Lake Charmer

Back in 2003 I lived for a couple months in a cabin on Cowichan Lake.
I went there to paint.

Living in the old logging town in the middle of winter was challenging.
isolation bears loggers

Most residents had left the lake behind for the winter and the only sign of human life seemed to be the kind swirls of smoke leaving someones chimney or a chained up dog in a driveway.

The days were long, with hours of time to procrastinate my work.
I started a video diary; talked to my camera and drank beer.

On a particularly bored evening, I decided to perform an airband for myself.

I chose a gorgeous, passionate song from a compilation CD I had taken from my mothers collection. I didn’t know who the artist was, but I could feel her.

I hung up a pink sheet, put on my aunt’s shiny polyester robe and started to dance.

The footage of this epic event is hysterical if not dramatic and heartfelt.


Years later, I have just said goodbye to my now fiancé after one of our first dates only to find him knocking on my door again a few minutes later. Out of breath, he shoves some CD’s into my hand and runs off down the stairs.

I pop the music into the player and am very surprised to hear the song I had performed in a lonely cabin on a lake come swirling out.

Lhasa De Sela passed away from cancer on January 1 this year.

The song El Payande.

Thank you beautiful beautiful Lhasa. Thank you for your gifts.