Sprocket: A Remarkable Beardie

Sprocket, a remarkable, though rambunctious Bearded Collie came to my Mom and Dad’s house when we already had 2 other dogs: an elderly Cocker Spaniel named Chico, and my beloved Border Collie, Molly.

At the moment I was with the Cameron family with their little girl Brooke and their Shepherd\Husky Mix Oskar and Yellow Lab Elmer.

One day the Camerons took us for a drive to my Mom’s house to meet Sprocket and Brooke, a toddler, was calling all the dogs “Puppy.”

Sprocket, at the moment, still a puppy, was adorable, lovable, and a wonderful playmate with Molly.

Sprocket, by the way, was named after the Fraggle Rock dog.

Later they came up with a DVD which was playing at Zellers and the first lines played were “Attaboy Sprocket” and the dog on the show came out.

(SPOILER ALERT) Near the end of the 2005/2006 year Disney came up with a remake of  The Shaggy Dog, in which Tim Allen’s character, a lawyer about to be elected D.A., is bitten by a Bearded Collie from Tibet, which makes him act like a dog at home, in court, and various public places before he turns into a Bearded Collie himself, which almost messes up his career and nearly messes up his marriage, but the spell teaches the man to be a better father and attorney. The movie came to theatres and I enjoyed the movie.

The Cameron family decided to move to Red Deer, Alberta, which meant I would move to Moncton... and later to Saint John, where I had stayed at the Delta as a child, shopping at its mall, and swimming in its pool. I thought of this as time to spend with family in the meantime, including the dogs. It was a heartfelt goodbye to Blake, Kansas and Brooke Cameron and their dogs, sad heartfelt moment 1 of 2... as one day Mom, Stephanie, and I went to the One Stop Superstore to go grocery shopping... and came home and noticed my dear Border Collie Molly was sneezing and pouring blood out of her nose.

We took her to Dr. Vessey’s office, which transferred her to the UPEI Veterinary College, who let us know she had a tumor and had to put her to sleep.

Everyone except me was crying, even my nephews and nieces.

Sprocket missed her so much he did not feel like eating for a long time.

On August 9th 2006, Mom and I took a drive to Saint John to visit L’Arche Saint John.

At the house were nice friendly people, lots of bedrooms, a garage about to be converted to an office, an office about to be converted to a bedroom, a small 2-keyboard organ, a TV, and a kitchen with a schedule.

I got a tour and we talked with my new housemates-to-be, and I told them about the recent tragedy, and one person got a tissue and cried.

I played the small organ, playing  Be Not Afraid, dedicating it to Molly.

Then we drove uptown to see of there were rooms at the Delta, and yes, there were!

We reserved our room, found it, and enjoyed it.

In fact, our room had a view of the Our Lady of the Assumption Church steeple and Martello Tower, under which my new house was located.

I used the pool and the mall, buying a black Timex Ironman at The Source by Circuit City, the CD Cars and the DVD The Shaggy Dog which I had seen the previous spring at the theatre.

After a night at the Delta we drove home.

Later we drove to Antigonish, intent on visiting their L’Arche Houses... and made an impromptu stop in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, where Sobeys and Big 8 Beverages were born, to visit a Border Collie breeder’s house, and picked out one of the Border Collies, named Ella because her registered name was Stellar Ella.

We drove to Antigonish, visited a L’Arche Day Program where I played the piano and talked with lots of friendly people, stayed at a hotel with a pool, drove back to Stellarton, picked up Ella, and came home.

This restored Sprocket’s appetite as he had a new friend.

The following October Mom and I flew to Toronto to attend our first Geneva Centre Autism Symposium, where we met writer Temple Grandin, took the subway plenty of times, shopped at countless malls and HMV stores, attended a Halloween parade, stayed at the Royal York, used its pool, and used its underground link to Union Station. This was my first Fairmont Hotel since the visit to Quebec with Dad and Me when we used the Chateau Frontenac and met Molly as a pup on the way home.

After these wonderful adventures, we flew home... and found out my move to L’Arche was a go.

After 2 weekends spent at L’Arche Saint John, I moved into McKim House, and on my door was a poster with pictures and signatures and a drawing another resident had drawn of me.

When I went home for Christmas, the dogs were happy to see me and we watchedNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation andA Christmas Story.

When Christmas came I got my usual items: A Border Collie calendar and a Dogs in Canada Annual... plus a surprise: tickets to a showing of Superdogs, the first since summer when I was between grades 9 and 10, afterBabe came to VHS and I saw the movies for the first time. It’s also interesting to note my nephews Brennan and Connor came too and enjoyed it. (SPOILER ALERT) They had DVDs of a movie called  Daniel and the Superdogs in which a troubled young boy who had just lost his mother to illness, was getting into too much trouble with his friends until he is helped by a Jack Russell Terrier who is a Superdogs competitor while volunteering at the animal shelter, and as a result they compete in the Superdogs competition in the end.

(SPOILER ALERT) When Easter came McKim House had a symbolic tradition on Good Friday: We watched the Disney DVDThe Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, because Aslan’s sacrifice in the end and his resurrection resembles the Passions in the Gospels read on Good Friday, and a week earlier on Palm Sunday.

Every time I came home to see Mom, all dogs would be happy to see me, including Ella, Sprocket, Chico, and Dillon, Jennifer’s Border Collie, now next door to Mom’s house in a newly-built house.

Sprocket licked my hand all the time, even when we watched TV and movies.

On the National Geographic Channel was a show calledThe Dog Whisperer with famous dog trainer Cesar Milan.

Every time I came home we watched a PVR recorded episode.

(SPOILER ALERT) This trainer had worked with famous celebrities, including the late Ed McMahon and writer John Grogan, author of the famous bookMarley & Me, which later became a tearjerker movie starringCars andYou Me and Dupree star Owen Wilson as Grogan andFriends star Jennifer Aniston as Jenny in which the famous Labrador Marley enters the family and causes all kinds of problems, but at the end of the dog’s life the family realizes what a great dog he was, despite all the problems he caused. I call this movie theTitanic of dog movies.

Some of Cesar’s techniques I used with Sprocket and later 2 Cotons de Tulear named Liza and Lupin, who entered our family in 2009 after Dillon, Jennifer’s Border Collie, had passed away at 14 years of age.

Later Jennifer got another Border Collie named Danny.

It’s interesting to note that later Stephanie, one of my sisters, got a Coton de Tulear named Mo, Lupin’s grandson in fact.

I try Cesar’s techniques with Mo too.

In summer 2017, I came to Moncton to see Mom and Dad, and the dogs.

Sprocket was very elderly but he still remembered me. He had completely lost his hearing. Before I was picked up on the way to the L’Arche Regional Picnic in Truro I gave Sprocket one last pat goodbye and he gave me one last hand lick.

At Hampton Bible Camp I prayed for Sprocket every night to myself.

When I came home I received a text on my BlackBerry from Mom that Sprocket had to be put to sleep on Wednesday, and I was sad.

I will miss him.

“A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water log stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if your rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel... extraordinary?” - Owen Wilson as John Grogan in the movie Marley & Me

Grade 11 & 12 & Goodbye High School

Chapter 11: Grade 11

Grade 11 came very quickly.  It was a new school.  It had a pool, a gym, a cafeteria, and lots of fun things. 

They had a group that regularly met called S.T.A.R., an acronym standing for Students Together Against Racism.  We prepared poems, speeches, and songs, and one song was The Young Bloods’ Get Together which came up in Forrest Gump. 

We presented these at different schools all over New Brunswick and a school near Halifax called Cole Harbour High School, where there were lots of racial issues we had to address.  They already had their own S.T.A.R. committee and later they visited us, giving their own speeches and songs, and their finale song was John Lennon’s Imagine. 

Simon, our Golden Retriever was very old and was developing health issues that the Animal Hospital was overlooking, and he passed away.  He had been spending lots of time with Melody, who had a house near the church and near Riverview High School.  Sometimes when Melody would pick me up after school Simon would be at her side and we would walk to her house, get in her Toyota Tercel, and head home.  Sometimes we spent time together. 

I joined the school’s band and we played beautiful songs in practice and at important things like assemblies, games, and the Remembrance Day service in the theatre. 

I also regularly played guitar and sometimes piano at the coffee houses held in the school’s cafeteria. 

I joined the church’s youth choir.  Many members went to school with me.  They hosted parties in the hall with music, food, watching the movies Grease and That Thing You Do, and piano playing. 

Mom and I went to a used bookstore and I got a copy of Eric Knight’s Lassie Come-Home and I read this in school for English, and I was lost in the story.  I had been renting and watching a VHS of the 1994 movie Lassie in which a family moves from the city to the country, picking up the Collie of the title up and she helps turn things around with the family. 

I joined basketball for house league again. 

Later Mom, Dad, and I went to Halifax for the C.A.C.L. conferences at the Sheraton Casino Halifax Hotel.  I swam in the hotel’s pool.  There I went to HMV and used the listening stations there and bought Great Big Sea’s Play CD. 

I helped the school’s basketball team by keeping stats for each game. 

The Christmas that followed I got lots of CDs, one of which played at a Halloween party at the church hall.  I also got a hockey CD ROM game.  We got a video camera so as to film us family members for Gram who was getting very old and missed us.  We filmed Brennan while he was quite young, Erin playing basketball for Moncton High’s basketball team playing in Saint John, me playing basketball in house league in the final, me playing guitar and piano at some of the school’s coffee houses, the church choir singing beautiful anthems from sheet music Melody had ordered for us, and all our pets. 

My Birthday also came up and I got a camera to take pictures of things like basketball played by Erin, pets, and other family and events. 

The musical Annie came up at Moncton High and I saw the musical and during the scene where Annie adopts Sandy before being caught by the cop who takes her back to Miss Hannigan’s Orphanage, there were real live dogs, and one of them I had seen in Superdogs a couple summers ago.  Sandy was also played by a real live dog. 

Melody soon got a Golden Retriever puppy named Ben.  Later she got a piano for her house. 

Dillon soon had another one of his flyball matches, this time at Beausejour Curling Club, and he did very well, and I took some pictures of him and his teammates and his opponents. 

We also went to the Dog Show at an arena, which we saw every year.  I loved the Collies, the Shetland Sheepdogs, and the Retrievers. 

Pete, our Cocker Spaniel, developed health issues, which are popular with most Cockers, and he passed away. 

Summer came up and I got the yearbook, which also sometimes I pull out to remember those old times. 

I got a summer job with Future Shop, where I had gotten the CD player and the CDs the previous summer.  This was my first job, and I was to dust shelves at first, then move on to pricing things like CDs, video games, computer games, and VHS movies.  I also helped customers find a certain title or item.  I also helped customers try a certain CD they wanted before they bought it.  I also bought a few CDs with the money paid. 

Sometimes we took trips to Halifax, staying in the Holiday Inn Select, where we had stayed as kids.  We swam in the pool, went to HMV, went to Mountain Equipment Co-Op, and had great meals. 

Chapter 12:  Grade 12

This was my final grade of school, which was to be as heartfelt as my last year in Junior High. 

This time I got a Co-op Ed job with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, doing computer data for the company. 

Again I joined S.T.A.R. and the school’s band. 

Erin quit basketball and started doing theatre and musicals. 

This year the school had 2 productions, one she sat out, and one in which she was in. 

The first musical was called Forever Plaid, starring 4 men as a harmony group singing well known old songs as well as holiday hits. 

The second musical was Mame, which was well known for its music and its comical lines. 

Erin had the role of Pageen Ryan.  By now Brennan was learning to talk and sing, and Erin got him to sing some of the songs from this musical, which he remembered. 

This Christmas I got the book Floss, about a young Border Collie who loves to play with children and their soccer ball in a town’s park, but moves to the country to work with sheep and has to learn to take the place of an elderly Border Collie by herding sheep. 

I also got a huge dog book. 

Quite sadly, Ben was now 1 year old, but he developed a brain tumor, which caused him to turn on Emma, nearly killing her, and he had to be put down. 

Melody later got another young Retriever, this time a female named Mabel. 

She later met a man whom she saw a lot named Matt Taylor, who was currently in the war in Kosovo as a peacekeeper.  He later came home. 

Again sometimes we traveled to Halifax and stayed at the Holiday Inn Select, swimming in their pool. 

There we went to HMV and Mountain Equipment Co-op. 

Mom and I went to Fredericton to do some rehabilitation at a place called the Stan Cassidy Centre. 

They had a piano which I played, and at the nearby mall I bought the VHS of the 1994 movie Lassie, which I had mentioned earlier. 

Later a sequel to the Babe movie I had mentioned in a previous chapter came to VHS and I bought it, anxious as to what Fly and Rex the sheepdogs do and say. 

I borrowed Jennifer’s copy of Nop’s Trials and read it for English and noticed the language was similar to Lassie Come-Home. 

Both read like the King James Version of the Holy Bible. 

In Nop’s Trials the dogs talk like they are biblical characters in the King James Bible and in Lassie Come-Home most of the words look like those in the King James Version of the Holy Bible. 

Now comes the really heartfelt part.  The prom came up, which was really fun.  Then came the graduation.  It was a heartfelt goodbye to me blessed school years and friends. 

Melody and Matt took me to Greenwood, Nova Scotia, to stay a weekend in her house. 

There I watched Dr. Dolittle and That Thing You Do on their Sanyo TV and shopped at a local CD store, buying Grammy Nominees 1999 and U2’s Greatest Hits 1980-1999. 

Then a camping trip came up in Fundy National Park with Mel, Matt, and my fellow choir members, most of whom were school friends, although this turned out to be so much of a nightmare I could have sung the last part of the last verse of The Beach Boys’ Sloop John B. 

It was rainy and our tent was leaking and I was so wet I could have felt like Cameron felt all the time in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. 

There were hikes with Mabel, music listening, meals, BBQs, and singing together. 

I came home early, clothes very wet.

And as soon as I was dry and clean, I took the leash, put it on Dillon, and took him for a walk. 

Moncton High’s Forever Plaid cast and a few members of the Drama club joined forces to do some Disney songs at Centennial Park for Canada Day celebrations. 

Later the wedding with Melody and Matt came up, which was fun.  Not Fun the music group, but we did Carry On.   

This was followed by something even more wonderful:  Remember in the Grade 9 chapter I mentioned that after watching Babe several times I wished for my own long-coated Border Collie? 

Well, I made a phone call using the number on an ad in the paper for Border Collie puppies, and I was told I was getting a Border Collie puppy! 

I named her Molly, after a Border Collie on an agility tape I had taped earlier before Melody’s wedding. 

She arrived the following autumn just before the tip-off tournament for high school basketball. 

She and I walked together and sometimes Dillon and Molly spent time together. 

He and Molly would take turns to walk with me on leash. 

What is Upper Cape Like After Canada looking like the movie Frozen?

Day 1 saw Stephane, Vic, and me, all going to Moncton in the 2015 Kia Sedona which we used for Quebec City 2015 and staying for lunch En Route to Bouctouche so Stephane could see his family. 

Enjoying the beach.

Later Erin, Christopher, and Oliver, all met Mom and me at Costco, where the Camerons used to take me to browse, watch the TVs play a certain movie, and eat Twist ice cream before I moved into L’Arche. 

They didn’t have much of a DVD or CD selection, but we got groceries and Mom and I looked at TVs as ours upstairs was fading and I liked the LG LED TVs and the Samsung TVs like the one in McKim House, and Erin said she didn’t like the Hi Def TVs because it makes movies look like a BBC show or soap opera. 

We also looked at books and I saw an Eyewitness France book and an Eyewitness Australia book. 

We went home. 

Tonight after supper I watched my DVD of Pitch Perfect, enjoying the music again. 

Day 2 was the day I had been waiting for after 2 Frozen-like blizzard-filled winters and no Upper Cape or Camille’s. 

We love walking the beach when the tide is out.

We packed up the car...and headed out to Upper Cape, leaving our dogs behind.  

 Dad had left early to take his John Deere ride-on mower to mow out a path to the beach and Glen, who was already there with Stephanie and Mo, was mowing. 

Mom and I went in Erin’s red Toyota Rav-4 with Oliver in the car seat, and I enjoyed his company and his excitement and his chattering. 

 We got there and the sight of the cottage and our beach excited me. 

I had brought along, as with every year, my copy of Nop’s Trials, as a tradition which started in 2006 before I lost Molly when I was borrowing Jen’s copy of this particular book, and I read this most of the time while I was here. 

I changed into my bathing suit which went very well with my T-shirt! 

After a lunch of snacks, such as nachos with salsa, crackers and cheese, lots of berries, and lots of Perrier, we headed to the beach for a long-awaited swim in the water. 

I went in and so did Erin and Stephanie, and I enjoyed my swim so much after 2 years I was doing Jean Vanier poses from his pictures on his books.  

After this I went back and relaxed, reading the book while my feet and bathing suit dried. 

Relaxing in the cottage.

As a note, this was also my first Upper Cape visit since I had my BlackBerry Q5. Therefore I used this to take some pictures. 

After hours of relaxation, visits to the water, strolls on the beach, reading Nop’s Trials, and enjoying the cottage we drove to Camille’s and I went with Stephanie and Glen in their new Mini.  

Once we got to Camille’s we waited for the rest of the group. 

Enjoying Camille's with the family.

Then we ordered our traditional summer meals, which in my case was Fish and Chips, and Mom had a Lobster meal, and Erin had Chicken Fingers and Fries, and some had Fried Clams and Fries or just the Clams. 

I brought along a Perrier can as all they served as drinks was Coke and Pepsi pops and water. 

We went home and I went in Dad’s Porsche Macan in which I had gone to Camp Wildwood a couple months ago.  

When we got home I was so tired.  I was like a bicycle because I was “2 Tired” and would have fallen over.  Therefore I went to bed. 

At Camille's!

Day 3 was return-home day. 

I had breakfast again with Erin, Christopher, and Oliver there to have fun with. 

I watched a PVR recording of an episode of Amazing Race Canada set in Halifax and I came up with the idea of L’Arche Saint John being a place where teams would come to do something to collect a clue and I thought in this place I would play a song and the contestants would guess the title of the song and if they guessed it correctly I would hand them their next Amazing Race clue. 

After lunch we went to Chapters to browse at books and I looked at a few travel books and then looked with Erin in the children’s section and I tried looking for, and looking up, Mercer Mayer’s Just For You, my favorite childhood book which when I used to read it had a tape with a song.  But I saw a whole shelf of Robert Munsch stories in big style and little style, like Mortimer, the Paper Bag Princess, Murmel, Murmel, Murmel, Thomas’ Snowsuit, I Have To Go, Pigs, and Mud Puddle, and other Munsch favorites I used to read and listen to as a child.   

Then we went to Shoppers to get a Globe and the Mail, excuse the pun, and I browsed at the movies and I liked one which was a 4-movie collection in which one was Bingo, about a circus Border Collie who saves the life of a boy whose father is a pro football player and the dog and the boy become friends for life, and I wanted this. 

Oliver at the beach.

We went home and I watched another PVR recording of an episode of Amazing Race Canada, here set in Sudbury, Ontario. 

After saying goodbye to Erin, Christopher, and Oliver and kissing Oliver, Mom and I went to the bus station and she bought me a ticket to Saint John and I brought my 12-string guitar, so we checked a suitcase and my guitar. 

We watched the train leave while we awaited the boarding of the bus, which happened within minutes, and later we left and I got home safely. 

For details - check out www.patrickdanielmcgrath.com

Bonjour, Quebec City!

Chapter 1: Bonjour, Quebec City! 

With Gray in Quebec City!

Today was Day 1, or in French, la premiere jour.  We packed up the van, set up the 2015 Kia Sedona van’s built-in GPS to lead us to the L’Arche Quebec City L’Arche House at which we were to stay, then took off in 2 vehicles:  a rental Mazda small mini-minivan, and our Kia Sedona, to Quebec City.  On the way we stopped in Woodstock where all these years I thought the farm at which I first picked up Molly was, but I got a text correcting me that it was in Centreville.  But we stopped and picnicked with the whole group.  We later took off and stopped in a Tim Horton’s close to the NB\Quebec Border.  Once we crossed the Border we stopped in a Quebec tourist centre for some info on Quebec City.  We drove some more, watching Hairspray on Maren’s computer.  Within a couple hours we arrived in Quebec City and turned the GPS voice-over on, which guided us to the house we were staying at.  After settling, we watched a video the house’s leader produced.  Then Gray and I walked to a nearby pizza restaurant, ordered pizza, and left, stopping at a Jean Coutu for San Pellegrino and other drinks.  Then we had supper together at our house and watched Kristina’s copy of Mamma Mia on the house’s LG flatscreen.  Then we went to bed. 

Chapter 2: Bus tour, tour d’autobus

Today we woke up, had toast and got in our van, setting up the GPS, which guided us to an underground parking garage near the Chateau Frontenac.  We were to split into 2 groups and one would go on a bus tour and the other would browse and explore the area.  On the way we drove down the street with the McDonald’s where I had the hotcakes and sausages with Dad before meeting Molly but the Archambault where I listened to the listening posts had apparently went out of business a long time ago.  We had a picnic with sandwiches, chips, cheesies, juice, and, of course, our water bottles.  We walked, browsed at a few stores, and paid for and awaited our bus tour.  We boarded the bus, which was a double decker, and sat in the upper level, awaiting the tour.  We drove through Old Quebec as the narrator gave us information on each historical building, landmark, and monument.  After the bus tour Gray and I went into the Frontenac’s lobby and took a picture of me in front of the elevators which Dad and I used to go to our room that October 1999 time, and then we walked to the car...and found a water fountain at which people were walking and running through hoses spraying water, most in bathing suits, and we had a lot of fun!  Tonight we had supper...and watched Stephane’s copy of Mrs. Doubtfire on the flatscreen...and went to bed. 

Chapter 3: Frontenac area revisited

We left...and split into 2 groups again and this time my group was browsing and the other would go on the bus tour.  We picnicked again...and went back to the Frontenac area.   While the other group prepared for the bus tour, we toured the Basilique Notre-Dame de Quebec at which we heard an organ tuning in progress and had Stephane pray for his church friends and family, went to a gift shop where I bought a Quebec City book with photos and information, browsed at some stores, including a department store called Simon’s, walked down the streets in search of a gelato\ice cream store...and found a store at which our group, including Maren who needed a taste of Canadian Maple Taffy before she headed back to Germany, and all had a sample.  We walked further...and I found a Source by Circuit City...and bought a green mist fan, one thing on my wish list.  Then we walked back to the Frontenac area...and stopped at a bakery so all of us could have a Quebec croissant, including Maren.  Then we walked down the street...and found a gelato place and I had the Gateau De Fromage gelato for the first time, which I enjoyed.   Then we went to the underground parking garage...and went home.  That is, our Home Away From Home, which is what I call L’Arche houses in other places where I stay on Vacation or Exchange.  Then after supper I watched Babe on the flat screen, and with the Hi Def, Fly and Rex and the Puppies’ moves were so real it was like reliving the day Molly and I first met on that Centreville horse farm.  Rena, if you see this Blog, I would like you to know a few things:  That in 2006 I lost her at 6 years to a tumor, that I still think of her, that I hope her 3 other sisters from the litter live nice long lives, and that I still look at the photos of her at all stages of her life.  Then we went to bed. 

Chapter 4: Ou Est HMV, Ou Est Archambault? 

Today was Shopping Day!   After breakfast we got in both vehicles, set the GPS systems, and followed the GPS to the mall.  This mall was like Quebec’s version of Edmonton’s West Edmonton Mall and Minneapolis’ Mall of America, as this not only had cool shops and services, but this also had a roller coaster, an ice rink where people could skate/play hockey, an arcade, an amusement park, and a huge IMAX movie theatre with all showings in French, except for Minions or in French, Les Minions, starring the yellow gibberish-speaking characters from Despicable Me.  We gathered, went up an escalator from which we could see the hockey\skating rink (Kristina took the elevator as she was in a wheelchair and did little stairs and no escalators) and within minutes, found HMV.  Here I bought Annie, Mrs. Doubtfire, Pitch Perfect, and Jurassic Park on DVD and Now Party Anthems on CD.  Others made great purchases too.  Then we went down another escalator, while Kristina took an elevator, to a store called Forever 21, specializing in fashion and jewelry, and during that whole time, I tried looking for a sac a dos or backpack, but there was none in sight, and Gray had to take Kristina back to our Home Away From Home while the rest of us did more browsing...and ate at the food court with a view of the amusement park, the skating/hockey rink, and the arcade.   Then we went home.  Then I watched my copy of Pitch Perfect on the flatscreen, enjoying the songs again, and awaiting supper.  Back when I was with family on Stay-cation, we watched that movie with Erin, Christopher, and Jen and Brian on their Samsung flatscreen, with Danny by my side for most of the time.  But I still wanted to do 2 more things:  get a gift for Debbie for her birthday which was the next day, and see Archambault and listen and make a purchase, so later after supper Gray and I left the house, following the GPS back to the Galeries De La Capitale, also known as the Mega Parc.  We went into the mall’s Simon’s which was apparently a chain in Quebec, as earlier we were in one down the road and around the corner from the Basilique Notre Dame de Quebec, and this one was in a mall in a different location.  Here we got a scarf for Debbie which she wanted when we were in the other Simon’s and played with ideas of gifts to give the house we were staying in as a merci for letting us stay in the maison.  Then we looked for a sweet shop and found one on the end of the rink and got Debbie and Jocelyn each a treat bag.  Then we went through Simon’s, got in the car...and drove to the Archambault, which I found in no time!  There they had computerized and 3-disc listening posts so I had to ecoute.  This not only had DVDs, CDs, and books, but there was also an instrument department with pianos, guitars, other instruments, instruction DVDs and music books.  Here I bought Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3, thinking it was 2 and 3 because of the look of the case.  We also bought Debbie a DVD as a gift.  Then we went into a home décor store next door as Gray wanted things for her new apartment and we played with ideas for the house.  Tonight, once we went home, we watched my new DVD, which showed a CGI Chloe the Chihuahua playing classical music on a hotel’s piano twice, once slowly, and once up-tempo. 

Chapter 5:  Poissons et Oursoms de Polar a L’Aquarium

At the Aquarium

Today we were to go to the Aquarium and there were amphitheatres like in Free Willy where Jesse is assigned to clean off graffiti after being caught by cops for vandalism and stealing restaurant food and a caterer’s cake with his friends and makes friends with the whale of the title.  Then and there I wondered if the whale tank draining scene was just CGI like the Jaws shark and the Jurassic Park dinosaurs and that amphitheatre is the same one in Free Willy.  Here we saw all kinds of sea life, 2 polar bears, some seals, and a walrus.  Here we picnicked, got a tour...and went home to get changed as while we were outside it poured rain, cleared up, poured rain, cleared up, and poured rain some more.  Kristina sat this outing out and it occurred to us she may not have been feeling well, which worried me.  Tonight we went back downtown or uptown (Monctonians call downtown “downtown”, and some Saint Johners like me call downtown “uptown”) and got some gelato (I got Gateau de Fromage) and we searched the downtown area for a restaurant, stopping in Notre Dame churches for a tour during which Stephane prayed to himself for his church friends.  After a short walk we found a pizza place called Pizz. I got the Hawaiian Pizza with a San Pellegrino Limonata as did someone else.  I ordered in French as I had been practicing my French skills for this entire trip.  Then we found the car...and went to our H.A.F.H. (Home Away From Home) 

Chapter 6: Bienvenue, Andreanne, et Bonne Fete, Debbie!

Today was Debbie’s Birthday and she wanted a pancake breakfast for her birthday.  And Andreanne visited us from Montreal.  BTW, Andreanne was an Assistant in 2011/2012 and was with us on Vacation, McKin-Mas, said goodbye to me when I went to Atlanta with John O’Donnell, Jocelyn, and Don Dickson, and went with me and a few people to hockey games.  She joined us at our table.  After breakfast we sang Happy Birthday to Debbie, gave her a cake to blow out the candle...and gave her the birthday gifts which we had bought 2 nights ago.  Then we relaxed...and went downtown just one more time.   Here we parked by the Terminale de Croisiere, and went to a few shops.  Today some of us went to a few shops, had a few of us, including Maren, but except for me, try a Beaver Tail, which was like a giant donut sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, another Canadian delicacy, and went to the Farmer’s Market, where Krista, who now had a sore hip, had a Diet Pepsi, and Gray had a San Pellegrino Aranciata, and looked around for oven mitts for the house as a merci gift without luck.  Then we took the Funiculaire, which was the train-like elevator that leads from way below the Frontenac to the area, which was so much fun.   Then we went to the gelato shop in the Frontenac AGAIN and I, once again, had the Gateau de Fromage in a waffle cone and others had the same thing.  Then Gray, Stephane, and I, all went to the Basilique Notre-Dame de Quebec for a Mass in French, which was on Stephane’s wish list and I shared this wish, as finding an all-English mass in Quebec City was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.  But I enjoyed this too with the music from the organ, and I donated $2 to the church.  After this we went to the first Simon’s, which was my idea, and looked for oven mitts and other kitchen accessories, as their current ones were not very good.  We bought some with pictures of lobsters to remind them that we were from New Brunswick, home of Shediac, dubbed “The Lobster Capital of the World”.  Then we took the Funiculaire again for the way back...and drove home...while at home Debbie and the others were thinking of places to eat for her Birthday.  She wanted nachos like she gets when she goes to a local Saint John restaurant called Thandi’s, so we walked, while some drove, from the house...to a Mexican Restaurant.  Here we were celebrating 2 things:  of course Debbie’s Birthday, and our last day of a successful, all-dream-filled vacation in Quebec City.  I had chicken nachos minus the onions with a Pina Colasa minus the alcohol.  Others had Mexican favorites.  Then the waiters, holding a cake, sang Happy Birthday and some of us added harmonies.  Then we went home...and straight to bed after our meds were taken, as it was a little after 10:00pm and next morning we had to pack up, clean the house, and head home! 

Chapter 7: Au Revoir, Quebec City!

Enjoying the drive

We indeed had breakfast packed up, cleaned the house, made sure we had everything...and headed home, saying good-bye to Quebec.  On the way we stopped at Subway for lunch for all different subs.  As a note, the Subway chain was Krista’s favorite place as she always says this was healthy with lots of veggies to choose from, compared to McDonald’s and burger places.  Then we drove some more, watching one of Kristina’s new DVDs, the 2014 update of Annie which we watched at the theatre the previous Winter after my New York Christmas, and I recognized the places shot in the movie from being there, and I was amazed at the size of the building where Annie stays with her adopted family.  Once we crossed the border we stopped at Tim Horton’s and we had snacks and I ordered in French. Then we went home a little after 10:00, unpacking our things and sending the rental car back to Enterprise.  

Camp Wildwood 2015

    June 11th, 2015: Bus Day

Driving to camp with dad.

    I took the 10:30 bus to Moncton from Saint John, which got in at 12:50. 

    Mom picked me up in the BMW wagon, which had been in Mom’s possession since 2011. 

    Then we went home and had lunch...and then headed to Jennifer’s to see Brennan and Connor and congratulate Brennan on his graduation, and tell him my regrets that despite his efforts to get me tickets to the graduation and see that I get there I wouldn’t make it to the ceremony. 

    Brennan, if you see this Blog, I want to, once again, express my congratulations on the graduation and I am sorry I could not make it to the ceremony and I enjoyed your yearbooks and the jam session with your friends. 

    Then we looked at Brennan’s and Connor’s yearbook from 2015 and it had some great pictures, not only of him and Connor, but of the musical they put on before Christmas, sporting events from Saint John High School and the home games, news flashes about trends, like Top-40 songs, world news, commercialization, and TV and movies. 

    Tonight we decided to celebrate Father’s Day with Dad, a week before the actual day since I would not be in Moncton then, with fish and chips, San Pellegrino, and berries and yogurt.   

    June 12, 2015: Arrival Day

    This morning Mom and I drove to Champlain Place so as I could get my haircut at Cut 2000. 

Construction workers were working on Crystal Palace, which used to be an indoor amusement park, but closed down and was making way for a Bass Pro shop. 

While I got my haircut I had a long chat with the barber about Camp Wildwood and she said she was there before many times. 

Then we went to HMV and Mom bought me the Men in Black collection, which had MIB and MIIB.  (1 and 2) 

On the way home we tried to get Brian a birthday gift of a Cineplex gift card but they were closed. 

    We took a quick stop at a new Moncton store that specialized in outdoor/hunting supplies like guns and outfits, and Mom and I had to steer outta there after a quick browse because of the cruelty in the store, like moose and deer on the wall and statues made out of real bears and wildlife! 

    When Dad got home we packed things like my backpack with books and camp supplies inside, my suitcase with the clothes, my sleeping bag, and my 12-string guitar, all into the back of Mom and Dad’s new car. 

Then we went into the car and headed for Camp Wildwood, and I enjoyed the drive in this new car. 

I was hoping the Mason & Risch upright piano would still be there which I played in the summers of ’95 and ’96. 

Unfortunately, it was gone. 

On a happy note, though, my co-campers were co-workers from METS and one classmate from Riverview High from my grad class, named Carla.  And as an added bonus, 2 people there had a Golden Retriever/Husky mix dog named Max, who stayed with me for most of the weekend. 

I set up the sleeping bag in one of the new refurbished cabins. 

They had the same names, but were in new cabins. 

We played games such as “duck, duck, goose” and musical chairs. 

Then we had Vespers, snack, and campfire with camp songs and songs, and then we went to bed. 

    June 13, 2015: Day 2 

    We woke up to a gourmet breakfast with pancakes and cereal.  Here we sang graces like Johnny Appleseed, a grace in the tune of the Superman theme, and a grace to the tune of the Spiderman theme. 

In the summers of ’95 and ’96 we would sing these graces too. 

When I went to Camp Centennial when I was just a young kid and we had just got the gray Jeep Cherokee and PBS was playing Lamb Chop’s Play Along and kids would, out of nowhere, sing The Song That Doesn’t End from that show, we campers would sing Johnny Apple Seed loudly for lunch and yell “JOHNNY APPLE SEED!” at the top of our lungs.

Then we used Play-Doh to do some artwork.  Then we had a campfire during which we made S’mores, and I had mine minus the chocolate. 

We had lunch together in the lodge. 

Then we had some relaxing time during which I planned my songs for this evening’s talent show and to practice them in the basement where another Mason & Risch piano which was badly out of tune also used to be in ’95 and ’96, but this was also gone. 

Here I knocked around a bunch of ideas, like Mud on the Tires and Find Yourself by Brad Paisley, In Summer from Frozen, Dancing Queen from Mamma Mia, The Hockey Song by the late Stompin’ Tom Connors, Twist and Shout, Brian Wilson, and other songs I had learned since the last time I was here. 

Then we swam in the pool, which was very different from the one pictures of me there in ’95 and ’96, and this pool had basketball nets, so I took part in a game. 

Then after I changed from my bathing suit to the clothes I had on before swimming, the tuck shop opened.  I had Ruffles Sour Cream & Bacon chips. 

After this I went back to the basement of the lodge with my guitar and practiced my songs for the Talent Show tonight. 

After practicing supper came. 

Then the Talent Show came up. 

Here when I came up, I played The Hockey Song for the Stanley Cup Playoffs watchers and fans, and Dancing Queen from Mamma Mia the musical and movie. 

Then we had Vespers. 

Then we had campfire with singing, snack in the lodge, and bedtime.  ​

    June 14th, 2015: Home Day

Relaxing at mom and dad's house.

    Today was Home Day.  We had breakfast with cereal and bagels and yogurt and fruit. 

    Then Praise Craze came and then we played more games like Duck, Duck, Goose, Simon Says, Dance Freeze, and other fun camp games. 

    Then we had lunch. 

    Then we packed up our cabins so when the parents/caretakers came to have supper with us and take us campers home our things would be ready.   

    Then we played more games. 

    Then parents and caretakers came and joined us for supper and dessert. 

    Within minutes Mom and Dad showed up in their new car.  They joined us for supper and dessert...and grabbed my things, packed it in the car...and took me home and then we went to Jen and Brian’s for a time with friends of Brennan’s, who was graduating from Bernice MacNaughton High School, quite a short time after the year I graduated from Riverview High School and then got Molly, during which Brennan was a toddler, making fire truck and train sounds and filling in the blanks for songs and stories. 

    Among the friends were Heath, who was in my grad class from Bessborough in summer ’95, and a few other school friends. 

    We got Brennan and Connor to play guitar while I played for a jam session.  Then I played a song for the guests.  ​

    June 15, 2015: Border Collie Time, The Journey Home 

Border collie bliss.

    The next day Jen’s friend Charlotte showed up with 4 of her Border Collies, and one of them, Bliss, and Ella, really love each other.  They were hilarious together, and Jen, Charlotte, Mom, and I took all of them, Danny, Bliss, Ella, and Charlotte’s other 3 Border Collies, for a walk. 

Back in Thanksgiving Weekend Charlotte lent me a movie called Away to Me, and as any Border Collie lover who has read Nop’s Trials, Nop’s Hope, and Eminent Dogs, Dangerous Men, can tell, it’s about sheepherding trials and when I watched it I loved it.  Weeks later she had Jennifer mail it to me. 

Charlotte, if you see this Blog, I would like you to know I am still enjoying that DVD. 

    That night, with a packed lunch which included a chicken wrap, an apple, a banana, Fruit to Go bars, and a San Pellegrino in my backpack, I took the 5:00 bus back to Saint John and when I got home I got out my Riverview High School and Harrison Trimble High School yearbooks and looked at my class photos and photos of me with the guitar and at sporting events. 

Then I had Hampton Bible Camp, Quebec City, some family time including seeing Stephanie, Glen, Erin, Christopher, Oliver, Melody, Matt, Emily, Clare, and Uncle Bill, and Faith and Sharing, all to look forward to! 

Bill, if you see this Blog, I am sorry I cannot make the Treasure Hunt to read the clues and finish the night with guitar playing and music. 

To the rest of my sisters, I look forward to seeing you in the summer months, and I hope I get to swim in Upper Cape and stay in the cottage and/or see it, since I never made it there last summer. 

    Then I sent a story of Dad to Stephanie for the Blog, which appeared on it with a video of me interviewing Dad and singing one of our Dump Songs and Dad giving the advice about Datsun or Nissan, that “hoods fly up.” 

My L’Arche Friends

L'Arche Saint John celebrating at the 10th Anniversary Dinner. 

Gray Gillies, an Assistant from L’Arche Saint John, has helped me with healthy choices, been with me to Toronto for the last Autism Symposium, has been with me for a few vacations, and was with me for most celebrations.  She and I cook together sometimes and she took part in the concert at Imperial Theatre and she was with us for 50 Fest.  She was with us for the Growth ad Goals Meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2015.  She and I were together on my first Exchange to Antigonish and I shopped at Superstore with listening stations, visited other houses, and attended mass at St. Ninian’s Cathedral, on the campus of St. F. X.  A future wish is, to honor Gram, since most of my family, except for me, has been to a Blue Jays home game, is that she and I go to Toronto to catch a home game with my Blue Jays water bottle and a poster that reads L’Arche Saint John loves the Blue Jays so if a Sports Net camera shows us L’Arche friends and family can see us, then we’d get worldwide publicity.  And maybe we can stay in Royal York or Gamble House again.  And maybe I could get my water bottle autographed by Jays past and present and a Blue Jays book about their present and past players and their past successes. 

Gray at a listening station

Jocelyn Worster, the Community Leader, also has helped me with healthy choices, has been with me for Atlanta 2012 and 50 Fest and a few Vacations, and has been to things like Epiphany Concerts, the recent Imperial Theatre concert, the recent 10th Anniversary Dinner at KV Church, AGMs, and other L’Arche Atlantic Region celebrations, like 25th and 30th Anniversaries.  She was at our Growth and Goals Meeting on May 26th.

Victoria Woods, who prefers to be called Vic, was with us for McKim-Mas, and she and I have been good shopping friends together.  She was with us for the 10th Anniversary Supper at KV Church and in fall took part in our number in the concert at Imperial Theatre, which was Hakuna Matata from The Lion King.  She and I cook together sometimes.  She joined us for the Growth and Goals Meeting on May 26th.

Maren (I don’t know how to spell her last name) is one of many of our Assistants from Germany, and she and I also have shopped together and she and I are usually the duo who goes to the Loch Lomond Villa on most Fridays if it is Gray’s Day or Weekend Away or Vacation.  She was with us for the recent 10th Anniversary Supper at KV Church.  She and I cook sometimes.  Maren takes some of us to Zumba on some Wednesdays. 

Brandon Lanteigne and I have shopped together, been to a Sea Dogs game with Stephane, have been to O’Leary’s together, have been to special things like Christmas parties and art days, to church together, and shared a room at the Chocolate Lake Hotel in Halifax for 50 Fest.  He was with us for the recent 10th Anniversary Supper.  He took part in singing Hakuna Matata from The Lion King for the concert at Imperial Theatre and he was at The Sound of Music at Imperial Theatre and Anne of Green Gables at St. Malachy’s Memorial High School with us.  He takes some of us to Zumba on Mondays, though he sits it out and works on his computer. 

Debbie Turnbull and I have been on most Vacations together, summer camps at Hampton Bible Camp, 50 Fest, the concert at Imperial Theatre, Good Shepherd Church, Epiphany Concerts, Faith and Sharing Retreats, the recent 10th Anniversary Supper at KV Church, The Sound of Music at Imperial Theatre, and Anne of Green Gables at St. Mac’s High School.  Years back she joined Gray and me for Fiddler on the Roof at Harbour View High School.  She is in the In Key Choir at Key Industries with me and joins me for Zumba classes on Mondays and some Wednesdays. 

Kristina Cooper, though she cannot speak, has ways to communicate.  When we ask her questions, when she raises her eyebrows, that means yes or that she is happy or excited about something coming up or she is looking forward to.  She has movies in her room that I like.  She has been with me for some vacations, most of the ones where Janet Christy was with us, and she was at 50 Fest and all AGM’s. 

Krista Simmons has almost the same taste in movies and music I do.  We both like the movies Frozen, High School Musical, Camp Rock, Princess Protection Program, and any movie, as long as there is no nudity or cuss words.  She likes country and Disney music, though she likes some of the music they play at Zumba classes we dance to.  She goes to Camp Rotary in summer. 

Stephane Bastarache, originally from Bouctouche, can play guitar and sing hymns, but he cannot play chords, so he sings and goes strum strum strum... on open notes with no fingers.   He prays for priests, the Saint John area bishop, Raise up an Army, his KI and prayer meeting friends, and any problems in the news or with his family and friends.  He plays Wii Bowling on certain days.  He also goes to Hampton Bible Camp with me in summer and winter.  He and I have been to hockey and basketball games together.  We go to and watch movies together.  He is also a member of Key Industries’ In Key Choir. 

Justine (I forgot her last name), from Kenya, taught us some Swahili, like Karibu means “Welcome”.  She and I traveled on Community Exchange to Antigonish close to Halloween not last October, but the October before, and we went to a Halloween Dance, shopped at Wal-mart where I bought Home Alone 2, visited other houses, and went to a couple beaches together.  Last summer she joined us for Community Vacation, also in Antoginish, and we got a tour of St. F. X., where Jennifer, Brian, Dad, and Mom, all graduated from University and I had seen their varsity basketball team play at Halifax Metro Centre various times, 3 times with my Mom, once with Janet Christy, and once with Blake Cameron before I moved out of their house and later lost Molly and later got Ella and later moved into L’Arche Saint John.  All of a sudden, out of nowhere, she moved back to Kenya and I wish she’d come back. 

Janet Christy, from Gujarat, India, has been with us for Community Vacations, stepped in as House Leader after Marilyn Moore retired, helped me make healthy choices, and taught us her language, which is in fact called Gujarati.  For example, Mito ane Marie, means “salt and pepper”.  Supratri means in fact “good night.”  Kem Chho and Mazama means “Hello” and “How are you doing?”  Oujo (spelt correctly, Janet?) means “goodbye”.  When she was with us for vacation, the songs she chose for the mix CD, dubbed “Babe Mix”, were both funny and catchy. 

Tiago Ortega, (sorry High School Musical and Dirty Dancing fans, no relation to Kenny the choreographer) from Toronto, was with us for 2 short times:  Once for summer, and once for 2 Christmases seasons ago.  He joined us for Vacation in Antigonish 2 summers ago where we visited other houses and went to beaches where I saw a couple of Border Collies playing Frisbee with their handler, was at Mama George’s Restaurant with us on Canada Day which was the first time I tried clams, and took me shopping before McKim-Mas by bus so I could get a Sony Dream Machine clock radio with 7 time zones and Auto DST option and to buy a DVD.  Some of his favorite movies, also some of mine, included Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Tommy Boy. 

Sophia (I forget her last name), from Germany, was with us for Sea Dogs games, Vacation, McKim-Mas, Epiphany Concerts, movie nights, and snow days. 

Silvana Springer (sorry comedy fans, no relation to Jerry, right?) is also from Germany.  The adventures together for us included my first curling match, last summer’s vacation, Epiphany concerts, and McKim-Mas. 

Anna Bingel, also from Germany, took me and Krista a few times to my first Zumba classes, joined us for the Vacation in Cape Breton, was with us for McKim-Mas and Epiphany Concert, and loved Bob Marley and Eva Cassidy.  She loved to sing Someone like You by Adele, though sometimes she could not sing the high C# originally sung in the chorus. 

Andreanne Grondin, from Quebec, had a friend/relative who took us to the Hilton room he was staying at and I got to see Alpine Country Star in progress on the boardwalk from the 10th floor room and watch the LG flat screen.  She also joined us for Community Vacation in Cape Breton.  

What Autism Means to Me

Autism is a condition some people are born with that causes things like fixations and obsessions.  Autistics also say some very odd things, like I did, which will come up later in this document.  I want to help people understand Autism, its advantages, and its challenges so if they have a child and find out from a doctor that he/she is autistic, then they can get some resources to help understand.  My recommendations are that people trying to understand this condition buy and watch the movie Rain Man, buy all of Temple Grandin’s books and her movie starring Romeo + Juliet’s Claire Danes as Temple. 

Working on stories about my life. 

Most autistic people have good memories. 

For example, if you watch Rain Man, the title character, in fact an autistic savant, has a great memory. 

He recites Abbott & Costello’s Who’s on First whenever he is nervous several times, and when the waitress drops the toothpicks on the floor he counts them in seconds to 246 toothpicks, and in the airport scene where he freaks out he announces all the plane crashes and that “QANTAS Never Crashed.” 

He also knows the address of the Kmart in which he buys his underwear, Oak & Burnett, to be exact, “400 Oak Street.” 

I have a great memory of what I saw the first time the Volvo 240 Wagon took me to Hillsborough, my adoption day, what I saw on my first day of school in Grade 1, school years, trips with family that involved camping and hotels and shopping, my Camp Centennial years, the TV shows I watched as a child like Camp Caribou, Lamb Chop’s Play Along, Get Smart, Batman, Power Rangers, and movies I watched as a child like Looney Tunes tapes, Disney movies such as Homeward Bound and The Mighty Ducks, and animated favorites like Peter Pan, Robin Hood, Dumbo, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and other favorites, my first years of high school, my Camp Wildwood years, when I saw Babe that Easter of 96 when I loved Fly and Rex the sheepdogs, Molly’s birth date and arrival date, the date I moved into L’Arche, some information Temple Grandin gave at the first Symposium Mom and I attended, like how bullies called her “Tape Recorder” because she was constantly repeating the same stuff over and over again. 

With autism also comes challenges. 

One is fixations and obsessions.  Fixations are things where someone autistic focuses on one thing for a long time and thinks and talks about that one thing so much it drives other people trying to understand autism up the wall.  I used to say silly things like “It’s a garbage bag” and “It’s a Kraft Dinner”.  I have no idea why I said the Kraft Dinner thing.  I suppose this came with autism, same reason Rain Man recites Who’s on First and keeps saying “I need to get my boxer shorts in Kmart in Cincinnati, 400 Oak Street, these are Hanes 32, mine are boxer shorts,” “4 Minutes to Wapner,” and “26 Minutes to Jeopardy,” which drives Charlie Babbitt up the wall so much he is forced to stop in a small town and find a doctor to find out the nature of Raymond’s condition and how this happened. 

I also used to count down the microwave’s timer to 0 like it’s a rocket takeoff from space shows my foster brothers Cal and Ray used to watch on TV. 

Once again, fixations and obsessions come standard with Autism.  Another thing was that in the 80s, cars like the Plymouth Reliant, Olds 98 and Royale, Pontiac Parisienne, Chevrolet Caprice Classic, and Buick Roadmaster, all had the logo on the trunk slide to reveal the keyhole to the trunk which I found very neat and I used to play with it, curious which way it opened to reveal the keyhole, which scared Mom and Dad because what if the car backed up and the driver did not see me? 

Another thing, once again a fixation with Autism, was a couple of days back in school at Bessborough after Christmas in Grade 3 I would move my thumbs as if I was playing Super Mario Bros. on our Nintendo which we had gotten for Christmas, which was distracting to the teacher, TA, and fellow students, so I was cut off from that for some time. 

I can quote movies and other friends.  I can also play guitar, piano, and also work on the computer, and text on my BlackBerry. 

A friend of the family’s is also autistic and also lives in a L’Arche home. 

He can quote movies and other friends. 

Whenever he sees me, he clearly says: “Your parents are Ed and Marlene, your sisters are Erin, Stephanie, Melody, and Jennifer, and your nieces are Emily and Clare, and your nephews are Brennan, Connor, and Oliver, your dogs are Ella, Sprocket, Liza, Lupin, Danny…” etc.   

When he quotes The Santa Clause, he says: “You’re as healthy as a horse.  Yeah… like a Clydesdale” 

As a child he used to rewind movies to see a scene or hear a line or sound over and over again. 

Ideas and Awareness

My ideas are that Temple Grandin should visit Saint John, Halifax, and all the towns/cities my family lives and visit us.  I also think we should make a movie based on my life as an Autistic person.  We should also, as a family, with my L’Arche Saint John friends, prepare an Autism speech of our own for a future Geneva Centre Autism Symposium in Toronto. 

People can be more supportive of people with Autism by helping them make good choices, taking the person to a doctor or something to try to understand what caused Autism to enter the person, or give the person a dog to keep them company and help the person, provided the person is not allergic and the home the person lives in allows dogs to live in the house or home.  

Carry The Dream: Atlanta 2012

John O’Donnell and I were to go to Mobile, AL., for a weekend, and then to Atlanta for a L’Arche International Assembly.  The day John O’Donnell and I met for the big trip I was met with a surprise:  He and I were to take a night at a hotel near the Airport.  And it was so.  We took a room at the Halifax Airport Comfort Inn.  I swam in the hotel’s indoor pool and went to bed that night. 

The day we woke up we took a shuttle to the Halifax Stanfield International Airport from where we were to take not 1, not 2, but THREE different planes (thank God all jets) to Toronto, to Atlanta, and then to Mobile.  We went through security without so much as a chirp.  We boarded plane #1 of 3.  In no time we took off and in no time we landed at Pearson International Airport.  Here we were to fill out a US Customs & Border Protection declaration that declared purpose of trip, age, address, whether or not we were carrying fruits, vegetables, or forbidden things, and reason for trip, and then go through Customs before going through security.  We went through US Customs successfully, and then checked our bags again, and then proceeded to our gate only to discover that plane #2 was experiencing mechanical difficulties, and so we were diverted from the original designated gate to another one.  Due to the delay we missed the connecting Delta plane to Mobile.  We booked another one, boarded that one, and landed in Mobile at 10:10 pm Central.   There were people there to pick us up. 

Day 1 in the U.S. we took a drive to the Mardi Gras Museum in Mobile and saw exhibits that told us Mobile was the birthplace of Mardi Gras parades.  Then we took a drive to a house with a pool; a beach nearby; and a Bel Air-style house.  We had a BBQ and a swim. 

The next day we took a drive as a 3-rental-car convoy to Atlanta and on the way we stopped at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant.  A friend took my camera and took a picture of me holding a case of glass bottles of Coca-Cola, the reason being I read in my Atlanta Book that Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta.  Soon we got to the Agnes Scott College, set up, and I went with my driver to the Airport so as he could return the rental car, and the 2 of us took MARTA (the city’s transit train) back to the College.  We had our opening ceremonies and our theme song was called “Carry The Dream”, written by John Coleman, inspired by Martin Luther King, Junior’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech.  All the songs during this week were beautiful.  I met lots of friends from all across the world.   

The next day we had a couple assemblies and a Catholic mass in both English and French.  Other days we had church services of all kinds.  We also went to church services at a Presbyterian Church and an Episcopal Church.  The assemblies we went to were spoken in English, French, and Spanish.  We had radios with headphones that translated to English French and Spanish, like say words and prayers were spoken in French or Spanish, we could listen to it in English nonetheless.  That was helpful.  Every night from that night on we had pub nights, and we had 7 pub nights in a row.   John and I went to Decatur CD store and I purchased the DVDs Like Mike, Space Jam, and Beethoven/Beethoven’s 2nd Double Feature, along with the CDs Black Eyed Peas The E.N.D. and The Black Eyed Peas The Beginning, all for great prices.

On our final full day in Atlanta we went on a bus tour on a school bus to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, with education about how before “I Have A Dream” people were separated from each other because of their races, cultures, colors, religions, faiths, and abilities, which I already knew about after being in STAR (Students Against Racism), and learning about the World Wars, at Catholic Church to which Dr. King went; got a tour of a museum; and listened to a gospel choir from Mobile singing beautiful songs like O Happy Day, We Shall Overcome, and other gospel favorites.  They then played a video of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech.  The next day the same gospel choir sang at our assembly at the College. 

After the final night in Atlanta we said goodbye to our new friends; took the bus to the MARTA Station; took a MARTA Train to the Atlanta Airport; tried to find the ticketing agent; checked our bags; boarded plane #1 of 2 planes, which took off in no time and took us to Pearson Airport.  We went through Canadian Customs and connected planes to plane #2 to Halifax Airport.  We stayed in L’Arche Halifax the day we landed.  At Toronto Airport I had purchased the CD Mumford & Sons Sigh No More.  ​

The next day we drove to Saint John, and that was the end of the journey, and therefore,  the end of the story. 

Perfect Pitch: How I Got to Know Music

Music is important to me because it makes me remember old times or new memories, depending the song I play or hear.  

Playing music with Melody in the summer of 2013 in Moncton. 

How the music I listen to makes me feel is as follows. 

When I listen to both Huey Lewis albums we used to listen to it makes me want to go back to the years we were in Hillsborough with the Volvo 240 wagon, the Datsun pickup, and the Ford van. 

When I listen to the big Dirty Dancing CD that combines both tapes I think of myself back on a camping trip with the McGrath family and our dogs playing my guitar. 

When I listen to The Big Chill and Stand By Me soundtracks I picture myself in the Boston and Halifax hotels we stayed in as kids, swimming in the pool, enjoying the hotel and city’s great cuisine and shopping, and just enjoying the drive.  

When I Discovered Music

On my first visit to my Mom’s house before my adoption (see full story in my Adoption Story) I saw the house had a Mason & Risch piano. 

I opened it and played a few notes. Melody taught me which key corresponds to which note. 

When I went to school there were so many pianos.  One, in the adjacent room to my classroom, was a whole note flat, so if you played a C chord you get a B flat chord. 

The music room also had a Yamaha piano. 

There were a few in the hallway, and there were 2 on stage in the gym: one upright and one grand. 

When the music teacher played O Canada and got us to sing it I picked it up, and the moment I got home I went to the downstairs piano and played it exactly like I heard it. 

I had a ukulele and was playing this a lot. 

The summer between grades 1 and 2 I noticed mosquitoes would buzz in the same note at night when they attempted to bite my ear, an F#.  

One day I went to school…and came back home to a surprise:  Dad had bought a new piano:  a Tadashi upright that looked identical to the Yamaha in the music room.  Now we had 2 pianos:  The Mason & Risch in the downstairs room…and a Tadashi in the living room where the woodstove, stereo, turtle tank, and Christmas tree were. 

In addition to playing music on these instruments and singing and in school, we listened to tapes with music:  Huey Lewis & The News’ Sports and Fore albums, Mike & Michele, Sharon Lois & Bram, Raffi, both Dirty Dancing soundtracks, the Big Chill soundtrack, the Stand By Me soundtrack, and Lionel Richie Dancing on the Ceiling album. 

From grades 11 and 12 on I was singing in church choirs and still am. 

I can now play popular songs like Frozen songs, stuff from the local radio stations, and the Sister Act up-tempo arrangement of Hail Holy Queen and lots of church anthems and hymns. 

Music is a huge part of my life now. I sang in 4 church choirs in Moncton. In Saint John I am part of 2 choirs: the Key Industries Choir and the Our Lady of the Assumption Church Senior Choir, and I have sung lots of songs away, including 50 Fest in Halifax, retreats both home and Nova Scotia, and the Atlanta 2012 Assembly.  (See this story in a future Blog.)  

The Days of Molly’s Life

Chapter 1: The Phone Call

Molly as a puppy with Simon, our Golden Retriever 

My last relatives were about to board the plane after Melody and Matt Taylor’s wedding. 

At breakfast I took the paper and opened it up to the classifieds.  On the Pets/Supplies section I saw this intriguing ad:

BORDER COLLIE PUPS.  IMPORTED PARENT.  BRED FOR FAMILIES/FARMS.  BLACK\WHITE, TRI-COLOR.  EXC. TEMP.  VET CHECKED.  APP. HOMES ONLY.  READY NOV. 12.   

I picked up the phone and dialed the number shown on the ad. 

The lady on the other end sounded about Jennifer’s age and cheerful. 

I asked about the puppies. 

She said there were 4 puppies, 2 of each color style, all female.  One of each was, in Cesar Milan’s words, “In the calm-assertive state”, and one of each was dominant. 

I gave Mom the phone, went downstairs, and played the guitar while Mom talked to the lady. 

Minutes later Mom came back down, the phone still on. 

I took the receiver and put it to my ear. 

What she said got me excited:

“Congratulations, Patrick!  You have just gotten yourself a Border Collie puppy!” 

After this I got the guitar and happily played my grad song!  Had this happened at the time I am writing this I would have played all the peppy songs from High School Musical 1, 2, and 3. 

Word of this spread all over my family and friends. 

I named this puppy Molly, after a Border Collie I saw on an agility match on tape before Melody’s wedding. 

Chapter 2:  The Puppy Pre-Look

For those of you who read and watched Marley & Me, this may sound similar to what you see and read when John and Jenny go to the farm to see the lab puppies to pick out Marley before going to the IHOP, except Marley was a boisterous mischievous Labrador pup and Molly was a gentle Border Collie pup who would not harm anyone or anything. 

My Dad and I went to Quebec City for CACL conferences and stay at the Chateau Frontenac. 

I browsed at the local CD/DVD/VHS store Archambault, swam in the hotel’s pool, and watched TV and a Pay Per View movie on the hotel’s RCA 19” TV.

But the turning point was our trip home as we stopped at the farm where Molly was born. 

I was expecting to see some sheep or at least some livestock for the dogs to herd.  Dillon’s birth farm had some sheep. 

But there were horses, and not a single ewe, ram, or lamb in sight. 

The lady, named Rena MacLean, and a man who looked like Tim McGraw in Flicka, came to us, with 2 Border Collies and a black Labrador at their side. 

The smaller Border Collie, a tri-color, was Molly’s mother Clan. 

The bigger black and white Border Collie, kind of big for one, was Carlton, Molly’s Father. 

Rena then showed us a demonstration on how the 2 dogs would herd the horses the way these dogs would normally herd sheep. 

After the demo they led us, the 3 dogs at their side, to a basement. 

In the basement was a big box. 

In the box were 4 adorable Border Collie pups.  I picked out the calm black and white and picked her up. 

As soon as I picked her up she started licking my face as if to say “Please take me home!” which warmed my heart. 

My love of Border Collies started in Grade 9 when I first saw Babe and fell in love with Fly and Rex, the Border Collies who take the pig of the title under their paw and teach him how to herd sheep like them. 

Since seeing Molly I watched the above movie a lot. 

Chapter 3:  Molly’s Arrival/Wonderful Events

With Molly as a Puppy

November 12th, the date posted on the ad, finally arrived.

When night came, a dark gray Oldsmobile sedan pulled up. 

The lady came, Clan at her side, and Brandy, our across-the-street neighbor’s Scottish Terrier, started barking wildly until Mrs. Barkhouse had to take her in. 

MacLean came to me, Molly in her arms, and put her in my arms! 

Jennifer’s Jeep was still there, so I took Molly to a 2-year-old Brennan Kent, who said “Hi, Molly.  Good girl,” and fell asleep. 

I took her  in the house and introduced her to Chico, our 2nd Cocker Spaniel, Mabel, Melody’s Golden Retriever, and Emma, Mom’s first Bearded Collie, like Tim Allen’s character Dave Douglas turns into after getting bitten by the 300-year-old Tibet Beardie in the 2006 remake of The Shaggy Dog.  

This made the following events even more exciting, as with anyone with their first real dog. 

I saw Erin in the musical The King and I in the role of Tuptim, the same role Melody had 10 years ago. 

Then Melody and Matt had me spend a weekend with them in Kentville, Nova Scotia, and I brought Babe, Christmas movies, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. 

After this I came home and Molly was happy to see me. 

Christmas came up.  Here I got the CDs Much Dance 2000, Superstar, and Grammy Nominees 2000.  I also got a teal Timex Ironman watch with the new display and the CD of the soundtrack to Mame and the VHS The Santa Clause.  

Chapter 4:  The New Year

After the celebrations, back to routines, but boy, was I glad to be over school and homework, and boy, was I glad to have Molly!  Plus it is fun having Christmas and my Birthday, in fact January 7th, so close to each other! 

My Birthday, indeed, came, and me and a friend who was my TA in Bessborough School and my last 2 years in high school at Riverview High, browsed in Zellers where I used the listening posts, had a Pizza Delight buffet (the main reason my favorite pizza place is Pizza Delight), and went to the movie theatre to see Stuart Little, with Back to the Future’s Michael J. Fox and Nathan Lane, whom before the time I am writing this story, I saw in New York City on Broadway in It’s Only A Play during New York Christmas 2014. 

The following day, I started my first work since graduation and since I had Molly.  A friend of Dad’s hired me to do some lumber piling in a giant workshop that was as big as a hockey arena. 

There was a lot of saws, a sawdust-producing device which made a loud, consistent buzz, conveyor belts, and a huge chainsaw which moved in slow motion like a second hand on some clocks.  One of my co-workers was in my grad class and my 1999 yearbook proves it.  There were a few forklifts and lots of nice co-workers to chat with at breaks.  And when I came home Molly would be happy to see me. 

With the salary I bought a Panasonic 5-disc stereo with Sub Woofers, which is what Molly would have been at Quizno’s with a sandwich and suddenly started pumping Zumba music beats. 

Molly soon grew to be an adult dog, slightly smaller than Dillon. 

By the way, I should describe the 2 dogs. 

Dillon was a short-coated Border Collie with tri-color, and Molly was a long-coated Black and White. 

Soon Molly and I started walking together, her on leash, regularly around our neighborhood, and there were lots of friendly neighbors and dogs to see. 

Soon I joined the YMCA and worked out and sometimes there would be a German Shepherd there as a seeing-eye dog, and another worker-outer was, in fact, my Grade 8 gym teacher. 

On a certain day I would go to the pool for a family swim and sometimes I brought a mix tape I had made of new hits from the CDs I had recently gotten and play them there as I swam. 

Sometimes when I went out to work out Molly scratched at the back door, whining as if to say, “Please take me with you!” 

When I came home she came to me and whined as if to say “Where have you been?” 

The summer, again as with anyone with their first dog, was great! 

Melody hired me for the summer in Kentville as a TA for children with disabilities and I stayed most of the summer there. 

And due to the memory of the Christmas weekend, I remembered the way.  

Sometimes we worked with the children on musical terms and songs, and if they were well behaved, we would watch Blue’s Clues: Rhythm & Blue.  

We attended church at a Catholic church in Canning, Nova Scotia. 

Again, when I came back to Moncton for the weekend, Molly would be happy to see me and we would resume our walk routines. 

Chapter 5: Fall/Great Events

Molly (left) with Dillon

The fall came and Mom hooked me up with a great organization which had support workers take me and sometimes another person to make friends with to things like our favorite stores, the organization’s club with dance music and a 19” TV hooked up to a Super Nintendo system with Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Country, and the Super Nintendo version of Super Mario Bros 2, to the local hockey games and basketball games, to the movie theatre to see Chicken Run and the live action remake of The Grinch with Jim Carey, bowling at a local alley, and local plays. 

I joined Special Olympics Basketball and I enjoyed this. 

I made a great friend named Robert McCoubrey who had an apartment with a 13” TV, a CD player, lots of VHS movies, and lots of dance music CDs.  He and I went to stores together, hockey games, and other local fun things. 

I bought the VHS My Dog Skip and I was touched by the story line and how it was much like this story and how it depicted a boy and his dog, a great neighbor, bullies-turned-friends, and plans to stop the war to bring their neighbor home. 

Christmas, indeed, came, and this time I got a mini-box, like a jewelry box, and in it was a note that read: “A 13” TV to Be Purchased” in block letters. 

We went to Sounds Fantastic, the same store I bought the stereo with the subwoofer with the Caledonia Forest Products salary the February before. 

There we bought a 13” Panasonic TV/VCR Combo. 

With this Molly and I watched movies together, sometimes joined by Dillon. 

Later Jennifer got another dog to join Dillon:  A badly mistreated Rough Collie, named Tessa, who looked then thin like one of those weird creatures you see in the Star Wars movies. 

Soon I started staying weekends with a support worker and his wife at their apartment.  Their names were Blake and Kansas Cameron.  They sometimes took another client and me to the local hockey games. 

Gram passed away and Mom and I flew to Toronto to gather her possessions, and we enjoyed this as there were subways, great places to see and think of Gram, lots of malls with CD/DVD/VHS stores to shop in, and listening stations to use. 

I bought CDs and a VHS here. 

Besides all this Erin was staying at the University of Toronto and Stephanie and Kyle also lived here. 

We got to see them lots and I burned my first CDs here. They are in a box under the shelf in the house at the time I am writing this story. 

When we flew home Molly was so happy to see me that we resumed walking routines. 

The support worker, his wife, and I stayed various weekends together at his apartment.  They moved to a house in the Mountain Road area and got a dog of their own:  A Shepherd-Husky mix named Oskar.  

Chapter 6: Moving Day/College Year

In summer I moved into their house.  I brought my TV, 5-disc stereo, phone, bed, and other things with me. 

They already had another boarder:  A Jehovah’s Witness named Gary Keays who also had his own TV, phone, and sound systems. 

On certain days the phone would be tied up as he listened to meetings from his Kingdom Hall. 

Guests, who were relatives of the Camerons’, visited sometimes and we went to Magic Mountain and other Moncton attractions together. 

The Camerons got another dog to join Oskar:  A Yellow Lab named Elmer, and they were both fun to be with. 

I started an Office Tech course at NBCC Moncton with help from a TA, also from Riverview High.

I would have routine classes, but homework was kept to a minimum. 

Sometimes I would spend the weekends with Mom and, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Molly was so happy to see me and we resumed our routine walks. 

The first weekend since moving day Mom and I went to the Albert County Exhibition to see a Border Collie demonstration put on by a Nova Scotia farmer and his dogs. 

Christmas, indeed, came, and Molly and I enjoyed it. 

In the theatre I saw the movie Snow Dogs and I was amazed at how much like Molly Nana looks in the movie.  And so I bought the VHS of the movie. 

This spring Mom, Dad, and I went to Halifax and we stayed at the Holiday Inn Select and I had a room of my own! (Sorry Franck, Smyth Tribeca is better than this hotel)  I shopped at HMV, browsed at Mountain Equipment Co-Op, and attended Mass at St. Mary’s Basilica. 

I graduated from college in no time. 

Stephanie and Kyle got married at a Riverview United Church, and though it was in a church, the music played was not hymns, but movie and TV themes and rock hits so it sounded like the church scene from The Blues Brothers with the late James Brown as the Reverend.  But nonetheless it was great and the reception was fun as there was a piano, which I played. 

The Community College hired me for a year as a data person. 

I spent a weekend with Jennifer and Brian, Brennan and Connor, and Dillon and Tessa. 

Christmas came and it was unbelievable. 

And what made these holidays and celebrations all the more great was, you guessed it, Molly’s presence with me. 

After another great summer with Molly and with the Camerons I started work at another workshop, this time Moncton Pallet, and I knew most of the workers from school and Club Shades and hockey games. 

The Christmas that came I got another TV:  This time a Toshiba 19” TV/VCR.  That way when I spent the weekends with Mom, Dad, and Molly, I would not have to carry the Panasonic TV/VCR. 

Chapter7:  Move Plans/A Tragic Day/Moving Day

Molly at the Beach

After years of living with the Camerons, their little girl Brooke, and their 2 dogs, they planned to move to Red Deer, Alberta, which meant I would have to leave the Camerons, heartbreak #1 of 2. 

I moved out, saying goodbye to them, and though I would miss them a lot, on the bright side I would be with Molly for some more time, but unfortunately this was to be short lived, and I will tell you why later. 

We spent some time on the beach and in the trailer we had purchased earlier and continued our routine walks. 

Mom had moved from Alexander Avenue where Molly and I were reunited that November 12th to a countryside house in Indian Mountain.  She had also gotten another Beardie, as Emma had passed away of cancer before they moved.  This time it was an active boisterous male named Sprocket. 

He and Molly were playmates. 

One nice summer day, not expecting anything out of the ordinary or tragic to happen, we went to the Superstore for groceries and came back…only to discover that Molly was sneezing nonstop. 

We looked at her…she was pouring blood out of her nose. 

I thought This does not look good.

We rushed her to Dr. Vessey, who transferred her to the Veterinary College in P.E.I. 

While they took her there I stayed home and played hymns on my keyboard on organ, praying that she got better. 

They predicted 3 possibilities, 2 that could be fixed with time, and a cancer tumor, in which situation, they would have to put her down. 

I prayed, “Please, Dear God in Heaven, not a tumor.” 

The next day they called and said, solemnly, that it was a tumor, and they put her down. 

It’s times like this I am no Elsa because I thought I could not Let it Go. 

The next day we went to the beach to spend the day there with a BBQ and a swim in the beach, but all I could think about was how much nicer this would have been had Molly not been put down. 

Mom and I visited L’Arche Saint John, my new home-to-be and I got a tour of the house and told the people there about the recent tragedy and someone got a tissue and cried.  I played on the organ Be Not Afraid.  

After this Mom and I stayed at the Delta, shopping at its 3-story mall, and I bought the Cars soundtrack, the DVD The Shaggy Dog, and a black Timex Ironman watch. 

Later Jennifer sent us a website for a Border Collie place in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, and Mom and I went to Antigonish to visit the L’Arche houses there, stopping in Stellarton to see the pups along the way. 

On the way home we stopped there again…and purchased another Border Collie, this time named Ella, who stays with me when I see her. 

The move to L’Arche Saint John took place.  And when I spent the weekend or some days with Mom and Dad Ella would be happy to see me.  Although this meant there would be another Border Collie in our house, there was no replacing Molly, and I still wished she was still there to see my new housemates, and I still do and always will.  But things were looking up.  But Ella, too, was an angel.  She was very agile. 

This story is dedicated to my family, dogs, and people without whom this story would be a myth, a wives’ tale. 

The Days Of Molly’s Life is a paws-itively heartwarming story of a beloved Border Collie who comes into the heart of an autistic young man.  A young man adopts a Border Collie whom he loves to the very end and makes lots of friends and memories as a result.

To the reader:

If this story has persuaded you to want to own your own Border Collie, please consider that he/she will need exercise and not like to live in an apartment where there is nothing for him/her to do, as he/she will find his/her own job, and chances are he/she will think he/she has a “Double-O” license to destroy.

For the Love of Dogs

With Ella

When I started loving dogs

I started loving dogs the moment I was picked up in the Volvo 240 Wagon (to move in with my family).  Mom’s house, AKA “Erin’s House”, had 2 dogs at present: a red Golden Retriever named Katie and a smaller mixed-breed dog named Nicky. 

Why I started loving dogs

Nicky 

When I got to the house the dogs Nicky and Katie came to greet me.  As this picture shows, Nicky spent lots of time with me, and sometimes he slept in the basement room with the piano with me.  On a Sunday drive to Salisbury, New Brunswick, we went to a puppy farm and all sorts of Retrievers and Spaniels gazed at us.  A man led us into the heated basement, and immediately some Retriever puppies of all colors came to greet us and bark and whine  as if to say “Please take me home!”  Our original idea was to JUST LOOK at the puppies…but with the McGraths, there is no such thing as Just Looking at the puppies, because they are irresistible…and so we purchased a puppy…and named him Simon and added him to our pack.  All 3 dogs joined us for our camping trips. 

My most favourite breeds

With Ella

From my adoption day to Grade 8, my favorite breed was, in fact, the Golden Retriever, and I used to watch PBS’ Lamb Chop’s Play Along and there was a live Golden Retriever that looked exactly like Simon.  For Christmas in Grade 7 I got the VHS Homeward Bound which had an old Retriever that looked like Katie, who had passed away shortly after we had gotten Simon.  After I left Bessborough School after Grade 8 Jennifer picked up our first Border Collie, a male tri-color, named Dillon, who spent most of the summer with me in the basement and in our cottage while I was playing the guitar I had gotten the previous Christmas.  Shortly before Easter I pulled out an old dog book and looked at the Border Collie and read the page’s facts.  For Easter we got the VHS Babe, and on seeing Fly and Rex and the puppies in the movie, the Border Collie, in fact, bumped the Retriever out of my favorite breed file and entered the #1 breed spot up to the time I writing this Blog and always will be.  The fall after graduation I got my own Border Collie, a female who looked like Fly, named Molly, for 6 years.  Unfortunately, before moving to Saint John, I lost her at 6 years to a tumor right on her nose, and I was no Elsa, because I thought I could never Let it Go.   But before moving I got another Border Collie, this time named Ella. 

My least favourite breed

My least favorite breed is, in fact, the Pug, because they look like they chase parked cars with a flat nose, and they cause traffic jams.  Our neighbors on Alexander Avenue had, in fact, a Retriever named Toby who was Simon’s litter mate, and a couple pugs, one named Kirby and one named Huey.  Kirby always spent most of his/her time on Alexander Avenue…which slowed down our road trips to the grocery store, haircuts, movies, CD/Tape stores, my piano lessons, school fall fairs, school science fairs, school talent shows, piano recitals, guitar lessons, school choir and band concerts, church, basketball games, and local plays/musicals. 

The Meeting

I had been living with my foster parents and foster brothers.  A High School Musical 2 blue Volvo 240 wagon pulled into their driveway and there were Marlene and Erin, there to pick me up for my first night with them.  I went into the backseat and enjoyed the nice drive, having a nice conversation with my sister-to-be and mother-to-be. 

At home in Hillsborough

We went through a narrow, but neat bridge called the Gunningsville Bridge.  Then we rounded a corner and passed stores and a gas station.  Then we went down a lovely country road past towers and past a convenience store.  Minutes later, we entered a beautiful town called Hillsborough, New Brunswick with my school-to-be, a gas station, a convenience/drug store, a post office, a train with a lot of cars known as the S&H Dinner Train, and a couple of beautiful white churches.  We rounded another corner and went up a steep street called Taylor’s Lane.  Then we rounded another corner, which was the driveway to the house.  I finally saw the house.  It was odd shaped, like a slide with windows (I’m not putting it down).  When I got out of the car, a Golden Retriever that looked like Shadow in Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey named Katie and a Lassie sable and white mongrel named Nicky greeted me.  Then out of the house came 3 other sisters-to-be: Stephanie, Melody, and Jennifer.  Across from the house was an old barn in which I was told there used to be horses. 

Pat and Erin

I went in the house and it was the nicest thing I had ever seen.  There were also 2 cats: a scratchy black and white cat named Gloria and a scratch-free Calico named Sally.  There was an atrium-like living room, a few couches, a kitchen/dining room, a porch, a bathroom and an apartment for my grandfather-to-be on the middle floor; a bathroom and lots of bedrooms and an attic on the top floor, and on the bottom floor was a room with a piano!  It didn’t take me long to figure out how to open it, and immediately I started to play some notes and Melody taught me the names of those notes, and that in Germany there was a note called F.  Pretty soon my Dad-to-be showed up home from his work in his High School Musical 1/3 red Datsun pickup.  He was very cheerful.  Mom and I went back into Moncton to go grocery shopping at this cool store called the Co-op, which not only sold groceries, but there was a bottom floor linked by escalators that sold toys and electronics.  I spent the night there and enjoyed it there.  There was another night I spent there weeks later. 

 Chapter 2:  The Adoption/Family/Friends/Adventures

 At my foster family’s house I was patiently awaiting the arrival of my parents to take me to my new house, or as I called it, “Erin’s house.”  Shortly, the same Volvo 240 wagon showed up.  We took the same beautiful drive, and we arrived at the house.  Dad was already there.  I soon met friends and relatives in the family:  Our neighbors Sandy, Allen, Ryan, Jeremy, and Jordan McWilliams and their Airedale Terrier Abby; my grandmothers Florence Richard of Toronto AKA Gram (Mom’s mother); Helen McGrath AKA Nana (Dad’s Mother); and my grandfathers Ed Richard AKA Gramps (Mom’s father); and Harold McGrath AKA Granddad; Bill McGrath AKA Uncle Bill, also AKA Ubie; Lynn McGrath AKA Lynnie; other aunts Marion and Betty; uncles Jake and Don; and cousins; our plow operator for snow days Dids Woodworth (if I spelled the first name correctly); school bus driver Mack Woodworth which I will mention later (Dids’ brother); house cleaner Marjorie; school mates which I will mention later;  the Wissinks who also had a piano, daughters and a son all of whom were musical, and a Border Collie named Duff who I thought at the time I met her was just another Nicky, only black and white instead of the sable coloring; the Woods who owned a lobster shop quite close to Fundy Park; our priest and people who went to our church when I was there; our friends Norma and Steven and their son and daughters whom I will mention later; and teachers in the schools I went to, also whom I will mention later.  Friends who lived near the Hopewell Rocks named The Smiths were friends we visited often, and they had 2 pianos in the house:  one like the Wissinks’ upstairs and what looked like a coverless, less than 88-key, and apartment-sized Yamaha downstairs.  I forgot to mention in the last chapter that they had lots of nice music tapes that we listened to:  Huey Lewis Sports; Huey Lewis Fore; Mike and Michelle; Sharon, Lois, and Bram; Don McLean; Anne Murray; and lots of memorable songs that I like to look back on.  Soon I went by school bus for the first time for my first day of school.  The aforementioned Mack Woodworth seemed very friendly and funny and sometimes for a joke I would take off his hat.  There were so many pianos in that school.  I met lots of friendly kids in the school, some of which I had already met before during visits, although some were not as friendly.    

We gathered near the end of the day at our neighboring classroom to sing some songs accompanied by that room’s teacher on the piano, which I noticed was 2 notes off key.  If she played O’Canada in E flat, it sounded like it was in the key of C#, and if she played Happy Birthday to someone in C, it sounded as if it was the key of B Flat, and if she played Silent Night in B Flat it came out A Flat.  There was a music class as well, and the teacher was very nice.  In fact, all the teachers in that school and all the schools I went to were nice and friendly, some funny at times. One day I went to school and came back home to a surprise:  We got a second piano on the middle floor that looked almost like the one in the school’s music room, only this one was mahogany in color and the one in the music room was black, our new one was a Tadashi and the one in the music room was a Yamaha, ours had 3 pedals: right damper, middle to put fabric between the hammers and the keys to quiet playing, and the left to push the hammers closer to the strings to soften playing. And the one in the music room only had two: right the damper and left the one that pushes the hammers closer to the strings to soften the sound.  With the one downstairs, the middle pedal for some reason just raised the bass dampers and left the upper ones down, as did the other ones in the houses and the school that I saw.  The downstairs piano, by the way, was a Mason & Risch, the Wissinks’ was a Sherlock Manning, and I never got to read the names on the ones at the school other than the one in the music room.    

Soon I met a speech pathologist named Dr. Rubell, who also helped me in school.  He was helpful to teach me vocabulary.  He had a moustache and the kind of suit I saw my Dad wear to his office (by the way, Dad is a lawyer).  After we were finished with him, one day Mom and I ran into him at the Co-op and he was in his tank top as if he was in a marathon.  Another time we met him at that grocery store he changed his look.  He still had a mustache, but he looked like Jeffrey Jones in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, only black hair instead of red. 

Pretty soon, because we grew as a family and we were to take some camping and hotel trips and for the camping trips we were taking our dogs, we bought a brown Ford van from a friend of ours which came in really handy.  We went on camping trips, a few times to Fundy Park, and a few times to Cabot Park in PEI.  We also went a few times to Halifax and once to Boston and for both those destinations we stayed in beautiful hotels with pools, and in Boston, when you get in the elevator, it’s a glass elevator, and through the glass you can see this grand piano.  During the trips to all those destinations, since we FINALLY had a tape player in a car (the Volvo and the Datsun had American Graffiti-style radios with no tape or CD player) and we listened to music like Traveling WiIlburys, Dirty Dancing, Lionel Richie, James Taylor, Paul Simon, The Big Chill, Stand By Me, among other memorable ones.  During summers we would have barbecues with our Uncle Bill as the cook, and I also watched him cook pizzas and other fine recipes he did very well at.  I would watch him cut up the vegetables, like the green peppers.  We also had bonfires in which we roasted marshmallows, and it was then I noticed that mosquitoes flying by my ear would almost always buzz in the same note. 

With Nicky.

Some nights Nicky would sleep on a pillow right by my bed and it was his presence there that calmed me and helped me have less nightmares than I did when he was not there.  Soon we took one of our “Sunday Drives” to a place between Moncton and Riverview called Salisbury, New Brunswick, and we came to this farm house and when I got out these Golden Retrievers of all colors and styles and spaniels gazed at us and started wagging their tails at us.  We went into this farm house and down the steps to the basement in which there were cages, and in the cages were these cute-as-a-button Golden Retriever puppies who came to us and whined at us as if to say “Please, take me home!”  We purchased one of the puppies, whom we named Simon.  Shortly after we had gotten Simon, Katie passed away, which saddened all of us.  Thank God we still had Nicky and Simon.  Simon also joined us for camping trips. 

Another thing I noticed was that my oldest sister Jennifer was into stories, literature, fictional figures like you see and read about in the Chronicles Of Narnia books and movies like unicorns, fauns, giants, minotaurs, centaurs, and other fascinating myth figures and things from Greek Mythology, horses, dogs, and livestock.  Before I ever saw the house, she had horses in the stable in the old barn named J.D. and Leah.  Also, in addition to the Volvo 240 wagon, the red Datsun pickup, and the brown Ford van, Gramps had his own car: a Matrix green Grease-style Comet coupe, which he traded later for a Finding Nemo blue Plymouth Reliant coupe.  Granddad had a Pontiac sedan.  Gram had a Volvo 240 sedan, same year as our wagon, only tan in color.  Bill had a matching truck to our red one, only his was re-named Nissan and nickel silver in color, and a newer year, but same shape as our red one.  Sometimes Dad and I would go to the dump in the red truck and during the drive Dad and I would listen to the radio and sing I Had A Dog and Swingin’ On A Star.  CBC radio had this program called Swingin’ On A Star.  Sometimes we would go to Alma and have the Sticky Buns from the bake shop.  Sometimes we would play games like Scrabble, Monopoly, Crazy 8s, Go Fish, and this cute board game with cards, game pieces, and dice, called Benji with the dog of the title from the Joe Camp movies in which if you land on Fierce Dog, you have to go back to Start. 

Love music.

Another thing we did for fun was just outside of Hillsborough there was a road with 2 covered bridges, 2-3 feet apart from each other, and when we went in each covered bridge, provided there wasn’t somebody outside by it, we would stop, honk the horn, and make a wish.  There was a time when we actually took the S&H Dinner Train and it was a lot of fun.  Sometimes we went to the Albert County Exhibition and my favorite thing at the time was the cars ride in which you sit in the drivers’ side of sports car replicas and it takes you around like a carousel and you can pretend you are driving the car.  If I could go back to that time I could fantasize I am listening to Mumford & Sons and Adele as I am driving and I am going to Halifax or Saint John.  There were a couple of times my family and I saw Sharon, Lois, and Bram in concert in a theatre in Sackville.  We even visited Gram in Toronto a couple of times, and I was amazed by the size of the city and the speed of the subways and the size of the buildings in that city.  During that era I also used to watch this Looney Tunes VHS with Bugs Bunny, Tweety Bird, Elmer Fudd, Pepe Le Pew, Granny, Sylvester, Daffy Duck, and other funny Looney Tunes, in which Elmer Fudd’s house fills with acorns and he attempts several times to blast Bugs with his rifle..  Sometimes I also watched Disney movies like Lady and the Tramp, Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, Bambi, Robin Hood, and lots among classics.  I also watched Sharon, Lois, and Bram’s shows. 

An A+++++++++++++++++++++ New York City Christmas Week!

Chapter 1: The Food

The day we landed we went to the hotel, the Smyth Tribeca, put things in our room, freshened up, watched a bit on our rooms’ LG flat screens, and went to a nearby restaurant and I had a New York meatball pizza with Pellegrino sparkling water for lunch. 

That night we went to a restaurant (Minetta Tavern) and I had a hamburger with fries and some others in our group were having the same thing, so I could say the famous When Harry Met Sally line “I’ll have what she’s having” after Meg Ryan’s oohs and aahs. 

The next day we gathered in the hotel’s restaurant and I had a New York bagel with cream cheese. 

The lunch was a Chinese buffet at a restaurant with a sparkling orange drink. 

The supper was a Fettuccini Alfredo supper with both sparking and regular water at an Italian restaurant in Times Square near the location for our play. 

The next day breakfast was Greek yogurt with berries and a croissant with sparkling Orange Pellegrino. 

The lunch was a McDonald’s McChicken with fries and a strawberry smoothie. 

The supper after the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall was chicken tenders with fries, sparkling water, and an ice cream plus some shared New York cheesecake at Rockefeller Center’s café and we had not only a good meal, but we could see the outdoor rink and fountain where Buddy the Elf and Jovie kiss on their date scene. 

The breakfast was a brunch at Mom and Dad’s luxury suite with fruit, yogurt and berries, crackers, croissants, and sparkling lemon and sparkling orange Pellegrino. 

The lunch was a New York street-stand hot dog with ketchup, mustard, and relish RIGHT IN FRONT OF MADISON SQUARE GARDEN!  [See the full story of why this part is great in the Sights chapter] 

The supper was at Mercer Kitchen and I had Fish and Chips (Flounder, Ariel’s friend in The Little Mermaid, as opposed to the cod and haddock I order in Canada) with sparkling water and mango sorbet for dessert. 

The following breakfast was another yogurt and berries with orange drink. 

I had one of the store-purchased New York cheesecakes with a Starbucks strawberry smoothie. 

For lunch I had a pizza sub at a Potbelly’s sub shop with sparkling blood orange Pellegrino. 

For supper before the Movie On-Location bus tour, I had, yet, another street-side New York hot dog with all 3 condiments. 

For breakfast before takeoff I had another New York bagel with cream cheese with water. 

Chapter 2: The Sights

From the first plane during takeoff I could see the highway and most of Moncton before dawn. 

When we landed in Montreal I could see the Olympic Stadium, home of the Bio-dome and the old MLB team the Montreal Expos. 

After customs we headed to our gate and I could hear final boarding calls for places like Chicago, Orlando, Minneapolis, and then finally...Newark, where we were landing. 

When plane #2 finally landed in Newark it looked like the opening of The Blues Brothers before Jake is freed and is picked up by his brother…”IN A POLICE CAR!”  When we got out of the gate we went up an escalator…and met up with Stephanie, Glen, and Mary! 

When we got in the shuttle van, I could see the Statue of Liberty, the Chrysler Building, and the Empire State Building. 

Enjoying Smyth Tribeca to the fullest.

When we got into the hotel and finally saw our rooms I could see we had a large LG Flat Screen, a bed, a luxury bathroom with shower, and an excellent street view. 

Then we went to a few shops to browse and one had lots of good clothes, and another had great jewelry and another had lots of furniture…and a Steinway grand piano with a picture of New York City above the Steinway logo on the cover. 

The first day we went to Schwartz’s Toy Store where the giant foot piano Tom Hanks and his friend/s play with in the movie Big and I was hoping the foot piano would be there so I could play Let it Go from Frozen, but it was not there. 

Then I saw the Empire State Building and the inside looks almost exactly like in Elf.  The decorations throughout the building were beautifully lit up for Christmas.  When we went into the elevator we soon arrived on the 25th floor where we were to meet Glen’s friend at LinkedIn, who would give us the free tour to the observatory.  When we went through security, we went onto another elevator, which took us to the 80th floor.  And there was the observatory.  Too bad it was too foggy to see the buildings from the observatory, but we went anyway.  Then we saw the gift shop and I bought the movie Sleepless in Seattle, which ends right in the observatory of that very building with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks finally together with their son!  Mom also bought some souvenirs for McKim House! 

Waiting to go up to the observation deck inside the Empire State Building.

After this we saw the giant department Macy’s, AKA Gimbel’s in Elf.  We went up several wooden escalators and had drinks at the 6th floor’s restaurant.  Between floors Stephanie and Mom bought clothes there and I wanted to see the electronics/movies/music section if there was one. 

After this we walked down the streets and I saw and went in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and I wondered what New York’s bishop’s name was as it is often read in the Eucharistic Prayers before communion at Mass, and I thought of my grandparents, Stephane, and Marilyn.  I paid 2 American dollar bills and lit a candle in memory of my grandparents. 

After this we walked past several stores and then past Rockefeller Center and saw its giant Christmas tree and its outdoor skating rink where Buddy and Jovie skate in the date scene of Elf before the big fight with Miles Finch.  Then, after walking for several miles, that’s right, US miles (if we were in Canada I’d say kilometers) we took a cab back to our hotel room. 

We then saw Times Square at night and the lights were unbelievable!  It was like giant flat screens and video screens on giant pro arena and field scoreboards. 

The following night we went to an Italian restaurant in Times Square [see the menu in the food chapter]. 

Then we saw It’s Only a Play, at a nearby theater, starring Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’s Matthew Brocerick, Grease’s Stockard Channing, and Stuart Little’s Nathan Lane, whom you may know as Snowbell, the snooty and funny white cat.  Each star, on their appearance, got a rousing cheer and applause. 

Across from the theater was a huge Marriott Hotel, which, judging by the size, was, I guess, very expensive to stay in.

We took a cab after this through and past the big, amazing lights of Times Square back to our hotel. 

The following morning Mom, Stephanie, and I, and Mary, all went to Barnes & Noble, and we went up an escalator...and there was the bookstore.  Originally, I was going to buy, that’s right, buy, my own copy of Nop’s Trials, expecting it to be in stock here, but it was not in stock, so instead I bought a Border Collie book and Stephanie bought me a James Herriot book, a compilation of short dog stories, and Mom promised me she would order Nop’s Trials and Nop’s Hope for my birthday, in fact coming up on January 7th. 

Then we went to Whole Foods to pick up some local groceries for the hotel room, like small New York cheesecakes, 2 Pellegrino sparking lemonades and 1 Pellegrino sparking orange drink, BBQ chips and nachos, lots of berries, Greek yogurt, and croissants. 

Tonight was the big show at Radio City Music Hall, where Warbucks and Farrell take Annie for Camille in the movie Annie, with the Rockettes and a fabulous Christmas Story with real live sheep and camels!  There was a huge rising stage, a 3D movie, a giant moving orchestra pit, and 2 huge pipe organ keyboard sets with 2 organists dueling with each other! 

Then we had supper at the Rockefeller Center Café and it was amazing.  [See the food chapter for the menu}  From where I was sitting I could see some Christmas trees and the outdoor skating rink, where some people were putting on skating shows.  When I walked around I took a picture of the giant tree where Kevin and his mother meet up near the end of Home Alone 2 and the rink. 

The cab that took us home drove, unexpectedly, past Madison Square Garden where the Knicks and Rangers play. 

When we got to the hotel, channel 26 had started 24 Hours of A Christmas Story and it was probably the only year I got to see this movie on a hotel’s LG flat screen, and as you see in the picture, something else rare, on the LG flat screen in the hotel, the closed captioning under Miss Shields reads a famous Christmas Story line “You call this a paragraph?” 

The following morning Mom gave me my socks back, which I had given her to use as Christmas Morning stockings, and in it were a package of mints from the Empire State Building with the picture on it, shower gel from the hotel, a New York t-shirt, a New York key chain, and 2 extra US dollar bills.   

I watched my new Sleepless DVD on Mom and Dad’s suite’s flat screen and took a picture of the Empire State Building scene where Hanks and Ryan meet in the end.  We noticed that from the suite we could see the peace tower, which replaced the World Trade Center after the horrible terrorist attacks with hijacked planes on September 11th, 2001, and the Empire State Building, which is beautifully lit at night, as you can see from Kevin’s room in Home Alone 2.  We also Face Timed Melody and Erin. 

Then we took the subway to a place called the High Line, where there used to be train tracks and a train, now a park, with good views.  Also from here we could see the Empire State building. 

We looked for a place to have lunch… and where should we find a hot dog stand on a nice sunny day…but Madison Square Garden, where a Knicks game just finished.  My memory associated with that arena was that every February the Westminster Dog Show happens in 2 days, and my favorite year was 2005, where there was a Cardigan Welsh Corgi by the name of Harry Potter, and the winner of the herding group, the last group before Best in Show, was, in fact, a Border Collie by the name of Merlin, a big moment for Border Collie lovers like me, and I hoped he would win Best in Show, but he was shortlisted.  Other events that happen here include pro hockey games, pro basketball games, college basketball games, and concerts.  This building is also Penn Station, a train station.  And from where I was standing it looked like a giant mall, linked by escalators.     After this…we went in to find a gift shop.  Then we found the subway station…and took the subway to our hotel.  Tonight we went to a restaurant for supper by cab [see chapter 1 for the menu].  Then we walked down a street past several stores, including the furniture store.  Then we picked up a cab and went back. 

Madison Square Garden

The next day some of us went to Central Park by subway and it was like living in the movies set there.  At a gift shop mom bought a book called Strawberry Fields.  We thought of going to the zoo, but we decided to skip it.  We walked past the Plaza where Home Alone 2 was set.  I took pictures from all angles.  Then we walked past this and went past several stores.  We went into Tiffany’s Jewelry Store, where the new locket comes from in Annie.  Then we walked past several other jewelry and department stores, one more time past St. Patrick’s Cathedral, one more time past Rockefeller Center and its giant Christmas tree, and past Empire State Building, which now had a 2-hour wait to see the observatory due to the now nice sunny day. 

The Plaza

We played with the idea of going to Macy’s again, but it was crazy busy.  We steered out, picked up a cab, and went to the hotel to relax and freshen up.  Tonight we went to Time Warner Center, a giant mall, and we had another street side hot dog, went into the mall, browsed a little, and went to the second floor to watch the Christmas light show and to gather with a group, as this group was to be led with a tour guide to a bus, and this bus was to take us on a guided tour of Christmas movie locations, with clips and trivia on the screen.  This took a couple of pit stops, and at one, at Barney’s Department Store, we had to stop for 15-20 minutes, as we witnessed a robbery in progress, where a woman was caught red-handed stealing a purse and was screaming at the top of her lungs, denying that she did it when she knew she was caught, and fighting as security guards, dressed and posing as fellow shoppers, were holding her until NYPD cars came and took her to jail, and someone behind me on the bus said it was not her first time doing this and being caught here.  After a few locations, we bailed at a pit stop at Macy’s, flagged a cab, and had it take us back to the hotel room.  It was so sad to see New York at night for the last time. 

The next morning we woke up, had breakfast, enjoyed our hotel for the last couple hours in which I made a video to thank Franck, our hotel’s concierge as I had not met him yet, flagged a cab, and had it take us to Newark Airport.  And it was so sad to see New York City and its amazing sights in the cab’s rearview mirror after such an amazing once-in-a-lifetime Christmas vacation.  We went through security and found our gate, and I was expecting to go through customs here.  Within hours our plane showed up, and within less than one hour we boarded.  We took off, and after less than an hour we landed in Montreal and I saw the Olympic Stadium.   After we came out of the gate, we saw Stephanie, Glen, and Mary en route to their gate, next to ours!  We gathered, went through security one final time, found a restaurant, and ate together one final time on our vacation.  We went to our gates and within minutes Steph and Glen’s plane showed up, then ours showed up.  Within hours Steph, Glen, and Mary, boarded their planes and later we boarded ours.  When we landed in Moncton it was about 11:30pm!  We were so tired. 

Thank you, Stephanie, Glen, and Mary, Mom, and Dad, for making this possible.  And thank you, Franck and the Smyth hotel staff, for the hotel room and its many great amenities!  A thank you to the salesperson at Barnes and Noble who sold me the Border Collie book, a thank you to the LinkedIn people at the Empire State Building for the free tour of Empire State Building, a thank you to the salesperson at the gift shop who sold me the Sleepless movie, a thank you to the waiters at Minetta Tavern, Mercer Kitchen, the pizza place on the 22nd, and the hotel’s restaurant, a huge thank you to the hot dog stand people who sold me the hot dog, and all the people I met who served and helped me during the whole trip, all without whom this trip would not be a huge fun success! 

L’Arche’s 50th Anniversary

Fifty years ago, Jean Vanier, son of famous politician Georges Vanier, whom one of the Metro stops in Montreal where the Bell Centre where the Montreal Canadians play hockey, is named after, was touched by 2 things: the biblical story of Noah’s Ark and Martin Luther King Jr’s famous “I have a dream” speech. 

Arriving at the concert in Saint John. 

This inspired Vanier to open his first L’Arche home by welcoming two disabled people to live with and have meals with him.  Back in the day, this historical figure had a show called Jean Vanier in Conversation, shot at his L’Arche house in Trosly, France, with video clips of his core members and assistants, shown on Vision TV, home of Daily Mass and Murder, She Wrote, and old shows that do not play there anymore, Touched by an Angel, 7th Heaven, and Doc, starring country star Billy Ray Cyrus, known for Achy Breaky Heart and his daughter, Miley Cyrus AKA Hannah Montana. 

Since the opening of his first home, lots of communities have opened with residences, apartments, and day programs across the world, including Canada. 

In Atlantic Canada, there are communities in Cape Breton, Wolfville, Antigonish, Halifax, and Saint John, and projects to open a house in Fredericton and Newfoundland. 

L’Arche Cape Breton’s community has day programs The Ark, the Angels’ Loft, and The Hope Chest.  It also has houses and apartments.  Along with these L’Arche Cape Breton also has a chapel where they hold multi-faith services.  L’Arche Cape Breton’s core members and people have starred in videos I Am and We Are. 

L’Arche Antogonish has houses and day programs.  Their day programs are Horizons, formerly LEAP and an art place. 

L’Arche Wolfville, also known as Homefires, has houses and a day program called Applewicks, known for homemade fancy and beautiful candles, used for prayer services, which we, L’Arche Saint John, for meals and Advent candles. 

Now, it is safe to say that Halifax now has a L’Arche duplex, as this house is 2 houses connected to each other, but this community does not have a day program. 

And finally, L’Arche Saint John, has only one house to date, but we, as L’Arche Saint John, hope to open a second house and/or a day program to expand our community. 

When L’Arche turned 50 a series of celebrations came up. 

For the Atlantic Community, the first of two 50 Fest celebrations came up.  This was held in Halifax, with lots of friends from all over L’Arche Atlantic in attendance, with a speech and a concert at Citadel High School’s Spatz Theatre, a Pub Crawl with a karaoke party, a breakfast and church service at a local Anglican Church, and, thanks to me who came up with this neat idea, two nights at the Best Western Chocolate Lake Hotel with a swim in the pool and Jacuzzi and LG flat screen TVs in each room and a continental breakfast. 

The second and final celebration of 50 Fest was, in fact, held in Saint John.  This was a concert at Imperial Theatre with lots of people, including friends from L’Arche Atlantic and my Mom in attendance, called A Few of our Favorite Show Tunes, involving musical numbers by people, including selected samples of the upcoming musical The Sound of Music and ending with Gray and me singing I’d Do Anything from Oliver, honoring my new nephew, and then McKim House, and later the whole ensemble singing The Lion King’s Hakuna Matata.  ​

An Absolutely Grand-In Toronto Trip!

Patrick Skywalker

Chapter 1: Take off/finding the L’Arche Toronto House

Today we went to Saint John Airport.  We were to take 2 different planes:  A Bombardier Dash to Halifax International Airport and from there in 2 hours we would take an Airbus jet to Pearson International Airport. 

We went through security. 

Then within minutes our plane to Halifax showed up, again a Bombardier Dash with one row per side, so Gray and I sat across the aisle from each other AND we had window seats. 

Gray and I put our cell phones on Airplane Mode.  Within minutes the engine started and we headed to the series of lines…then took off! 

In just 45 minutes we landed at Halifax International Airport.  Then we went through the gate, up an escalator to the other gate, then down another to browse at stores and have supper at Burger King, eating like a king and queen, as we had a 2 hour layover. 

Then we went through security again, up an escalator, then to the gate, and within minutes our second plane showed up: An Airbus, the same kind John O’Donnell and I had taken to Toronto En Route to Atlanta 2012. 

Later we boarded, and in no time we took off. 

I looked at the En Route magazine that was in front of me…and put it in my backpack when we landed.  We got off, and then we went through the gate to Pearson International Airport. 

We went to the baggage claim, through 3 escalators and 2 moving walkways. 

Before the alarm went off denoting the bags were on their way to the baggage carousel, I texted Mom and Stephanie, saying I made it there safely and was having fun.  Then the baggage carousel started and we got our bags.  Then we left, going up 2 escalators to catch the TTC Airport Rocket to Kipling Subway Station. 

The name of that subway station makes me thing of Disney’s The Jungle Book and my Cubs years.  Once there we got off the bus, gathered our bags, went down an escalator to the Subway station, and awaited the Subway. 

Within minutes a subway arrived and we boarded.  It took off. 

We went to Greenwood Station and caught a bus that would take us to the L’Arche House we were supposed to stay in and got there…only to discover there was a change of plans, so instead of Greenwood House, we would stay at Gamble House, which had a piano! 

So the house people called a Beck Taxi to take us to Gamble House, charging it to Greenwood House.  Within minutes a green and orange Toyota cab showed up…and took us to the house.  We settled and met the house people who were friendly. 

Chapter 2: Symposium Day 1

We got up quite early, had breakfast, and then we freshened up. 

Then we called a Beck Cab, and within minutes another orange and green Toyota cab showed up.  The cab took us through the city and within minutes we came to the North Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. 

Then we went in, took a long escalator down to where the speeches would happen…and went to registration.  We got our badges…then we browsed where the books and the copies of the Temple Grandin movie starring Romeo & Juliet’s Clare Danes as Temple, Home Alone, Home Alone 2, and Beetlejuice’s Catherine O’Hara as Temple’s Aunt Ann, and Julie Ormond as Temple’s Mother were all sold.  I kept convincing Gray to get a copy, that way we would both have a copy. 

Then we went to the first speech: Antecedent Manipulations: The Behaviour Analyst’s Crack Cocaine, by Dr. Merrill Winston, not only a brilliant expert on autism, but also a comedian who did a legit and entertaining rap, compared behaviors to movies, and finished of with a mixed up clip with The Blues Brothers cussing at the nun and getting slapped with the ruler with Aretha Franklin swearing in the restaurant scene. 

Then Gray and I looked for a place to have lunch, so we went through the Skywalk, where my Grandmother and sisters used to go through En Route to a Blue Jays game when they had the players that helped them win the World Series in the early 90s.  The last time Mom and I went through there we had found an A&W restaurant there, but due to recent construction, now it must have either moved or closed down.  We went to the Toronto Tourism Office and we got some information, like maps and pamphlets that had info and pictures. 

Then Gray and I went to a nearby Tim Horton’s and we each had kettle chips, me with a chicken burger and I forget what Gray had.  Then we were supposed to attend a the next session in the same room as Dr. Winston, but the subject didn’t seem appealing, so we decided to do more exploring.  We did go to the North Building. 

We went through the CBC museum and it showed artifacts from old shows.  For example there was a TV at an artifact that played the Mr. Dressup theme, which remained stuck in my head from that moment on. 

Then we went through mall after mall, trying to find the P.A.T.H. 

Then after more exploring we found the Royal York Hotel, took the P.A.T.H. from the Royal York to the Union Subway Station, discovering that this was under major construction.  We took the Subway to Bloor/Yonge and transferred to the line, getting off at Broadview Station, and taking the #87 bus to Todmorden Street, then getting off and walking around the corner to our H.A.F.H. (Home Away From Home) 

Then we relaxed and had supper with the Gamble House friends, and then we had a prayer service, then I played the piano, doing songs from our L’Arche Songbook which we had used the previous weekend in Halifax and songs from the Disney Movie Frozen.  Then we settled down and headed to bed. 

Chapter 3:  Shopping/Aquarium/Tiago/Souvenir Day

Today we walked down Gamble to Pape Street.  A bus picked us up and took us to Pape Station.  From there we took the Subway to Bloor/Yonge and transferring and getting off at Union. 

Then we tried successfully to find the Toronto Eaton Centre.  There we went down an escalator and down the hall from this was HMV! 

At HMV I bought School of Rock and Jumanji. 

Then we went to the food court for lunch and I got the KFC Popcorn Chicken with Fries and an iced tea, while Gray got a pita. 

Then we met Tiago at Ripley’s Aquarium, and boy were we in for some fun together! 

First we met, then we registered, and then we got some tickets!  We saw all kinds of sea and marine life!  We saw some stingrays, sharks, and all kinds of fish! 

There was a whole section about Disney & Pixar’s famous Finding Nemo with an aquarium with clownfish like Nemo and blue fish like the forgetful Dory who keeps singing Just Keep Swimming/Just Keep Swimming.  Then Gray got me to touch a crab and if I did she would treat me to an ice cream…so I did! 

Then after seeing all kinds of marine life we walked down streets to find the Real Sports store where they sold lots of Blue Jays, Maple Leafs, Raptors, and Marlies merchandise, and I bought a Raptors keychain.  We walked down more streets…and saw a busker playing ragtime on an old Willis upright piano outside!  I gave this busker 2 toonies. 

Then we went to the North Building of the Convention Centre…as Temple Grandin was having a book signing…and as a bonus…if we were one of the first 100 customers to line up to get her book signed, which we were, we would get a free signed copy of her book The Autistic Brain!  So we not only got a book signed and had our picture taken with her…but we got a free book!  So now I have 2 copies: a hard cover copy…and a paperback signed by her!  Gray took some pictures of the 2 of us and I told her I saw the movie, as last time I did not see the movie, but I saw the cases were there, and I found the sight of this appealing, so when Mom and I got back last time she showed me a PVR recording of the movie and I loved how she thinks in pictures and in the end gives a speech on autism in a convention centre, just like I see with Mom and now Gray! 

Then we went to St. Lawrence Market and at a gift shop I bought a Blue Jays water bottle, as on seeing it I thought of Gram and thought she would be smiling in Heaven if I bought this. 

That night Gray and I went to Lone Star Café for supper and I had Quesadillas with rice and vegetables with a Perrier.  We went home, taking the Royal York P.A.T.H. to Union and getting off at Broadview, taking the same bus to the same street and arriving at the same house, remembering the way. 

Chapter 4: Temple Grandin speech/pack up/take off

Posing with Temple Grandin

Today we took the Beck Taxi to the North Building, went down the escalator, and went to the theatre. 

Today’s first speech was by Drs. Paula Kluth and Stephen Shore, called The 5 Myths of Autism.  This lasted from 8:30am-10:00am. 

Then Gray and I went up an escalator to Second Cup and each got a Strawberry Banana smoothie…then headed back to the theatre for the next speech. 

The next speaker really doesn’t need introduction, like the MC said at this speech and the ones Mom and I attended in 2006 and 2010.  This was writer and animal behaviorist, Clare Danes’ character, Dr. Temple Grandin!  This was interesting as she compared her brain to normal people’s brains, and her comparisons of Airports and her Cattle Machines on farms which she herself had designed, as seen in the Temple Grandin movie.  She talks how people like her were sensitive to sounds, colors, and other things.  In the 2006 speech Mom and I had attended before I had moved into L’Arche Saint John, Temple mentioned that in school she was harassed, being called “Tape Recorder” because she was constantly repeating the same stuff over and over again. 

Then Gray and I went to Boston Pizza and I ordered the 6” 4-topping pizza with Caesar Salad and Perrier. 

Today’s third and final speech was by former U.S. Supreme Court Judge Helen E. Hoens, Moderator Jennifer Krummins, and Temple Grandin’s mother, Julie Ormond’s character from the movie, Ms. Eustacia Cutler.  Here Cutler talked endlessly about her daughter Temple, using endless references to the movie and its concepts, and talked endlessly about Temple’s school years, like how Temple had hit someone with a book, injuring that person, and that person reported it to the school, and the school expelled Temple from that school, ordering her not to go back after New Year’s, and that they found a suitable school for autistics and disabled people on a farm with horses and cows, which gave Temple the idea of designing cattle moving devices, also shown in the Temple Grandin movie.  Cutler also mentioned that most of the beef used in Burger King and McDonald’s burgers came from farms at which Temple Grandin had installed some of these brilliant devices. 

Then we headed to the Union Station…only to discover my water bottle was left behind, so we went back and I said a prayer to St. Anthony, the Patron Saint of Lost and Founds, and went back to the North Building…and found it in the theatre where we had gone to the Temple Grandin speech. 

The water bottle is safe!

Then take 2 on the way to Gamble House.  We got back, packed up, signed a card, left a candle as a gift, relaxed, said goodbye to our Gamble House friends…and headed to Kipling Station, catching the Airport Rocket to Pearson Airport, and checking our bags.  We went through security, went on 2 moving walkways, browsed at the stores, located our gate…and had supper and then Gray had a smoothie at Starbucks and I had a Frappuccino.  Then we waited for the plane to show up, and we boarded.  Within minutes we took off…and in 2 hours and 15 minutes we landed in Saint John, getting picked up by Jocelyn and grabbing our bags…and heading home, with New York Christmas 2014 to look forward to!  

An Epic Thanksgiving Weekend!

Chapter 1: Day 1

I took the Maritime Bus Service to Moncton, the 10:30 bus that got into Moncton at 12:40, but I arrived later due to waiting in Salisbury on some transferring passengers.  But nonetheless I had a great first day. 

Ella

Mom and I went to the nearby Sobeys to get things for the Thanksgiving weekend meals.  This included 2 bottles of sparkling apple juice. 

Then we went to Shoppers Drug Mart and Mom bought me a 4 movie collection that included Bingo, a movie about a circus dog who saves the life of a boy whose father is a place kicker for an NFL football team, that I used to rent in Grade 11 and used to own on VHS with my old tubes that I missed. 

Stephanie showed up later from work. 

Then we headed home and Erin and Oliver were there and we had fun together. 

Then I played the new guitar for Oliver which he loved. 

Pat & Oliver just hanging out

Then we had supper together and then I watched the new movie. 

Later that night we planned Days 1 and 2 of our New York Christmas. 

Chapter 2: Day 2

I woke up and had breakfast while Erin and Oliver were having fun.  We were singing Oliver a song from the Stand by Me soundtrack, except instead of “Lollipop” we sang “Oliver”.  He loved it and laughed. 

Best Buds

Later Mom, Erin, and Oliver, all went shopping, stopping at the Banana Republic and buying some new pairs of pants for me, one of which I kept to wear back at home, and the rest to save for the New York Christmas 2014.  Then we went to OshKosh and the clothes and the logo made me think of Brennan and Connor used to wear as toddlers when we filmed them for Gram while I was in Grades 11 and 12.   Originally we were going to do this and see if I could get a haircut.  But Oliver was feeling tired and we went home.  

Then I watched the show The Best of New York where this wacky and funny Food Network host goes from restaurant to restaurant to see the recipes for the local cuisine and get some samples.  It was also interesting when this host walked through the streets of New York to get to a certain restaurant, diner, or tavern.  And it seemed fitting that I had lunch and then resumed the show while having 2 of Mom’s oatmeal cookies. 

Chapter 3: Day 3

Today was shopping/browsing/haircut day.  I had breakfast and then Stephanie and Glen took me to Champlain Place to get a haircut at Cut 2000.  First we went to Sobeys to buy pumpkin flavored baby food so Oliver would have a Thanksgiving meal just like the rest of us.  Then we went to Starbucks for a drink and I had a strawberry banana smoothie.  Then we went to Cut 2000 for my 10:30 hair appointment and during the whole haircut I chatted with the barber about L’Arche, the 50 Fest in Halifax, the Toronto Symposium with Gray where we see Temple Grandin, and the New York Christmas. 

Then we went to HMV and we browsed, looking for New York movies such as When Harry Met Sally…, but that was not there. 

Then Steph, Glen, and I went to Moxie’s for lunch.  Jen showd up and let me borrow her copy of the book Finding Danny and I loved it.    Then we watched The Best of New York again and I loved it again. 

A selfie at lunch

Later that afternoon I peeled potatoes while Brennan peeled apples for pie.  Later Glen took Brennan and me to Spin It and Mom gave me a polymer $20 and I got the DVDs Dante’s Peak, Sister Act 1 and 2 collection and the CD Jock Jams 4 for Zumba music, and I got the CD for free with the 2 DVDs.  This evening we had supper with a sample of Mom’s apple pie for dessert.    Tonight we also planned Days 3-6 of New York Christmas 2014.  Tonight I watched Sister Act and I loved the 60s Motown hits that come up. 

Chapter 4: Thanksgiving Meal day!

Today was not only Thanksgiving Meal Day, in which we had turkey, Mom’s Apple Pie with ice cream, AND Jennifer’s Strawberry Shortcake, but Ella got 2 surprise walks.  The first was with Mom and me and we saw beautiful leaves and a Corgi-Border Collie mix, which made it look like Ella was playing the giant in My Giant.

Our beloved border collie Ella 

Later Glen took Brennan, Dad, and me to the BMW dealership, not only a nice car dealership with lots of cars to look at, but close to the Moncton Airport, from where we will fly to New York City this Christmas. 

Family shot before our walk

We went home and within an hour or less we were seated at the table awaiting the Turkey buffet with the sparkling apple juice we had bought earlier at Sobeys.  This meal included, of course, our turkey, our “cranberry sarce,” which is what Dad calls cranberry sauce, the turnip, Jennifer’s Sweet Potato Casserole which I took a stab at several times at L’Arche since I had gotten that cookbook with the pictures that Christmas, and 2 kinds of dressing: sausage dressing, then the traditional kind we use in Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Then, as planned, came the pie with ice cream and it was a hit!  Then we went for a group walk down the path to the field, again with Ella on leash with me.   Then we paused for a photo op, for which I did the Jean Vanier pose from his pictures in our house and on some of his books. 

Yum!

Then Jen served the Strawberry Shortcake, which made up for the fact that I did not get any strawberry shortcake with the McGrath family this summer or get to Upper Cape. 

Then we watched a movie called Chef with Elf’s actor and director Jon Favreau and it was funny with lots of Twitter tweeting action.  The food pictured was delicious looking. 

Chapter 5: The Journey Home

This morning Steph, Glen and Mo all went back.  Then I had breakfast and had fun with Erin and Oliver.  Then I realized how much better Lupin was getting with me, with little to no growling or barking at me.  Then Mom and I played Take 2 and I schooled her big time in 2 games.  I brought my stuff up and returned Jen’s copy of Finding Danny on the desk between the stairs and the porch door. 

Then I said good-bye to Erin and Dad and headed to the bus/train station.  Within minutes it was announced my bus was boarding, so I boarded, and so ended the Family Thanksgiving 2014 Together with the 50 Fest in Halifax, the Toronto Autism Symposium with Gray, and New York Christmas 2014 to look forward to! 

Grade 8

After a bit of an absence, the school year stories are returning. Catch up on all the school years.

This was my last year of Junior High.  My homeroom teacher was my French teacher, newcomer Miss Cote.  My gym teacher’s name was Mr. Adams.  My social studies teacher was Ms. McClafferty.  I had the same shop and home economics teachers. 

Miss Cote introduced us to French music by pop artist Roch Voisine, playing his famous English/French Album Helene, and I liked all the songs, so I bought the tape myself. 

In band I played the tuba, later the clarinet, and then finally, I started playing the trombone. 

Again I played the sports and watched them in intramurals. 

Erin played house league basketball.  She also played for Hillcrest. 

I was reading Listen for the Singing by Jean Little with help from a teacher who was a coach and sports teacher, named Mr. Bowser.  We adopted a cat:  a Japanese Bobtail, and I named her Maggie, getting the name from a character in this book I was reading in school. 

I started going to the YMCA’s teen drop-in every Friday. 

I wanted to learn to play guitar, so I asked for a guitar for Christmas, and this Christmas, I did, indeed, get a guitar, and with it a video on how to play chords and I learned them all in no time.  Later Dan McArdle and I got together at his house to jam together with a blues song. 

I joined the school drama club and I was in a play for the Drama Festival called What Cool Is.  I did not have lines, but I had to change places between scenes. 

I met a friend who also liked to play guitar named Jana.  She and I jammed together with our guitars.  We played in the school talent show, playing The Beatles’ Twist and Shout and Nirvana’s About a Girl. 

In no time, this school year was coming to a close.  The prom came up, and we danced to familiar dance and pop hits from the radio station.  The school year finally ended, but the last day was so heartfelt, that I was up all night, sad about leaving Bessborough School after 5 years. 

But the summer was a lot of fun, as we had the same cottage as last time, only this time lots of relatives joined us as Jennifer was about to be married to Brian, and the celebrations were in our house and our cottage, and some of our relatives had their own cottage near that area, and Aunt Betty and Uncle Don’s cottage was the host venue for a treasure hunt as a wedding celebration, plus Jennifer just got a new puppy: a Border Collie named Dillon, and he was playful and fun to be with.  Plus this was my first summer with a guitar, and whenever I watched the guitar instruction video and played along with the instructor Dillon would come down and spend time with me, watching and listening to me play.  The wedding took place at our church, followed by a reception at the Keddy’s Hotel.  We watched movies a lot, and one of them was Angels in the Outfield. 

I was earlier told about a music camp near Bouctouche called Camp Wildwood.  At this point Dillon was still a playful pup.  I went there for a whole week, and there was singing, lots of good meals, 2 pianos:  one on the top floor of the lodge and one on the bottom floor, a tuck shop with all kinds of great treats, campfires with singing, a pool, several cabins, and a musical in the end about a girl named Grace who teaches children to say grace and I played the piano and I was to touch Grace’s forehead to see if she was feeling well during the numbers as part of the play. 

When I got back after a week at camp we went to our house, and Dillon came around the house from the backyard, now full-grown and a changed bark, but I recognized him because he recognized me. 

Weeks later I went back to Camp Wildwood for another week, this time for Basketball Camp.  This time each day we went into Bouctouche to a school called Mgr. Michaud School with a gym for the basketball.  We had the great meals, the tuck shop, campfires, swims in the pool, and a bonus showing of the movie Angels in the Outfield.  I rented an electric guitar with an amp: a Peavey Preditor. 

An Absolutely Wonderful Family Time!

I had gotten back from vacation and was almost back in the swing of things.  But this Thursday, supposedly to Monday, I was to spend time with Mom and family.  So I bought a round trip to Moncton and took the Maritime Bus system to Moncton.  Mom picked me up and told me (my brother-in-law) Matt and (niece) Clare were there and (sister) Melody was to fly into town that same night.  We got home and I greeted everyone there, including our dogs Liza, Lupin, Ella, and Sprocket. 

Topping up Clare's juice.

I was told Sprocket had developed similar health issues Emma had had before she passed away of the cancer tumor. 

I was also told that after some time off the air, famous TV dog trainer Cesar Milan started a new show called Cesar 911 and I watched part of an episode.  Back in the day the National Geographic Channel showed him on a show called The Dog Whisperer.  There he worked with famous people, like John Grogan the genius behind Marley & Me, a book which became, in my description, The Titanic of Dog Movies, starring Owen Wilson and Friends’ Jennifer Aniston, and the late Ed McMahon.  And nonstop during my visits to Moncton I would watch that show on that channel and whenever Lupin or Mo barks wildly at me or some stranger I do Cesar’s famous “Sssss” or “Shhhhh” sound.  I can also impersonate his accent. 

(Matt’s parents) Chris and Milton showed up and we had lunch and Chris had made her family-famous Orange Salad which I enjoyed with lunch, AND supper later that night.  Mom, Clare, Matt and I went to the Moncton International Airport to pick up Melody and (niece) Emily and Chris and Milton met us there. 

Within just under an hour the plane landed and within minutes Melody and Emily showed up. 

As I do when a new assistant from another town or country comes to L’Arche by plane, I helped Melody with the bags by carrying them to the car and said to them, like I say to anyone moving into L’Arche Saint John from another town or country, “Welcome to New Brunswick!”   

We got home and had supper where Jen, Brian, Brennan and Connor joined us.  They had just gotten new guitars: Les Paul guitars, one blue, one burgundy, one a Gibson, and one an Epiphone. 

We even Face Timed Erin, Christopher, and Oliver. 

The next day we were informed that now Dad had an issue with one of his eyes, so Mom and Melody rushed him to the hospital, and they said he had to be rushed to a Halifax hospital, the only place with a specialist who would do surgery for Dad’s eye condition. 

Later Stephanie and Glen showed up with Mo.  It looked like, though I bought a round trip ticket that would send me back on the 12:30 bus back on Monday, I would have to go back early on Sunday.  But Stephanie and Glen and I were to have a great time. 

Stephanie, Glen, and I went to the Superstore to do some grocery shopping, which was an activity I loved to do all my life, so I helped find the food we needed for the meal, which is why sometimes when an assistant has to go to Sobeys I ask to come along to help.  We got a few pizzas, some sparkling drink, and vegetables with ranch dip in the middle, and some dessert.  Kelly and her children showed up and we exchanged gifts as their birthdays were a few days ago. 

We played Desert Island Discs too.  For my song selection I chose Gangnam Style as if I were on a desert island I would need music to exercise to, as that plays at my Zumba classes. 

Jennifer had brought up a movie called Away to Me.  As any Border collie lover can tell by the title, it’s about sheepdog trials in the States.  This DVD shows an entire tournament with documentaries on each competitor, each dog and where each team is from and what they do when they are not trialing.  It talks about terms I read about in Nop’s Trials and Nop’s Hope. 

I watched it and I loved it so much that Jen said she would watch it and then mail it to me at McKim House to keep!  This would mean I would have Babe, Babe 2, 5 Mist Sheepdog Tales DVDs AND an entire DVD of sheepdog trials. 

The next day Jennifer, Brian, Brennan, Connor, Glen, Stephanie, Matt, Emily, Clare, and I all went to Champlain Place and Glen bought me the DVD set Problem Child 1 and 2.  Since I changed from the Citizen 19” TV/VCR Combo to the Toshiba 19” LED TV, I had missed Problem Child as I only had that on VHS.  I first saw the movie while I was in my second year in Cubs.  Now I had both.  After the purchases we went to Dairy Queen and had our treats there!  I had the Strawberry Cheesequake Blizzard, sharing some of the ice cream with Stephanie after all the great things she and Glen and the family had done together with me.  

Glen tries to steal Clare's Dairy Queen ice cream.

Then we went to Chapters Crystal Palace and I looked at the travel books and local books while the others looked at other kinds of books.  Then we went home, and Emily, Clare, and I watched Problem Child 1 together.  That night the family gathered together and used NetFlix and watched Honey, I Shrunk the Kids together, sharing popcorn together. 

The next day, as planned, Stephanie, Matt, and I, went in Dad’s Toyota Tacoma and headed to the Moncton Bus Terminal, also the VIA Train Station.  I asked if we could change the return ticket to this day instead of Monday, but I was told it that bus was sold out!  It was the first time I heard that with either of the bus services I used.  So we got a ticket that guaranteed me a seat on the 5:00 bus that night.  Stephanie bought a return ticket from Moncton to Bathurst as she had a business trip there. 

Then we went to the Pump House Brewery to have lunch.  It was my first time there, so I had the fish and chips with a Perrier.  I shared some of my fries with Stephanie like I had done with the ice cream from my Blizzard at Champlain Place Dairy Queen. 

Then we dropped Stephanie off at the VIA/Maritime Bus Station. 

Then we went home and within minutes Mom Dad and Melody came home and I told them I was praying everyday for Dad to get better, which I was and still am. 

Later Mom and I got in the car and left after saying goodbye to Melody, Matt, Emily, Clare, Jennifer, Brian, Brennan, Connor, Danny, Sprocket, Ella, Liza, and Lupin. 

We got to the Terminal, and within minutes my bus boarded, and within minutes the bus took off and I texted Stephanie and all my sisters as I had promised I would, and I texted them once I got home and emailed Mom, like I promised.  

An Epic and Fanci-ful Vacation

Chapter 1: Monday 

At St. F X in Antigonish

          We got into the new just-won Kia Sedona van and headed to Antigonish.  We stopped at the Salisbury Tim Horton’s and I got a smoothie, trying it with the Greek yogurt.  We connected our phone to the sound system and played our summer mix, then played the other group’s mix CD.  Our group, by the way, consisted of me, Stephane, Silvana, Justine, and summer student Tricia.  We entered Nova Scotia and went through the Cobequid Toll Booth.  We passed the Only Exit to Halifax, which we skipped.  We then passed Stellarton, not only the birthplace of Sobeys grocery stores and Big 8 water and pop, but where Mom and I picked up Ella, my second Border Collie, after losing Molly, my first Border Collie, at 6 years of age before my move into Saint John.  Within minutes we entered Antigonish.  We first stopped at Sobeys to pick up groceries, including our traditional vacation snack Sun Chips and traditional vacation cereal Cap’n Crunch.  We went to Hope and Dixie Houses, and then went to find Horizons, formerly L.E.A.P., as someone there had the key to our house, Covenant House.  I learned that Yeshua House had closed and was being demolished, and I was saddened.  It has to be sad for a loyal L’Arche person when L’Arche houses in the Atlantic Region close and get destroyed.  We went to Covenant House, down the road from the former L’Arche House and down the road from the Sobeys.  We set up and got settled.  Tonight we wanted to have a campfire and noticed we did not have a lighter or matches, so we walked back to Sobeys and picked up a lighter.  Tonight we had a campfire with a guitar and songs and roasted marshmallows. 

Chapter 2: Tuesday 

          Today we drove to a close beach to Antigonish and some swam while I took pictures with my Blackberry and played the guitar.  We also picnicked.  We went back to Covenant House and walked to a nearby dairy bar and got ice cream.  Then we walked back, and tonight we went to a nearby pub to have a drink in hopes that live music would be playing, but none was, so after my Perrier I went onstage and sang Danny Boy, Cockles and Mussels, and When Irish Eyes Are Smiling. 

Chapter 3: Wednesday 

View from the Harbour Hopper

          Today we took a day trip to Halifax.  First we went to Mic Mac Mall and we shopped.  At HMV I bought Bruce Almighty/Evan Almighty collection on DVD and the Simon & Garfunkel Greatest Hits CD.  We headed to Downtown Halifax and got tickets for the Harbour Hopper.  There I saw a book I really wanted called the Harbour Hopper’s Best Halifax Stories.  Then we took a walk, caught some of the Busker Festival, walked some more, and then headed back in time to board the Harbour Hopper.  Within minutes it took off, and the narrated tour commenced.  The narrator got us to go “Ribbit-Ribbit” twice on this tour.   We went up a hill, through the Citadel, past the Public Gardens, down Spring Garden Road (I saw the place HMV used to be and I also find it sad when an HMV I had shopped in and listened to top 40 music in since grade 11 closes), back to the waterfront… and went into the water.  The narrator talked about history I already knew about from school and the Heritage Minutes videos from TV.  Then after going past ships that were there and then past the waterfront, and then emerged from the water.  Then we got off the Harbour Hopper.  Then we went to the ferry terminal and took the ferry to Dartmouth… and took the ferry back… and went to Cows Ice Cream and had our favorite ice creams in waffle cones there.  Then we went to the Old Triangle where the Alexander Keith’s commercials with the angry guy was set and had supper there.  I had fish and chips with a Perrier.  Then we headed home.  

Chapter 4: Thursday 

Basketball

          Today Silvana and I went to Coles Antigonish Mall to see if I could find the book, which I did, and buy it, which I did, and to see if I could find a souvenir for Debbie who always felt left out if I mentioned vacation.  We headed back… and went to a local interest store and I bought a book for Debbie to enjoy and to read to Kristina.  We also bought a bottle of blueberry syrup and a CD for Covenant House as a thank-you for letting us stay there.  Then we went to Hope/Dixie Houses for a multi-community barbecue and I played the guitar.  Then we went to Hearts and Hands and got a tour and then we went to Horizons and we got a tour, and there I played the piano.  I played while Stephane and Silvana went back to Hearts and Hands and bought a souvenir for Stephane and one for Silvana: artwork by Tom Landry like we have in our kitchen at McKim House.  Then we headed home, had supper, and then some of us got a tour of St. F. X.  University where Mom, Dad, and Jennifer, all went to university, and which had the basketball teams I loved to watch play.  There I saw the big football field, the hockey rink, and the basketball court where the varsity teams I watch plays and practices.  I went home and enjoyed my book.  Then Stephane, Silvana and I walked to Sobeys and we got snacks for the drive home:  I got Sun Chips and Stephane got Lay’s Old Fashioned BBQ chips. 

Chapter 5: Friday 

          Today we visited an old friend of Jocelyn’s and our community’s in a nursing home named Carroll.  Then we walked home, packed up, got into the car, fuelled up, and headed home, passing Stellarton and the Only Exit to Halifax along the way… and stopping at Holly’s in Hampton, where I got chicken strips and fries and a strawberry milkshake.  Then we headed home!  So ends Vacation 2014.  

Saint John New Brunswick Tour Guide: 2014

Hotels connected to shopping and restaurants.

Hotels

For accommodations in Saint John nothing beats the Delta Brunswick, with a pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, flat-screen TVs in each room, connection by pedway to Brunswick Square with 3 levels of shops linked by escalators and elevators including a cool glass elevator, a restaurant with lots of great menu items, and a massive parking garage. 

If you love seafood, try the hotel restaurant’s Fish and Chips.  If you love pancakes, nothing beats a hotel restaurant’s pancakes with fruit and whipped cream and/or syrup.  Rain Man would be impressed with the timing if Charlie Babbitt would order pancakes for them because as Rain Man says, “Maple syrup’s s’posed to be on the table before the pancakes.”

Escaltor

Another great accommodation is the Hilton Saint John.  The rooms have a view of the harbour or the city.  From some rooms, on Wednesday in summer, you can see Saint John Idol from the room.  It is the same thing on Thursdays for Alpine Country Star. 

There is a pool, a fitness centre, flat-screen TVs in each room, luxury suites, and a restaurant with great meals.  There is a pedway link to Market Square, another mall with 2 levels lined by escalators and elevators with a library, a museum with historical and neat artifacts, some stores, a food court, and a nice fountain that gives it a park-like feel.    Again fish and chips are a favorite here among seafood lovers and pancakes with fruit and whipped cream and/or maple syrup is a hit with breakfast lovers. 

Cruise Ships

 In summer cruise ships visit Saint John.  The Cruise Terminals, the Marco Polo, and the brand new Diamond Jubilee, named after Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee, are awesome to see, especially when cruise ships are in, because down the escalators at these places come visitors when the ships dock, and up they go when they are about to take off.  These ships are fun to watch too.  At take off time these ships slowly, in the same speed as the alien ships in Independence Day, turn around to prepare for takeoff, blare their loud, low horn, then take off, and you can wave goodbye to these ships’ passengers.  These cruise terminals also host things like charity barbecues, dances, parties, and also conventions for organizations. 

Digby Ferry

Digby Ferry

The Digby Ferry, also known as the Princess of Acadia is another fun thing.  Although pretty soon this boat will be replaced with a new one in a year, this is fun To Do activity.  The Digby Ferry will take off at a certain time, and prior to take off, foot passengers can board, while passengers with vehicles also board.  The sailing will take approximately 3 hours.  During the sailing the vessel’s Sea Breeze Lounge will play a movie on its huge LED flat-screen TV, while the Fundy Grill will serve great cuisine, like Fish and Chips, famous Digby scallops, and famous Digby clams.  On the upper level there is an LED flat-screen TV and a Starbucks coffee shop.  Sometimes if the weather and things are right, during the sailing there are whale-watching opportunities.  After approximately 3 hours this vessel will dock at the Digby terminal.  There is also a gift shop with books and lots of souvenirs.  The best time to come back, if it sails at this time, is at night when it is dark, as the lights of Saint John are beautiful.  

McKim House

McKim House

 L’Arche Saint John, also known as McKim House, is home to residents with and without disabilities.  Visit here and you get a tour, you may get a hot chocolate or tea, and you may be serenaded by someone with music.  That someone is me.  The people in this house travel, celebrate, and have had assistants from all across the globe, including Germany, India, Kenya, the Philippines, and other places. 

L’Arche Saint John, AKA McKim House is not only welcoming, but also has friendly residents, tours, music by residents, and often tours around the neighborhood.  Some residents can play the piano and guitar, some love traveling, some love dogs, cats, and children, and others love to talk about their family and past events.  The house also has a lending library. 

From some rooms or the fire escape you can see the buildings of uptown, cruise ships arriving and leaving, and fireworks for Canada Day and New Year’s Eve.  This house is about to celebrate 50 Years of L’Arche International. 

Martello Tower

Martello Tower

Across from McKim House, just a short walk, is Martello Tower, what CN Tower is to Toronto, Chateau Frontenac is to Quebec City and Cinderella’s Castle is to Disney World Orlando:  skyline domination. You do not have to go into the tower or to the top of the tower if afraid of heights, just walk around, to get a good view of the city.  You can see McKim House, its neighboring church Our Lady Of The Assumption, cruise ships if in or during cruise ship season, The Delta Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick Square, Market Square, The Hilton Hotel, The Howard Johnson Hotel (formerly Fort Howe Hotel), The Harbour Bridge, St. Luke’s Church, The Digby Ferry and its terminal, St. Rose Of Lima Church, The Irving Pulp And Paper Mill, The Irving Oil Refinery, and Partridge Island.  There is also a museum with audio narrations in English and French.  Just take the phone receivers, put it to your ear, and press the buttons that read English and French, and a voice will come on the receiver telling you history behind the tower and the figures that made this spectacular attraction such a wonderful historical site.  On Canada Day, tours of the tower and the museum are free. 

O’Leary’s

Nothing beats pub life in Saint John.  Its only Irish pub, O’Leary’s, does not serve lunch or dinner, but hosts concerts by well know artists and on Tuesday evenings, be sure to go there, order a club soda, Pepsi, Ginger Ale, or any kind of beer and a bag of chips, and go to the back area, and listen in as a group of Irish musicians sit in a circle and go around the circle, singing well known Irish tunes and reciting Irish poems and stories.  On St. Patrick’s Week this pub hosts a breakfast to support L’Arche Saint John, so if you are here at this time, purchase a ticket, present it, get a nice breakfast of sausages, hash browns, eggs, bacon, and orange juice, go into the back area, and listen in while you enjoy your breakfast as Irish musicians play and sing well known Irish songs.  Sometimes the main area where you were just served breakfast plays CDs of well known folk tunes like the Great Big Sea albums Play and Up, The Chieftains, and The Irish Descendents.  The main area also has flat-screen TVs tuned to the important sporting events like C.I.S. basketball, CHL, NHL, NBA, soccer, and football. 

Harbour Station

Harbour Station

Harbour Station is THE place to be for things like sporting events.  The well known hockey team - the Saint John Sea Dogs, who were Memorial Cup champions in 2011 and Memorial Cup Runner Up in 2012 - play here.  The city’s first professional basketball team, the Saint John Millrats, formerly from Manchester, also plays here.  In winter 2014 the Ford World Women’s Curling tournament was hosted here and played on TSN.

Sports are not the only things hosted here.  Well known musicians have concerts, like country sensations Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire, and pop sensations Rihanna and Fredericton’s own David Myles.  Musicals come up as well.  In October 2010 this fabulous facility hosted a wonderful musical in which the Saint John Chorale, the Saint John Theatre Club, and the Harbour View chorus, and a well known orchestra, all joined forces to create a wonderful musical, called Marco Polo: The Musical, about the world’s fastest ship (sorry, Pirates of the Caribbean and Jack Sparrow fans, not The Interceptor or The Black Pearl but it was savvy, and, to quote a repeated Commodore Norrington line with my own version, it was, without doubt, the best musical I had ever seen)The Marco Polo, after which our first Cruise Terminal had been named after.  It was wonderful and spectacular.  It outshined The Lion King.  The Saint John Theatre Club also did comedy plays at the nearby Imperial Theatre, like The Importance of Being Earnest.