I was raised by two people who met in my mom’s kitchen in the early 1970s. Beth was living in Toronto at the time and had been asked so politely to leave university for her demonstration of entrepreneurial spirit (out of her locker on campus). Beth had a brother who had a friend who needed a place to make candles (his entrepreneurial spirit) to sell and earn a living with. The brother volunteered my mom’s kitchen, without actually asking her, and so Walter, the friend, set up his candle-making business in her kitchen. When she arrived home to a great big mess, the rest is history.
They actually dated for less than a week before deciding that this was IT, they had both found THE ONE, and moved in together for good. They are still together, minus a few bumps in the road, after 38 years.
In the next year or so, the timeline in my family tales is a bit vague, Walter and Beth read a book. It was about a community – commune-ish it seems to me – where the ideals and dreams that they hoped could be a future for humanity were being lived by a group of hippies in Northern BC. So the lovebirds sold everything they owned, bought a VW van (without the psychedelic daisies and such – this is real life, folks, not tv), and packed up to drive northwest.
Just days before leaving they found out that they were expecting. That was me.
If you have kids of your own, or grandkids, you can imagine just how excited their parents were to discover that they were going to become grandparents to a child that was going to be living on the other side of the country. But, the grandparents were already working through their issues with the fact that Beth and Walter didn’t need any government or church to give them a piece of paper to make their commitment to one another real or lasting. Their commitment spoke for itself.
If you remember the generation who raised the hippie generation, or you are part of that generation, you can appreciate that the grandparents were having a hard time with this attitude of throwing off the shackles of traditional society. But, with half the country about to be between them, this didn’t seem like a huge obstacle for Beth and Walter to deal with.
It wasn’t. There were much bigger obstacles to come on their journey.
Please note that this is based on the stories told to me over the years as I was growing up. It is loosely true - perhaps read it as historical fiction. If it makes you more comfortable, read it completely as fiction. But it might help some of you understand me a little better. I hope it will help me understand me a little better.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Baseball
I am not generally good at sports. I grew up a complete bookworm/music geek. I am pretty sure I can remember snickers from my dear sisters when I attempted to play sports in my teens.
Until I started running I never considered myself an athlete. Even now, I don't really think of myself that way. Because really, my first love; books.
This year at school, the staff are all participating in intramural sports at school. The first sport is baseball. Not exactly top of my list of fun ways to spend time. Or so I thought.
But tonight, something strange happened. I played baseball. And... I had lots of fun.
I even hit the ball a few times and score a couple of runs.
Imagine that.
Until I started running I never considered myself an athlete. Even now, I don't really think of myself that way. Because really, my first love; books.
This year at school, the staff are all participating in intramural sports at school. The first sport is baseball. Not exactly top of my list of fun ways to spend time. Or so I thought.
But tonight, something strange happened. I played baseball. And... I had lots of fun.
I even hit the ball a few times and score a couple of runs.
Imagine that.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
City Shmitty
We just changed our Thanksgiving plans. We have been invited to have a sleepover at the "camp" of a couple we recently got to know. We have just barely met them and they have graciously invited us (with Sprouts) to a sleepover. Brave people!
We had originally planned on a weekend in the city (with requisite shopping and family outings and a car appointment thrown in for good measure). We were sort of looking forward to it, but not entirely. And then, this lovely invite. I am tickled.
After making plans on the phone this evening I let the Sprouts know what was up. As I shared that they got to sleep in a bunk bed, and ride in a boat, and have a campfire their eyes got bigger and rounder and almost popped from their heads. Now they are tickled.
So, we are looking forward to the long weekend, not because of turkey dinners with family, but because of a new relationship and a new adventure.
Definitely more fun than the city.
We had originally planned on a weekend in the city (with requisite shopping and family outings and a car appointment thrown in for good measure). We were sort of looking forward to it, but not entirely. And then, this lovely invite. I am tickled.
After making plans on the phone this evening I let the Sprouts know what was up. As I shared that they got to sleep in a bunk bed, and ride in a boat, and have a campfire their eyes got bigger and rounder and almost popped from their heads. Now they are tickled.
So, we are looking forward to the long weekend, not because of turkey dinners with family, but because of a new relationship and a new adventure.
Definitely more fun than the city.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Stolen Minutes
I stepped outside late yesterday morning for a run after we had finished with the housework and Saturday morning chores. As I walked up the driveway and inhaled, I was inundated with fall. The leaves lying on the road range from mustard- to butter-yellow. The wind carried a touch of a bite - just enough to keep me comfortable on my run. And the smell of the decaying of summer's bounty as all the foliage slow down unto hibernation or die as their season comes to an end is unlike any other smell on earth; perhaps the only time that death smells good.
It is on these days that the sun on my skin feels particularly like a kiss - of farewell.
I realized that we are just beginning the most difficult part of the year for me. I don't generally suffer from SAD in January and February like many other Canadians. I suffer as fall drops leaves and darkness descends with them. Winter's embrace is just around the corner.
I love fall; the incredible variety of warm tones in the leaves, the edge of cold in the mornings, and the warmth of a cozy sweater all bring me joy. Hiking is at its very best this time of year, except for run-ins with bears fairly often. I just struggle with the loss of daylight. For the next month I can literally feel minutes of each day stolen away into darkness. And it will continue until the winter solstice on December 21. That is when my SAD starts to lighten and I begin to really enjoy the beauty of winter.
It is on these days that the sun on my skin feels particularly like a kiss - of farewell.
I realized that we are just beginning the most difficult part of the year for me. I don't generally suffer from SAD in January and February like many other Canadians. I suffer as fall drops leaves and darkness descends with them. Winter's embrace is just around the corner.
I love fall; the incredible variety of warm tones in the leaves, the edge of cold in the mornings, and the warmth of a cozy sweater all bring me joy. Hiking is at its very best this time of year, except for run-ins with bears fairly often. I just struggle with the loss of daylight. For the next month I can literally feel minutes of each day stolen away into darkness. And it will continue until the winter solstice on December 21. That is when my SAD starts to lighten and I begin to really enjoy the beauty of winter.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Hail the Conquering Hero
We received great news via Facebook last night. Fearless Leader got the all-clear from his doctor to come back to work.
When my Sprouts heard the news, they jumped up and down all around the living room and shouted, "Hooray, _______ is coming home!" Fearless Leader is much loved by Sprouts. Our Sprouts and the kids at school.
After the Sprouts were tucked safely into bed, LK and I breathed a big sigh of relief. Having Fearless Leader back at school will go a long way to making the craziness that has been the start of the school year settled into the controlled chaos that is normal school life.
(dance of happiness)
When my Sprouts heard the news, they jumped up and down all around the living room and shouted, "Hooray, _______ is coming home!" Fearless Leader is much loved by Sprouts. Our Sprouts and the kids at school.
After the Sprouts were tucked safely into bed, LK and I breathed a big sigh of relief. Having Fearless Leader back at school will go a long way to making the craziness that has been the start of the school year settled into the controlled chaos that is normal school life.
(dance of happiness)
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Blogging Often: Up or Down
So, according to Pioneer Woman's reflections on what she had learned about blogging, we ought to blog often. And, according to all my research (well, actually all the research that I have read - not actually done) writer's need to practice their craft every day in order to refine it.
That pretty much rings true for any craft, or sport, or skill. Use it or lose, so to speak.
Anyhow, PW (Pioneer Woman, who can be found at http://thepioneerwoman.com/, and I really recommend you check her out) also encourages bloggers to be themselves. Well, that makes sense, as being yourself is really the only way to develop a clear voice as a writer. Can you tell that I have been doing a little professional reading on teaching writing?
So, I am going to try to blog a little more often, and be a little more myself.
Some may say, "You haven't been yourself?"
No, I am pretty careful in my posts about what I say; not wanting to offend anyone who may be in my life, know the participants and be hurt.
Wait, now that I think about it, that is me.
Yup, I am a pleaser. And a perfectionist.
Not a happy combination. And a particularly unhappy combination this weekend.
I started brilliantly with a runner's high. Then I fell to bits emotionally. I got irrationally angry about the small stuff. I held on to my anger, trying to feel that it was justified. And it just wasn't.
No matter what, fighting with other people - being mad - is just not worth all the energy that it takes. And it makes me feel miserable. And petty. And miserable.
So I have spent the afternoon trying to figure out where this whole volcano of emotions is erupting from. Because there is a lot more lava (so-to-speak) in me right now than is called for by any issue that has come up in the last 24 hours.
Why the heck am I so irritable?
That pretty much rings true for any craft, or sport, or skill. Use it or lose, so to speak.
Anyhow, PW (Pioneer Woman, who can be found at http://thepioneerwoman.com/, and I really recommend you check her out) also encourages bloggers to be themselves. Well, that makes sense, as being yourself is really the only way to develop a clear voice as a writer. Can you tell that I have been doing a little professional reading on teaching writing?
So, I am going to try to blog a little more often, and be a little more myself.
Some may say, "You haven't been yourself?"
No, I am pretty careful in my posts about what I say; not wanting to offend anyone who may be in my life, know the participants and be hurt.
Wait, now that I think about it, that is me.
Yup, I am a pleaser. And a perfectionist.
Not a happy combination. And a particularly unhappy combination this weekend.
I started brilliantly with a runner's high. Then I fell to bits emotionally. I got irrationally angry about the small stuff. I held on to my anger, trying to feel that it was justified. And it just wasn't.
No matter what, fighting with other people - being mad - is just not worth all the energy that it takes. And it makes me feel miserable. And petty. And miserable.
So I have spent the afternoon trying to figure out where this whole volcano of emotions is erupting from. Because there is a lot more lava (so-to-speak) in me right now than is called for by any issue that has come up in the last 24 hours.
Why the heck am I so irritable?
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Moody
I had a running date with the Goddess this morning. It was probably our last one until spring. That makes me a bit sad, as our running dates are absolutely lovely. We run, we talk, we talk, we run. It is a huge help in motivating me to get by behind out of bed in the morning, and a huge help in dealing with the ups and downs of life. I came back from our run in great spirits.
But after that I slipped into one of those moods where all I want to do all day is bury my nose in a book and ignore the rest of the world. I know these are not healthy moods. I know that I should give myself a shake and do something nice for someone else, or at least for my kids. But, man, I just want to disapear into a novel with a cup of hot chocolate and a cosy sweater wrapped around me. An I did that for a chunk of the afternoon- in between mediating conflicts between the sprouts.
So, now I am frustrated with myself for letting the afternoon slip away, wallowing in avoidance of the day-to-day business of life. The bathroom didn't get cleaned. The sheets didn't get washed. The kitchen floor has not been mopped. None of my prep work for Monday is done. And the worst is that my son is frustrated at being cooped inside all day and cried himself to sleep after losing his bedtime stories.
Moods swings like this make me wonder if the bipolar gene actually skipped me after all.
But after that I slipped into one of those moods where all I want to do all day is bury my nose in a book and ignore the rest of the world. I know these are not healthy moods. I know that I should give myself a shake and do something nice for someone else, or at least for my kids. But, man, I just want to disapear into a novel with a cup of hot chocolate and a cosy sweater wrapped around me. An I did that for a chunk of the afternoon- in between mediating conflicts between the sprouts.
So, now I am frustrated with myself for letting the afternoon slip away, wallowing in avoidance of the day-to-day business of life. The bathroom didn't get cleaned. The sheets didn't get washed. The kitchen floor has not been mopped. None of my prep work for Monday is done. And the worst is that my son is frustrated at being cooped inside all day and cried himself to sleep after losing his bedtime stories.
Moods swings like this make me wonder if the bipolar gene actually skipped me after all.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Whoa Nelly!
It's Friday already? Where did the week go?
September always flies by due to the massive to-do lists that are part of starting a new school year. This year there have been a few changes at school that make time zip by even faster. The biggest change is that we have a new schedule.
To make a very long story shorter, the school day has been shuffled by 20 minutes. Those minutes were carved off the morning period and stuck into where our lunch recess was. Now lunch recess is 20 minutes, instead of 40. This is great for cold winter days where kids are in danger of frostbite. It is not so great for teachers who hope to use the washroom, make a few copies, and eat their lunch during that time. It just isn't long enough.
So, I feel like I have been running flat out every day since school started. People are already walking around the halls looking like they usually do in November. And we have our first few teachers out with the flu.
I am trying to adjust to these changes graciously. I know that the reasons behind them are good. I am just working on getting my brain and teaching rhythms to fit with them.
The biggest challenge for me is that I spent ten years teaching in small parent-run private schools where it was an eight year battle to have one period of prep time a week. (Yes, fellow teachers, I said one period a week). For some reason, persons in the business world did not agree with staff members that making a 5 hour-long presentation, 5 days a week with less than 2 hours of preparation for each presentation made for less than quality presentations. This issue has always been a BIG sticking point for me (and an emotional one - so please pardon me if I am a bit intense on this). It was part of why I couldn't stay working in that school system.
Now I am struggling to be gracious about the lunch changes. Am I being selfish in feeling that I really do work hard and deserve a lunch break as much as any other Canadian? I only want 30 minutes to eat, pee, and take a few deep breathes before jumping back in.
September always flies by due to the massive to-do lists that are part of starting a new school year. This year there have been a few changes at school that make time zip by even faster. The biggest change is that we have a new schedule.
To make a very long story shorter, the school day has been shuffled by 20 minutes. Those minutes were carved off the morning period and stuck into where our lunch recess was. Now lunch recess is 20 minutes, instead of 40. This is great for cold winter days where kids are in danger of frostbite. It is not so great for teachers who hope to use the washroom, make a few copies, and eat their lunch during that time. It just isn't long enough.
So, I feel like I have been running flat out every day since school started. People are already walking around the halls looking like they usually do in November. And we have our first few teachers out with the flu.
I am trying to adjust to these changes graciously. I know that the reasons behind them are good. I am just working on getting my brain and teaching rhythms to fit with them.
The biggest challenge for me is that I spent ten years teaching in small parent-run private schools where it was an eight year battle to have one period of prep time a week. (Yes, fellow teachers, I said one period a week). For some reason, persons in the business world did not agree with staff members that making a 5 hour-long presentation, 5 days a week with less than 2 hours of preparation for each presentation made for less than quality presentations. This issue has always been a BIG sticking point for me (and an emotional one - so please pardon me if I am a bit intense on this). It was part of why I couldn't stay working in that school system.
Now I am struggling to be gracious about the lunch changes. Am I being selfish in feeling that I really do work hard and deserve a lunch break as much as any other Canadian? I only want 30 minutes to eat, pee, and take a few deep breathes before jumping back in.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Switching Seasons
Every year I forget how quickly fall arrives. September is barely on the calendar when the nights turn crisp, mornings foggy, and leaves begin to blush and drop to the ground. It took me by surprise again this year. Maybe because last fall we were still enjoying the beach for a few weekends after school started. Not this year.
Today we went for a wander in town after worshipping in the Baptist church. Although it was cool enough for jeans, my hardy husband was stubborn and wore sandals. And Fiona, not to be outdone, was positive that it was warm enough for a swim. Now that she has gotten comfortable in the water, she wants to swim every chance there is.
It was blissful beyond words to wander around the waterfront in the sunshine. Exploring and going on adventures is a family pastime that we all enjoy. LK gets to shoot pictures. Jo gets to climb things. Fi learns more about natural science; she has decided to be a scientist and is absorbing everything science related that she can. I get to soak in sunshine and the joy of watching my family enjoy themselves.
So, despite the ups and downs of life around us, and life with other human beings (why are humans to difficult to get along with?) we are happy and content. God is great. Creation is a most incredibly beautiful thing. And we are blessed enough to live right in the middle of one of the most beautiful parts of it.
(Deep sigh of happiness.) I think I will go for a canoe ride now.
Today we went for a wander in town after worshipping in the Baptist church. Although it was cool enough for jeans, my hardy husband was stubborn and wore sandals. And Fiona, not to be outdone, was positive that it was warm enough for a swim. Now that she has gotten comfortable in the water, she wants to swim every chance there is.
It was blissful beyond words to wander around the waterfront in the sunshine. Exploring and going on adventures is a family pastime that we all enjoy. LK gets to shoot pictures. Jo gets to climb things. Fi learns more about natural science; she has decided to be a scientist and is absorbing everything science related that she can. I get to soak in sunshine and the joy of watching my family enjoy themselves.
So, despite the ups and downs of life around us, and life with other human beings (why are humans to difficult to get along with?) we are happy and content. God is great. Creation is a most incredibly beautiful thing. And we are blessed enough to live right in the middle of one of the most beautiful parts of it.
(Deep sigh of happiness.) I think I will go for a canoe ride now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
