Relaxation, Renewal and Idea Regneration

Malden Park

It's late August already, and all this summer I have been in a restless state. I am still searching for new ideas for another book; not only that, my urge to draw and paint has been affected. I'm sure I will probably survive this, but I just want to DO IT!

Malden Park

Yesterday one of my girlfriends and I went to a nearby park, Malden Park, for those who are familiar with this area. We wandered around the paved trails (for wheelchairs), and I purposely didn't take pictures of the many Canada Geese who populate this, and many other parks in Windsor, especially around the water areas. Malden is a large park, there were several people also visiting, but it was certainly not crowded.

Near the parking lot there are several picnic tables to bring lunch, but we chose not to fight with the wasps who seem to congregate, especially by August! (Canada Geese can also be grabby.) This last week and a half has been very warm, including a few days of heat warnings, in Windsor and most of South-Western Ontario. There was a big rain the day before we went out - that evening was windy, which dried the ground and yesterday's cooler temperatures felt comfortable.

Malden Park

Walking in wooded areas speaks to my soul. It is quiet, except for honking geese flying in formation overhead. I am reminded of Who is really in charge of my life, my creative self, and and Who has given me this gift, and most of all He is in charge of when and how I use it.

My girlfriend and I discussed our families, our faith, and the comfort in silence and as much solitude as a person can find in the city.

First thing every morning I take the time for a bible study; this last few weeks I have been trying to focus on my creative self and how it is governed by my faith. I have been studying the tools of my daily chores - dishes, laundry, floors, dust rags etc. I am seeing the tools of these chores as not only what we see, but as instruments to further our work for God.

A  West End cove by the Detroit River.

I look at the paring knife in my hand, and think, I am not just cutting a carrot, but I feeding my family. When I sharpen my worn-out pencil - I am using it to draw a work someone will, hopefully, find pleasing to see. I find this to be a good way to focus on everyday work as a more meaningful endeavour.

My girlfriend and I enjoyed our time in the park just walking where we wanted and enjoying the weather and the works of God.

Well, I will sign off for now, but for those who really want to see Canada Geese, here is a picture from a West End Park - by the river!


Have a great day -

Phoebe Brown.

Where's Anna?

Anna, Peter and Adam

In the quiet community of Olde Sandwich, where the refugees of slavery from The United States cross at the Detroit River are welcomed to Canada and freedom by nearby neighbours; some others have come to add confusion and danger.

I hope more people can visit the characters in my book: Under The North Star: The Underground Railroad in Olde Sandwich Towne.

This book can be ordered at: Friesen Press, Amazon, Kobo and other on-line bookstores. It is available in hardcover, paperback and e-book form.

Have a good summer of reading!

Phoebe Brown.

Autism Awareness Day Thursday, April 2

As I have mentioned before in this blog before, my second-born son, Paul is Autistic. Here he is with our dog, Tom.

Paul is thirty-six years now, and was diagnosed at three and a half years, which was early for that time. Before he was diagnosed, he was really a wonder to me. I didn't understand his fears, perseverations, lack of eye contact, and especially his unwillingness to be hugged or even touched.

When the professionals started teaching me the little they knew about autism at that time, questions started to be answered. At that time, the therapists, my oldest son, Bob, and I tried everything to help him with his daily living skills, communication (he still talks very little, and seldom initiates conversation), and developing a daily routine. 

The real truth is, that autism is still a big question mark. 

There have been many studies, and great strides in helping people who are affected, but: 

THERE ARE NO REAL ANSWERS. There is NO definitive cause. There is NO special gene that has been detected as the cause. There IS NO SUPER CURE for autism yet. Each person is an individual, and exhibits different behaviours.

I have a 'pet rock' on my mantel that says "Every day is an adventure". Well this is my life living with someone who is delightfully autistic!

Here is my own sign:

EVERY DAY IS A NEW AND EXCITING ADVENTURE LIVING WITH YOU MY ENCHANTING AND ENTHUSIASTIC SON WHO IS LIVING ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM!   

Wear BLUE on Thursday April 2, and have a wonder-filled day!

Phoebe Brown.

Hiding the Refugees

Sometimes, when the refugees from slavery came to Canada, they were pursued by men sent to re-capture them for the Landowners.

Under the North Star - the Underground Railroad in Olde Sandwich Towne

We all have drama in our life, and we have times of peace, and God is with us all the time...

Malden Park - Windsor, Ontario

 I hope you get to read my book:
 Under the North Star - the Underground Railroad in Olde Sandwich Towne
by Joanna Bullard.
For those overseas, Amazon in UK carries it as well as in North America, it can be downloaded as well as in soft, or hard cover.


May this day be a wondrous one.

Phoebe Brown

Ojibway Park

Good Tuesday morning!

When I was thinking about the way the Sandwich Towne area was almost two hundred years ago, I think of the way Ojibway Park is now.

In my story, the principle characters live on farms surrounded by a thick woods. Here is an excerpt from my story:

Hope this 'teases' you to find my book!
Under The North Star - the Underground Railroad in Olde Sandwich Towne

It's on Amazon, Kobo, and www.freisenpress.com/bookstore

If you live in the Windsor area The Windsor - Essex Authors Book Expo on November 23, 2014 (10am - 5pm) at The St. Clair College Centre for the Arts 201 Riverside Dr. W. Windsor Ontario (the Old Cleary).
For more info see www.windsoressexauthors.com

Have a great day

Phoebe Brown

Berry's Cove

Here's me at the cove in Olde Sandwich Towne, you can see Detroit in the background.

HI!! Hope today is great for you!
I'm going to talk a little about my book, Under the North Star - the Underground Railroad in Olde Sandwich Towne.

I really don't know the name of this cove, but in my book I call it Berry's Cove.

Here it is, it's located on Russell Street, just west of Mill Street in Sandwich Towne in West Windsor. I used to spend lots of time here thinking about how the story in my book would develop. I still do come here, it's a good quiet place to think and read, and just wander. While thinking about my story, I thought it seemed to be a good spot for the refugees from slavery to arrive on Canadian soil.

Here it is in the summertime.

When I thought about the storyline in the book, I thought about the people who lived in this area at that time. There were lots of Christian churches, of several denominations, so I thought they were 'people of God'. I figured the Canadian people in the story should be reflective of the time. Except for the people of the First Nations, everyone at that time could trace their roots back to, mostly England, Ireland, Scotland, France or the United States. Now the population of Sandwich, and all of Windsor are reflective of many nations from all over the world.

In my research, I learned that along the coast of the Detroit River the residents, black, white and First Nations, all helped the people who landed here. I wanted my story to reflect that also. I also learned that there were those who were against the welcoming of the refugees, and they actively worked to help the Southern landowners from The United States.

I hope you get a chance to read my story!

You can get it by e-book or soft or hard cover at Amazon or cheaper at the publisher:

www.friesenpress.com/bookstore

Have a great day!

Phoebe Brown

Under the North Star - The Underground Railroad in Olde Sandwich Towne

I just received my link to a preview of my new book!

Check it out!

Under the North Star

Have a great day!

Phoebe Brown