Can it be Thanksgiving Time already?

An image from a perspective of a restaurant in New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island--taken last weekend when we travelled together with Lou's sister and her husband (Margie and Lloyd). Dinner by the way was spectacular. I loved the clouds. This picture was taken from the Halifax harbour.

This is the most recent book that i have read. What can i say about this book? Definitely gave me a new window of understanding in regards to slavery, the deplorable way in which people treated others, the outright exploitation that occurred in the mid 1700s, how Nova Scotia's history was affected by the black slaves, the strength, grace, beauty that emerged from a life of one young girl slave who suffered immeasurably, but gave so much to the world.

Art produced by the ocean along Lawrencetown Beach! God's presence is everywhere. It is intriguing and wonderful at the same time to watch for signs of his presence in our world.

And so, it is Thanksgiving Season. Yesterday when we were in the Halifax Market, we were reminded by all the beautiful fresh vegetables, the free range turkeys, fresh cranberries (which i have also picked on the lake front part of our yard). Thankfulness opens our hearts and minds to recognize and to receive the gifts that God brings into our lives. Sometimes the gifts are surprise packages.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Seasons

This past week I have had opportunity to ride my bike, often along the Trans Canada trail close to our home. Salt Marsh Trail, as seen below, is a section of the path that leads into the Cole Harbour area. Salt Marsh connects to the Atlantic Trail which is at Lawrencetown Beach. Bike riding is so very much fun for me...I love the freedom, kind of abandonment from daily anxieties when I am biking. It is a time when I pray for my friends and family, experience God's presence in the breezes, new sights, forestry smells.

These are rose hips connected to this bush, not tomatoes. Rosehips are one of the signs of fall that we are noticing these days. Other signs that the next season is upon us is that our warm, summery days become cooler at 5:30 or 6 p.m. The temperature dipped down to 6 degrees Celsius last night, some of the leaves on the trees are just starting to change colours, days are shorter. Of course, school has begun anew. I am learning anew to embrace all of these gifts that God gives. As a friend reminded me--

"Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him." Romans 12 TLB

Anniversary Celebration Tour 2009

Andrey walking with a young child in a Calgary stream.

Walking over the railroad bridge in Saskatoon.

Same bridge, different vantage point.

On the Rotary trail by the Vedder River in Chilliwack, B.C.

Earlier this year our children asked us to set aside August 16th as a day that they would like to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. (From an earlier post you know that our anniversary was on June 7/09) Being the obedient parents that we are, we complied with our childrens' request. We also decided to extend the celebration by visiting some friends on the West Coast, and in Calgary after the celebration of August 16 in Saskatoon

It was an awesome time of visiting with family and friends and at the end of the time it really feels like we have decidedly marked 40 years of marriage.

Some of the highlights for us were the one on one visits, walks, coffee times, dinner, karaoke production in Saskatoon. We saw some talent that had been rather hidden until now. Movie footage has been widely viewed in private homes and on facebook accounts. There was a re-enacted wedding processional with those who were in the bridal party some forty years ago. Some of the props were original wedding gear from that day of June 7/69. All of our siblings were present helping us to celebrate in some way. We are so thankful for that.

Home Again

A beautiful sunrise scene (taken just outside our front door).

Some produce from our little garden.

Evening at our lake--Lou and I were sitting out here a few nights ago, enjoying a campfire.

Since coming home from our "Celebration Tour" of our 40th wedding anniversary, we have been enjoying many moments of reflection and being so very thankful for all the gifts God has given us--including our beautiful children and their spouses, our extended families, fresh air to breathe, protection in storms, quiet moments by the fire, enjoying God's handiwork in the form of the heavens and stars, work, energy to take care of a yard, health, freedom to make choices about what we do from day to day, eyes to see...

Happy 40th Anniversary Week!

Henri Nouwen said that "Celebration is not just a way to make people feel good for a while; it is the way in which faith in the God of life is lived out; through both laughter and tears. Thus celebration goes beyond ritual, custom and tradition. it is the unceasing affirmation that underneath all the ups and downs of life there flows a solid current of joy."

This past week we have had a meal in our motorhome, Sylvia, to remember some past happy times camping. Sunday we had a fun canoe ride on Porter's Lake After a breakfast at Lisa and Mike's we were directed to a new-to-us hiking zone. They also sent us a wonderful picnic lunch. Taylor Head Provincial Park--all in one afternoon we experienced brilliant sunshine, fog, rugged coast line, forest, beach. It was exhilarating. So many breathtaking scenes. Also you will note a picture of Lou doing what is common for him every time we are out and about--cleaning up the world, one beach at a time!

To end the day after we arrived home, and a mystery anniversary chocolate cake was sitting on our counter. Delicious!!

We are so thankful for our family and the goodness of God!

Houses of Newfoundland

' These houses are situated on a busy street in St. John's. We loved to watch for boldness in colours and style. And there is much to observe. Is this a measuring stick to the personalities, characters of the people? A few days ago I read an article in Saltscapes, by a professor at a Halifax university stating that Atlantic people are the most content and happy in Canada.

This land is your land, this land is my land...

Because it is our fortieth wedding anniversary and because we live in the province next to Newfoundland but have never laid eyes upon that great land and because our friends from the West Coast, Jerry and Lisa Reimer were visiting their daughter in Holyrood, Lou and I decided to take abit of an adventure trip to Newfoundland.

After a five hour journey from East Lawrencetown, we arrived in North Sydney, N.S. where we boarded the ferry in the picture.

The ferry ride is approximately six to seven hours long. The spot in the middle of this picture is a humpback whale. There were many whales enjoying the sunshine that day.

Jerry and Lisa are proud grandparents to Maisy and Alfie. It was fun to see them and to be part of the excitement of that family.

Every day we did some hiking or walking. This pond is close to our friends' house in Holyrood, about 50 km. from St. John's. We noted that the Newfies identify most of their lakes as ponds.


As we stood on Signal Hill this is a harbourview.

Signal Hill tower where the first radio waves were transmitted by Marconi.

The point at which Terry Fox began his epic and courageous journey across Canada. (Jerry, Lisa enjoyed the day with us).

Icebergs float into some of the bays...as seen here at Bay Bulls, south of St. John's. They really are quite spectacular.

Cape Spear is the most easterly point in Canada. The views were phenomenal.

Gros Morne National Park was our destination point on Saturday. In a distance of approximately 20 kilometres we saw six moose. Here is one.

Sunday was foggy, and a little rainy. We were unable to see the mountain tops and the fjords that have made the park famous. However, this is a picture of what was behind the fog. Just like in all of our lives, there is something bigger, very much a part of the dynamics of the "picture", that we cannot see.

I have come to like fog. It forces us to check out the closer, the small details of things around us. And so it was on Sunday.