Monday, February 18, 2008
Feb. 2008
While this winter has been harsh on most of us, living on the "Island" can be downright difficult. Sometimes we are cut off from the mainland, because when the wind is up, the "Confederation Bridge is closed to trucks and other large vehicles. When winds exceed 80 km per hr. the bridge closes for the duration of high winds. Most islanders are not effected by this, because as long as you do not need to go anywhere, you are alright. Being the wife of a trucker I look at this differently. I have also come to accept this as one of "those things.
Last summer I wrote an article for the local newspaper, Journal-Pioneer in Summerside and they were kind enough to print it. I'd like to share this with you! Following is a re-print of that article: Enjoy!
Observations of a city-girl.
By: Jessica Vandenberg-Hupman
He took me for a visit to Prince Edward Island and my life forever changed. It looked so much like the countryside in Holland. So we married and contemplated where we would live. The choice was easy. And here we are living smack in the middle of Albany.
It still amazes me every day how nice and friendly all the islanders are. I keep thinking it will stop one day.
Life is relaxing The sights are breathtaking. I feel like I am on perpetual holiday. Traffic is non-existing. Although when there is a traffic accident, it often results in deaths, relating to that accident. Although Montreal has two highways running right through the city, often there is too much traffic, to drive faster than 60 km. Maybe that’s the reason for all the fender-benders.
With all this relaxing, often the attitude towards life in itself, bring some problems. It has been a little difficult to connect with venders to perform any kind of work. Maybe there are lessons I need to take for that.
Then there is the farm-equipment that uses the same roads as regular traffic. I keep telling myself “just relax, this not the city”. So I often drive right behind and contemplate how lucky I am to be living in a place as beautiful as Pei.
Some things never change.
I have seen the signs of vandalism.The writing is usually on the wall.
And then there are signs that some things are the same. As I was heading home from Summerside, I noticed three children, probably under the age of 12 who were sitting by the side of the road. As I approached they started to wave and because I have faith in all Islanders I waved back. As I got closer to turn a corner, they all stuck up their middle fingers. Now that’s a universal sign that I have seen before. . Boys will be boys and children all over are the same. Some things never change.
While this winter has been harsh on most of us, living on the "Island" can be downright difficult. Sometimes we are cut off from the mainland, because when the wind is up, the "Confederation Bridge is closed to trucks and other large vehicles. When winds exceed 80 km per hr. the bridge closes for the duration of high winds. Most islanders are not effected by this, because as long as you do not need to go anywhere, you are alright. Being the wife of a trucker I look at this differently. I have also come to accept this as one of "those things.
Last summer I wrote an article for the local newspaper, Journal-Pioneer in Summerside and they were kind enough to print it. I'd like to share this with you! Following is a re-print of that article: Enjoy!
Observations of a city-girl.
By: Jessica Vandenberg-Hupman
He took me for a visit to Prince Edward Island and my life forever changed. It looked so much like the countryside in Holland. So we married and contemplated where we would live. The choice was easy. And here we are living smack in the middle of Albany.
It still amazes me every day how nice and friendly all the islanders are. I keep thinking it will stop one day.
Life is relaxing The sights are breathtaking. I feel like I am on perpetual holiday. Traffic is non-existing. Although when there is a traffic accident, it often results in deaths, relating to that accident. Although Montreal has two highways running right through the city, often there is too much traffic, to drive faster than 60 km. Maybe that’s the reason for all the fender-benders.
With all this relaxing, often the attitude towards life in itself, bring some problems. It has been a little difficult to connect with venders to perform any kind of work. Maybe there are lessons I need to take for that.
Then there is the farm-equipment that uses the same roads as regular traffic. I keep telling myself “just relax, this not the city”. So I often drive right behind and contemplate how lucky I am to be living in a place as beautiful as Pei.
Some things never change.
I have seen the signs of vandalism.The writing is usually on the wall.
And then there are signs that some things are the same. As I was heading home from Summerside, I noticed three children, probably under the age of 12 who were sitting by the side of the road. As I approached they started to wave and because I have faith in all Islanders I waved back. As I got closer to turn a corner, they all stuck up their middle fingers. Now that’s a universal sign that I have seen before. . Boys will be boys and children all over are the same. Some things never change.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Our grand-daughter Paige turned 2 yrs old and believe it or not got a set of drums from not us - the grandparents- but from her own parents. I hope they get enough rest.
The last week of January the weather turned on us. No snow in Buffalo and about 15 degrees celsius in New Jersey. The trouble arrived in Canada when nature played its trump card and unloaded everything, ice-rain, snow and wind and this time it fell on Toronto.
Here you see Toronto was ready. Ploughs coming out on the 401, 6 abreast. Really quite efficient, but the motorists do not like it because it is slow and you cannot pass. I still say the best snow clearers are in Quebec, even when the winds cause qhite-outs, they still keep up with cleaning. My vote for worst snow clearers is New Brunswick. he new 4-lane turns into a 2-lane everytime it snows. What a shame!
We also got the bad news that there were power outages at home. Luckily it did not last in our area, but it took till sunday to get all the power back on the Island.
How many more days till summer .............. ??
February, 2008
Hi
I am back. Trying the blogging thing again. It has been quiet and nothing much has happened, except I have been laid up with a back and hip injury that's taking forever to heal. The "experts" seem to think that's normal when you are "older".
We did have visitors in the last summer. Melody, a friend from Nova Scotia brought her little guy Brandon for a visit and we went fishing and we had a great time. Especially because Brandon took it upon himself to entertain the slow traffic passing the house, he waved at all the girls who blew kisses etc.
After that Mike, Maya and Aidan made the big trip across country from Los Angeles and after a brief stay in Montreal, visited our island. We visited all the tourist spots and had a busy time.
Chris spent a couple of days with mama and she enjoyed that tremendously.
Of course Nancy brought Fred's mother Pearl from NS and we always love that. We made sure mother got lobster.
Then there was the xmas celebration in Halifax with all the family.Best Xmas ever!
