P R O S E 

As the annual herring spawn heavily dusts the shores in white back in BC, here in the great city, frozen white pellets, somewhere between hail and snow, fall under darkened skies. Literal moments later, the sun breaks through again. Hello spring! I remember when I lived on the east coast, one of the sayings during this season was “Don’t like the weather? Wait 5 minutes”. It still makes me chuckle and I’ve added it to my “cute phrases to live by” mental notebook, armed and ready when someone inevitably complains about the weather.

I observe my feelings when I see posts of cherry blossoms and warm spring days back home. Folks at the beach already. I’ve merely browsed the beaches here and try not to feel too sad about the days of tanning in the buff at the neighbourhood beach with no one around on Gabriola. Little pangs of grief have been creeping up about the funniest things. Silly sadness about obscure objects I left behind.

Silly sadness like, when walking by a little free library I found myself suddenly deeply missing the “Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders” that I maybe opened once in the 6 years I owned it. Perhaps it brought me joy just to look at on the shelf. This little moment of sadness of missing the little things – my terracotta foot scrubber, my soft bamboo facecloth, a beautiful blue glass ashtray that came from my grandparents (even though I don’t smoke) – is followed by an acknowledgement and then a wide smiled chuckle.

“Objects have lives of their own” was something a past partner of mine sincerely believed and practiced and taught me. If something was lost, it was thought that it was on it’s own journey. This phrase (also in my mental notebook) has helped me through the loss of favourite hats and various other things. In addition to possessions, It’s been quite the experience to let go of friendships, unrequited lovers, a beautiful band, my family, my guild island life in the moss. I am doing my best to let go of attaching self worth to a day job or how many gigs I’m playing. Things are slow on that front, but I keep my head up, and soul balanced and focus on the now with a soft gaze on the horizon (thank you years of yoga practice). I am excited for what is to come. There’s a lot of space made and I know it’s good, but it is a very unfamiliar and almost uncomfortable feeling - for this is the first time in a long time I don’t have my near future meticulously planned out. Patience is a practice, and I am gaining lots of that too whilst supported by wonderful people, a healthy body, enjoying delicious food, art and music, and an exploring an endless world of exciting happenings.

I’ve been graced with vivid dreams lately. Last night there was a full song I’d never heard being sung and I hung out with a dear friends child (who has yet to be conceived). I am knowingly hoping that with this newly made space will come new inspirations, new words, new art, new collaboration whether in dreams or on the sidewalk. Here is to letting go of silly sadness and moving through it with love, patience and a dash of humour to make space for something completely new.

S H O W S + S O N G S

an oldie but goodie from “Seasons”

filmed by my dear friend Lukas Hyrman

T A R O T
for the
C O L L E C T I V E

Depicted on the card is a joyful family, celebrating their love and harmony. It represents the ultimate state of emotional well-being, where deep connections and love are found within one's own family or chosen community. This card symbolizes finding peace and happiness in the loving relationships that bring us a sense of belonging and unity. It reminds us to appreciate the blessings of those who are closest to us, creating a sense of shared joy, harmony, and fulfillment that radiates from within. When the Ten of Cups appears in a reading, it serves as a reminder to cherish and nurture the connections that bring us happiness and to celebrate the love that surrounds us.

from www.elliotoracle.com

M U S I C

F E A T U R E D   F R I E N D 

BEAVER SHEPPARD

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

I’m in Montréal in the Quartier Latin. For breakfast I had a few bites of Chinese food, some I made , some I ordered in. Today I’m working on some song lyrics and off to buy a grease trap.

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

I have free rent.
I’m about to go on a nearly all-expenses paid vacation to Azerbaijan Georgia, and Armenia.
The dog Bisou I take care of.
Bonus 4th - whatever my parents did to instil the lust of life I have within me.

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

I am doing a painting residency at Gallerie Forza, working on multiple music tracks on my 4-track and I just accepted a position as the new head chef at SAT (Society of Art + Technology) Montreal.

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

Lana Del Ray - Ride

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

My own songs…I honestly don’t listen to much other music at the moment.

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

www.beaversheppard.com

G O O D   O C E A N   N E W S
contributed by Frances Legault

Orca group seen hunting ocean's largest predators: researchers

A group of 49 orcas has been seen hunting sperm whales, elephant seals, dolphins and even a leatherback turtle as far as 300 kilometres off the coast of California and Oregon, according to a peer-reviewed study published in the journal Aquatic Mammals last week.

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 + BonBon

Aries – your light shines on everyone around you, lead with grace

Taurus – stay home - tend your own garden, grow your own. Reap the fruits of this creative growth.

Gemini – Don’t leave because there’s tension - strum it like a chord, let it resolve

Cancer – you’re trying to fit back into your old shell because you think new one is too flashy

Leo – This time alone is a gift - only in solitude do you notice your worth is always within.

Virgo – don’t just hope, make a plan.

Libra – listening skills are a super power

Scorpio – rest is coming, hold tight, guard your your loved ones close.

Sagittarius – create sparks but be careful you don’t burn anyone

Capricorn – if you were a character in Dune who would you be?

Aquarius – get your files in order, a new opportunity is coming your way

Pisces – be brave and take a walk out of the water

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

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

Click HERE if you’d like to contribute