Heddy M. Johannesen's Blog, page 24

Nature Rest

Merry Meet All,

My sister and her husband, Niki + Jeremy Pike, run a cabin-rental business in Pleasant Bay. If you are so inclined for a week’s stay in such a magickal, imaginative, and natural restful place, you’ve come to the right place. The link below tells you more about it. 

I hope you tale the opportunity to review the link and consider staying there for a vacation. It is far but it is worth it!! Of course, the best time to visit is in the summer. Right now, it’s nearing Yule. But save up and take a well-earned vacation in the heart of the Highlands!!

 

Blessed Be, Lady Spiderwitch )O(

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/VacationRentalReview-g1523026-d2062083-Cliff_Waters_Vacation_Properties_Nova_Scotia-Pleasant_Bay_Cape_Breton_Island_Nova_Sco.html

Pleasant Bay

The house I used as inspiration for the story

Merry meet all,

Pleasant Bay is a rural community located past Cheticamp, Cape Breton. The people there have lived here for generations. My family has had that land for six generations. Little has changed about the place. The two-room schoolhouse that my Mother attended is still there. My  niece attends the school. The boats bob in the harbour and people still use wood stoves to heat their homes. The place has a rural, rustic majestic charm to it. I love it there. 

You need a car and wood to survive there. You need a car to be able to get to places and you need a good wood pile to heat your home. You have to worry more about heating your home in the fall, winter and spring. A cord of wood costs $200. Then you rally your friends and family to help you stack the wood. Shown here:

The wildlife offers entertainment. Moose, foxes, coyotes, bears and rabbits frolic in the woods. There is hiking to do and relaxing at the beach. In the summer, the mosquitoes and black flies feast on your blood like seriously rabid tiny vampires. Whales splash in the ocean. 

In our crazy, hectic society in the urban areas, it can be a relief to get away to the countryside for quiet and serenity. You may not have the best internet connection but you don’t need it there. Pleasant Bay will snare your heart and your imagination. 

The best time for visiting this place really is in the summer. Collect seashells, herbs and pebble stones at the beach.Learn more about gathering berries such as elderberry and blueberry. They grow plentiful and wild. Explore the nature trails. Reconnect with yourself. See? – lots to do. 

The key is to be open to a new experience and to be willing to be 450 kms away from an urban environment. Pleasant Bay is at the end of the road of the island. You get out and explore. That’s the fun of it. So where will you be spending your vacation time?

Blessings, Lady Spiderwitch )O(

Honouring the Sacred

Merry meet all,

I am upset with the Harper Gov’t. My grandfather was born in Pleasant Bay in October 1919. Hegrew up in the same tiny fishing village that I visit and cherish. There is no grocery store, no gas station there and if the government that is so obsessedwith greed and oil get their way, they will drive the people out of this sacredvisually stunning community that is a sacred rare gem. The earth is so purethere. But the government is cutting down the post office hours here inefforts to drive people away and force then out west to the bloody oilcraze that Harper initiated. He is the Devil. I hate him. He is againsteverything I believe in. If he has his way, nothing will be green anymore.

I found a salamander in the basement, heard woodpeckers inthe woods and walked near the ocean. The place is beautiful and is the mainreason why so many people here so far have resisted the government trying toforce them to leave. These small communities are the back bone of society. Theyare hard to replace once lost. Nothing is treasured or valued anymore. Land inthe family and family is not valued anymore. We have lost much and forgotten much. We need to rememberour values. They can’t succeed in what they want to achieve. The hand ofmachinery and greed has got to stop.

If you own land especially in such a beautiful area as this then you have everything you need. A strip mall in a grungy neighbourhood is not better. It has no value. There is nothing on earth like the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. I am smitten and my heart belongs to the Highlands. My heart will always be here.

We have to resist and stand for what we believe in. I will fight forvalues and a clean earth and remembering what should be for the benefit of thepeople. Not the few.

Blessed Be, Lady Spiderwitch )O(

My favourite spots of the mystical woods of Pleasant Bay

 

Merry meet all,

I have been visiting Pleasant Bay since I was eleven. ( A long time ago) The land has been in our family for six generations. I thought I would share my favourite spots with you all. 

#1 Red River Beach Everyone loves the beach, right? I do. I love Red River beach for its stunning panoramic views, the ocean that stretches out forever, and the huge beach perfect for holding bonfires, or just suntanning, strolling along the water and searching for sea shells. I love it. I have to hike back up the steep hill to get up to the main road but it is worth it. 

#2 Pleasant Bay is all about rustic lookoffs, steep dangerous cliffs, and beautiful ocean views, not to mention the wildlife. But my other favourite spot has to be Cliffwaters. We built the main house in 1986. The house is lovely and centred quite literally smack in the gorgeous woods. I love to stroll down the bank and explore the woods. I know every inch of the place. I know where the cabin called The Spinning Jenny is. I know every old spruce tree and the steep bank across the field. I have burned brush, watched foxes, rabbits and moose graze. I love walking in the shaded spruce woods area. There is a little path that feels truly magickal. The earth is littered by animal bones, pine cones, pine needles, and the sweet scent of the earth. It is a touch of heaven. 

#3 Down the road from Cliffwaters, is another awesome spot. My sister and her husband were married there. My grandparents were married there. It is the most beautiful spot on earth. I like walking across the bridge and watching the rough waters below tumble down to the ocean. I can catch trout there and just watch the water. I am sure bears visit that spot. I can see why they would. The cows used to graze at Pollet’s Cove and then come up the road and visit the main house. Moose often graze near the house and sometimes walk right up the front deck. I have had the gift of observing the moose whether alone, with young or in a herd. Rare sight. 

#4 The next place I love is the other main house. My grandparents used to live in it. I also love this spot for the rustic country charm. The house feels like a real country house. But the other cool thing is the ravine and the old trees. I don’t know what it is about old trees that I love so much. I also enjoy strolling up the road because I love the ocean harbour view. It is hard not to. I don’t know how many times I strolled up that road. It is always so quiet and serene. This about wraps it up for my favourite spots of Pleasant Bay. Here are some more shots:

You need a wood stove here for survival

Moose leave this behind as a calling card

Truly creepy woods with lots of unsettling energy

A bobcat pauses from his hunting of mice and voles to pose for the camera

Blessed Be, Lady Spiderwitch )O(

 

 

Sacred Space

Merry meet all,

Looking for a quiet retreat for magic? I have just the spot. You may have to travel a long way to reach this paradise, but once you’re there, it’s worth it. Once you view the tumbling ancient mountains and vast ocean, you will believe that you stepped in to a dream.

Nestled snugly at the base of the ancient mountains of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Pleasant Bay captures the hearts of people who travel from around the world to discover the stunning nature and picturesque scenery this tiny fishing village is renowned for. It is truly nature at its’ unparalleled best.

While driving to Pleasant Bay along the Cabot Trail, guests should drive leisurely to appreciate the scenic look offs, rugged coastlines and the mountains that plunge 300 meters deep into the water. Pleasant Bay is one of the most photographed spots in the world.

The beauty of Pleasant Bay is the perfect spot in the world for photography and magic. The main house was built by May and Alfred Timmons, my grandparents, in 1986. They had a working farm with a barn and farm animals. The house itself is a unique part of Pleasant Bay that lends evidence of beautiful and expert craftsmanship. It is set on the side of a mountain with a clear view of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and spectacular sunsets. The land has been in the Timmons family for six generations.

There are many activities that people can do once they tear their eyes off of the scenery. Crab fests are held once a year by the local fire department. Guests can purchase crab straight off the wharf at the local harbor and bring them back to the cottage to cook up by the campfire. Hikes are a popular activity of guests and so is simply appreciating the gorgeous panoramic views. For truly adventurous guests, there are whale cruises, kayaking, and sailing. People can bring their own kayaks and boats.

A diversity of wildlife brightens the landscape- hawks, seals, rabbits, partridges, squirrels and chipmunks, songbirds and foxes. A guest may be surprised to find a moose peering in the windows of the main cottage at dawn. Guests can watch bald eagles afloat on sea breezes on early mornings. Fishermen’s boats bob in the water for fresh mackerel or haddock. Pilot, fin, minke, humpback and right whales mingle with sailboats and kayaks.

Pleasant Bay has the largest stand of old-growth Acadian forests this side of Quebec. When a guest walks in the 300-year-old sugar maple woods, they may feel as if the place is alive with magic and elves and fairies step from the mists. A Lone Sheiling Trail holds a replica of a Scottish crofter’s hut. The energy is thick in the air and one can almost sense the timeless age of the massive mountains. These woods lie in the National Park. A guest can get a Cape Breton Highlands National Park Entry Pass that allows access to dozens of hiking trails.

The Whale Interpretive Center hosts a museum and gift shop for whale lovers. The Whale Intepretive Center offer day passes available at the front desk. There is a life-size model of the resident pilot whale Hook and tanks of live samples of ocean life and exhibits, facts, and histories of whale hunts.

Pollett’s Cove is a major attraction. People from the world over arrive to experience the world-renowned hiking trail to test their physical stamina. Most people have hiked there and told their friends. It is a trial of endurance and weary hikers return with a heightened sense of spiritual renewal. It is an exhilarating hike.

Once a person has tried the lobster, done some hiking and hopefully kayaking and still has energy, there is still more to do. There are loads of stones to gather for crystal work. Mint grows by the brook and is strong and fresh in scent. The beach stretches as far as one can dare imagine and the ocean is inviting. Whale-watching, kayaking and sailing is at your own risk- I know of some brave ‘sailors’ whose kayaks were tipped by playful pilot whales!

I enjoy collecting the mint that grows at the brook and storing it because the mint there is especially powerful. I recently watched a red sun sink behind a tranquil turquoise blue ocean, found seashells and rocks for my tumbler to transform into gemstones, crab shells, wood. I watched a hummingbird, saw a crane sitting in a lake, and I felt ‘hugged’ by the massive ancient mountains around me. I caught a tadpole and was visited by a large bull moose, was awed by flashing lightning and thunder, and felt captivated by the whales and seals splashing in the rough ocean waves a few feet from our boat. The whale pod had a calf pilot whale.

If this is not getting close to nature, I don’t know what is.

I keep little simple trinkets I discover on my path along the beach and the woodlands. I cleanse, purify and store crab shells, periwinkles, bone or wood or crystals to my altar in Halifax. They carry some of the energy with them, even sand to fill my cauldron.

Sometimes, I let things go or keep them. I recapture on film the stunning sunsets, the grace and majesty of the moose and whales, and the scents of wildflowers, roses, spruce and earthy thistles wound into one scent-heaven.

The fields of flowers waist-deep high often scratch my legs. The mosquitoes and black flies feast on me but I endure it believing that I am fortunate to be there. Bats catch the insects and I watch the bats fly at night, at dusk. 

I feel at peace when I explore the woods. The saucy squirrels, moose and chickadees accompany me on my trips through these magical woods. I invite anyone to discover the beautiful wilderness. Pleasant Bay may capture your heart and soul so much that you find yourself returning or never leaving.

Now, that’s magic. This is my sacred space. I would love to hear about what you call your own sacred space. 

Blessed Be, Lady Spiderwitch )O(

Dream in Velvet

Merry meet all,

Lately I have been possessed by the sewing bug. It occasionally happens, and when it does, it bites hard core. The project I have embarked on is that of sewing a lovely purple jacquard velvet cloak. The cloak is not complete but I promise to post pics later. Here is a picture of the pattern:

When I buy a pattern, I read the pattern over several times to ensure comprehension. I make sure the pattern is the proper size for my body. A pattern is a different size than clothing in mall stores. This is good to keep in mind. I also own a fabricville elite membership, which gives me plenty of savings and discounts all through the year. I got 60% off each metre of the velvet material. I store my sewing tools in one easy to find and keep clean place. That way, when I want to sew, I know where everything is. I am also aware of how much material I need, though in this case, I had to modify the pattern to get the most out of the material.

I used the Butterick B4377 pattern as inspiration and instruction for the cloak. However, I was short of material. I needed to modify the pattern. I had 3.7 metres of material and I needed 4.5 metres. So I tried this trick to get more out of the material and do justice to it. I owned a black wool cloak and measured the cloak. It was 120 inches in length. If you divide that by half, you get 60 inches. Each large pattern piece for the front and back of the cloak was 60 inches. I used the cloak pattern from Butterick mostly for the shoulder pattern to get it right. The front, back, and side pieces were sewn together. I tried on the cloak. It slipped off my shoulders because the hood isn't sewn on yet. That is coming up.

I cut the front and back pattern piece ( 1 piece) with for the front side, the pattern faced right side up, and for the back, the pattern piece faced down. This is also important in sewing.

* I lined up my material and laid it on the cutting floor. I pre washed and swept my floor a dozen times before laying down the material. I even made an infusion of rosemary and vinegar for washing my floor. I have no cutting table so I use my floor. I just move furniture out of the way and then lay down my fabric. That way, I can know my material won't get bugs, dirt, food bits, or debris on it. I set up all my sewing materials on the kitchen cupboard to have the items at hand. Okay I had to make 3 trips to the fabric store because I lost a sewing machine light bulb but it is impossible to sew without proper lighting. The small light bulb need to be the right type for the machine.

The cloak fit well. It still felt like a cloak and looked like a cloak. The hood pattern piece is large because the hood is gathered. The cloak neckline is gathered too. That step is coming up. I have also been careful since the cloak is made of velvet, it has a napped fabric. Napped fabrics have a pile or raised surface. The direction of the pile can be identified by stroking the fabric one way will feel (and look) smooth, and the other presents slight resistance (and the nap looks as though it was brushed the wrong way.)

When the nap is cut with the nap running down from the top of the pattern piece, the texture of the fabric is smoother to wear, but the colour is less intense than when the nap pile runs upward. Velvet hems also tend to curl. I have to hem the cloak neatly. I also plan to line the cloak. Again, that comes later. I bought good quality Gutterman thread. I always purchase Gutterman thread because it is the best to work with and is a reliable quality.

The cloak is stored in a bag for now to avoid stretching the material. I plan to finish sewing the cloak this coming weekend and I will post pics then. All these things matter when sewing a garment. It is important to be willing to work hard on the garment. to be patient and okay with not finishing it in one day, and to understand the sewing patterns. You have to have an open mind. Take good care of your tools, including the sewing machine ( never plastic), and iron your pattern pieces during sewing and after sewing. You do this because if you want to reuse the pattern, and you took care of the pieces, they are ready to use again and you get more value for your money.

Store the sewing pattens in clear ziploc bags. Sweep the floor once done sewing. This helps you find errant pins. You avoid hurting yourself. Keep the patterns and pattern envelopes in good condition. It is an investment and you should be careful with your patterns. Then you can use them again. Sewing is work and fun. You may have to be a little self-disciplined and have plenty of cups of tea while sewing, but it is all worth it. Avoid staining or marking up the garment.

And one more tip: Never get angry at your garment. Go take a walk or run into the basement and shriek. But getting angry at your garment and tearing it while sewing because you are frustrated means you will never have a beautiful garment.

I hope this inspires you to try your hand at creating your own masterpieces. You never know what you may create. Also, don't wear velvet in the rain. My fave sewing tools are a pair of sharp scissors, sewing pins, good quality sewing needles, a pincushion, an iron and ironing board, a seam ripper for redoing a seam, tailor's chalk, a pair of embroidery scissors, and a tracing wheel. You invest in these once and care for them and they will serve you for life!!!

I have just cut out the pattern for the lining and the hood lining. I lucked out and I can see it saves to save fabric remnants. I used the remnant for the hood lining, and it was just enough material to make the hood lining. I am glad because it saved me having to buy the material. I just wished I had enough remnant for the rest of the cloak.

Link: http://butterick.mccall.com/b4377-pro...

Blessed Be, Lady Spiderwitch )O(

Animal Spirits

Merry meet all,

As I type, my pet guinea pig, who is the epitome of a rascal, is playing in the big cage today. He has a bottomless appetite and is absolutely adorable. He’s my awesome little animal familiar. 

In my novel, Between the Worlds, Rosemary Bell has a furry animal familiar too. She has a pet Siamese cat named Siam. Siam is cute and every inch a cat. An animal familiar helps a Witch to perform his or her magick. Animal familiars appear in the famous poem by Shakespeare in the play Macbeth. It’s Siam who helps Rosemary realize her home is haunted by the ghost of Jonathan Fraser. 

Cats sense energies and spirits. It’s one of the reasons why I created Siam. They can see things that people can’t see. Cats are very sensitive to certain things, and they are so intelligent and adorable. 

Here is a beautiful photo of a bobcat in Pleasant Bay: 

 He may be hard to spot, because he camouflages so well but he is there. He was so beautiful, powerful and graceful. I am lucky to see that. The bobcat appeared then returned to hunting mice, voles and rats. 

It is cats’ supposed sensitivity to spirits that is one of the main reasons why I included Siam in the book. There is a theory that if you look between the ears of a cat where the cat is looking that you can see the ghost that the cat can see. I am tempted to test this theory. I promise to let you all know how it goes. 

A friend of mine performed a smudging ritual on my home the other night. I apparently have mischievous imps in my home. That explains the small dark things I sometimes see out of the corner of my eye. They are not evil, just full of mischief. My magick practice may have attracted them. Stefan and I used a lemon, water, salt and sweetgrass. After he left, I felt uneasy but now the energy has settled. I wish I had a cat in here while performing the smudging. I saw an imp while Stefan was here and it would have been cool to see how a cat would react. 

I have even seen the ghosts of my pets after they have passed. No kidding. My pet guinea pig Twotone died of malocclusion sadly. I was sitting on my bed bawling my heart out when she appeared. I saw her clear as day. She seemed to be so serene. I heard beautiful harp like music. She appeared to me in a flash and didn’t want me to grieve. She was saying goodbye. I sat there for a long time waiting for her to reappear. Nope. 

Animals are very special, be they dog, guinea pig or cat. They all have a special place in our hearts. There is way more kindness shown to animals in the world today. They deserve all the love they can get. I plan to adopt a kitten in the future. For now, Magic is getting all the love and attention he could ask for. 

Blessed Be, Lady Spiderwitch )O(

 

Pleasant Bay Winters

Pleasant Bay may be 450 kilometres from Halifax but it’s the most beautiful spot in the world.  The tiny fishing village has many attractions for tourists, one of them being the new whale museum.

The Whale Interpretive Centre promotes an awareness of whale and marine life by creating a stimulating experience for the visitors. There are exhibits and interactive media presentations, including illustrations of 16 whale species that can be seen in the Cape Breton waters. There’s a life size model of a pilot whale suspended above saltwater livestock tank which contain live creatures that live in the whale’s environment. Tours and bus tours are provided during the day. 

The Gampo Abbey is another great attraction. It is the Western Buddhist Monastery in the Shambala tradition. The Lone Sheiling is another attraction. The majestic beauty of Pleasant Bay always sweeps me off of my feet. Where else can you tour an island that is listed as the best travel destination in North America by National Geographic traveller?You can tour Nova Scotia’s world famous Cabot Trail, and meditate as you try the famous Pollett’s Cove, and Squash Camp.

Pleasant Bay is home to a range of wildlife such as moose, foxes, bears, coyotes, rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks, lynx, martins, and hummingbirds, eagles, hawks, owls, and puffins. Pleasant Bay is the whale watching spot of Atlantic Canada. Humpback, fin, pilot, orca, right, blue and beluga whales, dolphins, tuna and sun fish, crabs and lobsters are found in the area. 

So it should be understandable that I would choose such a setting for my novel Between the Worlds. I grew up there and we have family crown land. I love the spot for its rustic quiet beauty. I set the story in the winter season because it is still beautiful and also isolated, and hard to leave. The roads get covered with sheets of ice, making leaving safely very difficult. It added tension to the story. In the winter, pack ice covers the ocean where seals give birth. The ice packs hit each other. I like to listen and watch. You can go snowshoeing, long meditative walks, watch the white rabbits hop in the woods, and then curl up with tea in front of a raging fire at the wood stove. I love the scent of the smoke from the wood stove and the old world feel. I love gathering wood, storing it, and listening to the sharp chirrups of squirrels. There is nowhere else for me to be. 

In today’s crazed rat race materialistic society, its hard for some people to get to escape and hear themselves think and clear their heads. I am grateful for what I have and I consider myself fortunate. I have many good memories of my time there. 

Blessed Be, Lady Spiderwitch )O(

Links:

http://www.cliffwaters.ca/index.html

http://www.novascotia.com/see-do/attractions/whale-interpretive-centre/1576

 

Book Trailer – Between the Worlds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev6qZSRtu74&feature=em-upload_owner[/embed

Merry Meet All,

I’ve created my first ever book trailer of my novel and I’m impressed with it. I hope you are too!! Enjoy. 

https://animoto.com/play/bHhCMh2f6Y1GzOdcX6qcPQ

 

Blessed Be, Lady Spiderwitch )O(

Story

Merry meet all,

I am proud to announce that I won a contest to have my entire paranormal novel edited for free!! I receive the edits before Yule. I just have to sit tight and wait for the editor to edit the novel and for me to make the appropriate changes. 

I am waiting in addition to that to hear if I pass muster to make it into the Writers Federation mentorship. My novel sample is under consideration there. This would be a huge step forward for me. I am crossing my paws that I make it. 

In the meantime, I am currently working on a proposal for the ms if I don’t get into the Mentorship and then would be able to market it to publishing companies. My poem Over a Blood Moon is slated to be published in the Eternal Haunted Summer Ezine and the editor interviewed me. I just completed reading and reviewing two successful amazing pagan titles for Moon Books. Moon Books published a book titled Naming the Goddess, a devotional gazetteer and my essay titled ‘Sedna: The Inuit Sea Goddess’, which was originally published in Eternal Haunted Summer Ezine, is in the book. Circle magazine reprinted my essay about Persephone in their latest issue. Essential Herbal magazine published an article of mine about herbs as gifts for well being for the holiday season. I am not bragging, just trying to show you all what I’ve been up to. 

I was busy this Samhain, carving pumpkins, brewing mulled cider, baking breads, attending an awesome herb workshop and public Samhain ritual, and attempting a botched dumb supper in honor of those who passed before me. I was a Corpse Bride this year. I froze and perhaps that was appropriate. October 31st happened so fast I don’t know how I breathed. I made a botched orange pillar candle that smells like pumpkin spice. 

I’ll include the link to the upcoming and sure to be exciting Winter issue of Eternal Haunted Summer ezine when it launches! I was reading the ‘Penguin Book of Witches’ and at first reading, found the book to be so witch-bashing. Now I’m not so sure. I think it is an excellent historic account of the witch trials in Europe and Salem. I want to buy the book again and reread it. Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Penguin-Book-Witches-Katherine-Howe/dp/014310618X Read it and decide for yourselves. 

I hope you all had a magical and devilishly delightful Samhain!!

Blessed Be, Lady Spiderwitch