You are currently browsing the monthly archive for November 2011.
On November 14th, 2010 lil g came into this world – with a great deal of help from me I might add. And so I thought it fitting to throw a party in honour of both babe and mama. Now, this may sound selfish – including myself in the celebration of our daughter’s first year – but really, she doesn’t know it’s her birthday and besides, a happy mama (wife) means a happy household (life).
Since many of our baby-family friends are scattered throughout the island, I concocted what I considered to be a brilliant plan to rent cabins out on the beach… ten minutes from our house. This way, no one deals with their own dishes or cleaning, no one has piles of laundry staring them in the eye and there is no agenda other than to enjoy the beach, great food and each other’s company. No arms needed to be twisted and within hours of the initial email being sent out, everyone was on board.
The posse included 9 adults, 7 children and 3 dogs the first night, and 11 adults, 8 children and 4 dogs the second – with no child older than 2.5 yrs old. It was a sight to behold and at times, complete mayhem. But totally fun and will likely end up being an annual event.
Saturday night was the official “dance-party night” which meant DJ Jay was in the house with inebriated mamas in the front row dusting off their rusty moves. Sunday offered up perfect kite flying weather for all the “big kids” – and I mean the very big ones. Between the incredible home cooked meals, dips in the hot tub, and crispy forest walks – the weekend totally re-charged my gratitude for living in such a beautiful place, with wonderful people and a bounty of healthy kids all around.
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This year marks a time of action as the world watches countries such as Egypt, Lybia, and Tunisia forge change through civil uprisings. Public protests in Bahrain, Syria and Yeman further illustrate the tides of change washing over our globe. Like great tectonic plates, majors shifts alter our present times, making new history and a changed landscape forever.
And on the home front…. Jason Thompson runs for town council in Masset! Yes, the size and scope of this act more than pales in comparison, however, it does denote that change isn’t always something we watch from afar, but rather a question we ask ourselves. How would I like to be a part of positive change? What lies unsettled within me? From which bubbles answers as unique as ourselves. Perhaps it’s volunteering overseas, taking a meal over to a single mom, or … running for town council.
As Jay’s official campaign manager, we ran on a simple platform for increased civic engagement (currently the public does not attend open council meetings), beautification of our town, increased support for local businesses and improved social services for residents. Sadly, I was away with work for the all-candidates debate, but since my return I have heard encouraging comments ranging from good impressions to rave reviews. We made buttons based on the “I Heart NY” logo signifying Jay’s love for this place and his belief that things can get even better (with a little love…). Seven candidates ran for four seats to join acclaimed major Andrew Merilees.
Politics in a town of approximately 1000 means you never know what will happen. A rampant case of bad rumours could be the nail in the coffin. Likewise, get enough people on your side (the talkers) and it’s in the bag. We waited on the edge of our seats as the tallies came in last night, on November 19th. And at 10pm , we heard the news.
Congratulations Town Councillor – I am proud of you and our town!
Despite the fact we’re going into our third year on the island, there are still quite a number of things on our “Haida Gwaii to-do” list. However, I am happy to report that one such item has been completed. It’s a certain drive I’ve always wanted to do.
At the end of North Beach is Rose Spit – a sand bar that juts out towards the North like the cheeky tongue of a little kid. Beyond that is East beach whose shoreline runs along the east side of Graham Island and shares the waters of Hecate Strait with Prince Rupert. You can drive along the beach North, around the spit and over to east beach when the tides permit. It is also strongly advised to travel in groups with at least one person familiar with towing trucks out of wet or sandy situations.
We’re invited to caravan out to a friend’s half built cabin on the far side of east beach. This is our chance. We rendez-vous at 10am, load our truck with odds and ends such as a table top, rubbermaid bins of tools, and a pot full of chili. The air is crispy and nips at my nose, but the sky is bright and the winds are mild – a perfect day for beach exploration. By the time we reach the end of the pavement, about to hit beach – the sun has come out in full fall force and I am regretting not grabbing my sunglasses. We are an convoy of three trucks, one jeep and two people on quad bikes. All loaded up with whatever we can manage to carry out to the cabin – including a 5 foot window vertically fastened in the back of a pickup.
There is something exhilarating about driving down a beach. With lil g happily entertained in the back, we follow the pack between wet packed sand, to “side roads” with names like Carpenter’s Lane. These are one track paths lined with spruce, hemlock and the odd stunted cedar. After 3o minutes or so, we come to a juncture where the spit juts out to our left and east beach to the right. We turn right and are greeted by fields of beach grass, glistening in the sun as if spun gold. There is a collective sigh as we bounce through the field, captured in its light.
Our first challenge, is how to re-connect with the beach and we begin building bridges of driftwood over soft sand, until our friends on quads rescue us with news that an easier route lies just ahead. Next up, a sinking truck (not ours). With the rising tide lapping at its tires, our skilled friends rig up the ropes and rescue the truck just in time (but as if it was no big deal). The cabin is (wisely) tucked away from the shore so we pull up and “park” next to a sea of washed up driftwood, over which we walk – carrying supplies – the cabin. From there a meandering trail takes us through battered trees to the half built home.
We spend the afternoon eating chili by an outdoor fire, hoisting the new window into place, and enjoying the rugged calm that can only exist in places this remote. Changing tides signal a prompt departure and we’re back on the “beach-way” again. The day has been spectacular. I feel like a modern day pioneer, exploring untouched and dangerous landscapes, where ingenuity and hardiness are key to survival. I vow to return, although never to do this trip by myself, for I (or at least the truck) would surely perish.
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