My Parents' Visit

Mom and Dad left today for their trek back to MS after a week of being here with me. We had a great time together, as we explored some of the Island. PEI is a beautiful place!!! We saw lighthouses, beaches, marinas where lobster fishermen were coming in, Anne of Green Gables 'home', countryside, and more. It was a whirlwind of a week and we are tired, but am so glad they got to come and get a bit of a taste of my new life here. For the most part, the weather was great. Since they drove up, they were able to bring the rest of my things. I had planned on driving up back in Feb, but since I had to sell the Blazer, I had to leave stuff. What great parents to bring it up! My place feels a bit more homey now!! No luck on finding a car yet, but I know God has just the perfect little car for me.
My parents were able to bring up my mirror, help me hang things, and they bought me this area rug that goes just great with my furniture and I think it really adds to my place. I still have a few other odds and ends to do in here and will post later.
Just one of many lighthouses on the Island

Just one of many beaches with the countryside in the distance
The inspiration and setting for the Anne of Green Gables books!! Seeing it has inspired me to try and read the books and watch the movies this summer! Yes, I'm guilty of not doing that, though I've seen some of the movies and know enough about the storyline.

Reasons I'm Glad I Live in the Church Basement

5. I don't have to drive to work or church.
4. I can sleep in more since work and church are upstairs.
3. It's a nice quiet place to live in.
2. I don't have housing expenses.
1. If I forget to put on deodorant on Sundays, I can just run back downstairs, put it on, and go about the day!

Spring Snow

Snow on Easter Weekend~my windows were half covered by snow drifts!





Well, since arriving, I have seen snow a few times...nothing really new for me with spending 5 years in Calgary. The most snow came there in the spring. Our Easter services were cancelled here because of a blizzard the night before! They've never had to do that. Talk about wierd, not going to church that day! This past Wednesday, we woke up to snow on the ground, once again. It hasn't been too cold lately, so it was gone by midday. While getting ready that morning, I looked out the window and was glad I had already opened the blinds because I got to see this red fox in the field! I had experienced this at a friend's house recently, as we watched a red fox catching field mice. Who needs the Discovery Channel?! It was neat to just take in this part of God's creation and watch as he pounced for his breakfast!

My Favourite Spot

Back in March, I took a walk along the boardwalk in town, amidst the snow and chilly weather, and found my favourite spot, so far, in C'town. There are benches where I can just sit and take this sight in! It's actually fairly calm down there, despite the bit of traffic and other people. That will pick up fast, I'm sure, with summer approaching! When taking that first walk, I found 2 treasures of oyster shells in 2 different places. They ended up being a match! It was just neat to find those and they still smelt of the ocean and took me back to my days on the MS Gulf Coast!

I took these pics just last week. Charlottetown is the Birthplace of Confederation, so there is much history here.

Quite the cultural experience

Getting a lobster lesson from former fisherman, Pastor Wallace

What an experience I had on Saturday! The church held its annual Lobster Dinner. I've heard about this yearly event since before I arrived and the excitement's been in the air for months. I was looking forward to seeing what it was all about and eating lobster. Though it was a tiring day for all, and two days for some, it was a fun experience for me and we sold over 400 tickets! The church building still has the lobster smell in it, though it's not as stinky as it was! My afternoon included a lobster anatomy lesson, putting two lobsters in for the kill (that sounds terrible, but that's what happens~what a horrible way to die!), cleaning out the hash~the meat of the knuckles, & helping assemble take-out plates. Of course, I did eat some out-of-the-shell lobster and it was alright. I was so tired from being on my feet, I don't think I enjoyed it like I could have! FYI: the lobsters are done after they stop squealing! Just kidding: they are ready when they are red, as they are originally a brownish color. Not counting meeting folks from all over the world & taking in the Calgary Stampede, I don't think I've experienced this much culture in Canada!

Fishing Season is almost here

If I understand correctly, fishing season officially begins this weekend. Many on the Island do this for a living in the spring and summer months. Just yesterday, I saw small fishing boats in a lake and was told that those are shell fishermen~the ones who catch anything that lives in a shell and that they use these two rake like things to scoop the things up, then sort through and sell them. About a month or so ago, I started seeing these lobster traps (in the picture) out while driving in the countryside. The fishermen were getting them ready. When in Beach Point a few weekends ago, the fishing village where the pastor's family is from (he actually left fishing for a living to be a pastor), I had to stop and take these pics of the lobster traps and the boats in the marina. Lakes are thawed out and spring is in the air. I'm seeing greener grass each day! Our church is getting ready for the annual Lobster Supper this Saturday...and I am excited about trying lobster, though I don't think I want to watch them being cooked!! I'll let you know how it taste...