“The Pasture” by Joe and Bossy2….

Art is an effort to create, beside the real world,

A more human world.

         Andrè Maurois

The city is a wonderful place and I always enjoy my time there. Last week I found myself standing with Kat in the middle of Toronto Ontario with two hours to kill before boarding a train and heading back home to the farm. What to do?

With the backpack on my back filled with goodies from a Dutch store in Hamilton, sweet treats for My Hero who had been doing all my farm work weighing me down, we decided not to wander too far. Grabbing a bit of lunch at Jack Astor’s, a nice place to drop that heavy bag, we talked about my escape from the winter’s grip and my break from the often challenging during this extreme winter, chores. I always do miss the farm when I am away but oh I do love to get away.

Now, Kat has lived in the city for many a year and knows pretty much every spot a person should visit. I always let her lead the way. The sun was shining and a warm breeze blew. The people who had been hibernating through our long dark cold winter were walking and smiling. Canadians always come out when the sun comes out and always comment to each other “What a beautiful day.” Smiling and greeting each other like we were best friends sharing a gift. Complete strangers but with one common love of nature’s gift of warmth and light. This is why I love the city.

Walking through the downtown core and wandering into the financial district Kat climbs some stairs just down from the corner of Wellington and York, (Toronto Dominion Centre) with me following close behind. There they were. The biggest surprise this farm girl missing her own farm has ever seen. Smack Dab in the middle of the largest city in Canada, basking in the sun were a herd of life size bronze cows. Questions started running through my head as I ran as quickly as I could to go touch them. I thought of Bossy2 waiting for me to return from the city and pay some attention to her. She was no doubt basking in the sun on the farm at this very same moment, no doubt wondering where I was.

After getting many shots at all different angles I text my brother, the artist, I knew he knew who had created such beauty. Joe Fafard a Canadian artist from Saskatchewan. They have apparently been here since 1985. I cannot believe I have never seen them before. I want to thank Joe Fafard for having the talent to create such beautiful creatures. Details right down to the eyelashes had me admire this man’s work, no detail was left out. They must be seen to truly be appreciated.

 I think that the city of Toronto is very wise to have such a wonderful display in the middle of the city. In the middle of crazy busy lives especially in the financial district where everyone can sit, relax and enjoy a piece of the farm and forget where they really are just for a moment or two.

I have always found that there is nothing nicer than sitting in a pasture and enjoying the company of a good crowd. I know this farm girl who is now back in her own pasture with her own cows truly appreciated seeing that.

If you get down there make a point to go see The Pasture. It is very similar to the one here, down on Bossy2’s farm, well except for the tall buildings. Thanks Joe and the city of Toronto for the two hours.

Later