Two American experiences first….
Coyotes howling at night.
Catching the bus to the airport (100 miles away), and sitting behind an Amish family. Adrienne knows the local community, and yes, they travel long distances by bus. Horse and buggy only go so far…. And very slowly at that. So, mum, dad, and the three girls. They spoke their own language. Wore the kind of clothes I saw in the old town at Williamsburg. Fascinating.
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Saying farewell to the family was sad. But a part of our lives by now. See you next time, here or in Oz.
And thank you.
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l bussed it to Columbus. I caught a plane to Toronto, and then to Montreal this next morning. Both small planes. Every wondered how cold a snowy, foggy, icey tarmac is when you walk out to a plane before sunrise is? Well, let me tell you…. Yuck.
A nice breakfast at Toronto airport. No taking off shoes in airport security in Canada.
Ah, Canada… A softer, gentler way of life. And I get so much more of it than I do in the USA!
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l met the Canadian cousins… Third time to stay with them. They come over to Oz too. Lovely, lovely people. We drove to a French cafe for lunch. Quebec is mostly Franco-phone. ie. they speak French, unless you march over to the waiter, and then say “G’day, I am an Australian and…” Politically, they don’t like Anglo-phones much here, unless they can see you are a tourist. My cousins speak three languages. French and English, and then, when Aussie Vivienne married the Greek Nikos… Their cooking reflects that too. Both are considerably older than me, and retired, and lovely! We met Kali for lunch…. Their daughter. -15.c, btw, and they are metric here.
We then drove two hours to Sherbrooke. Much, much, much snow. We are way north of Ohio here.
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Activities to date:
Saturday night dinner, at the Snowshoe Club. This is the men’s social group, founded in 1897. Snowshoes no longer required. It was family night… Great food, guest speaker. I was made welcome, and asked to say grace. We sang some jolly songs, moaned about the weather… Had a delightful, quaint, quasi-churchy evening.
Sunday morning church, Trinity-Plymouth United Church of Canada… No more than 20, but a lovely large church. Organ, choir, and a service much like our services. I was asked to speak about Frontier Services, and was welcomed. Intercessory prayers included me, and prayers for the brush fires back home, and then at morning tea, I was mobbed by well-wishers.
Vivienne and Nikos held a luncheon… For folks to meet me. The minster from church, Robin, the previous minister (now retired) Martyn, some sweet church folk, and a few others. Started at one pm, finished about 7.30 pm. Fabulous sharing of stories. Much laughter. Questions about our lives. The best food… A very great time.
There is no great push to be a tourist this time, having beere here before. Now the emphasis is on PEOPLE.
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I appreciate the accents.
the Appalachian, back in Ohio.
the Franco-phone attempt to speak English…
“Do you want soft coffee or strong coffee? ”
“The word, btw, is weak… And yes thanks!
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But back home, my own parish, my beautiful mountains are burning…. Worst time in recorded history.
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