Let me introduce myself: I'm Janet Davis, an artist and entrepreneur living and working on the North side of Bonavista Bay, on the island of Newfoundland in Eastern Canada. There are many challenges to running a business here in a small rural community, and there are many wonderful benefits too. This blog is where I share some of those challenges and triumphs, and share what it's like to live in this part of the world.
It was a beautiful day for a walk on the Greenspond trail. The seas are still rough along the shore after some recent high winds, making for some pretty spectacular view and quite a symphony of crashing waves.
It felt great to be outside in the sun after a long spell of indoor activities. (I’ve caught up on some home maintenance that had been put off for far too long. )
Beautiful weather has continued into the fall season here in Bonavista Bay- and I’m terribly happy to have some free time coming to enjoy it while it’s still here…
If there is one shop you need to visit in Newfoundland, it’s this place. Gorgeous displays, beautiful staff, high quality hand made art, craft, and gift items; interesting bits inside and out that you’ll need some time to take it all in.
We grabbed a take-out supper from the café and ate at the picnic table in the first gazebo on the Greenspond walking trail last night. Duke had the Baxter Burger & Chippies with a Dad’s Root Beer, and I had the Chick Pea Curry with an iced coffee. Yummy supper.
Beautiful evening, until the mosquitoes found us. In Greenspond! The 1st time I’ve ever seen them there! Never mind all the tragic things happening all over the world- I’m upset about the immigration of mosquitoes to Pond Island!!! I think I’m prejudiced towards mosquitoes.
I’ve had quite a few visitors over the past couple of days- I love meeting new people and hearing about where they’re from: California, Australia, Montreal, even the crowd from ‘town’! {If the crowd from Australia are reading this, please contact me- shipping problem to talk to you about}
I’ll be printing cards for the next week or so- cleaning the black ink off now to start in on the yellow and yellow-red rainbow roll. I’d love to show you how it’s done- stop in for a chat!
I started seeing a councillor for the first time in my life this past week, to help deal with my depression. She asked me what I do for “self care”. I thought about that a bit, and realized that I really don’t take good care of myself. Especially this past fall and winter. I couldn’t think of anything at all.
With that in mind, I am going to try not to spend as much time working, and do a little more just for me, or at least things that aren’t necessarily for the benefit of my business.
I had to make a quick trip to Gander today (business related, yes) and on the way back, Duke and I stopped in for a quick visit of the Dover Fault Interpretation Site. It was cold, but we walked up the little trail to a lookout point with several story-boards on the way, and found a beautiful view of the islands in the bay.
There was snow on the trail, and I was wearing short boots, so Duke piggy-backed me over a couple of spots, an event which made me giggle- and I thought of what a simple little action can bring joy into my life. Giggles are good medicine.
We drove around Dover and scouted out a good wharf to tie up at when our SS Virtue gets splashed back in the Atlantic in a week or so. A warmer day, or at least a day when I’m appropriately dressed for whatever the weather brings, will bring us back to the site to actually read the story boards and take our time looking.
The View from Norton's Cove 