Twice-Loved

Cooler this morning. Only thirteen degrees. And while still quite lovely, seems far too soon to be looking at fall like temperatures. Yesterday was yet another perfect day. Crossed the bay to enjoy breakfast at the TH Come Home Year and stayed for the ‘parade’ before booting it back. Spent an hour driving with my big boy, took my sweet Sammy to the basketball court and was invited by Bear to supper – which he made! From beans and ham to sliders which were absolutely delicious and better than anything I’ve ever had at a fast food restaurant. He has skills! He and #1Son are working on a treehouse and have the perfect backyard for it. I was reminded of all the time my father spent puttering around in the garden with #1Son.

Treehouses! Twice loved!

This tiny rural town saw a significant increase in traffic yesterday. Home to less than fifty year round residents, the numbers ballooned to over 300 as visitors from near and far converged at the community hall to register for a weekend of fun. My connection to this little place is arm’s length at best but one couldn’t hep but delight in watching old friends meet – some for the first time in fifty years – reconnect and reminisce. How lovely it must be to have enjoyed your childhood in one tiny town where there were no strangers.

It was early evening when I arrived back home. I thought it might be a quiet night alone but I was joined by an old friend of my own and while our friendship is not quite twenty years old, we shared an evening of giggles as we too reminisced over our many shared experiences.

Friendship. Twice loved.

How good is it when your eleven year old grandchild cooks breakfast! You go Bear! You will have your father’s skills in the kitchen!

… which was a good thing

I’ve had lots of stuff on my to-do list that I had no desire to do when the sun was calling me to come outside.

So today I worked. My tiny house was very much in need of a cleaning/tidying from top to bottom to sideways. I made a dent. I should have done more. It takes discipline. And spite of knowing what needed doing, and in spite of being inside all day and having the time to do it all, I was still tempted to throw down the mop and pick up a book or a ball of wool or a paintbrush! I have too many interests! But I persevered and this evening I am feeling pretty pleased with myself.

Pride in work, in a job well done. Lots of talk amongst the Boomers how the young people today don’t know how to work. That they’re lazy. That they abuse the system. That they think they’re entitled. Not sure I agree. There will always be people who work the system. There will always be people who give a hundred percent plus. I see that not only in the GenX crowd but have seen it in the Boomers as well.

GenY, however, gives me hope. My oldest grandchildren both work. They’re still not much more than babies in my mind but working is good for them. They’re learning important life skills: self-reliance, responsibility, how to communicate, to manage time. And money. All of which result in improved confidence and self-esteem. Most of their friends have summer jobs as well.

I’ve worked since I was a teenager and have pretty much enjoyed everything I’ve done. I’ve long learned you can’t please everyone and not everyone will like you. We are simply too diverse. Too complex and by nature are egocentric. Survival of the fittest perhaps. But far better to be disliked by a few for doing your job than be disliked by many for not doing your job. Work is rarely glamorous but it can bring immense personal satisfaction when you take pride in doing it well. The grandkids are learning that at a young age. It’s all good.

All that from a mop and a bottle of Mr. Clean!

I am having so much fun.

Our annual summer festival celebrates fish, fun, and folk. We’ve celebrated all that and more: family, food, flowers. It’s been a special week and steady go. We visited family and friends on the East coast and all points in between. Barbecues, picnics, boil ups, pub food and coffee cafés. Icebergs, whales, and cod fishing. Weddings and parties. Visitors who feel like family. Lots of colourful and fun things to see and do. I feel I’ve been on a destination holiday without really leaving home.

Last night there were fireworks! Lots! Pug sat beside me outside and enjoyed the pretty lights. I think. He certainly watched. This morning it’s significantly cooler. Sixteen degrees and overcast but with patches of blue in the sky and a promise of twenty-four. A good day to gear down and relax a little. Back to work next week with a focus on doing all those little jobs that wait all year for summer.

But this week, lots of colour everywhere we go!

So this is what summer looks like … I’d forgotten. Day after day after day of blue skies and sunshine. Temperatures in the high twenties and more. Taste of sea salt. Yesterday was another day on the water. Whale watching and jigging for cod. And a good time was had by all.

Yesterday was another sultry summer day. Too hot to do much in the way of outside work. Watered the flowers and that was about it.

Late Afternoon we took to the water. Lots of whales. Mostly – like us – they were just soakin’ along the surface with the occasional blow or shallow dive. The last of the iceberg – I believe it foundered again – has moved way off from the mouth of the harbour. I doubt there will be much left to see today.

A few fish before we headed in and a cool one to cap off another perfect day!

Just a super day yesterday! Something about a wedding … first, second, third or seventh … just kinda pulls at the heartstrings. My favourite moment was when the couple was exchanging vows. The bride reached for her bouquet, pulled out a hanky and passed it to the groom who was touchingly overwhelmed with emotion. Just too sweet! Followed by a delicious meal, fun moments shared, and lots of dancing. The bride wore her flats. I was not quite so smart and my feet will suffer for it today.

Weddings! Twice loved!