the whimsy of urban Ottawa

by Amanda Earl

No one is quite certain of the etymology of the word whimsy. It might be traced from the Scandinavian whimwham which meant whimsical device or trifle.  Whimwham was shortened to whim in the 17^th Century. Perhaps it has some connection to words in old Norse or Norwegian, to let the eyes wander, to flutter. 

https://www.etymonline.com/word/whimwham

Whimsy is a wet sky-blue word that ends with a wispy white cloud, says my synaesthesia.

Whimsy is a state of mind, the quality of being open to whatever happens combined with imagination. I cultivate whimsy through practices of the body and the mind. Whimsy is an imaginary space that leads to other imaginary spaces and real places. It is vital to me as a writer and creative thinker to be able to be in a state of whimsy and to cultivate it in as many ways as possible.

Whimsy is what I like to refer to as the “peanut butter and chocolate phenomenon.” It’s putting unlike things together to obtain a surprising result. 

I live on the edge of Centretown in Ottawa. I play with words and colour, and I wander. I find whimsy by walking and making. 

Dundonald Park on Somerset West, across from the Beer Store and the Tim Hortons is one of my go to spots for whimsy. It is a small park where people do Tai Chi early weekdays. There are tables with chess boards, a Little Free Library box, and a lovely and a well-maintained garden. For several years, Centretown Movies has shown free films there on hot summer nights. I sat with my husband and a friend on a blanket watching Harold and Maude, one of my favourite whimsical films. I have written a story set in the park. In the early spring, thanks to the Ottawa Yarn Bombers, whose mission is peace, love and knitting, knitted and crocheted flowers hung from the trees and wool lollipops lined the gardens. It’s interesting how whimsy is often the result of community engagement.

Ottawa’s urban spaces are rife with whimsy. There are secret gardens in backyards, surprising sculptures of metal, stone and wood, bridges that act as whimsical liminal spaces, gazebos, and the Ottawa and Rideau rivers and canal. You can find Japanese knot weed, wild violets, trout lilies and morels on Ottawa’s walking and bike trails. 

The Rideau Curling Club down the street from my apartment building, aside from being an old and well-established club for curlers in the city, is also a venue that is used for craft shows, a games expo and other whimsical activities. In October, it will host the Rocktoberfest Open Spiel and apparently there will be plenty of accordion.

The walls of The Art House Café at 555 Somerset West (a most whimsical address) are overflowing with art of all varieties. The café which was opened in 2017 hosts a variety of art, poetry and music events.  

I declared 2018 the Year of Whimsy and spent the year making handmade books of whimsy for friends. I used flyers and ads I received in the mail, photographs, paint, dead flowers, wire and all kinds of supplies I had around. The main goal of the experience was connection with kindreds combined with indulging and cultivating whimsy. I urged those who received the books to create their own whimsy and received a few lovely books of whimsy in return. 

My goals in everything I do are exploration, whimsy and connection with kindreds. 

Amanda Earl is a pansexual polyamorous misfit writer, editor and publisher in Ottawa. She’s the managing editor of Bywords.ca and the fallen angel of AngelHousePress. With a.m. kozak, Amanda co-hosts the Small Machine Talks, a monthly-ish podcast that explores the poetry scene of Central Canada and beyond. More info is available at AmandaEarl.com or connect with Amanda on Twitter @KikiFolle.