A chance encounter at a spur-of-the-moment yard sale stop began Annette Derraugh's journey into the Japanese art of Kanzashi. She was so fascinated by the beautiful ribbon and textile flowers displayed on that table that she couldn't wait to make one. In fact, she cut the only fabric at hand--a cloth napkin--into strips and fashioned her first Kanzashi while on the family sailboat later that day!

I stepped into the icy water of the French river to line our canoe over very shallow rocks. There was no rush, as the sun shimmered showing the amazing beauty of the colours of the rocks at my feet. Then Mike, who was in front of me stopped and pointed downwards. Following his gaze I joined him and saw huge fish gently swaying around in place, unfazed by our presence, busy spawning their next generation, glimmering, quietly slowly dancing in the sunlight...