The world is a strange and curious place, filled with close and serendipitous encounters. I had my first photo lesson with George Forss today – an amazing thing – and as I arrived at his Ginafor Gallery to meet him, he and Donna Wyndbrandt were waiting in the doorway, excited to whisper to me that there was a “very nice Canadian couple, readers of my blog,” who had come to George’s gallery out of curiosity. They were waiting inside to meet me. The couple was staying in Cambridge, said George and although they didn’t want to intrude, they would love to meet me.
I came in and met Dan and Susan Dugard from the small town of Durham, Ontario, way up in the North. They were very courteous and considerate, they hadn’t meant to contact me or bother me, they were just so curious to see the places I wrote about and took photos of. That is pretty flattering to a writer and photographer. Dan is a retired bush pilot and Susan is an oncology nurse, they are readers of the blog and my books and decided to spend a week here exploring Cambridge, Vermont and some of the places they have read about. They live in the far, remote north, they understand the country. They are staying at an apartment in a farm just a mile or so from Bedlam Farm. One of their first stops was George’s gallery on Main Street, the four of them were having a whopping good time when I came in.
George had his broken ankle in a boot, and was, as usual, indestructible and full of creative ideas about the universe and me.
George is a funny and gracious host, he is lots of fun, and he only unveiled his theories of life force and the universe once or twice. I used to be wary of these encounters with strangers, I am not any longer. It took me a long time to realize it is a great compliment when people want to see the things a writer describes.
Sometimes, things are meant to happen. The Dugard’s are lovely and interesting people, I am happy our paths crossed in this way. Dan said he didn’t mention aliens, I told him it was fine to mention them, he just had to plan on spending some time there.
I have learned to accept serendipitous encounters, they are always good, larger forces than me run the universe. The Dugard’s are coming over to the farm later this week to meet Simon and they were quite excited at the idea of seeing Red work and visit Maria’s Schoolhouse Studio. Oh yes, and me too. When they call I will invite them to lunch at the Round House Cafe to meet Scott Carrino and have some good and fresh food. I’ll get Maria to come too. Then we’ll visit the farm. Dugards, if you are reading this, let’s shoot for Wednesday or Thursday. You have my number.
Oh, and then George and I had a great lesson, more about that later.