Beginnings
I grew up in Goderich and as a 10/11 year old boy, I had a paper route on Mary Street. Every day I rose early to deliver the London Free Press to 100+ customers. One year, the Free Press held a contest I can’t recall the details of, but I do remember very well the prize! It was a bus trip to see the Leafs play the Minnesota North Stars at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto.
I only have a faint image buried deep in the cache of my mind of the first time I walked from the halls of the Gardens, through a big archway and into the arena. But, I have full recall of the feeling … the overwhelming excitement, the vibe and the sheer magic of that moment: The lights, the buzz of the arriving crowd, the smell of the ice mixed with hot dogs and onions frying somewhere close by … the sounds of skates cutting the rink and pucks echoing off the boards as the players warmed up … It’s not an exaggeration to say it took my breath away.
***
Every work day for last 3+ decades, I’ve been walking in one of two doors at the Blackburn Studios in Wingham, the same door for the past 8. My morning journey involves a walk down a dimly lit hall, descending a few steps and making a quick left through a type of archway and into the “arena” where I play a very different game.
Every day for all of the years that I’ve walked through that door to the radio studio, I’ve had feelings very similar to the ones I experienced all those years ago at the historic Gardens.
There’s almost always a palpable excitement at the magic of the brightly lit console, the music humming from the speakers, the mic, the headphones … all the lights, the bells and the whistles. Depending on the day I can feel all kinds of emotions from anxiety (How do I do this new contest again?) to varying degrees of excitement at the playlist, the jokes we’ve written and stories I get to tell.
But the feeling that eclipses them all, is an enormous sense of gratitude and awareness of the “crowd” that will assemble, just a few at a time, in their cars, buses, tractors, snowplows … kitchens (Does anyone listen to the radio in the kitchen anymore?) All over Midwestern Ontario, listeners will cheer, groan, encourage, heckle and take part in the show that’s meant so much to me all these years.
As each morning show passes, I get one day closer to the day I’ll no longer journey to that studio every morning. The short hike down the hall has turned somewhat melancholy. I’ve become hyper aware of the sound of my steps echoing (or squeaking if it’s damp out) off the block walls as I walk. As I turn into the studio, I take mental images of all the tools of my trade and try not to think past the next few hours.
As I write these words, I’m not sure how many “games” I have left, but I’m hoping for at least 2 years … maybe 4. I realize to some, that may seem like a long time, but I’m old enough now to embrace the “life is short” manta, having actually experienced its haste.
***
For those wondering if there’s any point to the rambling paragraphs above, here it is.
A few years ago, a good friend, mentor and former teacher of mine, Terry McManus, encouraged me to start a blog with some of my images. He felt people would love the beauty of Midwestern Ontario and enjoy the notes I put with the pics, celebrating my life and career here. He believed in me, even when I thought he needed to give his head a shake. I was gutted when he passed away in December last year but I hope that wherever he is now, he has a good Wi-Fi signal and will maybe smile that I’m finally taking the plunge.
I want to finish my radio career well and possibly have something that will continue through some of my retirement years. So, this is a farewell tour of sorts that I’m hopeful will take the same route as many of my favourite bands who continued to play well past their first and sometimes second farewell tour.
This blog will celebrate in photographs, musings and quotes, all things Midwestern Ontario. The places, the people, the architecture and anything else that’s stirred my heart over the incredible years I’ve been blessed to call this part of the world, home.
***
And so, here we go with a few quick shots of one of my favourite spots on earth. As mentioned, I grew up in Goderich, but even after seeing thousands of them, Lake Huron sunsets continue to give me all the feels. I promise I will make a conscious effort to bring a variety of images to the blog, but you will see your fair share of sunset images here 😉
And yes, I’ve noticed the irony in calling this blog entry “Beginnings” and posting end of day images … and also in writing so many words on a photo blog. Look for less rambling and more images going forward.
I particularly like these shots because they’re taken in March, which maybe strangely, is one of my favourite months. I love the way the word “hope” feels and March is so full of hope and the promise of sunshine, summer, Toy Story clouds, lilacs, picnics, sand and waves and …well, you get the idea.
Thank you for being here. I’m hoping you will participate in this labour of love. I welcome your comments, feedback, and suggestions.
Stay well until next time 🙂
