The Gate

Posted on by Dwayne

20120707-201608.jpgA few weeks ago I was out on a walk with Madden enjoying the morning sun.  The summer smells enveloped us as we strolled leisurely around the neighborhood, I pushing the stroller and he dozed, in and out of attendance.

On one nearby street I spotted this unique gate, and inviting flora.  I could say “we” but he was snoozing at that point, or come to think about it he was likely just waking, making noises that inspired me to give him his bottle.  Babies can do that.

The gate provided a doorway and was guarding the front entrance of the home, maybe not quite guarding the front door but protecting the grounds approaching the door.  Perhaps creating a retreat the owners relished as much as I yearned for my holy place.  Establishing a sanctuary of sorts, protected from the outside world and yet providing all the comfort and peace such a space could afford.  An oasis in the desert of city living.

I was immediately intrigued.  What’s behind the Gate I wondered.  Does the enclosed space carry the same coziness and natural feel that the gate inspires.  Is it really a nirvana behind there, or is it only a facade that teases the mind and imagination into believing in something that really isn’t there?  I have to know.

So I’ve made an agreement with myself, and you too I guess, that on my next visit I will make another trip to the home.  I will walk up to the entrance, along the gravel path, hearing my footsteps crunch as I approach.  I will take in the aromas of the flowers and greens and in anticipation I will approach the portal.  I will knock, tentatively, and if appropriate will push gently on the wooden structure and peer inside.  I have to know, what’s inside The Gate.

Lost in Time – July 16 Camping

Posted on by Dwayne

I will have to ramble again. My time is likely short and I feel lost, lost in time.

20120716-205316.jpgI’m alone for the present, I chose to stay back while others went to the beach. My options are: puttering about the site, reading, or posting. At this point in my free time I’ve chosen to blog, although because I’m ADHD I’ve tried to do all 3 and just just finished up with blogging.

My daughter and her family left yesterday morning but my sister-in-law, her husband, their daughter (my Neice) and her husband and 3 kids are still camping next to us. In addition my wife’s cousin and her 3 kids have also been camping in Herald and have just relocated their tent to the site next to the family.

I don’t want to sound like a stuck record but the activity is, at times, overwhelming. I’ve noticed that even my wife, who espouses the “gotta spend time with the family” philosophy has even retreated on a few occasions to her “castle”, which at present is the trailer. It seems even she is not immune to the vagaries of this camping life.

“Teach me to behave sincerely and reasonable toward every member of my family and all other human beings, that I may not cause confusion and sorrow to anyone.” -Unknown

I feel for my nephew who at times strikes me as being a bit submerged in the activities on any particular day. We have similar needs I suspect and where I have the ability (read luxury) to temporarily depart the hubbub I don’t know that he does. Or he may have the ability but like me on so many occasions cannot muster up the “stones” to do so.

I’ve lost my “alone time” and will have to wrap it up. The time is lost again, perhaps I’ll find it tomorrow.

Lights out, cya

July 14 Camping at Herald

Posted on by Dwayne

Oh what a relief it is. The temperature has dropped but it feels to me like some emotions may have heated up.

It could just be me however, I have been known (or so I thought) to be a poor judge of so many things emotional and people. Funny thing is I used to consider myself quite adept at reading situations, and people’s moods in them. Are they mad or stressed? Now I just wonder, are they or aren’t they? Only their hairdresser knows for sure.

Apart from any possible sub-currents of tension I am having a pretty good time. I’m not too stressed at this point, and I don’t really see that changing soon. I certainly hope not anyway. I like it when we get time with my daughter, her husband, and our grandson Madden. I just love that little guy to death, but I think I’ve said that before.

Other family is here as well and although I also love them, and enjoy spending time with them (most of the time anyway), there are moments where I miss my quiet times. I would love nothing more than just being alone for a while, in my castle. That would be my yard, or on my deck surrounded by my roses. There is no one but myself that I can charge with the responsibility of my happiness though. It’s up to me to make my bed isn’t it, it’s not up to anyone else to make me happy.

20120715-113658.jpgWe went on a bit of a family walk this morning up to Margaret Falls. It’s a local touristy thing, a walk through the forest along a meandering stream. That doesn’t truly paint the picture though, the forest is lush in sections with dappled sunlight, and the stream is fast and turbulent. A beautiful walk nonetheless, a calm in a sea of chaos.

I am getting some quiet time now though. It’s what’s allowing me to write this and I fear at any moment it will be cut short as family arrives back from the beach.

My wife and I offered to babysit as the “kids” went back to the beach to swim and paddle board. They don’t often have the opportunity to escape together so this was good for them, they can spend some alone time and we can contribute by caring for Madden. I had just taken him for a long walk while others napped so they actually had a good couple hours of aloneness already. It’s good for them. It’s good for me.

Supper will be ready shortly so this little hiatus of mine will end. I’ll be lucky to have anything meaningful posted by then, or so I suspect, but with some luck I can come back to it if it’s not completed. Here’s hoping.

July 12 Camping

Posted on by Dwayne

Time is flying by, and I know not where it’s gone. I only wish I could recapture it, experience it again.

We have been camping or on the road now since July 6th and I haven’t journaled or blogged since then.  Actually that is not totally correct, I blogged about Madden on the 7th.  Shows what my memory is like, good but short.  Or as a friend said to me, “my memory is good, it’s my recall that’s the shits”.

My back/ lower side has been bothering me the last few nights and the first night it chose to rear its ugly pain ridden head it reached such a crescendo of discomfort I was unable to get to sleep.  I thought perhaps the cause was the bag-type chair I’ve been using so I switched to either standing up or sitting in a different lawn chair since then.  This is the first day I’ve tried sitting in my chair since then and as I sit here, on my lawn chair/throne, surveying my campsite domain, I pulled out my iPhone and will pen some thoughts.

Writing anything here is a challenge for me. I am easily distracted, I already have a short attention span, and I am also easily lead astray. A prime senior ADD candidate Not a good combo for someone endeavoring to maintain their blog. Oh I wish I were stronger of will and not so wishy washy. We are so often critical of ourselves aren’t we?
My other current excuse is the lack of cell service, read that as Internet. Since my posting is done either via phone or laptop I’m somewhat hooped on both counts. In reality that’s a bunch of bunk, and if I had the appropriate amount of willpower it wouldn’t be an issue. I can get a cell connection down at the beach, should I choose to avail myself of it. I can also journal anytime and anywhere as all I need is my journal and a pen or pencil. Hell, a piece of charcoal and a deerskin would work. They’ve been used for centuries.

Whatever the reasons for not posting there’s far too many distractions now. I’ll have to finish later.
Caio

Missing Post – Madden and Me

Posted on by Dwayne

I don’t know what happened here, the post below was MIA, lost in the abyss, originally published (I thought) July 7.

Here we go again, the quality time one desires as a grandparent.  The holding and cuddling, the snuggling and feeding of the the baby and then having them fall asleep in your arms.  To listen to the purring of their soft breathing, the occasional sighs and the peaceful calmness of their trust.   It takes me back to the good times we had as young parents, except now as they say we can give them back as they misbehave or become cranky.  Not that we would.

20120707-135907.jpgAll the adults are out at present and Madden and I are having some quality time bonding whilst we walk.  It’s good for him to get out in the fresh air and sun (not direct sun mind you) and also good for me. I’ve been neglecting myself lately so here we can kill two birds with one stone.  He can get some air and I’ll get a stretch.

We are laying over here for a day or so before heading back off to camp. The time will be spent bonding with the kids, Madden time of course, and buying enough grub for the next phase of our journey.  We will leave here tomorrow morning for Herald Provincial park, across the Shuswap Lake from Salmon Arm.  We will stay there until the 17th and then back onto the highway for more adventures further south.

It will be interesting times.

Camp, Camp, Camp Away

Posted on by Dwayne

Day 1 of our camping trip is under our belts, how many days we have left is open for discussion but it should be at least 18. That’s a good long time on the road.  Will we survive it, that is the question.

20120706-170359.jpgLast night we spent the evening at Christina Lake, in the Gladstone Provincial Park. We had a beautiful spot situated on the plateau with a view of the lake through the trees. Many of the sites in the park, those not on the lower level, are on a side hill above the plateau and while they are still nice camping spots they did not afford the view we enjoyed. Continue reading Camp, Camp, Camp Away

My Day, Happy Birthday to Me…..

Posted on by Dwayne

20120626-084741.jpgIt’s my birthday today, 56 years ago this morning I was being born.  I don’t recall what the time was…..I was busy being overwhelmed by the birth experience and I hadn’t yet learned to tell the time.  Nor did I have a watch.

Continue reading My Day, Happy Birthday to Me…..

Dad’s day

Posted on by Dwayne

Photo 2012-06-17 10 25 57 PMMy uncle posted a photo on Facebook the other day of my Dad and I.   I was being given a haircut by my Dad when I was about 3 or 4 I’d guess.  I certainly don’t remember the day.

I will show my Dad the pic when I see him today.  I’d be curious to see if he has any recollection of the event at all. Something tells me he won’t, but he has surprised me before and may do so again.

It just depends on how lucid he is on any particular day.

Continue reading Dad’s day

Life is Good

Posted on by Dwayne

  • Life is good.
  • I guess I’m in a good space now.
  • Grandchildren can do that I’m told.
  • I’m a believer in that theory.

Continue reading Life is Good

Fishing, for Flowers

Posted on by Dwayne

I just returned from a fishing trip, not of the aqua kind but a fishing trip for flowers.  A few non-committed minutes were available in my morning so I went down to the local nursery and browsed the shelves looking for another rose bush.

The fact that I went, by myself, may have been seen as a tad unusual and a bit out of character, and maybe even a month ago I would have agreed.  Now, today, maybe not so much.

Continue reading Fishing, for Flowers