Battling It Out For Nova Scotia

Back before both Canada and the United States were independent countries, 
the control of North America was being fought by England and France mostly.

We know the outcome for both the United States and Canada.
The British were booted out of the 13 colonies 
and/so in turn the British kicked out the French here in Canada.

For those interested in more details as far as Nova Scotia fared 
in all this and who originally made up our population here,
you can read through the following information provided by Parks Canada.
I got this last weekend in the Valley where the actual site 
of the 'deportation of the Acadians' took place.

Okay all you 'history buffs'.......

This is the actual site of the 'deportation' we found last Sunday.

One thing, I am happy and feel fortunate that my 
great-great grandfather, Theodore Cuvelier,
arrived in North America from Paris, France in the mid 1800's
after most things were settled between
England and France here in Canada.

Otherwise, I would not be here to tell you all about it!!

An Old Barn

This barn is in the Gaspereaux Valley which is in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia.

Have been passing this barn for years now 

and each year it has become more run-down.

I guess that is exactly what adds to the charm of these old farm structures.

By the looks of it I think it was once used for cattle and hay.

Now that this area is being taken over by vineyards

it no longer has much use as far as I can see.

Maybe it is being used as a storage area for equipment. 

And I see above that there is a power 'hook-up' still remaining.

I think these old barns are a statement/salute 

to how well barns were built 'back in the day'.

On the outside it is being beaten up by the weather and lack of any maintainance.

I bet on the inside the frame is as good as it was when it was built many years ago.

'Heard It Through The Grapevine'

Over the past 20 years or so, Nova Scotia has been slowly gaining recognition
in the 'wine industry' here in North America.

Most of the vineyards are in the Annapolis Valley where Ron grew up

 and attended university. So we know this area pretty well and have spent a lot

of time here over the years.

We continue to visit this area because it has been and is so much a part of our lives.

So last weekend we were in the Valley again getting 'stocked up' on fall veggies

and found ourselves in the heart of 'wine country', Nova Scotia style.

The Annapolis Valley has always been noted for its growing and production 

of apples here in eastern Canada. But this has changed now and the apple

orchards are being replaced by vineyards.

There are still apple orchards which produce great fruit but I noticed on this last trip 

that I see more vineyards now. 

Changing times and the economy have helped with this 'crop change'.

 I believe there is more money to be made with grape production

and it takes less start-up time than apples to go from 'vineyard to table'.

It is becoming very popular for people to take a bus tour of all

the vineyards in this area. And if these photos reflect anything

it is that the setting of these vineyards is spectacular....all year round.

It is good to see that my little province of Nova Scotia
is keeping up with the best of them.

Contemplative Monday

The following quote is taken from 'Heart Advice, Weekly Quotes From Pema Chodron'.

OPENING TO THE MIRACLE

"Meditation begins to open up your life, so that you are not caught in self-concern,

just wanting life to go your way.

In that case you no longer realize that you're standing in the center of the world,

that you're in the middle of a sacred circle, 

because you're so concerned with your worries,

pains, limitations, desires, and fears that you are blind to the beauty of existence.

All you feel by being caught up like this is misery, as well as

enormous resentment about life in general.

How strange! Life is such a miracle, and a lot of the time we feel only resentment

about how it's all working out for us."

Eclectic Tastes

OK, get out those headphones and just listen to Steven Halpern's

version of the Pachelbel's Canon in D Major.

That wasn't by any means an order,

simply a nudge.

Enjoy.

Saturday Morning Post

This week flew by! Here it is Saturday again!

Tons of grapes this year....I just may attempt to make

grape jelly before the birds get them.

From a 'photo shoot' last weekend.

As I said, lots of grapes this year.

Life-size dinky toy down at the boardwalk this week.

Rust study.

Fall surfers.

Met this guy (16 month old Portuguese Water Dog) on one

of my walks with Sophie.

A very colourful bend in the road.

Berries from our Dogwood tree.....it is covered in these now.

 Sophie napping in the living room sunshine.

Took this yesterday in the late afternoon along the beach trail.

Loved how these blades of grass caught the sun yesterday afternoon.

These three photos taken at the photo shoot last Saturday

with Nikki and Reagan.

That's it for this week folks!!

Have a great weekend all.