling him for more help when I needed it. I gave him the rest of my carrots and he was thrilled. Fresh Veggies in the bush are a welcome thing.

All People are Equal, Individual and Worthy of Love and Respect

I brought my guitar and this humble birch bark statement as a gift to Dene. I sang a couple songs with her friend and she was excited to frame this painting and put it in one of the lodges.

Waiting for a Miracle - Bruce Cockburn

Waiting for a Miracle - Bruce Cockburn

Changing of the Season Ceremony 2011 - Video Footage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eAbjODKKRw8
by Micheal Messner

Here is some great footage of this years Changing of the Season Ceremony.

The Grand Celebration of Gods Creation

"For the Grand Celebration of Gods Creation" copyright don wright 2011

I have been collecting special pieces of driftwood during my travels in the bush. I have dozens of unique pieces, and each one tells a story to me. I look at the grains and the knots and I begin to see likeness and life force. Sure this is just a piece of wood...but who knows how old it is? Who knows how long it swirled in that eddy. Who knows how many rocks and other pieces it brushed against. Who knows how tall it once stood, or how long it lived. Who knows how many animals sought refuge under its canopy. Who knows how many birds built nests in that tree. Who knows where it stood and the beauty it beholded?

So the question is why am I now going to explore and marvel, create and paint on each and every one of these little pieces of driftwood? To what end?.......For what purpose?

The answer is simple. For the grand celebration! I want to accentuate the natural beauty and lines and force of each piece of driftwood, so that I may join in the praises of creation and ultimately the creator. There is so much natural beauty around us, I want these little pieces of art to stand as little testaments to the wondrous glory and inherent beauty of the natural world. I want to help create whimsical and childlike joy, while paying tribute to the sacredness and beauty of Gods provisions for us.

A few hundred years ago, 

a blessed seed did sprout 

and from that seed 

grew a magnificent tree.

 That tree gave  sustenance 

to birds and animals 

and insects and plants 

and provided the very air we breath. 

That tree eventually died,

 as all do,

 and lay transforming

on the side of that river.

One spring thaw,

 life giving water washed that tree into the river,

 where it began its decent

 and continued transformation.

 A small piece broke off, 

 around and around in a circle, 

it was molded to perfection 

to tell the story, 
to reveal the glory. 

It was specially selected, 

by a wandering soul, 

who finds pleasure in the magnificence of creation, 

who finds wonder in the very grains of wood,
and who knows the promise
and power of transformation. 

It was painted,

 embellished, 

dolled up for the party....

for the Grand Celebration 

of Gods creation.

To the One who has all knowledge,

power and wisdom

to You be the glory 

forever and ever

amen

The Moose

"The Moose" copyright don wright 2011

The moose is a magnificent creature! It is big and bold, yet it can seem passive and peaceful. The moose is a vegetarian and loves water greens and tender shoots. The moose can be seen every spring at thaw along the side of our northern highways. 

I was talking about Ojibway translations with an elder. I learned that "window" translates to place where light comes in. There was no name for "horse", as horses had never been seen. The ojibway translation for horse is "solid hoof animal". The moose, and the deer are split hooved animals. The first sign of the horse was likely a hoof print..imagine their surprise!

While walking in the bush, one is continually reminded of the moose....they leave their droppings everywhere! I have seen them at the peaks of hills and in swampy valleys. They are numerous and roam the woodlands with majesty.

This is my tribute to the moose and this is a gift for a very nice couple we met.

http://www.google.ca/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1920&bih=979&q=moose&gbv=2&oq=moose&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=1&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=1043l1943l0l2780l5l4l0l0l0l0l152l488l1.3l4l0

Sunrise

"Sunrise" by don and sue wright 1984

My wife Sue put herself through university as an Erin Craft Co-op stained glass apprentice to the remarkably talented Patti Rainbow Wheeler. Sue watched the store while piecing together patterns precut and designed by Patti. I watched and sometimes helped. I designed, cut, and wrapped this piece, but when it came time to soldering it, I really needed my wife. Sue became quite proficient at the solder and the bead. This piece is called sunrise and we made this together as newlyweds.

Time With an Elder

"Hand of Reason" Copyright don wright

Inspired by and gifted to Alex Mathias

"Caretaker of the Old Growth"

I spent some time with an elder. It was quite by chance....it just sort of happened. It was golden. I love it when way leads to way.

We had questions for each other. We spoke about spiritual matters and we spoke about history. We spoke about medicines and how how we are losing our senses. We spoke about mother earth and the magical knowledge we have.

He told me once he was paddling with someone and they were looking for fish to eat. He had some inner knowledge that over the little ridge was a lake with fish. He was right and even surprised himself. I got to thinking about how his ancestors lived on the lake systems and would follow their "instincts" with faith.

He told me about how his daughter was sick and he needed to collect some medicine. He got a call to guide a doctor to see some pictographs and during his trip, he collected the medicine. The doctor asked him about it, and took a sample back for analysis. Turns out the active ingredient in the plant, is the same active ingredient found in the medicine.

He wishes he paid more attention to his elders...dont we all! He is an ample teacher in his own right. In fact, he is a legend in my area.. I do consider him to be my elder and I respect him for who and what he is.

I asked him if he would take me Bear Island and he said yes. I am looking forward to that time.

I am the Vine - Song and Painting

                           

I am the Vine

I am the vine and you are the branches

and if you remain in me and I in you

you will bear much fruit

as my father has loved me so have I loved you

I layed down my life so you"d know it was true

Now I call out to you

now remain in my love

and remain in my heart

and remain in my love

and remain in my heart

You have not chose me, but I chose you

What I've learned from my father I told to you

you will bear much fruit

now remain in my love

and remain in my heart

and remain in my love

and remain in my heart

you remain in my love

you remain in my heart

and remain in my love

and remain in my heart

"the vine" copyright don wright 2011

?

Photo by Paul Bisson on Friends of Temagami Facebook

 http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150319604415548&set=o.23194453243&type=3&theater

Gitchie Manido - Great Spirit Praises Copyright don wright 2009

I was on the Friends of Temagami Facebook site and I noticed the above picture from the Petroglyphs Park near Peterborough. I had drawn inspiration from a similar picture of the carvings. If you look closely at the above picture from Paul Bisson, you can also see thunderbirds and ancestors.

In my adaptation and understanding of the rock symbols, The Sun represents life source Gitchie Manido and The Great Spirit or God. The central figure is the very son of God, maybe known as Nanabush or other Christ figure and the small figure praises the Spirit and the Son in unity.

Of course these carvings were made with original intent and they are very old. I am no scholar nor have I had any instruction or training on the true meanings of these symbols. On one hand, it may appear like I am hijacking the original to bring meaning that was never intended OR, this is an example that our Native Peoples were well aware of the concept of God Creator and Redeemer.

You Are Welcome Niijii - Thank you!

I have been trying to teach Niijii a number of words and phrases. Since we share an office, he listens to me talk all day. He sits on his perch and chats and chats and chats. Actually, its almost enough to make you go crazy and sometimes I have to remove him. His chatter has become more and more human. While there are a number of words he does know, somehow many others slip from his beak. As I listen to him its almost like he is teaching me the meaning of life...in tongues.

I am celebrating today because Niijii has repeated a word that I have not purposely tried to teach him. It is a word he has heard, thankfully, here in the house and it fills me with great joy. He said.....THANK YOU..... not once..not twice but now 3 times. I know its not a fluke. Thats so cool!

I have heard him say a few other random words like..product....warranty.....and hahahaha

The Vine

"the vine" copyright don wright 2011

I am the vine,

 and you are the branches

and if you remain in me

and I in you

you will bear much fruit

Something I Was Thinking About

"Something I was Thinking About" copyright don wright 2011

Something I was thinking about.....

My Birthday Present

Well I got this big-ass frying pan for my birthday. Sue drove me to pick it up because I was a duffus and did not renew my drivers licence...doh. Perhaps I can get her to drive me into town today at lunch. Nevertheless, I am quite excited to use my new grill. The weatherman is calling for a week of rain so we shall see. Sue planted 4 rows of garlic yesterday so the rain is actually welcome. Our rivers and lakes are low and we sure could used the water. Anyway, back to the frying pan....Its BIG! and it has a nice long handle...perfect for the campfire!

Niijii Painters Apprentice to the Apprentice

Niijii and I share a room. I have my office/painting room and Niijii has his home. We have been having a little trouble with ground rules, however for the most part he has been good.....until this morning. He landed in the red paint then went directly to my art...jeesh..I had budgie prints all over everything and Niijii got bathed in red. He started flying around and wouldnt let me catch him until he had landed on far too many things. Even the cat ended up with red paint and I cant figure out how that happened! None the less, I grabbed him and put him under the water and gave him a washing. I got most off but I'm afraid he may be red for a while. Meanwhile, since I gave my attentions to Niijii, the red paint stained my painting. We have talked about what just happened and as an apprentice, he has agreed not to get so excited and to try to stay within the lines.

Forest Fires

"Forest Fires" copyright don wright 2011

October 11, 2011

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend was a busy one for Ontario FireRangers as dry conditions coupled with unseasonably warm weather led to a surge in new fire arrivals. There were 33 new fires confirmed over the period of October 7 to October 10. Several of these new fires exhibited intensity class 2-3 behaviour and a number required significant air attack with both waterbombers and medium helicopters.

The majority of these new fires were human-caused and located in the Northeast Region. The largest new fire is Sault Ste. Marie 20 which has grown to over 114 hectares and is not under control. This fire is burning in rough terrain where there is limited water access. Other significant fires include Wawa 37 and Kirkland Lake 19, both of which are 25 hectares in size and not under control.

As of the morning of October 11, there were 50 active fires in the province. Of these, 24 were being observed, 11 were under control, 7 were being held and 8 were not under control. In 2011 to date, 1,317 fires have affected 631, 961 hectares of forest in Ontario.

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/AFFM/2ColumnSubPage/268862.html

Forest Fires in Ontario 2011

http://forest.lrc.gov.on.ca/AFFM/fire/interactivemap/firemap_English.htm

Forgiveness

"Foregiveness" Copyright don wright 2011

Simple and child like. There is no painters skill here. There was no painters skill in the pictographs. Looking at the Peterborough Petroglyphs, I saw symbols. They meant something. They tell a story. They express a theme or a concept. I painted this little piece and gave it to my great aunt as a visitation gift for her cottage. She was over joyed. She pointed to the simple childrens pictures on the wall. She told me her young grandchildren point to them and recite......Boat....Duck....Deer. She said now they will learn the word forgiveness.

How would you paint forgiveness? If you were a magnificent artist, you might chose to give my symbols flesh and bone and tone and texture. You could likely make this into a very real  piece of art. I can see the beautuful expressions that you would embelish in their faces. You wouldnt merely use simple color representation to express differance. You would breath life to this piece........and in so doing destroy the simplicity. This is a symbol of forgiveness. The real thing is so much more beautiful. This is meant as a prop....a simple example...a tangible representation.

Forgiveness

Happy 50th Don!

So here is a little advice and some ramblings for you don, on your 50th as you drink your morning coffee watching your budgie who just fell into the soapy dishwater.....

1. love the lord your God with all of your heart and all your soul

I was going to explore so many other tips and advice's but really, if I were to just do number one, then I know I will continue to lead a happy, joyous, peaceful and meaningful life. Yes, life can really suck sometimes. Life can be hard and full of pain and disappointment. One friend told me I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth and that there is no way I have experienced the depths of pain. I was told it was easy for me to love a God who has given me so much. This whole argument can be explored in the book of Job and I rekon its something people have played out for 1000's of years.

I believe the book of Job is the oldest book in the bible. I want to be like Job who just kept loving God despite all the  trials and tribulations. But I also want to be like Jobs friends who stood beside him. Sure they offered all sorts of misguided conventional wisdom that turned out to be poo, but they did stand beside him. They loved him and were there for him. A friend of mine was quite angry that God would play such charades with a persons life and that in itself was inconsistent with Love.

I read the book for the message and I dont get caught up on things that are literal, but I try to understand why and what. Why am I being told this and what does it mean to me and my relationship with God?

The Holy Bible is like a double edged sword. How does one interpret such a complex book? Is it that only scholars should know and the rest merely be taught or legislated? Is the book to be taken literally or figuratively or or both....and what happens when we disagree? Does the message get lost while we play with the words?

Why is it that we turn the book into legislation? We had the law already. Now we have grace and love and Christ within...so why dont we live like it? Why do we enslave ourselves with the law again, when clearly, the Christ came to unite us with God.

I love and appreciate the Holy Bible, but I think that the greatest problem is the fact that we use it to divide and conquer people. We use it to build up our own righteousness. We read the bible and interpret it based on our own colored glasses; based on our culture and our circles and our place in life. We turn the bible into a mathematical equation in order to earn Gods love.

So here is a little summation of what the Holy Bible has taught my mind and being.....

1 God created the heavens and earth and breathed His breath of life to all things.
2 There is a beginning and and end to all things except Alpha and the Omega
3 I was made in His image and Spirit resides in me
4 I am free, forgiven and loved
and the first and final word....
1 I will love the Lord my God with all my heart AND I will love my neighbor as myself.

Happy Birthday don....you are loved...you have purpose....and you are complete.
...just like the great engineer designed
.....now live like it.

Sturgeon River Shore Lunch

What a beautiful Thanksgiving Saturday! We put the boat back in the water, and planned a little shore lunch excursion. The water was low enough at Sandy Falls to run the rapids and adventure upstream to new places.

We packed the boat with all the essentials

I set up a nice comfy chair for Sue

We stopped at the mountain for an hour or so, just soaking up the views and the sun.

We headed up stream to find a dinner spot

We went above the abandoned railway line

and found a great spot for a fire and shore dinner

It sure is beautiful to hear the rapids and bask in the sun

We had potatoes and Whitefish.

We watched the last of the sun fall below the treeline, and headed on home

This little shore dinner was just a practice run for our Thanksgiving Shore Dinner. A few of us are going to set up at Sandy Falls for the day. We will serve Moose Steaks and Walleye along with garden veggies and home made cranberry sauce. 

We have a shore lunch kit setup now, so events like this will be easy. We have about a month before the river freezes over and plan on taking full advantage of it!

Blessings of Thanksgiving and Peace to you and yours!

The Strawbs - Hero and Heroine

Thanksgiving

I have much to be grateful for. I am not going to bore you with my list....you have your own list. Whether we choose to recognize or not, we have much to be grateful for. Let us silently count our blessings and give thanks and then lets live like blessed people.

Without Love

blah blah blah

This is a post from Oct 5 2005...evidently not much has changed in 6 years...........

blah blah blah.

Why would I waste my time posting blah blah blah.

As if I'm not busy enough.

I'll tell you more about blah blah blah later when I have more time.

dw

Birch Bark Statements - don wright

"Birch Bark Statements" Copyright don wright 2011

1. All people are equal, individual and worthy of love and respect.

2. It upsets me when our religious symbols are used to divide people.

3. Forgiveness

4. The earth rejoices

The InspirationTree

"The Tree" Copyright don wright 2009

I was cleaning out my office in Mississauga for a relocate and I came across this stashed painting. I remember being quite disappointed and embarrassed with this piece and so I had hidden it. I knew if I left it at home it would fall victim to a re-paint. Well I found it, brought it home and today it filled me with inspiration. Its still not a very good painting but ......

I know what I wanted to say

I know what I wanted to convey

I can still feel it

and I dont want to use words.

I use words all the time.

I want to use symbols, 

and I want to use lines.

I want to use colour,

and I want to use signs.

You will know

because you will feel,

and when you feel,

you will know.

and deep in your soul,

you will rejoice.

and I will rejoice with you

in the light of the son

I picked up my paintbrushes again. It feels good.

Fall Harvest at Leisure Farms

These turkeys were a lot of fun. They were expecting us to feed them. They became quite interested in the camera as well.....movie stars...all of them.

This fellow decided to take a leading role

gobble gobble

The sign said do not climb on the pumkins...but who could resist?

The "little" fellow was quite pleased when the young lad stomped on the pumpkin.

Raspberries for a far as the eye can see

Sue makes a stellar choice

Can you say Pumpkin Pie?

Cranberry Picking 2011

We went for a fall walk and attended the Sturgeon River House Cranberry Festival.

There were so many berries! You could just sit down and pick (and eat)

This was after about 5 minutes of picking

Sue in the Cranberry Bog

Wild Cranberries

Sue picking berries

Satisfied

Enough for a great sauce

and enough for juice

Can you say Cranberry Blessed!