Day 102- June 30- MJ Deveau

I don't really know MJ very well. She is however a super helpful and friendly front desk girl at the YMCA so I've seen her almost every day this week and thought that was ample reason to choose her for my photo of the day.

The only other time I recall meeting her is related to the Yarmouth Seafest Queen's Pageant. She has been helping Linda Deveau with this pageant for many years. It is incredibly successful and provides a wonderful opportunity for young women to learn poise, public speaking, community involvement and healthy lifestyle decisions. Seafest and this pageant is approaching very quickly, however, the girls in this year's competition have been chosen and already been doing things for a couple months. The girls who have been involved in past years have gone on to bigger titles at the national and provincial level, for example, this year's Miss Canada International, who was also 2009's Miss Nova Scotia, was a former Seafest princess. MJ has provided major support ever step of the way to the program, and I know that Linda is always very thankful to have such a great woman at her side! Enjoy the pic!




Theme Song for today: Seafest by The Platform Rockers (local band)

Day 101- June 29- The Kool Kids of Summer

I was looking for inspiration today. Had a few people in mind for the photo of the day but never got around to going by their house or tracking them down. On my way home from the gym, I pulled my camera out as I saw these kids biking up the street, joyfully laughing, jumping curbs and gleefully talking amongst themselves. It was probably 9:30 or 10 and you could tell they were just coming out for the evening.

The kids of summer. We were all there once, that first day of summer holidays, the day you went to school to pick up your report card, run it home to your mom for a pat on the back or a lecture. Then once all that fanfare was done, you planned and schemed with you friends for that first evening of real freedom. Plans of sleepovers, movies, staying up late, playing outside after dark, hanging out downtown; anything was possible since your parents only reasonable reason to get you in bed early, "you have to wake up early for school", was no irrelevant. We had the power to do and plan whatever we wanted. This was the first of many nights of joy and wonder ahead!

These boys were great, as they passed by me on their bikes, they each chimed in with a "cheese" or silly grin, exuberant joy on their faces. Here's to the kids of summer: be free, enjoy, and for the sake of your teachers in the Fall, please don't screw up your biological clock too much!



Theme song for today: Them Kids by Sam Roberts

Day 100- June 28- David Sollows

One of my favourite teachers from my school years was hands down David Sollows. He was enthusiastic, positive, upbeat, kind and very understanding. He had a special kind of sensitivity and love for people that I quickly adopted as a life motto. When I think back to elementary school, I know I had lots of really wonderful teachers, but he was the first male teacher I had, so maybe that is why he stood out as well. He was the principal and Grade six teacher in those years. The way he could so seamlessly lead the teaching staff and teach our class is still a feat I admire and sit in awe of.

David taught us the value of being an involved citizen, of being compassionate towards others, of treating everyone with care, kindness and respect, of looking at the bright side of any situation and keeping your head up and a smile on your face when confronted by challenges or adversity. I cannot tell you anything we learned in that classroom other than those things. He made an impression then and I still look forward to the times when I have a chance to speak to him about life, work and teaching. From our humble little school at Milton, he moved to the new elementary school, Meadowfields and as I found out a few days ago, he is retiring this year. Tomorrow is his last day with the students. Knowing him and his passion for what he does and the people he works with, I am sure it will be challenging to move on from that front line position he has held for... ahem, many years!

Whenever I walk down Main Street to the downtown I always think of our grade six class and how long ago that great time happened. One of our projects was to plant and dedicate a tree on Arbor Day. We all read things out loud to the small group that had gathered and I read a monologue that was as if I was the tree speaking. I only remember the first line or so, "Hi, My name is Emerald Green, but my friends call me Woody. I'm a tree." This tree is no longer a seedling, and when I look at it, towering above the power lines, I am reminded I am no longer a weak little sapling either.

David as you retire, I wish you much health, loads of happiness, many fresh flowers in the gardens and special moments with your family for years to come. Oh and I wish you many foggy evenings of singing shantys with your sailor buddies over a pint. Thanks for the legacy, I hope to be known as half the educator that you were (and are) to me!







Theme song for today: Me and Julio Down By the School Yard by Simon and Garfunkel

Day 99- June 27- Walton Warner

I wanted to wait and choose Walton on his first birthday, which is coming up ever so quickly in less than a month. Since I spent the whole weekend with only my family and had so many sweet pictures of Walton I decided that I wanted to have him be number 99 instead.

Walton was born a few weeks early last year. I was home so I was babysat Landon when mommy and daddy(my brother Paul) went into the hospital. He had a challenging first few weeks but after fighting through the first few difficulties he has proven to be an incredibly strong, smart and adorable little, wait, correction, BIG boy. Walton is cuddly and has such a wonderfully easy going nature already. He giggles when you tickle his thigh or neck. He is growing like a weed, and has a very solid, strong core. I think he will quickly outgrow his older brother. I feel a very big connection to him since it turns out he seems to have inherited my obscenely large head and back of the head corners. Where Landon seems to have his mother's lebanese, olive skin tone, Walton has a slightly paler Warner tone. I can hardly believe that he is less than a year old, but have been very glad that I have been around for most of this first year to get to know him and him me.

Walton's name came from my father's father. It is a nice legacy, since we never had the chance to meet Walton but often hear stories from strangers of how kind, helpful and generous our great grandfather was. Today is your day little Walton!








Baby Wawa (as Landon used to call him) last July 27th, after he finally got home to Yarmouth.



Theme song for today: Baby Fratelli by The Fratellis

Day 98- June 26- Paul (or Pablo as I like to call him)

My brother, Paul, is a year and a half behind me. I like to say it that way since he's the middle child and the only thing an eldest child can always brag about is being older and "more advanced" than our younger siblings. I love Paul, even though he sometimes annoys me with how particular and serious he takes things. Those qualities are what makes me love him too. He is probably the best suited person for the career he has chosen and that shows an incredible sense of self awareness that I have admired for a long time. He knows his strengths and he understands his limitations so well that he depends on that knowledge in all of his decision making.

I will never forget his first year of university. He has always been known for his shyness, teacher's always commented on it every year in school, often contrasting my own more forward, outgoing, loud nature to his. Everyone worried a little bit as he left home for the first time to live on his own. The saving grace was that two of his closest friends were headed off to the same school. Dad drove us to school, which meant dropping me off in Ottawa before heading back through New Brunswick to drop Paul at St. Thomas in Fredericton. Dad and Paul stayed only one night in Ottawa when I was getting myself situated in my dorm. Dad knew I was fine with the whole being far away from home thing after a year in Germany right after high school and then a year of university in Ottawa. I heard that after they drove away from Ottawa, which is a remarkably quiet, quaint feeling city, Paul insisted he would NEVER want to live in a place so big and busy. I still chuckle about that to this day. Fredericton was his speed, it was his size, it wasn't daunting but felt right for him. Since he had assessed it and felt comfortable with it, he was able to stick to his decision to study there and complete his 4 year Criminology and Economics degree, even when one of his friends left the school to go home.

Paul also surprises us at times. I think our whole family was surprised when he became the first of all the cousins to get engaged and married. Then he became the first to have children. He shook everyone's judgements of him as a painfully shy guy. He is a thinker, an observer and has a very keen memory for details. He is particular and knows what he wants. He sometimes over thinks things and gets a bit stuck in the "glass half empty" frame of thought, but having realized that side of himself, he made a great decision on a spouse, Jessica, who is understanding patient and can often pull him back to the bright side again. They are a beautiful couple and have a gorgeous little family together! I am happy to have them all in my life!


Watching a turtle on the rocks while canoeing.



Taking Landon for his first canoe ride, from Jake's Landing at Keji.




Warming Walton after swimming at Merrymakedge Beach at Keji.



Theme song for today: Mr. Brightside by The Killers

Day 97- June 25- My Family

I know I am talking about each of my family member's separately. But I also LOVED this photo sequence of my family from Keji. Mom, Dad and I started driving up with Paul and his family following behind in their car at about 10 in the morning. We drove along the south shore, making a last stop in Liverpool before arriving at Keji. A couple years ago, my parents and I went to Keji on a whim. I love camping, and I knew they used to love it, so we borrowed equipment from some family friends, the Colbecks that were avid campers and Keji lovers. Since that trip, we've tried to go every summer at least once. We love it. This year was special because we went a month earlier than we normally do and Paul and his family were coming too. It was Landon and Walton's first camping trip, fun for us and a little stressful for my brother Paul.

On Saturday, we received a call from Kenneth, since ironically dad's blackberry still had reception?! The message said that he and Jill would be able to join us that night as well. They drove up after Jill got off of work at 3 pm. We arranged another site not far from ours. It was a beautiful weekend, little bit chilly overnight on Friday and a little sprinkly on Saturday morning, but it was still warm enough to go swimming and canoeing. We had an incredibly good time and as we were all sitting together over breakfast on Sunday morning, my mom made the realization that it was the first time we had ALL been out somewhere together , other than Christmas meals. We took a group pictures since we missed the one at Christmas time this past year. While we were setting up for the shot, Jessica had to change Landon's diaper and Kenneth went to get a little bit of water to put the fire out. I stood by dad's camera and kept snapping a shot or two while we were waiting. I find the sequence turned out pretty fun. Hope you enjoy!























Theme Song for today: Ode To My Family by The Cranberries

Day 96- June 24- Jenn Comeau

I have to be honest, I was TOTALLY taking advantage of my wonderful Canada Day to fill in a few gaps of days where I really neglected you blog. I feel ashamed and embarrassed but at least I can say I have a face, a person for every day. Jenn hung out with Jill, Kenneth and I for the celebration of Canada's 143rd birthday. We did the beach, BBQ and games. It was a good time.

I know Jenn a little bit, not too much, but living in a small town you can always find some sort of point of reference to feeling a bond with almost anyone. I knew of her mother and father before I knew of her though, since they worked with my mom and the Viking Community Cable station when I was a kid. Lots more posting to do, enjoy the pics. It was a fantastic day! (On June 24th, I was driving home from the airport after dropping Melissa and Christy off at the plane at 6 something in the morning for their flight back up north. Sort of an uneventful, write-off of a day.)




Theme song for today: A-Punk by Vampire Weekend

Day 95- June 23- Gordon Rothwell

I ran into Gordon and his wife, Anne Marie, on Parade Street while I was out sightseeing with the girls. Gordon is and was possibly the most important musical influence in Yarmouth from the last 25 years. He was the music teacher at Maple Grove Education Centre and taught innumerable young people to love music and how to create music themselves. He has lead the Yarmouth Chamber Orchestra for longer than I could guess, and has been involved in playing in the Yarmouth Citizen's Town Band, many ensembles and singing in the Yarmouth Shanty Men. He helped me a lot in my early days of trombone playing, when we were both playing in the Town Band together. He shared tips techniques that I have used since. He knows how to have a good time, has a wonderful sense of humour and fun, but also takes musical creation seriously. His talent is vaste!

He retired from teaching last year, but is still involved in the arts scene of Yarmouth. I was very pleasantly surprised this winter when I went to Scrooge, a play at the local Art's Centre, and he was playing the lead, Mr. Ebenizer Scrooge, better than anyone I could have imagined in the role. I wish him many trips, days of sun and lots of performances as he continues to stay involved and add value to the Yarmouth Arts scene. I look forward to seeing what creative things are ahead of him. Enjoy the pictures everyone!








Theme Song for Today: El Relicario by The Canadian Brass Live in Germany

Day 94- June 22- Gil Dares

Election Day. I was working the last few weeks to see a new face representing Yarmouth in the provincial legislature, Zach Churchill. It was a fantastic day, an exciting day. I was still tied up with the girls, who had a seemingly endless need to shop. We spent most of the day at the mall, or other stores around. We also had tickets to cheap night at the theatre to see Karate Kid 2.

During the movie, I couldn't stop wondering how the elections results were turning out. I am pretty sure, Gil, who was one of the campaign managers for Zach's campaign, was also very eager as those results came in from the polls. I know Gil from when I was a kid, he was the father of my elementary school classmate, Matthew, and my brother's classmate, Sarah. Esther and Gil were always very active in our little school, as were my parents. The school was very close knit, so we all felt a very tight kinship by virtue of the "Milton connection". After high school, I was a colleague and roommate with Sarah, Gil's eldest daughter, during a summer in Bar Harbor working for Nova Scotia Tourism. It was a very memorable summer and I enjoyed working with Sarah immensely!

During the campaign, I only worked with Gil for two days when we was driving the truck for canvassing. He was a lot of fun. Cheers Gil! Thanks for the photo!




Theme song for today: Roxanne by The Police (Gil used to work for the RCMP for years, that's how I remember him most. He is now managing the Mariner's Centre.)


(I have learned a lot from Zach, from canvassing and thus from the election. Here is the itemized list of a few of my lessons:

1. Rectangular shaped door bells tend to work longer than round button door bells.

2. Grape tomatoes are addictive.

3. If you are a sign maker, find anyone in the phone book with the last name "Rose", their houses almost ALWAYS have a special "Rose" sign in front.

4. Do not ring ornamental bells outside of people's home, the chains tend to be so rusty they break. But I digress...)

Day 93- June 21- Beth Dalton

I took the girls into visit my old junior high and high school today. Most of the activities had finished. Exams were done, students were out enjoying the sun. We did have a fair amount of success seeing teachers though. Teachers were clearing out their classrooms, marking exams, doing report cards, sorting books and all of those fun pre-holiday activities that we all have in common.

One of the people we met was Beth. She was and still is (for possibly only one more year) the secretary at the high school. I didn't have to go see her very often as you only went to see her to sign in if you were late, or sign out if you were sick, or to see the principal if you were in trouble; none of which I was very much. (I admit it, I was a keener, and LOVED school!) I also knew her from church, and her eldest son was our babysitter for a few years when we were in elementary school. He was a lot of fun, had weird and interesting toys that we'd never seen before. I most vividly remember a batter's helmet he brought to our place that had the two spots for "pop cans" (I later found out it was really designed for beer) and those straw you could put into the cans so you could drink it hands free. It was the coolest thing I had ever seen at that point in time.

As you have gathered, these pictures weren't taken in the school, I unfortunately forgot to ask her to be my photo of the day, but luckily ran into her on Canada Day at the beach, so that's the location for her pictures. I added a few others hots of the scene from the day. Gorgeous beach day!







Theme song of the day: Might As Well by Anouk

Day 92- June 20- Jesse Luke

Jesse. What can someone say about Jesse. He really defies definition. He's upbeat, funny, creative and always a little bit unpredictable! Jesse grew up with my brother, Paul, a year younger than me. He was active in the alternative, grunge garage band scene that some of my classmates also were a part of. I remember the energy and the excitement around "Battle of the Band" season during my high school years. The talent in those bands was incredible considering the lack of formal training most of the musicians had. Music was intuitive, songs were chosen from the popular bands of that day- Nirvana, Green Day, Metallica, Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins, Silverchair and Alice in Chains. Those were awesome days where music happened even though there were less venues and opportunities than there are in today's limited young music scene in Yarmouth. Nova Scotia is stong, resilient, creative and knows how to make things work and happen despite the natural limitations that face us due to economy, geography and history. We are rich. We are content and know how to make life enjoyable. We are cool, relaxed, not uptight, but take life as it comes and make the most of each opportunity.

I ran into Jesse today at the ball field. He organizes a soccer baseball game with his friends and family. I brought the girls down, despite the threatening heavy rain, to join in. It was a good time; everyone enjoyed themselves, got some exercise and engaged in a very friendly competition. Jesse is such a nice guy that I think everyone instantly feels like they are his friend! Cheers to you today pal! Here are two pictures from soccer baseball at Milton Field.





Theme song for today: Man in the Box by Alice in Chains

Day 91- June 19- Christy Snowball

We spent the morning walking around the waterfront and downtown of Yarmouth. Since the girls and I had spent most of Friday driving and sightseeing through the Annapolis Valley from Halifax to home, I think we were very happy to be out in the sun walking for a change. I showed them some of the neat things around town, like the 100-200 year old homes, the HUGE leafy green trees, the beautiful stained glass windows in the church and other interesting things around town.

Once Mom was free, we jumped in the car with our lawn chairs, bottled water and towels for Port Maitland beach. Both Christy and Melissa were not sure about going in the water, but I knew, that if I didn't lead them in, they might not go. We started walking slowly, through the absolutely frigid, almost icy waters; trying to jump over the waves so the cold water wouldn't go any higher up our legs. The key places that you avoid getting the cold water on are the top of you legs, because it tend to make you want to pee, and once you pass that point, your shoulders. It's something about the high concentration of nerve ending I guess, but they are VERY tricky to pass. We all walked up to the top of our legs, then we kind of chickened out going all the way. Melissa then started to splash Christy, causing her to want some pay back and the slow progression to full on swimming started to occur.

Christy kept her distance from Melissa and I for a few minutes, as we tried to be brave and go to our shoulders under water. Before we knew it, we turned around and Christy had dunked herself down and was sitting in the water up to her neck!! We followed and enjoyed a good hour or more swimming around from the warmer shallow parts to the colder deep parts of the water as the tide went further and further in. Great time had by all! In the evening, we were joined by Judi, Paul, Jessica, Landon and Walton for a fun filled bonfire on John's Cove Beach. Super way to end a perfect day!



Christy has been my students for various subjects over the last few years. She is a good student and is always a lot of fun to have in class. She is very helpful and has really great ideas. I had a very nice time two years ago with her and Jeremias when we went to PUV for a Hiphop Leadership program. Although she is shy at times, she has the ability to step up and be a leader and I hope to see that more and more in the next two years as she works on her Sec. 4 and Sec. 5 levels. I'm excited for her to be in my homeroom class next year!


Theme Song for today: Right Stuff by New Kids on the Block (Christy has been singing it after my mom got it stuck in her head from my musical birthday card from the girls)

Day 90- June 18- Melissa Morgan

The girls arrived late last night. Melissa and Christy are two of my students from the last few years. I thought of the idea of bringing them to NS this summer was something that would be a great experience for them. I didn't think that they had really done too much traveling other than to Montreal for hospital or something like that. Unfortunately there was only this one week span in June that was free when I did the booking, so it is a very quick trip!

Melissa was only my student for one year so far. She joined my class during my last year before my break. She is incredibly bright, knows what she wants out of life, is a strong independent woman, that will go really far if she continues to think through her decisions well, like she has done to this point. I was very happy to have her in my homeroom because it finally gave me a chance to get to know her, and see at least in a small way, the huge amount of potential and promise in her life. She is really keen and impresses me all the time with her English communications abilities. She will be in my homeroom again next year, as she begins her Sec. 4 studies. I am excited to see her through to her graduation in two years!!

Melissa did a pretty awesome thing this past year, she chose to quit smoking. Smoking is a VERY popular activity in the north, and quitting is very difficult since EVERYONE seems to do it around you all the time. I don't know what caused her to decide to quit, but I am VERY proud of her for making the choice and sticking to it so well!! That is the strength and determination that makes me love Melissa SO much!! She never gives up but keeps trying until she finishes the job or at least figures out how to do it! Enjoy the pictures!





Theme song for today: Break your heart by Taio Cruz and Ludacris

Day 89- June 17- Sheldon

I just realized, I actually don't know Sheldon's last name. He's a super fun guy, great sense of humour and very smart. I have been working with him on Zach's campaign. Sheldon is a municipal counsellor in Queen's County, Nova Scotia, where is little family lives. He has been down throughout this campaign helping the campaign managers get everything working well and efficiently. Many days he, Zach and I would be the little team of three out on the streets. We have enjoyed lots of laughs and stories in between houses and on the road heading to the poll of the day. I really appreciate his experience and his openness to share his honest assessment of any situation. I hope we work together sometime in the future, he's got a great sense of balance and clarity on how things can work the best.

Enjoy the picture!



Theme song for today: Angel by Shaggy (He had an anniversary CD from a road trip he and his wife took; when this song came on, Zach and he sang a long to the whole thing!)

Day 88- June 16- Adam Graham

So, it's my 31st birthday today and I was treated to a wonderful day by lots of very special people. Started off with a super great card (and wonderful pearl earrings) from my parents. Then my brother, Kenneth and his girlfriend Jill, came by to bring a card and a present- a couple months membership at the Y. But even better was the fact that Kenneth had the day off so after I had done some (preparation for Melissa and Christy) chores like blowing up the mattress and vacuuming, we went for a nice walk together along the waterfront and around town.

It was really warm out, the waterfront was breath taking. As we were passing some of the old buildings along the Killam's Brother's wharf, Adam Graham came out of the Artist shop to say hello to Kenneth. I have heard about Adam for quite a while and seen his photography on his website and through Facebook links. Kenneth has also purchased a variety of his pictures and has them in his old room in the basement. I have been impressed a lot by his work, his eye for interesting things and his creativity in the presentation of those ideas is very unique, something to be admired!!

When Kenneth first started talking about him, I had no idea who he was. Then I found out he had married Sherrie Landers, the younger sister of one of my very close band friends from high school, Marla. I knew he was something special then! Check out his work, and enjoy these photos. About the photos, I often play around with the features in iPhoto, and this is the first time that I kind of liked the "antique" filter. The location and his tones seemed to work nicely with that function.



Theme song for today: Your Wall's Too High by Steppenwolf