t's been fourteen years since we first called our little piece of paradise "back home" Fourteen years since Theophilus Gillard handed us the papers that made the cabin officially ours . Fourteen years since we heard the story of how when Theoff was younger he was teased about how he came to have his name. That his mother looked at him after he was born and thought he was the awfullest" baby she ever saw! Hence the name Theophilus!<br /> Fourteen amazing years of spending summer months and a month in the winter surrounded by a cove that has as many stories as rocks that cover this beautiful province. <br /> Through those years my husband and I have met generous,caring and funny friends who call this outport cove, Fairbanks , home.<br /> As a doula (professional labour coach) I have had the privilege of seeing a new member of the community come into the world .<br /> Through those years in Fairbanks we have had to say sad farewells to the over 25 souls who have passed away and left this world . Many of these precious friends were the first to welcome us CFAs into their homes. They leave us with an empty place in our hearts but the memories of their stories and experiences bring us comfort when we reflect on why we keep coming back to our cabin up on the hill.<br /> One of the first things that I was asked by one of the neighbors while I was walking through the cove was &quot;are you dat she on da ill&quot; , so since then that is who I am &quot;Heidi, dat she on da ill&quot; ..I have since called my art studio &quot;Dat She on Da Hill&quot;.Endearing and sweet.<br /> Over those fourteen years we have come to know the &quot;goin ons&quot; in the cove and surrounding areas of New World Island and Twillingate area.<br /> We continue to hear the stories from Nelson Keefe, a 96 year old former sealer in Little Harbour. We have come to know the language and have been taught not to talk &quot;right proper&quot; ...learning the sayings and understanding that when someone says &quot;not a good day&quot;it could mean it is or it isn't a good day!!<br /> I have learned that you don't hang your cup towels next to your underwear on the clothes line and that &quot;some good day on clothes&quot; means that the wind is right and perfect for soaking that fresh ocean air into the laundry dancing on the line.<br /> I remember bringing the hugest bra I could find at the thrift store and the smallest red frilly thong and hanging just that on the clothesline as a way of introducing ourselves to those who saw our clothesline!<br /> Fairbanks is a wonderful place , a place that reaches into ones soul and fills it with so much that I feel at times I could just explode with enthusiasm and spill it over to all those who haven't yet visited this part of the world.<br /> So how does one give back ? <br /> A long time ago I decided to put paint to rocks and capture some of the gorgeous scenery of stages and icebergs onto real Newfoundland rocks.<br /> I have also come to realize that by painting a memorial rock for a family who has lost a loved one is a personal way of giving back. It never seems enough for all that loved one has brought to our life but if in some small way if it brings some comfort to the family then I have done what I can.<br /> It is a way of bringing kids in the cove together , having a paint a rock afternoon up on the bridge , the sun drying the paint as the kids create.Sometimes I set up my paints in an area frequented by the tourists and invite them to paint thier own rock and of course take a look at the ones that I sell! It is fun to meet visitors from all over the world <br /> and see how they express their excitement of this newfound place on a small rock!<br /> Who would think that rocks could do so much!! One of the ladies on Twillingate Island has started to paint rocks and place them in places where people find them and have the option of passing it on or keeping it...We all do our own part in giving back to the unique communities that we share as CFAs....So that is why we think..NEWFOUNDLAND ROCKS!!   Submitted By: Heidi Scarfone