Yesterday, as I was coming home from work on the bus, I witnessed a magical moment.  A young man in the seat behind me was using his junk mail to make origami birds for the people around him. 

The surprise and joy on the faces of people receiving these birds, the conversations that ensued, were quite lovely to behold.

These bright moments are few and far between on my transit commutes, in vehicles full of technology plagued plugged-in people afraid to make eye contact, too tired or stressed to care about anyone else.  

My favourite part of this small interaction came when someone rang the bell to get off.  As he was walking down the aisle, the young man called out to him, "Wait!  Don't go!  I haven't given you something yet!"

There was a kind of holy quality to this statement, a holy hospitality: don't leave without a gift.

And while I didn't leave with a tiny paper bird in hand, that moment, in itself, was a gift.

My thanks to the boy with the small birds.

A History

In the early 90s, four friends formed a band called Crackenthorpe's Teapot.  We arranged and played folk songs, busked on street corners, and played at downtown street festivals in Kitchener.  We made a homemade tape which was distributed for free at our shows, and we encouraged further distribution with the words "Please Duplicate!" on the back.

After the band was dismantled, Crackenthorpe's guitarist Dawud Wharnsby and I formed a musical partnership, focusing mostly on Celtic songs.  We played at venues, fundraisers and festivals -  including the newly minted Goderich folk festival - and busked around the Kitchener-Waterloo area. With the financial backing of a patron and the help of a local radio broadcaster at CKWR, we recorded our first album, Off to Reap the Corn.  Our 2nd album, Fine Flowers in the Valley, was recorded in Dawud's basement on a rented four-track, and was produced independently.  It included a few original songs.

(Notice how we swapped haircuts from the previous pic!)

Dawud went on to become a world-renowned poet, singer-sonwriter and nasheed artist, and has since added public speaker and activist to his long list of talents.  He has recorded numerous albums and toured the world, living in various exotic locales along the way.

I, of course, joined The Woolgatherers and then began working on my own songs with talented guitarist Vince Peets, who I married in 2007 (and not just for his amazing guitar skills!)

A Reunion in Owen Sound

It's hard to believe, but the last time Dawud and I shared a stage was in 1994.  So, for the first time in 18 years (yikes) we will once again be on stage together at the Grey Bruce One World Festival in Owen Sound. Vince, Dawud and I intend to collaborate on a couple of songs, which will be a real "blast from the past" for me!

We're looking forward to a great day. 

If you're in the area, come on out to experience an event of historically (hysterically?) epic proportions!  ;)

H. xo

As the days get warmer, I look forward to more time spent with my bike.

In the years since I have known Vince, a lifelong and avid cyclist, I have moved beyond "too terrified to try" and am now (on nice days, anyway) a citified cyclist.

Cycling shaves 20 minutes off of my daily hour-long commute to work by TTC.  It gives me a sense of freedom and autonomy, is great exercise, and is a green way to get around.
The first time I made a long-distance trip with Vince, I was in awe that I could get that far by simply using the power of my own body. 

Looks like rain all this week, so my trusty steed will remain stabled for a few more days.

In the meantime, here's a quirky bicycle song by Hawksley Workman for you to enjoy. 

(The Happiest Day I Know Is a) Tokyo Bicycle 

How cute is that?

H. xo