Letters – Our Readers Write: Spring 2025

Winter bird count

I take a weekly sketching/drawing class from CJ Shelton at the Alton Mill. It’s my favourite two hours of the week! In our class last week, our task was to draw birds. For our final assignment of the class, CJ pulled out a copy of In The Hills magazine for each of us. She couldn’t stop raving about the cover of the cedar waxwing [“Two in the Bush,” winter ’24].

CJ described it as “an artist’s delight” because the photo was so clear that you could easily make out individual feathers. She cautioned us to note that despite our preconceived idea, this cedar waxwing’s feathers didn’t all fall in the same direction. “Draw what you see,” she advised us. “Not what you think you see.” We all did our best to capture both the appearance of the bird and its spirit in our own particular style – CJ encourages that.

As is our practice, we all displayed our “masterpieces” at the end of the class. I’ve enclosed a photo of our efforts. CJ’s Wednesday class hopes you like them. — Nicola Ross, Alton

Warm it up 

Thank you for including a piece about the value of heat pumps [“Warming Trend,” winter ’24], and not just for their astonishing efficiency at heating and cooling homes but for significantly reducing climate-warming fossil fuel emissions. I would like to add that “cold-climate” heat pumps can operate independently down to a very chilly –25C with no backup, not merely the –3C to –15C the article mentioned. Though not feasible for every older home, our cold-climate air source heat pump, installed three winters ago, has allowed us to eliminate costly propane and appreciably reduce our carbon footprint. The principal backup for heating our home is a wood stove, which we have so far never needed as the heat pump has been an exceptionally reliable and comfortable heat source. And, bonus, it cools things off just as economically during our increasingly hot summers. — Liz Armstrong, Erin

Local Hero Linda Banks 

Congrats Linda. You’re a sweetheart. Orangeville is so lucky to have you volunteering [“Local Heroes,” winter ’24]. You’re genuine, funny and have a big heart for people. Will always remember how we met in Wasaga. It was such a delight to meet such a wonderful lady. — Bonnie, Wasaga Beach

Editor’s Note:

In late January, Mulmur sculptor and writer Hugh Russel sent me this poem – he had shared the piece with his writing group, who suggested he try and get it published. Maybe it was this dreary winter. Or maybe I just needed a laugh, but it sure resonated with me. I hope you enjoy it too. May we all find our minds.

My Mind

I’ve lost my damned mind,
something I can’t do without
I had it right with me
last time I went out
I looked in my closet,
and no, it’s not there
It either leapt from my head,
or I’ve left it somewhere.
I lifted up cushions,
and pulled out some chairs
I found loonies and toonies
the kids swore they were theirs.
I found oodles of things,
my search wasn’t fun
I found cookie crumbs, 
dog hair, some crackers … a bun.
As I roamed mindlessly
All over my house
Under the bed,
I found … a dead mouse.
My mind is still missing,
I haven’t a clue
Is there a chance dearest friend,
that I left it with you?

by Hugh Russel