I had accepted a teaching position in Prince Albert, the Gateway to the northern part of our province. Whereas I had been teaching French Immersion at an elementary level before, this involved a middle years class, Grades 7-8-9. Teen agers! I would have to learn all the material myself first before I could even begin to teach it. It was not going to be an easy year! To add insult to injury, I had found lodging with a widow who allotted me very little space in her fridge (she had 2 strapping lads with gigantic appetites living in her basement) and I had to share the clothes closet in the small bedroom with her deceased husband's clothes still in it. I wanted to pack it in and return home! Most people would have I think.
Then a colleague suggested I should give Gwen a call. So I went to see her and she, being a teacher herself understood my plight, took no time getting me settled into her basement, where I could sprawl all my papers and assignments to my heart's content. But that was by no means the highlight of my stay. She introduced me to house concerts (live concerts in someone's basement, didn't know that even existed), to jam sessions at a local pub, to the farmer's market and to grass fed beef and organic produce, to exhibitions at the EA Rawlinson Center and last but not least, to Boler Camping. Gwen restored 2 vintage Bolers. OK, she may have had a bit of help here and there with the electrical and some mechanical issues perhaps. But by and large she did all the restoration work herself. Having a knack for painting and decorating, the campers looked so cozy, inviting, glamorous even after she was done with them! Which in turn inspired my husband and I to purchase an old camper, which we restored and used for many years criss-crossing, exploring and enjoying our province in summer. Thanks Gwen for being a friend, for all your inspiration and for helping me through a difficult year!
Back on Sunday. Have to get my garden in! SanTeh!
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