A smell a sound or a sight triggers memories.

A diesel truck went by just now as I was walking my morning walk, I'm not in love with the smell of burnt diesel, but the smell took me back to MB Sproat lake div. shop. I worked there many years, I've got many very good memories there, so many different guys I worked with flood's my mind, many are gone now. Still good memories though. 

It's interesting how the smells, sounds, as well as something you see can take you back in your mind to a time past, right to the moment. I'm not sure why it triggers the memory, but often in my case it's a good memory. Maybe I'm just fortunate to have many good memories, or maybe that just how it works?

A friend I sat and had lunch with Felix was just one of many friends. I spent many lunches learning from him as we talked during lunch. I watched him come to work beat before he started working, he was building a house off Kitsuksis Rd, on Holly Street, was going to be a huge challet, and a huge challenge. He would come in right on time to start, all coverd in rock dust, partially shaved, looking beat. He worked the night, then went home to Qualicum, slept, got up ate, and came back to his property to continue drilling by hand to make a pattern in the rock to blast for the foundation. 

I remember this time well, I thought he was courageous for taking on such a big project, and I also thought he took on too much. 

Every day I'd get a bit of the report about his day, and see his body become so tired. I learned I didn't want to live like that. I always believed I need to live as well as work, I worked to live, not live to work. OT was not my desire. I believed I could make a life on my wages, I didn't need or want to work extra to get ahead. 

Felix did complete his house, but in doing so his life came apart, his family left, and he had much pain during this time, he was a good friend, I helped him when he was very down, he was really broken at the time. I started by just getting him groceries, he was in real bad shape, he had broken his leg hiking. He came for dinner, we had him for Christmas, and he never forgot. He was loyal, a very good friend. 

He came back to live again, and life got better, he had a girlfriend, they went dancing, his life became better again, but he lost alot in building that house. 

Felix got a huge fortune when his parents passed, he bought a nice home in Nanoose, and all seemed good for him, then some unforseen disease got him, he died suddenly, I'm not sure now exactly what happened, but he died young, too young. In his 60s I think, was sad to learn this, too much work, and not enough enjoyment I think, but each to their own. 

I think of him often, and this time a truck passing by brought me back to that time, eating lunch, and listening to Felix talk. Was a very good time in my life! 

I'm very happy to have this trigger that sends me back to a time that's deep in my memory, a happy time that I like to remember. 

I'm not sure how this works, the trigger, but I'm very happy I have it, I think we all do, we just have to pay attention to it, and enjoy the moment. I don't always take the time to really enjoy it, or write about it, but this time I did. Felix has been in my mind for awhile for some reason, I'm not sure why, but I couldn't have asked for a better friend, that I know.

I guess I'm just missing him. 

I'll pay a little more attention now to the memories triggered as they come in the future, like a good dream 😄 Writing about it helps me understand a bit better. 

Sunday today, Polly has a chance to win big at the casino, she got and entry to win $1000 if she's there today before 2pm, could win. She's taking me there for lunch 😁👍 lucky me.

Our friends are coming to town, Americo & Claudette, we will meet there maybe, be nice to see them again, and plan our next time we will spend together, at their house, maybe a dance! Making more memories! I'm sure will be fun, always is with them. 

Love this life, giving us time to reflect ♥️🤗

We all adapt to the amount of space we have available, no matter small or big.

I was in a house being remodeled yesterday, and it struck me this morning as I thought about our home, and how when people come in, mostly just us, but as you enter there is really not much room. We have a place to hang a few coats, and you are on your way to a seat from the entrance, not a huge area. You can wander around the kitchen if ya want, but likely Polly be there doing something. 

Others I notice have lot's of room, then there is the filler up attitude that seems to come with lots of room, just natural to put this there, and that there, till you have a cramped space. Funny how we do that, get a huge space, and next fill it up to where it's too small. 

We have tried to keep our trailer space open, so it's easy to pass through, no obstacles.

 I did make a table that is in the way in the living room, I'm going to get rid of that this next while, not sure exactly how as Polly now uses it for a photo of her and her sister, and cards and stuff, I'm going to suggest something to her, see if she be ok with it.  

I like the table, just gets in the way sometimes. Will see what Polly says. 

I woke early again, but had a good 6 hrs sleep, and birds were a chirping, was nice, they are quiet now. A message came up from a friend, about a party 🥳🎉 in July, I'll talk with Polly about it later, then another message, a friend I've talked to many times, she also wakes early. She's had much health issues, and her daughter too now, been a rough haul lately. Always nice to talk with her, early. We keep the same kinda schedule. 

Coffee ☕ is really good, water here is great, so soft. You know before we started to travel I never really knew what hard water was. We have learned so much from our travels, I'm truly amazed how much. This last year and a half was amazing looking back. We have a friend that's in Africa now, completed a month long or so trip to many places, just amazing all she saw. I don't know that we'll go back again, was Funtastick when we were there, but is costly, as well as long flights, not wanting to do that again anytime soon. 

Right at this moment I'm totally happy with our life here at Arrowvale, is just right. Exercise is going good, walking more, working on stuff more, visiting friends and family more,  trailer all fixed up, getting Dr stuff all caught up, not sure I'll be going to the dentist in Canada anymore, too darn expensive. Two fillings were $500. And a cleaning for $300, I'm close to Mexico in the winter, I'm going there for the cleaning this winter, and from now on. That's my bitchin for today. 

Polly made cupcakes for the crew at Arbutus RV service department yesterday, they turned out beautiful as I knew they would, 24  cupcakes, 12 carrot 12 chocolate, what a girl she is.

 

     Mike was busy, he really was surprised

The first batch I think she wasn't awake enough yet, but she dumped that in a pan, and put some icing on it, now we have a Cake I'm going to have to eat 🍰😲 chocolate. Darn!

Coffee ☕ #2 now, going to be another beautiful day ❤️🤗 life's good, Really good 😊

4:54am up and on my 2nd coffee ☕☕

Today I'll be creating another drawer for our shoes under our stairs inside our trailer. I was feeling depleted yesterday afternoon when I measured the boxes I had just finished glueing and nailing together were not the correct size. "Measure twice, cut once" is the saying, I did measure many times, even extra making sure! 

Looking back now I realized I had mixed the boards up after, the width and length of each got interchanged, so I ended up with one that has all the width boards, and length boards on the other. LoL, back to the measuring board! 🤪😆

I feel better about it today, understanding what happened. I have this tendency of hurrying in a project, this causes me problems. I'm going to slow myself down a little this next time. 

On another note we had our trailer in for repairs last week at Arbutus RV, was a very good experience. All was looked after, not all warranty repair, but some was. The part I like the best is when some of it wasn't done correctly, and we were to take our trailer to Arrowvale last Wednesday, knowing it needed more work, the tec as they are called said he would come out to Arrowvale and do what was needed there. 

Jim turned up the next day, and spent half a day working on our trailer, getting the slide to work properly, and the fridge fans installed and working properly. That's a bonus for us as in living in our trailer full time, taking it for repairs is always under time constraints. So we went to the shop the other day to ask about 1 other small thing, a small part that stops the slide awning from possibly unrolling when we travel. Mike the service manager wasn't there at the time, and just happened to see Jim outside, he listened to what I had to say, then I said I'd go talk with the service managers Manager LoL. I did this, and got a count on how many employees they have there. 

I didn't think about the conversation with Jim again till yesterday he and his partner showed up, on their way out to another job, they stopped in, with the parts, and installed them for us on the slide topper. I was kinda astonished, that he took the time for a small request, and came out. I had heard from other's their woes about Arbutus, but as far as I'm concerned they are gold to us. Helping in this way, getting all the ducks in a row to be able to get our repairs all done, correct, and if something extra was needed to come out to us was great. 

Today Polly is going to give them some well earned cupcakes 🧁🧁🧁🧁 in appreciation. We have a great respect for helpers in our journey, and the people there did what it took to make our lives just a little easier. Thanks to Mike Ross, who went above & beyond and his whole Crew at Arbutus. 

On another note, yesterday we were leaving Arrowvale for lunch with friends & a woman arrived in her car, and was outside talking on her phone when we were getting in our truck, I said hi as she got off her phone. I was kinda taken back as she asked "Are you from Port Alberni?" Yes I replied right away, and her next words were, "I have Never been to a more unfriendly town!" 

Well now that is not the Port Alberni I know and Love, so I asked where do you live in town? She told me, and all I could say was, Hi I'm Brent, This is my wife Paulette, here's two friendly people that are from Port that you know now, stop by here, we will be here till the end of July. I said we'd talk longer, but have lunch with friends. She said that was ok, she had been here many times before, and was here to seek some peace, as whatever was the problem, she needed some of what she found here before. 

We left, had a great time with our friends, at lunch, they came back to our place here at Arrowvale after, we talked, Polly with Pat, I with Darcy, we had a walkabout here, was a really nice visit. They are both originally from Port Alberni too, but are staying up island right now.  

I woke this morning thinking about what this woman said, I had many questions, but couldn't ask as was going to be late, but hopefully she stops in again, and we can share some good stuff with her about Port Alberni 🤗

Love this life, Love Port Alberni 🤗❤️

Drive around the old neighborhood

Polly & I went into town today to get some flowers and dirt for the new flower boxes I made for her, was a good day for it, not too hot with so many flowers to choose from, Polly knew just what she wanted. Colyns she said, that's where we're going, ok! We made quick work of buying, and loading up the truck. 

On our way home I took the slow way, through the donkey trail towards our old stomping grounds, Golden St. We slowly went through, and looked at all the places we remembered, so much history here. Both kids lived here all their young lives, with so many people we remembered. We stopped and talked to Keith for awhile, was really nice to see him. 

Things had changed, the old fireman his home was gone now just as he is, the trees were all cut down, somebody is going to develop the property we are sure, even if in the flood plain. Many places have the same look, and many are way different. Was an interesting walk back in time for me, just so many memories from almost 50 years ago. I moved there in 1977.

Was nice to take the drive, Polly had memories, and I did too, happy to have them, the house I first bought on golden, looked great 👍 Harold and Pris did a great job. The next home was on Nelson, so many memories there, lost of fun. Then the house we built, and all the fun we had there too. 

Past is nice to look into once in awhile, but looking forward is great 👍 always something new. Even the drive today was new, as was different than I remember. 

We had a good day, like a Sunday on Monday. The campground emptied out after the long weekend, and got much quieter. I worked on a chair I didn't want to work on, tore it apart, going to get parts in a couple days, all going well. A pull cord for the recliner. 

Tore the stairs out yesterday inside the trailer, getting good at taking things apart I say to Polly, she LoL. 😄

I had less energy today, I thought was a good nap afternoon, but instead we sat outside and drank a zero beer, and talked. Looking at the flowers Polly and I planted, as well as the kids that were left after most of the campers left, they had lots of room to play now. So the little electric jeep came out, and around the camp they went. Was nice to watch them, with no responseablity for them I said to Polly, just watch and laugh with them. A very nice afternoon. 

That's just what we wanted today, a quiet calm day. Except for the chair 😜🤪

Polly made me laugh,just planted and she said, she could hardly wait for the rose to Bloom, wanted to see what it would look like LoL 😆

Love this Life 🤗❤️

Thoughts on our past & our cell phones today.

My first project completed at Polly's request

Polly & I watched a film yesterday, was the new film "Air" about Nike and it's relationship with Michael Jordan, was really good show. One of the things we both noticed was as the film took place years ago, in the 80s there were no cell phones yet. This looks odd watching them go to a phone booth, or a wall phone or desk phone. Much of the film was about communication with each other, so phones were a key point to this. 

It made me think just how in such a short time our society has changed. Many people now do not think about this, they grew up with cell phones, video games, internet everywhere, and all communication in their hands, beside them all the time. What a huge change, most take this all for granted now, like it's their right to have this available at every moment. I laughed just now as I tap away on the phone, how darn easy it is to communicate now. A message here, a message there, I peck away, while the young people use both fingers, and are so darn fast! 

I can remember the first time I used FB market place, and listed our boat, I got a message giving me a bid on the boat, I was surprised, something I had no experience with before. That was a short time ago really, September 2007 we sold our boat, as we had begun our change the year before by selling our home. A message to me with what they're willing to pay was so different from my old experience. I expected a phone call😆

Before we had to advertise in the paper, in print, with paper billing, and going to the newspaper to submit your add. WOW have things changed, and thinking back now, so darn fast! I could post something on FB market place now, right now, and it's on right away, and so many look there every second of the day. Amazing, the part I'm thinking is so different is it's all done with no interaction with people, even the transfer of $$$ go online, and often the product is on the curb, no contact with people. 

This leads me to thinking about how we as a society operate now, see in the film the main character had to make a big decision to go talk with Michael's parents, this in our new way gets missed. I'm used to talking face to face with someone, this I believe is a step we are missing in our new and evolving way of life! 

I like to use this phone, I enjoy the benefits, but when I shop, or get some work done for me I like to talk with the person that is about to do whatever, fix my car, trailer, boat, whatever. Cut my hair, or doctor visit, in person, not on the phone. I like this as so much is determined in person, that is different than on this device. 

Old fashioned? I'm sure this is now, but for me it's what I like, and many others do too. The new generation though, they are so used to doing everything impersonal now, they are growing up learning to operate without the personal experience. This I believe is a mistake in our society. 

I'm just another older person looking back, and seeing what was, and comparing to what is. Where will this take us? Who knows, but I'm very happy to have had the experience of knowing both, hoping our young people that are all over the get out get healthy, eat right, live clean, get that the phone is a tool, but not our life! Our interactions with people, many different people, from all over help us all live better together. 

We are not the same, all of us, yet we have so many things in common, and I believe we need face to face communication to make it work, just like in the film, if the main character didn't make contact with the parents, this story may not have been told as it has! 

Such a good story, such a great man. Watch it😀

Then let me know what you think, maybe we'll meet and talk, face to face 😁😆

I hope this leaves you thinking, as it does me. 

Now Polly wants to go shopping, off we go, Polly shop's, I talk with people, it's Port Alberni, I know many people here, and love the experience of talking with them. 🤗❤️

Time flies by, no holding it back.

    The brown looking leaves are new growth, they were just buds last week.

Looking outside this morning as I messaged a few friends and family I realized how every day change happens, regardless what we do the world moves. I was thinking of saying "the world moves ahead "but it isn't like a direction, it's just what is, what will happen whether we participate or not. If I decide to sit here today and do nothing, the rest of the world still does as it does, tree's grow, world turns, and all that lives acts as we do. 

Some of the actions are detrimental to life, most moves life forward I believe. When I woke this morning I had not set the furnace to come on during the night, was very cold and I didn't prepare with an extra cover, so chilled through when I woke. I got up, set the thermostat, and came back to bed with extra coat covering me. Polly woke, came over with her so warm internal heater, we smuggled. Was a nice way to wake today. 

Up I get when I'm all warmed up, Polly goes back to sleep 😴 I put coffee ☕ on, coffee is not as good today, I bought some honey at a market in Yuma before we left, was nice a clear looking in a I quart jar. Tastes terrible, going to have to chuck it out. I know better now, buy from the honey guy, not at the market again. 

I will finish the shed install today, been a learning curve for me, just more movement than I had been doing, so stiff and sore, but I'm going to finish, and get on with the fun stuff, building today. Polly already has her order in, 2 flower boxes, I ask what size, what kind? Just a nice size 🤣, what shape, oh any shape 🤣 gee I get to decide. I get YouTube videos of different kinds of planter boxes, I'll figure something out. 

I have a group of Family & Friends I message daily, this helps me keep contact with them, as life changes daily. I used to have this few words with my son in the morning, he often got up just after me, just a short message, say how's it going, keep in contact. I find this helps knowing what others are up to, and gives me message hug's, as I feel this is the best we can do when we are away from our friends and family.  

Video chat is ok, but not always available, (we are all so busy) so just a short note gives a little hug as we go. We are back on the island now, but can't just visit with everyone right away, so the notes/hug's continue as we make our way to being setup here at Arrowvale. 

I hear the neighbor Rachel taking off, work I'm thinking, seems kinda early for her, maybe just getting something from the store. 7:30 and sun's up full, time I get going too. Be a nice warm day again, life's as you make it, wether you participate or not, up to you! I'm going to continue to participate, as I can't sit and just watch life go by, bye, buy! LoL 

Love this life 🤗❤️

Much to do on our return to the Island is good.

      Rathtrevor with Dan & Joy was nice 

A day of rest was needed yesterday anyway, Polly and I both doing lots as we prepare for our time here. Dentist appointment, a visit with Joy & Danny was just right, lunch Joy said, and that was great, along with good catching up, and a nice walk on the beach made our day. 

Also took a drive to Qualicum native campground, still closed, but we went to the office and made a reservation for August, so spend a couple weeks there before we head off the island. 

Getting all I have for the shop setup is much harder than I expected, I just don't move the same anymore. Body is starting to loose momentum as we travel, and don't work as much. I have to be more careful not to loose my ability to do stuff I like to do. Like many, bending down now is really a big thing, knees just not the same as I remember. I hate to complain, but is a pain not being able to do as I did. 

Accepting our limitations as we age is really good, if you can, I'm not so good at this, so I push too hard to gitter done, and that's a problem when the pains start. I'm thinking this is just another test in older age. Some older people say I'm just a youngin yet, but I sure don't feel like it 😳

Today is finishing the last of getting the tent up and then get the wood into it, and tool's unpacked and setup. Then the fun begins 😀

Sounds easy as I peck on the phone, and after a couple coffees and a bit of cereal I'll get out there and giver today again, until I get the message that I gotta stop LoL, that happens sooner as I continue. Oh well no use complaining, got to do what it takes to get what you want in this life. 

We have guests tonight coming for a visit, Polly's first thought is food, baking I hear, cupcakes 🤣🤣 why would that surprise me. Someone once said "that's how Polly spreads her love, Baking" I agree, oh, and I do like it too 😊 

Our trailer goes in to Arbutus Sunday morning, they will start on some repairs Monday, we will stay with Shayla for a couple days, is different when you live full-time in a trailer getting work done, not like they can have it as long as they want. All parts ordered ahead, so no hold-ups I hope. The service manager Mike understands we live in the trailer, so will be quick. 

Also made reservations for Yuma next winter, be a different winter, stay in one place for a little longer this time, take a bit of a break from traveling. Sundance is a good park, will stay till April likely. There is a woodworking shop close 😁 & I'm sure the card games will be fun. Nice have a plan further ahead. 

Now for a little walkabout, early morning is best! 🤗♥️

Life is interesting as you age, and we are 👴👵

Today we went to a luncheon here at Sundance RV Park. Was a good outing, we met a few people and saw a few we knew already. In conversation we all talked about the change in society, how it was when we grew up, and how it is now. All around the table we agreed changes were not for the best. 

So many people now want everything with little or no effort. Stolen goods has never before been so accepted as now. When I was working! When I was young! Years ago! These are how many of the statements started, I made a few of them statements too. 

I wonder if we are just old and crochety? Much I was hearing I had heard from our parents or grandparents before. Yet here we are having our turn at being the older generation. Is it us that see it different, or have things really changed? 

From where I sit yes they have, drastically changed in our country and the USA for Sure. How can we continue to give in to this give me what I want, and give it to me now, for nothing society. That's how I see what's happening, no responseablity for action's. Lie, cheat, steal, all acceptable in our society. Leaving your stuff unguarded is now your fault, and if I get hurt on your property as I'm stealing some of your stuff, your going to get sued. 

Can't hurt a person for breaking into your home, or you are going to be charged. Can you imagine this, someone breaking in and rummaging in your stuff, and then what, just watch them and let em go, or hide in the closet till they finish? What's the new protocol for the victims of theft? Go to the police after, call the police during? What will happen? 

The conversation was good, but some didn't participate, I'm thinking no use complaining, nothing we can do about it! 

I have never had anyone break into my home. I'm not sure exactly what I'd do, but likely get right in there face, and tell them get the hell outta my home. But what if they refuse, or worse yet come at me? Here in the states, people are prepared to shoot, or club, or do whatever it takes to protect there home and goods. In Canada I believe we are too, but our laws are getting so weak that if we in Canada take to a person that's breaking in, we can and many have been charged for over stepping the laws and taking criminals to task and giving what many would say "what they deserve". 

Not the law, or the lawyer's, they always get on the criminal's side, and win many of the case's as they understand the law, because it's written by lawyers, for lawyer's, not for the people it was supposed to protect. Most people have a good understanding of what is right and what is wrong, but give the evidence to a lawyer and what do you get? Haha, well you don't get criminal's in jail, or justice, you get law's that are made by lawyers, and courts, that are operated by judges, that are also lawyer's. 

All this group are acting as standup citizen's, they are who protect our Rights! At least that's how we think, but in reality they twist the law with words when their criminal clients need it, for $$$$$, as that's what is needed for themselves to get ahead in this world, $$$ dollar's for justice for people that can pay, and injustice for those that can't. How the people got the $$$ is irrelevant, just give me the money, and I do for you, and you walk! 

I went on a rant just now, and I have much more I could rant about, but what's the use? What will change? 

What would you do if someone was breaking into your home? Would you then be the criminal? Let's hope we never find out. 

Rant finished here in Canada 😆

Here at Arrowvale campground not likely to have any criminal activity, as here the rooster 🐓 takes charge! 

Home again feels so good 🤗♥️

Sunday to Thursday and Home again!

         Polly met a friend on the ferry 

I felt it deep in my soul when we drove off the ferry on to the island, ahhh, home again. I'm not sure exactly what, why or how, but I knew we were now exactly where we needed to be. The drive up island was just great, every moment felt just a little closer to our home for the rest of the spring and some of the summer 🌞😎

Driving past Ladysmith I said "when we come down to our Dr appointments I want to take a walk on the beach here, I really liked that when we lived here" Polly agreed.

On the way past Naniamo I said, let's stop and see Dan & Joy at Rathtrevor, give some hugs and continue to Arrowvale. Polly agreed, so we did, it felt so nice to be by the water again, the sounds  and smell's were great. Moisture in the air, gulls above, eagles flying, just so much I remember, and here we are again. Joy & Dan were not, so a note, and sayonara, off we went towards Port Alberni. Driving past Cameron lake felt comfortable, even with the road sloughing into the lake in many places. Just the feeling of nobody behind us, was a great feeling, no rushing, nobody cutting us off, just a perfect comfy drive home. 

Up the hump, one car passes, and we are on our own again, many leaving the valley, just us coming in😀

Rambo pulled Cecile up the hump like the star he is, just fantastic. On the top still not a car behind us, and all the way down, just like we had the highway to ourselves. Such a beautiful day, no rain, cloudy, with sun poking through every once in awhile, was a great return.

Through Port to Arrowvale, past the river, Polly said, "the River looks great hey!" So many memories so much comfort driving along, knowing the road all the way from Victoria all the way home was like a very good dream. 

All the way Polly and I both looked for signs that would tell the price of diesel, not a one! Many stations with DIESEL marked, but no price? What the heck! Still I'm looking, but it's like every station got the memo "No Diesel Price to be posted"😳 hmm I wonder why?

As we pulled into Arrowvale campground the first person we saw was or neighbor Nathan, and his young daughter, 16 months old, she was born just before we left Port on our trip, December 24th. We hugged, and talked, so much has happened since we left, in our lives and theirs. Our site was ready for us as Ann said it would be, and after we started to set-up, Ann drives up and we hug, and she mentions the club we are both in that nobody wants to be in ☹️ I know now what it's like. We didn't dwell on it, we just know that life changes, and you have to continue to move forward. 

  Our campsite is almost exactly as we left it

That day was perfect, Polly busied herself inside, I outside, until Rachel, Nathan's wife came home from work, we hugged, and talked, and had a drink, and talked some more, until the weather changed, then inside we went, putting all the outside stuff away, and preparing for the rains ☔, and yes it would rain. Steak for dinner Polly said, I didn't argue 😆 was a very good dinner. 

      Some of our trinkets are still hung up 

I talked with Penny on Messenger, she really wanted to see me, said I would see her today, and I did, more hug's 🤗🤗 

Lyn & Andrew came over after dinner, we hugged, and talked, Andrew had a couple song's for us to listen to, was a nice homecoming. Polly of course had some presents, a picture for Andrew from Memphis, that reminds us of him and a mug for Lyn (Best F❤️ckin Sister) & a bottle of wine (Sweet Bitch) on the bottle. 🤣

Was a great day, a bit of TV and bed, to the sounds of rain lightly on the roof, yep we are back in Port Alberni alright 😆 

Polly just said to me "I'm tired of this rain already" LoL I'm still liking it, as I know, suns coming back next week, and we are home 🏡

Love travel, love coming home too🤗❤️

Project's are going to start once I get the plastic shed up. Sure going to be fun 😊

So much to look forward to here. 🤗❤️