CrEatiVe DeToUrs

Creative Detours

       Due  to a recent series of unfortunate events a la 'Lemony Snicket' style,  it appeared all was but lost on my original  summer holiday plans.   However, I return victorious from a recent creative detour;  replenished after all and reminded of the unexpected gifts in the wounds, insults and injuries of everyday life. 

       After a dry spell paralleling the drought and stage 4 water shortage of my home island-- I am reminded that, eventually, rain happens again.   Eventually.

      Something gives, something changes, eventually....whether an adaptation of the old, an adjustment to a new environment, or a return to prior balance--- even when you have to retool, postpone or cancel your week holiday altogether;  which, in the end, landed me in a pretty magical and unexpected destination.   What otherwise would have been an expansive week of camping and hiking in the mountains became a shortened two days of opportunity,  so we seized the day choosing a nearby manageable destination.

      Passing a just contained week long forest fire en route was heartbreaking;  a brutal reminder of the dangers of human stupidity mixed with a crisis state of drought.   As we choked on the smoke and meandered through the haze, it was a painful reminder of how quickly everything changes, and yes, detours... The road we were on had only opened to the public again a mere 12 hrs earlier.

      After arriving at the the very farthest 'westest' west coast one can get;  the air cleared again, and a gentle rain replaced the  dry smokey haze.   The first rain in months.    The wet chill had never been so welcome!  Through the window of the forest, the sound of ocean waves beckoned, sculpted weather worn rocks, driftwood, cliffs and dramatic vistas formed a rugged backdrop.   A tangle of exotic tree roots created enchanting, strange canopies;  drawing us forward, welcoming us into their mysterious, storybook lair.


The earth quietly showed  itself to simply be an absolute masterpiece.


Standing at the 'gnarliest tree in Canada' in the great Avatar forest was mysterious, humbling and deeply calming.   There, a blue jay fed me this song in the silence.   I knew then that I should share it here.

In yet another detour, this time from decorum, urgency required I must pee in the woods.  My bare bottom to the moss, a declarative  act of being one with your animal flesh in the forest, is, after all, quite freeing and natural.   A strange sort of liberation.    It certainly strips etiquette, learned behaviours and socializing right down to its bare necessities! (OH YES, pun intended.)


I spoke earlier this year of creative detours in the form of rejection from an art show.  Knocked me off my balance for a bit, lost some confidence and direction.  Detours are like that.....detours are often unbidden. Such as a lay off from work this spring.  Many events this year have been beyond my control and influence, seemingly being caught in the spin cycle of external events.

“Fate is like a strange, unpopular restaurant filled with odd little waiters who bring you things you never asked for and don't always like.” ― Lemony Snicket.


Perhaps you can relate to such a period in your life. How then, does one ground themselves at these times?

I'll tell you, a daily practice of meditation would help. But I don't do that...too fond of sleep I am.
For me regaining fitness was my life line; hiking in the woods and just being in the woods themselves.

Back to the Avatar forest.

Simply Amazing. The quiet was truly  soothing......      Intriguing......       U n f a m i l i a r. 

Yet, to natter on about the quality of the silence seems counter-intuitive and...well, noisy.


If only I could convey in words the symphony of this delicious silence.  What a resonate deep velvet, soft landing place.

Moist.   Green.  Spacious.

A true balm for the soul.  I wish everyone could experience it.   EVERYONE.   Because I know  once touched by this powerful force,  you too would feel dedicated to protect nature if you weren't already.    Even oil company executives and corrupt prime ministers would feel changed.


I am certain.

“At times the world may seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe that there is much more good in it than bad.  All you have to do is look hard enough  and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events may in fact be the first steps of a journey.”  

― Lemony Snicket

nh.