Friday, April 26, 2024

For the Love of Sisters!

Finally I am back on track working daily on my northern memoir,
and it is such a great feeling!
I put my word-for-the-year, incrementalism, to work
and promised myself that I would write at least 10 minutes a day.

I've been pretty consistent since April 1st, missing only a few days
when we needed to go to Florida and when I had eye surgery.
Many days my 10 minutes turned into hours,
so I was feeling pretty good about myself!

Just Me and the Laughing Gulls ~ Only Journal Writing
T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
 Port St. Joe, Florida, USA
April 8, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


Until, on Monday, when I had a long chat with my youngest sister Bertie on FaceTime.
She is the only published author of books among we five siblings.

Bertie with Her First Book at Colorado's CCIRA Conference
Denver, Colorado USA
February, 2009
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
CCIRA ~ Colorado Council of the International Reading Association





Bertie and I Presenting at Colorado's CCIRA Conference
Denver, Colorado USA
February, 2009
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
CCIRA ~ Colorado Council of the International Reading Association


One of the things we chatted about was how we would feel if we died right now.
That sounds morbid, but it really wasn't.  We were discussing where we were in life
and if we were happy with how things had turned out so far.

Bertie Surrounded by Natalie's Partner Jake, Daughter Natalie,
Might-as-Well-Be-Daughter Olivia,
and Niece Heather
Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
August 1, 2016
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





Peter and Bertie Celebrating Daughter Sara's Birthday with Sambuca Shots 
Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
August 8, 2015
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


Bertie remarked that her husband and two daughters were in a good place,
and that she had pretty much accomplished everything she had wanted to in life.
She said, "Yah, if I kicked off today I'd be okay with it, unlike you."

"What???" I exclaimed.

"Well, you're running around all over the place, doing this, doing that.
I'm happy to be at home right here in the Cove.
I don't have to go anywhere else or do anything else."

She told me that when our mother was dying she had said to Bertie,
"Don't feel sad for me.  I've lived a good long life, and I'm not afraid to die."
"I feel that way too," Bertie said.

Our Last Picture with Mom
Bertie, Roy, Me, Barb, and Donnie with Mom and dachshund Daxie 
Mom had insisted on having a big family get together and Sunday barbecue.
She died early in the morning four days later.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
May 19, 202
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


"I'm not afraid to die!" I protested.  
"But I definitely want to be around longer.
I still have things I want to accomplish."

"See," she said. 

Barista Bertie Ready to Go with Sunday Morning Lattes for a Houseful
Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
August 2, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

"Like, I'd be really upset if I died before I finished my memoir.  
I mean, really.  That would bother me."

My sister Bertie was in an expansive mood, 
perhaps because my FaceTime call had interrupted her mopping the floor.  
She said, "I know you.  You and I are alike.  We're perfectionists. 
You need to get that book out, perfect or not!" 

"I am a perfectionist," I agreed reluctantly.  "But my memoir isn't finished."



"I spent 14 years writing my book on spelling," Bertie said.  
"I could have published it several years sooner, 
but I kept letting perfect get in the way of good.
You're doing the same thing."


"You don't understand, Bertie.  I've got a God-awful mess on my hands.
Hundreds and hundreds of pages.  A dozen manuscripts, 
almost two hundred blog posts, all those family letters..."

Then she interrupted me with a so-Bertie move, one she's notorious for.
She challenged me ~ She likes to challenge people! ~ 
She challenged me to promise her,
that one year from that day, Monday, on April 20, 2025, 
I'd have my book in somebody else's hands.

"I might not have it finished.  It might not be ready for a publisher."

"Then if you don't have it finished, you have it in the hands of someone who can help you.
Just get it out there!"

"Um, ..."  At least I can remember the date.  It celebrates smoking pot.

Enjoying Sunday Morning Lattes on Bertie's Deck
Roy, Me (Louise), Donnie, and Bertie
Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
August 2, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

"I'm serious, Louise!  Write this down!  
'One year from today, on April 20, 2025, I will have my book in somebody else's hands.'"

"Okay, okay, I'm writing it down.  I'll put it in my journal," 
I said, scribbling on a big yellow sticky note.

"Write it down, every month, in your calendar.
No matter what shape it's in, you're going to get it to an editor to help you, by that day,
or to a publisher."

"I was thinking of self-publishing it."

"No, go for traditional.  Like, say, Nimbus in Halifax.  
They're a good publisher, and they specialize in books for the Atlantic provinces.
That way you don't have to do everything yourself."

Bertie Shares her Picture Book with Friend Penny Graham
who started Mariner Cruises with her husband
On Chad and Sisters Two, Brier Island, Digby County, Nova Scotia, Canada
July 31, 2014
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved






Oscar the Herring Gull by Roberta Heembrock
Nova Scotia, Canada
August 3, 2015
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved








"But, my book is about the North."





Bertie and I at the Fish House
Two Point, Lac Seul, Ontario, Canada
Summer of 1962
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





"You're Nova Scotian.  Dad's from Prince Edward Island.  
Your story happened here too.  In Nova Scotia.  I say Nimbus."

"I was thinking about Lakewood University.  They have an indigenous program there.
I was even thinking of donating Dad's papers there."

"I don't care who you get it to!  Just get it out there!"

"Aye, aye, ma'am!"  She's as bad as Dad!

📚     ðŸ“š    ðŸ“š

Said I to my sister Barb on FaceTime the next day:
"You know Bertie's going to be on me.  She's so stubborn! 
There's a reason I call her The Mule."

"Oh, she'll be on you!" Barb agreed.  
She's probably already written a reminder down in every month of her calendar.
Have you done it, yet?"

"No," I said sheepishly.

"Then, I'd get busy, if I were you!"

Barb and I at a Fundraiser for Digby's and Smith's Cove's Museums
Digby County, Nova Scotia, Canada
August 3, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

📚       ðŸ“š      ðŸ“š

"You've got to love sisters!  
They're always ready to kick you in the butt if they think you need it!

Donnie and Me (front)
Just Because ~ I can't leave her out!
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
December 24,  2016
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved



For Rain:  Disco ~ On Christmas Night in 2016 Bertie, Peter, and their daughters Sara and Natalie, created Club 98 in their basement for a big family get together.  All of us have been to the real Club 98 in the Fundy Restaurant in Digby, Nova Scotia, over the years.

Club 98 and a Disco Ball
The Heembrock Basement
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
December 25,  2016
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved
 
 
After a great dinner, we all went downstairs for games, activities, and dancing.  
Peter had a sound system, playlist, and disco lights all set up.

Peter Gets the Lights and Music Going and Donnie Tries a Move or Two
The Heembrock Basement
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
December 25,  2016
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved



Peter's music provided a great background for a competitive game of beer pong.

We took a break from dancing to play beer pong ~ 
and Lisa (Donnie and Martin's daughter) takes a shot.
Blair (Roy and Sue's son), Roy, Donnie, Terry, and Sara (Bertie and Peter's daughter)
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserve


 
 
Terry's Team Loses a Round ~ 
Sara, Terry, Barb, and Pat
(Roy and Sue's son)
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserve


For Tom:  Aloha ~ Honolulu has a great zoo in Waikiki.  It has three endangered, reticulated giraffes in its African Savanna exhibit.

A Reticulated Giraffe
The Honolulu Zoo
Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawai'i
February 29, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

For Nicole:  A loopy face ~ Terry gets back at me for all the goofy photos I've taken of him.  
I had just surfaced from general anesthesia after the operation on my eyes.

I Return to Consciousness
Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center 
Denver, Colorado, USA
April 15, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

Have a great weekend! 




Till next time ~
Fundy Blue

My next post will be 
Wednesday, May 1st. 🤞 



On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved


 

Notes:
Heembrock, Roberta. (2008) Why Kids Can't Spell: A Practical Guide to the Missing Component in Language Proficiency. R&L Education.

Why Kids Can't Spell is a resource reference book for parents and educators who have an interest in and a concern for children's spelling ability. The purpose of this book is to encourage and foster good spelling practices in the home and at school to reflect modern teaching methods. ... Google Books   

Heembrock, Roberta. (2010) Oscar the Herring Gull. Illustrated by Adam Murray.  Bryler Publications.

Meet Oscar, a bold and adventurous Herring Gull who befriends Grammie Sara, a caring woman in a small seaside town in Nova Scotia. His dive-bombing antics and charming personality quickly win her heart. When Oscar doesn't show up for his daily feeding of scraps one day, Grammie Sara becomes very worried and fears the worst. She scours the beaches for weeks, listening for Oscar's unique call but he is nowhere to be found. Will Grammie Sara find Oscar? Follow Grammie Sara as she searches for Oscar and learn why Herring Gulls are important sea birds. Oscar may even have a surprise for you!

Friday, April 19, 2024

Pushing my Limits!

The operation on my eyes is behind me.  It went very well!
I won't know for a bit if I'm one and done, or if I'll need a second operation.
Meanwhile I look pretty scary ~ lol!
I wish I had looked like this when I performed in "Thriller,"
on the Ovation of the Seas on Halloween.  I make a perfect zombie!

Whatever happens with my eyes, I will continue to push my limits
and experience as much as I can in this incredible gift of life!

Me (Louise) During Our "Thriller" Rehearsal 
270º East ~ Ovation of the Seas
South Pacific Near New Zealand   October 28, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





Me (Louise) During Our "Thriller" Performance
270º East ~ Ovation of the Seas
South Pacific Near New Zealand   October 28, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

I said that I would share the video I shot flying down Fremont Street on SlotZilla,
if I figured out how to download it and post it.  And I did!

The video is no work of art.  
I had no clue what I was doing with the handheld GoPro.
All I could think of before I flew was, 
Oh my God! Oh my God!  Am I really doing this? 

I was really scared, and there was no backing out once I was strapped in.
Then, as I began flying, I started laughing because it was so much fun.
There's are a lot of extraneous seconds of nothing at the end, 
because I didn't realize the camera was still filming.
My friend Janeth is to my left and flying ahead of me.

See Me Fly!



For Rain and Nicole:  Spoons and Faces in a Cambodian Market.  
We traveled to Cambodia in December 2008.  
During our visit we had a wonderful guide, Soluy Loeurt.  
She took us to a local country market and introduced us to a popular Cambodian dish: 
a duck egg embryo, 18 to 20 weeks old,
boiled alive and eaten from the shell, tender bones and all.  
She sprinkled the embryo with herbs and showed us how to eat it.
Which we did.  When in Cambodia, do as the Cambodians do!

Soluy Louert Enjoys the Duck Embryo Dish
Outside Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia
December 20, 2008
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





Boiling Duck Embryos
Outside Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia
December 20, 2008
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved






A Duck Embryo Served Up
Outside Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia
December 20, 2008
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved






Terry Goes for it!
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved






And so do I!
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved






Lunch Break at the Market
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





The Sweetest Face
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved






Terry and I at the Market
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


For Tom:  Aloha:  Fledgling Surfers.  
A group of people head out for a surfing lesson.
Paddling Out to the Breaking Surf
Kapiolani Beach Park, O'ahu, Hawai'i,  USA
January 25, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


Have a great weekend! 


Till next time ~

Fundy Blue


My next post will be 
Friday, April 26th 🤞 

On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

 

Friday, April 12, 2024

On Becoming a Lady of Leisure

Well, my time crunch didn't ease.  It worsened.
We got back home yesterday evening after a three-night trip to Florida
to see Terry's brother who is seriously ill.
It was a difficult but worthwhile visit, and we all enjoyed seeing each other.

A Strange, but Oddly Beautiful, Landscape (to Me)
Panhandle, Florida, USA 
  April 8, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

On Tuesday, while we were in Palm City Beach, my eye surgeon's scheduling nurse
called me to tell me that a surgery slot had opened up on Monday, April 15th.
Could I make it?

Of course, the call came while I was 1200 feet out on a pier in the Gulf of Mexico
surrounded by fishermen, screaming gulls, and crashing waves.

M. B. Miller County Pier
Panama City Beach, Florida, USA 
  April 9, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

Fortunately, I was trying to photograph the tumbling waves, 
and I could toss my iPhone to Terry to try to get the call before the nurse hung up.
I could hear nothing and see little on my screen.
I can handle point-and-shoot photography,
but not blindly trying to accept an important call. 

Waves Crashing near M. B. Miller County Pier
Gulf of Mexico, Panama City Beach, Florida, USA 
  April 9, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

Success!  I was scheduled thanks to my calm husband.
And a bright spot too, after just having said goodbye 
to Terry's brother and promising to return soon.
 
Now I'm scrambling to cancel and reschedule appointments 
and get ready for my surgery on Monday morning:
unpacking, laundry, ironing, groceries, bills, medical forms ~ you name it!
At least I don't have time to worry about my surgery, which is a good thing.

But, come Monday, I will be a lady of leisure for two weeks.
Dr. Superman (That's what my voicemail calls my eye surgeon Dr. Subramanian.)
told me that I can't work out, lift anything over 15 pounds, 
or do anything stressful for two weeks after my operation.
He assured me that he doesn't have to take my eyeballs out 
and that I'll be under general anesthesia.  Whew!

Yup, Gonna Be a Lady of Leisure!
Aurora, Colorado USA 
  January 9, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

Poor Terry ~ I plan to milk it, lol!
Probably not.  He's been through a stressful and difficult time.

Yesterday's flights home were scrambled by severe storms in the southeast.
We rerouted from Palm City Beach through Nashville,
because we couldn't make our connecting flight in Houston in time.
In Nashville we could catch a Denver-bound flight.
Our bags had already been placed on the plane to Houston, 
so they found their own way to Denver.
I so love Southwest Airlines.  They were so good to us!

Terry and Others Lining Up to Rebook Their Flights
Panama City Beach Airport, Florida, USA 
  April 10, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





This Guy Made My Day with a Bow
(He spotted me taking lots of pictures ~ lol)
Nashville International Airport,  Nashville, Tennessee, USA 
  April 10, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





Turning onto the Runway
Time to Rock and Roll in Stormy Skies
Panama City Beach Airport, Florida, USA 
  April 10, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


Lots of rock and rolling during our two flights, but we made it despite the turbulence.
Home looked sooooo good!!!

Our Plane's Shadow as We Approached the Runway at Denver International Airport 
Near Denver and Aurora, Colorado USA 
   April 10, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved





T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
Port Saint Joe, Florida, USA 
  April 8, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved

 

For Rain:  Wheels.  Okay, I have a thing for machines and hardhats!
The Beginning of a Huge Development Nearby
Aurora, Colorado USA 
   April 8, 2015
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved



For Nicole:  Goofy Faces.  I thought I was seeing things
when I spotted the Sphinx from the pier, but it was part of a miniature golf course.
Goofy Golf Faces
Panama City Beach, Florida, USA 
  April 9, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


For Tom:  An oil leak and scattered rose petals in a sacred place.
USS Arizona Memorial
Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA 
  February 28, 2024
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue. All Rights Reserved


Have a great weekend! 



Till next time ~
Fundy Blue

Writing this on Thursday,
publishing it at 12:00 am Friday.
My next post will be 
Friday, April 17th 🤞 



On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved