Saturday, March 17, 2018

Explore Cape Breton ....Canada ...Canada


MQTlogoa  Acadian Coastline, Gaelic Folklore, Celtic Culture and The The Mi'kmaq Nation… To say the least there is a lot going on in Cape Breton Nova Scotia. A “My Quality Time” post.
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The Skyline Trail::: “Length: 7.5 km (4.7 mi) return or 9.2 km (5.7 mi) loop Elevation: 290 - 405 m (950 - 1,330 ft) Time: 2 - 3 hours
Significant Features: Headland cliff, ocean Main trail suitable for most skill levels.  Boardwalk with steps at headland.  Rugged back loop.” Linda and I with my sister Sara and her husband Larry did the In-Out trail not the loop.

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If one is going to do just one hike in this area this is the one to do. There are hundreds of wonderful blog posts/web sites devoted to this area with detailed photos and descriptions of the hike. You can do your own research if interested. Here are a couple links I really like: One Journey and Wandering Not Lost .
On this hike you may see moose and bear but we did not… so it goes…   Instead I offer up a “At A Breton Calvaire” from the book::”Cape Breton Tales” by Harry James Smith 1880-1918.
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“Upon that cape that thrusts so bare.. Its crest above the wasting sea-Grey rocks amidst eternity- There stands an old and frail calvaire, Upraising like an unvoiced cry Its great black arms against the sky. For storm-beat years that cross has stood: It slants before the winter gale; And now the Christ is marred and pale;
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The rain has washed away the blood That ran once on its brow and side, And in its feet the seams are wide.
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But when the boats put out to sea At earliest dawn before the day. The fishermen, they turn and pray, Their eyes upon calvary:
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“O Jesu, Son of Mary fair, Our little boats are in thy care!” and when the storm beats hard and shrill
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Then toil-bent women, worn with fear, Pray for the lives they hold so dear, And seek the cross
upon the hill: “O Jesu, Son of Mary mild, Be with them where the waves are wild!”
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And when the dead they carry by Across that melancholy land,- Dead that were cast up on the strand
Beneath a black and whirling sky,- They pause before the old calvaire; They cross themselves and say a prayer.
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O Jesu, Son of Mary fair! O Faith, that seeks thy cross of pain! Their voices break above the rain,
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The wind blows hard, the heart lies bare: Clutching through dark, their hands find Thee,
O Christ, that died on Calvary!”
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Film crew getting ready to shoot a documentary… and now I’m HUNGRY:::
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The Beggars Banquet a chance for you to get into period costume and gorge on a feast of local seafood in a replicated 18th-century tavern.
2015-09-05 06.41.57 Hope you enjoyed the post/photos… and as always have

a great day…. Joe Todd reporting for “My Quality Time”
MQTlogoa Cape Breton Highlands National Park & The Skyline Trail

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Happiness is a product of doing the right thing……

AAAMQT Have A “Quality Time” Day
The truth of the matter::



DSC_0010 Spring will be here soon..Til then enjoy the day..enjoy the moment…..

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Learn to Listen so You can Listen to Learn…



 

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A Story For Today::

Iroquois Creation Myth

Long before the world was created there was an island, floating in the sky, upon which the Sky People lived. They lived quietly and happily. No one ever died or was born or experienced sadness. However one day one of the Sky Women realized she was going to give birth to twins. She told her husband, who flew into a rage. In the center of the island there was a tree which gave light to the entire island since the sun hadn't been created yet. He tore up this tree, creating a huge hole in the middle of the island. Curiously, the woman peered into the hole. Far below she could see the waters that covered the earth. At that moment her husband pushed her. She fell through the hole, tumbling towards the waters below.
Water animals already existed on the earth, so far below the floating island two birds saw the Sky Woman fall. Just before she reached the waters they caught her on their backs and brought her to the other animals. Determined to help the woman they dove into the water to get mud from the bottom of the seas. One after another the animals tried and failed. Finally, Little Toad tried and when he reappeared his mouth was full of mud. The animals took it and spread it on the back of Big Turtle. The mud began to grow and grow and grow until it became the size of North America.
Then the woman stepped onto the land. She sprinkled dust into the air and created stars. Then she created the moon and sun.
The Sky Woman gave birth to twin sons. She named one Sapling. He grew to be kind and gentle. She named the other Flint and his heart was as cold as his name. They grew quickly and began filling the earth with their creations.
Sapling created what is good. He made animals that are useful to humans. He made rivers that went two ways and into these he put fish without bones. He made plants that people could eat easily. If he was able to do all the work himself there would be no suffering.
Flint destroyed much of Sapling's work and created all that is bad. He made the rivers flow only in one direction. He put bones in fish and thorns on berry bushes. He created winter, but Sapling gave it life so that it could move to give way to Spring. He created monsters which his brother drove beneath the Earth.
Eventually Sapling and Flint decided to fight till one conquered the other. Neither was able to win at first, but finally Flint was beaten. Because he was a god Flint could not die, so he was forced to live on Big Turtle's back. Occasionally his anger is felt in the form of a volcano.
The Iroquois people hold a great respect for all animals. This is mirrored in their creation myth by the role the animals play. Without the animals' help the Sky Woman may have sunk to the bottom of the sea and earth may not have been created.
Want More??? Ok





Linda says, “Get outside and have a Great Day………