Our Weekend near Mount Katahdin, Maine

Jonathan, Alicia, Ivy, Croy, Deb, Doug -- canoeing, swimming, hiking, Deb & Doug in water watching whitewater rafters, Jon's 'Loaf of Bread' van, Mount Katahdin, campsites, babies...FUN!

Birthday #52

B 52 -- yes, it wasn't like I planned. This is what I PLANNED to do on birthday #52:
1. Walk across the Saint John River (not on the water, just on the bridge)
2. Kayak across the river
3. Bike across the river

Alas, my back went out yesterday, so nix the athletic activities. Instead, a great day anyway:

Doris picked me up near 11 am, after I got straightened up and muscle relaxants in me. Blue Canoe for food; tried to get into Costco, but alas they wouldn't let us in without a membership, and we weren't so sure about that yet; Michaels to look at crafts, Home Depot, shoe hunting, Chapters, Laura Secord chocolates, Quilt shop, Timothy's coffee, Superstore for chicken, Doris' for supper, walked over to Mom and Dad's where Mom had beautiful cupcakes waiting, and then coffee with Bill & Louise at Tim's.

Met many people throughout the day who thought I looked GREAT == which I took as a compliment and reassurance that, like the old commercial says, "You're not getting older, you're getting better." Remember that?

So, after having had a long conversation with Natalie (and Jonathan earlier), it is now time to go to bed. But will I sleep? Too much coffee, but I'll try.

I have now deemed it BIRTHDAY WEEK to celebrate B52, as the last few birthday celebrations have been minimal. I can't remember birthday 51, probably due to chemo brain. Birthday #50 was when we were in The Pas and Natalie fell down the stairs so I nursed her most of the day. So B52 it is! Thank you, God, for keeping this energizer bunny goin'.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Jack Layton and as we mourn him as a person and leader of this great country of Canada, I thank God for you, Jack. May God rest you in His peace.

Well, well, well. It's been awhile, but when you don't have the technology, it's a bit hard to post on-line. Greenhill Lake week was fantastic with 100+ kids and I just finished a week-long session in Campobello Island at Edith Lank Christian Camp. 14 women including me had the time of our lives (that might be a bit of an exaggeration), as we met together every day, all day for Bible study, crafts, a killer volleyball game (very competitive island women), swimming with kids and tuck etc. Thanks to the staff for making it such a great week, and to Zachary, who made delectable desserts EVERY DAY for us. What a great group of women! So long til next year....boo hoo.

Then we made our way over to Grand Manan on the new ferry -- The Grand Manan Adventure. Been here at the Benson house for the night -- food and catching up with good friends. Thanks for the island hospitality... And just like the 'littlest hobo,' we're soon to be moving on -- over to Saint John to visit Nurse Cherry who had surgery, then on to Superior City. Feels like I've been gone most of the summer. Perhaps I have been?

Tomorrow is my 52nd birthday. Hard to believe, Mom & Dad. 1959 was a long time ago. I have a few activities planned for my 52nd -- will let you know....

Had a great harvest today during Chapel...I am continually amazed at how God uses my craziness and wacky teaching ideas to work His miracles in kids' lives...I was totally amazed as kids 'walked the aisle' and received Jesus as Saviour, including a whole contingent of kids from St. Mary's First Nation that are here at camp this week.

Glory to God in the highest and peace, goodwill to men!

Tomorrow -- Christmas in August....

Good-bye St Martins, HELLO to Greenhill Lake Camp. I've been here since Sunday night, talking to kids, acting crazy and teaching the Bible. Strange combination, but true. The RV is camped here under the trees. My own private campground...




Think I should go home sometime, but next week is Campobello Island...




I'm on the camp computer, so can't stay long. Miss you all




Night, Doug....

Two more sleeps and it will be back to the inland country... it is rather cold here by the ocean today. Very high tides the past couple of days. A near hurricane the other day; tore down our new canopy/gazebo apparatus. Doug arrived tonight and took at it with his jigsaw, slicing off about six inches. He'll have to adapt some of the channel faux iron pieces with some other material, but I'm sure he'll come up with something. He always does. Lately, he's been thinking of revamping the RV and make the tractor his half ton. Don't ask. It's much too complicated. The upside of it, though, is that I get a 16 x 8 bedroom. I think I should install a bowling alley inside the bedroom, it would be so long. Oh well, it's not something he's going to build right away. Next year's project perhaps.

Since it was so cold here in St. Martins, we watched a movie tonight instead of the campfire. "The King's Speech" with Colin Firth. I highly recommend it. Southshore Sis and I watched it last month. Even better the second time...

And now for a 'sea' poem:

The Sea...
© Saira Obaidullah

The sea, the sea, the glorious, emerald sea,
Stretches as far as my sight carries me.

What tranquility, what treasures, what beauties dwell
In her fathomless depth, only God can tell.

Sometimes, I find her as gentle as a mother to her child.
Yet, when furious, she is as cruel as the beasts in the wild.

As I sit by the sea, watching the evening sun descend low,
The silver ripples shiver and the golden waters glow.

Oh sea,oh sea, oh glorious boundless sea.
Thou glitter like silver, as the moon shines upon thee.

We are born to fade away and some day we would never-
Return to cherish the glories of God, which would be there forever.

I'm By the Ocean Still

I'm by the ocean still, the waves, the wind, the blue skies, the sun, the rain, all the weather you can imagine. Just finished a fantastic weekend with some nomadic friends camping out here at Century Farm. Once I get a few pictures downloaded, I'll write about our fabulous weekend. Now it's late again, and it's time for bed. I guess I'm on vacation...

Hey Natalie -- making plans to come out...will talk to you this weekend.

Mama

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday, Natalie Dawn MacDonald DuBois -- Saturday, July 23. Thirty years ago we had a bouncing baby 7 lb 11 oz girl, our favorite daughter.

Happy birthday, Daughter -- wish you were closer, wish you were here, wish we were there.

Mom & Dad
x0x0x0x0

Wandering Off

Yes, Granny, we'll try and not go too far away. This morning I went to Kingsley/Estey's Bridge to get my facial hair removed. You know what happens when you hit your 50's -- hair grows where you don't want it to -- like eyebrows and moustaches. Imagine - a woman with a moustache! Who would think it? But at least I have a slight one -- but no more, not after Tammy's magical touch (and wax). Precious Moments Spa -- go to Tammy for the best service! (A little plug there).

Got favour at the Superstore today -- plants FREE for the taking out front. Wow -- brought home quite a few, but been too busy today to plant them. Plus it was no tax day. Always gotta love that.

Took a trip to Harvey to find a girl, but forgot the directions, so went on a hunt adventure, and through a series of driving up and down driveways, backing onto highways and asking questions of people on the street and in houses, found the woman. Whew. Directions home on the dishwasher, where they shouldn't be. Oh brain -- please work better???

Made supper for Doug and we relaxed under the pines, with wind blowing through our hair (what hair we do have). Then talked to Nat on the phone as we lay on the verandah couches, feeling the gentle breezes. Then into the driveway, two friends came from Saint John and we talked some more into the dark evening hours. We love it when people drop in. This is the Maritimes, isn't? Then a romantic walk with Doug, with a light rain falling on our heads. Sounds like a song, doesn't it?

Tomorrow takes me back to Estey's Bridge for foot care, and later to Mill Cove to get a hairdo. I'm getting all gussied up. I've been by the ocean too long and need a spritz-up. Oh, I could use one of those right about now, too.

Home again home again jiggety jig. We arrived home on Sunday at 3 pm. Boo hoo. To a hot and humid town. Living part in the RV, part in the house. Don't know where I'm sleepin' tonight -- depends on how hot it is in the house. Although now the air conditioner is working in the RV, so may sleep out there.

Just feel like I'm biding my time til I can take off again to my summer home -- Century Farm and St. Martins. Granny feels the same. Missing our Scrabble tourneys and walks on the beach and Huttges grocer, and Byard going by on his golf cart, and seeing Linda's smile every day.

I was sitting in the RV yesterday morning thinking that I don't leave my cottage -- it comes with us! Everywhere I go I'm on vacation. Thank you, Doug, for building this 'house' on the road.

Today I spent most of the day listening and talking to people -- mostly listening. Here in the yard, under the pines, and in the cool dark kitchen. Strawberries and freshly picked raspberries, a walk with hubby around the streets, and now I'm ready to find a place to lie down and rest again. Tomorrow is a jam packed day -- eyebrows done in Kingsley, a trip to the beautiful village of Harvey and who knows what else. Have CRV must travel. Have RV must travel.

Doug said tonight that he would just like to 'walk' away and leave everything and just 'wander off.' I said we could if we wanted to. I guess we're just a couple of hippie nomads.

Games Games

Update on games here by the ocean: the Scrabble tourney is undecided due to accounting errors and will be continued when Granny and I come back here to Century Farm. Right now it stands in limbo.

I met the Frapz girls and we all wore Frapz while playing 140's, which I relearned. I did not win but one round, but had a lot of fun with these fun loving ladies from Oromocto Lake and Texas.

Also got to drink some Moxie, a strange Maine soda concoction that Mr. Nancy (Frank) touts everywhere he goes. Thanks, Frank. Thanks, Nancy, 'Life' (Zoey), and Rose (Sharon).

See you back here in the Martins.

Should I Go or Should I Stay?

For the past two days, we have been dry camping by the apple tree. We were scheduled to leave on Friday morning, like Jed & Granny, but I just couldn't bring myself to go back to Heat City. So, out to the apple tree, with a fantastic view of the ocean, just no services other than what we have on board on this ship.

It's the start of Old Home Week here in the Village of St. Martins. Yesterday was a community yard sale -- the whole village. We did a drive-by of the vendors, looking for Woody's. I have a collection of Toy Story Woody's. For the stuff I do with kids. But alas, no Woody to be found. Eh, Nat? I know YOU have a Woody out there in The Pas. I've met him -- a very nice guy, he is.

We met Jon & Alicia at the Four Corners in Sussex and retrieved two young children -- Jack and Ivy, who came with us to St. Martins. Jack says he LOVES St. Martins. Can I blame him? We had a great time here by the apple tree. At 6:30, up at the hall, we sang Christmas carols and then who did appear but Santa Claus and his wife, Mrs. Claus, with presents and candy for all the children. Jack and Ivy were mesmerized and when their names were called, they went up and hugged them. I took some pics. Will I get them downloaded? Who knows. Too busy.

We had a campfire of all campfires last night and let Jack stay up til 11:30 (don't tell Jon & Alicia). He loved it. We had a great sleep together in the RV, and Papa cooked bacon on the barbie this morning, and I made my famous eggs (Jack loves my eggs, probably because I make such a big time about them so he'll eat them).

Then Papa took them to the beach and they flew a kite (one of Jack's presents). Ivy flew it a bit, too, but mainly put rocks in her boots for fun. Oh, the joys of being a child.
here
It is too nice here to leave. Should I go or should I stay? Those are the lines in a song I believe. Being here is like living in a song.

We're going to take the kids and meet their parents somewhere and have a picnic on the road, perhaps at Eagle Rock. OR stay here. If not, I'll be back real soon. Y'all come back now, ya here? is probably what Linda and Byard are sayin' about now.

Thanks for everything -- until we meet again (isn't that a song?)

Sad in St. Martins

Scrabble and Weather Comparisons

The reason we come to St. Martins in July is to escape the hot weather in Fredericton. It is 12 degrees here this morning at 9 o'clock. Should reach a high of 23 today here. Checked Environment Canada this morning to see what's happening in Fredericton (I haven't been there since June 30!). It will be hot there again today and on the weekend. Thot I would check The Pas, where Nat lives, and discovered that it is actually HOTTER in The Pas than it is here in New Brunswick! Go figure. Go north right now? No thanks. I'll wait til it's cooler. Let me know, Nat, when it cools down up there.

Another reason I like it in St. Martins is that Granny and I play Scrabble every day. We've been having our annual St. Martins Scrabble Tourney. The score as of last night? Deb -- 5 games....Granny -- 4 games. Today is an important game here by the sea -- Will Granny pull up her socks and pull out a tie? Will there have to be a doubleheader today to see who is the REAL winner of the great St. Martins Century Farm Family Campground Scrabble Tournament?

I'll let you know. Must get breakfast. Just takin' my time. (I'm really relaxin'; it's amazin').

Happy Birthday, Son!

On this day in 1980, I gave birth to a healthy bouncing baby boy:
Jonathan Alton Douglas MacDonald. He is 31 today. Hard to imagine he's that old.

Happy Birthday, Son boy! or as I used to call him: "ManniePie"

Mom
x0x0x0

and Dad
x0x0x0

The wind is blowing so hard that I feel like I'm on a ship. If I sit low enough in the RV and look out the window, it looks like I am sailing on the ocean. It's a balmy 18 or 19 here. Rain is soon coming. Apparently it is 36 degrees in Fredericton, so I'm glad I'm here. Sorry, Doug, that you have to be there in that type of heat.

Nat -- fly home -- I miss you and yours. Or I'll fly out, grab you and the children and fly back and we'll stay here all summer. Definitely wish you were here. Next year, plan on staying the whole summer.

In the meantime, why don't you check out some cheap flights if you have time? I'm working on the Southshore Sister.

I should be home and have access to a telephone by Sunday. Then we can chat and catch up. My phone doesn't work down here.

OR there is SKYPE -- this would be a good time for that, as I am fully set up here in the RV with Skype. But, alas, you are not. SMILE and love to you, my dear....

Mom by the Sea

PS: You, too, Krista -- hope to see you next week!

Should I stay here forever??

One day before Jonathan turns 31. Can you imagine? Can I imagine? My baby boy who has all these babies himself is in his 30's! And Natalie turns 30 on July 23rd. Oh dear, I feel old. I'm sure they do, too.

St. Martins -- still not tired of this place. Could I, would I, should I? Doug left this morning at 0500 to travel back to Freddytown to work for a couple of days. Comes back on Wednesday for another long weekend for him.

I walked the beach this morning down to the harbor and sat there watching the waves, the boats, the covered bridges, the gift shops, people walking, people passing with smile after smile. Oh, sounds like a song I won't sing right now. Too early. Sat there on the bench in front of the shipbuilder placard. Just sat. And prayed. Prayed for lots of things. Thankful that I'm here and that God has given me the opportunity to be here for so long. Prayed for St. Martins, that the village will continue on and thrive and retain its charm and peace. I was even overwhelmed with emotion about the village. I've been coming here since the 90's -- has a very special place in my heart. I think Granny feels the same way. She's having a great time with Jed. I don't think she wants to go home, either.

The water flowing into the cove from the ocean reminded me of the corrugated cardboard in the fire last night (our Greco pizza box burning). Here's what the water looked like:

"The water soothed itself towards me like liquid corrugated cardboard." Quite a sentence, eh? Waxing poetic.

I need new earrings -- mine are tarnished. I'm almost embarrassed to wear them. No silver polish down here or jewellery cleaner. So I've taken them off. Only brought one pair with me. Trying to live simply you know. Can I really go earringless? I feel naked without them. Oh well, I guess I could -- I was bald not too long ago. What's a naked ear, anyway? Perhaps Elaine could craft me new earrings out of the sea glass we find. I'll have to ask her.

I feel like a Bobbsey twin, down at the sea, sea starin' at me, me starin' at the sea.

Been here 12 days now -- five more to go. Granny and I have been playing Scrabble mostly every day. I was on a losing streak for awhile and was concerned as to why. But the past four games I have won. Last night -- 90 points on one word: 'yarding,' hooked onto another word -- used all my letters on a double word score. My score 381, about 40 ahead of Granny. She's wondering what's happening and says that SHE is going to win today. We'll see about that.

I think I'm now relaxing and able to focus on words -- even did a couple of Cryptoquotes out of the newspaper, something I've never been able to do before. And read -- I can focus. The ocean is good for helping one relax.

Must go eat an omelette and salad I made for lunch, cup of green tea with ginseng and astragulus. Doesn't that sound yummy, now?

Signing off from the sea....I remain

Deb

Sorry Croy!

How could I forget adorable Baby Boy Croy? Of course, he was here -- he was so quiet that you hardly notice him -- down on a blanket, playing with grass, eating bugs (only once LOL), sitting on someone's lap. What a sweetie. Sorry, Croy -- I knew you were here!

Gram Deb

PS: Thanks for pointing this out, Holly Martha/Krista

Mellow in St. Martins

I have been in St. Martins since last Thursday. Oh, what a life it is here. Quiet, calm, serene, the ocean calling to me constantly -- "Look at me, look at me!" So I do. Sometimes I walk by the ocean, too, or walk right IN the ocean -- like today, when D and took a walk in the water. Alas, I came upon a huge rock or cement buttment, don't know which, and BANG! my leg and blood poured. Such a nice feeling it was. The only consolation was the salt water that healed the wound. D also hit her foot. Granny gave me some 100-year-old first aid cream (it looked that old) to doctor my wound. I'm sure there will be a bruise tomorrow.

Had a great weekend with the family here, camped out on the lawn. Jon, Alicia, Afton, Jack & Ivy tented, Aaron tented, and the Southshore Sister stayed in our RV on the couch. Granny & Jed have their own site with their trailer. Lots of good food, eating together, walking and biking with the children. Campfires for hours -- what could be nicer? The only thing nicer would be to have Nat, Josh, Aiden and Sarah here == that would make it all complete. Come home again, Nat???

It's taking me a week just to recover from the past month. I'm not doing nothin' (excuse my grammar), other than biking, walking, eating, word finds, and Scrabble with Granny and Southshore Sister (who is now in Perth). I won the last two games of Scrabble, for the record.

Doris came down overnight and for this day. She went fishin' with Jed, and they hooked a few fish -- enough for supper. I had some fiddles in the freezer and we had quite a Maritime meal. Doris just left, and I am waiting for Nurse Cherry to arrive for overnight. A regular bed and breakfast here in Century Farm. Thank you, Byard and Linda, once again, for providing such a great place to camp and RV. Come on down if you need a vacation -- bring your tent or your RV!

Well, must go get on my bike.

PS: did my first Cryptoquote yesterday and finished it. Quite proud of myself. THIS is how mellow I am. Like Mary, a friend of mine who also loves St. Martins used to say, "I'm as mellow as a puddle."

PSS: Els, Granny is painting a picture of one of your tree photos; very nice...Wish I could take pictures like you.

PSSS: Els and Ann -- make sure you practice your piano.

PSSSS: Helen -- say hello to everyone at Morning Gate church, OK?

Hello Modda, hello Fadda, here I am at Camp Greenhilla
Now I'm sayin' I'm a bit hotta,
Here alone at Camp Greenhilla

I'm a speakin' and I'm a prayin'
That the staffa hear what I'm sayin'
And the fooda keeps me goin'
Here I am at Camp Greenhilla

Stayin' by myself in Morgan Manor
I have everythin' that matters
I'm a havin' a small retreat
Here alone(sorta) at Camp Greenhilla

Farewell to Nova Scotia

Well, we finally said good-bye to Nova Scotia this morning. A great week apart -- Doug at John & Laurie's in Porters Lake, me in Shelburne with the Southshore Sister until Saturday, and then Doug and I together at Randy & Sandra's house in Glen Haven at Indian Point. Thanks, everyone, for the great week away in your beautiful province.

Hello, New Brunswick! Now I'm preparing to go to Greenhill Lake Camp to teach the Bible to the summer staff. Not sure if I'm staying up overnight or will travel back and forth. Time will tell. Doug is going to hold down the fort. Thursday we take off with our caravan, hauling Jed & Granny's travel trailer with our RV -- St. Martins here we come for two weeks! Yeah! A vacation, although Doug is going to work and travel. Oh, I wish he could retire!

Must go prepare for the next adventure.