The Word is Out

In Saturday's edition of The Telegram, there was a write-up in the 'NL Life' section about my wife's childhood community, Red Cliff.

In Open Hall there are some cabins being built with an excellent view of the bay. Smart move on the business owners I say, because since 2002 I have noticed more and more old buildings being refurbished, or even new cottages being built.

Usually it is the Trinity side of the Bonavista Peninsula that gets all the press. As a result, land gets bought up and money is spent in the surrounding communities. Of course, as I see land and older houses being 'snapped up' by townies or CFAers, I sit on the fence - is this a good thing?

Economically it is, because it keeps the little shops going. With good word of mouth, more people will come.

But as the 'foreigners' integrate the little communities, prices of land and houses may go up. A 'local' may feel pressured to sell sections of land because his/her children are in Fort Mac, not planning to come home. But when informed of the idea, the children feel slighted.

"Dad, I can't believe you're selling pop's land. I thought us kids were going to have that, and we could build a cabin on it for the times I come home."

Home. It is where your heart is. Not where your feet land.

Running on Empty

It is report card time. And end of semester time. I have not been getting much sleep lately. With my Masters courses over next week, it will certainly give me more time to spend with wife............and dog!

I have been ignoring my blog. Each day I hear something on the radio or see something on the telly that I want to put my '2 cents worth.' So I have a list:

1) Should Parents Pay for Damages Their Kids Create?
Yes and no. In some instances the parents may be trying the best that they can, and the kid will not listen. Bill the kid, and when she/he begins to work (hopefully) in the future, they will look at their pay stub and say, "Oh yeah, that money comes out for the time I broke into the corner store."
If some parents got a bill from their kids vandalism, a bit of a 'beat down' may happen. So then child abuse is a problem. I am not going to get into the 'poor can't afford it and don't care anyway' debate. Cause I just don't believe it.

2) Smoking in Cars.
In Wolfville, NS, the local government has passed a law, stating that it is now illegal to smoke in YOUR OWN car if a child under 18 is aboard. This one is getting a lot of press. Great idea, more headache for cops and court. Coming from a non-smoker's POV, I think this a good law. I wonder what is the co-relation to people who speed, don't wear seat belts, AND smoke? Rebels, I say!

3) Should Canadian Olympic Athletes get paid for winning a medal?
Why not? Other countries have been doing this for years, and many of our athletes need to work part time as they train. This is like the carrot dangling in front of the donkey. It will get them to run faster. Hopefully their cleats won't tangle up in any hurdles as they run through China's smog!

Now, I must try to finish report card comments!

Mom's Day

Happy birthday mom! I hope it doesn't rain too much in Berens River on your special day! Hopefully dad brought you something special from the Northern! haha

Here is a picture from my days living with cousin Dave in the late 90's:


At my sister's LPN graduation in Gander in the early 00's.


And the token baby picture:


Everyone tells me that I am 'just like my father' but I think I got mom's looks!

A Special Day

Today is my beautiful wife's birthday!
I miss her terribly because I am in the city and she is out around the bay.

Here is the latest 'snap' of both of us:

Casey Pictures

When I walked through my inlaw's door on Friday evening, Casey was excited to see me. Then she quickly became a 'mommy-sook' for the rest of the weekend. sigh.

When it wasn't rainning, I was chasing her, to give her some exercise. She found a straw and starting chewing, daring me to take it from her.


My inlaws burn wood, and their house is quite toasty. Casey has started to lay about the furnace, even getting into the 'woodbox.'



Here is an older picture....


Life isn't rough for this little mutt out around da bay!

More Pictures of Red Cliff

I just got back from visiting my wife, who is staying with her parents due to her dad's illness. It was a long drive alone, both ways, but it was worth it. Now I am back to reality - school work, report cards, and Masters papers!

My father-in-law got his moose last week. The sauages were yummy!


I found this picture on inlaw's computer! I think the bottles are in 'da old house.'


God's country:


Hungry?

A Beautiful Out Around the Bay Day

Out to Red Cliff for the weekend. The drive out was painful; in the rain and darkness. But today makes up for it. The sun is shining and I was out walking doggy in a t-shirt.

Doggy was certainly enjoying herself. She a)found a dead field mouse in the tall grass and brought it to me; b)ran to the beach to eat/lick fish guts and bones; and c)starting growling and yapping at the neighbour's BIG husky that was roaming around our door.

Certainly different than her usual Mt. Pearl surroundings.

Me, I am mostly inside, working on Masters work. It is officially 'crunch' time, with report cards and 4 papers due before the end of this month. Lordy.