MY BIRTHDAY, DAUGHTER, FIRST SETTLERS LODGE AND A BLOW-OUT-THE-CANDLES WISH

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, 
happybirthday to meeee, and what an old fart, 
I've grown to be!

          I've had another birthday since I last wrote a blog - can hardly believe, after the way I lived during my younger years, that I survived this long to reach the somewhat mellow age of 72.  However, not one to ever be much of a couch potatoe, definitely took a lot of risks, many of them hazardous to one's physical being, I find, even at this elderly age, I still take some risks that could be detrimental to my health like climbing ladders for instance.  In the last year, I've been forced to leap off a ladder about 8' to the ground, when it decided to slide off the side of my studio while I was installing a window about 20' off the ground and the next time about 5' to the ground when a friend of mine quit holding it while it was leaning precariously against a slender cedar tree and I was climbing down with a saw in my hand after cutting off some limbs near the top.  Had I been a younger man, leaping off a falling ladder, which had also occurred several times back then, being spry and nimble, it wasn't much of a problem and if I had broken any bones, I would most likely have healed a lot quicker.  That's the problem now; at my age, a slight fall can be critical to my health and well-being, possibly even fatal, because us old farts just don't heal so well any more.  But still, things have to be done and I can't always pay a younger man to take my place, so like it or not, I still clamber up ladders as if I still thought I was a younger lad but you know what; so what; life in general is a risky business and guess what; often the risks taken, are often well-rewarded.

Daughter and Father

          My eldest daughter Iona, who is actually a few years older than my wife Sarah, flew out from Nanaimo, BC to help celebrate my birthday.  I hadn't seen Iona for a couple of years, so it was wonderful to have her visit for a little while.  While she was here, we all enjoyed a scrumptious-delicious meal at First Settlers Lodge in Maine, US, which was also very neighbourly and hospitable I thought, especially since the owners Steve and Suzan opened up their restaurant, just for us; now how great was that to not only open but also cook and serve us wonderful meals.  Sarah and Jessica baked the carrot cake and we all, including Steve and his wife, enjoyed dessert together, although to tell you the truth, I was already so full, I was at the point of exploding.  Suzan made me wear the cone-shaped hat that you can see perched on my head while we there and I'm not sure if I looked like a colourful aging unicorn or a bright dunce (which sounds a little odd); I suppose in a way, I'm both.

Shrimp Extraordinaire

               As you can see, one of the dishes that was heartily savoured and happily devoured was also a mouth-watering display; all the ingredients being harvested fresh from Steve and Suzan's garden or fished out of the sea; even the bright yellow flower was edible and delicious - what a treat!

          Since Sarah runs a little cafe, here where we live at Golden Unicorn Farm, we are often asked by many of the people who live beside the nearby lake during the summer time, if we know a good place to eat in the not too distant area and we always steer them towards First Settlers Lodge.  It's without a doubt, our favourite place, and how could it not be; the people running the restaurant are totally enjoyable, very hospitable and the food is absolutely excellent; a culinary delight worth experiencing.

            Summer has certainly fled over the hills and sped southwards in a rush - seems like summer barely arrived before it packed its bags and was off again.  And while summer was at times, quite enjoyable, I swear the torrential rains, high winds and brazen thunder storms, which occurred during that season were occasionally almost lethal.  It's a cinch the normal global weather that once existed not so long ago, has now turned for the worst; for the first time in the history of the world when human beings first began to trod upon the Earth, never, not even the World Wars, where our existence looked dire, dismal and doubtful, has mankind been on the edge of total extinction.  I don't know how many people, who can see the possible end approaching, have said to me, "At least I won't be here when it happens."  The way I see it, as old as I am, I may be still alive and if not me, then who; most likely my children and their children will certainly be here to face the significant omens pointing towards the approaching devastating storm that is clearly building just over the horizon.  Whether there will be survivors when the oxygen level is seriously low, water still remains drinkable, if any land still sticks its head above sea level or food is available, I have no idea, but if per chance some are still remaining, I wish them luck.  If I'd blown out all the candles on the birthday cake, my wish would have been for all of mankind to start living in accordance with Nature; she is not our enemy or a friend to be exploited; she is the core of our very existence.  Treat her well and she provides shelter, nourishment and goodness - cheers, eh!                     

BUGS, BIG-BOSOMS - WHEELER AND FEEL-ER

          September arrived on the tail end of a water-logged summer wind and I went from sweating profusely to suddenly freezing; can you believe that Mr. Frost has already came for a visit?  I'm amazed at the abrupt change in the weather conditions, one moment it was so warm all I wanted to do was take a dip in the lake to cool off and now, I'm poking about the closet looking for a sweater to wear just to keep my bones from rattling loose in the mornings.  If I were to divide the year up pertaining to the four seasons here in Fosterville, NB, I'd have to say that we experience 2 months of spring, 1 month of summer, 2 months of autumn and 7 months of winter.  I have no idea why some people go to gyms to work out because all they'd have to do. if they moved here, is shovel snow during the winter and swat bugs the rest of the year to give them plenty of exercise and keep them in shape.  You would think more women would be moving here because continually swatting bugs would enlarge their breasts and shoveling snow would tighten up their tummies; maybe New Brunswick Tourism should promote this idea. 

          My knees must have popped back into place or was that my ears I heard popping because of the sudden atmospheric pressure drop.  Must have been a little of both because my hearing is a little clearer and I was able to kneel down and finish off the laminate flooring in our upstairs bedroom.  All that's remaining to complete the bedroom renovations is build a wall to wall shelf along the window side, put the base-boards in place, a wee bit of painting and presto - she be done!  I'm hoping the weather will be agreeable this month so I can begin shingling my studio and get it completed before the snow flies; probably wishful thinking on my part though. 

  4- Wheeler in Front of the Woodstock Farmer's Market

           Bought myself a 250-Suzuki, 4-wheeler, a week ago from a friend of mine, Lydon Canam, who recently moved from Fosterville to Hartland, NB.  It came with a few goodies, like a winch when I get myself stuck in a big old mud hole, a plow for pushing the snow out of the driveway and a bitch-seat for my big-bosomed gal, if I hunker down real close to the handle bars.  I expect if I haul out my old black leather-motorcycle jacket that I wore back in my biker days, I just might turn an eye or two - people see me coming, probably think to themselves as I drive by, who's that lucky old fart with his head cushioned between two big hooters?  My biking days have been over for quite a few years and when I climbed aboard the wheeler, although it looks similar to a motorcycle, it's just not quite rigged out the same.  When I pulled up at a red light back in the day, tilted my head to the side, gave the driver next to me a Clint Eastwood stare and revved up the bike with a demanding wrist action, you knew rubber was going to burn but somehow pushing my thumb rigorously on the throttle seems a wee bit pansy-like; even women aren't interested in thumb-action.

          Looks as if the sun has punched a few holes through the clouds so I guess it's time to stop my fingers from tap-dancing on the keyboard and get started on the bedroom once again, try and get it finished over the weekend.  However, before I begin working, think I'll head on into the house, pour me a hot cup of java and settle down in my rocking-chair - hmm - might even give my wife a big frontal-hug - gotta love the cushyness of a big-bosomed gal - cheers, eh! 

NEW HOME FOR LUKI AND THE TEPEE

Sarah and Luki

          Seems that things have finally slowed down; not quite so busy anymore.  Sarah's pretty much closed down her wee coffee shop as of yesterday and the Golden Unicorn Arts Festival, although still on people's minds, has ended as well; the last remnants belonging to one of the artisan participants, finally leaving the yard.  However, that being said, already about half a dozen artisans have signed up and picked their spots for the 4th Annual Golden Unicorn Festival being held on Aug. 17, 2014. 

          Most of the leaves are still green but hints of crimson, sienna and ochre are beginning to invade the forest surrounding our little farm.  The days are getting shorter too; the crack of dawn beginning around 6:30am; the rooster's crowing announcing it's prompt arrival.  Fall is definitely in the air. 

          This summer, like the past summer, was really difficult for our Great Pyrenees dog, Luki.  Although the rain fell in torrents; the rain wasn't what bothered Luki; it was the thunder; seemed like every two or three days, the thunder roared and the lightning flashed.  And if it wasn't thundering, summer-time people living alongside the lake set off fireworks almost every night, especially on weekends.  I felt so sorry for the dog because it was driving poor Luki literally insane with fear.  He went from having about an acre of pasture to run around in, to being closed up in the barn at nights, that is until he chewed a huge hole in it, large enough for him to escape.  Luki broke his thick leather collar twice, and a light chain once, trying to get away from the thunder and the fireworks and if that wasn't bad enough, he totally destroyed a chain-link dog kennel too.  Realizing that he was beginning to even fear approaching nightfall, as much as we all loved Luki, we decided to find him another home.  Sarah was fortunate to locate a woman in Nova Scotia who re-homes large dogs because she found him a home on a 200 acre farm, which had similar dogs, which they used to protect their sheep and other livestock.  I took the photo of Sarah as she led Luki around the house for the last time so he could pee everywhere and mark his territory - keep those nasty coons, coyotes and foxes at bay.  I think we should have named Luki, Houdini, because while we were driving him to Nova Scotia and about half way to Canterbury, he tore out the bug screen in the back of the truck and jumped through the window.  Luckily, Sarah managed to get the truck stopped in time and I dread to think what would have happened, if he had done that while we were zooming down the highway.  Luki didn't like being inside a truck or for that fact, inside any vehicle.  Sarah and Jessica were very teary-eyed when they said good-bye to Luki and although I was feeling sad as well, I was happy to see him finally go to a place where he would be allowed to freely roam without the fear of fireworks blasting off all summer long, which was the worst.  I miss Luki's friendly persona and wagging tail but I don't miss those rainy nights when I could hear him yelping to the roar of thunder and fireworks. 

          After having bare poles standing in the yard for a long time, I finally bought a green tarp, cut it to shape and put together the tepee.  The hardest work in making a tepee is skinning the poles; once the tarp was cut, it only took about 15 minutes to put it in place.  Although the tepee is not really erected properly, it was a big hit at the Arts Festival and with the locals.  I'd like to have left it in the middle of the yard so people could enjoy a cup of coffee inside, but it would have narrowed down the space during the festival and perhaps caused a problem for the artisans trying to sell their creations.  I'm not sure if I'll take it down for the winter, because it might be kind of fun to sit out there around the fire when the snow is falling and the wind is howling through the trees.  But it probably would be a good idea to dismantle the tepee and store it over the winter because it would last longer - something I'll have to think about while we enjoy its unusual karma during the fall - cheers, eh!