The LovelyLook of Spring - theHumm May 2021

By Glenda Jones

In the fall, when we were on the cusp of nothingness (much like we are again now), I decided to go through the closet, haul out all my “good clothes” that I would normally have worn to lectures, concerts, and occasions when I didn’t want to look like I’d been dragged through a knothole backwards, and I’d alternate them every day, wearing something nice just because I could. This simple exercise boosted my morale no end. Besides that, I found sweaters at the bottom of the drawer that I hadn’t worn in ages.

I got so proficient at sorting out something new every day that I needed to strip out the whole closet and assess everything. Thus, the purple sweater that did nothing for me anymore got thrown in the Hub bag along with the red and black harlequin number that I’d had for years. A couple of others that I’d bought on a whim went as well. No use keeping things that I was sifting to the bottom of the pile regularly.

After Christmas, when I didn’t need anything more fashionable than fresh jeans and the sweater with a bit of sparkle, I decided to get rid of any shoes with heels, since obviously I wasn’t going to be needing those either. A good pair of flats, two pairs of Birkenstocks, my runners and my slippers were essential, so they all stayed.

Now, the problem with doing this closet thing is that there are empty hangers, but I steeled myself — for a whole month — until Judy Joannou’s email landed in my inbox. She presents the most cheerful exciting videos, done by her son no less, that lure me in to her shop every time. And were we all ready for an in-store experience by the end of February? Her videos make me think that if I only had that one gorgeous new item, my life would be glamorous and exciting, just like Judy promises. One look at her windows, and spring was beckoning — I was carried away to the LaLaLand of colour and charm.

I launched into spring with this heady idea that this year would be different than last. I’d had a haircut, I had succumbed to a couple of bright new spring garments, and I was ready! Not to be, it seems. Once again, my hair looks like everyone else’s, a little shaggy around the edges, our complexions are not rosy but rather hidden behind these masks, our wardrobes are lurking between spring and the chill that remains on many mornings, and I’m still not feeling the true spring love thing yet.

So bring on May, I say! I’ve washed the winter gear and refuse to even look at it again until next November. No more worn cuffs, doggy-chewed boots, holey mitts and toques, absolute fashion heartbreakers that don’t belong to spring. I want the colour, the sparkle, the lilt in the air that signals renewal and sunshine, lollipops and roses, or whatever passes for raised spirits.

I’m done with whining about the weather, and want the lovely look of spring. My daffodils surpass everything right now, plus we’re marvelling at the trilliums and trout lilies, and everything green and crisp.

And don’t forget our May melody: “The first of May, the first of May, naked gardening starts today.” With thanks to my sister who never fails to remind me of this little ditty!

A Poem to Carry us Through the Dark

Every day we have a choice:

Will we be happy, will we be grumpy?

Will we serve others, or demand they serve us?

Will we use our minds, or stagnate in sloth,

Will we put on a smile, put our pain in our pocket, put up with the foibles we can’t control, put our best foot forward and

Dance the dance of life to the best of our ability,

Picking up partners to laugh and sing along?

What will your choice be today?

Little did we know the dark would last so long!

Jennifer Anne Kelly — The Glass is Way More than Half-Full - theHumm May 2021

By Sally Hansen

Art… and Soul

Last month our featured artist was Inuk jeweller and sculptor Kaajuk Kablalik, and our April cover featured a stunning glass qajaq in addition to his distinctive jewellery. The two-year qajaq project was the result of a fortuitous series of coincidences facilitated by Mississippi Mills glass artist Jennifer Anne Kelly, whom we first featured in October of 2012. When we learned that Kelly will soon be relocating to Ottawa — the “Big City” — we wanted to cele......

The LovelyLook of Spring - theHumm May 2021