See how the days are getting longer? How the snow cover waxes and wanes? How the clouds shift uneasily, anointing us now with rain, then with tiny pellets of snow, or again with luxurious snowflakes?
Look how the crows gather in the top branches every morning. How the flying squirrel raids the bird feeder at night. How Harriet the lonely widow hairy woodpecker visits it every day.
Notice how the sunsets shift from violent orange to subtle pink? How they stray south of Mount Orford, then back north again?
Here we are, sheltering at home, while the world travels around us. How lucky we are to have front-row seats in the great arena of nature that is the Eastern Townships.
I’m comparing this time of lock-down to another time long ago, when I was living in Somalia, beside the Indian Ocean, right on the equator. In a way, it was wonderful. But life was also monotonous.
The days were all exactly 12 hours long. The year was one long drought. The sand blew in our eyes, the sunsets were an exact replica of each other.
Worse, we had no access to the privileges we take for granted here in the Townships. At that time, Somalia had a totalitarian and repressive regime. TV was non-existent. Books were scarce. Concerts were never. Dances were forbidden.
Separated from our families and friends far away, we ex-pats were bored. Many took to drink. Others sustained themselves by creative pursuits – making music, writing, sketching, sewing, and so on.
And so I arrive at my point: Boredom can be great good fortune. It is our chance to explore the secret creator within us. Miraculously, we can reach out through Zoom to connect with other secret artists. And creative friends are available to coach us. How blessed we are! Boredom can be life changing.

WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW!
This project offers scads of free Zoom workshops in English on different kinds of writing, from now to June. Topics vary: How to begin writing stories or poems. Fantasy Fugue Forum, on writing tales of the impossible. The ins and outs of writing a novel. Memoir. Non-fiction.
A variety of mentors offer their expertise and encourage your creative ventures through the Write Here, Write Now project offered by the Bishop’s University Lifelong Learning Academy (BULLA). Info: contact jan_whwn@yahoo.com or 819-842-1940. Act fast to get the schedule; the sessions are starting NOW. No prior writing experience required.
HAIKU-A-DAY
Poet and publisher Angela Leuck warmly invites you to the Haiku-a-Day project she’s leading via email. Participants write a daily, simple three-line poem about nature: the weather, landscape, animals, birds, and so on. No need to count syllables, she says.
In a workshop a few months ago, Angela shared seven rules of writing great haiku. 1. It’s short; 2. Mention a season; 3. Use your senses; 4. Use the present tense; 5. Surprise the reader; 6. Share your feelings through images; 7. Write outdoors.
Here’s an example by Angela: listening / to the house creak / as the old year leaves
Says Angela: “You don’t need any writing experience. Just start, one day at a time.” Send your haiku by 7 p.m. each day (or as often as you can) to: Angela Leuck at acleuck@gmail.com. In return, she will send you each day’s haiku poems by all the participants.
WINTER WELLNESS, 21st
“Winter Wellness: Bouncing Back During the Winter Months” is the theme of a Zoom presentation by Mental Health Estrie and Townshippers’ Association. Date: Thursday, January 21, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. It will explore “what will allow us to warm up those winter blues and foster positive mental health.” Free. In English. To register and receive the Zoom link, email Michelle Lepitre at ml@townshippers.org.
POETRY BREAK, 25th
Michelle Lepitre is organizing a Poetry Break via Zoom on Monday, January 25, at 10 a.m. It’s an informal reading and discussion of several poems. No previous experience with poetry is needed. Free. In English. To register and receive the Zoom link, email Michelle, ml@townshippers.org.
BRIGHT BEGINNINGS, 25th
Language Development is the topic of an upcoming Zoom workshop for parents of children aged 0 to 5, daycare workers and teachers. A Speech and Language pathologist will answer questions about your child’s speech development, milestones, and the impact of bilingualism or living in a minority English-speaking population. An interactive discussion will focus on communication development and what to expect; red flags and when to seek support, and more.
Townshippers’ Association offers the workshop twice: Monday, January 25, from 1 to 3 p.m., and Tuesday, January 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. Free. In English. To receive the Zoom link: Lisa Payne, lpayne@townshippers.org.
LEGAL INFO, 26th
Educaloi lawyer Richard Goldman is offering a Zoom workshop, Tools for Planning Ahead. Topics: powers of attorney, protection mandate, wills and advance medical directives. Participants from across Quebec will receive legal information and answers to personal questions.
The workshop is planned for Tuesday, January 26, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. It is offered by Townshippers’ Association and made possible by the Educaloi Community Mobilization Project. Free. In English. To receive the Zoom link: msevers@townshippers.org.
CHURCHES
Baptist. Services are cancelled until further notice because of pandemic constraints. Info: Pastor Michel Houle: 819-239-8818.
Anglican. Bishop Bruce Myers continues to offer Home Prayers at 10:30 a.m. Sundays on Facebook, and at quebec.anglican.ca (Worship Videos). Info: 819-887-6802, or quebec.anglican.ca.
United. Home worship services are available for pickup Fridays after 2 p.m. at Sawyerville United Church (box on top of freezer in porch), at Trinity United Church (in plastic bag at basement door). To receive services by mail or email, or for pastoral care, contact Rev Tami Spires at 819-452-3685 or spiresta@hotmail.com. Facebook info: United Eaton Valley Pastoral Charge.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email rawrites@gmail.com by January 25 for publication February 3 and by February 8 for February 17.