Thursday, March 23, 2006

Wheeler's

In the post just below, I mantioned our trip to Wheeler's, the maple sugar farm and tourist operation that Cuppa and I found (not that I suppose that it was actually lost) the other day. At the time, I had wanted to post more of the numerous photos that we took that day. I managed to get one up using the older Hello system, but I find that the mood passes, especially when one is thwarted a number of times. (That's also why writing down blog ideas doesn't work for me; I have to blog a topic or idea while it is freshly on my mind, or it becomes stale, and I lose interest.)


BUT I did get the following photo up. At Wheeler's, they had a world map with pins sticking into it representing people who had visited from all over the world: Siberia, Africa, you name it. People have come from far and wide to this little maple sugar operation off an unpaved road in rural Ontario. Amazing.


Then, I focused on Australia and, then, one particular corner of Australia, the northeast coast — Queensland, by the Great Barrier Reef, and then on one city — Townsville. Depending on how you calculate it, Townsville has a population of only about 100 000 to 150 000, and it's on the other side of the globe — about as far away as you can get from here. Yet, I have several recent connections with the place. A couple of years ago, my daughter visited Australia and spent some time in Townsville. Now, my friend's son, a fellow whom I have twice taught is attending college in that city; and, a blogger from there, megz_mum, has lately chosen to drop by Raindrops on occasion. Quite a connection really.


So, I don't know if I was terribly surprised to find a pin in the map representing Townsville. In a way I was, and in a way I wasn't. It's a small world after all (la la la).


For your convenience (see how considerate I am?), I put a dab of yellow on the Townsville pin. But isn't it somewhat amazing to also note all of the other connections on this map?


9 comments:

Bonita said...

It is a small world, after all. I enjoyed seeing that daffodil yellow on the pinhead...nice touch.

Anonymous said...

Love the photo.. and also love the idea of the map. It is always fascinating to see where people have travelled from.

Dee said...

As usual, lovely work.

Anonymous said...

Wow...something to ponder how connected we really are!

oshee said...

I haven't visited in about a week and have really enjoy spending the time to read through your past posts. I enjoy your writing.

It is a small world, especially with the internet. It is wonderful to hear of your warm winter with snow covered lawns as I sit in my desert home. The winter is over here and spring never lasts long. Thank you for sharing.

Dale said...

It may be a small world, AC, but I wouldn't want to paint it.

PBS said...

It IS a small world. That's a long way to travel. Hope they had as good as a time there as you did!

Debra said...

That's also why writing down blog ideas doesn't work for me; I have to blog a topic or idea while it is freshly on my mind, or it becomes stale, and I lose interest.

EXACTLY! That's how I am too and it's great to find someone else who feels that way.

I'm glad you liked the photos I linked to--I thought you would! :) Thanks for your comment at my blog and have a terrific Friday! ... Debra

megz_mum said...

Isn't that amazing! When I figure out how, I will link with this post so my visitors can see this. I really enjoyed reading the maple syrup story.
What we Townsvilleans lack in numbers, we make up for in quality and good taste obviously!