Kim Hanson

Writing & Quilting

Waiting a Very Long Time – Part 2

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I had a fictional story published in Cricket magazine called The Trapped and Tangled Loon. It was based on a true story and the backdrop was Police Outpost Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park. I have to say that I was pretty excited. . . maybe thrilled is a better word.

In between, I had two photos published in the Sunlight Press.

Chinook Sky near Cochrane, Alberta

 

 

This was a very pleasant surprise for me. Although the pay is miniscule, the reward is huge. It’s made me feel compelled to learn more about how my camera works, a red, old-ish Nikon D3400.

After my first story was published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Lucy Haines, the editor at Alberta Prime Times – a publication I must admit, I’d never heard of, called me on the phone. She asked me to write a piece for the online news publication about senior dog adoption in Alberta. Lucy is a very lovely lady. . . a complete pleasure to deal with. From the first article, came three more.

Querying a U.S. home-schooling publication called, The Old Schoolhouse, resulted in getting a contract to write for them about Bankhead, Alberta, a ghost town in the Rocky Mountains. The article was called Gateway to the Past. I’m hoping to get some more work from them in the very near future. Fingers crossed!

The old train cars that were used to haul coal from the mine in Bankhead, Alberta

Countless rejections have come my way; in the form of magazine and journal queries, for my children’s picture books sent to traditional publishers and for a detailed, lengthy quilt book proposal  I’d spent hours and hours on. Obviously, this is the toughest part. You work so hard for so long on a project that you whole-heartedly believe in, only to have the idea shot down out-of-hand. Worst of all, though, is when a proposal is submitted and you hear absolutely nothing! Rejections will continue. I only hope that in that flurry of negativity, there are some wonderful, positive opportunities that come my way.

The Sunlight Press published some more photos of mine this year. Both of these pictures are of Chief Mountain in Waterton Lakes National Park. The most intriguing detail about this beautiful mountain, is that many Indigenous Peoples of both Alberta and Montana, feel it has mystical powers.

 

 

Orion Magazine has recently accepted a photo of mine for publication sometime next year. Woods Reader Magazine has accepted an essay I wrote for publication in their next issue. I called it, A Wildfire’s Silver Living. This piece is about the Verdant Creek wildfire.

Basically, I query, I write, I submit. Then, I wait, wait and wait some more.

My deepest writing desire is definitely to write for children. I’d love to write about nature, forests, animals and being outside. The idea of writing a children’s book about the natural vibrations of a forest and why we feel so wonderful being in nature, is especially intriguing to me. Best case scenario would be to combine my writing with photographs in successful publishing ventures. Wish me luck!

I believe my writing is fueled by Taylor Sheridan’s words, “God is the land” (via Beth Dutton, that is).

Thank you so much for reading everyone.

I always really appreciate it.

Kim

 

Waiting a Very Long Time – Part One

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I’ve waited a very long time to be a writer. In grade eight, at Queen Elizabeth Junior High School, I had a story published in the school anthology. A week later, the vice-principal, Mr. Kelly, summoned me to his office. Given who I was at the time, I was terrified. He sat me down and asked me questions about what books I’d been reading.

 

“To Kill a Mockingbird,” I said. “In English Lit class”.

He folded his hands in front of him on the splintered, carved-up, wooden desk.

“Several teachers have remarked on your story. It’s very good, but it feels familiar. Did you copy it from somewhere? Because if you did, that’s called plagiarism. That is not allowed”.

I’d never even heard that word before. Tears stung my eyes. I didn’t want HIM seeing me cry.

“No, Mr. Kelly, I didn’t copy the story. It was from my mind.”

 

I don’t know if he believed me or not, but he let me go back to class. After that, I put my writing away for many, many years.

Once our children were grown, and our first grandchild was more independent, I began to revisit the idea of writing again. But, since I was a quilter and that came to me more naturally, I began designing quilts, submitting them to American quilting magazines and having them accepted. It was thrilling! I loved the process of designing, submitting and having my work published. It was very satisfying.

Stil,l wishing to move on to a true form of creative writing, I began taking writing classes online. After a little research, writers.com was my first stop. It’s mainly a text-based learning platform, which suits me just fine. Taking classes on everything from writing creative non-fiction to memoir to nature writing served me well. Loving the idea of learning and having “homework” to complete on a deadline was inspiring.

Experiencing some success, I had a nature-inspired story published in Woods Reader magazine, called The Birth Place Forest. It’s about adventures with Jacob, our first grandchild.

 

Jacob under his tree at the Silver Springs Birth Place Forest

 

Several of my stories have been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul books, one is about our sweet, departed maltese, Snowy, called Who Rescued Who; the other is about feeling overwhelmed and uncertain, called Somewhere in Between.

And then, the best thing ever. . .

 

 

Stay tuned for part two. . . . 

Take care

Kim

 

 

Rowley, Alberta – a Ghostly Place to Visit

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The flat prairie lands of southeast Alberta begin to change around Drumheller, as Hoodoos spring up without notice. Bordering each side of the secondary highway, the landscape rises skyward, in a unique, bumpy, hilly kind-of way.

 

Hoodoos in the background; Bierot’s Ferry in the foreground, carrying passengers across the Red Deer river.

 

Taking Highway 56 traveling 28 minutes north of Drumheller, there is a small, roadside sign at Township Road 324 announcing “Rowley”. Turning onto the dirt road, the ghost town is immediately visible.

It’s actually a ghost hamlet rather than a ghost town. In fact, unlike many other Albertan ghost towns, Rowley is where Casper the friendly ghost would live if he had the choice. It is not spooky, nor scary nor completely abandoned. It’s friendly, welcoming and a gem in the middle of the grasslands. Eleven residents call Rowley home.

Big, black crows circle overhead, squawking in a way only a crow can. Cats roam freely between the few homes, the vintage playground and the open prairie fields. The crows’ and cats’ presence and their sounds would add to a ghostly feel if in fact there were one. But, the few residents are out and about, mowing their lawn, picking up their mail and preparing for Saturday night pizza get-togethers. Two roosters waddle about on the dirt road, crowing as if dawn had just arrived. It was 3 p.m.

There is a church, a bank, a funeral home; all restored to near-former glory. The train station remains, and doubles as a museum.

 

Restored Funeral Home & Embalming

 

Rowley Train Station/Museum

 

There are several newer homes, recently built, constructed near residences that have been there for more than 50 years. An abandoned livery stable, home and shed have been left to weather in the elements. The old schoolhouse remains standing, living in the shadows of the majestic grain elevators. Main Street has had a face lift, with a wooden boardwalk for traversing both sides of the street. The ghost hamlet, in the spring and summer, is surrounded on all sides by green, green grass, open fields and farmer’s hay crops.

 

Main Street

 

Haunted Pharmacy

 

Grain Elevators

 

An old two-story home remains standing on Main Street, history and character and intrigue oozing from its broken windows. What once was a hospital, then a family home, then a backdrop for a movie, stands abandoned and untouched. . .the best kind of homage to the past. Its peeling paint is somehow appealing. Its’ rotting veranda, where the children of the town wait for the school bus, is vintage and charming. Its second story begs a second look. As one sweet and outgoing long-time resident explains,

“Unless they shore it up from the inside, the whole house will come down someday soon.”

 

Old Two-Storey home

 

Goose Tracks quilt, created in the 1930’s

 

Nature hugs this place. God is here in the breeze swaying the trees, the friendly wave of the neighbour on her tractor, and the way your eye seeks out the glory of the view toward the horizon. Bring your favourite canine along for the ride. They will love it!

 

Snowy our Maltese

Thanks so much everyone. Take care.

Kim

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The Birth Place Forest of Silver Springs

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Good day everyone. I wrote this piece for Woods Reader, a beautiful, inspiring publication based in Spring Lake, Minnesota. It can be found in their Winter 2020/2021 issue.

 

The grassy green field was alive with energy and vitality. School children, in groups of five or so, squealed with delight taking turns kicking the black and white soccer ball. Dogs barked; their owners allowing them freedom to run and play. The rush of four lanes of traffic roared by, leading in and out of the neighbourhood. Yet, the instant I stepped onto the spongy path of the Birth Place Forest, all outside sound was muffled. I was embraced, instead, by the sounds of nature.

 

Two prodigious things happened in the year 2002. First, our tiny, healthy, precious grandson, Jacob was born. Second, spawned from the creative minds of community-conscious individuals at BP Canada Energy Group, Calgary Parks/Regional Health and Golden Acres Garden Centre, the Birth Place Forest of Silver Springs was also born. The urban oasis took root on some land originally set aside as a roadway allowance or potential right-of-way. As each baby was born in Calgary, a tiny, healthy, significant tree was planted. Poplar, pine, ash, aspen, bur oak, spruce and Brandon elm began to stake-out their territory. . . roots traversing deep into the soil, establishing new life. The goals of the Birth Place Forest program were simple. To educate, to establish pride and ownership through connection and to form a deep abiding legacy to the trees planted in the urban forest.

Years passed by. Jacob grew. A visit to his tree became an adventure for us. He rode his bike to the Birth Place Forest while I walked alongside. He always rode ahead – so excited to reach our destination.

“Grandma!” he’d shout. “Hurry. Catch up. We’ve still got a long ways to go.”

We always easily found his green ash tree, right where the map led us. Jacob, upon arriving, would drop his bike on the ground and stand beside his tree or duck under his tree or lay on the ground beside his tree.

“Look how big it’s getting Grandma!” he’d say as I snapped a photo.

“Yes, and look how big you are getting my sweet boy!”

We would sit on the cedar bark cushion beside the ash tree and talk, all the while having a snack of juice and cheese and crackers. The perfect picnic.

The Birth Place Forest in Silver Springs grew in unison. The mass of trees began to stretch high into the sky, offering sanctuary and refuge to all the wildlife in the neighbourhood. On hot summer days, the forest was like slurping a popsicle; cool and delicious. In the chilly winter months, the trees seemed to huddle together, offering shelter from the cold, harsh, north winds. But it’s best foot forward came in the fall, when the leaves changed from sage green to amber and golden and glorious.

Calgary, with extraordinary prescience, created nine Birth Place Forests in different neighbourhoods around the city – the first of its kind in Canada. Planting trees began in 2001 and continued until 2009 when planting ceased due to a dearth of suitable land and a sudden lack of funding.

“We require about five hectares of land to plant the trees and we need a site that can accommodate at least 3,000 families. Those sites can be hard to find,” said the city’s urban forestry coordinator.

But in those nine years, the City of Calgary planted 62,000 life-affirming new trees.

Silver Springs volunteers have taken over maintenance and management of the Birth Place Forest, ensuring care continuity. Botanical gardens were created and abut the forest, together stretching over 20 acres of land. Strolling the paths is a spiritual antidote to the stress and chaos in our lives.

“I grew up in a forest. It’s like a room. It’s protected. Like a cathedral… it is a place between
heaven and earth.”
― Anselm Kiefer

Jacob is turning 19 years of age soon. So is his green ash tree. Both are tall, strong and purposeful. He doesn’t visit the Birth Place Forest often, but I do. I walk the paths, revel in the sounds of nature and sit on the bench to collect my thoughts or write in my journal.

“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”
— John Muir


 

It’s a space and a place of peace. I reminisce about my sweet grandson, the wonder pooling in his eyes and the excitement spilling out of every pore. Here in the Birth Place Forest, my connection to Jacob is palpable. Here in the Birth Place Forest there is a deep, abiding legacy to the trees that surround me. Here is nature at its very best.

A Quilt for Mike

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Good day everyone. Thanks ever so much for joining us. I appreciate all the new subscribers that have come on board recently.

Five years ago, my thirty-something son asked me to make him a quilt. I was a little taken aback. . . he had never seemed very interested in my quilting. I put Mike off for awhile; but he asked me again.

So I began to go through my fabric stash in an attempt to figure out what fabrics I could use for his project. Mainly, kid-themed fabrics dominate my stash, along with florals and bright feminine-styled fabrics. Finding something that I thought Mike would like was a bit challenging.

I came up with some brown and cream fabrics I had ordered awhile back – they were vintage type fabrics, American civil-war inspired. Here are some fabric examples on my Pinterest page.

Civil War Reproduction Fabrics.

Beginning to pull fabrics together,  I really wanted to finish it before he asked me again. Unfortunately, I really rushed it; I wasn’t feeling particularly inspired or creative at the time…I just wanted to “get ‘er done!” So, I did. Including some machine embroidery here is Mike’s finished quilt.

I was not at all happy with the finished product. Not really liking the salmon-y coloured fabrics, I was disappointed I had used them. But, Mike seemed to like his quilt and he appreciated it.

Maybe a month later, our son’s best buddy who was also named Mike, asked me to make him a quilt. I was so shocked! Do guys in their 30’s really want a quilt? He, of course, offered to pay me for it, but I declined, knowing full well he couldn’t afford it.

Pulling more fabrics from my over-subscribed stash, I made Mike #2 his quilt. He smiled a lot when I gave it to him, so I think he liked it.

As many of you already know, our Mike passed away in March of 2018. One of the things I kept from his apartment was his quilt. He always had it laying very neatly across the back of his sofa. Mercifully, it still smells like him. 

As hindsight set in, I regret not taking more time to design Mike a really special quilt – something just for him. I regret not sitting down with my pencil and paper and drawing a quilt pattern that would have suited just him.  I regret not knowing that I would never have the opportunity to make him another quilt.

Recently, I discovered a hidden gem in Calgary – a section of the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway. It’s a pathway located in Royal Oak, adjacent to the car dealership where my vehicle is serviced. There are ponds and huge trees and beautiful City views along the way. 

Beautiful Bullrushes

Bike Rider on the Path

Not really sure why, I wanted to get a few photos of Mike’s quilt in these exquisite, natural surroundings. Somehow, the backdrop makes the quilt look better.

My heart still aches at the loss of our son. It’s strangely comforting having his quilt here at my house. In the end, I’m glad I made it.

Thanks everyone.

Kim

P.S. One of the most outstanding birthday gifts I ever received was from Mike. He went to the local quilt shop and bought me this book called Color Magic for Quilters. He was a very thoughtful person.

r. It’s an amazing resource. Thank you son.