Woods Versus City - nature wins every time

Rain. Late.
Drenched posterior on two wheels - on way from work to home (to pick up overdue books) to library for BIG IDEAS w/ David Carpenter - encountered:

• cars cars cars
• nearly clocked by one car on Notre Dame
  
• stared down by anti-abortion activists circling HSC
• elderly man (won't say gentleman b/c he was far too chippy) w/ cane ambling across Toronto Street cursing at passing car because it was there and even stopped for him
  
• potholes that add years
  
• lakes of scummy rainwater between traffic and curbs
  
• barricades blocking one-way streets
• cut off by tour bus (probably carrying the Chicago Blackhawks) near MTS Centre
  
• cars cars cars
  

Came to dripping halt right outside Millennium doors. Arrived at Carol Shields Auditorium on second floor, only five minutes late.

The Big Idea? Nature.
The reverence for it, respect. The solitude and serenity it can provide.

And David Carpenter rocks.
Self-proclaimed old fart and ex-hunter, he was irresistibly refreshing, kind, astute in his comments and answers, affable. He slowed down the pace of the entire day, in a good way. Allowed focus, clarity. An hour of calm. I'd listen to him, chat with him, any day, way more than I would Poe's raven or the Ancient Mariner.

Am also intrigued by "The Return of Artemis," a chapter in one of his books. The huntress. David says women are increasingly turning to hunting, more than anyone. Even more than aliens, which we all kind of are anyway, at least to moose.

And he knows how to get right to the core, doesn't he, albeit gently.

He asked me, "Do you willingly live in the city?"

Sigh.

Alright, David Carpenter, I'm moving to the woods. I just might need you to teach me how to hunt, though. My naturopath says I must eat meat.

(Also... may or may not have seen Courtney The Spy there. But if so, I am inclined to believe she's a DOUBLE AGENT. The plot thickens. May need to move to woods for my own safety as I am not sure of intentions and allegiances of said Spy; and I overheard this agent say her father used to hunt, and so he may have passed skills on to her so I may not be safe in woods either. Tricky.)

Ok, off to Main Stage, Family Business. Late! Feet soaked, wool socks funky. Going anyway, with or without rubber boots.


David Carpenter.
A Hunter's Confession
Inspiring fellow.
Please tell me what muskeg is. And coolies.
And how to get to the Wild Hay Valley.


Rubber boots in audience.
We all need a pair. City or Woods.

The Return of Artemis, dawn of a new age, people.
Somethin's happenin up there in the atmosphere.
Long gun registry or otherwise.

She's comin back.

Pick your wild zone.

**

Stacy drove to Winnipeg in two days and five hours from Clydesdale, Nova Scotia. She only planned to stay for a year, but it has been four already, because this city keeps you, holds you. Though she works at a corporate publishing company, she has learned about writing, art, urban living, praying mantis kung fu, cycling, goddesses, and the middle while here. She hopes to figure something out about preserving, wool, gentleness, Mandarin, and movement. And, always, poetry. For the duration. Email Stacy at anastasie.doiron@gmail.com.