The Swissphilosopher and poet Henri Frédéric Amiel once said, "Any landscape is a condition of the spirit," words I concurred with once I met the people of Carlyle and became captivated by the countryside while strolling down Main Street. It was my second day in town and I instantly noticed that there was something powerful about the land. It somehow evoked the feeling of inspiration, thrill and humility all at the same time; a combination I have never felt before, until now.
I am a novice to small town living and have always been accustomed to the lights, noise and eccentric characters found in the city. But there has always been something about small towns that appealed to me, from the sense of community it offers, to the industrious nature of the people; all things that are uncommon in the city. Mind you, one will find people possessing one trait but it's rare to find people that possess both, well, unless they're from Saskatchewan or just one of the few anomalies.
The city can harden the heart sometimes and pre-empting this cardiac condition, I decided to leave Toronto. I left the ones I love, yes, but discovering a whole new world, I believe, can allow me to offer so much more to them. Before my arrival, I was told countless tales of the cold solitude of Saskatchewan and its emptiness. From jokes like "Zero degrees is a nice day in Saskatchewan," to the popular "In Saskatchewan you can watch your dog run away from home for hours." But jokes aside, my enthusiasm for this side of Canada is rooted in its people, its history and of course, the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Many of my friends believed I would have reservations after my first day here but my only gripe has been adjusting to the two hour time difference. It's rather disconcerting waking up at 4 a.m. and feeling like it's 6a.m. but I anticipate my body adjusting with each night's sleep as time goes by. However, the smiles of fellow reporter Kelly Running and the rest of the Observer team have made settling in much easier and the town warmer than I ever imagined. Entering the unknown can unsettle nerves, but, I am at ease and able to function similarly to how I normally would if I were in Toronto, if not better.
I still have questions about the town, many of which I believe will soon be answered, like, where can a guy get a good cup of coffee or my favorite, a chai tea latte? Also, what lies beyond the oil rigs and vast land in the horizon? But on second thought, that last question can be ignored as its just additional awe of the Prairies that has so captivated my mind rather than a question. Nature does that to a man, it sends jolts of amazement to the soul that transports one instantly to childhood, where the urge to frolic and wander is hard to resist.
But this is just the beginning of my delight for I'm interested in understanding the culture of the town's people and the stories which rest in the bosom of its citizens. Each town and city has those stories, relics of the society past, which, to this very day rush through the veins and into the hearts of the oldest citizen to the town's youngest newborn. Those stories represent what has progressed and what has not, it is the equation developed by nature that allows the society to not only grade its self but learn and develop new paths to happiness, serenity and as absurd as it may seem to some, get closer to Utopia. For that's what governments and regimes all strive for, perfection. But in the grand scheme of things, everything begins with the people and the simplicity that surrounds their happiness.
The Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli termed it best "Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society," therefore the complication of the city has driven me to find new avenues of joy without forgetting the core values of what has gotten me to this point, a place in my heart where I'm able to appreciate Saskatchewan.
Though it's just been a couple of days and there is an ample amount of learning still left for me to do, I am optimistic and believe my relationship with Carlyle shall be a long and fruitful one. Therefore, this column is simply a symbol, a betrothal of sorts, if you so choose. And like with any relationship, one must learn each other's strengths and weaknesses in order for the bond to thrive. So, as I go down the aisle of Southern Pains Coop reading the Nutrition Facts label of canned beans or if I'm seen strolling down Main Street, feel free to stop me and say hello and share a story or two that you hold dear to your heart. Though the byline of this column may be unfamiliar, put formalities aside and just say "Corey."
