Tuesday, September 16, 2008

A Job Well Done


There' a lot to like about living on Gabriola and right up there near the top of the list is the fact that folks around here aren't afraid to get their hands dirty. There's a strong spirit of volunteerism on the island and that nurtures a strong sense of community.

12 comments:

angela said...

I'd love to know what he's building, looks like a wall of earth. Gabriola sounds like a good place to live..

Ann said...

I have just been reading briefly about the geography and history of Gabriola, what a fascinating place to live, you lucky thing! great picture of busy working hands,Excellent.

Victor said...

Angela, he is building a commemorative wall using cob wall construction, and ancient building method. It is inexpensive, eco-friendly and durable but very labour-intensive. Follow this links...

http://gabriolacommons.ca

http://gabriolacommons.blogspot.com

Julie said...

Oh, goodo - my guess was that he was constructing mud bricks.

Good image of the muscles in the arm as one works them.

I grew up in the country and value the character of someone with rough hands who looks skywards to determine the time of day.

I understand that you are a native of Nashville or thereabouts. Would you consider elaborating on when and why you made the move: one country to another; big city to small island. Did you leave any descendents behind?

Victor said...

Yes Julie, I am a native Nashvillian. My wife and I are coming up on our one year anniversary as landed immigrants of Canada. I left no descendants behind which is one of the reasons I was able to make the change. As for why, the general answer is we couldn't stomach the political climate in the states and a more specific answer is health care. We are both self-employed as artists and therefore had very little in the way of health insurance. If something major had happened, we would have had to sell our house back in Tennessee. Canada has universal care (as does every other first world country on the planet) so we can finally relax. No handguns here either which is another big plus!

Becky said...

That's awesome! So many times I've met people afraid to get their hands dirty - in more than one sense. Great shot.

Thanks for the comment on my blog. It's interesting to hear from people who have either been in the military and served during a war, or had family who have. It's an experience I know nothing about, but am I ever grateful to those who risked...and those who gave...their lives to keep their country free.

Your dad may have seen things he didn't want to, but that's war. It's a part of history, and your father was a part of the life we all know today in America. Thank him for me next time you talk to him, will you?

Cheers.

Becky said...

Correction: Your father was a part of creating the life we know in America today.

Typing too fast gets me every time.

Knoxville Girl said...

This scene works so well in color with that rich brown dirt.
We have friends who moved from Vancouver BC to Knoxville (he was transferred by his company) and they are still in shock about the lack of public health care here.

b.c. said...

wow this was an interesting photo and all the comments made it even more so, its good to learn

Jane Hards Photography said...

I think like here island life has particular virtues like comnnuity spirit. Your own reasons for living there echo my and my partner's reasons for leaving mainland UK. Soon there will be no creative people left in the cities. It's such an earthy image and the warm colouring really captures such a living image.

Layrayski said...

I like this. Tells a lot. I especially like the color of the light too.

Virginia said...

Just a grand photo today Snap. I liked hearing about this project you featured. I also enjoyed learning how you found yourself in Canada. THe political climate here is certainly enough to make one consider a move.