55th REUNION of NSTC

This year the class of 55 had a great turnout and all the regulars attended. Our class is the only class to have this yearly event and it is because a number of caring classmates make the time and effort to make sure a program is in place. This year two extra days were included to get our group together at a little town called Parrsboro.

One of our classmates, Howard made arrangements for us to stay at a local motel and take in the beauty of the area. It is truly a special place where you can walk on the oceans floor and hours later see the Bay of Fundy fill the area with water up to 58 feet deep. Culture was included in our agenda and we all attended a live performance of a play called The Net. The time after the play ended in a local Pub where we shared stories and tried to remember events from the past. Often it was more fiction than fact but all turned out well.

During that day and the next we were entertained by two of our classmates at local cottages but could be better described and seaside homes. Their welcome was as gracious as their summer place and the excellent food and drink made it even more so. Nancy Lou and Mort gave us a visit that few of us are able to experience on a regular basis and everyone appreciated the treat.

The regular program ended with a dinner dance and general mixing with mates whom we have not seen for some time. Every year Donald better known as THE DUCK has us at his house each night and we enjoyed each others company for a short while.The experience of getting together yearly has established a strong bond and helps us when we go through rough times. At least half of us lost a spouse but continue to cling to the group and receive strength through the fellowship.

What would a reunion be without a garden party and peanut butter pie? Eric and Joan have hosted several and with good weather it is that added touch of class we need to be reminded we are all teachers and should act accordingly. Actually we act more like rowdy youngsters having fun. For another year we closed the door after nearly five days with hugs and best wishes and waiting for next year to come along. We are also long range planning for our sixty year anniversary.

Down Home Reunion

Our family of nine kids and a wonderful mom and dad was the beginning of a clan that stretches across Canada. The core group however stayed in Cape Breton or returned after a stint in upper or lower Canada. Four of the family live in close proximity to our old home or cottage. Two boys and two girls call Cape Breton home and live close to the sea and the family roots. I make a yearly pilgrimage to the East and we always manage a family gathering.

It is not very formal or structured but after a few calls everyone who is available descend on the host or hostess with food and stories. We are not a family who over the years invaded the private space of each other but come an occasion to get together the attendance record is sterling. Our numbers have gone down and as all aging families they will decrease even more in the future. While we are able we make an effort to keep in touch and support each other when the need occurs.Our family ranges in age from 80 to 57 so by any standard we are a middle age family.

I love the contact with my brothers and sisters and to share their joy at the birth of another nephew or niece or grand children. It is the children who are the main attraction at our gatherings. They provide the energy to keep the traditions alive and to bring fresh arguments to our stale conversations. Every year we have to face life and death in our family and the family bond helps us through both.

Our third generation is the new strength and from what I see we will be well represented in the future with keen minds and bodies. Our family have been contributors for the most point, having chosen the humanities for their life's work. Education and public service heads the list and I am proud of that. Our parents made sure every one of us had a start in life with at least a year of post secondary education. That was an achievement in itself but the fact that all are gainfully employed and always have been so speaks loads of the work ethic instilled in all of us from a young age by our parents.

My journey to Cape Breton is over for this year but I left the Island feeling confident that all is well back home and I look forward to our next visit sometime in the future.

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.

Walking On The Bottom Of The Ocean

One strange thing about our trip to the East coast was the adventure of walking on the floor of the ocean. In Parrsboro, Nova Scotia the average tide is 58 feet. When the tide is in an ocean liner could tie up to one of the many docks without trouble. When the tide goes out it would be sitting on the floor of the ocean.

Theresa and I did walk out for miles to experience the phenomonon. It felt weird to look up to the top of the dock 65 feet above but to be dry and know that hours later you would be covered by many meters of water. All through this area around the Bay of Fundy these tides shape the way of life for the residents. Fishermen must work with the tides and know the impact of this natural wonder.

There are many people working on ways to capture this tremendous energy to produce electric power and if they succeed there will be available the largest clean, renewable energy source in the world.

Travelling

Theresa and I have been looking around some of the most beautiful countryside in America, we are talking about Vermont. We were amazed at the amount of space not taken up with urban sprawl but natural, untouched beautiful vistas. On every glance we were trying to get each other to look at this or look at that and there was so much to take in we gave up trying to share.

We played several golf courses but the number one in the State is Green Mountain and golf is nearly forgotten as the beauty of the surroundings take over. Our golf did not suffer as we play for fun but our camera use was to say the least spectacular. Theresa even had two otters run over the full width of the course but I missed it as I was looking for my errant golf shot.

If you like mountains this is the place to be but if you like mountain biking you have to be here. I never realized the extent of this sport. There were thousands of bikers, old and young going up the lifts to reach the tops of the mountains and then scoot down only to repeat this as you would in winter with skiing. We had an experience but we did not bike down the mountains . I will write again but I will be taking off a few days.We appreciate the time off and the wonderful feeling we get while exploring our land.

Special Guests

This day we were treated to a visit from four of our grand children. It just happens that one graduated from elementary school, one from secondary school , one is a junior in secondary school and the other is in third year university. All two years apart except for the third year man and all as different as can be. They show the diversity of their backgrounds but share a common universal thread in their character.

We decided to have lunch and a good conversation about the state of the country and world in general. Their shared background made the conversation stimulating but reasonably consistent with our own thoughts. I always marvel at the ability of these young people to analyze situations and formulate solutions. They are concerned about the state of the world and climate change and the environment is at the top of their list in importance.

The topics were not all heavy as some good gossip crept in and as on of our guests was from Ottawa. We were given news from from there and stories about our family who reside there in beautiful Ottawa. After the hamburgers and local corn was eaten we retired to more comfortable chairs. A further discussion on education and the future plans of these young folk assured me that they were heading in the right direction.

We always love these visits from grandchildren but having them with us without their parents gives us an opportunity to see them as they really are without the oversight of adults.These four young people represent three of our families and I can assure you that they make me proud to be their grandfather. After some hours they had to leave and as they said their farewells we were a little sad to realize it will be a while before we have another visit from our grandaughter from Ottawa.

A visit from friends is always welcome and pleasant but visits from family is special.

Rained Out Golf

With perfect golf weather in the works we decided to arrange a golf day with our friends. These friends have a game with us here and in Florida each year for the past number of years. The weather today was humid but tolerable . There were a few clouds to the west but nothing to call off a game of golf. As we drove the 30 Kms to Rock Chapel Golf course there were a few drops on the windows .

Before we could get out of the car a lightening bolt flashed and thunder began to resound throughout the golf course. People who were playing came running in and cars were loaded with disappointed golfers. We sat and waited because we knew it was only a shower. Forty minutes later and the rain was worse than before and we resigned ourselves to a rain out.

Instead of losing the day we went back to our friends house and finished a half bottle of wine. We collectively decided to go out for dinner and we picked a rib house. As we sat down the young waitress clued us in that they were having a rib fest and we really should go with the promotion. The ribs were good but the conversation was better. We discussed everything p0ssible knowing the time was short and we would not be seeing these folks for a while.

What could have been just a rained out golf game turned out to be a good time with old friends. We have a few days like this and the older you get the time associating with friends becomes even more enjoyable. I look forward to many more rained out golf days.