The above photo was taken by my friend Bill Maylone, sometime in February, during the “big dump” of 2019. The Gulf Islands rarely gets more than a few inches of snow but this season saw islanders blanketed with upwards of 2 feet of the stuff which – if you have acreage and long winding driveways – can be (and was) crippling. Luckily, islanders are resilient and helpful, so those that could help did so with everyone pitching in to dig, shovel and plow their way to their trapped neighbours.

Although I had closed my business for the season on December 16, my intention was to spend a considerable amount of time on Mayne to take care of some overdue creative projects. Instead, various obstacles (pneumonia, a 2 month course in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and a trip to Mexico) precluded my spending much time at all on this fair isle. I therefore missed the above “snowcastrophe” and the big windstorm that hit on December 20. (worst storm in BC Hydro history)

It’s now April 19th as I write this and I’m turning my attention to my new season which begins on May 16, just prior to the Victoria Day long weekend. We’ll be starting off our season of Art Exhibits with a show by island artist Nicole Rittemann, on June 8 (running til June 30). I’ve not been apprised of the content of Nicole’s show as of this writing but I’m eagerly looking forward to welcoming her first exhibit at Shavasana Gallery!

See you soon!