Storm Days

Gleeful and attentive the whole family stands leaning towards the radio in the kitchen. Small town radio stations serve their purpose. And their purpose during the morning bustle on most days in the homes peopled with combinations of toddlers, school age kids and harried parents is to provide a hum. White noise - competing with the clammer of Dads looking for gym gear, kids yelling, Moms gently marshaling all - sing song DJ’s voices and overproduced machined pop-crap adding to and miraculously softening the din. Given the state of todays music, very, very occasionally said radio station will play an actual song, written by someone with talent and sung with feeling and backed by honest to goodness musicianship. During those rare moments families may sing along, or even, and hopefully, dance. But mostly it’s noise emanating from the mini stereo, Bose under-counter, or oddly shaped ghetto blaster that does radio duty in the kitchen. On days, however, in winter, when winds blow and snow falls, then local radio stations have a far greater purpose. They announce school and work storm closures.

Not sure what transpired in your varied worlds today weather-wise but we awoke to a full on Maritime winter blow. Wind whipping the snow blindingly across the road in front of the house was a good sign. Now all hope in the house rested on the weather forecast at 7 AM. Yup, worsening weather throughout the day deepened wishes and finally and triumphantly the announcement - Storm Day for all. Admittedly, this meant little to two young boys already on Christmas Break, but to a Dad still required at work and a Mom hoping for adult company, well this was a heraldic moment of great joy. An interesting thing about jigs even if you have never been taught how to dance one, certain occurrences bring ability, and a jig you will dance. Storms are two-edged swords in this instance (of course we are excepting outright storms in any way truly dangerous, or heaven forbid, mortal) in that they may leave you home, then lift, leaving the day to be enjoyed out of doors, or settle in and continue to pummel, locking all inside. The shack wacky inducing variety beset us today.

Lest we forget that good fortune befell our home today, being locked in is never a good thing for the Nicholson family. We are at our best outside and later, kinder and happier with rosy cheeks, warm, wasted and resting under blankets. This is true, but what is also true is that we are adaptable. So today blocks were stacked and recitals given, books read, naps had and Potter marathons begun. What a great and unexpected way to begin the holiday season. Nothing to do, really, nothing. No where to go. No email, no phone calls, no work commitments, no rinks and piano lessons. Nothing to do but rest and keep moderately busy. I hope all of you had or will have just such a day. Our world is a very busy, very bustle inducing world. Wheels spin constantly and the whir is enough to blind us to what is really important. Cuddles at 2 PM. Towers that reach to the sky. Brothers and sisters that laugh till they can’t breathe. These things matter as much as whether or not GM is rescued or if the credit markets loosen. Or at least they should. And today, locked in watching the world turn white, safe and sound, they did.

Love B

Happy Holidays and an Update...really

‘Goin’ down the road,’ now that’s a good movie and even better SCTV sketch. This classic movie, if you haven’t seen it -and it should be considered mandatory viewing as part of citizenship, is about two Caper Bretoner’s heading west to ‘Toranta’ to find work. Tragedy eventually ensues and much is learned about place and people in troubled times. Very soon my little family will be, ‘goin’ down the road,’ but in reverse and for far better reasons. Yet, and maybe it’s because we are again facing tough economic times, I find myself thinking about this seminal Canadian movie and the seemingly inherent pull of the road for Maritimers - the need to leave and the greater call to return home. In days we’ll be loading up our little Mazda with 2 adults, 3 kids, and enough stuff to clothe and entertain a small nation. Loaded to the gunnels, we’ll brave weather, cranky two year old out-bursts and fried food as we head home for Christmas spent with family.

I won’t bore you overly with a long essay about the year that is passing into night as I type. It’s been a big year. A monster of a global economic crisis and an American Election of no smaller import than one that may have just changed the world I offer up as evidence for, ‘the big year’ designation. Lots to talk about in our small personal world as well – as equally a big a year, using of course the accepted calculus of self-centered myopia. I should have updated this blog way back in April with a heartwarming tale of another road trip – this one to Boston. You should have already read about all of us traveling via borrowed van to Boston to watch Jennifer run the Boston Marathon. Well watch is kind of a sticking point, because we, in fact, didn’t get to watch her – long story involving overcrowded public transport and over crowded father brains. But, run she did, and amazingly well. I remain my gorgeous wife’s biggest fan. She won this year’s PEI marathon by running sub 3 hours if conquering Boston wasn’t enough for one year.

Our three kids continue to grow and dazzle. JT, nine now if you can believe it, is blazing through grade 4 French immersion, with only an occasional stumble around neatness, forgetfulness and organization – wonder who we can blame for that combo of traits. Otherwise he is well liked, and respected, and found by his teacher to be talented student. A true renaissance man he keeps very busy with hockey and piano and just recently purchased a guitar with his own money. Already he is playing cords and learning songs – truly remarkable. Matt is as strong a student as his big brother, and the consummate charmer. He actually can come home tired because of the demands of his being so well liked, as he deals with near constant demands for his time among his classmates. I detect his teacher may have actually fallen in love with him, which will surprise none of you. His brother is his hero and following in JT’s footsteps Matt is playing hockey and taking piano lessons. Lily is our ball of fire. What a force of nature. Already exhibiting her brother’s wonderful sense of humour, she is independent and single-minded. ‘Princess Lily,’ typically prevails in all matters at present. She’s just too damn cute for her own good. She’s my rink buddy every Saturday morning while Jennifer typically gets a run in and I cherish those moments.

Mom and Dad have settled into life in their new house in Kentville and travel over often to stay with us. Ang and Loc remain, for now, in Vietnam and we use Skype to video chat with them as often as we can. Jen’s Mom and Dad moved back to Halifax this year after many years in Sydney. It is nice to have them closer and renewed reason to visit my favorite city in the world. We will see both sets of grandparents and the Dill’s new abode in the coming days as we split Christmas between the families as per usual. We all can’t wait.

Sadness comes in all lives and this year Dad’s brother Shelby died after a battle with cancer and my maternal grandmother Hannah died. Hannah was my last living grandparent and she was special. She had been my roommate for a short time after university and I will always remember my time spent with her in her Sydney Mines’ apartment overlooking the Brown St. ball field. And very recently our second dog, Willow, got very sick, unexpectedly, and died as well. She was such a great little dog. Perfect really. But life soldiers on. And for every moment of forehead rubbing as I contemplate how to pay the next oil bill or prepare to head away again for extra Northern work, for every one of those stress filled moments there are ten of pure joy. Through hard work and the love and support of family, the bills all seem to get paid and only a fool would become so rapped up in the tiny day-to-day struggles that they miss living the life they’ve been blessed with. And I am blessed. Jennifer is the best person I know, a wonderful mother, devoted and caring friend, loving sister and daughter – drop dead beautiful to boot. My kids are perfect – I know many of us say it – but I mean it, perfect, lights of my light. Our extended families thoughtful and generous, we couldn’t ask for better. We all have close friends that brighten our days and enhance our lives. As we get ready to head off on our Christmas 08 excursion we wish you health and happiness in the coming year. Drop back for a trip report and who knows I may even keep this damn thing active all year in 09.

Love

B

It's been awhile...

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-4232683658391398953

Never tried this before - so I thought I'd give it a try - uploading video that is. A hard fought loss tonight, 7-3, but the kids didn't seem to notice and the parents cheered as loud as ever. As usual, watching hockey turns out to be a great way to end the day or start the evening. JT gets better every time out, and if he ever truly gets 'this' he'll be a menace. Already a pretty big guy for his age, he carries himself even larger and when focused on and going for the puck he can wreak his fair share of destruction. He remains content to take it easy and is, to term it positively, a calming influence on his team. He'll shock his Dad someday and move his feet as fast as he does while running laps of the house for no other reason then he likes to run laps of his house.


Lily continues to make us giggle and shake our heads. She is something special. Now, if only we could get her to talk. We haven't truly begun to worry about her - she is just so well adjusted, so smart and freakishly cute - still, we will all breathe easier as soon as words start to tumble from that perfect little mouth. Matt is reading up a storm and skating great. He still loves school and is proving to be a caring and intuitive big brother. He and Lily just have this very special little relationship that Jen and I hope will survive the travails of growing up.

Jennifer continues apace to be flying in Boston in April. Jen and Allie braved a typical (for this winter anyway) Saturday in February and busted out a sixteen miler (for all of us sane humans, that translates into two hours and ten minutes on a cold and blustery day). I am continually impressed by my wife's running ability. What an engine. Without a doubt she has potential to be a world class runner. And the ease with which she integrates her running into her crazily busy life is breathtaking. She cares for us all, and still manages to kick the butts of folks half her age - she is my hero.

I got the buzz to start playing guitar again. And I thought I might like to play acoustically so that I could also annoy the family. The problem was twofold, I hated my acoustic guitar and family finances are such that with one income and three kids, one does not go out and buy another guitar. But one can barter two very good guitars for one very good guitar and come away only $29.00 cheaper. And that is what I did.  I bid a fond farewell to my electric and good riddance to my acoustic and I am now the proud owner of a lovely new acoustic - called the Big-Baby - kids love that.  I am loving it even more and not just because of the weird name.  Jen is so tolerant, as I play almost constantly now, strolling around the kitchen strumming away while she prepares supper. I'm having a blast and the kids even think it's cool. So if I haven't been updating the blog regularly you now have my excuse - I have been pursuing another creative muse.

Well that is it for now. We really miss you all and cannot wait to see all of you again soon - either here in PEI or in your neck of the woods. We send love.

B

New Years

Resolutions;
The season of renewal, of rebirth, or of regret, guilt, of seasonal affected crumbling or jaw setting perseverance, the New Year season is upon us. As long as humans have been on the planet in northern climes this time has brought celebration and introspection. There is a renewal of an ancient celtic New Year tradition, the Hogmanay. Some have translated this to be, ‘Old Year’s Night.’ Hogmanay died out for the most part around the time of the reformation, originating in pagan celt times and heretical given the puritanical zeal of that age. I love the idea of Hogmanay as it is practiced now in Scotland and on such a large scale. Fire and loud revelry greet the New Year and then the night remains very social, with ‘First Footing,’ a lovely tradition of visiting your neighbours. You pop by, bearing a small gift and are rewarded with a whiskey and hospitality. If a tall, dark and handsome stranger crosses your threshold, then luck awaits in the coming year. The fire is thought to represent the light of knowledge and it is to burn large and brightly into the New Year symbolically bringing the old years lessons into the the new but also firing away last year. How very wonderful. A night to reflect on the fact that we are one year closer to wisdom, that mistakes can be burned away, and that community and celebration are an essential part of being human.

Hogmanay was not practiced this year in the Nicholson household. Three young children and a couple of tuckered parents kept revelry to a minimum and, though we’ve been here three years, we still feel a little isolated from community in PEI. No likelihood of neighbours popping in at ten after twelve laden with tupperware and smiles. I guess this leads naturally to another New Year’s tradition, the making of lists, of resolutions. What did Mark Twain say about resolutions? Something about good intentions quickly being used as paving stones on the way to hell - old curmudgeon - lets ignore him and soldier on.

1. To start, next year we shall celebrate in the finest of Hogmanay tradition - I’ll bring the camera to capture the priceless, startled faces of the neighbours who probably still aren’t quite sure of our names. Can’t you see them peeking out from their blinds at the monstrous bonfire in our backyard - and then the whispered, “holy smokes, Myrtle, it looks like those folks from away are heading for the front door, for the love of mike put on your house coat.’

Lets call the next few the ubiquitous resolutions:

2. To be kinder.

3. To be thinner.

4. To be fitter.

There, now back to more likely resolutions:

5. I resolve to grow out my bald spot - and then get a perm. Every dad should do this and I’ve been waiting for JT to get old enough to be able to really experience this to the fullest - I mean, to really be embarrassed. It is what Dad’s do.

6. I resolve to see my wife finish the Boston Marathon prior to turning 40. She’s my hero and inspiration.

7. I resolve to learn how to play and sing at least two Glen Hansard songs - if you haven’t seen the movie, Once, then do so - it is grand.
And while I know that ten seems to be the cherry number for lists, including New Year’s Resolutions, I’ve always been a rebel - stop laughing - so:

8. I resolve to cherish my family and be true to myself, no arsing around.

Well that’s it. Hope all of you have a wonderful 2008. We send love.

B

Tripping Christmas Style

The fleece is warm enough...(sung to the tune of a christmas classic)
We’re back - just beat yet another blast from this very strange winter, strange in that in this time so focused on the reality of human impact on weather and after a number of near non winter winters we’re getting buried in snow. And snow now falls outside, lots of snow and we’re cozy inside awash in and warmed, imbued by what are already becoming treasured memories of the trip just ended. We are always proud of our children, but never more so then we see their beauty reflected back at us in the loving faces of family. We sit, admittedly, a little out of breath, truly enjoying the safe confinement afforded a lovely winter storm. No pull of a visit or a trip to the store to drag us out from a cuddly and introspective day as we drink in both being home and also look fondly back at our time celebrating the holidays with family.

Now sure, there are moments, moments, for example, when you pack five people with skates and winter gear - two of them girls with the attendant requirement of fashion and function into a too small compact station wagon in preparation for one of the three multi hour legs of your particular christmas journey, moments when this seems not such a rational plan. In the end, even the travel turns out to be fun, with lasting memories for the parents and hopefully the kids. They are children of children of car travelers and it is in their genes. The kids travel beautifully. There are other moments when you dig a rumpled shirt out of a duffle bag, when you wait for a bathroom, when folks long passed being used to living together become re-accustomed to the closeness, there are moments when this just does not seem a rational choice. Those moments pass quickly and then you laugh and feel real love, real connection to family and to place and it seems the most rational of choices, it seems a necessity.

Your generosity was overwhelming, your hospitality inspiring. For those special people we missed over the holiday season, we indeed missed you and pine for a future communion. Thanks, simply, and just, thanks. I did, however, come away pondering two very deep and intriguing questions: why don’t we eat turkey every stinking day; and most importantly, what exactly is ‘Open Season’ for Blooms and Bushes - I mean really, does anyone remember the last time they drove by and didn’t see that damn, ‘Closed for the Season,’ sign out?
Love, all of us

...oh the weather outside...isn't that bad

We head out today for Nova Scotia. We can't wait. In the next few minutes I'll head into the garage, having moved the van out in the yard, door agape, and clean and then pack the Mazda wagon in the relative comfort of the heated garage. I treat the whole exercise like that childhood game, 'Bucking Bronco.' Just keep packing and stuffing in the hope that the car doesn't snap, buck, and dump everything out in anger. We shall see how it goes. Did I mention I miss the old van?

And winter travel is the absolute best: in door clothes, party clothes, workout clothes, outdoor clothes, skates, and maybe this year snowshoes, all need to find their way into a compact car. Given the impending frustration of today, Jennifer gave leave for me to scamper about in the backyard last night while she prepared supper. A lovely woman. So on went the snowshoes and off I went with camera in hand. I really had a great time. Crunching along with the occasional stop as the fancy hit for a quick snap of the sky, or my feet. Just so much fun.

It appears this may be a banner year for outdoor winter pursuits like snowshoeing, pond skating, cross country skiing and the like. We have certainly had the earliest true arrival of winter in many years. And its great. Now, certainly, it needs to end and spring needs to, well, spring in early March, but for now all the snow and the bundling is wonderful, strangely recalling so many great childhood memories of 'big' winters past.

I've got the camera and I'm warning you I'll be using it at every turn. So expect your mug to be plastered all over pictures chronicling the Nicholson Christmas trip to Nova Scotia 07. And do you see the chins, I mean how blessed am I, three whole chins. Does anyone want one for Christmas. Merry Christmas all, and hoefully we see most of you soon.

Love
b

From the update desk...

The Van
The van has officially been shuffled out of the rotation. It now occupies prime real-estate in our heated garage and the family sprints out to the recommissioned Mazda wagon encased in ice provided by what is turning out to be a true Old-time East Coast winter. Lots of fun. The obvious question, springing to your minds is, why, oh why would you not park the dead van outside and move the Mazda back into its rightful place of familial vehicular prominence – all warm and cozy? The damn door won’t close. It’s stuck open; on the van that is. So unless I want to truly destroy all potential of the van seeing the road again in the future – inside it will reside and cold will backsides be for the foreseeable future. Currently, waiting on my guy to get back to me after he talks to his guy, that knows a guy who may or not be some kind of old Dodge van door magician. I shan’t hold my breath. -16 today, the old beauty almost got driven to the woods and left. I’ll give it to Monday and then will not be held accountable for any drastic deeds.

Hockey
One cannot overstate how hockey crazy is the Fair Isle. Impossible. While barely keeping myself awake, and in my addled state trying to decide if my confusion was as a result of having JT on the ice at 6 AM or was it the first signs of hypothermia associated with a core body temperature dropping below 30 Celsius, I was amazed to hear parents near me actually complaining of the lack of ice time the kids were getting. For Novice house league. They’re nuts. In a typical week JT is on the ice four times in three days – and twice a ‘fun’ road game has been added. In house league; novice house league. The kids are getting more then enough time. All families not bank-rolling their future on the one in a zillion chance that their kid will need an agent and make millions - building mom and pop a new house and leaving them a bow rapped car in the driveway - for all of the rest of us, two days would meet the bill. I’m not complaining, and that’s my point, the kids are treated like gold and you could not get a more supportive environment for them to sharpen their skills, including an excess of ice time – ice time that would never be available in Halifax for house league and if so would come in the form of costly skills camps. But more, I am completely and utterly baffled by the mere thought, threat really, of standing in cold rinks more often then I do now. This morning started at 5:30 and tomorrow begins at 6:00 followed by a road trip game that starts at 13:30; Sunday skills camp at 17:45 and a practice at 16:40 on Monday. This is just to give you a taste; again no complaints – just illustration of the completeness of our immersion in Island hockey life. JT continues to love hockey, never once complaining when I wake him or when he’s rushed to finish homework after an evening game and is progressing remarkably fast for a kid who until late last winter never had a puck on his stick.

Used Clothing
We continue to stop by Value Village periodically and have a look-see. As luck would have it, a new funky retro clothing store called, ‘The Green Man,’ has opened recently in downtown Charlottetown. A grand total of $50 dollars later and I have a lovely new suit and Jennifer has a party dress that is nearly as gorgeous as she. Hopefully the holidays will afford the requisite opportunity for us to sport our new vintage duds in your presence; oohs and ahhs, and ‘wow, you two look great,’ s will surely be appropriate. And too the shoppers in our associated families – keep a close eye on the Value Villages, the Frenchies, and hipster vintage clothing stores in your respective towns and let us know if you see anything of interest. Think cool, lovely old suits and funky dresses.

The kiddles
Lily is a tich off, having a hard time this winter kicking completely whatever viral or bacterial bug has affixed itself to her wee passages. Still a ball of fire, and still the light of all lives that peer upon her perfect and round face and become entranced by her mysterious, bright and ever playful eyes, just not completely herself. She spends the bad times attached permanently to her Mom’s side and the good times destroying gleefully whatever room into which she has chased her brothers. JT we chatted about earlier, but I must add that for the last several days if not weeks he has exemplified near 8 year old perfection. A wonderful big brother, a dutiful student and real gamer as he struggles to catch up to his much earlier inducted hockey mates, he impresses both Jennifer and I more everyday. And Matt, ah Matt; well tonight, to site a recent example, we finally got through to the Santa Hotline. Matt after being passed the phone announced to Santa that he would like three things: an electronic carnivore, a phone, and…pause worthy of a stand-up veteran…and his two front teeth (that one caused even Santa to laugh out loud). This is just one of many recent humorous murmurings that spurt weirdly from that sweet and seemingly too young face.

Never a dull moment. Most importantly we hit the road very soon to do some much needed catching up with many of you. We cannot wait. Talk soon and love form us to you.

b