Orange Shirt Day

Here in Canada it's Orange Shirt Day today, in memory of all the indigenous children who were forced to go away to residential schools for nearly 100 years.

In 1960 Phyllis Webstad was a young 6 year old, living on the Dog Creek reserve in northern B.C.  She was excited to be going to school for the first time, and her grandmother had scrimped and saved to buy her a bright orange shirt to wear.  But when she arrived at school, as in all the residential schools apparently, the children were all stripped, bathed, and de-liced.  Their clothes were burned.  She never saw her orange shirt again.  (This was when I was still in public school!)

When Phyllis told her story 21 years later, the image of the orange shirt caught on, just as Canadians were becoming aware of the terrible legacy of the residential schools, mostly run by Canadian churches, especially the Catholic church.  The result was 'Orange Shirt Day', in memory of the children.  Now it's officially known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The slogan 'Every Child Matters' has become popular, as have various commemorative designs.  This is one of my favourite.

This flag is currently flying on an indigenous fishing tug down in the Meaford harbour, along with the Anishinaabe First Nations People flag from the community I remember as 'Cape Croker'.  Now it's correctly known as Neyaashiinigmiig (which rolls off your tongue once you get used to it).

There were an astonishing number of deaths among children at residential schools, most from tuberculosis.  Most of those who died were buried in unmarked graves; parents were not even notified.  When 215 suspected unmarked graves were discovered at the Kamloops school in 2021, the Canadian public was shocked.  Since then Orange Shirt Day has been treated a little more seriously.

Big Bay

I got beyond the stone skipping beach, and gazed out at the bay.  It's a wide expansive view, leading to distant shorelines and islands.  The blue of the sky and the blue of the water made a beautiful picture.

I took this panoramic view by mistake, but in fact it captures the view well.

The Canadian flag is prominent, flapping in the breeze, a flag I have photographed before.

A sailboat came around the far headland, and I watched it cross the bay in front of us, probably headed for Wiarton.

And Mrs. F.G. was still wandering the distant beach, looking for the perfect rock.

The boulders along the pier were pretty interesting too.

To the northwest you could see the far side of Colpoy's Bay, marked by Malcom Bluff.

Zooming in you could see the massive vertical cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment.  Now much of that distant property is a nature reserve, and the Bruce Trail runs right along the top.  It's one of the places I would like to have hiked, but didn't make it to before the wheelchair arrived.

The Stone Skipping Capital of Canada

A week ago or more ago it was a beautiful day, so we decided to take a drive, this time up to Big Bay, the 'Stone Skipping Capital of Canada'.  It was a place we've visited many times before, and we always enjoy it.  But when I started this post Blogger decided to upload all my pictures backwards!  I'm going to try and fix it. .... There. this time they got it right!

This one has nothing to do with Big Bay.  It's a painting of me canoeing in the outer delta of the French River about 15 years ago.  I took it when I was trying to figure out how to turn off the 'Live' function on my new phone camera.  But it's also one of my favourite memories.

The day was gloriously sunny, with thin wispy cirrus clouds when we set out..

And hour and a half later we arrived.  I headed out to the pier, while Mrs. F.G. headed out to search for flat round rocks.

This is that famous beach.  Not a bit of sand in sight just smallish flat worn rocks, perfect for stone skipping.  The bay is a huge crescent of rocks.

A closer look - these rocks are worn down from the thin layers of the Manitoulin Formation, a thin-bedded dolostone below the chunky upper layers of the Niagara Escarpment.

The small waves were lapping gently against the boat ramp as I went out onto the pier.

Just a few Goldenrod rooted among the huge boulders that protect the pier from winter ice.  The bigger bay beyond the immediate waters is Colpoys Bay, which extends more than 12 kilometers to the left of this picture, down to the town of Wiarton.  This island is one of three out here, the mysterious Griffith Island.

Then down below the Goldenrod I spotted a flower which I always look for at this time of year, the beautiful  purple New England Aster.  So far this year I've found none, so I was glad to see it here.

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Scarecrows in the Burbs!

Well, I'm not sure if our street qualifies as 'suburbs'; in fact I'm not sure if Meaford is large enough to have any suburbs.  But there are a couple of ladies on the street who lead the way to do a simple display and they deserve a lot of credit.  The theme this year was golfing, and Iron Wood Drive became a short par 3 hole on the course.

Oops, first I thought you should know that the Furry Gnome has been joined by three of his diminutive but colourful cousins.

A couple of smaller scarecrows were watching as the golfer teed off.

 

Here we go!

While two other members of the foursome watch from the sidelines.

Just down the street is the 19th Hole, where golfers can catch up, compare scores, and drink!

There are a couple of other 'crows' watching the proceedings, though the second of these looks more like Hallowe'en decor.

And here at home we made our own little restrained contribution.

Down by the Harbour!

 Having shown you lots of pictures of scarecrows lurking in the downtown, I have to admit that I rarely ride the block of Sykes Street where the wedding is going on.  Rather, my vision of the scarecrows this year, as every year, is down at the harbour.  Every year each lamppost by the water is decorated with them, and they look great against the blue sky.

As if by magic these creative creations appear after one weekend, tied to the upper brackets of the lamps.

After spotting the first, I realized there was a long row of these. all the way down to the museum.  Just enjoy them!

I remember being so pleased to see these re-appear.

And then our way is interrupted by the crazy big mural.  Composed of hundreds of little squares, all painted by different artists, and put together to make one big picture, this was unveiled two or three years ago.  Unfortunately no explanation has been provided.  And there has been some criticism - like why a picture of a tree in front of an actual living tree, why a moose in Meaford.  It may be attractive, but I, along with many others, am just puzzled.  I think it would be much improved with an information plaque providing some background.

But the scarecrows march on, \all the way to the museum!

More Downtown Scarecrows

 Well I was left wondering about that wedding, especially the crystal ball gazers, but I could only hope.  Then I wandered down the sidewalk and found other scarecrows .  It was like the story of arriving at the wedding, the story of love.  It took me several rides, and then checking out the photos on my computer, but then I think I got it.  See what you think.

The Kissing Booth was there to catch young love.

Serious dating began with gifts of flowers.

Then, all too soon, there was the marriage proposal, the offering and accepting of a ring.

At some point, a little one arrived.

There followed another child and the family was complete.

In later years an anniversary was celebrated.

Then mom and pop lived out their older years, knowing they had raised happy children.  What do you think, did I get the story right?

The Scarecrow Invasion has Arrived!

 Every year for over 25 years Meaford has hosted the Scarecrow Invasion, a six week festival marked by numerous scarecrows decorating the downtown.  Most of the work is done by an enthusiastic group of volunteers, but households are also encouraged to participate.  I'll show you some examples after we see what's downtown.

The history behind the scarecrows certainly helps keep it going.

The main display downtown is of a wedding, a couple tying the knot on a beautiful sunny day!

There is also a Maid of Honour, of course.

And a minister to declare the couple happily married.

And an audience leaning together to watch the ceremony.

Not all weddings have court jesters, but this one does.

And another group peering into a crystal ball.

I don't know who this character is meant to be, but I do love her hair!  More tomorrow.