Roseau Retreat

 

This is Ginny Graham's follow-up to my post last Friday about the Graham's visit over the St. Patrick's Day weekend.

 To begin my account of The Graham’s 2023 Visit to Wannaska, I’ll yoke Joe’s backdrop of the winter weather we wanted and found to the homage that Jack Pine Savage kindly offers: a candle lit for old friendships that flourish over time. Contrast so often illuminates, and I chuckle when I think of how I longed to experience the Minnesota cold. How ironic, because the overriding experience of being there was one of warmth.

Although we hadn’t been to the McDonnell’s since ’97, we’d followed accounts of their house renovation and the building of the remarkable Shedeau. The aesthetic they’ve created in both houses soothes with colors, textures, and beautiful elements that create an integrated sense of balance. All their many books, the art, the crafted woodwork and natural- branch-railings, the paint choices, pillows, hand-made blankets - all the obvious care they take in their surroundings cues the soul to relax and enjoy. It’s like they are magicians who have set the stage for all the goodness that follows when with them. And so much of that goodness takes the form of food — marvelous, tasty, home-made food.

In addition to the hugs we got from our venerable hosts, we were greeted with Teresa’s golden-crusted, fruit pie. It sat (sweetly) waiting on the counter next to Joe’s traditional, (equally golden) Irish Soda bread. Both were begging to be tasted and, over steaming cups of Barry’s tea, indulge we did. This initial snack was the beginning of what became a four day taste-a-thon that included more homemade breads including hand-made pitas, crepes, (we got lessons!), and pizza. Joe made an omelette, a delectable vinaigrette and a creamy, savory carbonara. Obviously, these two don’t fool around. And what’s more — they made Guinness stew and other scrumptious treats, like brownies and veggie roll-ups, chicken wings and more for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

 Just as the richness of their lives is evidenced by the pleasure they take preparing yummy food, so is it apparent in the joy they take in getting together with their friends. How lucky we are to have met them; to feel their open acceptance of us; and to have enjoyed such substantive and lively conversations. How is it that we got to talk, not only the usual weather and politics, but medicine, business policy, theology, philosophy, robotics, poetry, hard-to-read-classics, writing theory, writing joy, bread, beer making, and knitting?

What a rare chance we had - it was a real transportation. For just a minute we got to drop into another’s life and taste of it - taste the deep down contentedness the McDonnells enjoy in their place, community, people, and daily routines. We saw Joe in action gladdening hearts at Greenbush Manor; heard of Teresa’s efforts and reflections on the Food Shelf in Roseau. After admiring Becky’s jewelry and hearing for years about her BeadGypsy shop, we got to meet her and her husband, and I shopped there till I dropped. Teresa and I shared beloved knitting patterns. A bread-maker like Joe, I took home new recipes and some Minnesota Rye for my pantry. A former New-Englander with the love of cold in my heart, we saw zero degree temps and snow-shoed every day. On the last snow-shoe trek I found an additional treasure — a small talisman-patch of deerskin that I took home as a sacred souvenir; a reminder of this very special time.

Sincere, heartfelt hospitality is the hallmark of the McDonnell family. They emanate a warmth unlike any. Jim and I learned this early on with every visit to Joe’s parents at their beautiful home in Hull and that welcoming legacy continues here in Wannaska. Joe and Teresa’s home, the Shedeau, their food, their lovely friends, their giving hearts, alternately soothed, heartened, inspired, stimulated, invigorated, challenged. We got to enter their lives and came away with the gift of loving life restored. With many thanks, we say, yes, let’s hear it, let’s do light a candle for the goodness and blessing of dear, dear friends.

(And, for fun, here’s a silly poem.)

City-folks Snowshoeing Woods on a Winter’s Day

These woods we walked up in Roseau, 

Beyond the house and the Shêdeau,

A quiet refuge for the deer

And daily walks for Teresa and Joe.

Would our legs hold out? Oh dread! Oh drear! 

We might be pulling up the rear

Our reputation here’s at stake

Walk on, they called, Dispel your fear!

So on we walked. Each step we’d take 

Our legs grew strong they did not break. 

Convinced now that our snowshoe creep 

Was fun and not a bad mistake.

McDonnell woods are lovely and deep. 

To walk them was a bit of a leap.

And we didn’t end up in a sorry heap! 

And, we didn’t end up in a sorry heap!

Ginny Graham

…peace comes dropping slow

Relaxation Mode

Cooking School A+

Welcome to Wannaska