It's been so long since I wrote. Stacie visited and while here encouraged me to start writing again. She was referring to the days of blogging when I had so much to say. At that time, there were stories that hadn't been told and kids that were adorable, innocent, and filled with delight. So much water under the bridge since then. Not to mention the years of full-time work that took me away from the luxury of writing. There used to be so much to write about. It doesn't feel like there is now. Do I have anything to say? Only I can capture this life, the only one on the planet like it. Can I write to share the journey or write to record the family history? Admittedly, it's been a year or two of amazing learning, growth, changes, and discovery. Also admittedly, writing was a wonderful emotional outlet back in the day. So here goes; I shall write and see what comes out.
Where to begin? Our move is a logical place to start. We left beautiful, prosperous Alberta to move to British Columbia where the beauty is totally and absolutely different than St Albert and Edmonton's. The ocean!! Our house faces the ocean; I never imagined something so extravagant could be my life. But here we are. Some days the barking of seals makes me smile so big I'm powerless to wipe it off my face. I'm not close enough to see the seals, but their racket is amusing in its own right.
Our view is large; the Strait of Georgie, the Trail Bay Islands, and Vancouver Island. We don't get big waves because
our sweet living room
Vancouver Island is between us and the open ocean. This life is totally foreign to me; a little example: I always thought eagles to be a majestic, regal birds. I mean, after all, they're the American bird. I've learned they're scavengers. They hang out at the dump and that kind of sums up my falling out of love with them. Also, they circle my yard and the neighbors say they've got their eyes on my dogs. I can't even imagine the horror.
The Sunshine Coast is connected to the mainland, but for all intents and purposes, it's an island as it's only accessible by boat. We must ferry 40 minutes to Vancouver to leave the coast. The ferry ride is gorgeous and is still new enough to be exciting.
Gordon and the kids got here in September and I came in November after the St Albert house sold. So I've been here about six months. I've seen a bear, moose, cayotes, and seals; they're all abundant here. Sunshine Coast Facebookers regularly post wildlife pictures that make me green with envy; deer, bears, moose, orcas, dolphins, wolves, and cougars. Hopefully I'll get to see more wildlife soon.
Last year, a deer birthed twins in my yard. It was before our move, but I enjoyed seeing my neighbors pictures of them. Bears, they say, will frequent the yard this summer, and I certainly look forward to that.
Alaska-bound cruise ships pass twice daily and this still is remarkable to me. I see them from my living room, kitchen, and patio. As I said, it's a whole new world for me.
We were on the Sunshine Coast in 1993 for our honeymoon. Fascinating that here we are again.