Mothers Day, the Miramichi, and Giant Sea Bugs

Mmm, so tasty. Sea bugs from the deep, boiled alive and fresh on my plate. Cracked open, plundered, and dipped in melted garlic butter.

That's how the Pond family feasted on Mother's Day in Boiestown. I've returned safely to my family on the Taxis River. Not to say that a few misadventures didn't occur on the trip east, but I managed to escape unscathed as usual.

I left Revelstoke by Greyhound bus on Sunday last. Roma, Jody, and Lindsay were there to send me off with hugs and tears. It's a good thing they were, because I couldn't handle my luggage all by myself. I could forsee this being a problem later, but at that time I was just so tired of sadness and goodbyes. I couldn't bear leaving, but I needed to get it over with before it broke my heart.

Clutching my scrapbook and avoiding the very grumpy bus driver, I climbed aboard and found a seat to myself. After running out for one last hug, we were off. I sat in the back to hide from the driver, who apparently didn't like people who hadn't purchased tickets (the office was closed) or had extra bags (oops) that were heavy (couldn't avoid it) and tried to make jokes about monkeys working in the Calgary baggage department (she thought I was degrading them, when I actually was making a joke for Lindsay because she was sad). Anyway, that was enough of that.

A red Mustang convertible escorted me to the second set of passing lanes, and then I was officially gone. I couldn't bring myself to look at the scrapbook the Girl Guides had made me until the bus was almost in Golden. That brought on a fresh flood of tears. I pulled myself together though, and enjoyed my last drive through the mountains for the next few months.

Everything was nifty until the power steering went on the bus outside of Canmore. That REALLY made the bus driver grumpy. When all was said and done, the bus arrived an hour late in Calgary. Chad was picking me up at the depot, but he was nowhere to be seen. I couldn't carry my two suitcases and the guitar case at once, so I had to move by increments through the gate and into the depot. I managed to move about 50ft in, and gave up. I sat on my guitar case and waited for Chad.

Stacey and Chad were gracious hosts, as always. I luxuriated in the big fluffy bed and tormented the cats, as always. I picked up a few things I needed in the land of no PST (camera and iPod are necessities, right?) before Chad dropped me off at the airport to fly to NB.

The flight was rather uneventful, which was nice after the bus ride. I sat with two ladies from Miramichi City, one of whom was a freelance writer. She often writes articles for the Leader, a local weekly paper. After talking with me for awhile, she asked if she could write a feature on me. Cool, huh? You never know who may be sitting beside you! I'll keep you posted on that.

Emily, Mom, and Melissa A. met me in Moncton, along with the sunshine and humidity. We piled into the car (well, Melissa went home, but we will visit again soon) and headed back to Boiestown.

Since then, I've been hanging out with Dad most days while Mom is at work. My nephew Aidan comes by to visit every day, and we often go for "bike rides" along the driveway and a short distance down the road. He's only three after all. He doesn't want to wear me out. Mom, on the other hand, takes me on hour long walking excursions every evening, which we usually immediately cancel out by eating ice cream before we go to bed. :)

The whole family gathered around this weekend for Mother's Day, lobster, and hugs. Aaron picked up my nieces and hung them upside down. Oh, and he did that to Mom too!! Only Tatum and Dawn were missing; they were visiting her family in Newfoundland.

I'm currently babysitting Asa, my seven year old nephew, while my brother is at work.

I do have a new cell phone number, so email me if you would like to have it.

To all of you elsewhere, I really miss you. Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.