Our Bear River Adventure

About


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After working for many, many years in a large city of 2 million, Larry and I decided it was time to pull out that dream we had when we met in the 1970’s of living in ‘out in the country’. When our wonderful kids were launched it seemed like the right time to spread our wings too and to resume the adventure we had set on the shelf while we raised our children and honed our work skills.

We wanted to live a life that was not consumer-driven, that was more meaningful and where we could embrace our creative selves. We wanted to garden in a self-sustaining way and to take time to smell the roses. We wanted more time to connect to others and to the community.

It occurred to us that fifty-something might be too late to start on such a change. We don’t have the stamina that we once had and we are also feeling our mortality. But in the end we thought, ‘what the heck? We have nothing to lose and we sure aren’t getting any younger.’

This blog is a chronicle of our transformation from big-city dwellers in Canada working a regular 5 day week in Toronto, to a couple wanting a simpler, but richer life in rural Nova Scotia.

We now have the luxury of time to develop our artwork and you can see examples on our Studio Three website. We are also members of the Bear River Working Artists’ Studio Tour Group.

Enjoy the journey with us. We welcome your comments.

Flora and Larry, October, 2007.

flora.doehler@gmail.com

9 Comments

9 responses so far ↓

  • Maria Meindl // October 1, 2007 at 7:55 am

    Flora — I can’t believe I’ve lost your email address that you gave me on Saturday! Maybe it will turn up the minute I press “send” here …

    Can you contact me?

    Have a wonderful move and all the very best for your new beginning!

    Maybe I’ll see you in Nova Scotia some time.

    Maria

  • Bob // January 17, 2008 at 12:18 pm

    My wife and I really appreciate your blog.
    As we plan to be in your area of Nova Scotia in March we would like to be able to see you at that time. From what we have seen you certainly have one of the most interesting living space.We look foreward to hearing from you.
    Regards
    Bob and Monika – Edmonton

  • Marcie Cardinal // August 15, 2008 at 10:24 am

    We miss you here in the big smoke (Toronto)… but I am so happy to hear that you are moving along in your endevours of “smelling the roses” in Bear River.

    Miss You!!

    Love, Marcie

  • REBECCA // January 16, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    just a note to say how much I have enjoyed your site and it has given us such a good insight into what life is going to be like for us in Bear River. already feel so at home when we have been over on our short visits in the past 2 years . feel that we already belong there and can’t wait to get back in May. will come and introduce ourselves properly then.
    keep warm !!

    Rebecca and Richard

  • Flora // January 19, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    Hello Rebecca!
    thanks for your wonderful message. It’s nice to know that people find my ramblings and pix interesting. See you in May!
    Flora

  • kadijah // April 10, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    Hello fellow transplanted Torontonians. I live down digby neck adn have probably crossed your path at the okedene coffee house.
    I also moved from Toronot…for me 13 yrs ago..
    My standaard saying is . I’m from Toronto. But I’m ok Now…

    Glad you are liking it here. I used to have an art gallery for about 4 yrs in Bear River.. It’s a good town.
    Hope to cross your path again soon,

    If you are coming down digby neck anytime please feel free to find me.
    Happy Creating,

    Kadijah

  • Flora // April 11, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    Hi Kadijah!
    We heard your wonderful drumming at the Oakdene and we will be coming to the May concert FOR SURE. Larry (my better half) just finished creating the poster for it.
    http://bearriverarts.wordpress.com/2009/04/11/music-by-kadijah-may-209/

    We’d love to drop in on you someday! See you in May!

  • The Practice of Enjoying the Moment « Silverspring Studio // August 16, 2009 at 1:27 pm

    [...] Flora Doehler is one of those artists whose work gets your attention, and then you fall in love with her life. Or the other way around. Either way, if it hasn’t happened to you ~yet~ I feel compelled to warn you that Our Bear River Adventure is an irresistible read. [...]

  • DM // September 17, 2009 at 9:25 pm

    thanks for stopping by my blog today and posting a comment…! sounds like we have many similar interests…while I’m not an artist, I do artsy things…does that count? :-) I did grow up on a farm but didn’t get to come back to the country until our kids were in their teen years…you can take the boy off the farm but you can’t take the farm out of the boy as they say…thought I would stop over and say “hi” DM

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