Burnaby return, missed another wet and cold winter!

What a whirlwind of activity since I returned to Canada last Friday night.  I’ve missed another Canadian Vancouver Winter with the coughs and flu and rain and snow. Instead I was in Arizona, Mexico and Southern California at the Fountain of Youth RV Spa enjoying the sun, desert air and mineral hot springs.  It was hard to return but I surely enjoyed the green of Oregon and the forests of Washington. I enjoyed seeing the ocean in Seatlle too. I dreamed of sailing last night and saw a Macgregor up for sale yesterday.  My eyes have been a staring driving 6-8 hours a day and night driving is even more challenging.  I find it hard to read the small letters of the signs at night going at 70 miles an hour.

It was great to see the friends and folk I know in Burnaby.  Just terrific to see Dave and Helena, Mac and Kim.  Having travelled for months among strangers it’s good to be where people know your name and faces are familiar. 

I continued to work virtually with a deluge of phone calls and text requests. It always reminds me of my medical colleagues who stopped leaving their practices because the amount of work before and on return obviated any vacation benefit. I’ve beers able to keep the flow going working the whole time I’ve been way. The joy has been the three day weekends when I’ve been able to ride my Vespa about touring and exploring. The lawn chair also got its fair use.

Seeing Laura again on the weekend was a thrill.  We had a terrific day at her place. She served me a ham sandwich and coffee.  I tell people I miss the grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup Mom made for me when I came home from lunch.  Dozens have commented that their mom’s did the same and we’d gone blurry eyed with nostalgia.  Laura’s ham sandwich was that little bit of love. Madigan was ecstatic to see her demonstrating kangaroo genes with his jumping up and down.  He humped his bed which I think Laura’s sister’s dog Molly must also use because he becomes like a frat guy with stolen panties around the dog bed.  At least he was entertained and distracted so Laura and I could visit. We text most days and send photos but there’s nothing like a real hug.  

I enjoyed seeing Kevin too and passing on the tolled leathers scabbards that I’d bought him and Anna in Mexico.  I’d brought them in the back seat of the truck and declared them at customs.  

Most of what I was doing with any spare time was collecting the files from banks and credit card servers for Anil my accountant.  

I’d also had to get a photo with an application and credit card info for the renewal of my gun license. 

It doesn’t rain but it pours.  The Canadian Post office in Lougheed mall had kept mail for me as had Laura so that despite trying to keep up with the deluge of demands and information I had more paperwork and obligations.  The phone never stopped ringing with constant messages but each night I’d shut down after walking Madigan three times in the day. I’d watch Landman on my iPad and have dinner.

Madigan had needed grooming because his poop was getting caught in his bum hair so that was a huge event. He then had diarrhea for two days after being at the Vets for sedation and getting his hair cut and nails trimmed. Dr. Biernacki on North Road does a wonderful job. Best vet and staff ever.  I only had the Vespa and the day I took him in and picked him up it was raining off and on. I was fortunate to have his Cowichan sweater but we immediately went to Bosley’s to get a lined rain coat. I’m sure I have one or two in storage but not here and now when I need it.

A trip to Full Basket Butchers in New Westminster had me stocked with sausages and steak to barbecue as well as sandwich meat.  

I was so thankful to make it to my men’s meeting and see George who has bought himself a new beautiful Buick with ambient lighting and the best map display. I could have used that in LA.  He’s definitely a car fan and we all love his red thunderbird. Now this car makes him look like a CEO  for sure.

It’s been a whirlwind.P

I’m waiting for Paul to bring my RV in from John’s Storage in Chilliwack so I can transfer what I need from this camper to the bigger home. Kelvin of Travco is coming this afternoon to fit a bit we’d noticed i needed when we put the big rig away.  I’m hoping for help transferring stuff like my refrigerator goods and clothing.  It’s really not much but it seems like it. I’m going to be back in the camper May June to go to Ontario and pick up my boat and outboard and see my brothers home now up for sale, one last time. I sure do miss him and family. I take everything and everyone for granted then they’re gone and I am left with the Swiss Cheese heart.  Mom and Dad, Aunt Sally, the grandparents, my brother, my friends. Carl, Hank, Archie, George, Vivian, Phillip . so many more. The death collect.  I’m over the hump and the past is pushing out of the boxes like the storage locker I must cull. 

It’s a good life.

I was glad to get to St. Barnabus.  I’ve been blessed so much. I’m really grateful for all the people and love in my life and the opportunities to serve.  I’m growing still as a person and might yet get out of adolescences. I’m surprised at what I know.  It’s shocking given all the study.  It’s there and I’m still reading. Loved listening to audio books the way home . I liked watching the Reacher series and reading the history of the Canadian forces invading Scicily.  I’m right now reading Louise Penny the truly remarkable Canadian novelist.  

Thank you Jesus. Thank you God. Thank you God of Gods.