Through the Forest Window

Through the Forest Window: S1E3 - "Autumn Reflections (2010)"

In the third episode of Season 1, Terry Kelly explores the fall of 2010 through logbook entries from his family's cabin in the woods of Ontario. As the cabin takes physical shape with pine siding and the forest transitions to autumn colors, Terry reflects on his family's deep hunting heritage and the ceremony held to honor his father at a special spot known as "the blue chair." The episode features an emotional recording of Terry's mother playing "Going Home," intimate moments of solitude while working the land, and the continuation of traditions during the first hunting season without his father. From a Thanksgiving gathering of 54 family members to quiet evenings of stargazing and woodstove cooking, this episode captures how the cabin became both a place of remembrance and a space where new memories could take root.

Through the Forest Window: S1E2 - "Summer Transitions (2010)"

Join Terry Kelly for the second episode of Through the Forest Window as he explores that first summer at the cabin following his father's passing. Through detailed logbook entries from June to September 2010, discover how this woodland sanctuary became a place of connection, adventure, and new beginnings.
From encounters with wolf spiders to ambitious bike journeys on old railway beds, from friends helping with construction to children building their own cabins in the woods, this episode captures the cabin's evolving role in Terry's life. Follow along as he visits his father's childhood home in the Irish settlements of Hastings Highlands, records music in the solitude of the forest, and works alongside his brother to continue building both the cabin and family bonds.
Experience the beauty, humour, and meaning found in a place built with determination—sometimes stubbornly hauling supplies by mountain bike through mud pits and protruding rocks. This is a story of finding your way in the woods, always with good company.
Special thanks to Emma and Chloe for sharing their childhood perspectives through their own logbook entries.

Through the Forest Window: S1E1 - "Spring Beginnings (2010)"

Step into a world where log book entries from Spring 2010 tell the story of profound transition. As Terry Kelly builds a new cabin behind his father's hunting camp, these entries capture both an ending and a beginning. Against the backdrop of Ontario's wilderness, family stories intertwine with the rhythms of the forest, documenting the final days of a father's life and the early days of a son's journey to preserve his legacy.

Through the Forest Window: Series Preview

Welcome to “Through the Forest Window,” a podcast about a place, a legacy, and the lessons learned deep in the woods of Ontario, Canada.
 
In 1975, my dad and his brothers built a hunting camp in Central Ontario, that became a sanctuary—a place where stories, family gatherings, hunting seasons and quiet reflection flourished. Decades later, during the final year of my dad’s life, we built a cabin on the same property with my dad, just behind the original camp. The cabin became more than just a retreat; it became a way to honor our bond and navigate the grief of his passing.
 
Since then, my cabin has become a retreat for friends, family, and countless adventures. It’s where I’ve learned the rhythms of trees and wildlife, encountered moose, deer, black bears, and coyotes, and discovered the profound wisdom of nature. It’s also been a space for creativity—writing and recording music, and finding inspiration in the quiet.
 
Each episode weaves together personal stories and reflections, anchored by entries from a logbook I’ve kept for more than a decade. Episodes unfold season by season, exploring the rhythms of life at the cabin—from lighthearted adventures to profound moments of connection and resilience. From early days reflecting on my relationship with my dad, to how the cabin helped me through grief after losing my parents, to learning outdoor skills, creating memorable meals, and observing the community’s successful opposition to a nearby mining proposal—every story is a thread in the larger fabric of life at the cabin.
The series builds to the unforgettable May 2022 derecho, a violent storm we survived while at the cabin. Hundreds of trees came down that day, and it tested both the cabin’s resilience and our own.
 
The journey begins with an introduction to the cabin and its history, combined with the entries from Spring 2010—a season of joy and loss that shaped the foundation of life at the cabin.
 
Join me as I share a decade of stories, lessons, and reflections—one season at a time. Together, we’ll uncover the beauty of the wild, the power of family, and the enduring legacy of a place built with love.
 
Through the Forest Window: Stories from the Woods. Coming soon.