Big Dreams & Hairbrained Schemes

When we decided to take a year away from teaching, we weren't totally delusional --- We knew we would need money. We just wanted to change up the way we got it, mainly the time and type of emotional energy we put into making said cash. We also wanted to explore some different interests and ideas, focusing less on the financial gains and more on the experiential rewards. 

✴Que the schemes and dreams✴

Christmas Markets: While spending time in New Brunswick we took to the opportunity to get involved in the various Christmas Markets happening. We also took the opportunity to learn some top notch baking skills and recipes from the best baker out there, Tyler's Mama. We had a lot of fun peddling our cookies, cinnamon buns (Video: How the Buns Get Rolled) and empanadas, as well as getting out and meeting a lot of other market vendors.   

Penfriend Postcards: This is an idea that combines our love for travel, writing and teaching literacy. It's a postcard subscription where we write and send a postcard every two weeks from various locations to our subscribers. A great way to promote real-life literacy for kids, and just plain fun to receive actual mail in the mailbox. We set-up a website with all the info and literacy activities, which was also really fun to create. So, won't you be our penfriend? 

 

First order of working remotely- Get Starlink

(Part-time) Remote Work: This is something we have wanted to explore, to answer two big questions;

1) Could we stretch one year of exploration into two without spending our savings?

2) How easy (or difficult) would it be for us to work remotely from anywhere? 

When talking about remote work, we are mostly looking at online tutoring and customer service positions. This avenue is still being explored and we've yet to answer our own questions, but it allows us to daydream about the places we could go given an extension of time and space --- Check back soon. 

Substitute Teaching: Ok, so not all that different from our regular occupation, but the pros on this one certainly outweigh the cons. 

Pros: By far the most lucrative of our ventures, teacher shortages mean there is work available everywhere we go, flexibility in schedule, and compared to being a full-time teacher--no planning, no report cards(!). Cons: Well, we all remember what it was like when a substitute teacher strolled in. Things can get a bit silly.

"My name is Mr. T and I'll be your substitute today."

This is definitely not an exhaustive list of the shit we get up to. On the daily we're chatting with folks from every walk of life, keeping our minds open to possibilities and swinging at every pitch---because, why not? We have gone to school (either as student or teacher) for the past 30 years and will likely return in the near future. We are fully aware that this time is a unique and rare pause in our professional lives. At this moment we have the gift of time to be completely present with our families and to have a crack at whatever comes our way.... so why not open that roadside tandoori BBQ in rural Ontario?! 

*A very good and inspiring listen about taking a 'life year' - Good Life Project - How to Take a Life Changing Break with DJ DiDonna

For Dad

*A departure from our usual posts. 

Experiences can take all forms, and let me tell you, this one has knocked my feet right out from underneath me.

In preparing to speak at my Dad's funeral, I wrote this three days prior.

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When writing down my thoughts to share today, I found myself churning out autobiographical facts about my Dad that made up the timeline of his life;

He was born in London England in 1935, and spent his early childhood enduring World War 2. He is the son of an Anglican minister and the eldest of seven children. He attended boarding school, and was later conscripted to the military, which led to his eventual immigration to Canada in 1957. During his time in the British and Canadian military, he was stationed in various European countries and Canadian cities. In 1969 he met my Mom at Queen’s University, and the two eventually settled in Brighton where they have raised their two children, and now four grandsons for the past 45 years.

That’s my Dad in a nutshell – but anyone who knows John, knows that there was a bit more to him. He was a true character. And so what I really want to share with you is what I love most about my Dad. 

First and foremost, I love how much he loved his family. My Dad could be counted on to call, write or email all members of our immediate and extended family on a regular basis. He did not forget a birthday, anyone at Christmas or pass up an opportunity to spend time together.

After leaving home, I would often open my mailbox to receive an envelope with dad’s distinctive handwriting, inside a newspaper article that he thought I’d be interested in or a photograph he had annotated and turned into a homemade comic. Just something simple to let you know he was thinking about you. To our embarrassment, he would repeatedly share stories about our childhood to anyone who would listen, a courtesy that has since been extended to his grandchildren as well. His children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, cousins, and nephews; We all knew we were loved. 

I don’t think it is possible to speak about my Dad and his love for family without talking about my mom, Lois. When asked about how my parents met, mom would lovingly say “He just wouldn’t go away!” and as a testament to his persistence, my Mom and Dad were married for 51 years. They have navigated the inevitable ebbs and flows of marriage. They co-existed in a world where they would recite poetry to one another at the dinner table, worked together on crossword puzzles daily, and each evening before saying goodnight, my Mom would look at my Dad and say, “You’re one of the good guys.”  They balanced each other, and contrary to their more commonplace roles, my Dad was a pillar of calm for my Mom in the most challenging moments of their lives together. 

Dad jokes for days

I love his sense of humour. My Dad was always thinking of a joke, a pun or silly limerick—Some you would laugh at, some you would roll your eyes at, and some you would never repeat. Even as a child my Dad loved a harmless joke. You would think being the son of a minister would deter John and his sister Janet from playing pranks, but it just added to the general silliness of their childhood. He’d roar when he’d tell you the story of digging “The Grandpa Pit”---A hole they dug in hopes of entrapping their Grandfather in the garden. Dad always maintained that it was Jan who was the mastermind, and he was the one who got in trouble. Knowing some of the pranks he played as an adult, I find it hard to believe that he had no part in the planning. Whoever the mastermind was, Aunt Jan and Dad were thick as thieves, and found themselves and each other very funny throughout their entire lives.

Mischief Makers

I love that he had so many interests. Up until the last couple years, I don’t remember my Dad sitting still for any length of time. He believed in being an active member of the community and that it was important to continue to learn, be engaged and productive. Age was never a factor in his pursuits. He took weekly singing lessons and sang in a variety of community and church choirs. He practiced tai chi, and spoke multiple languages. He was a dedicated member of the Brighton Lions Club for 40 years. He remained passionate about the armed forces throughout his life, and was a proud member of the Legion. He maintained a garden each summer. He loved to camp in every season, instilling a love for the outdoors in both myself and especially my brother Aaron. At the age of 60 he took up sailing, and went on many voyages throughout the Great Lakes, along the Atlantic, and amazingly down to the Antarctic at age 80.  Recently one evening after dinner, Dad and I were having a drink of Grand Marnier, as he did most evenings. He looked at me and said “You know, society expects you to be productive”. I rolled my eyes and thought this a thinly veiled message for me to get a job – but after some conversation I realized he measured productivity by so much more than just a standard day-job. I’d say Dad lived up to society’s expectations and then some.

I love how he never truly grew up.

Having been raised by him, I had an inkling and it was only confirmed when he turned 80 and he confessed to me that he’d felt like he was 18 his whole life—Not exactly a revelation when I thought back on the ice-cream sandwiches Aaron and I ate for breakfast when mom wasn’t home or the extensive collection of whoopie cushions he owned. He insisted that we plant Cheerios or “donut seeds” on full-moon nights and would be up at the crack of dawn to get a dozen donuts before we woke up. Instead of worrying if the water was too cold, he’d be the first one to do a cannonball into the lake. He taught me not to take things too seriously and to take pleasure in the small and silly moments.  

And finally, I love the way he spoke his mind, most of the time. As most of you can attest to, my Dad did not hesitate to share his thoughts and opinions. There were very few issues he sat on the fence about, he read a lot, shared his feelings freely and his mind was always busy. As my Uncle Robin aptly mentioned– “John never knew how to close a phone call”. He always had one more thing to add to the conversation. However, without fail, when it was finally time to say goodbye and an “I love you so much Dad”— He would pause, his blue/grey eyes would soften, he’d smile and say “I love you too” and you knew he really meant it.... And then he would ask you something completely mundane, like if you remembered to take out the garbage.

So when my Mom asked me to say a few words about my Dad today, I knew that I couldn’t sum up my thoughts in just a few words — I am my father’s daughter after all. The long and short of it is that I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to speak about him, and more importantly to have loved and been loved by my Dad.  

Fun•Day at Fundy National Park

Oook let's take a pause and rewind a moment for a quick update; We arrived back in Ontario in September and headed to New Brunswick for October & November. Since snow and general low temps aren't uncommon in Canada for this time of year (and let's face it, it's only getting colder), we decided to store our camping gear and sell our van since we'd be staying (indoors) with our parents for awhile. 

Classified Ad: Currently looking for an RV---Something 20-30ft, mechanically pretty sound and no water damage. The state of the interior isn't so much important, as we'll likely reno. If you know/hear of anything, let us know!

So when New Brunswick repeatedly broke record temp highs during our stay we were kicking ourselves for not bringing our van east. We definitely wanted to be outside while the province experienced the second-coming of summer. Without much camping gear we decided our best option was to check-out the yurt scene at Fundy National Park.

Of course we had to take the round-about way to get there --We hit the Fundy Coastal Drive and stopped in for a picnic and to check out the sea caves at Saint Martins.

Late afternoon, we finally rolled into Fundy National Park! Across Canada in the National Parks are some really cool set-ups for those with little outdoor gear, or the desire to actually sleep outside. The icing on the camping-cake was rolling up to Yurt #2 which included unreal views. 

The view at low tide & high tide. And why is this tide so special you might ask?
Well, the Bay of Fundy boasts the highest tides in the world, rising and falling 12m twice daily.

We arrived at low tide, took in the fresh air and a cider, then wandered down to the seaside town of Alma. After a good little toodle, a bowl of seafood chowder and several pictures of lobster miscellany, we hit up the corner store and headed back up the hill. 

Cranking up the yurt's propane woodstove, we put little J to bed, and then sat outside under the full moon and cooked dinner. 

The new morning was a quintessential Bay of Fundy day---Drizzly, grey, fresh and thick with fog. As someone who drops in on the East Coast every now and again, I find the weather just adds to the overall charm, so we were not deterred from hitting up a couple hikes and a frolic in the rainbow blueberry fields before making our way home.

You might notice a lack of sun in all these pictures.
"It'll burn off" is a catchphrase we use often as motivation to get out.