Sunday May 25 2008

Well the weekend that started out cold and very damp turned into a spectacular spring day today on the island. I put on shorts and a tee shirt and walked around town. It was filled with the smells of the gardeners and fresh cut lawns, and a few new blossoms. The tulips are up and some decorate my living room. Shel spent a lot of time here yesterday, at some food and was then off to do here weekend errands. She is submitting her excellent "Cathy the Clown" story to a Tucson writing contest. It is wonderful story based on fact. Shel befriended a bathroom attendant at a hi-end restaurant we used to frequent in Scottsdale. The lady was poor but very sweet, and volunteered at a children's hospital. The story is based on Shel's conversations with that special lady. It sure seems a long time since we were together in Arizona. Shel's blog, http://writervita.blogspot.com shows many Arizona photos and stories. It is sad she has left me out of the tale, as she has to keep her family from knowing that we are still close friends. The old German farmer thing-you break-up and you can't remain close. In many ways, Shel and I are closer than when we were always together. She is part of my family and shall remain so.

Very quiet Sunday as always. I was reading the parable of the feeding of the 5000 in the book of John. I love that one, and knowing that God can do anything in this troubled world is a great comfort to me. I heard from my old fishing buddy, my lonely old friend Philip Benjamin in Towanda. He was off to help his friend Carol, who is 85, cut grass. He really wants me to move back that way to go fishing. I told him I had decided to return to work and may stay here in the Maritimes, or maybe try Phoenix again. It becomes an issue of money at this point, as Joey is now quite concerned about college funds.

My contacts in New Brunswick said I may be able to remain on the island and still do some work there for them. It would probably be best to be in the office there during the week, which is very doable. I don't know much about the Phoenix position, and am supposed to meet there in about 2 weeks. I am sure that the correct choice will show itself. I really don't like the idea of permanently leaving the island, but that may change. Shel has been sweet, helpful, and very nice about the whole issue.

I would have loved to have made this a beach day, but its pretty chilly by the water. I spent some time in the little military memorial park by the house, in the warm sun. Kids were skipping stones bored at the little pond there. The pond needs some goldfish, which I may donate. I can hear the spring peepers in the evening here, in town. That sound is deeply stirring to me, with memories of springs long past. I often think that the sounds of the peepers, frogs, toads were the sound of spring long before there were any birds on this planet.

So a simple dinner tonight and I have some reading to catch up on, and there is usually a movie on Sunday evenings. It has gotten tough to find one here I haven't yet seen. They seem to repeat them. Erin Brockovich is on again. I did show that film to my environmental class at Gateway College. I really enjoyed teaching, and may return to it someday. I had a dream of creating a practical 2 year environmental degree in technology. That way, students could obtain real field skills and be certified to work in the industry with a two year degree. Maybe I can pursue that at some point.

Missing the kids, and as the time approaches to head home, I am thoughtful.

May 18, 2008 Wonderful PEI weekend

Today is Sunday and as the sun sets here on Prince Edward Island I am filled with good feelings generated by a truly great weekend. I went dancing with some friends on Saturday night. I am truly amazed as I continue to feel the Appalachian buzz to this place. The music and heritage of many people I meet here could be or is an echo of the central mountains some 1000 miles south of this place. Shel is enjoying her time out at the cottages. There is no phone or Internet and I sense a bit of "modern withdrawal" in her. So she stopped by to use the wireless and call some friends. We had a nice lunch and went shopping a bit-now our island stores open again in anticipation of the tourist season, soon to begin.

Ill be driving Shel's car to my Meeting in Moncton on Thursday. It will be easier on gas, and I enjoy driving her little car. Ill be driving my old Blazer back for the graduation, probably departing the island on June 1. I am pretty excited about it. I am also supposed to fly to Phoenix as an old colleague needs an office manager in Tempe. There are distinct advantages for me to stay here in Atlantic Canada. I am very excited about looking at some military facilities here, as well as some aging disused industrial sites begging for assessment and remediation. I am very excited about those opportunities as well. Phoenix beckons, but mid-July in the Sonora desert after several years here in the Northeast cool is likely to be a shock to the system.

Headhunters keep calling, but I am going to limit myself to only the best situations. Also, its nice to be close to family here on this coast. The cards will fall where they may. Shel will be busy all summer. Joey is working but for the week or so he has taken off for our fishing trip to Towanda and maybe Westline. Alexis is deeply involved with a boyfriend and her social network, and probably won't have time for dad. I think she is a bit angry with me-after all, I have been on the road almost since she was born. If not just plain work, constant travel with the Army. But I wouldn't trade my military experience for anything. The finest people I have worked with.

I had a nice call with Joey yesterday. He was pretty together and heading out to work. I need to get him a car. Mom gave his to her boyfriend and its seems permanent, and very unfair.
The weather has been fantastic. But for an icy cold ripple of rain that moved through earlier today, its been sunny and very nice. That cold sea breeze seems always with us, along the shore here until mid-July. Its an idyllic place to live, quiet and friendly. If I have to move to New Brunswick, I will cherish weekends here when I can visit. Shel said we can alternate, her visiting me wherever I go, as always, and me here as time allows.
Its shaping up to be a good summer.