Travelling Gypsy

I've been a travelling Gypsy.

I left Yellowknife last Saturday, and flew the afternoon and night away, landing in Halifax early Sunday morning.

My illustrious hosts, Monique and Eric, doubled as my chauffeurs to and from the airport, and up and back from Miramichi.

Sunday, we drove to Miramichi.

Monday, we attended the loudest liveliest wake the funeral home has ever seen. A lovely tribute to Nana's long and enthusiastic life.

Tuesday, we attended and participated in the funeral, then drove back to Halifax.

Wednesday, a massive snowstorm hit Halifax. The snow was wet and slushy. 34 cm in total, I am told. Monique and I went into the city, and I managed to see my friend Genevieve for lunch. The snow put a blanket over any other plans to see my other Haligonian pals.

Thursday, early in the morning (even earlier Yellowknife time), Monique dropped me off at the airport.

I bought four lobsters to bring back to Eli and Gramma, as an East Coast treat. I had excellent connections, which would put me back in Yellowknife that afternoon.

My flight was scheduled to leave on time.

But, it didn't.

The weather meant that the flight arriving from Calgary was a wee bit late, and we were a wee bit late again taking off.

On the plane, I almost fainted.

Anyone who knows me well, knows that this is not a terribly unusual thing. In high school, I would regularly faint in church. My poor dad... I can't count how many times he would catch me, passing out on the way up to communion, carry me out of the basilica, set me in a snowbank and wait for me to come to. I could hear things, but I couldn't see things. Every thing would be white, and I couldn't really respond. It's like being underwater. It is sometimes triggered by heat or smells (like incense), and sometimes by nothing at all.

So, I felt... odd... on the plane. I was in the first row, and stood up to see the flight attendant. I felt a bit nauseous at the same time, so I asked her for Gravol.

I wavered a bit.  I grabbed the wall.

She took one look at me, and made me sit.

Apparently, I was WHITE.

Then, she paged for a doctor on board.  You know, just in case I hadn't drawn enough attention to myself.

Dear Lord. As if I wasn't embarrassed enough.

Two young doctors came to my seat.

They took my blood pressure (very low, as usual, but reasonable), and listened to my heart rate (about 72-- fine).

I insisted that I was fine.

I had water.

And juice.

And a cup full of ice cubes.

And I went through about a dozen very cold cloths, as my body temperature was high and I was warming them up as fast as the flight attendants were bringing them.

Then, they wanted to call ahead to Calgary for an ambulance to meet me at the gate.

Please, NO.

I insisted that this was not unusual, and I would be fine.

They kept on checking.

Luckily, it was a 6 hour flight (luckily? did I just type that?), and I had an opportunity to get myself under control and was very convincing, insisting that an ambulance was unnecessary.

When I got off the flight in Calgary, it was clear that I did not make my connecting flight. It left an hour before we landed.

Westjet was great, and put me in a hotel for last night, and gave me vouchers for my meals. I was quite impressed with their swift service.

I also got another visit in with my Aunt Mary and Uncle Francis, and I got to see my cousin Tara briefly with her kids. First, Mary brought me to her place for a bagel and milk to settle my stomach. And, supper

And, Mary and I shopped. Why not?

So, I'm in Edmonton now. I'm happy to report that today's flight has been uneventful. And, in a few hours, I'll get to see Eli and my girls.

And, don't worry.

The four Pinchies spent the night in the hotel's fridge, and were sent through security this morning. In fact, they are sitting right by my feet as I type.

Bringing lobsters from the East to the West, and then North, invites a lot of comments from envious travellers. I've had many offers for people to take them off my hands. I think that the lobsters are more likely to be snatched than even my laptop (not that I worry about either, really).

Celebrating My Nana

My Nana completed her lifelong journey today.   

She was 96 years old.

That's a whole lot of birthday cakes!!

There is not doubt that she lead a long, full life.

Nonetheless, we are all going to miss her.

I got on an airplane this afternoon to make my way back to my hometown to honour her and to spend time with the family that would not exist, in part, without her and my Pépère.

I'm in an airport right now, waiting for a connection.  I'll be flying all night.  Maybe I'm a little closer to Nana and Pépère up in that plane. 

Now, I have lots of memories on my Nana.  It's a total perk of having grown up in the same town with both sets of grandparents, and truly, I know how lucky I am.

I remember snatching green onions from her little garden along the driveway.

I remember politely accepting the hot, squishy apples that she would leave on the window sill thinking that this would make them redder and ripen like tomatoes.  For the record, this did NOT.

I remember her meat pies every Christmas Eve, and I'm so glad that I know how to make them for my own family every year.  Acadian meat pies are best served with dry potatoes and frozen peas and carrots.  Mmm.

I remember her making jokes.  A lot.  And, I remember laughing at them no matter how often I heard the same one.

Oh, and her jokes got dirtier as she aged.  I would sometimes blush.  Nana!

I remember her spending a day with me when I ran Science summer camps at Discovery Centre.  She had a city-bus-load of kids eating out of the palm of her hand.  They all called her Nana.

I remember her spending days with me at the university, while I attended classes.  She was up for anything!  And, she was always proud.

I remember grabbing onto her as we went on the Log Flume at Upper Clement's Park in Nova Scotia for her birthday.  Her NINETIETH birthday, Nana wanted to go on the log roller coaster (floating on a current of water)!  I sat right behind her, and she STOOD UP as we were getting ready to go down the chute.  I grabbed onto my Nana, Eli grabbed onto me, picturing the two little ones flying out of the log, and my Mom just hid her face in Eli's back, too scared to look.  Ah.  That was a blast!!!  Everyone in the park applauded her.  She got off soaked and exhilerated.  Satisfied to have celebrated her 90th birthday in a memorable way.

I remember her sitting in the arm chair of her TV room with Pépère.  They were both so small they would easily fit.  And, every lunch hour, they would watch Bob Barker on the Price if Right.  They thought he was swell.

I remember her missing Pépère.  Not one Christmas tag would be written out without her putting "Love, Nana and Pépère xoxoxoxo."  Not one in the 15 years since he completed his trips around the sun.

Mostly, I remember her as so completely human.  Faults.  Lively.  Lovely.

There is a lot to learn about just that: 

we are all human, and no one is perfect.

And we are all loved.

Nana loved to celebrate with her family, and she was always happy to have visitors.  And parties, when lots of people could come.

She would often sit contentedly, just happy to witness the business all around her. 

So content with the generations who love her. 

The men were manly. 

Her children are all grandparents

Many of her grandchildren are parents. 

It really is a wonderful thing! 

Kids would be kids. 

And, we all knew to have a few spare changes of clothes when the family unites.

 

She was just so happy to be. 

Generations will continue to grow... 

And we all know to look back and cherish the memories and to pass on the stories.

And, to live in the present. 

And the future.

And to cherish the past.

Nana and me with Little Miss G 

Nana and Little Miss A

Nana loves her kids. 

  And we all love her right back.

She danced at many of our weddings. 

Often, out-dancing many of the youngin's

(Possibly looking better than the groom?) 

And, certainly, cracking up the bride.

She would never say no to a dance request.  I remember seeing Mark take Nana to the dance floor and calling out, "Don't break my Nana!"  He didn't.

So, please, if there is music in your life, DANCE!

It's always hard to see someone so full of zest and life begin so slow down, but you see, her body deserved to rest and retire from all that dancing.  And the BINGO.

So, we would just adjust our pace to match hers. 

And give her some extra lovin'. 

In exchange for some happy smiles...

...and knowing looks.

 I'm not sure who treasured the visits more. Us or her.

We'll continue to treasure it all.

Visits with Gramma and Grampa

Last weekend.  Not, this one that just past, the but one before that.  You know.  About 10 days ago or so...

We went to Gramma and Grampa's church and got to enjoy the sultry sounds of Gramma's voice accompanying her guitar as she helped to lead the worship.  The girls, naturally, obliged by dancing up a storm. 

Then, the girls joined the other kids with Pastor Al for a prayer before heading to Sunday School.  Colouring (Miss G) and Veggie Tales (Miss A) are their main priorities, and the messages still sink in.  Fun AND learning values.  How novel.  Oh.  And, my girls girls are cute.  Just thought I'd point that out.  Miss A is cutely sitting next to Pastor Al wearing blue, and Miss G is cutely attentive in front of Pastor Al wearing purple. Cute.

Then, we got a double treat as Grampa read a passage from the Bible.  He reads it like he means it, and he does.  Everyone enjoys his readings.  And, I like his pocket gear.

On our way home from church, we passed these ptarmigans running along the road.  They are in the grouse family.  They are loosely related to partridge and pheasants.  Not too bright.   Not the sharpest buttons in the jar, as my friend Jody and I used to say.  But, cute.

We also regularly pass dog sled teams training, so it's my goal to get you a good picture very soon.

The next weekend.  That is, this very latest weekend.  As in, three days ago (four if you are reading this early Thursday on the East Coast)...  Well, anyways.  I had to write up my report cards, so I spent most of Saturday in my classroom editing and reflecting.  Eli took the girls out and about.   

The girls had been asking to see the pilot monument that is visible as you enter Yellowknife from the airport, so that was their first stop. 

Then, they went sledding!!  It was about -16 degrees Celsius, and they were toasty warm in their snowsuits, and Eli in his parka. 

Then, the girls went to Gramma and Grampa's house.  Here, they are helping Gramma make dessert... pecan pie. 

So, I finished work, and went home to drop off my school stuff before making the short walk to Gramma and Grampa's house.  -16.  Just thought I'd mention.   But, look how pretty -16 is!

There is this beautiful dewy frost that kisses the North and frames the trees beautifully. 

That same kissing frost also leaves this fine, impenetrable layers of perma-frost on cars.  No scrapper can dent it or chip it away.  This picture is taken after I attacked this window.  It is a really pointless exercise to fight this frost.  Even Jack Frost would be wearing thermal long johns up here! 

Solution:  Having Eli park my car in our heated garage over night.  Thawed and visible! 

So, I arrived to Gramma's cooking (stuffed roast chicken and whipped mashed potatoes) and this glorious pecan pie for dessert. 

We got to take some home, and it was supper AND dessert for me after school one night.  Muahahaha!! 

You can't stop me. 

Back off. 

I need some meat on my bones. 

So, around 7:00 pm, we bundled up the girls and pulled them back home.  Cute, right?  I told you so! 

No more waggon...  The sled works wonderfully, because the snow is not cleared to the road, and the sled glides easily across.  It was lightly snowing and about -17 with the wind. 

In our warm suits and parkas we were warm and toasty. 

And, oh-so-full with many thanks to Gramma and Grampa for their hospitality.

11/11/11

This morning, here, like in many other towns and cities in Canada, there was a Remembrance Day parade.  Eli was in the parade, too.

The girls and I went to the indoor ceremony, where the girls participated as wreath layers representing our school. 

They were pretty impressed to see reserved seats with their names on them. 

It was really nice to see youths taking the day seriously, and playing important roles in the ceremony. 

There girls really enjoyed watching the flags being marched to the front of the ceremony. 

Eli arrived with the rest of the military members, and managed to find an empty chair right next to us, so Miss A took advantage and snuggled right in. Ceremonies can be long for little ones, but each year I find they are understanding more and more.  This year, Miss G understood that it was "serious," and both were very well-behaved for the one-and-a-half-hour ceremony.

The girls came up with me to get the wreath. 

(Miss A is staring at the poppy scrape on her wrist.)