Greetings from the City of Sunshine, Dauphin, Manitoba

Hello Manitoba & Saskatchewan SAQA Members! 

I find myself stranded here in Dauphin (not sunny today) Manitoba,.  Unable to travel due to the wicked wintery weather.  I was supposed to head to Brandon, but that is on hold until tomorrow.  It is simply too dangerous to trek through the Riding Mountain National Park.  So instead, I am going to write my very first SAQA blog entry. 

Apparently, the weather is going to be much better tomorrow.  And with a little luck spring will "magically" appear; after all legend states that the month of March comes "in like a lion" and goes "out like a lamb."

I did a little research and found out that many scholars trace the phrase back to the early settlers. Without fancy radar equipment; these hunters, gatherers and farmers relied on keen weather observations to forecast the weather. Often times they observed, early March was marked by biting cold and winter storms. The month begins with a lion's roar. But, by the end of the month, the weather can often be warm, spring-like and docile. Kind of like a gentle lamb. As we know so well, out here in the Canadian Prairies it happens that way a lot, but, not all the time.

Anyhow, the origin of the March Lion & Lamb can be traced even further back, to ancient times and those who watched the stars.

You see March begins as the Constellation Leo is crossing toward the meridian. Leo is the Lion. As Leo marches away, the Constellation Aries begins to rise toward the end of the month. Aries is the ram: What many lambs will become someday!

So, based on the stars, March "comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." Yes, folklore can be fun!

Inspite of the weather, I cherish days like this when all I have to think about is my quilting.  Today I have decided to sketch out a few projects, so that while i am in the city I will be able to purchase supplies for the project. My sewing room is warm and waiting for me to get to work. 

I look forward to my new roll and hope that I can connect and inspire members across our region!

I am excited to get to know, the members in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.  I hope to plan at least one or two parlour meetings before the fall.  I am thinking that a perfect time to meet in Manitoba would be during the Artist's Wave Tours in Gimil, MB.  (June 8 & 9, 2013)  Let me know if you are interested in this date and location; after a fair response I can plan the finite details. 

As for Saskatchewan, can a member in Saskatchewan suggest a central location?  I was thinking of the Saskatoon area. If there is an arts event occurring in the vicinity we could plan a meeting to coincide with the date. This will be a great start. 

I look forward to hearing feedback, drop me a line to introduce yourself and share any ideas you have with me.  You can contact me here dawnpiasta@gmail.com 

Stay warm!  Cuddle up with a quilt, Dawn