Just plain grand
RD: Your magazine is quite grand as is. Lewis Dingwall was my son-in-law so I like to keep in tune with goings-on in beautiful Nova Scotia. Keep up the good work. The rhubarb muffins were tops!

Alma Carter
Stony Plain, Alta.

RD: I subscribe to Rural Delivery where I learn what is going on in Nova Scotia. Today I read through your Local – Discovering Atlantic Canada. I have lived in Nova Scotia only 10 years, but I think we are lucky to have publications like the ones you produce.
This is a simple thank-you for the publications.

John Mogan, MA, MD.
Halifax, N.S.

More or less
RD: It’s a nice magazine. Don’t go all “uptown” on us now (e.g., Harrowsmith). More real articles about real issues faced by real people in rural Maritimes.

Zane and Gladys Long
Sunken Lake, N.S.

RD: More information on the history of farming and farming machinery.

Lorraine Blaxland
Upper Malagash, N.S.

RD: More articles by A.E. Smith – the best of a great roster. Less political opinion, unless you want to begin featuring right-wing points of view for balance. I love the magazine, but please, please, please stay away from identity politics and the glorification of victimhood. The September issue mentioned “white privilege” (Editorial – “Becoming home,” pg. 5). I think you are seriously misjudging your subscribership if you think this type of thing is going to fly.
Please stick with what you do best and have always done well, which is telling the stories of rural people, communities, and the traditions that make them who and what they are. Any political or economic ideology that has aligned itself with globalism is working to kill these communities and traditions, whether they (or Rural Delivery) know it or not.

Jim Dickie
Kingsley, N.B.

Re(a)d hot
RD: I really enjoyed “A life in iron, and in art,” (by A.E. Smith, pg.43) in your September RD! My grandfather, Lemuel Giggie (long since deceased), was a blacksmith in these here parts of N.B. (Holmesville, Bath, Bristol), and as a child I’d sit in the old kitchen and listen to him tell the adults tales.

D.C. Butterfield
Kilburn, N.B.

Anvil and Iron

The iron bar was rigid
Solid, stiff, and iron hard
Resistant and unyielding
Its surface yet unmarred
It said, “You’ll never mold me
I’m stubborn and I’m strong
You can’t shape nor form me
With hammer, tool, or tong
“You can pummel me or pound me
Lambaste, pelt, or beat
I’m tough and taut and tight
And – I can take the heat!”
The anvil only sat there
Like it never seemed to hear
“You know that you don’t scare me
My motto is – No Fear
“You’re malleable and ductile
You’re docile, but you’re pliant
Changed, conformed, and ‘coined’
To the wishes of the client
“Right now, you’re still reluctant
Not submissive – ’cause you’re cold
Unwilling and ‘metallic’
You think you can’t be ‘rolled’
“Well look, here comes the blacksmith
In time, you’ll be white-hot
With the bellows and the forge at play
You ‘can’t be forged’ – like – Not!”
Still, the iron only smiled
A sardonic grin, and smirked
“I tell you – by no implement
Will I be fashioned, framed, or ‘worked!’”
The anvil says, “Okay my friend
See, the flame is being fanned
So I won’t pussyfoot around
You’ll be putty in his hand
“You think that you’re unbendable
But – something new will soon be born
When he resolves to wield you
As he lays you ’cross my horn
“Opposition will be futile
So – feel welcome to just try
He’ll maul you with his mighty arm
Yup, the sparks are gonna fly
“A few minutes in the fired coals
Will surely test your will
Red-hot then, but hang on now
It’ll yet be hotter still!”
The sounds of “striking” quickened
As was thus picked up the pace
The endeavor – and the effort
Now mirrored in his face
The blacksmith turned and wiped his brow
“It’s work, but still it’s fun
What started as an iron bar
Is ... a horseshoe when I’m done!”
D.C. Butterfield