Morning Breath

It was only 6 degrees Celsius at 6:30 this morning when I started my car. A misty rain was falling. It was dark with the sun sitting well below the horizon. A wistful preview of the long winter commute that lay ahead. I rolled the windows down half way so I could see as I pulled out of my driveway. Note to self to get glasses so I can actually see while I drive.

On these damp, unfriendly mornings it's difficult to get motivated to leave the heat of my cosy duvet - and hubby. I defy every fibre in my being when I force myself into my tuck and roll and head for the comfort of the icy tiled floor of my bathroom. Thank goodness for steamy showers, but then again, so hard to leave the heat and greet the morning air.

But there is a certain stillness in the first hours of the morning that feels sacred; a private, quiet reprieve; a cleansing breathe to the start of the day. Morning breath!

Home

Sometimes the best part of going away is coming home ... That's how I feel today. I walked through my front door to a deadly silent household, and immediately tripped over Kidlet's hockey bag. Fritz heard the commotion and  came running and gave me  a proper homecoming. I was home!

I immediately burst into action -- unpacking, tidying up, throwing some squash and apples into the oven to bake so I can make soup, defrosting chicken, peeling potatoes, setting the table and checking my email. At the risk of gross generalization -- women really are multi-taskers. It feels natural and productive to have a bunch of irons in the fire.

The house smells of baking chicken and the residual baked apples ... candles are lit and I am sitting here writing my post, feet up, nursing a steaming mug of tea. Now I breathe deeply and I can feel relaxation creeping into my being. I am waiting for my little family to come home for dinner.

Peace prevails. Happiness reigns. I am home - and there is nowhere else I'd rather be.

Travel Ravel

For some white knuckle flyers (who shall remain nameless hubby) getting on a plane is a stressful event. I love it! When I get on a plane, I get instant excitement - a feeling that I am going someplace. My trip to Saint John, New Brunswick was a business trip but I was still excited to go someplace new.

Being a domestic flight, I didn't expect security at the airport to be so stringent. For the first time ever in all my years of travel I set the metal detector off. I was practically strip searched on the spot and they didn't seem to think my joke about my metal breast implants was funny. After clearing that hurdle, they sequestered me with my bag to a special area for another search. It's only in times like that that you notice just how many tampons you have tucked away in virtually every zipped pocket of the bag. They were fascinated by the mini computer that my daughter lent me to use so I could blog from  afar. Oh well - can't complain about due diligence when it comes to security.

You know you are getting on a small plane when the signs to the gate have arrows pointing down on them. With each escalator I descended, I wondered just how small the plane was ...  So we pretty much walked out the door, across the tarmac to the plane. Then up a few steps and voila! I found my seat - and a prime one it was - at the very last row of the plane, aisle seat of course, so I could conveniently  open the door of the lavatory without getting up. Actually I must have been suffering from lack of fresh air cause I started giggling at the absurdity of it all and couldn't get a grip on it ...

Remember the days when they would come with the refreshment cart and actually give you refreshments? I got a 4 ounce thimble of coffee - barely bigger than the creamer they offered with it. Too funny!

With all of the whining about the small plane, I actually enjoy them. Firstly, you see things nice and close and I figure if  we had to, we could put the plane down anywhere. I also like the sensation of flying, which you get so much better in a smaller craft.

As we landed, I had a bird's eye view of the autumn splendour - the colours are so much more vibrant and fall is further along out here than at home. I even had a few moments to duck down to the warf to smell the sea and feel the mist (ask my swelling hair!). 

I'll be heading home soon but this little travel dabble was a wonderful gift. Stay tuned.

Prime (arm's length) access to the loo!

A drop of cafe ole!

A wing and a prayer!

Work Trip

I am off for a few days to one of our maritime provinces to work a trade show. I am anxious to see how far along they are in fall -- if their leaves are changing already. I am looking forward to a steaming bowl of chowder and a walk by the water. Hopefully I can squeeze in a few scenic shots.

There will be a few long days but mostly I will enjoy flying in a plane, inhaling a deep breath of fresh maritime air and appreciating a brief change of scenery. Who knew work could be so fun!

Options Unlimited

The time has come - my youngest is getting ready to leap from the nest, in search of higher learning. But first she has to pick a university. We made our way into the city today for the university fair. No cotton candy and ferris wheels here - just thousands of young faces and endless exhibits and "ambassadors" from every  university in the province. Kidlet was feeling under the weather today but she felt is was too important to miss.

First of all - it was completely overwhelming. The sheer number of people and  ... choices. We made a short list of schools we wanted to check out and set off ... me with camera and notepad in hand and Kidlet - with her questions, fears and dreams. As I watched her confidently stroll up to the representatives, smile and launch into conversation - face awash with excitement and eyes wide with optimism - I could feel it rising within ... it started in my tummy and swelled up into my throat. My eyes instantly filled and a rogue tear leaked out. I was verklempt! Out of control. And I wasn't sure why.

I have always told Kidlet that our higher power works through people ... messengers. And every once in a while you have one of those special encounters that makes us pay attention. We had one of those encounters. An older gentleman, head of a humanitities program at one of the universities looked right into Kidlet's eyes and asked her if she wanted to study humanities or give to humanity.  She answered the latter. He snatched the brochure out of her hand and told her his program was not for her. As he explained God's blessing to Kidlet - that he wanted only the right thing for her so she could be happy and contribute her best, his eyes were serene and we became acutely aware that for this flutter in time, we were communing as spiritual beings. Then- another swell of emotion. My throat tightened and I couldn't speak. So I left them chatting and I took pictures.

What joy to see Kidlet getting excited about living in residence, playing university sports and studying abroad. My last chicklet is on the cusp of adulthood. And it happened so fast. Life is a blur and there are times we have to freeze frame and savour the moment. Today I tried to do that. We had a good day together, Kidlet and I. Unlimited options and endless possibilities; she has important decisions to make. And I made mine -- to freeze frame today!

Burning Brightly

Fireplace is burning and I am basking in the heat. A fire is one of the upsides of cooler weather - and cooler weather we have! As I drove home tonight and noticed the foreboding gray clouds on the horizon I couldn't help feeling grateful for the 24 straight days of perfect, glorious weather we have had. Summer gave us a September peace offering to make up for the lousy weather we had the rest of the summer. I graciously accepted it.

But now I am ready to let summer take its place in the archives of summers passed. The bold golden strokes of early fall are evident in our trees and the transformation will happen quickly. I have to remind myself to stay present and inhale and soak up every pixel of beauty and glory of autumn.

Every season I find myself declaring that "this is my favourite season", so I guess what I am really saying is that I love living in this region with its everchanging, fantastically beautiful seasons. I love the changes; I love the renewal that each transition brings, and the re-dressing of the landscape.

So tonight, the inaugural fire is burning brightly and so is my gratitude.

Love at First Shot

Brownie Hawkeye. It was my first camera.  My mom handed it to me and said I could use it. I asked if I could have it -- to keep. She said sure - as long as I took the family pictures. I remember the feeling of pride of having something so important for my very own.

The idea of freezing and preserving a moment in time for all eternity was fascinating to me. What potential! What endless possibilities! It is still so vivid -- the memory of awkwardly threading that large film  onto the spool. The anticipation of  the first shot ... The agony of the wait - waiting to get my developed photos in the mail.

The first roll of film I shot was of my family ... my siblings made willing models. When I look at those first few blurry images I took (and preserved under a film of plastic) I remember the feeling I had taking them ... pure joy in motion. Since then my camera has pretty much accompanied me whereever I go. I kept my promise and took most of the family pictures throughout my life.

I am not a technically accomplished photogragher; I lack polish, skill and talent. What I do have is an eye for angles, for that which others may not notice, nor find worthy of a shot. I have passion and a desire to express myself.

From the first time I depressed the shutter, I knew I was on to something big. Photography and me ... friends for life. Love at first shot.