Page 25 - Rita MacNeil of Big Pond

ISSUE : Issue 27

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1980/12/1

that part of it, but to get through to women what it's doing--there shouldn't be such a thing, for men or women, it's ri- diculous--I just can't believe it's still going on. (First time you sang that song publicly?) First time. (And it was your second pro? test song?) It was my second song. I never, never, never wrote one before in my life. And I have to attribute being able to sing to the women's movement, and to putting my priorities somewhere else--you've got a mind, you can write and you can say some? thing . (But your mother encouraged your singing.) Yes. My mother was a strong believer in my music. Since I was a child. And always had these dreams, always hoping I'd be a suc- cess--but she always loved me singing coun? try music, country and western--which I do love, of course. She would just sit in the kitchen chair and ask me to do song after song after song--she was such a believer in my music, even to the day she died. I went to the hospital and sang a song for her. She loved music--my god, that woman loved mu? sic. The only thing she didn't believe in was the type of song I was writing. And of course that was in my heyday of the wom? en's movement, when I was going through all these changes and the radical side was coming out, and she couldn't understand, you know. A lot of people couldn't under? stand. The first year I came back to Cape Breton, I was singing just songs--that was wonderful. And I had the image to go with it, I was slim and had all the show tunes-- that fitted in very, very well. Then when I became an aware person, as I'd say it, I would come back looking and feeling much different about myself--and people couldn't understand. And I'd sing a song I'd writ? ten, and people would say, "What are you doing? What does this mean?"--and, "Why aren t you singing these wonderful other songs, these popular songs?"--oh, there was a whole slew of country songs--"0h, you could do a number on those, Rita, that would be terrific for you"--but "BORN A WOMAN?--oh, what are you doing?" People PEUGEOT A differ't kind of Juxury car from EUROCAR SERVICE LTD Westmounty opposite Dobson Yacht Clul u' GENERAL RULES (POWER SAW) Know your saw. Don't buy one that lacks approved safety devices, especially the chain brake, anti-vibration handle and throttle release. Study the operator's nnanual and do what it says. Know how to clean and sharpen the saw and make simple repairs and adjustments. Wear safety gear when working in the woods (see diagram). Carry a basic tool kit, one or two wedges, an axe and an approved first aid kit with large gauze pads. A felling lever can save back strain. Clothes should fit snugly without binding. Keep your shirt tucked in and boot laces tied. No scarves. Don't overtax yourself: a tired or hungry worker is an unsafe worker. Work at a steady rate. It's best not to work alone. Respect, but don't fear, your saw. When working keep it close to your body, where you can hold it firmly in both hands. Always know where the cutting bar is and keep feet and legs out of range. When moving from tree to tree, carry the saw with the bar pointing back, to keep the chain and hot muffler away from your leg. Never carry a running saw without first putting on the safety brake. A fall could rev the chain to cutting speed. A Message on Equipment & Safety Nova Scotia Forest Industries BADDECK TEL. 295-2809 PORT HAWKESBURY TEL. 625-2460 ANTIGONISH TELL 863-1572 (25)

Cape Breton's Magazine