Category: Photography (Page 5 of 6)

My Passions – Knitting, Socks and Knitting Socks

July 20, 2021 / Hughena MacDougall / 4 Comments

I don’t remember learning to knit. Like learning my ABC’s, 1 2 3’s and Do Re Mi’s, it was just something I learned, with no recollection of doing so. What I have been told is that when I was about 4 years old, my Mom was knitting and I asked her to teach me. She wasted no time and had knitting needles and yarn in my hand immediately. I do remember my first project was a headband. I also remember not liking to purl, but apparently that is normal for new knitters. I’m over that now.

1969 – I was either 3 or 4, but thinking closer to 4. My first knitting project was a white headband.

I’ve now been knitting over 50 years. I love it and rarely a day goes by that I haven’t knit. My favourite time is between 6:30 and 7am, when I catch up on the overnight sports, while knitting before I go to work. Over the years I’ve knit dozens of Lopi sweaters (remember them), Irish Fisherman knit sweaters, once making on for the late Liam Clancy on a challenge from him, afghans, blankets, baby outfits, mitts, hats, scarfs, neck-warmers, socks and more. Occasionally I have knit as an extra source of income. I remember receiving a frantic call on December 10 (my birthday, that’s how I remember) wondering if I could make a particular sweater for a gentleman, as a Christmas gift for his wife. I accepted the order and did complete it which also included having to locate the yarn. Dear lord, whatever was I thinking? I was unemployed at that time, so I could dedicate many hours of daily knitting. It was a pattern with a lot of intricate cables and some of which I’d never done before. I finished it on December 23rd. Never again would I do that.

Mom, Liam Clancy modelling the sweater I made him, Me.

My obsession now is socks. I love socks. I have no idea where my love of socks began, but I believe it was when I had a newspaper route and I’d get so many pairs of socks for Christmas. I like all kinds of socks from commercially made to homemade, from light weight to heavy weight, from long socks to shorties, from multi-coloured to one colour, from wool to cotton; I just love socks. Knitting socks is my all-time favourite thing to knit. There are so many patterns, so many types of yarn, so many colours of yarn, so many combinations of toes, heels and ribbing. It’s fun to experiment with variegated yarns, to see how they pool when knit in a rib, or stockinette stitch or in a pattern. Sometimes it works and sometimes it most definitely doesn’t work.

Standfield’s wool socks that are 37 years old. Can’t wear them out.

I often have small amounts of yarn leftover after making a larger pair of socks. I use the leftovers to make a mini sock to hang on a tree. The tree remains up all year and whenever I look at it, I remember the people I made the socks for when I look at the matching mini sock.

I’m also working on a blanket using leftover sock yarn. Some of the yarn has been given to me by friends who knit socks and don’t use the leftovers. This is a work in progress and will take time to complete.

There is nothing better than finding a nice yarn shop to visit. When I travel, it is one thing I try to find and have found some dandies in Edgartown, Massachusetts, Freeport, Maine and closer to home in Tatamagouche and Baddeck, Nova Scotia. My favourite was Baadeck Yarns in Baddeck. (No, that is not a spelling error. It is a play on words.) Baadeck Yarns was located in the home of the owner of the shop, Pat Fields. Pat was wonderful. She was always willing to help with a pattern, find the perfect yarn, suggest a new product or just let you browse. Her shop was beautiful and even if I didn’t buy anything, I just felt a calmness being amongst all the gorgeous fibres, the colours, the displays, the large spinning wheel in the loft, and the peacefulness that came with a visit. It was therapeutic. Sadly Pat closed her shop last year. I still miss it and I’ve not been to Baddeck since she closed.

Spinning wheel in the loft of the former Baadeck Yarns.

On a happy note, there is now a mobile yarn shop called “Tracy’s Rolling Yarn Shop”, owned by Tracy Stubbard. Tracy tells me she started knitting dishclothes when she worked at a call centre, but then got away from knitting. In 2014 a co-worker taught her how to knit socks and she has just grown from there knitting many things, but she always has a pair of socks on the go. In 2017 she was diagnosed with cancer. After her treatments finished she started working with Pat at Baadeck Yarns. When Pat said she wanted to retire, Tracy jokingly said she would buy a bus and take Baadeck Yarns on the road. Then 2020 arrives, as does Covid, a second cancer diagnosis for Tracy, and Pat retires and sells her house where her shop was located. In the meantime Tracy had already bought a trailer and was working to make it look like a yarn shop. She purchases Pat’s inventory and it just grew from there. Now Tracy takes the yarn shop on the road to places like Cheticamp, Baddeck, Antigonish, Arichat, Bouladerie, Port Hawkesbury, etc. and when not on the road she sets up in her own driveway in Dominion. In Tracy’s words, “I’m grateful that I was able to follow through with this, as everyday I wake up is a blessing. And it’s the most rewarding job, because all the customers are happy and they are loving my concept!!” I know I’m loving her concept and have visited her Rolling Shop three times already. She has a lot packed into her trailer. It reminds me of visiting Baadeck Yarns, as she has wonderful displays, she arranges her colours and types of yarn to make it so eye appealing, and her quality of yarn is second to none.

Richard Devrieze yarns. Look at those colours.

Fleece Artist – one of my favourites. Love the names like Lupine, Nova Scotia Tartan, Cape Breton Tartan, Lotus and Tracy’s Purples.

If you are a knitter, do yourself a favour and visit Tracy’s Rolling Yarn Shop. Follow Tracy on Facebook by searching Tracy’s Rolling Yarn Shop for her travel schedule and/or check out her website www.tracysyarns.ca .

I hope you enjoyed this latest blog post. Leave a comment, ask a question, make suggestions for future blogs, or message me if you like. I hope to post more often in the future.

All photos taken by yours truly.

Celebrating Little Things – Part 4

May 28, 2021 / Hughena MacDougall / 5 Comments

I am finding it increasingly more difficult to remain positive through this third wave of Covid. Maybe because I had so much other crap going on that I was trying to work through, during the first and second waves, that I didn’t find it as hard. Or maybe not realizing how long this was going to continue, even though we were warned about a second and third wave, made it easier. Now I find myself wondering if we will ever see loved ones again, ever be able to hug people, ever say a proper goodbye to those who are no longer here, ever be able to go to a live music event, ever be able to travel to Ireland or anywhere again, ever have some kind of normalcy. In the meantime, I will focus on the positives, the little things, that mean so much.

When Mom received her first dose of Pfizer, friends checked in on her during the afternoon after I went back to work. It’s comforting to have people in our lives that do these little things.

Receiving my first dose of the vaccine, even if it was AstraZeneca. I have not even second guessed my decision to get the first vaccine that was available, even though I have no idea what the second vaccine is going to be.

I have had two Covid tests. One was the more in depth (no pun intended) test, in Antigonish, in which the results arrived via email about 18 hours later. Thankfully I was negative. The second was a rapid test at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre. Because I do not own a cellphone, I had to remain at the site to receive my test results. After 15 minutes a lovely lady came out and asked the two people who were waiting what our names were. I knew since I was the first to have my test done that she was likely looking for me. When I said my name she very cautiously approached me, with a bit of a serious look on her face. My heart started racing. She leaned towards me and in a very hushed voice she said ‘you’re negative. You may leave now’. Phew. Thank goodness.

I recently suffered a sprained neck and was in great agony for several days. I had to call a friend to take me to the hospital and then to town for a prescription. She had also picked me up a neck brace prior to taking me to the hospital. Knowing I have special people in my life, that I can depend on in times of need, means so much. Thank you Donna.

I bought an Amaryllis, on sale, in February. It provided so much pleasure, as I watched it grow and bloom. There is something about an Amaryllis blossom that just makes me so happy. And the fact it was about 1/4 the original price.

I stored LilyAnna, my Canna Lily, last fall in hopes that I could plant a few offspring from it this spring. It survived wonderfully and when I planted the tubers I had 10 plants, all with sprouts starting. I very successfully now have 9 pots and although some are VERY slow to grow, others have taken off mightily.

As a knitter there is nothing that makes me happier than reaching into the centre of the ball and pulling out the inside thread end. Oh happy day when that happens.

Speaking of yarn, I have a tree that I decorate with knitted mini socks. It remains up year round and I light it when I need an extra boost of happiness. The mini socks are made from leftover yarn of socks I’ve knit for myself or others. At the top of the tree are two socks using the leftovers from socks I made for two special people; my cousin Norma and my friend Alayne. Also at the top of the tree, is an angel my friend Judy made and gave me.

Alayne’s sock on the left, Judy’s angel centre, Norma’s sock on the right.

On Easter weekend, while I was eating my dinner, the phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number but answered anyway. Here is the conversation:

Me: Hello

Them: Hi. How are you?

Me: Fine. How are you?

Them: Fine. What are you doing?

Me: Not much. Just eating dinner.

Them: Oh. I think I have the wrong number.

Me: Oh, that’s okay.

Them: Well, Happy Easter. Enjoy your day.

Me: Happy Easter to you too. Nice chatting.

Such a nice conversation with someone I didn’t know. Something about this made me feel so happy.

I can always find joy when I go outside and connect with nature. Trees budding, flowers popping through the ground, apple blossoms, eagles calling early in the morning, but one of the most hauntingly beautiful sounds is the call of the loon. I don’t hear it too often but when I do, I stop whatever I’m doing and just listen. Incredible. (Now to try and get a picture of a loon.)

I just finished an online writing course. I was quite reluctant to sign up but because it was taught by a friend, and someone I’d taken in person courses from previously, I decided to give it a go. What a surprise! It was for 4 weeks, every Saturday from 1-3:30pm. There were 12 participants and our teacher, leader, mentor, friend, Marjorie Simmins. Everyone offered so much to the weekly sessions. My rural internet didn’t let me down, so that was a bonus as well. I discovered new authors and I’ve purchased way too many books, but I suppose there are worse things I could be spending my money on. I’m so glad I came out of my comfort zone and took part in this workshop. And the best part is, I’m writing. I’m not writing anything that will likely ever be published, but that isn’t always the reason for writing. I’m writing as a form of healing. It’s difficult but it’s satisfying.

I was recently cooking dinner and put on one of my favourite CD’s while doing the prep work. I used the shuffle mode and the first two songs that came up were two of my all-time favourites. Thank you Kevin Evans for writing Shine on Brighter and The Orchard. It would have been a trifecta had The Highwaymaid been number three, but that’s on another CD. I knew I’d have a good day after this occurrence.

It’s never easy saying goodbye to longtime neighbours, so I had mixed emotions when I heard Annie had sold her house. I was happy for her, knowing she was moving to a more accessible home, with less stairs, but sad to see her leave as she was the perfect neighbour. Knowing she will be in St. Peter’s, and not that far away, makes it easier. Once she is settled, and we are under less strict Covid concerns, we can visit. We have been blessed to have been surrounded by wonderful neighbours for so long.

With Annie’s departure we welcome new neighbours, Krista and Mike, and their two feline fir kids, Miella and Gus. They have settled into their new home nicely, and although we can’t visit, we do have deck visits sometimes. Krista makes wicked baked goods and I don’t mind being a taste tester. Our luck of having wonderful neighbours continues. Welcome to Dundee. Welcome home.

While mowing recently, some friends stopped for a drive by visit. So nice to actually see people during these strange times. And even better when it was one of my favourite school teacher’s, Marc Stone, (he paid me to say that) along with his wife Nancy and Nancy’s mom, Patsy. Patsy asked if my Dad was Bert MacDougall. When I said yes, she said ‘Oh I knew Bertie in Stirling’. Well, this just made my day. There likely aren’t a lot of people left that would remember my Dad from his Stirling days. My heart was overjoyed.

Sometimes it’s just the little things……

PS – All photos taken by yours truly.

Celebrating Little Things – Part 3

February 27, 2021 / Hughena MacDougall / 2 Comments

Slow down and smell the coffee, the cake baking in the oven, the clear crisp winter air, the clothes you hung on the line, or your favourite body lotion. One thing Covid has taught us all, is that life was passing us by, all too fast. Everyone has had to slow down, whether they wanted to or not. Make the most of it. Enjoy it while it lasts, because once we our out of the pandemic, I believe pandemonium will once again take over.

A few little things….

Our driveway had become very icy after a snow/freezing rain/rain event recently. A wonderful friend and neighbour noticed how icy it was, early one morning, and had one of his employees sand our driveway for us. We are so lucky to live in a community where we all look after one another. This meant a lot to us.
Jigsaw puzzles – they are such fun, even when they are ridiculously hard, like a puzzle of wine corks we did last winter. We were determined to get that one done, no matter what, and dear me, it was a corker…no pun intended. But having a puzzle under way is so much fun. Mom and I will work on it for a long time, just shuffling pieces, maybe not even talking, but just determined to make progress.

By far the hardest puzzle we ever did. I used a real cork as good luck.

This one kept us sharp, even when we were flat.

Farm Fresh Eggs – there is nothing like heading to a local farm to buy eggs. The eggs are so much better than those in the stores. The yolks are so bright, often almost orange. The shells are brown, white and greenish. And sometimes we luck out and get a double yolker. A trip to the farm means seeing the calves chowing down, the chickens running loose and sometimes the kittens are romping in an apple tree. And always a cheerful conversation with Tanya. We are privileged to have farms nearby to supply us with eggs, meats and wool.

Getting lost in a good book. I’ve read some great ones lately; One Good Reason: A Memoir of Addiction and Recovery, Music and Love by Andrea Aragon and Sean McCann, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and Brighten the Corner Where You Are by Carol Bruneau.

Flying a Kite – although I haven’t done this recently, I did fly my kite on Point Michaud beach a couple of years ago. I had never been to Point Michaud, so that in itself was awesome. There was a decent wind, which made flying my kite incredible. There is something so free about kite flying. The next time someone tells me to ‘go fly a kite’, I just might take them up on the offer.

While out for a walk today I glanced up towards the sky and I saw the whitest seagull soaring overhead. The contrast with the deep blue sky was beautiful. It was a WOW moment and I didn’t get a picture.

I also saw lots of animal tracks everywhere. The full moon was this morning at 3:17, called the snow moon, so I can only believe the animals had a bit of a party last night. Apparently they don’t have to social distance. I wish they would invite me sometime. I saw otter, muskrat, deer and fox tracks all over.

While checking on a seasonal property today, I glanced across the road at an old farm field. I noticed a fox rooting in the tuffs of grass not covered with snow. I watched it for a few minutes and saw him leaping high into the air, landing and burrowing his face in the snowy brown grass. It is amazing to watch how high they can leap. He was obviously hunting for his lunch.

I love getting home from work to find a ‘squishy’ parcel that arrived in the mail. This week it was from Biscotte Yarn in Quebec. I’ve never purchased or used their yarn before, so I was excited to open up and see what I was sent. I was not disappointed. Lovely colours. And 5 unique sock patterns. I can’t wait to feel these fibres moving through my fingers, as I knit socks for special people.

Look at those gorgeous colours. Now to decide which one to use first.

Making a new recipe and being presently surprised at how good it was. Today I made stew in the slow cooker. I’m not a lover of stew and have not had much luck finding a recipe that I like. We had some beef stew meat from another local farm, Katherine Farms, which I wanted to use. I have to say this recipe was quite delicious and the meat was very tender and tasty. I’ll be making this again. I think the secret was the caraway seeds. Yum.

Pictures, pictures and more pictures – I get such enjoyment out of taking my camera for a walk. There is almost always something interesting to take a picture of. (I don’t think I should end a sentence with a preposition. Hopefully Mrs. MacDonald or Mrs. MacKenzie-MacKay won’t read this.)

Who remembers tire swings? This one is a Goodyear.

These friends are never far away. I saw them soaring before landing on the ice for a rest.

A snarly gnarly uprooted tree partially coated in ice.

Look up, way up and take note of what you see.

I’m thankful for the gorgeous weather on Thursday past, as I had to take Mom to Antigonish to the eye doctor. It’s always an iffy time of year to travel. Also very thankful to see the warm glow of the kitchen lights, as I arrive home from work, when the roads are not always perfect for driving.

Now just take a few minutes and think about the little things are you thankful for today. As we continue to navigate this crazy time, try to focus on the positives. We are truly so very lucky in so many ways.

All photos are taken by me using either a Canon Powershot or a Nikon Coolpix.

The Beauty of Alayne

January 10, 2021 / Hughena MacDougall / 5 Comments

On November 29, 2020, my amazing friend, Alayne Martell, lost her almost year long battle, due to complications with AML (acute myeloid leukemia). She was a special person, in more ways than I could ever explain. She was loved by so many around the world. She had the goofiest sense of humour and could make you belly laugh with her one liners, her facial expressions and her zany antics. She was caring and sincere. She offered me encouragement, and support, when I needed it most. She continued to check in on me, even though she was in a battle for her life. I am a better person for having met Alayne. Alayne was the Super Ninja, in Team Ninja, and she will forever be our leader and inspiration. I’m sad and my heart still hurts, but I feel her presence every day and I know she is never far away. I tried to put into words what she meant, but my heart feels much more than these words convey.

The Beauty of Alayne

You are the puffy white clouds, on a bright and sunny day

You are the gentle warm breeze, and the sweet smell of mown hay

You are the brilliant rainbow, your colours seem to glow

You are the valleys lush and green, and the mountains topped with snow

You are the angel on the tree top, elegant in your beauty

You are the eagle in the pine, majestic while on duty

You are the beach, the sand and rocks, the white cap on a wave

You are the beacon in the dark, reaching out to save

You are the sunrise and sunset, the beginning and the end

You are the alpha and omega, a true and forever friend

You are a piece of red sea glass, rare and held so dear

I’ll forever cherish our friendship, for you are always near

You are a special greeting card, tucked away in a drawer

“Thinking of you”, I often read, when my heart is oh so sore

You touched so many people, more than you could ever know

You are the wind upon our sails, to carry us as we grow

I’ll carry on and focus upon, the air, the land, and the sea

You may be gone, but you live on, in the beauty that surrounds me.

~ Hughena MacDougall

This angel was handmade by my wonderful friend Judy Guptill. It hangs on my sock tree and I called it Angel Alayne.

A card, sent to me by Alayne, just when I needed it most.

And the beautiful words she wrote inside.

Alayne and her sidekick, Molly. Two peas in a pod.

Flying my kite on Point Michaud beach, a place near and dear to Alayne’s heart. Fly high my friend, fly high.

Thanksgiving

October 11, 2020 / Hughena MacDougall / 5 Comments

Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? There appears to be many reasons to celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada. Thanksgiving has been celebrated because a war has ended, because a Prince has recovered from serious illness, because a rebellion has ended, because of bountiful harvests and even special anniversaries. Present day traditions indicate it is a time to gather with family and friends to enjoy one another’s company, to share a gigantic cornucopia of awesome food, to raise a toast to good health, and to just give thanks to everyone, and everything, who makes us who we are.

On this Thanksgiving weekend 2020, while we are in the midst of a pandemic, I’m reflecting on what I’m truly thankful for, and there really are so many reasons to be thankful.

First and foremost, I’m thankful to have my Mom. Having been unemployed since February, I’ve had so much time to spend with her. To feel her love and support, during a rather difficult journey, has meant so much. Keeping her safe from Covid is my number one priority. We have obviously spent every day together, doing things like jigsaw puzzles, cooking, baking, gardening, house cleaning, culling out old magazines, clothes, and linens, relaxing on the deck, knitting, going for drives, and playing cards endlessly. It has been a very special time for both of us.

Right up there with my Mom, are my brothers; Sandy and Greg. Yes, Greg is like a second brother to me. I love, and admire, these two very much. They live a life that everyone should live. They work hard, but they relax and enjoy the best of everything life has to offer. They have a beautiful home, they are wonderful cooks, they love to garden and their yard is beautiful. They smart, and sensible, and they both have a great sense of humour. They have been my sounding board when I have been frustrated, and when I have felt defeated. They have offered advice and encouragement, and I always know they will be there for me.

I have so many other friends and family that I am so thankful to have in my life, but I dare not try to list them because I know I’d forget someone. I am sure there are several who do not even realize how much they mean to me. I’m also thankful for the wonderful neighbours in my community. I’m truly blessed to live here.

Strait Area Offsides hockey team. Love these peeps.

Riverdale Blues softball team. Lots of friends in this picture, taken sometime in the 80’s.

I am thankful to live in the Atlantic Bubble. For those of you from away, who may be reading this, the Atlantic Bubble is made up of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland/Labrador and my province of Nova Scotia. Residents are free to travel between these provinces without having to quarantine for 14 days. Anyone outside this region, coming into these provinces, must quarantine for 14 days. Our leaders have kept us safe by keeping our borders closed. The Atlantic Bubble has been declared the safest place to live in North America during this pandemic.

I am also thankful to live in Canada. I may be bias, but I think Canada is the best place to live. I’m thankful my parents moved our family, to Dundee, many years ago.

I am thankful to live in a comfortable house, with a beautiful yard, which allows me watch mother nature at her finest. I love watching the birds and wildlife visit on a daily basis. I love to watch the ever changing conditions of the river and lake. With the stiff wind blowing today, there are beautiful white caps on the water. Other times the stillness provides some of the most amazing reflections possible. I’m thankful to be able to watch all the different trees bud, and leaf out, in the spring, display their various shades of green all summer, quietly provide a gorgeous palette of colour in the fall, before going to sleep during the winter, and remind us all that every season provides us with beauty.

Apple tree in spring with a cedar waxwing.

I’m thankful for the eagles that wake me almost every morning. How lucky am I to see them on a daily basis? I just can’t get enough of them. The coyotes sometimes wake me at night, as they did last night, howling. Oddly enough, I find it eerily comforting. I know I’m safe in my house and I know they are just doing what comes naturally to them. I’m thankful to see deer, fox, mink, otter, seals, lynx, beaver, many birds and other animals either in my yard or very close to my home.

I’m thankful for my creative abilities that allow me to…well…create. Pen and paper, and computer and keyboard, allow me to write, and although not all is worth sharing, writing is just something that brings me happiness. My paint brushes allow me to paint, and try to put into pictures what my heart feels. Unfortunately others don’t always see what I see, so that is a work in progress. I’m trying to decide if I’m an abstract or folk artist. My knitting needles allow me to create wearable items, that I can gift to special people, or wear myself. I spend many hours a week knitting and this is a true passion of mine.

Abstract or Folk? A road, a stream or a fallen down tree? You decide.

I love the shape of this rock and I love lighthouses. I felt they complimented one another. — I love the shape of this rock and I love lighthouses. I felt they complimented each other.

Hats knit during our isolation this spring. They are for the NICU at the IWK.

I’m thankful for my musical abilities, such as they are. I love dabbling with various instruments that I have, and working out a particular tune that I like. Like my painting, I’m not gifted, but playing music gives me great satisfaction when things work out, frustration when they don’t, but a feeling of pleasure regardless.

I’m thankful for the little things in life; a hug, a thank you card in the mail, an unexpected phone call from an old friend, finding a dime, chocolate, socks (oh how I LOVE socks), books, a compliment on my hair (letting it grow Covid style), a friendly wave, a beep of the horn as someone drives by, flying a kite, a full moon, a shooting star, Mom’s chocolate chip cookies (they are famous), farm fresh local eggs, song lyrics that just resonate, a special memory that comes out of the blue, lighthouses, wind chimes, sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, flowers, lakes, rivers, mountains, valleys, my bicycle, my kayak, waterfalls, a good joke, hearing people belly laugh….I think you get the idea.

This year I’m especially thankful for my health and happiness. They go hand in hand, in many ways. If we don’t have our health, we really have nothing. If we don’t have happiness, we really have nothing. If you aren’t happy, it can have detrimental effects on your health and vice versa. I am so very thankful to have both.

Yours truly, happy and relaxing, while kayaking and listening to music, and sporting the Covid hairdo.

If you have read this post, sit back, close your eyes, and take a few minutes to reflect on what you are thankful for. I’ll bet you will be surprised how long your list will be.

All photos were taken by me.

Category: Photography (Page 5 of 6)

My Passions – Knitting, Socks and Knitting Socks

Celebrating Little Things – Part 4

Celebrating Little Things – Part 3

The Beauty of Alayne

Thanksgiving

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