There IS good in the world!

You may NOT think it. The world we live in now seems to be a very dark, nasty, unkind, combative, divisive, and intolerant kind of place. We have always had conflict, but that conflict seems to be spreading like wildfire.  I feel that democracy, as we know it here in our beautiful and free western world, is very much threatened.

This blog is dedicated to my only grandchild, Sophie, who is five and one half months old. She is my hope for a better world!

I have therefore decided to put a real positive spin on my blog, and talk about GOOD, not EVIL!  We all want to have hope in humanity and we want to believe in the inherent goodness of ALL our fellow human beings. Well, my faith has been restored this week, because I met one of  these "good" people.

I will call him Mr. Elf, ( M. Lutin), because he does INDEED live up to that name.

Mr. Elf lives in my city.  He has a beautiful home, and by extension a large garage, and A HUGE spread of land in his backyard.  I mean acres and acres of land: beautiful land dotted with hardwooods, cedars, pines, birches, firs and spruce trees.  He has made a wide trail that wends its way all through his property.  His wood chipper chips all his dead wood, which he puts down on the trail. In some places you trod on leaves, or moss/lichen, or pine needles, all of which makes the trails soft on knees and feet.  Fresh wood chips emit a delightful scent too. On his trail you can catch a glimpse of our beautiful Baie des Chaleurs, as well as enjoy hiking a stretch that hugs a marsh, which meanders out to to the Baie.

What does Mr. Elf do with all that land?  Other than work at improving his trails?  Well, he used to work at the hospital.  People would ask him what he had been up too lately.  When he retired, he  always replied, "Pâpital!", which is a contraction of the following words, "Pas à l'hôpital!"  His passion? He has turned his beautiful, magical forest into a hiker's haven, for ANY and ALL who care to come stroll, walk, or run through his many beautiful trails.  These five kilometre plus trails are all named, and well posted throughout Sentier Pâpital.  You need never fear getting lost.

There are thoughtful additions to the various trails, all the way throughout his little woodsy paradise.  There are feeding stations for chickadees.  He EVEN provides the seeds. You have a dog and no poop bags?  He provides those, along with a gentle reminder sign. There are benches to sit on, and at the very end, when you turn around, he has built a fabulous gazebo overlooking the river and marsh.  Everything you see, Mr. Elf has put up at his own expense.  He obviously loves the outdoors and nature.  Everything is so well maintained.

On the "Traverse des Lutins" you will come upon an enchanted forest.  There is even an "elf" house.  You know elves live there because their clothing is drying on the line.  You notice the exquisite detail of an elf's tuque, carved into the window’s shutter. Mr. Elf built the elf house at his wife's suggestion, so that children who came to hike with their parents, would find the spot magical and captivating. I know I certainly did and I am an old woman. 

MISE À JOUR: UPDATE:  Cet endroit est enchanteur, féérique et romantique au bout!!  J'ai emmené ma petite fille Sophie ici, le 16 décembre. I hope that this visit to Enchanted Forest, is the beginning of an annual Christmas tradition. 

I know many wealthy people with beautiful homes and properties, but NONE who has so SELFLESSLY welcomed anyone to come enjoy what rightfully belongs to them alone.  We need more people like Mr. Elf.  That HE will go to heaven is a given, I think.  I, for my part, am sharing so that others may know of the beauty and goodness that shines in our community.  Beauty we find not only in our surroundings but the beauty found in the hearts of people like our Mr. Elf.

  

Sentiers des Pins

Wood chipped trail