Grateful

I am back home and grateful to be home but grateful to have had such great adventures in Nova Scotia. We spun the odometer for 1,600 kms. My friend Faith did all the driving, she was amazing and my hero for doing that! We saw lots, it was kind of whirlwindish but so fun. Nova Scotia is beautiful.

I do not think I had a favorite part because as we rounded the province each area had its own unique beauty.

From the fall colors to the magnificent ocean waves, to a gondola for spectacular views. We usually ended up on backroads and if you asked Faith she would say, we always turned "left" and thought we simply did circles. We did turn left a lot, as the navigator, I had the map and could see (usually) where we were. We saw so much more than on the highways.

We enjoyed the Public Gardens of Halifax which were amazing.

Loved coming to unexpected free ferry crossings. We found a few unusual traffic signs from “suicidal deer” to a couple of watch for “cats” and one for “cows”. We found artisans and chocolate makers, ate at the “Clucking Hen” that had a rooster call for a door bell.

We toured a couple light houses and heard the stories of lighthouse keepers. It used to be a lighthouse keeper had to sign up for 5 years, have a family and be prepared to stay for the duration complete with no contact in the winter. Harsh conditions but they saved countless lives by keeping the light on. St. Paul’s Island off the coast of Nova Scotia had over 300 wrecks on it.

Keeping the light on… we have heard that phrase before but in the truest sense a lighthouse was the real deal. If the light was not on people died a horrible death.

Do we really believe that we need to be lights to others so that they too may be warned of impending danger? Would anyone watching your life know that there is a difference and be attracted to the light that you shine? Do we care that if not, the result is a horrible death? Sobering thoughts from a lighthouse but lighthouse keepers had a serious job, as do we.

Sitting on my new deck Glen built while I was away watching the sun come up yesterday I have to say my own place is beautiful too! God has created so many beautiful places around the world that we may never get to see them all. The beauty and thought that has gone into each area points to a thoughtful creation. One built for pleasure and delight if we will slow down enough to enjoy it.

Here are my other huge gratefuls: my PET scan is clear, it is how I started my trip, PET scan and then fly out. PLUS: I got a call Friday evening that asked if it would be okay if they installed my power poles and hooked me up to hydro Monday, Tuesday (yesterday). I of course said yes!!!!! This is another true God miracle. Sure I will no longer be off grid but for those of you who dream of doing it, it is a lot of work and a lot of cost to fuel generators. Solar was more than hydro to put in, and as I stood outside about 6 weeks ago at 6:00am in the dark, in my jammies and gumboots changing the fuel filter because the generator had gone out. I thought to myself, "I need something to change for the winter" and here we are, God did it, and I am a very grateful woman! I will still have to haul water but that is not as often as fuel and I can live with that, for now......

Be blessed my friends, have a great Thanksgiving and if you are so inclined and even if you are not, sit down, enjoy the beauty around you and make a list of everything you are grateful for, and be sure to thank God for each one of them.