The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.1956, Side 51

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
49
will mainly be based on the study of
the evolution of the eastern American
flora, it will also include investigations
into the relationship between this
flora and that of Iceland and western
Europe, and also that of eastern Asia
and western North America. The
experimental work will not be con-
fined to Montreal but will extend to
stations in the Gaspe peninstda, low-
lands and highlands, in the Laurentian
Mountains and in the Arctic. —I. J.
“Childhood Days’
by BONNIE JOHNSON
It is sunset and I am back on the
farm of my early Childhood, the days
when life consisted of love, laughter
and happiness. How I love going back
there today!
To the west the sun is sinking into
her bed of glorious colors, just above
the trees, and I must go for a walk to-
wards it. The bumblebees in the clover
at my feet scare me to a trot, the
bright red cranberries beg to be eaten,
a patch of yellow daisies reaches out
to be picked and the noises of the liv-
ing woods fill the air.
The sweet scent of flowers pervades
as I linger along a bushy path, a cob-
web spreads across my face and a twig
snaps underfoot. Thus, I walk, lost in
dreams, entranced by the perfection
of it all.
Suddenly a bell is heard, ringing
lazily through the stillness. I remem-
ber why I came and with great effort
aim quickly for the tinkle. Into an
opening where the reed-filled slough
is bordered by stooping old willows I
go. There they are! The cows are
wading into the coolness for a drink
or relaxing in a leisurely, unconcerned
manner (as only a cow can). Soon
though they awaken and they must
proceed.
The hum of motors fills the air; the
milking machine, the pumping ma-
chine, the separating machine. The
calves moo for their meal as do the
pigs grunt, the dogs bark, the cats
meow and the young horse whinnies.
There is bustle within the big and
the pleasant house too. Dinner smells
fill my nostrils and arouse my stomach.
Then with dusk, the quietness re-
turns as the sun, disappearing behind
the silhouetted oak, leaves only the
gorgeous red and gold of her coverlet.
Farther east the pale and jealous moon
looks with envy on the glory of the
sun, watching it vanish as the sky
brings out of her blue velvet, a host of
sparkling diamonds.
I must to bed, for tomorrow the
dawn comes soon. Till then I can say
my shildhood prayers and let mother
tuck me in to dream of puppies and
airplane and candy coated Easter Eggs,
and...........
The annual Leif Erikson Day Fest-
ival was held in Los Angeles Saturday,
October 8. The stage setting for the
program was a Viking ship anchored
to Thule Stone in a typical Vinlaud
setting, simulating landings of the Vik-
ings with Leif Erikson in full dress
of the year 1000 A.D. Mr. Niel Thor
took the part of Leif Erikson. Another
Icelander, Consul Stanley T. Olafson
was introduced to the gathering as
were the consuls of the other Scandi-
navian countries.