Lines for Winter
BY MARK STRAND
for Ros Krauss
Tell yourself
as it gets cold and gray falls from the air
that you will go on
walking, hearing
the same tune no matter where
you find yourself—
inside the dome of dark
or under the cracking white
of the moon's gaze in a valley of snow.
Tonight as it gets cold
tell yourself
what you know which is nothing
but the tune your bones play
as you keep going. And you will be able
for once to lie down under the small fire
of winter stars.
And if it happens that you cannot
go on or turn back
and you find yourself
where you will be at the end,
tell yourself
in that final flowing of cold through your limbs
that you love what you are.

P R O S E 

You don’t miss water until your pipes freeze. Greetings from day seven with frozen lines and even more days with a frozen bank account ( I fell for a very clever Canada Post scam but that’s another story). I have been searching for meaning in it all to help ease the misery of sloshing my “blessed events” down the toilet with a bucket of water.

At the end of a day, especially a big hard working cold day, my hot shower (or ocean swim in the warmer months) is something that resets and refreshes me. Before bed, washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen helps me feel complete and looking forward to tomorrow. We wash our hands or use a little water here and there for many the tasks we are barely aware of. Simple rituals, that when taken away, cause great grumpiness.

I’ve got a very big and exciting move coming up - I’m diving into the artist life and surrounding myself with some near and dears I’ve been away from a long time in the great City of Toronto. It is the first time I have the opportunity to take my time and transition at a steady pace and that feels really nice.

This freeze has pushed me to do things I struggle to do - like ask for help. People offer, and my love of showers and a clean cup has me accepting their generosity. It’s good for all parties involved. Love is the antidote. This past week we’ve lamented collectively about the winter in our community and come together in warmth to laugh and support each other about it. I’ve also had so many well wishes from the community for this next journey, I will surely miss them.

Lean into the falling snow, the slow, let go of all plans, but stay on course. I continue to mentally pack up my life and clear what’s no longer needed. The melt will come sooner than we want it to no doubt. We west coasters are all a little bothered about this one week of winter. Perhaps we are also deeply grateful for the slowness it commands. I lean in and surround myself with buckets of still water gifted from neighbours and friends. I put the kettle on and fill a bowl with half hot water half cold water. I dip a brand new cloth into the perfectly heated water and wring it out. Face first of course, then lifting up the many layers of wool and warmth I wash the other important bits. Feeling reset and refreshed, it is now time to rest.

At 5am this morning the taps begin to trickle and after a few moments, are in full flow. I am filled with extreme joy and relief as I flush my first “blessed event” of the day.

U P C O M I N G S H O W S

TICKETS

T A R O T
for the
C O L L E C T I V E
ft. Roger Farr

The card depicts what appears to be a man standing between two women. One has her hand on his heart, the other on his shoulder. Above them, Cupid is shooting his arrow into the man’s head, with the string of the bow pulled taut to a point, framing the triangulated relationship we see.

Why does this card frame love in a triadic form, a form that is known for its potent instability? As we know — from literature, psychoanalysis and personal experience — the romantic triangle is a time tested technique for creating tension and drama. At the same time, the ménage à trois is one of the most common sexual fantasies, especially among those who have never had the good fortune of experiencing one.

Here is a possible answer: there is no such thing as a couple. Love never unfolds in a dyad. Between the subject and the object of her desire, there is always a space, a gap. This space itself becomes a Third, an active, structuring participant in the dynamic that unfolds between two people experiencing a mutual attraction.

You need to pay attention to these spaces between you and your beloveds, the things and people you desire. Who, or what, are these Thirds that have come to join you? Did you invite them? Can you love them passionately and openly, or are they ghosts you are trying to avoid?

Remember: the beauty of a chord is nothing more if not the harmony of three or more tones.

M U S I C

F E A T U R E D   F R I E N D 

8 Questions with KANDLE OSBORNE

Where are you? What'd you have for breakfast? And what are you up to today?

I just arrived on Gabriola island, your home and my childhood one! It's misty and damp and perfectly cozy. For breakfast I had 3 black coffees to wake up after all the flights yesterday and a little too many weed gummies...much later some mom made pancakes  ; ) Today I am doing half pre-production / half trying to get my sisters dog and my cat to get along... it's…tense!

What three things in your life are you most grateful for right now?

 Songwriting, family and jokes. 

What have you got on the go artistically at the moment?

I released 2 singles over the last few months and am now working on finishing the second half of my next record. It's my first time producing and hot damn this is a sexy record! Very 90s alternative trip hop inspired, if that's your cup of tea.

If I passed you an instrument, what song would you play us right now?

Probably “Blackstar” by David Bowie. I've been getting lost in that album again and set out to learn the entire thing a few weeks ago. What a beautiful way to say goodbye to the world David. Hope to see you on Mars one day or whatever realm you've ended up in!

What's been on repeat on your record player/streaming service/tape deck/CD player/ et al.? 

Via Mardot has been my obsession of late. An incredible composer filled with noir themes of a haunting Morricone score. Very cool that she is just a cool young lady on the scene and not a discovered vinyl from a dead man. 

If we want to find your work, where can we go?

Oh anywhere! Luckily there aren't many other Kandle's out there so I'm easy to find! Spotify, apple, youtube...I mean if you actually want to support musicians- BANDCAMP! But otherwise, come say hello on instagram or something!

@kandleosborne

G O O D   O C E A N   N E W S

Largest deep-sea coral reef to date is mapped by scientists off the US Atlantic coast

The reef extends for about 310 miles (499 kilometers) from Florida to South Carolina and at some points reaches 68 miles (109 kilometers) wide. The total area is nearly three times the size of Yellowstone National Park.

The reef was found at depths ranging from 655 feet to 3,280 feet (200 meters to 1,000 meters), where sunlight doesn’t penetrate. Unlike tropical coral reefs, where photosynthesis is important for growth, coral this far down must filter food particles out of the water for energy.

C O L L A B O R A T I V E S A S S T R O L O G Y 

ft. the cosmic intuitions of SO / ER / JS

Capricorn – Old friends can often reappear with all the answers.

Aquarius – Change the locks, for the key to happiness is immaculate company.

Pisces – Quit coffee and find the real beauty that motivates you in the morning.

Aries – Take inspiration from McCartney’s Album “Ram” that opens with the words “Piss Off”

Taurus – Be like Costanza and do the exact opposite of every instinct, inclination, or habit.

Gemini – Eat some green bananas and reflect on getting into something before it’s ripe enough.

Cancer – What lessons can you learn from stormy weather?

Leo – Do you want to lead them in a direction or do you just like being “in charge”

Virgo – Messy inbox, messy mind.

Libra – Can you find balance with a different shoe on each foot?

Scorpio – Make yourself a little “fridge cleaner fried rice” with all your favourite spices, sauces, and textures.

Sagittarius – Be like winter water and slow down for awhile

Stay tuned in & turned on
x.o.
Love
S.O.

P.S. A dear member of the community here on Gabriola has kindly started a fund for my upcoming move and new adventure.

Click HERE if you’d like to contribute