The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.1963, Side 39

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
37
to carve from memory. “My mind has
always been photographic and most
of these are animals I have seen. I’ve
only had to look things up in the book
once or twice.”
Thor says he may give up carving
soon because his eyes aren’t too good
anymore. He is 75 (1963).
It’s a certainty however that he, and
his brother, will never lose their love
and respect for wildlife which the
carvings portray in their natural and
most beautiful state.
Carl Eiriksson was born in Iceland
the son of Kristjan Eiriksson, who
with his wife Maria Marteinsdottir,
came to Canada in 1886. Thorarin
(Thor) was born in Manitoba, and
two other sons, Halldor and Stefan.
The family left the Dog Lake district
in Manitoba in 1920 and went to Co-
mox on Vancouver Island where they
resided until June 1938. Mr. and Mrs.
Eiriksson, Carl and Thor then moved
to the Big Rock District at Campbell
River, B. C. Both parents are deceased.
SPRING TIME
by HREFNA McCARTNEY
The last snow of winter is now fast disappearing, and the landscape
has taken on that unscrubbed, uncared-for look of a neglected home.
This will be short-lived fortunately. In sending the early rains of spring
Nature will bathe the outdoors as a fond mother bathes her infant. Soon that
uncared-for look will begin to fade as the treasures buried in Nature’s bosom
peep forth. Fresh green grass will show through the brown carpet of the ground.
Buds will appear on trees, and soon the trees will be clothed in beautiful foliage,
later to be followed by the delightfully perfumed blooms of the fruit trees.
Colourful early flowers will dot the landscape, and slowly but surely Nature
will soon be at her resplendent best.
Birds will soon arrive to further enhance the sounds and sights of Na-
ture with their cheery songs and their beautiful plumage. Frogs, the Royal Can-
adians of the waters, will start their varied orchestrations. Cattle and horses will
enjoy the tender green shoots of the pastures, and children will be free to enjoy
their favourite games. Mothers will attack their housecleaning chores with new
verve, and fathers look forward to cropping their fields.
Spring seems to be Nature’s way of re-juvenation. As if by magic there
is a renewal or rebirth in all around us. This casts its spell on us, and we feel
able to sally forth to our various tasks with energy and new hope.