POST #6
A ROOM WITH A VIEW
As the sun rises over the harbour, I sit here on the second floor of a house that was built in 1905 and take in the view that surrounds me. How lucky am I to be given the opportunity to housesit here. Back in 1905 this would have been a very different place than now, and I wonder what the thoughts were of the people who lived here then?
On a late November morning in 1905 I imagine that one of the thoughts at the forefront of anyone living here was how to keep the house warm. I am living in an area that was one of the big coal mining locations in BC back then, and no doubt at this time of the day someone would have put a few lumps of coal in the stove to heat the place. All I do in 2011, is turn a dial and the heat is produced as if by magic. How soft our lives have become since 1905.
I peek out the window over the top of my computer screen and I have a commanding view of Gabriola island, which is just a short ferry ride away. In 1905 there might have been a few small boats crossing the channel to what would have been a very sparsly populated island. Maybe even the owner of this house was thinking how someday it would be nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of busy Nanaimo and settle on Gabriola. Or maybe, as already stated, they were just thinking about keeping warm.
If I wander over to the north end of the house going through the kitchen and dining room I come to the main living area. A bay window provides an extensive view from south to north, and two other islands, Protection, and Newcastle island come in to view. The bay window area is also where the queen of the house spends a big part of her day. Her name is Myrtle, and on a morning like this one, with the sun streaming through the window, and having just come back from her morning walk she has assumed the position, lying stretched out on her feather pillows keeping an eye on all the goings on in the neighbourhood, that is, at least when she isn't snoozing away. She wouldn't want to hear this but she seems to act more catlike than doglike. Once she is up on her perch, she's happy to just sleep a big portion of the day away, no doubt storing up energy for the next walk her new dogsitter will take her on. Ah, what a life she has. Tomorrow will mark a week since my arrival and Myrtle has already managed to work her way into my heart. We have a couple more weeks together and the bond will only get stronger as the time passes. Of course the fact that I take her for plenty of walks and then give her treats when she gets home also helps her to think that I am worth her time.
Myrtle and I could easily spend hours right here at the window, just watching the world go by, and on the rainy days that is exactly what we have done. But todays sunshine will beckon us to spend as much time outdoors as possible and we'll both be happy as a result. Over the next two weeks I expect Myrtle will be teaching me a thing or two, and I will be a wiser human as a result.
The view takes in the surrounding neighbourhood and the majority of the houses are of an older vintage, mostly single storey and very modest in size. Again I am struck by how little space people really thought they needed back then, as I mentioned in an earlier blog. The bigger the house, the more it cost to heat in the winter, and even though the area here was abundant in coal, it would have been an expense that quite probably constituted a large portion of the daily budget.
I wonder if in the not too distant future, people will be having to pay more attention to the cost of their heating bills? When that time comes, smaller will equal better.
As my time passes here, I look forward to exploring more of the community with my four legged mate, Myrtle.
A DAY TO REMEMBER
I think of him only from time to time now, however on November 28th each year, I think of him the most. The man I am talking about was my dad, and today if he were still alive he would have been celebrating his 95th birthday. Sadly he only made it to the age of 67, and so much has gone on since his passing, I wonder how he would have viewed the world in 2011? How does anyone at 95 view the world? By that age, I imagine that life boils down to just a few simple things, to keep the wheels turning just one more day at a time.
Time has allowed me to forget most of the moments that dad and I disagreed on things, however as I write these words I am reminded of a dinner table conversation between us that had us defending each others "rightness" so much that it made my dear mother start crying and through her tears telling us to "just stop". It was the first of only two times in my entire life that I saw my mom cry. The other time was the day my dad died. And writing these words now, is bringing a tear to my eyes all these years later. And when I try to think about what we were arguing about, I can't. And yet at the time, it just seemed so important.
But all in all, as far as father and son relationships go, ours was pretty damn good when I take in the big picture. Sure we had our disagreements, as most father/sons do, but in the greater scheme of things I count myself very fortunate to have had him as a father, and of course I didn't appreciate him as much as I did until after he was gone. My tears flowed just as my mother's did, the day he died.
He loved me and taught me a good set of values and for that I will be thankful for the rest of my life. He's long gone, but certainly not forgotten, and so as I wind this blog up and get ready to take Queen Myrtle out for her second walk of the day, I'll use that time to think about dad, and talk to Myrtle about him. Maybe she can give me some advice on how to deal with my feelings today. Dogs are pretty smart you know.
Back again on December 7th.
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
THOUGHTFUL: showing consideration for others; occupied with or given to thought; contemplative; meditative. WANDERER: moving from place to place without a fixed plan; or having no permanent residence; nomadic.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING FORWARD
POST #5
The Air New Zealand DC-10,Flight TE901 rolled down the runway at Auckland airport and moments later it was airborne and setting a course for Antarctica.
The date was November 21st, 1978. I had spent the previous day in the Auckland suburb of Devonport with some fellow travellers playing frisbee and then testing out our tolerance to Kiwi beer until the pub closed, after which we contemplated driving a ferry across the Auckland harbour (but that's another story.) The bottom line was that the Devonport experience had made for a fitful night of sleep at the youth hostel, as I didn't want to miss out on this adventure.
So even though my head was a bit fuzzy on the take off roll, after some inflight coffee I was as right as rain, as they say down south, and looking out the window, Mt. Egmont passed under the wing. This was going to be a fantastic day.
Air New Zealand had only started these sightseeing flights the year before, so it was still a unique experience. The highlights of the trip were too numerous to mention however a couple that come to mind all these years later was being in the cockpit while a fellow passenger talked to her daughter while we flew overhead the Antarctic base her daughter was working at. And of course flying over the smoking volcano of Mt Erebus was memorable as well. (Sadly, exactly one year and one week later on Nov. 28th 1979 the same flight would crash into Mt Erebus and leave no survivors.) Our journey came off without a hitch, and as we turned back north towards Christchurch the party atmosphere continued, as we all shared a few drinks and talked about our adventure. The stopover in Christchurch was required for refuelling and I took advantage of the layover to get in touch with a girl I had met earlier in the year in Australia. Jenny came out to visit me at the airport, and the time seemed to get away from us. Soon I was being gently tapped on the shoulder by a flight attendant asking me to come along as the flight was awaiting my arrival. I walked across the tarmac thinking that every eye on board was looking down at me and saying to themselves, "There's the idiot who is delaying our departure back to Auckland." Most likely though, they were just continuing on with their chatter about the day we had just experienced.
In all honesty, I really don't remember much about the arrival back in Auckland but 33 years later I still remember the date.
November 21st, 2011 in comparison is very tame indeed. It will be memorable only for the fact that I say goodbye to my dog buddies of the last 3 weeks, Jackson and Peach, as their owners arrive home tonight from Hawaii. It will be a bit of a shock for them after weeks of sun and surf to come back to the cold and snow, but I'm sure Jackson and Peachs' welcome home will warm their hearts and help them to not think about the weather.
Looking forward from here, I spend tonight at my friends house here in Vancouver (one of whom was present 33 years ago in Devonport helping with our scientific testing of Lion Red beer on North Americans) and then tomorrow I head across Georgia Strait to Nanaimo to begin the next housesit. So it's goodbye to Jackson and Peach until next summer, and hello to Myrtle the dog in Nanaimo, and an opportunity to make a new four legged friend. It should be fun, and it will be great to get out of the big city again.
I'm looking forward to the week ahead and hopefully I will have something worthwhile to talk about next week.
Until then.
all the best,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
The Air New Zealand DC-10,Flight TE901 rolled down the runway at Auckland airport and moments later it was airborne and setting a course for Antarctica.
The date was November 21st, 1978. I had spent the previous day in the Auckland suburb of Devonport with some fellow travellers playing frisbee and then testing out our tolerance to Kiwi beer until the pub closed, after which we contemplated driving a ferry across the Auckland harbour (but that's another story.) The bottom line was that the Devonport experience had made for a fitful night of sleep at the youth hostel, as I didn't want to miss out on this adventure.
So even though my head was a bit fuzzy on the take off roll, after some inflight coffee I was as right as rain, as they say down south, and looking out the window, Mt. Egmont passed under the wing. This was going to be a fantastic day.
Air New Zealand had only started these sightseeing flights the year before, so it was still a unique experience. The highlights of the trip were too numerous to mention however a couple that come to mind all these years later was being in the cockpit while a fellow passenger talked to her daughter while we flew overhead the Antarctic base her daughter was working at. And of course flying over the smoking volcano of Mt Erebus was memorable as well. (Sadly, exactly one year and one week later on Nov. 28th 1979 the same flight would crash into Mt Erebus and leave no survivors.) Our journey came off without a hitch, and as we turned back north towards Christchurch the party atmosphere continued, as we all shared a few drinks and talked about our adventure. The stopover in Christchurch was required for refuelling and I took advantage of the layover to get in touch with a girl I had met earlier in the year in Australia. Jenny came out to visit me at the airport, and the time seemed to get away from us. Soon I was being gently tapped on the shoulder by a flight attendant asking me to come along as the flight was awaiting my arrival. I walked across the tarmac thinking that every eye on board was looking down at me and saying to themselves, "There's the idiot who is delaying our departure back to Auckland." Most likely though, they were just continuing on with their chatter about the day we had just experienced.
In all honesty, I really don't remember much about the arrival back in Auckland but 33 years later I still remember the date.
November 21st, 2011 in comparison is very tame indeed. It will be memorable only for the fact that I say goodbye to my dog buddies of the last 3 weeks, Jackson and Peach, as their owners arrive home tonight from Hawaii. It will be a bit of a shock for them after weeks of sun and surf to come back to the cold and snow, but I'm sure Jackson and Peachs' welcome home will warm their hearts and help them to not think about the weather.
Looking forward from here, I spend tonight at my friends house here in Vancouver (one of whom was present 33 years ago in Devonport helping with our scientific testing of Lion Red beer on North Americans) and then tomorrow I head across Georgia Strait to Nanaimo to begin the next housesit. So it's goodbye to Jackson and Peach until next summer, and hello to Myrtle the dog in Nanaimo, and an opportunity to make a new four legged friend. It should be fun, and it will be great to get out of the big city again.
I'm looking forward to the week ahead and hopefully I will have something worthwhile to talk about next week.
Until then.
all the best,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
Monday, November 14, 2011
HUNKERED DOWN IN VANCOUVER
POST #4 NOVEMBER 14 2011 THE LEAVES ARE FALLING FAST
So here it is November 14th already, which means it's time for the weekly blog once again. Considering that my days aren't very busy, it always amazes me just how fast a week can go by. Already I am two thirds of the way through this current housesit, and by the time next week rolls around it will be done and on to the next venue.
So it's been another week of being hunkered down in Vancouver, and with a mixed bag on the weather front, there have been moments when I have been very grateful to be inside, dry and warm. There are some who are not so fortunate, and I count my blessings daily. My dog companions Jackson and Peach even had times this week when they debated with each other whether or not it would be wise to go outside, or once outside they were soon staring at me through the window with a "LET ME IN NOW PAUL" look in their eyes.
When there has been a break in the cloud cover and rainshowers, I made sure to get out of the house for some exercise, not ever knowing for sure when the next cloudburst would take place.
Of course, none of this weather is unusual for this time of year in Vancouver and as long as one doesn't have to work outside in it, things aren't too bad really. I spared a thought this week for my former work mates at Aquabus Ferries who would have to brave the weather while they shuttled customers back and forth across False Creek.
So as autumn progresses, the landscape begins to change accordingly. One day I was relaxing on the couch while J and P were having a snooze, and I happened to be staring out the window, lost in thought, but with my eyes focused on a large tree. It had already lost a large amount of its leaves throughout the week as we had experienced some pretty good winds during that period. At this moment there was only a breeze blowing and the effect it had on the remaining leaves was to make them wave back and forth, back and forth. The thought I had while observing this was that the tree was like the world, and the leaves were the countries, and even though they were all still attached, there was a precarious feel about the whole situation. It seemed to be a metaphor for what is going on around the world at the moment. We are on the cusp of change, and going forward it's going to be very interesting to say the least as to what kind of world we end up with, and just how many leaves are going to be still attached as time marches on.
While I contmeplated the future, Jackson and Peach continued to snooze away, oblivious to the changes coming their way. There are times when I think it would better to have a dogs view of the world, that is, to have a more immediate view of what's going on, but humans have the ability to think into the future, and while that can bring about good things, it also has the effect of being able to paint a picture of a possible future by looking at what is going on in the present, and coming up with a potential outcome. And the leaves continued to wobble back and forth precariously on the edge of a fall.
But this morning the clouds have been blown away with a brisk wind, and the sun rises in the east as it always has and always will, and we face the day and try to make the best of it, all the time counting our blessings for what we have.
Jackson, Peach and I got our lazy butts off the couch, and decided to go out and cruise the neighbourhood and see what has changed or stayed the same since our last walk. For a while at least we can all think like dogs.
So here it is November 14th already, which means it's time for the weekly blog once again. Considering that my days aren't very busy, it always amazes me just how fast a week can go by. Already I am two thirds of the way through this current housesit, and by the time next week rolls around it will be done and on to the next venue.
So it's been another week of being hunkered down in Vancouver, and with a mixed bag on the weather front, there have been moments when I have been very grateful to be inside, dry and warm. There are some who are not so fortunate, and I count my blessings daily. My dog companions Jackson and Peach even had times this week when they debated with each other whether or not it would be wise to go outside, or once outside they were soon staring at me through the window with a "LET ME IN NOW PAUL" look in their eyes.
When there has been a break in the cloud cover and rainshowers, I made sure to get out of the house for some exercise, not ever knowing for sure when the next cloudburst would take place.
Of course, none of this weather is unusual for this time of year in Vancouver and as long as one doesn't have to work outside in it, things aren't too bad really. I spared a thought this week for my former work mates at Aquabus Ferries who would have to brave the weather while they shuttled customers back and forth across False Creek.
So as autumn progresses, the landscape begins to change accordingly. One day I was relaxing on the couch while J and P were having a snooze, and I happened to be staring out the window, lost in thought, but with my eyes focused on a large tree. It had already lost a large amount of its leaves throughout the week as we had experienced some pretty good winds during that period. At this moment there was only a breeze blowing and the effect it had on the remaining leaves was to make them wave back and forth, back and forth. The thought I had while observing this was that the tree was like the world, and the leaves were the countries, and even though they were all still attached, there was a precarious feel about the whole situation. It seemed to be a metaphor for what is going on around the world at the moment. We are on the cusp of change, and going forward it's going to be very interesting to say the least as to what kind of world we end up with, and just how many leaves are going to be still attached as time marches on.
While I contmeplated the future, Jackson and Peach continued to snooze away, oblivious to the changes coming their way. There are times when I think it would better to have a dogs view of the world, that is, to have a more immediate view of what's going on, but humans have the ability to think into the future, and while that can bring about good things, it also has the effect of being able to paint a picture of a possible future by looking at what is going on in the present, and coming up with a potential outcome. And the leaves continued to wobble back and forth precariously on the edge of a fall.
But this morning the clouds have been blown away with a brisk wind, and the sun rises in the east as it always has and always will, and we face the day and try to make the best of it, all the time counting our blessings for what we have.
Jackson, Peach and I got our lazy butts off the couch, and decided to go out and cruise the neighbourhood and see what has changed or stayed the same since our last walk. For a while at least we can all think like dogs.
Monday, November 7, 2011
SIMPLICITY- AND WHAT IS SAWAFAATRIAB?
POST #3 NOVEMBER 7 2011 YORKIES IN VANCOUVER
While out on my evening walk with my two Yorkshire Terrier friends last night in Vancouver, we strolled past a new house under construction. My doggie buddies wanted to stop of course to sniff out the construction site and leave their liquid calling cards, and as that was happening I had the opportunity to take a closer look. The first thing that struck me was the size of the garage. It was easily 4 times larger than my little cabin back in the Yukon and the thought going through my mind at that moment was about how much space is enough space for an individual to feel at home in. Naturally with a garage this size, the house was large as well. The neighbourhood I am currently living in was probably established in the late 1920's or so, and what becomes very obvious is the rather modest footprint of the established houses in the area. My guess would be that back then, there were probably more people per house than now, and yet this new house under construction would be at least two or maybe even three times the square footage of the older houses. I wonder how many people will occupy it when it is complete? When I was growing up in the '60's I lived in a house which would have been considered to most people who viewed it, a very modest 3 bedroom bungalow, with a semi developed basement. For a while we had 10 people living there, our family of seven, and my aunt and uncle and their daughter living downstairs. I can't say that I ever felt hard done by, due to the lack of room and in fact, plenty of our neighbours had similar size houses that were filled with all of us young baby boomers. Fast forward a generation, and we have smaller family sizes but much bigger houses. Something doesn't seem to add up here, at least not to this ageing baby boomer.
One of the benefits of being a housesitter is I get the opportunity to wander from place to place and compare the living arrangements of various communities. As a general rule, I would have to say that as time has marched on, house sizes have continued to expand and with that expansion of size also comes the corresponding expansion in the size of the mortgage, the taxes, the heating bill etc. etc. My guess is that in late 2011, there would be more than just a few people around the world wondering if they have taken on a bit more than they can chew. Perhaps as more time passes, a simpler lifestyle may become more attractive to more people. Only time will tell.
And on this note of simplicity, we finally come to the title of this weeks blog, and the answer to the question from the many emails I received asking me just what the heck does SAWAFAATRIAB mean, Paul???
Well for that we have to circle back to my little Yorkie buddies, and all of their four legged friends, which I have come to know and love over the many years I've been petsitting. You see, when you spend as much time as I do these days with animals you get to know what they need to get through their day, and it really is pretty simple. They need fresh air to breath, some clean water to drink and some food to eat. Whether I'm observing my pet friends, or watching a seagull go about its business, they all manage to get through their days as long as these things are taken care of. Of course, humans are no different, when it comes to needs. It's the wants that cause many of us to play the keeping up with the Jones' game. So a few weeks back, when I was on Orcas island I put together this string of letters which I thought captured the needs of life.
So SAWAFAATRIAB simply means; SOME AIR, WATER, AND FOOD AND ALL THE REST IS A BONUS.
The Yorkies and I left the construction zone and continued on our night time prowl through the neighbourhood, and as I pondered the complex issue of why it is that some people want so much, and others don't, all the dogs were probably thinking about was the drink of water and food treat that they were going to get once we arrived home. We would all go to bed content and happy tonight.
Until November 14th then,
all the best,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
Want Not, Lack Not
While out on my evening walk with my two Yorkshire Terrier friends last night in Vancouver, we strolled past a new house under construction. My doggie buddies wanted to stop of course to sniff out the construction site and leave their liquid calling cards, and as that was happening I had the opportunity to take a closer look. The first thing that struck me was the size of the garage. It was easily 4 times larger than my little cabin back in the Yukon and the thought going through my mind at that moment was about how much space is enough space for an individual to feel at home in. Naturally with a garage this size, the house was large as well. The neighbourhood I am currently living in was probably established in the late 1920's or so, and what becomes very obvious is the rather modest footprint of the established houses in the area. My guess would be that back then, there were probably more people per house than now, and yet this new house under construction would be at least two or maybe even three times the square footage of the older houses. I wonder how many people will occupy it when it is complete? When I was growing up in the '60's I lived in a house which would have been considered to most people who viewed it, a very modest 3 bedroom bungalow, with a semi developed basement. For a while we had 10 people living there, our family of seven, and my aunt and uncle and their daughter living downstairs. I can't say that I ever felt hard done by, due to the lack of room and in fact, plenty of our neighbours had similar size houses that were filled with all of us young baby boomers. Fast forward a generation, and we have smaller family sizes but much bigger houses. Something doesn't seem to add up here, at least not to this ageing baby boomer.
One of the benefits of being a housesitter is I get the opportunity to wander from place to place and compare the living arrangements of various communities. As a general rule, I would have to say that as time has marched on, house sizes have continued to expand and with that expansion of size also comes the corresponding expansion in the size of the mortgage, the taxes, the heating bill etc. etc. My guess is that in late 2011, there would be more than just a few people around the world wondering if they have taken on a bit more than they can chew. Perhaps as more time passes, a simpler lifestyle may become more attractive to more people. Only time will tell.
And on this note of simplicity, we finally come to the title of this weeks blog, and the answer to the question from the many emails I received asking me just what the heck does SAWAFAATRIAB mean, Paul???
Well for that we have to circle back to my little Yorkie buddies, and all of their four legged friends, which I have come to know and love over the many years I've been petsitting. You see, when you spend as much time as I do these days with animals you get to know what they need to get through their day, and it really is pretty simple. They need fresh air to breath, some clean water to drink and some food to eat. Whether I'm observing my pet friends, or watching a seagull go about its business, they all manage to get through their days as long as these things are taken care of. Of course, humans are no different, when it comes to needs. It's the wants that cause many of us to play the keeping up with the Jones' game. So a few weeks back, when I was on Orcas island I put together this string of letters which I thought captured the needs of life.
So SAWAFAATRIAB simply means; SOME AIR, WATER, AND FOOD AND ALL THE REST IS A BONUS.
The Yorkies and I left the construction zone and continued on our night time prowl through the neighbourhood, and as I pondered the complex issue of why it is that some people want so much, and others don't, all the dogs were probably thinking about was the drink of water and food treat that they were going to get once we arrived home. We would all go to bed content and happy tonight.
Until November 14th then,
all the best,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer
Want Not, Lack Not
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