I have been a 'Westerner' since the day I moved to Ft.McMurray with my hubby and a wee little Samuel. It was Canada Day, 1990, and I remember it like it was yesterday! Twenty-one years have come and gone, and our experiences and adventures have been many. Julia arrived, Heidi joined our family, new friends were made, homes were bought and sold, jobs changed, travel was enjoyed, our children finished school, and Paul and I aged gracefully (!?). Twenty-one years of living in the West, and yet my heart still belongs to the Maritimes. No matter where life takes me, the Maritimes will always be 'home'.
This summer, big changes loom for this Galbraith clan. Our home here is 'For Sale', and we are preparing to move to the Montreal area. Julia is counting the days until she moves into residence and begins life as a student at St.Thomas University. And Sam will truly strike out on his own, as he stays here in Edmonton and follows his dreams through his love of music.
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| A Summer's eve in Saint John |
A busy, and exciting summer to be sure. And the icing on the cake?... we have tickets booked to go home. Color me happy from head to toe and inside out!
I am counting the days 'til that date in August when all things 'home' welcome me with open arms. A magical place any time of year, but the summers have that little extra 'je ne sais qoi'. It's the charm and history of downtown Saint John, the buzz of the city market, and the bustle of cruise ship visitors. It's the quaintness of St.Martin's and the breath-taking Fundy Trail. It's a picnic at New River Beach and a dip in the very refreshing Bay of Fundy. It's the Gondola Point ferry, the Westfield ferry, and the Bellisle ferry, all taking me to wonderful memories of summers past. If I'm lucky, it's a visit to Halifax and the beautiful southern shore of Nova Scotia. Or an escape to Prince Edward Island where the sand sings and the dunes glisten. It's a day trip to St.Andrew's where the salt air tingles my skin, and family laughter is guaranteed. It's a walk through the Irving Nature Park and always... always, a stroll down the Frog Trail to look for skipping stones, and to have a quiet moment to remember my Dad. It's browsing through the "Antique Shoppe' at the Kingston Peninsula corner store, where unique treasures are sure to be found. It's a crazy day touring Deer Island and looking for 'Lou-Anne'. It's indulging in all my favorite foods... Bay of Fundy scallops, Atlantic salmon, Deluxe Fish 'n Chips, Greco Donair, Pizza Delight, Ganong's Roman Nougat, and nibblies with a cold Alpine at the 'Raddishburg Cafe'. It's a visit to the Owl's Nest Used Bookstore in Fredericton, braving dust and battling allergies, to score a classic old edition by a beloved author. It's a stop at 'Mr. Potato Head' for 'totally-to-die-for-spoon bread' and the freshest of nature's bounty. It's driving the old road down the river and back to the country, breathing in the heady scent of grass, wildflowers, water and sky. It's a photo safari day to anywhere and everywhere, capturing images of old and new. And it's the people. Family. Friends. Dorothy sure knew what she was talking about when she said..."There's no place like home."
| Saint John City Market |
Keep on keeping on... bArB :)
