A second full moon, and one less molar!

 The evening Mac died, he made me promise to take care of my teeth.  Sounds weird, but he seemed adamant, and since the offending molar had broken three times, mercifully without much oain, and after cancelling my appointment and rebooking twice, I had the dirty deed done yesterday.  Oh it was a gooder, a curved root, not much for Doc to grab onto so it was mega frozen, then wiggled, broken, cut and finally out in 4 pieces.  Dang. That meant after I thawed, my jaw, neck and head were sore but the tooth was gone!  Today I am much better, on

I needed two tylenols yesterday, none today, and felt good enuff to carefully eat a bagel (with cream cheese and a cuppa tea) in the words of Gloria Gaynor “I will survive”. 

On the 23rd the Celebration of Life was just that: a celebration.  With very good friends who came from Alberta, Vancouver and Victoria, as well as his Masonic brothers and some Port McNeill buddies, it was wonderful, and Mac would have enjoyed it.  And afterwards, a sense of peace came over me, and many of his friends.  It was the closure we were seeking, and God filled my heart with joy.  

As I reflected on this past month, I decided it was time to keep moving forward and so enter Amazon, and three new maps ordered!  Even though I’m not 100% sure where I'm off to, I am 100% sure a long drive is in the stars!  Definitely to The Widows Sons N/S run in the Crowsnest in July, then who knows? Perhaps a stop first and set up in the Cypress Hills?  I’m hoping camping in Wisconsin  with an old girlfriends  to rehash our silly past exploits, then look up friends in Illinois and  farther south.   

While I was pondering future adventures, I stumbled across one of Johns journals.  Gorgeous, hand made pages, leather bound and sadly the first entry was made 4 days before he died.  A somber reminder, and to me an inspiration to continue my journey and record places, people and adventures, and in a small way always taking a part of him with me.  

“The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began.  Now far ahead the road has gone, and I must follow, if I can.”J.R.R. Tolkien

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Wake up Marlean, you’ve got things to do!

 Wow that last blog was sad.  I honestly think I had bottomed out.  And now, having read some really inspirational stuff, having let it sink in that he’s not coming back, and that that I need to move forward - I do believe I'm Okay.  Actually, I’m doing good! 

Ok I must be a bit slow on the uptake at times, but it hit me:  this is now my life.  I love having new challenges, I love being retired, and I can travel!  People keep asking me how I’m doing, today I answered Great!  Because I know in my heart of hearts that a ton of new as well as familiar experiences await me.  

It was “the wee small voice” reassuring me that this too is part of The Plan. I am not alone, and I have faith that more will unfold as it should. Faith gets me through life, why would I not trust it now?

So always one to grab a challenge, my fall months are rapidly getting busy right into winter. Macs celebration of life is happening in two weeks.  He loved to feed his friends so we start the afternoon with pulled pork, Carolina Style!  It will be great to share some memories and laugh with friends old and new. 

November his nephew and new wife are having a gathering to celebrate their recent wedding in the Philippines, so I’m heading to Surrey for a big party - Philippine style!  Can’t  wait.  And in December I’m off to Mexico with my sister.  Mac would be proud, and of course remind me to behave.  Lol

I continue to plan another summer road trip in Wanda, and so I’m going to take a few days to test the new car camping capabilities. Wanda will shine! Since I’m retired, I don’t have to wait for the weekends!

Else wise, I have been cooking meals (eating all that beef and chicken in the freezer) and trying to wean myself off of takeout, beer and cookies.  The struggle is real!  However I don’t want to struggle with my new bathing suits when we hit Puerto Vallarta eh.?  

I have even been researching a move in spring.  When and If  I finally do decide to relocate possibly back to the flatlands (Mac called it the Motherland) there will be many household items and furniture for sale!! Everything I keep has to fit in the car and on the roof rack,  Even Casey!  🙀

So with a joyful heart I look forward to this month.  September, with that amazing full moon, the smell of fall in the air, and new winter tires on the horizon.  Camping will be chilly, good thing I have just the things to wear.  New day, new me. 

“God has a path for your feet to follow, a plan for your heart to discover and a purpose for your life to fulfill.”  

I can’t argue with that!