Autumn is Here!

Happy 1st (full) Day of Fall. 

This is my first back home in 41 years, so it will be interesting to compare Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. The colorful leaves are still to come, but there's so much more about NL that evokes autumn. 

Today the sun is shining brightly and it's a lovely 20 degrees Celsius out there. I'm still going bare-legged and sandal-footed. But the nippiness of the mornings and nights have me definitely thinking about changing out my wardrobe somewhat ...... time to put away the sleeveless tees and shorts and get out a few pants, scarves and cardigans.

Newfoundlanders LOVE the outdoors; and it seems that regardless of your finances, most people have a cabin, a shack or something set up in the woods to visit on the weekends. My sister and her fiance have an very small, ancient travel trailer that they've set up off one of the logging roads here. (NL's whole interior is forest, so setting something up on Crown land is something that everyone does with little consequences! Bonus!) I went in with them last Saturday, and it was a slice of heaven! 
He got the outdoor fire going then left us; we opened our wine, started up the I-pod and sat in front of the fire and chatted. There was the occasional really, really loud Tarzan call or "Whoohoo" from me because ............. well, we were  in the middle of the wilderness and because I could! Baked potatoes and stuffed chicken breasts and smores. Two or three cars went past to their spots and tooted the horn. It was cool enough that there were few bugs; and the heavens were full of stars. Magical!

Differences in NS and NL autumns? Well ................

• In NL, I'll be wearing sweaters, scarves and hoodies much sooner than I would in NS. There's no "Indian Summer" like I enjoyed in NS.
• There are fewer farm markets in NL (just one very small one in this area) given that some of the only things that will grow in abundance are root vegetables and rocks!
• My sister's mid-October autumn wedding will probably not happen outside.
• I won't get to do my annual apple farm visit and purchase cheap, delicious, fresh-off-the-branch apples.

But ...................

• Hurray! I'll get to enjoy wearing my sweaters, scarves and hoodies much sooner than I normally would!
• Fresh produce and apples will be that much more appreciated when they do come along!
• There'll be a plethora (isn't that a wonderful word!) of outdoor fires and nights in front-of with friends and family!
• Bonfire Night is an official holiday in NL. I shall once again get to experience eating half-cooked, blackened potatoes done over a bonfire made from sticks, old pickets & pallets, green tree boughs and the occasional discarded rubber tire. (Please! Someone bring marshmallows!)
• And because Corner Brook is a city of hills and trees overlooking the long, protected Bay of Islands, my exposure to gorgeous autumn scenes will be intensified greatly! What amazing views!

I am loving my "new" home and my new-to-me freedom.

Now -- Before the scheduled rain comes, I'm going to get out there and enjoy this gorgeous 1st Day of Autumn. 

Enjoy your day as well.

Rabbit, Rabbit from The Rock!

Rabbit, rabbit from my beautiful home province of Newfoundland which is now my home again!

You know what they say:  Home is where the heart is. And my heart is with my children. 

But as they flew the nest, and my own friends were getting more involved with their grandchildren, I found myself becoming more and more lonely over the past few years. I couldn't be an international Mom forever; that's hard work. And the siren call to go back home was getting harder and harder to ignore. My heart ached to be in Newfoundland.

So without going into long details, I got myself a dream job, donated, sold and/or packed up 41 years of "stuff", found myself a great apartment in the area where I grew up, and hit the long road (and ferry trip) to Corner Brook NL.  My parents, sibblings, eldest and youngest daughters, 1st grandson, and my best friend are all here. And although my house in Nova Scotia is not yet sold, I am not looking back.

I've been here a month now, and I have no regrets at the decision to move back home. Can anything compare to being able to drop in for tea with loved ones? Or take a walk on the beach with a darling little boy who calls you Nanny B and whose eyes are full of wonder at a sea shell? And the constant amazement and blessing I experience at being in this familiar yet different place. So much to explore! It's wonderful!

This rabbit, rabbit is not just luck for the month but luck for the continuation of my new life adventure.

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks!