Challenges of Discovery

Hail Brave Hearts

The never ending adventure to voyage and discovery to meet and greet the new people, to learn their ways.  Peace among us is a priority, gifts and exchange, routes of travel and a path to the new world.  Discover, trade and progress, learn the language, the customs, the society.  There are many peoples, many societies, many worlds to discover.  Come with this explorer into the heart of our land and meet the people, listen to their stories, share their passions, learn their wisdom.  This is New France, in 1615, with an exploration into the aboriginal territories of Ontario, as far as Georgian Bay and Lake Nippissing, in search of a route to the Orient.

The Orient.  That spell binding, alluring destination of dreams.  Silk, spices, riches.  The Orient!  Find the route through Canada, we know it’s there.  Yes, it is, but not this time.  Not in 1615, when the world was forested and filled with mighty, turbulent rivers, with rapids and waterfalls to portage.  Not in 1615 when every few hundred kilometers brought new nations of aboriginals to meet and negotiate with.  As skilled and brilliant as these explorers were, the land is too large, the peoples too many, the dangers too difficult and the demands too great.  Still, the path to the Orient exists, but the people need to know these explorers, before extending such a substantial gift as the whereabouts of this sought after trail.

Samuel de Champlain 1604-1616

Travel and travel and travel, is a must.  Explore the world around and before you.  Go to these uncharted lands.  Bring peace, negotiation and prosperity with you, if you can.  It’s a daunting mission, to be the explorer, to discover and collaborate with people of unknown character.  Meeting them in their own land, on their own terms.  Peace and skilled negotiation.  The intellect soars as the negotiations are successful and the peoples minds are set at ease, with this friend.  Gratitude for such necessary gifts, as some burdens are lifted and some work is eased.  Sharing and caring, the beginning of a new world.  The start of a new land.  This is now New France, being explored and documented and carefully mapped.  Each river that is traveled, each new tribe that is encountered, each new language that is spoken and the forest of trees, plants and animals to marvel at as well.  All carefully described, by this well educated person, who knew the land so well.

This is the life of a great explorer, Samuel de Champlain.  His mission of discovery was so successful that it formed peaceful and prosperous relations with several aboriginal tribes and the French people, who earnestly sought common bonds and  well intended relationships with the people of the new world.  The needs for these negotiations for the fur traders were high.  In the end Champlain died in Quebec city with only 150 settlers living in the colony.

With the explorer, came the missionaries.  Jesuit priests from France, intent on bringing Christianity to the people of Canada.  This seemed necessary for the aboriginals to understand the religion of the French people  so that they would have a common bond in humanity to share.  Peace among the people, brothers in Christ.  Although the aboriginals had their own religion, with their own after life, it was deemed essential to bring these people to Jesus.  Such was the quest of the Jesuits who pursued this mission to the ends of their lives.

Carhagouha – 1615 site of first Mass in Ontario

written by Dr. Louise Hayes

February 28, 2020

The Mighty River Flows

The Mighty River Flows

Hail Brave hearts

Yes, it’s here, the spring has arrived, in snowy, blustery style,  In like a lion, with  heavy snow falls, March has ended the winter with a cold snap, that keeps us bundled up and happy.  Of course, the summer will eventually come, but now the trails are white.  The forest floor is covered, a late spring, with no drought in sight.

The itch is on, to turn the seasons, pull out the canoe and test the current.  Ice flows passing with the water as the melting winter turns to spring.  Catch us in our history, as we wave farewell to winter, the icy highways turn to melt waters and the dangerous ice flows temp.  No  more the sleighs to speed us along the slippery, white rivers, now it’s canoes and boats and water craft, to take our time away.

Go back, fine fellows, to days gone by, to times of yesteryear.  To the fur trade and the brave at heart the times of the voyageur.  A dangerous time of year, this is, when winter turns to spring.  The trails are wet, the rivers are thin ice and the progress becomes slow.  Take a nap and wait a week, a well deserved holiday.  The harshness of this difficult time, will melt the winter away.  Soon the canoe will be laden, with supplies to take inland.  To visit with the natives and to find a brand new land.  Off come the winter fur coats, hats and mitts are stored.  Onto another adventure, to the watery highways of this world.

A well traveled route, the St. Lawrence, filled with Coureur de Bois.  One of the most dangerous occupations of that lifetime, to travel, explore and trade in the great unknown wild.

http://www.patrimoine-culturel.gouv.qc.ca/rpcq/detail.do?methode=consulter&id=25887&type=pge     Trois Riviers, Quebec

The canoes are large enough, they carry several men.  All trained and skilled in many ways, to tackle the obstacle at hand.  Come from far away, in European style, to make a living the hard way, adventure, in the Canadian wild.  A fearsome, mighty river, the St. Lawrence is cracking up.  Pretty soon, it will be show time, pack your bags and liven up.  No more naps or holidays, the spring torrents are flooding.  It’s an adventure too dangerous for us,  spring break up is not even for the daring.  Icy flows and chilly woes, we’ll wait for another day.  This is not the best of times, for watery, river play.

But if you were an itchy voyageur, with bills at home to pay, perhaps the tempting season, would  cast him adrift anyway.

A lovely camping trip, with lakes and rivers to follow, the Canadian rivers of highway, still bind us to our past.  Traditions of camping and canoeing, following well traveled routes.  Today, we love this great wild land and praise the nations splendor.  Our ancestors did a very fine job, of protecting and implementing the heritage that we covet today.  A land of unspoiled wonder, with historical routes to travel.  This is our fine country we still travel in style.  From winter sleigh to summer canoe, the adventure has never left us.

written by Dr.  Louise Hayes

April 18, 2018

Northern Ontario Canoe Trip,  The Nat River

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6ie5jptrgY
That Narly Path

That Narly Path

Hail Bravehearts

Your focus is intent.  Well educated and disciplined your hearts and goals are on the same track.  Intent and determined, the objective is thrilling.  Plan, educate, train, pursue.  A simple achievement today is a brilliant path to prosperity.

Goals!  The highest goals, the impossible dream, the conquest of a new reality.  Can  it be so, you awesome human.  Overcome the odds, change the cards, roll the dice.  Your crystal ball says, choose your partners wisely.  Choose your leaders perfectly. The game is not a chance.  The game is a skillfully executed plan, with a well trained, qualified team of determined experts.

Choose your team, oh wise ones.  What aptitude is needed?  All are fine and necessary for the intricate survival of a community.  A vibrant and exciting place, with interesting and unique opportunities, comes from mutual acceptance and the drive to protect us all.  Which is the finest aptitude?  They are all the same.  A fabulous creativity of art, culture, architecture, philosophy, star gazing and wonder.  Not at all the same, but with minds of stimulated intellect, power, curiosity and foresight.

Not an easy path to choose.  Go build a nation, way out there.  We need all of you, on this voyage, this brilliant path to enlightenment.  We need all hands on deck.  All of your voices and skills, educated and strong.

A team, focused and daring.  Individual pursuits of merit, all part of this bold and adventurous team.  Differing aptitudes, all necessary.  Follow the night sky, you navigator, the brilliant stars and shining moon, lights the heavens and guides your way.  The obstacle is a 30 day voyage.  Prepare, prepare, prepare!

Who has the ability to lead this team?  Who will be chosen from the world’s most highly regarded captains?  Only the most worthy, for this courageous undertaking.  Cast off!  You must take the leap sometime!  Choose your fellowship of comrades and build your own, unique trust.  We are all just people here.  People with problems, people with desire, people with crutches.  We are all builders.  Builders of society, builders of a nation, builders of change and builders of harmony.  Your team protects you and helps you, supports and strengthens. Luck plays it’s part, but focused intellect is more sure.

Hail, you awesome, almighty ones.  From the homes of the everyday worker, comes a triumph of international might and acclaim.  Where do you come from, oh brave and brilliant mind?  A surprise from the warehouse district, a genius from the dockyards, an invention from metal works.  A circumstantial leader from an average home.  Aptitude is unusual, it calls the shots.  Aptitude and education.

Now, all you brave ones, chosen for your skills, get on board with this venture. Our target is chosen, the path is direct.  Focus, all you daring ones, this is the greatest adventure.  This is the adventure of your life! It takes it’s turns, it battles the waves.  Storms blow in and rock this vessel, pushing it to and fro and crashing it through the high waves.  Difficulties and equipment failure, wind battering the sails.  Water rushes in and swamps the decks.

Hold on!  Hold on to your strength.  Don’t loose anyone! Those precious lives are our support team.  Each one necessary and our closest, most trusted friend.  Hold on, the sea is turbulent.  It rocks your way and cracks the foundation.

But look, the sky is clearing.  Hold on to each other.  Keep your team intact.

written by Dr. Louise Hayes

January 8, 2016

 

Go Get It

Go Get It

Good Day Brave hearts

Another glorious day. The new year rings in hope and joy for a prosperous and intelligent 2016. A year of energy and excitement, of harmony and ambiance, of friendship and compatibility, of love and kindness. The cheer of a new beginning and the focus of another adventure. Brave new world, brave new start, brave new beginnings. To set your lives on that course of success, your own personal quest, your own personal best. In the quiet of your brilliant mind, your direction comes to you. Follow your wisdom, oh brave ones, to the fulfillment of your destiny.
Oh destiny of cherished hope, of minds set on a course to triumph.  Oh willing humans, minds of courage, plot your course and set your compass.  A path glimmers in the darkness and light shines along the way.  A path of your choice.

A fellowship of supportive companions, a team of strength and collective thought.  Self supporting and congenial, a circle of compassion to help your life.

This strong support will take you anywhere.  Dream, oh brave ones, it can take you to the stars.  Set a path, a well calculated trail. Mark your way, don’t loose yourselves.  The path to a colony, a county, a wild and alluring place, started with the footsteps of the brave, as they set on a course called the adventure of their lives.

A dream from the mind of determined humans, strong wills, champions.  A course of the most daring adventure.  A course that anyone can take.  Think, plan, educate.  Skills and knowledge.  Success doesn’t come from dreams, it comes from happenings.

Wrap you fellows around you.  Hold them tight to you.  These brethren might save you one day.  Save and be saved!  Skills, knowledge, education.  Think, plan, plot your course.  Set your sails and fly.

The vessels cast off from the dock.  A course was set and dutifully followed.  The master at the helm was secure and intelligent, fully qualified and educated in all things seaworthy.  Land and a landing was the object, and success an imperative must.  A failure would be a catastrophe so immense it could loose the lives of the entire ship.  Failure was impossible.  Failure could not be contemplated.  All hands on board were skilled and trustworthy, competent and careful.

Hail, all you bravehearts.  The past sheds light on the glory days.  Days of courage, of immense deeds, of human toil and human might.  Not one success came without the constant support, drive and encouragement of the team that set itself to win.  Win your conquest.  Build your support. Your team must share your desire and propel you onward.  Good leadership and judgement, advice along the way.  A  collective thought, a group think.  We can fulfill this goal.  A mission to land and an object to colonize.  We can achieve this goal.  Minds set in unison, unalterable, unchanging.

The vessel has cast off from the dock.  Set your sail, chart your waters, point the compass, follow the route.  No drifting with the tides, no turning back for shore.

Hail bravehearts, set your course.  The adventure of your life awaits.

written by Dr. Louise Hayes

January 5, 2016

 

To The Sailors

To The Sailors

Hail Bravehearts

The adventure begins! Of boats and strings and sails and things, the mighty oceans call us. Venture, my friends into the wild Atlantic! Cast your fears aside and unfurl your spirit, the sails rise high and the wind is blowing. A day for adventure on the high seas, as the wind takes you out to sea. To the high seas, of ocean faring in a sturdy craft of wood and sail. The crew of stalwart sailors, unleash the sails and the mighty wind propels them onward. Onward to the journey, to the adventure, to the marketplace, to the catch of the day.
An occupation as a sailor in search of the newest land of plenty, the newest riches, the newest gold. Will it be jewels, artifacts, gold or silver? What will you discover, mighty sailor, in the new land? What new trade will you bring us?
Feed us, oh sailors, for we starve and die of hunger. Bring gifts of food and make it plenty.
Oh fine sailors, bring us gold, for we are fat and our stomachs overfull. Dollars and cents is what we live for. Just tell us how much wealth so we can profit more.
Hail, almighty sailors, as you cast yourselves off to the wind. God speed to you and bless your daring souls. You, the wanderers, the explorers, the adventurers, the daring, the brave, save us! For as some lay dying of hunger and poverty, the others drink in vast amounts of wealth. Save us, oh sailors, save us all.
A food source for the poor, a gold mine for the rich.
As the sailors cast off, the crowd at the docks, wave goodbye and pray for the mortal souls of these bravehearts. So much depends on their success. Greed for some, survival for others, but prayers and praises still.
The route to the new world has been explored already, so the ships captain navigates well. High rolling waves and turbulent ocean, storms and calm, all mastered by the knowledge of this almighty human. Skills, human. Skills. For the brave captain has learned his lessons well and thousands of kilometers of endless water, no landmarks in site, won’t ruffle the unbeatable education of this sea worthy man. He knows it all. How to set his sails, how to set his compass, how to set his mind. This almighty human will save them. The route to the new world and the conquest of the new land is upon us.

http://www.sailorsforthesea.org

Hail to the mighty sailor and to his precious cargo. What fortunes lie beneath the hold? Is it the wealth that we dream of? Do we have markets to explore? Is there plunder for the greedy and scraps for the poor? Oh,great sailor, who opens our minds to discovery, you are champions. The far off places, the adventure, the awesome and brilliant places. You, great sailor are the heroes of the day. Praises to your strength, your courage, that we may all live in ease and prosperity. Good fortune lights your way.

written by Dr. Louise Hayes
October 24, 2014