I’ve written about all the wonderful art work that has hung on our walls over the years. Almost all of it is original work, created by or given to us by our friends. Jerome Martinez, Marian Bantjes, Darryla Green, Jeff Potter, Jess Rice — the list goes on.

Today, as I start to pack up the kitchen, I am thinking of Nancy Walker, Tom Connelly, Joy Jubenvill, Deb and EA, Frank Bakanau, Alice Del Dosso, Grandma, and our own Ken Parker.
Our kitchen is full of their work and gifts.

Nancy made our dishes, bowls and cups. Tom gave us the mugs we keep in the freezer for when we need a root beer float. Joy made the fancy spiral glasses we use, Frank gave us the Mama Ro ones, Deb and EA the fun coffee mugs from a Florida visit. Alice of course left the crystal stem ware, Grandma the cutlery, and Ken made all but one of the wooden spoons.

As I pack, I know and know again, we aren’t leaving anything or anyone.

Today, as I pack, I’m thinking of all the incredible people in our lives. We sure are lucky.

How do you choose a book to read?

The books I read come to me because a friend recommended it. Or I got it at the recycle depot, or the library. I rarely buy a book these days. I do look at titles on line for reviews and suggestions as well. I judge books by their covers too. I like a good looking book. I don’t like pocket books so much although, I’m reading one now. Most of the time I like the bigger size books.

Type size is really important, the story can be fantastic, but if I have to struggle with my glasses to see the words — forget it. I also don’t like too many words on a page or an author that uses too many adjectives. Tell me you went to the store; not the blue walled store, with the rose coloured signs, in the lemon yellow, tangerine orange, cool day of spring. I like good writing, not flowery writing.

Now, when it comes to listening to a book, again I ask for recommendations and scan the inter web. I will spend money on a good audio book. I find Facebook is a good place to get recommendations. A lot of my friends listen to books, so every time I ask, I am besieged with titles.

I check most of them out on iTunes. I read the blurbs and reviews, and if war or violence is mentioned, it usually gets the axe. Same with science fiction — that genre is not my cuppa tea.

I like books the same as movies — entertain me! If a book could sing and dance – I’d read it for sure. If more than one person recommends the book I’ll give it a go — but when it comes to a book in my ear — the deciding factor is… time. Books that are less than 8 hours long do not get much consideration. I like to listen to long books. If I see it in print, I want it to be a big fat 800 + page book.

I was delighted this last week when I asked for suggestions and London Fields by Martin Amis was suggested and seconded. But the real reason I chose this book — is it is 21 wonderful hours long.

I’m three hours in and so far so good!

I realize I don’t write when I should. I write when I do. I guess that is how everyone lives. We practice when we do, we call when we do, we participate when we do.

Certainly not when we should. Because I think I should be writing and documenting this move. I assume others are interested in what Ken and I are doing during this time of change. But, I also learned when Allyson and I were producing Today’s Step, that other people, even close friends, were not near as excited about what we were doing as we were. It was like a cold splash of water in the face.

Good thing I know, our friends are the best in the world and for anyone to be interested in our day in and day outs is above and beyond the call of friendship.

Writing a bloggy thing and posting into the world is saying something like, “Look at me, I’m doing stuff.” So when I am really doing stuff and don’t write about it, it seems weird.

What I’m doing is not near as interesting as what I’m thinking — at least it is to me. I know I am more interested in what people think, and not as much in what they do. Although, after seeing what we do, we usually follow up with, what WERE you thinking?

We are ready to leave Bowen Island.

My thoughts are on my brother Bill. When Bill was younger he was always pretty mean. He would butt heads, yell and throw his fists around as he walked thought life. I remember talking to my step-dad Jack, about it. I asked him why Bill was so angry; always bucking up against my mom and Jack.

Jack said, it was the way he needed to be. He had to have a reason to go out on his own. Sometimes people need a fist in the air to say, fuck it and walk away. Bill didn’t have a path of rose petals laid out in front of him to follow into the world. Most of us don’t have a yellow brick road guiding the way to the new and unknown.

I’d like to think I’m not leaving Bowen with my fist in the air. This place has been good to us. We have a safe and comfortable home. We’ve met wonderful people and had incredible opportunities because we came here. We said Yes, far more often than we said no.

Yet, as the time gets closer for us to leave, I find myself short with people, places and things. (Or as my AA sponsor used to say… Jan, you have trouble with nouns.)

I know I’m prickly and can be a bit short with folks. Ed used to call me Cactus. Deep in my heart I am happy and joyful, but there is a bit of my fist in the air right now as we get ready to leave.

Maybe, I have it up there because, like my brother, I’m a little scared and feel the need to make it a bit easier to leave this wonderful island home.

The incredible and wonderful heather has given this bloggy  thing a fresh look and update for the new year.

I’ve always said it is important to be friends with…
1. someone with a truck
2. a vet
3. a tech person
I give #3 more and more priority and importance every day.

I will always be very grateful to my techie friends for their generous hearts in sharing their skills with me. I’ve never been good at the techie stuff, but I am grateful that I’ve been pretty good at keeping friends who are.

Salute!

You are invited to help us cool down the house! It’s the opposite of a house warming. We’re almost packed, but snacks and laughter can still be had. We’ve had 18 wonderful years here and now we are on to the next adventure. We hope you can stop by for hugs and kisses, and to say Hi, and Good Bye.   1572 Tunstall Blvd. 3 – 7p.m. on Saturday, January 10th.

If you can’t make this party – please plan to come visit us in Sechelt and help us warm up the new place!

Happy new year!
As always… the Year in Review: 2014
This is the questionnaire my niece fills out each year. I’ve done it before as well. The most interesting things I notice is the huge difference in answers and priorities given by a 30 year old and the ones given by a 59 year old! If you are interested in Kayleen’s blog click here. She is a terrific writer — fair warning you will see baby pictures!

What did you do in 2014 that you’d never done before?
I measured how many steps I took on a daily basis. We bought a van we can sleep, pee and cook in, and took it on the road for some very fun road trips.

Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes, my motto was Allons-Y! Which translated to Let’s go! We are going! We sold, we bought and we’re packing and are leaving the rock on January 22th!

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, Kayleen did, (see her bloggy thing) also, our nephew and his wife had another baby. There are now, two more Parkers in the world.

Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. This is one of the main differences between answering these questions at age 30 and age 59. Kayleen said no.

What countries did you visit?
Canada and the US are the only two on this list. I really don’t have any huge desire to galavant. Maybe one day I’d like to see Paris and I did enjoyed looking at the photos Colin took on Safari in South Africa.

What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
A big view from the deck!

What date(s) from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I forgot the question.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Selling Tunstall is a big deal, not sure it is an achievement. I did cook an entire Christmas dinner for 5 people. It was good and there were no unexpected fires!

What was your biggest failure?
I weigh the same as I did last January 1st. I was hoping to weigh less.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
I got really sick in May with a flu  and I had a goofy day thinking I broke my foot, but I didn’t.

What was the best thing you bought?
The Fitbit!

Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Kim, Rhonda, Jo
Fighters all.

Lorin Wardrip gets a special shout out too!

Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Steven Harper

Where did most of your money go?
The van was a biggie. We haven’t really bought any thing knowing we are moving and didn’t want to haul stuff around.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Rope twirling! I really, really, really can’t wait to learn.

What song will always remind you of 2014?
The song from Paint Your Wagon that starts, “Where are we going? I don’t know….”

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
happier
ii. thinner or fatter?
Same ole, same ole.
iii. richer or poorer?
Richer. Well, we will be when the house closes.

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Sit ups and push ups.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Watching Say Yes, to the Dress on TV!

Did you fall in love in 2014?
I stayed in love.

What was your favourite TV program?
Perry Mason is the clear winner, but only because The Walton’s isn’t on.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Who hates someone?

What was the best book you read?
I read some really good ones, but can’t remember any in particular.

What was your greatest musical (re)discovery?
I don’t listen to that much music. I’m hoping that will change in 2015.

What did you want and get?
A house with a view!

What did you want and not get?
I pretty well get whatever I want.

What was your favourite film of this year?
The 100 Yard Journey

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Marian served sushi and made me a coconut cake. I turned 59.

What one thing would have made the year immeasurably more satisfying?
This was a good year. I am satisfied.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
Same ole — same ole.
Jeans, turtle neck and wool socks, and sturdy shoes. Hair in a pony tail.

What political issue stirred you the most?
I was sorry my friend Peter didn’t get on the local council. The Mayors race was good too. I find Steven Harper to still be an Asshat. (Maybe he could go under the who do I hate question.)

Who did you miss?
I miss Bun Ryan and I miss Lisa Maybee, and I miss my mom.

Who was the best new person you met?
I’m going to go with Gord Clayton. He was our realtor on the Sunshine Coast.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014:
The quest for a meaningful life is over rated.