Tag: Newfoundland

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Smell the Rose

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Here’s me trying out my new skills on a rose I gave The Berry (what, me, a die-hard romatic?). I think it looks pretty good!

And who says you can’t work and play hard? That’s what we’ve been trying to do at least. Learning the ropes, getting everything operational, commandeering the A Wake at Last, dealing with the busy summer season – we knew it would be a lot of work, but maybe not as much work as it’s been. So there’s only one way to deal with craziness around you, and that’s by carving out time for yourself. That’s why every day The Berry and I make sure we have a little ‘us’ time, even if it’s just taking a moment to smell the (sometimes literal) roses. And that’s why despite the workload, I still find time to enjoy the hammock my daughter gave me for Father’s Day. Today’s Saturday, so I hope your weekend, even if eventful, has a few quiet minutes for you to recharge your batteries!

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Happy 25th!

This happy couple are wonderful guests Tony and Valda from Marysvale, whom we were happy to welcome to our Osprey cottage for their 25th anniversary. What a great couple they are – and what a milestone! We sent over flowers and cards and, of course, took them out for a spin on the A Wake at Last.

We almost didn’t make it out. I’m going to start sounding like a broken record here (or, maybe I’ll just sound like I have a broken boat!), but this time around we needed to replace two props and – you guessed it – it was neighbour and friend Alf yet again who helped get us operational. And operational she was – taking us out to Shag Rock at 60 km/hour!

Happy Anniversary again to Tony and Valda – we’re honoured to have been part of your celebrations!

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Happy Guests = Happy Jerry

If you follow this blog you know I rave about this new life and all the opportunities to meet new people. Here’s another perfect example – our wonderful guests Gail and Rhonda, two fun and fun-loving gals we recently hosted. They loved the Blueberry Cottage – with all its color coordinating and complementary accents, it is a warm and inviting place. And they took to calling me and Joe Friday, ‘Buddy Wasisname and the other fella’ – too perfect.

Of course I had to take Gail and Rhonda for a ride and picnic on the A Wake at Last. I wanted their week to be ‘freedom plus’ from all the stress of the city – and I think it was. They told us they didn’t want to leave! I told them we have long term rentals!Shag Rock or bust!

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Sunday Church Blogging: Zion Pentecostal

 

This is a pleasant first in my Sunday Church Blogging series – Zion Pentecostal in New Harbour is the first Pentecostal church I’ve showcased. And it’s about time! As The Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador explain on their website, Alice Belle Garrigus (from Connecticut) brought Pentecostalism to St. John’s in 1911, and the movement has had a rich and important history since then. A very important part of our island’s faith community, indeed!

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But Who Can Resist?

In St. John’s the other day, I couldn’t resist a stop into McDonalds for my favourite breakfast, an egg mcmuffin with some juice and coffee. It’s a rare treat these days, as there are only 3 McDonalds in Whiteway (or, was that, none?). They might want to rethink the above sign though – very misleading!

Fast food indulgences notwithstanding, I feel great, despite the copious amounts of red wine and good food – lots of physical work and little mental strain make for a health body. The doctors are amazed; they tell me I have the blood pressure of a teenager, the strength of a lion, and the mental capacity of a two year old.

So, when I am in St. John’s (as little as possible) it doesn’t hurt to splurge. At least, that’s what I tell the Berry!

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Newfoundland Golden Connection

It was The Berry who found Murphy – I didn’t think I wanted a dog. But Murphy is doing his best to change that. He is sweet, gentle, affectionate, playful, beautiful – every good thing a dog should be.Did you know that Goldens come from a combination of Irish Setters, Tweed Water dogs, several other retrievers, and the now extinct (but similar to the Newfoundland) St. John’s water dog. Imagine – a mix of Newfoundland and Irish Setter – his previous owner, little 4 year old Lucas, picked out the perfect name for him.

And no wonder he has a personality to die for – he has Newfoundland genes!

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Drain Ditched for Beauty

What a difference Nature – and a bit of elbow grease – can make in a month! This drain used to be just that – a drain, a ditch, a neglected area that gets forgotten. Now, although far from finished, it’s becoming a thing of DIY beauty (if I do say so myself).

It’s my labour of love – which with our busy summer season has meant it is usually usurped by labour of necessity – but I still get to dabble here and there. And by the end of the summer, we’ll have a fabulous foundation for a great showing next year. (And check out below if you’d like to see the ‘before’!).

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Lobster Season

 

Here is a neighbour checking his lobster pots just in front of Murphy’s Wharf. And as the season winds down, we have had more than our share of lobster, lobster bisque, crab, scallops and the likes from our neighbours, most of it caught right in front of our house. It pays to be right on the ocean – no question we live in the horn of plenty!

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Splintered

Joe Friday was fooling around this weekend (you know, acting his age and all!) and got a splinter. Luckily for him, our niece Lisa, who happens to be a triage nurse, was spending some time with us at the cottages. So she got the needles out and went to work.

Not given to drama or exaggeration, Joe warned us that the splinter might be a good one. And he was brave right up to the bitter end, when Lisa got close to pulling the splinter out and he started to scream.

Big baby, he called THAT a splinter. What a sook! (To any non-Newfoundlanders, a ‘sook’ is a cry baby!) But he was grateful to Lisa to get it out. That’s what family’s for!