Niagara

Last September I visited my storyteller friend Lorna Czarnota in Buffalo, NY, and while there we went to see Niagara Falls once again. I've been there several times but never can get enough of the power of that water. It's a stunning place that drives home the reality of how small we humans really are in the natural world, and how easily that world can just take us out. We are so sure of our dominance, and yet so fragile.

Less than a month later, I found a large platter at a local thrift shop and picked it up, thinking the pattern looked like Niagara Falls, but was that really what it was?

As it turned out, yes it was--the platter was made by an unknown company around 1898 and depicted a scene of the Falls. It's apparently a fairly rare piece so I was thrilled to have found it for $2.00. It reminded me of being at the Falls, and of being with my friend, so I put it on display on my buffet.

I love the detail in this platter.

A month or so later I was at an antique mall and came upon this picture in a nice vintage metal frame.

I bought it to re-sell, but you know, once I got it home...well,  it went on the table by the couch. And then, a few weeks later, I found this:

Now Niagara is beside me in my favorite reading place every day. 

What is it about this place that it keeps coming into my life? I do not know, but I am happy to welcome reminders of one of our country's most beautiful places, a natural wonder of the first order. I may have to start a Niagara collection--I saw on eBay that there are cups and saucers and other pieces that match my plate!

I hope I will see the Falls again sometime soon, but until I do, I can always just enjoy the pieces I've found, and the stories in my friend Lorna's book, Wicked Niagara.


Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

A Break in Buffalo: Niagara Falls

My trip to Buffalo, NY last weekend had a dual purpose: visiting with my friend and fellow storyteller Lorna Czarnota, and working--presenting a workshop on Appalachian ballads, a storytelling concert for the local Storytelling Cafe, and singing at Lorna's church on Sunday.

We started off the weekend right, with a trip under the Niagara Falls on the Maid of the Mist. While I have visited the Falls twice previously, I can never get enough of them, and I'd never taken the boat ride under the water. So off we went!

Here is looking down from the walkway that leads to the elevator down to the boat:

I got dizzy just looking down! See those little blue dots? Those are people wearing the ponchos given out to keep a person dry on the boat.

And on the bottom, looking up. The elevator comes down that tall shaft.

And there are nets under it? Why? Maybe to catch those who might fall? If so, they wouldn't do much good because they had a lot of torn places.

And there is where we were going...

Getting closer...

and almost into the belly of the beast, as Lorna called it.

The power of the water--and the wind it generated--were astounding. I knew the Falls were powerful, but when you get to this place you really feel it.

It was hard to take photos with both camera and phone, keep my hood up and keep my balance!

And as you can see I didn't do too well with keeping the hood up or staying dry. I was right on top, in the bow so I could see it up close and personal but wow. I can still feel and hear that water and wind as I write this.

As you can see, anyone fool enough to try to go over those Falls in any kind of vessel is asking to die. I mean, look at those piles of rocks!

And back to safety, to dry out and explore some more. My hair loved that water--it was soft and happy the rest of the day.

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.