Project Helper

For some time now I have working on a project in my basement room. I wanted to rid myself of the old wall unit which did not serve my need any longer. Firstly I had to get the unit out of the way, so I needed help. My son came along and did all the heavy lifting and cleared out the area so we could begin building.

I drafted a rough plan that fitted our needs and purchased the necessary materials. While my son was here we were able to cut the material into workable sizes. I painted the material before having it moved downstairs and that was a good decision. We were able to start by erecting the base and first shelf. Basements are not always perfectly square so measurements were a challenge.

While I was working at the wall unit my room was a mess and the pool table held all the electronic components as well as the treasured clutter that was exhibited in and on the old unit. It is amazing how much junk you can show in a relatively small space.

With Theresa's help we managed to place the whole new structure in a proper place without permanent fastenings. My helper returned yesterday and we were able to put the structure together. I was a spectator and gopher as my son worked on the electronics.Basically he managed to guide all the sound from the electronic devices through two large speakers. This gave a wonderful stereo tone. I could never have done that as I rely on my family to help Theresa and I with these chores. We rely on the same people for Computer encounters.

During the next few days I shall complete stage three of the wall unit and then the really difficult part emerges. I have hundreds of treasured clutter. Each treasure has a story and each one is important to me.I have agreed with Theresa to make this wall unit beautiful without clutter. I must make choices and that will cause me stress. As an example I had need of a short straight edge yesterday. I immediately went to the fireplace mantle and picked up a beautiful brass ruler given to me when I left PSPS. On one side it said, "from the perfect secretaries Betty and Nora" and on the other side, "to the perfect principal". That triggered  warm memories of days gone by and I did have a great visit vicariously with my fellow educators. How could I get rid of such items?

I shall box all the extra treasures and from time to time trade them off with the selected choices. I only have to find space to store those boxes. I was so happy to have my son once again help me with a project as it gave us time to talk and share our skills while just enjoying each other's company

Perfect Ending

As we prepare to fly away I have a feeling of contentment because of a wonderful three weeks. Time shared with family and friends make us realize what is missing when we are away. This year was special as family gatherings were many and rewarding. On my last evening here I was invited to attend a NHL game with my friend and son-in-law John. The ride to Toronto was filled with chatter about all things as we have not been in touch for a few months. The game was predictable as THE LEAFS lost but the game was well played. The real drama was in Buffalo where Canada was playing the USA and every goal posted on the game clock gave the Toronto fans something to cheer about.

With the final countdown already in motion I get the feeling that we are people in motion and constantly packing and unpacking. It is a routine I am used to and there are advantages as you have many opportunities to discard unwanted items and declutter.


It is snowing today and as the flaked slowly drifts to the ground we are treated to some semblance of a Canadian Winter. Yesterday I was raking leaves forgotten in the fall and checking the buds on the fruit trees. Today if I have time I will spray the sulfur and oil to prevent the bugs from damaging the trees in the spring.

My neighbour from across the street just came to say so long and that he would take care of our place. He is the watchdog for our block and is experiencing medical challenges that would overwhelm most but he plods along. I shall regret not being here for some support to help him along the way.

Our next blog will be from the sunny south and I trust the weather will bring comfort to my bones which suffer from a little arthritis.

Frosty Welcome

As we prepared to leave Florida, the departure board read that a delay would keep us at the airport for an extra hour. Considering that you have to be available for all the formalities, it works out that we had something like 4 hours to kill. I read the papers left on the seats by departing travellers and even read USA Today. As the hour was late Monday, the air traffic was slow and there were few attractions to amuse disgruntled people, so the feelings were strained.

As we prepared to leave we had a wheelchair to help Doris to the loading ramp. We were pushed to the head of the line all the way through customs, security and bypassed the lineups as we accompanied her. It did however, make our wait longer at the boarding area. Our flight was uneventful except for the landing where 30 to 40 mph winds bounced us around somewhat,

Our limousine took us to our door at the 2 am hour. Our driver was from Bosnia and chatted with us telling of his love for his new country, Canada. We tumbled into our house which had little welcome home signs and a full fridge. One sign was from a sick flower which proclaimed that its poor health was because it "missed it mom and dad" ... us.

After a quick sleep I awoke to a white, snowy wonderland. I took a few pictures and instantly realized how much I missed winter. We came home to a visit from the daughters and had the pleasure of sharing what we missed...family. Now there will be a flurry of doctor visits and other health concerns that will carry us through for the next while.

The things we take for granted as Canadians are so apparent when you are away for a while.

Back Home

Theresa and I have been home for a few hours and already I am bogged down. Holidays are great but when you return the work unattended comes to roost and you have to dig in and rise out of the mess you left. It is amazing that two weeks can impact your yard and garden so dramatically. It therefore you can assume there is a similar effect on your relations with your kids and friends.

My neighbour had a heart attack, my brother-in-law died, my kids are packed for university and my mother-in -law will turn 93....all in two weeks. Good time to be away.

Our trip or adventure was amazing in so far as the weather was perfect, our schedule went according to plan, the lobster season opened three days before we arrived and our golf seemed above average. Most times we get a great charge out of the planning but this time the time utilized was greater than the expectation.We left the East yesterday at 9.30am and expected to take two days to return to our home.

When we crossed the Champlain Bridge in Montreal Theresa gave signals that we should go all the way home. I looked at the sign and it read Toronto, 540 kms and thought that since we came 1153 kms that maybe we would have to stay over and a town closer to home. Doris said she was OK and off we went. I was awake and only slept on the straight stretches but otherwise ready for the surge to Oakville. Some coffee and a little food made me feel good so we crossed into Ontario by 8.00pm. I thought we would be home by 1.00am but were confronted with lights from the OPP who closed the road because of an accident. We detoured and went God only knows and returned to our normal highway later. Travelling at a steady 115 kms brought us to our house at 1.40am.

We fell out of the van having travelled 1587 kms and Doris said she would sleep in. Theresa and I talked a little about the trip and I had a shower and a drink. I finally felt like I was on land again and retired at 245 am. Sleep came quickly but before we slept we expressed thanks for the wonderful 15 days and a safe journey home. Life really is rewarding and travelling with a loved one makes it all worth while. I have several blogs in the next days to share some of my love for the journey.

The only negative is the fact that we were separated from the family and were unable to share the experience except through e-mails and the telephone. Life is wonderful and worth sharing.

Skilled Workers From Central America

Yesterday I had a new roof put on my house. Not a complete roof but a portion not considered bad enough to do when we had our shingles replaced eight years ago. My son and myself planned to do the work ourselves but a good salesman for the roofing company convinced me otherwise. He promised to do the work quickly and professionally for a good price and I was sold. The temperature was 32 degrees and with the high humidity it felt like 38 C.

I received a phone call from the boss and he said the workers would be there at four o'clock. A white van appeared in my driveway on time and five men crawled out and instantly began the job. One came to the door and asked for water and that was the total conversation. Everyone in the crew knew his job. Without words they ripped off the shingles and laid the new fabric after clearing and nail heads. I was quite amazed at the smooth transition from one stage to the other.

Ladders were placed at crucial points and the bundles of shingles were carried up the narrow ladder and placed in the proper places. Everything was done by hand. No machines here and not a complaint. This was the third house they were doing this day. At seven the work was done and cleanup over. As they were packing their equipment I had a conversation with the leader. He and two of the others were from Costa Rica and the other two chaps were from Honduras.

They were here in Canada on a work visa but planned to become Canadian citizens at the first opportunity. Their quality of work and their cheerful attitude made me appreciate the contributions immigrants make to our country. In the few minutes we talked, I was won over by these hard working men from Central America. Before leaving, the leader took me for a quick tour of their work. They were proud of their completed job and I was satisfied that I had a good roof over my head.

Home For A While

Our trip home was a fast one taking the best part of 25 hours to cover 2500 Kms. My passengers complained about having to wake up at 2 am to get on our way at 3 am. It was a beautiful morning and as the sun rose at 6:45 we were passing through horse country in Ocala and this brought my sleepy passengers to a quick wake up. Hundreds of horses living in conditions many humans would love to have gave us an appreciation for how these animals are pampered.

We passed through Georgia and covered the 500 miles without incident. As we reached Tennessee we saw the high water and although we never passed directly through the worst flooding we could see just how bad it must have been.

We looked for animals along the way and saw many deer, mostly dead along the roadside. Many states do not have the deer fencing required to keep them off the highways. At 6.15 we decided to stop for the night having covered 1500 kms. I was a little tired after 15 hours behind the wheel but decided to leave at 6 am to arrive home at around 5 pm. The border crossing was simple and fast and we sped down the QEW to get home to a beautiful sight, Home. The dandelions had their way and provided a splendid colour show but all the fruit trees were over their best and the other spring flowers were finished. Only the lilacs and a few tulips showed any sign of order so I knew what was on the agenda for tomorrow.

My oldest daughter prepared a great supper for us and filled the fridge. This is a ritual we look forward to each time we come back home. We sat for a while , nursing a drink and quietly drifted off to near sleep when the phone rang and my oldest grand child informed me her lemon tree had indeed grown four lemons and she had to tell me this as I thought that the tree would be Baron. I gave her the seed about 25 years ago and finally it came to life.I was proud of her for believing her tree would someday bear fruit.

Getting to bed a little early Theresa and I were thankful for the safe passage and to once again be home among our family and friends.We love our life in Florida and we love to come home to our house and Ontario lifestyle.

Snakes Galora

Tomorrow morning at 3 am Theresa, Doris and I will will be off for Ontario. The roads are flooded in some areas and we will have to take some side roads. I was amazed to hear that over 13 inches of rain fell on the roads in Tennessee and Kentucky.

Today we had a day of getting all the little things done. I was planting the last flowers when a snake crossed my path. I yelled for Theresa but she was right there taking off the clothes from the line. This beautiful 5 foot black snake was not alarmed at first but when I approached to pick it up it took off and ran to the bananas. It was a rat snake and harmless, but a good friend of the gardener.

Theresa was less afraid of this snake and this is a good thing. This snake was coal black and shiney and very fast when startled. We were able to observe it for a while.

Tonight we rest for our drive home through some of the most beautiful states in the USA. Wednesday we will be with our family and happy. I am looking forward to seeing my friend Doug and Pat who had a hard accident when Doug blew out his knee. We look forward to being with him to help put in his strawberries and garden.

Come to think of it, I am going to be busier when I go home than here. Oh well I will not have to look out for the snakes in the valley.

Snakes in Our Back Yard

While I was putting my garden to bed for the summer I needed some heavy stones to hold the plastic covering down. I threw all the large and small stones in a rough pile around the banana trees when developing my vegetable patch. Yesterday while retreaving some of the same stones I was surprised to find a pigmy rattler under one of the stones. After removing it to the lawn I called Theresa to see my new thing of interest.

Theresa hates snakes and I thought if she could see this little fellow it would help her to be more receptive to one of natures little creatures. She with hesitation observed it from a distance. It was small being about 14 inches at most. A very fragile snake with a particular head. Instead of being covered with numerous scales it has 9 distinct plates. Not exactly harmless but with less clout as its larger relatives they are found throughout the southern part of the USA.

On returning it to its home area I saw another one and knew that sometime in the future there could be a whole family. For me the snakes do much good in eating up harmful bugs which live on my vegetables. These are shy creatures and are seldom seen and retreat quickly when confronted.

There are so many new forms of life here in Florida and I find something interesting nearly every day. With the temperature over the 90 degree mark we are happy to be returning to Ontario for a cooling off period. In a few days we will be back with our family and friends and will be enjoying the changes in the grand children and children as well. Six months is a long time away but we love it.

Almost Settled

Some say a rest is a good thing but I really missed my blog writing. Theresa and I had a good trip south with 92 year old Doris in the back seat looking for the nearest rest stop. We travelled 1650 kms the first day and stopped in Atlanta for a few hours of rest. We cruised at 115 km for 16 hours and there was not a complaint. Snow greeted us when we crossed the border at Buffalo but when we reached Cleveland the snow was rain, and all was well.

We arrived at our southern home at 3.30 pm the next day and was greeted to a shuttered home with no running water and a tired crew. The ladies unloaded the van while I took off shutters and did the man thing. I found all the trees happy and healthy and the grass well cut so I felt that the folks keeping our place did a good job.

We were excited to settle in and now the work begins. Trimming the trees, checking the fruit trees for bugs, killing fire ants and dusting and moving furniture out on the patio. I am tired thinking of it but it really was not too bad at all.

I shall show pics on my next blog so I will keep in touch.

Home Again

Arriving at my door after 10 hours of driving gave me a that satisfying feeling of being home again. Thoughts of sleeping in my own bed and being around familiar creature comforts like my big leather chair quickly changed to near panic as I saw the condition of my yard. Grass overgrown, tomatoes ready to be picked and made into spaghetti sauce, peaches clinging to the tree but really ripe, and weeds which went unchecked for a while boldly stood as high and straight as the beets and carrots.

It was supper time so we managed to put together a sandwich made from fresh bread and just picked tomatoes. My daughter always stocks up necessary items like milk, bread and cheese and she did not fail one more time. We lingered over the small lunch and put off doing anything else except unpacking and a quick assessment of tomorrow's work.

Our longer than usual trip down home satisfied our need to connect with family and friends but left us drained emotionally. We did all we set out to do and more so were happy to be home. During our expedition we attended a teachers reunion, discovered the Gaspe, buried a brother, enjoyed a family get together, visited a long-time friend in Pictou and gathered up our mother in law at Sussex and drive home.

Today I picked tomatoes, beans, cut the lawn and caught up on the 135 emails. There really was no need to panic at the work as a few hours and our place looked great. It is like life - there seems to be large issues to face but when you get to the solution, you realize that the issue was mostly in our own minds. Face issues head on and see how quickly they disappear and the solution usually opens doors to free you of your anxiety.

Today I am privileged to have such a rewarding support group of relatives, family and friends. Each has a special role in my life and I value each for their uniqueness and ability to add something to my overall well being. I pity the person who has no family, no real friend nor special one to complete their life.