I heeded the sign. All my fingers are still ready to point and shoot :)
Do you have any plants like these?
Have you ever had one?
How did it survive?
Do you have any plants like these?
Have you ever had one?
How did it survive?
Friday, September 7, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Delays
My posts are getting behind as life sends me into many new directions that are both fun as well as trying. For the next 10 days I'm leaving Buddy and hubby while I fly with my sister to see our auntie in Europe. I'm hoping it will be a nice change for both of us.
Buddy knows when I come back the two of us will do a little trip together too. I've learned that he and I can manage quite well together when traveling. He's looking forward to his turn. It will make my absence less sad. He has been assigned some important tasks. He is happy that he's in charge of Ellie who is now his pet.
Buddy knows when I come back the two of us will do a little trip together too. I've learned that he and I can manage quite well together when traveling. He's looking forward to his turn. It will make my absence less sad. He has been assigned some important tasks. He is happy that he's in charge of Ellie who is now his pet.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
The Help (Part 2)
In spring of 1964 I no longer had the job of caring for my grandpa who passed away March 12 after a four months period with stroke related issues that caused him to need much special care. My mother appeared to want some time alone with my brother and little sister away from me. It seems I was running her/our home too much to my liking and influence!
To solve this she quietly arranged that I should have a job as an au pair girl in Quebec City. By using one of the accounting contacts through her work place, Parker Pen in Don Mills Ontario, from her company stationary letterheads she found some names and wrote to them directly. She had noticed I was keen on learning French at high school so she figured it might do me some good to be in a place where the language is actively being used. She made these plans without my knowledge until she got an offer.
Once it came she handed a letter addressed to her from a Mr. Price who said his close friend Mr. Amyot was interested and she was to have her daughter write directly to Mr. Amyot outlining her skills with children, hobbies, ability to swim and prepare simple meals.
What and adventure that could be! My mom had actually tried to do something very nice. I was excited. So I did answer as requested to Mr. Amyot and I wrote it in French! I felt so proud of this new abitiy.
Within a short time I received a reply from Mme. Amyot in English. She wanted some further information about my skills with kids around the age of 8! Ha ha that was easy! My sister was that age. I had done lots of baby sitting of younger kids and earned my badges in Girl Guides. Also I had a St. John's First Aid Certificate, swimming badges at high levels and a music certificate. I had hobbies like reading, sewing, bike riding, badminton and I even had a driving permit and had been driving for over a year taking my sister to various lessons. I wrote that in English.
A reply came that I was hired from mid June to late August. My duties would include helping her three children with their morning routine, preparing their breakfast and later their lunch, sitting with them to help encourage them to speak English in my presence. There would be daily times at their back yard swimming pool and some fun game times. Of course I would get some pay, $18 per week if I recall correctly plus my room and board and some time off. I was very pleased to accept.
My time with daughter Dominique age 8, son François age 7 and son Eric age 5 would change the direction of my life but I did not realize it till much later.
to be continued
To solve this she quietly arranged that I should have a job as an au pair girl in Quebec City. By using one of the accounting contacts through her work place, Parker Pen in Don Mills Ontario, from her company stationary letterheads she found some names and wrote to them directly. She had noticed I was keen on learning French at high school so she figured it might do me some good to be in a place where the language is actively being used. She made these plans without my knowledge until she got an offer.
Once it came she handed a letter addressed to her from a Mr. Price who said his close friend Mr. Amyot was interested and she was to have her daughter write directly to Mr. Amyot outlining her skills with children, hobbies, ability to swim and prepare simple meals.
What and adventure that could be! My mom had actually tried to do something very nice. I was excited. So I did answer as requested to Mr. Amyot and I wrote it in French! I felt so proud of this new abitiy.
Within a short time I received a reply from Mme. Amyot in English. She wanted some further information about my skills with kids around the age of 8! Ha ha that was easy! My sister was that age. I had done lots of baby sitting of younger kids and earned my badges in Girl Guides. Also I had a St. John's First Aid Certificate, swimming badges at high levels and a music certificate. I had hobbies like reading, sewing, bike riding, badminton and I even had a driving permit and had been driving for over a year taking my sister to various lessons. I wrote that in English.
A reply came that I was hired from mid June to late August. My duties would include helping her three children with their morning routine, preparing their breakfast and later their lunch, sitting with them to help encourage them to speak English in my presence. There would be daily times at their back yard swimming pool and some fun game times. Of course I would get some pay, $18 per week if I recall correctly plus my room and board and some time off. I was very pleased to accept.
My time with daughter Dominique age 8, son François age 7 and son Eric age 5 would change the direction of my life but I did not realize it till much later.
to be continued
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Sticky Stormy yet Safe
On the last day of July we loaded our packed bags into the car to head to Buffalo, New York. There we would take a JetBlue flight to JFK. We wanted to have plenty of time to cross at the USA boarder in order to arrive at the airport with lots of time to clear security which can be a challenge with Buddy since he takes his time when he has to remove shoes and belt.
The drive from Richmond Hill to Fort Erie didn't take hubby very long. He appeared to have a heavy foot on his gas pedal so we arrived at Buffalo International Airport with time to spare. And we used that time for a late lunch. Boarding time was to be 4:55pm.
The PA came on informing us it would be a while longer before we could get to our seats. By 5:30pm we were finally climbing into our spots. It was a larger jet with rows of ten seats across. It filled up. We had boarded. The captain announced that the cabin doors would be closed shortly and we would be in queue for take off shortly. Ha!
His next announcements came moments after the doors were sealed. We were no longer cleared to leave because of severe storms on route. Now we there sat in our seats passing the time listening to our music and playing games. We waited and waited inside the cabin. After a while water was offered. It was hot, sticky and smelly inside this vessel.
Around at 7:35pm the captain informed us that he had been given a new flight path and that we'd be off as soon as some more fuel was added. Finally at 7:55pm we rolled onto the runway for take off. It was smooth, swift and soon we were cruising towards New York City. It would only take 55 minutes.
By 8:20pm our captain was telling us that he was preparing to descend, adding that he was happy to have given us such fast and safer approach to one of the countries busier airports. We touch down at 8:55.
By 9:15pm, our bags in tow, we headed out to the passenger pick up area. Exiting through the huge revolving door, we found ourselves pushed back by the smack of heavy, hot humid air.
Greeted by our niece there were the usual HUGS and then off we drove to the Bayside area to our hotel. Once checked in, our family visit was just beginning. From there we had to head into Queens for dinner with everyone who had waited so patiently for our safe arrival!
PS. We could have driven to New York City in that amount of time. We had chosen to fly because we had hoped it would be quicker!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Camp Oconto 1969
It was a lovely sunny July 8th as my campers and I paddled on Eagel Lake. For them it was their initiation in overnight canoe tripping. They'd had to plan the destination and what to load into two canoes safely. Before ever getting to do any of this they had to pass a swim test and a canoeing test that included making a canoe tip while they were in it and then righting it. My training in these skills occurred the week before the campers arrived. I was amongst those who managed to pass the demanding safe canoeing test.
Camp Oconto is a prestigious camp for girls. Campers come from all over the world to spend time in the Canadian beautiful wilderness. Being from upper class environments this place is chosen for them to learn some of the more rustic ways. Camp fire lighting, cooking over a fire, pitching a small pup tent, canoeing and much more was in store for them. In the senior section four teens had one counsellor. They would live together while their counsellor would reside close by. I was assigned counsellor for a teen group. The younger campers had other arrangements. Not surprising, many of the campers were repeat clients. While some stayed for the entire eight weeks, others came for four and a few for two. Some were sent to improve their skills in spoken English. Others came to enjoy the boating skills or the equestrian ones. All campers were given the best experiences. All staff was carefully screened and selected by the Labbetts who owned and operated the camp at that time. The camper's family was able to preselect activities and the counsellors were given campers according to those selections. I was one of the staff selected for canoe trips.
So for our small overnight canoe adventure we agreed that a pup tent would be unnecessary. The forecast was for clear weather. Any boating activity required knowledge of weather and safety associated with it. It was my job to go to the weather report location to ensure that we would be risk free. Along with my CIT the six of us had paddled off to our chosen destination around 11am that day. As we paddled we sang or just listened to the swooshing sound of our paddles. When necessary we munched on snacks and drank water to keep up our energy.
We arrived at our destination around 6pm. Once the canoes were secured we set up our site. We organized a little fire pit in a safe location, put some rocks around it, adding twigs and kindling into the pit and when we had a small fire, moved on to some logs from stuff that we had gathered. By 7:30 we were warming our dinner camp style, dehydrated food packages opened and then wet and heated before consumption. Not the gourmet meal these girls were used to! After eating, then cleaning our dishes we just sat around relaxing and sharing by talking, sketching or journalling. Around 9:30pm we were ready to unroll our sleeping bags and lay them onto groundsheets ready for our sleepover.
We made sure that our fire was completely out and that we had set aside kindling and twigs under cover for the morning. And our food was hung from a tree branch away from us. Then we climbed into our bags. There's something very grand about lying on the ground in the middle of nowhere and staring up at the night sky! The stars just seem to twinkle more brightly. As we lay there we tried to figure out some of the basic star arrangements like the Big Dipper and so on. Gradually all the girls drifted off to sleep and it was my turn. I tucked my thick lensed glasses close by my head and dosed off lightly. It seems when one has responsibility for others' well being one ear remains on alert.
Thump, thump, thump came the noise and vibration. I quickly recognized it to be running horses. They were heading right towards us probably on their way to the lake for a drink. My heart pounded at the thought of us being trampled. As I grabbed for my glasses I awakened my CIT. Together we turned on our flashlights waving them as we listened. The horses got our message! Smart! They detoured around us.
I thanked my CIT for supporting my plan. Then as I crawled back into my sleeping bag, satisfied that we were okay, a warm feeling came over me under the moonlight. I realized that I was going to have my campfire breakfast in a very special place, one shared by many of nature's creatures including the horses. And it would be my 23rd birthday! Could anything top that?
July was exceptionally special that year. On the eve of the 21st all the campers and counsellors were requested to go for a pow wow set on a cleared hill, but surrounded by forest wilderness yet near to the main lodge. There we were to seat ourselves facing an enormous white movie screen. Odd. This was very much out of our usual evening activities since electronic devices were not allowed. At first it was thought that the Labbett's were starting a movie night activity and decided to surprise us. We had not had any prior discussion to a this type of pow wow. There was intense curiosity growing as everyone waited. Then the sound system came on and Mr.Labbett announced why we were summoned to the screen. We were to witnessed something unusual, something that would become an historical event on the globe. Camp Oconto wanted to include its staff and campers to be a part of that infamous lunar moment when Neil Armstrong stepped out and onto the moon. It happened there on that screen.
Us perched on a hillside outdoors surrounded by forests with the moon shining down as we sat staring at a huge white screen oohing and awing at Armstrong was a grand juxtaposition! And as I write these words I'm reliving those moments. The emotions experienced then still send shivers down my spine.
Oconto 1969 was a truly memorable summer. It gave me a renewed sense of self worth and the feeling that I was ready to tackle the next phase of my life, teaching.
And what were you up to back then?
Camp Oconto is a prestigious camp for girls. Campers come from all over the world to spend time in the Canadian beautiful wilderness. Being from upper class environments this place is chosen for them to learn some of the more rustic ways. Camp fire lighting, cooking over a fire, pitching a small pup tent, canoeing and much more was in store for them. In the senior section four teens had one counsellor. They would live together while their counsellor would reside close by. I was assigned counsellor for a teen group. The younger campers had other arrangements. Not surprising, many of the campers were repeat clients. While some stayed for the entire eight weeks, others came for four and a few for two. Some were sent to improve their skills in spoken English. Others came to enjoy the boating skills or the equestrian ones. All campers were given the best experiences. All staff was carefully screened and selected by the Labbetts who owned and operated the camp at that time. The camper's family was able to preselect activities and the counsellors were given campers according to those selections. I was one of the staff selected for canoe trips.
So for our small overnight canoe adventure we agreed that a pup tent would be unnecessary. The forecast was for clear weather. Any boating activity required knowledge of weather and safety associated with it. It was my job to go to the weather report location to ensure that we would be risk free. Along with my CIT the six of us had paddled off to our chosen destination around 11am that day. As we paddled we sang or just listened to the swooshing sound of our paddles. When necessary we munched on snacks and drank water to keep up our energy.
We arrived at our destination around 6pm. Once the canoes were secured we set up our site. We organized a little fire pit in a safe location, put some rocks around it, adding twigs and kindling into the pit and when we had a small fire, moved on to some logs from stuff that we had gathered. By 7:30 we were warming our dinner camp style, dehydrated food packages opened and then wet and heated before consumption. Not the gourmet meal these girls were used to! After eating, then cleaning our dishes we just sat around relaxing and sharing by talking, sketching or journalling. Around 9:30pm we were ready to unroll our sleeping bags and lay them onto groundsheets ready for our sleepover.
We made sure that our fire was completely out and that we had set aside kindling and twigs under cover for the morning. And our food was hung from a tree branch away from us. Then we climbed into our bags. There's something very grand about lying on the ground in the middle of nowhere and staring up at the night sky! The stars just seem to twinkle more brightly. As we lay there we tried to figure out some of the basic star arrangements like the Big Dipper and so on. Gradually all the girls drifted off to sleep and it was my turn. I tucked my thick lensed glasses close by my head and dosed off lightly. It seems when one has responsibility for others' well being one ear remains on alert.
Thump, thump, thump came the noise and vibration. I quickly recognized it to be running horses. They were heading right towards us probably on their way to the lake for a drink. My heart pounded at the thought of us being trampled. As I grabbed for my glasses I awakened my CIT. Together we turned on our flashlights waving them as we listened. The horses got our message! Smart! They detoured around us.
I thanked my CIT for supporting my plan. Then as I crawled back into my sleeping bag, satisfied that we were okay, a warm feeling came over me under the moonlight. I realized that I was going to have my campfire breakfast in a very special place, one shared by many of nature's creatures including the horses. And it would be my 23rd birthday! Could anything top that?
July was exceptionally special that year. On the eve of the 21st all the campers and counsellors were requested to go for a pow wow set on a cleared hill, but surrounded by forest wilderness yet near to the main lodge. There we were to seat ourselves facing an enormous white movie screen. Odd. This was very much out of our usual evening activities since electronic devices were not allowed. At first it was thought that the Labbett's were starting a movie night activity and decided to surprise us. We had not had any prior discussion to a this type of pow wow. There was intense curiosity growing as everyone waited. Then the sound system came on and Mr.Labbett announced why we were summoned to the screen. We were to witnessed something unusual, something that would become an historical event on the globe. Camp Oconto wanted to include its staff and campers to be a part of that infamous lunar moment when Neil Armstrong stepped out and onto the moon. It happened there on that screen.
Us perched on a hillside outdoors surrounded by forests with the moon shining down as we sat staring at a huge white screen oohing and awing at Armstrong was a grand juxtaposition! And as I write these words I'm reliving those moments. The emotions experienced then still send shivers down my spine.
Oconto 1969 was a truly memorable summer. It gave me a renewed sense of self worth and the feeling that I was ready to tackle the next phase of my life, teaching.
And what were you up to back then?
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