always there
When I think of ‘home’
the first place I think of is 519 Edward Street in Woodstock
joining Riddell & Wellington Streets
one block south of Ingersoll Ave.
I lived there in 1961/62
1966/67, 1973/74 & 1979
EDWARD STREET
w/Pansy & Me
november '23 edition
My deaf mute Grandma Mona Batho lived there
(her house) and I/we lived there off and on
all throughout my childhood
Mom & Dad moved around a lot (separating when I was 10)
and Edward Street was where I felt the most grounded
and at peace as a kid (Princess Public School)
then later as a teenager attending Woodstock Collegiate Institute in 73/74
then finally in 1979 for 5 months just before Mom sold it
and I moved to Toronto
Dad was the wild-card - damaged
Gramma always there in the storm - always dependable
Edward Street was always solid land
Mona was a frugal, simple & kind soul, teaching me sign language
as a kid as a project (taking me on) and as a means
to communicate as so few could be bothered to learn
I later enjoyed talking to her on our hands
over the next 10 years until she passed
in 1977
The giant maples in front; fir and cherry trees in the back yard
lined with lily of the valley, grape vines and rhubarb that she made pies with
that were always sour because she never put enough sugar in them
An acquired taste, a snapshot
It was an appreciation of austerity
in a silence that could only come from talking to her
Quiet & dark inside. That subtle musky smell,
glass bottled milk delivered daily by horse and buggy
After dark, crickets and the CPR train horn at a distance
falling asleep there was blissful & serene
I composed the music and put this video together
a few years ago in remembrance
of my favourite place on Earth
my home on Edward Street
720p - volume up
optimized for night vision
