Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom (And Whimsy)

Posted on August 7, 2024 under Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom with no comments yet

“We all scream for ice cream.”

 

“I found out long ago,

 (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh),

It’s a long way down the Holiday Road,

(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)”

Holiday Road – Lindsey Buckingham (From National Lampoon’s Vacation)

In a few weeks’ time, somewhere across this vast land in a school classroom, a well-meaning teacher will ask their students to write a time-honored essay. “What did you do on your summer vacation?” This will be one of the earliest experiences of students reminiscing. For some of us it is akin to a drug addiction that we just can’t shake.

I am often asked where I get my ideas for stories. As long as there are 8 billion people living on this planet, I’m not worried about running out of storylines. Coming up with an idea is not that difficult. Backfilling it with loads of manure is a whole different matter. How is it possible to write 800 words about the proper way to launder your wife’s bras? I have done the laundering and written the story so I can attest that it can be done!

Once I come up with the idea, the backfill normally comes when I’m walking. I brainstorm ideas and the moment I get home, I jot down “bullets” in my trusty Hilroy scribbler.  Unfortunately, every so often, inspiration comes in the middle of the night. Because of my age, I sojourn to the bathroom at least once a night. Normally, I go right back to sleep. Normally. But if a fleeting thought enters my head, I’m screwed.

Last week after my trip to the loo, I settled back into bed. Despite the recent spate of hot weather, I leave my bedroom window open at night. The main reason is not for the fresh air. I want the window to be open so that I can wake up to the sound of birds singing in the trees surrounding my apartment building. On this night, the humidity gripped me like a grandmother’s hug. Try as I may, I couldn’t get back to sleep. August had just arrived a few hours earlier. I started to think about the things that I had done so far this summer.

My essay (which I’m preparing for my teacher in advance!) is called “You Know It’s Summer in Nova Scotia When…

You know it’s summer in N.S. when you shower and discover that your bathtub has the remnants of Pomquet or Queensland Beach on the bottom. Of course, this sand, moments earlier, was lodged between your toes.

You know it’s summer in N.S. when you grab a beach chair and sit on the sidewalk on Main Street to watch the Highland Games parade. The Clydesdales and the pipe bands are most impressive.

You know it’s summer in N.S. when you go to a lobster boil at someone’s summer home. If you love lobster and cook them in sea water the day they are caught, then you have glimpsed paradise.

You know it’s summer in N.S. when you enjoy a cold beer at a restaurant patio. If that beer happens to be Alexander Keith’s, then a tour of the Alexander Keith’s original brewery in Halifax is mandatory.

You know it’s summer in N.S. when you can watch live professional theatre at Festival Antigonish or enjoy a brilliant local production called The Ships of 1801.

You know it’s summer in N.S. when you can attend the world-famous International Tattoo in Halifax. A must see whether you’re a local or a come from away. If you’re driving from Antigonish (The Highland Heart of Nova Scotia) to Halifax, you will pass Riverside International Speedway. On several weekends during the summer, 10,000 hearty souls from all over the Maritimes and beyond congregate to watch car races at this 1/3 mile, high banked asphalt short track. I took my 85-year-old mother there once. She was disappointed that there weren’t more crashes!

You know it’s summer in N.S. when you drive (or walk) the Cabot Trail. I can assure you (having done both), that the 300km trip is much easier in a car but not nearly as much fun as on foot when you get to experience the legendary hospitality of Cape Bretoners. The stretch from Cape Smokey to Neil’s Harbour is one of my most favourite pieces of real estate in the world.

You know it’s summer in N.S. when you attend a Thursday ceilidh (pronounced kay lee) at the Antigonish Heritage Museum. You can hear some fiddle tunes and enjoy a singalong. They’ll even give you a cuppa tea and some homemade oatcakes at intermission.

You know it’s summer in N.S. when you can travel to Seawind Landing in Charlos Cove and enjoy first class accommodations and fine food along with entertainment. On your drive through Guysborough County, you can stop at Hart’s of Boylston General Store and grab some food and unique gifts. You can even purchase cowboy boots!

You know it’s summer in N.S. when you attend reunions. These can be large family affairs or high school class gatherings. Lots of laughs and nostalgia flow as freely as the beer.

You know it’s summer in N.S. when you can attend a wedding and a funeral on the same day. A dear friend of the family passed away a few weeks ago. Around the same time, one of my brothers became a grandfather for the first time. The circle of life.

You know it’s summer in N.S. when you can go dancing at the Shore Club in Hubbards. This family owned business featuring lobster suppers and live entertainment, has been serving up surf and songs for 88 years. I was there a few weeks ago and was treated to amazing music by the Mellotones. If you like the music of Chicago, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, you’ll love these guys. Lots of horns.

You know it’s summer in N.S. when a rained-out lobster boil at the beach turns into a 3-hour kitchen party at my apartment. Three sisters from B.C. were here for “The Games”. When rain thwarted the lobster boil, we pivoted quickly and moved the party to my apartment. You definitely know it’s summer in N.S. when you feed your guests Wheel Pizza. Singalongs are not common on the west coast. Our friends got a real eye opener especially when my 90-year-old neighbour invited us upstairs to her place where she played the piano and sang songs in Gaelic. It doesn’t get more authentic than this.

Did I mention ice cream?

You know it’s summer in N.S. when you make regular trips to the local ice cream stand to cool off.

And this was just July.

We’re just scratching the surface.

Come and play in Canada’s Ocean Playground.

And eat lots of ice cream.

Sweet dreams (if you can get back to sleep!).

Have a great weekend.