Summer days

    My lilies are starting to bloom and the property is looking good.

New flag for Canada's 150th birthday

Dad and Mom got a new flag the other day and I got it up.   Looks great!

Alma, P.E.I.'s, Kerras Jeffery remembered for his contribution to folk art community

Kerras T. Jeffery appears next to one of his folk art pieces. The native of Alma, PEI died on June 1.

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            A Prince Edward Island man who turned scraps of wood and metal into beautiful art pieces is being remembered this week for his contribution to the province’s folk art community.

            Kerras Trent Jeffery, 51, died at his home in Alma, P.E.I., on June 1.

            “I knew him for four years and I came to love him. He was infectious,” says his friend, Larry Dugdale of French River, who delivered the eulogy at his funeral Sunday at the E. Gerald Rooney Memorial Chapel in Alberton.

            “Kerras is remembered as the finest folk artist that P.E.I. has ever seen. He is also remembered for his absolute talent.”

            Whether it’s the double-headed pigs carvings, the King Tut masks, the Canada Mountie beaver or the bear sculpture that guards his back door, the artist was known for his creative, playful spirit.

            “Everything he did was made from repurposed materials. He would take an old gun that had lost his value, carve a moose, put it on the end and call it a moose gun. He made the Guinness book of World Records for building the largest egg beater in the world in 2005,” says Dugdale.

            With an exhibition in Calgary and a website, his sculptures have been sold “all over Canada and beyond.” His commissioned work includes pieces created for Kingsbridge Garden, St. Andrews, N.B.

            Jeffery, who ran Back Road Folk Art, also received media attention during his 20-year career. He was featured on “Canadian Pickers,” on CBC Radio with Shelagh Rogers and in “Saltscapes” magazine, this past Feburary as well as in The Guardian.

            Jeffery, in an earlier interview, said he gradually got into folk art. “I pinch myself sometimes. I enjoy what I’m doing. I used to be a labourer, but when I got into this, it was like a day at the beach,” says Jeffery in the video, “If You Build It — North Cape Coastal Drive’s Coastal Stories" (see the video below).  

            The folk artist is survived by his wife, Shirley (nee Hustler) Jeffery and children Courtney Jeffery (Travis Gaudette) and Corinda Jeffery (Matt Capicotto) and his special fur baby "Calvin".

            Born on April 6, 1966, he was the son of Wilbert and Verna (nee McDowell) Jeffery of Alberton.  A brother to Carter, Robert (Barb), Randy (Christine), Diane (Glen) Wallace, Kenny (Jody), Darlene (Rheal) Lacroix he is remembered by his grandmother Empress (late Roy) McDowell, of O'Leary. He is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Nick Doucette (Carl), Roy Hustler (Eleanor), Bernice Costain (Gary), Norma Blacquiere (Arnold), Peter Hustler (Lorraine), Winnifred Hustler (Ivan), Priscilla Handrahan (Wendell), Barry Hustler (Rita), Joey Hustler (Darlene), Normie Hustler (Jaunita).

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            Peacefully, at his late residence, on Thursday, June 1, 2017,  with the love and support of his loving family, of Kerras Trent Jeffery, of Alma, aged 51 years. Beloved husband of Shirley (nee Hustler) Jeffery. Loving father to Courtney Jeffery (Travis Gaudette) and Corinda Jeffery (Matt Capicotto) and by his special fur baby "Calvin". Born on April 6, 1966, he was the cherished son of Wilbert and Verna (nee McDowell) Jeffery of Alberton.

            Dear brother to Carter, Robert (Barb), Randy (Christine), Diane (Glen) Wallace, Kenny (Jody), and Darlene (Rheal) Lacroix. Lovingly remembered by his grandmother, Empress (late Roy) McDowell, of O'Leary.

            He is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Nick Doucette (Carl), Roy Hustler (Eleanor), Bernice Costain (Gary), Norma Blacquiere (Arnold), Peter Hustler (Lorraine), Winnifred Hustler (Ivan), Priscilla Handrahan (Wendell), Barry Hustler (Rita), Joey Hustler (Darlene) and Normie Hustler (Jaunita).

            He will be sadly missed by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends. He will always be remembered by Dwayne & Crystal, Larry & Jane, Dave & Dorothy, Blair & Sharon and Gary & Kim.

            He was predeceased by grandparents, Louis and Annie (nee Cannon) Jeffery, father and mother-in-law, Chester and Mildred Hustler, brother-in-law, Irvie Hustler, special nephew & nieces, Kameron Cooke, Jenny Lynn Deagle and Jessica Lynn Hustler.

            Resting at the Rooney Funeral Home, Alberton. Visiting hours Saturday 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Funeral Sunday afternoon from the E. Gerald Rooney Memorial Chapel for funeral service at 4:00 p.m., Rev. Darrach Fagan officiating. Interment in Holy Trinity Anglican Church Cemetery.

            As an expression of sympathy, memorials to Holy Trinity Anglican Church Cemetery would be gratefully appreciated.

www.rooneyfh.ca

It's the first of June...tulips blooming

Mom's Daffodils

    I took this photo yesterday of Mom's Daffodils - its great to see them come up in early spring every year!  They're located at the base of the flag pole and over our Jeffery Time Capsule which we buried in 2010.

T H E   D A F F O D I L S
William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A Poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Poem: The Daffodils by William Wordsworth posted by A Place for Mom Staff
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Below is a photo I took of Daffodil fields
south of Aberdeen, Scotland in April 2005.

     The next day I took this photo of Mom and Dad with a young highland cow at Gretna Green on the Scottish-English border.

Our brother Kerras and his folkart

Kerras Jeffery.  Photo by John Sylvester in P.E.I. Visitor's Guide

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yI5yh8GMAI

Winter 2017

     I took these photos of our yard yesterday - it's pure ice!   I have to park very near the door in fear of breaking a leg!