All Categories

Canada Marches Forth and Files for Divorce

3/5/2025

Trump has been the US President for a little over 6 weeks. During that time, he has threatened to annex Canada and plans to do so by destroying Canada’s economy through tariffs. This despite the fact that Trump himself negotiated and signed the trade deal between Canada, the US and Mexico during his first administration. I can’t even begin to count the number of times he has completely disrespected our Prime Minister by calling him Governor Trudeau. He threatened tariffs, gave a month-long reprieve, and then enacted these tariffs on March 4th, 2025. One day later, he has given a one-month exemption to automakers. Two days later, he has given a suspension on CUSMA-compliant exports until April 2nd, 2025. His policies are up and down like a toilet seat.

For the last 30 days, Canadian citizens initiated their own rejection of Trump’s initiatives. And this latest suspension or delay of tariffs will not have an impact on Canadians who are saying "Buy Canadian - Bye American". We are boycotting American-made goods – from orange juice to Campbell’s soup to kitty litter. Trips to the grocery store are taking much longer these days as folks are carefully reading labels and putting back on the shelves items that are not “Product of Canada” or “Made in Canada”. If we can’t find a Canadian replacement for something (like oranges since we don’t grow those here), we look for goods from anywhere else – just not the United States.

People are also changing their vacation and business travel plans. People are not attending conventions being held in the US. Families who had planned vacations to Disney World or perhaps were going to take in a Broadway play or enjoy some sun in Puerto Rico have now determined that there are so many wonderful alternatives. Canada is the top source of international visitors to the United States, with 20.4 million visits in 2024, generating $20.5 billion in spending and supporting 140,000 American jobs. Even a 10% drop in Canadian tourism will have a huge impact on the US economy.

Restaurants in Canada are changing their menus. They are only going to be serving food that has been sourced in Canada.

And, you know what? Once these new supply chains, these new travel destinations, become a part of Canadian habits, why would we go back to purchasing from a place that doesn’t honour its trade deals or respect its neighbours and allies? (And, yes - I have correctly spelled honour and neighbour - sorry, 'Merican English!)

The first month of Trump’s administration was the equivalent of a trial separation. Canada is now filing for divorce. We are through with the abuse. We won’t stand idly by and take a beating from a bully. Canadians can hold its head up proudly on the world stage; the US, if they continue on this path, will stand utterly alone, broken and impoverished. Other countries are looking to Canada as a shining example that nobody needs to bow to a dictator, even if that dictator used to be a former ally.

Winston Churchill said, “Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” Dhar Mann noted that trust takes years to build, seconds to break and forever to repair. I fear that Canada’s relationship with the US is irretrievably damaged. At some point in the future, we may return to a friendly relationship but that trust and faith in our American neighbours and partners have been broken.

5 Comments

Women's rights and Margaret atwood's precognition

2/12/2025

I am not quite in the age bracket that made up the leading edge of “second-wave feminism”, most commonly referred to as the Women’s Liberation Movement, but I am certainly old enough to have experienced blatant on-the-job sexual harassment, and the gender-based glass ceiling. I have been in a job interview where the male employer expressed interest in hiring me and then placed his hand on my thigh. “Libbers” were looking for equal pay, educational and job opportunities, the right to govern their own bodies, and financial and legal independence. Are you aware that, in Canada, it wasn’t until 1961 that the very first financial institution in Canada offered mortgages to women without a male co-signer! And, in 1964, women could open a bank account without their husband’s signature. In 1971, maternity leave benefits were added to EI and in 1978, you could no longer be laid off or fired if you became pregnant.

We have come a long way but there is still much further to go. As a women entrepreneur/small business owner working in a field that many consider “traditional women’s work” (knitting and weaving), I have dealt with ingrained bias. I have been told that my studio is such a cute little she-shed. It is not a “she-shed”, it is my bread and butter, what keeps a roof over my head, food on my table and clothes on my back. I’m quite certain that comments such as these were not purposefully meant to be belittling. But it stings nonetheless. Can you even imagine if a woman were to go into a male-owned business and comment that they have an adorable little man-cave?

As a woman entrepreneur, I am proud to say that, in Canada, women entrepreneurs drive economic growth and sustainability. Women-owned businesses focus more on innovation and environmental sustainability than men-owned businesses.

In “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Canadian author Margaret Atwood, the narrator and central character Offred is told by her Commander that, to create a better society and a better world, some things will be made worse for some people. If you have been at all tuned in to the news in the last few weeks, you will no doubt recognize the parallels to what is occurring today. The elite in Gilead (formerly the US) turned away from economic freedoms which, in turn, makes it more difficult to fight the oppressors. However, to summarize Rosemarie Fike who wrote an article entitled “What the Handmaid’s Tale Can Teach Us About Gender Inequality”, a society that turns away from economic freedom embraces an economic system inconsistent with human flourishing, and this should ultimately hasten its downfall.

Picture courtesy of Medicine Hat News

We are seeing Project 2025 come to fruition in the US. We are seeing American economic freedoms being stripped away through protectionist strategies that are damaging to both Canada and the US. We are seeing the elitist US government state that “on the authority of the USA”, they have the right to eject Gazans from their country and turn Gaza into the Arabian Riviera. The current American administration has renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and wants to buy Greenland, renaming to Red, White and Blueland (no, I can’t make this ridiculousness up!). And, of course, we can’t forget that the US elites want Canada to become the 51st state in order to gain full access to our wealth of oil, natural gas, fresh water, critical minerals.

Canadians are a strong, proud and feisty people. We will not kiss the ring, nor will we become a part of Gilead. We must continue to be united. And – we must ensure that, at the next federal election, we do not vote for a party and a party leader who is receiving very vocal support from those same elitists who are destroying the American democracy.

NOT A SNOWBALL'S CHANCE IN HADES

1/15/2025

Are Canadians fed up with Donald Trump – even before he assumes office? 100% yes and rightly so.

Let me ask Americans a question. Let’s say the situation was reversed. Let’s imagine that Canada’s population base was 8.5 times larger than that of the US. Canada’s Prime Minister was trolling your President, calling him “Premier Trump” of the great province of America. In their first meeting, “joking” about the US becoming Canada’s 11th province, or perhaps its 4th territory. Then the “joke” becomes a daily rant. And finally our Prime Minister states that Canada won’t invade the US using military force but will enact economic sanctions that will force the US to become part of Canada. He justifies this by saying (untruthfully) that your President told him that such sanctions would cause the US to dissolve and that many Americans want to become Canadian. Our Prime Minister was constantly lying about how Canada subsidizes the US because of a trade imbalance, and how Canada’s military defends the US. Would this make you angry? Would you be saying “enough is enough” after almost 2 months of this nonsense? Well, that’s exactly the point that Canadians have reached.

Fox News host Jesse Watters, in a recent interview with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pressed Ford about the ‘hostile’ nature Canadians have towards annexation, further adding to his remarks of the ‘privilege’ of a U.S. takeover by stating, “That’s what everybody else in the world wants — American citizenship. For some reason, that’s repellent to you Canadians, and I find that personally offensive, premier…so this might just have to be a hostile takeover.”

Texas Congressman Brandon Gill stated just days ago that Greenland, Panama and Canada should be “honoured” that Trump wants to bring these “territories” into the American fold. To clarify for the Americans who don’t know otherwise, Canada is not a territory. We are a sovereign country who is not honoured by these vile threats – we are angry that these comments are being normalized!

Trump threatens takeover of Greenland and Panama with military force if necessary, and taking over Canada by economic force – is this not the least bit reminiscent of Russia and the Ukraine?

Let’s look at Trump’s ridiculous claims.
1. The US doesn’t need anything from Canada – not our agricultural product, not our lumber, not the cars that are manufactured in Canada and shipped to the US. He failed to mention $128.5 billion dollars of Canadian crude oil shipped to US refineries, $33.75 billion in nuclear reactors, boilers and machinery, $22.4 billion dollars of petroleum gas, $19.9 billion in aluminum, steel and iron, $11.9 billion in electrical equipment, another $11.9 billion in medical, pharmaceutical and optical products, $3.2 billion in electricity sales to the north-east states.
2. The US is subsidizing Canada and therefore Canada should become a state as the US shouldn’t be subsidizing another country. That comment explains why Trump has gone bankrupt so many times. He has no clue how economics works. Subsidizing means giving something for nothing. Canada’s trade surplus with the US means we are the ones sending more goods to the US than they are sending us. If anybody’s subsidizing anybody, it’s us. Canadians send real goods to the US in exchange for financial promises. Who's "subsidizing" who here? Sounds like we’re the ones being had.
The oil refineries in Texas were designed and manufactured specifically to process the heavy crude oil that Canada sends south. Canada exports $128.5 billion in crude oil and in return imports $29.8 billion refined oil - the rest stays in the US. That’s a huge number of jobs that Canada “subsidizes” in the US. Don't want our oil? You'll have to import it from Venezuela!
Another example was a medical grade fibre produced at Canadian pulp mill that the US needed in order to produce N95 masks that were used extensively during the Covid outbreak. Trump decided to invoke the Defense Production Act, thereby forcing 3M to stop exporting N95 masks to Canadian health care workers. What he forgot is that those same N95 masks that were made in the US needed a critical component that is only produced in Canada. There is a reason why trade has been such an important issue for both countries.
3. Canada needs to strengthen its border with the US because illegal immigrants and drugs are flowing into the US in numbers never seen before. If drugs and illegal immigrants are "flowing into the US" - that is on the US Customs and Border Protection Agency. Canada's Border Services Agency is responsible for what crosses into Canada. As far as drugs flowing into the US from Canada and Mexico (which, again, is the responsibility of US Customs to stop), less than 20 kg of fentanyl came from Canada vs over 9,000 kg of fentanyl from Mexico. Approximately 1% of all of the drugs and illegal immigrants that "flow into" the US enter from Canada. I'd say that Canada has done a pretty darned good job of securing our border!!! Every country in the world takes responsibility for securing its own borders. Why Trump believes other countries should do this for the US is beyond me. I suppose it must be something to do with his own massive failure to secure the southern US border by building the wall and getting Mexico to pay for it. It is easier to blame others than to take responsibility for your own failures.
In turn, if Canada needs to secure its border against the flow of drugs and illegal immigrants into the US, then Canada should demand that the US secure its border against the flow of drugs and guns into Canada!
4. The US defends Canada. Whoa – let’s do some fact checking here. American air and anti-missile defenses have secured our northern border since the 1950s. However, it’s probably more accurate to say that we have each other’s backs (until now). Canada and the US are joint partners in NORAD, with Canada operating 4 NORAD bases in the north (Yellowknife, Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit and Inuvik) and the US operating 1 northern NORAD base in Alaska. US and Canadian forces work jointly at all 5 bases. There are also NORAD headquarters in both the US and Canada. The Commander of NORAD reports to both the President of the United States through the Secretary of Defense, and to the Prime Minister of Canada, through the Chief of the Defence Staff and Minister of National Defence. There are no US military bases in Canada. There currently are, however, 156 active-duty members of the U.S. military deployed in Canada, roughly 50 of whom serve with NORAD. The balance serve as defence attaches at the US embassy in Ottawa, study at Canadian military colleges, and coordinate with Canadian troops and officers across the country. Is this what Trump means when he refers to “protecting Canada”? America has never protected Canada from anyone. In fact, the United States is the only country to have ever attacked Canada (and we all know how that turned out). The U.S. has never come to the defense of Canada in any real way. We, on the other hand, have many times helped the U.S. with their military expeditions. In fact, Canada has probably done more to protect the U.S. than the reverse. Canada was heavily involved in the war in Afghanistan, due to their commitment to NATO. Canada entered WW2 before the U.S. did, suffered a higher percentage of casualties and a larger percentage of their population served. Canada acts as the early warning system for the US. That system doesn’t involve missiles targeted at Canada but at the US. Remember 9–11? When dozens of U.S. planes with thousands of US passengers were in the air and had to land but couldn’t enter US airspace, Canada provided sanctuary to 38 commercial jets (mostly with Americans on them) which had to land in Gander, Newfoundland. Over 7000 passengers in a town with no resources to handle that many tourists. The local townspeople made sandwiches, lodged people in their own homes, striking workers called off a strike in order to make sure these guests weren’t left without bus service. Was that the U.S. “protecting” Canada then? Or what about the time that 6 American diplomats with the US Embassy in Iran were desperately on the run and Canadian diplomats (at the risk of their own death) took them in, hid them, and then allowed them to be smuggled out on Canadian passports. Was that when the U.S. “protected” Canada? Oh – and by the way – are you aware that Canadians serve in the US military and vice versa in a variety of roles? For example, a Canadian Rear Admiral serves as Vice-Commander of the US Navy’s east coast and north Atlantic fleet.

Support Democrats or support Republicans – but don’t expect Canadians to accept the complete lack of respect being shown by your incoming President. His behaviour is childish, boorish, rude, unstatesmanlike, some might say unhinged, and certainly not befitting of the office he is about to occupy. 49.8% of Americans voted for a man who, in 2023, was found liable of sexual abuse, was convicted of 34 felonies in 2024 and sentenced in 2025. Not to mention the report by Special Counsel Jack Smith which stated that, had it not been for Trump’s imminent return to the Presidency, he would have been convicted of the “unprecedented criminal effort to overturn the legitimate results of the election in order to retain power.” That choice is on you. But Canada is not a doormat. We have earned the right to be treated with respect by the American President. We will never become the 51st state. We did not elect this convicted felon and will not put up with his vile behaviour.

Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Man – A Challenge in 2024

12/5/2024

I’m having some difficulty with this sentiment during this Christmas season.

A very dear friend of mine lives in the Toronto area. She and her family follow the Jewish faith. She finds the world situation terrifying – and she is not alone. Hatred is no longer beneath the surface; it is bubbling up into everyday life. It’s not just the wars in the Middle East and in Ukraine (which are horrifying in their own right), it is the poisonous words and actions in Canada and the US – in social media, mainstream media, in schools, on the streets.

Watching what is transpiring in the US is beyond comprehension. The cronies that Trump is nominating to hold the highest positions in the country – people who have little to no experience in the fields to which they are being nominated to lead – but who are loyal solely to Trump. Legal agreements and long-standing relationships with the US’ closest allies mean absolutely nothing to Trump. He plans to slap 25% tariffs on all goods imported into the US from Canada and Mexico. He sold a bill of goods to his uneducated voters who believed him when he said that Canada and Mexico would pay the tariffs – just like Mexico was going to pay for the wall at the US southern border during his last term as President – and we all saw how successful that was…. Yes, the tariffs will have a negative impact on Canada’s economy – no doubt about it. But it will also have a huge financial impact on US citizens and businesses. It’s the companies who are importing the goods that pay the tariffs and the extra cost will be passed on to the American consumer while the tariff dollars will go directly into the US Government coffers.

Let’s look at just one example. The oil refineries in Texas were built to handle the $128.5 billion dollars worth of crude oil and mineral fuels that are exported from Canada to the US. These refineries then process the crude oil and Canada imports roughly $29.8 billion in refined oil back from the US. The remainder – almost $100 billion dollars worth – remains in the US to heat American homes, power American businesses, fuel the cars of American drivers. That will now cost American consumers 25% more due to tariffs.

Trump either doesn’t understand how closely intertwined trade is between the US and Canada, or he simply doesn’t care who is hurt by his lies. For example, in his first term, he invoked the Defense Production Act, thereby forcing 3M to stop exporting N95 masks to Canadian health care workers. What he forgot is that those same N95 masks that were made in the US needed a critical component that is only produced in Canada.

There is a reason why trade is such an important issue for both countries. When our Prime Minister flew down to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump and to discuss his threats of tariffs, Trump’s response was that, if these tariffs hurt Canada, maybe Canada should become the 51st state and our Prime Minister could be Governor. The response from Canadians? That this “joke” is obnoxiously arrogant and a disgustingly vile diplomatic insult. And we don’t take these “jokes” lightly. Folks from all over the world (Australia, the Netherlands, Bahamas) are commenting on how poorly Trump’s behaviour reflects on America on the world stage. Yet so many Americans are viewing this man as some sort of saviour.

Trump’s crude behaviour – name calling, belittling remarks, complete lack of respect for women – somehow seems to have demonstrated to a large swath of society that this sort of conduct is acceptable. And, when called out on inappropriate statements, these same folks simply say , “Just calling it like I see it.” As if expressing any opinion, no matter how hurtful, untrue or repugnant, is OK.

Christmas carols are playing on the radio. Beautiful Christmas lights twinkle and shine in the night. Nova Scotia continues its tradition of sending a Christmas tree to Boston to thank them for their help after the Halifax explosion in 1917. I know somewhere deep in my heart that there are plenty of good people in the world. But I truly worry what kind of world we are leaving for future generations.

During the holiday season, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Bohdi Day, Yule – you are celebrating faith, unity, peace, enlightenment with family and friends. My wish for all of you is that we can find a way to work and live together in a positive and caring fashion and we can be the light in a world that oftentimes seems very dark.

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." - Hamilton Wright Mabie

The Encroaching Darkness

11/6/2024

Daylight savings time ended this past weekend and the sun sets now before 5 pm AST. But that is not the only reason why I feel the darkness making inroads into my psyche. Yesterday (November 5th, 2024), our neighbours to the south re-elected Donald Trump as President. My friend at Knitatude summed up my emotions perfectly with this picture.

While VP Kamala Harris won a respectable 47.5% of the votes, running on a platform of hope and with an emphasis on women’s rights, she only won in 38 (possibly 40) percent of the states. This is shown so clearly on the electoral map below (courtesy of The Associated Press).

The huge swath of red across the US is undeniable. What I simply cannot begin to fathom is how people who supposedly believe in democracy, who recite the Pledge of Allegiance, can vote for a convicted felon, a sexual predator, someone who has no respect for the law, the media, science or women in general – as demonstrated when he said “…whether the women like it or not, I’m going to protect them.”

The Pledge of Allegiance reads: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Trump’s entire campaign was centered on divisiveness and retribution for any and all who oppose him. Liberty and justice for all? Only if you agree with him.

This is a man who admires Putin and Kim Jong Un. This is a man who still has not conceded that he lost the 2020 election and who encouraged an insurrection. This is a man who suggested that injecting bleach into our systems was potentially a viable means of battling Covid 19. This is a man who publicly mocked a New York Times reporter with a disability. This is a man who frequently cannot string a coherent thought together but who insists that it’s all a result of the weave. In his words: “But the weave is very, very important. Very few weavers around. But it’s a big strain on your — you know, it’s a big — it’s a lot of work. It’s a lot of work.” The weave involves injecting stories, be they true or false, into your narrative – stories like Haitian immigrants eating dogs and cats in Springfield, Ohio.

I am frightened, truly frightened. The seeming acceptance of Trump’s hatred and vitriolic behaviour is beyond belief and beyond my understanding. For my US neighbours who are part of the 47.5% who voted for Kamala Harris, I feel your pain. For my fellow Canadians – take heed. There is a very strong far-right movement right here in Canada. Please let’s not follow the same dark path.

And now, time to get back to woolly warmth and knitting to soothe my shattered soul.

finding joy in life's little things

10/9/2024

This summer was definitely a busy one. I do love every moment of summer – the visitors from near and far, the joy of showcasing Canadian wool, workshops on an almost daily basis and a weekly knit night. Plus all of the hoops and challenges in setting up the new wool pellet operation. The downside to such a busy summer? I never once dipped my toes in the ocean or walked on the beach. We only enjoyed a supper out a couple of times – although I did manage to savour one delish lobster roll!

So, instead, what I do is grab those tiny moments of enjoyment, notice and appreciate the littlest things!

Never in my wildest imagination did I envision having such fun with Gracie and Lilly – the chickens we rent from Barnyard Organics. For about 5 months, I can look out the kitchen window and see their chonky little selves pecking for bugs and enjoying the sunshine. Every morning when I head out to clean their coop and give them their breakfast, they chatter away at me. As summer went on, they demanded more and more love, coming to the upper level of their coop and wanting to be stroked and cuddled. Today was our last day with Gracie and Lilly – they are headed to their winter accommodations. I was planning to go out and take a pic of these silly girls before Mark and Sally picked them up but time got away on me.

photo courtesy of Barnyard Organics

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our family of pet crows – Clayton, Clarissa and their young ones. We watched as the parents taught the young crows how to hunt. At first, the mom would find insects and feed them to the babies. But it was fascinating to see how, later on, she would find a bug (with the babies watching), show it to the babies and then eat it – no matter how much the youngsters were begging! Occasionally, we would give them a treat and, in the heat of the summer, we had a large bowl of water out for them to enjoy. In return, we would receive a variety of gifts – a marble, an acorn, a sparkly rock and once a silk flower!

As I would head to the studio in the morning or back to the house for a fresh cup of coffee, I always kept an eye out for the fat little bumblebees who were enjoying the apple blossoms or the dandelions and clover in the lawn. And as fall approached, spotting the woolly bear caterpillars always brings a smile.

Of course, there was special time spent with family – getting to meet Zayne, my first great-nephew who lives in Ottawa and welcoming Oliver, a new great-nephew who shares a birthday with Zayne exactly one year apart. Watching my great-niece Charlotte take on the new role of older sister to Oliver. And truly enjoying the delightful young adults that my nieces and nephews have become – although I admit it is sometimes hard to believe that they are no longer kidlets. There was an incredibly sad goodbye, too, as my brother passed just days after a two-week visit home. But we are so thankful to have had that time with him.

As we approach Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, it’s just so important for me to remember that a joyful life isn’t made up of bit splashy occasions like European vacations, it’s found in the small moments like taking a slightly longer route home from a meeting so that I can see the spectacular fall colours. It’s enjoying evenings at home knitting with a fur-beast in my lap.

I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving filled with joy, love and peace.

THE IMPORTANCE OF KINDNESS

9/11/2024

As I write this blog, I can’t help but note that today is September 11th. I read something yesterday that I would like to share with you. It has been widely distributed and I’m sorry that I do not know who the original author is.

“On this day... 23 years ago 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights. 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning. 343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift. 60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol. 8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift. None of them saw past 10:00 am Sept 11, 2001. In one single moment life may never be the same. As you live and enjoy the breaths you take today and tonight before you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted.”

September is also Suicide Awareness Month and yesterday was World Suicide Prevention Day. Whether or not you have personally been impacted by the suicide of a loved one or friend, no doubt you know someone who has been. I lost both a brother-in-law and a dear friend to the darkness and hopelessness that they were experiencing.

And, within the last month, my dear brother passed away rather unexpectedly, leaving behind siblings, his wife, two children and their respective partners and one precious grandchild. He had just been to the Island with his entire family for a two week visit and had only been home four days when he left us. While he had been battling cancer, he was in remission, and everything was looking very hopeful. His death came far too soon and has left a huge hole in all our hearts.

So, you may be wondering – why am I writing about such sad things? I should be writing about sheep, wool, knitting….

Everyone deals with grief differently. On the morning that I learned of my brother’s passing, there as an electrician here wiring up the shed for wool pellets. I had a workshop scheduled in about an hour’s time – no time to cancel or postpone. I couldn’t close things down – I had to carry on. Rather than tears, I was experiencing grief in the form of anger at the world, and a general lack of motivation. But this was not the face that the world saw. As visitors came through the studio door, they still saw the welcoming smile. As guests came for workshops, I still shared my knowledge with a side offering of lightheartedness.

What’s so important to remember – and what I want to share through this post – is two-fold. Firstly, with whatever life throws at you, be sure to take care of yourself. Find your quiet place – whether that involves a visit to the beach, a hike to enjoy everything that Mother Nature has to offer, or perhaps even picking up your knitting and starting a new project with that special skein of wool that you simply couldn’t resist. Secondly, be kind to one another. You never know what someone might be dealing with. Grief, loss, and stress don’t always manifest themselves in expected ways. That kind word or compliment you give to someone just might have a far greater impact than you realize.

does raising farm animals harm the environment?

6/12/2024

Folks worry that farm animals like cows, sheep and goats are major contributors to climate change. When they burp, they expel methane into the air. They require a lot of land and water to raise.

Farmers who raise their animals using regenerative agricultural practices show that, in fact, these animals do so much to help reverse climate change! They actually help to sequester carbon in the soil. If you think of grass as a solar panel, grass needs to be growing to capture sunlight and pull carbon from the air and put it into its roots. When it gets too tall, or if it is cropped to short, it will stop doing this. Farm animals eating the pasture grasses and plants are, in effect, pruning the landscape. Then the animals rotate to another field, leaving the first field to rest, recover and continue to pull carbon from the air and into its roots. This process actually enriches the soil on a continuous basis.

Photo courtesy of Barnyard Organics PEI

Did you know that 70% of the earth’s land is not suitable for growing crops? If we use this land for raising farm animals rather than just letting it sit, the animals will help the earth to regenerate, becoming lush and more vital.

What about the argument that raising animals requires a great deal of water? True enough, but so does growing crops like almonds and cotton.

When animals are pasture-raised, their excrement contributes to soil microbiology. You will find methanogenic bacteria in animal excrement and rumen. This bacteria breaks down methane in the environment. In a pasture that has had 100 cows grazing in it, you will find more than enough methanogenic bacteria to handle whatever methane is released into the atmosphere from these same cows. And, as gardeners know, manure increases the soil’s biodiversity and ability to support vigorous growth in plants. The healthier the grass that animals feed upon, the less water they will actually need to drink!

Photo courtesy of Island Hill Farm PEI

So far, we have only been looking at the “eat and get rid of waste” cycle of regenerative farming. Now let’s look at some other benefits. A farmer has raised sheep. These sheep are pasture-raised on land that is not suitable to raise crops. Their grazing habits, excrement and rumen all contribute to a healthier soil. Then we shear the sheep. This wool can be used for clothing which does not need to be washed as frequently as petroleum-based fibres like acrylic. At the end of its life, wool clothing is compostable, unlike its petroleum-based counterpart which will be in landfill for generations to come. Wool that is unsuitable for clothing can be used for insulation, blankets, rugs, upholstery. Using wool in your home is so much safer than acrylic and nylon. If there is a fire, petroleum-based fibres emit all sorts of highly toxic gasses like hydrogen cyanide. If your polyester clothing catches fire, it will melt onto your skin, causing far worse burns than other materials like wool. You can make polyester fibre more fire-retardant with the use of chemicals. I don’t know about you but I would rather avoid all sorts of chemicals in my home or next to my skin. While wool, if burning, will produce some hydrogen cyanide, it is more likely to resist burning and will often self-extinguish.

Photo courtesy of Blomidon Farm PEI

Let’s not forget about wool pellets that are used in your garden to replace chemical fertilizers. They add all sorts of nutrients back into your soil, reduce your need to water by an average of 25% and even repel pests like slugs! Chemical fertilizers, on the other hand, can contribute to soil acidification, reduce organic matter and humus content. This can lead to more pests and even the release of greenhouse gasses! And we can’t overlook the danger of chemical run-off into our waterways, resulting in fish kills.

Let’s strive to move away from petroleum-based fibres, and chemical fertilizers and pesticides and look to the natural resources gifted to us by Mother Nature to help reverse the damage we have caused the earth. We have the ability to help the earth heal so that she will be here to enjoy for generations to come!

Caring for Our Health and the Health of our Island

5/8/2024

Climate change is real – it is happening right now. It is not something that we will have to deal with at some point in the future. Were you impacted by Hurricane Fiona? So many people were. Some lost their homes entirely. So often you hear “Well, the government ought to….”- you fill in the blank. Yes, world leaders need to take action. But each and every one of us must also take responsibility for our personal choices. And we’ve been doing so – there are no more single use plastic bags being given out at retail locations. There is a strong shop local/support local movement. Each step is an important step. A step towards a healthy climate for our children and grandchildren.

For decades, we have been applying chemical fertilizers and pesticides to enhance our food production, to ensure green lawns and pretty flowers. We often apply fertilizers 6-7 times a year! This results in overfertilization, and run-off of nitrogen and phosphorus into our waterways, causing fish kills and aquatic dead zones.

The World Health Organisation predicts that we will see a 77% rise in cancer rates by 2050. High levels of nitrates in our ground water double a person’s chance of getting several forms of cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society recommends phasing out the use of pesticides in home and personal fruit and vegetable gardens. Pesticides cause a loss of biodiversity, destroying insects that are the natural enemies of pests and reducing the nutritional value of our food. Fertilizers and pesticides were not created with the aim to harm people or the earth – but the research shows that the harm far outweighs the benefits and it’s time to look to something new.

So, what can we as individuals do? We can move from using chemical fertilizers and pesticides in our gardens to using wool. Yes – wool! It has been used in gardens for centuries. It is, however, not readily available to the average consumer. Raw wool is beneficial but it creates a dense mat that doesn’t decompose easily and is not a good choice when planning succession gardens.

The solution is quite simple. Take this waste wool and compress it into pellets, making the end product so much easier to ship and so much easier for gardeners to handle!

So many Maritime sheep farmers have no market whatsoever for their wool. 95% of the Canadian wool clip is sold to the Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers Ltd (CCWG) in Carleton Place, ON. In 2016, CCWG paid sheep farmers an average of $0.76/lb for their wool but, in 2023, CCWG offered $0.10 to $0.25/lb. This doesn’t even cover the cost of shearing, much less shipping it all the way to Ontario! So much of our Maritime wool ends up in landfill. What a waste of a wonderful natural resource.

At Knit Pickers PEI, I source wool from Canadian farmers and mills only. I heard about the challenges facing our sheep farmers. When I discovered wool pellets, I started investigating what it would take to open a wool pellet mill here in PEI. It was no easy feat – you need a separate building with good ventilation, specialized equipment that must be imported from the US and heavy-duty electrical wiring. Not an inexpensive venture.

I researched various loans and grants available to small businesses. Through Innovation PEI, I applied for their Ignition Fund which is for innovative business ventures or new products. You face a “Dragons Den” style panel to pitch your idea and defend your proposal. In January, 2023, I was honoured to be one of five recipients of the Ignition Fund. And in April, 2023, I was the recipient of the Desjardins GoodSpark Grant! I also was one of only six companies to be awarded a grant from Staples, which I am using for promotional printing. These grants were absolutely instrumental in moving this project forward.

The new building is in place. The equipment was due to arrive between mid-March and mid-April but the manufacturer is a few weeks behind schedule. Fingers crossed it arrives soon! The electrical work is almost complete - we just need to hard-wire in the equipment. I currently have almost 1,000 pounds of waste wool waiting to be turned into pellets, and more is on its way. Knit Pickers PEI is offering farmers $1.00 per pound for their wool – substantially more than CCWG offers. This wool which will be turned into garden pellets provides a sustainable stream of income for Maritime sheep farmers and will keep wool out of our landfill.

Wool pellets can be used as mulch or incorporated into the soil and are only applied once a year. They break down slowly, adding slow-release nitrogen, potassium and other nutrients with no dangerous run-off. The NPK ratio is, on average, 10-0-3. Wool pellets sequester carbon while also reducing the need to water by 20-40%! Wool pellets absorb rainfall like a sponge, protecting young plants from drowning in a heavy downpour. They also hold onto humidity, releasing it when conditions turn dry, reducing the need to water and protecting plant roots. They would be an ideal addition to any gardener’s drought contingency plan! Wool pellets keep the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the fall, extending our growing season. They add aeration to the soil, reducing slugs and other pests.

Wool pellets can be incorporated into the soil as an amendment. One KG of pellets would cover about 25 square feet of garden. It can also be used as a mulch. With so many wildfires in 2023, fire marshals are recommending against the use of wood chips in garden beds in close proximity to homes. Wool does not like to burn – so wool pellets are an ideal replacement for wood chips as mulch. If applied as a soil amendment, it fully decomposes in about 3 months. If used as a mulch, it will fully decompose in about a year. You can even use wool pellets blended with peat-free potting soil to create soil blocks for new seedlings!

Let’s step away from chemical fertilizers and pesticides that can cause damage to our environment as well as our health and use a natural, eco-friendly product like wool pellets! It’s not only a win for our planet and our health, it also supports our local farmers.

Looking Back and Moving Forward - CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

4/9/2024

This year, we’re celebrating our 20th anniversary! Knit Pickers PEI is a retail teaching studio that carries only Canadian made knitting and weaving supplies and natural fibres. I offer hands-on workshops, tutorials and “Ewe Love to Knit” nights – in person and on-line. But – as we look back over our 20 years, there sure have been a lot of twists and turns on our path to where we are today!

Back in 2002, I was employed full-time but something was definitely missing. It was a job where I worked in isolation with very little social interaction. I was toying with the idea of opening up a business where I could sell my knitwear and tartans. I spotted an ad for Avonlea Village. When I visited their website, I saw that, in addition to actors recreating the story of Anne of Green Gables, they had music shows, horse and buggy rides, a working barn and a wood carver. I contacted them and asked if they would like a village weaver on Sundays – for free. I wanted to test market my goods. Their response was “Free? C’mon down!” The wood carver was not in on Sundays so I set up in front of his little shed for the 2002 summer season.

I had so much fun meeting folks from all over the world. At the end of the season, Wayne Bernard who ran the barn popped over and said I should audition for a role in 2003. I laughed and said “I don’t act!” Well, as fate would have it, my full-time job ended in the spring of 2003 – just about the time that the ad for auditions appeared. One of the characters they were looking for was Rachel Lynde – the busybody gossip. I auditioned and was offered the role! I asked if I could continue marketing my knitwear and tartans as well (Rachel was known as an exceptional knitter). That year, I set up in an outdoor courtyard (weather permitting).

In 2004, I participated in my first wholesale shows in Charlottetown and Halifax. Great workshops were offered for novices to the wholesale world – a fantastic learning opportunity! At Avonlea, the wood carver was not returning, so I was offered his shed – perfect, since I wouldn’t need to tear down every night. That same year, I started the process of registering my business– Knit Pickers by Margaret McEachern, commonly known as Knit Pickers PEI.

On a trip to Walt Disney World that Christmas, I visited the Canadian Pavilion at Epcot. There was a cute little shop but there was very little that was intrinsically and recognisably Canadian (aside from the Anne of Green Gables books). I introduced myself and described my business. There appeared to be some interest and they suggested that I send a sample when I get back home. I did so. A couple of months later, I tried to follow up only to discover that the shop was no longer in existence. Trying to get hold of a live person at WDW when you don’t have a contact name was futile – so I thought that door was closed.

Imagine my surprise when, later that summer, WDW called to ask if I would design red and white maple leaf knitwear. They wanted huge quantities in time for Christmas. The hardest thing I ever had to do was to say “no” – I couldn’t meet their quantities by that deadline but I did let them know what I could provide. They agreed! That fall was spent knee-deep in red and white wool but I got the order out (and learned a fair bit about exporting, too).

In 2007, ACOA and WDW collaborated to open the “Atlantic Canada Kiosk” at Epcot during Christmas. I participated as a guest artisan.

In January of 2012, an international contest was announced to design the MacEachern tartan. A gentleman in Australia by the name of Andrew MacEachern is a genetic researcher. Through his work, he discovered that the MacEachern family was older than the MacDonalds, although we were now known as a sept of Clan MacDonald. The MacEacherns had come close to being wiped out during the Highland clearances and came under the protection of the MacDonald clan. Andrew contacted the Court of Lord Lyon in Scotland and received approval for the family to have its own tartan, in a step to once again being recognised as a distinct clan. I submitted my design in February. On July 31st, 2012, it was announced that my design was chosen! It was such an incredible honour. The wearing of a tartan represents freedom of speech, freedom to practice your religious beliefs, freedom to own land and care for your family. It is also a way to honour one’s ancestors who sacrificed so much to provide us with the wonderful lifestyle we enjoy today. The tartan was officially registered in Scotland on January 16th, 2013. Since then, I have woven countless pieces of tartan for MacEacherns worldwide!

2014 ended my time at Avonlea. They would no longer have actors; the new format was a summer venue for shops and restaurants only. I considered the Village venue – the Artisan Studio had grown from my open-air display in 2003 to a bustling operation promoting the work of sixteen Island artisans. We had also created the “Avonlea Young Artisans Society”, supporting the work of budding artisans still in grade school. However, the season was incredibly short – open only from mid-June to early September. So I opted for a studio on my rural property, transforming an old shed into a welcoming retail space.

My time at the Village taught me an immense amount about the retail business, the importance of local goods, and how much visitors enjoyed trying their hand at a unique experience. I transitioned from mainly selling my own knitted and woven goods to sharing my love of fibre arts. In setting up the home-based studio, I decided that I would only carry goods (wool, knitting needles, etc) made in Canada, ideally made in the Maritimes where possible. I developed a number of hands-on workshops and “Authentic PEI Experiences” that are offered from May through December. These experiences involve workshops in collaboration with other small rural Island businesses like sheep farms and seafood restaurants. We also host a weekly “Ewe Love to Knit” night every Tuesday evening year-round – in person and online during the testy winter months.

As we move into our third decade in business, we are embarking on a brand new venture. We are creating wool pellets for use in your garden as a replacement for traditional fertilizers and mulch! These wool pellets are created from waste wool that would otherwise end up in landfill. Sheep farmers have a new source of income for all of their hard work and gardeners will have an eco-friendly, organic product that adds nutrients to their gardens with no danger of chemical run-off into our waterways, that reduces the need to water by an average of 25% and that repels slugs and other pests!

I’m often asked “What advice would I give to someone wanting to start up?” First and foremost, know that a small player can successfully play in the big leagues! Don’t be afraid to explain your limitations. Honesty is far better than broken promises. If you must have a second income stream during the early years, so be it.

Versatility is key. I created and maintain my own webstore. I write a monthly blog and a monthly newsletter and post regularly on social media. I design patterns and create video tutorials for my YouTube channel. Networking is also critical. I was a founding Board member with the Glenaladale Heritage Estate – a historical venue that celebrates not only our Scottish ancestors and culture but also our significant connections to the Mi’kmaq, Irish, Acadian and English. I currently serve as President of Central Coastal Tourism Partnership.

Some folks might say I’ve been lucky. Perhaps so. But luck comes about as a result of a lot of hard work, creative thinking, courage, determination and perseverance. Don’t operate on the premise that “it’s good enough”. You have to want to be exceptional! Just because you might live in a small community or in a small province, just because you might be setting up on a shoestring – just because you are small doesn’t mean you can’t be mighty!

My thanks to everyone for their support over these last 20 years – and here’s to the next 20!!!

<<Previous