Run!

How would I describe the past week? In total.....It was a lot of running! From training for track, the actual race, trying to meet deadlines, and going from place to place.....yah it was like non stop running!

Work was also a race! Trying to keep up with orders that were flying in! Mother's Day is always the worse! I guess no ones Mom was cooking, so we had to do the cooking instead. It was okay I guess. The night flew by, and didn't go on forever like it normally does, but when I got home....


I was done!


I stared into the mirror, and the weekend really showed on me! My eyes were baggy, I was very tan, my shoulders were burnt, I was a little scratched. I wondered, "who is this girl that I'm looking at?" And then I wrote this poem which I thought was pretty awesome, so I'm going to share it with you!

Ready to Fly!

Who is this girl I am looking at?

Not exactly who her parents see!

She is not all happy, innocent, or blissful as can be.

Who am I looking at?

Not what strangers see!

She is not all wild, withdrawn, or quite like a tree.

What face peers back at mine?

She’s not all gentile, or all shy.

That strange girl looking at me,

Who is that girl who mirrors me?

She stands as if frozen,

yet ready to leap!

Not as tall as a mountain,

Or as low as a creek.

Not as skinny as a cricket,

Yet not fat like a bull,

Not as muscular as Goliath,

Yet not as weak as a colt.

She is not like most girls,

That is fairly plain to see.

She does not adore i-phones or MP3’s,

She spends her time running,

Searching for clues,

Hoping they will lead her to something new.

A new version of herself,

One that is easy to define,

One that she can unlock,

One that no one can bind!

One without restrictions,

One that is more free,

One that is a woman,

who can be anything!

Be that an explorer, firefighter, vet, or humanitarian aid,

Soldier, writer, artist, dancer, or a staff at an arcade!

The possibilities are endless,

And she knows she is strong!

She is ready to pull out the warpaint,

And put it all on!

She knows she can be anything!

No matter what people say.

She will ignore the social norms,

And stigmas in her way.

Doubt is but a pebble now,

Fear is only a fly,

Pain does not matter,

Because this girl is about to fly!

-Jacinta Secker

Some Things Can't be Planned!

I don't even know where to begin! The thing I've begun to realize about life is that you definitely can't plan it! You just have to be ready to act when something unexpected happens. 

So to start off with..... Shoe Lace the Cat.

I got up last Monday, and I really wasn't in the mood to go to school, but I pulled myself together, stepped out the door, and was ready for another boring school day when.....

I saw this poor injured cat meowing by the door of the shoe store. It looked really bad! It's back was arched and funny, it's fur was as messy as my bedroom floor, and it was skinny, skinny, skinny! I approached cautiously, just in case it was rabid. However, it only appeared to be very weak, and a little sniffley. I pet it and felt really bad! I thought maybe it belonged to the shoe store owner and had been lost for awhile. "They would find it when they woke up, right?" I thought to myself, so I started walking towards my bus stop when.....

It started limping after me! I shook my head. "I shouldn't," I thought, "My parents will kill me! But....Ah it needs me, and who else is going to help it!?"

Because it's Killaloe and cats are hated here!

So in short, I missed school that day because of the cat! I set up the dog cage, and went back to sleep. When I awoke, my Mother's angry face loomed over me, and she demanded to know why there was a cat in her living room, and ranted on about how we're not an animal shelter. Eventually she gave in though, probably thanks to Dad, and I believe she actually started liking the cat! Unfortunately it was too far gone, and it died that Thursday evening. I felt a little down, but at least it had been given some love before it slipped away to wherever cats go. 

This weekend I also learned the value of friendship. My Friday had been a mess! I had only slept two hours the night before due to that cat, the boys in my gym had infuriated me to the point where I wanted to punch all their brains out..... or more like punch their brains back in! When I got home there was a pile of dishes looming out at me, and I felt like my mother was ingnoring me, and I was just so emotional that I literally broke down!

And then Sierra showed up, like an angel from heaven!

I don't even like candy, but just the meer action of her offering me a treat made me feel so much better! We sat right there on the kitchen floor and talked about everything. She offered to have me over, and I was more then willing to leave! I think my parents realized I needed the break too, so they let me go. All in all, we had an awesome time together! 

A Killaloe Weekend!

That sign in the above photo always makes me laugh! If only I had 40$ I could spare to buy it!


Anyhow, this weekend was what I would call a typical Killaloe Weekend! Nothing super exciting happened, not anything that would make the news....but there was plenty to do, discover, and enjoy!




So on Friday, I went on a little hike with Boo along the river! We couldn't go very far, because the trail was mostly flooded, but we still had a good time together!

Also on Friday, my brother graduated from his military co-op training, so we went to the armory and celebrated with him! The land training sounded pretty tough, but he pulled through! I hate to admit it, but I'm a little proud of him!

On Saturday Mom attended the Killaloe Farmer's Market, and had her own table selling her home made Bees Wax candles. I always love attending the farmer's market! It's such a great way to see everyone in town, and view the products of their creativity!

Then today happened! I finally found time to go visit my friend, and even though I am a little bit behind on school work, because of it....




IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!!






I haven't seen her in like two weeks, but if your close friends that feels like centuries!






And I hadn't been riding in a month, so my withdrawel was finally satisfied!






Anyhow, we had a great time! She got two new horses. The first one I rode was a little bit of a brat, but we assumed it was because we tried new tack on him. The second one, Cheko....best horse I have ever ridden! Beutifull too! I really hope I'll be able to ride him again!


 We were out on the trail from 12:30pm-4:30pm. The weather was just perfect too! We wanted to hang out longer, but her Dad said she should try and study for her college exams! lol. At least she'll be done college soon and we can hang out more!

Cheko!

Cheko again!

Destiny my favorite pony!

Spring picnic!

Finally it is beginning to feel like spring! I can actually wear a t-shirt outside and not feel cold! My co-worker explained yesterday that she is going to wash all her family's winter jackets, and pack them away, and she WON'T take them out again, even if it snows! I hope God has mercy on her, and on us all because....


I am done with winter!


I don't want to see its face again till October!


Anyhow, because yesterday was such a nice day, my sister and I decided that it would be a perfect day to take our two youngest sisters out for a picnic in the park! Our parents were gone to Toronto with everyone else and left us two eldest girls with the two younger ones. I was a little worried the girls were going to be crabby and a trouble, but they were amazing! As I sat watching them happily play on the swings, I realized how truly blessed I am that God put me in a large family. I can't imagine what it would be like if I didn't have seven little blessing to admire and experience life with everyday!

Life's Unexpected Sorrows.

I believe it was this past Saturday. I was browsing quickly through Facebook, when the news hit me like lightening! My breath literally stopped, and the next second I couldn't stop crying. The tears hit me like punches! The notion of him dying had not entered my mind, and all of a sudden he was dead. There was nothing I could do about it! It was too late to say goodbye.

Lawrence Joseph (Bert) Gendron died April 6 2016  peacefully. He had lived his life serving many people. From delivering food, bus driving, and finally settling as a cafeteria helper at Bishop Smith Catholic High school...




My school!




That is how I knew Bert. He had been working at the school almost 11 years prior to me starting in grade nine. Bert was a simple man. He didn't have a big leadership role like the teachers. He picked up the garbage we left behind with his little garbage clutch.


But he was noticed....


He never frowned at us rowdy teenagers. He never complained about his job. I actually remember chatting with him once while I was getting my apron on for work in the café. He said this was by far his favorite job, because being surrounded by young people made him feel young again! He always smiled, and asked me how I was doing. This happened everyday! He was always cheerful, and his positive attitude on life helped me make it through the day. His job was truly important! He lifted the burden of our lives with his friendly, positive attitude, and touched our hearts.


Nothing is more important in life then giving others hope, which Bert did!




I believe the last time I saw Bert was before Christmas. He had come into work not feeling well, and had to take a break in the middle of lunch hour. The principle came in and told Bert he should go home, but Bert kept saying "no, I want to stay!" Eventually he gave in and left early, and the thought never entered my mind that that would be the last time I would see him....but it was!




I wish I had memorized the moment! I wish I had said goodbye! I kept reminding myself I should go visit him in the hospital, or send him a card, but I let the business of my life occupy my thoughts, so I never did either of those two things! I wish I could go back in time, and tell Bert how much he meant to me!




The truth is, I can't go back in time. I have to accept that he is gone. Knowing Bert though,  he is most definetly in Heaven, and so he knows how much he meant to me, and God willing, I'll see him again when I enter that stage in my life. Today was his funeral, and I missed some of school to go to it. I don't think anything could of held me back! The least I could do to show how much I appreciated him was to show up. In public I am able to suppress my emotions, so I must of appeared rock solid for most of the service....
 
But then they played Amazing Grace! What is it about that song? I don't even really like it! But then it was played, and I got shivers and I could almost see Bert smiling at me. My throat dried up, and I felt tears threaten to spill. But I wasn't sad like when I had come in. I was happy for Bert! He had put up with so much suffering the last few years (including cancer). Now he is happy with God, and feels no more pain.




I will miss Bert terribly. It will be a long time before I can sit in the café without feeling hollow inside by his absence. It will be a long time before he won't constantly be on mind. But I know he is still with us, and that he wants us to be happy for him and continue on with our lives.




In memory of Bert I gave my new pet rats the middle names Bert and Lawrence. I received them shortly after I heard the news and I thought it was appropriate. (I hope he liked rats! lol)


I am going to miss you Bert, but I know you are happy in Heaven and I will, God willing, see you again!

Spring or Winter?

It says it is spring on the calendar, and nature seems to be suggesting the same. The robins are back, I've seen a couple ducks, and geese! The rodents are getting feisty and active!


But when I stepped out the door this morning it sure didn't feel like spring!


It was cold! More so the wind then anything else, but it sure nipped my skin and I was praying really hard that the bus would come get me really quick!


Despite the cold, I still took the dog out for a walk. He was very happy, since I hadn't taken him out in awhile. I was pet sitting during the weekend, so I really had no time! It had warmed up a little bit since then, so I wasn't freezing and the walk was very enjoyable. I love this one road we go down, because no one is there, and it just feels very free! I got tired after awhile, so I sat down by the swamp for a bit, and listened to the ice crack. It was loud and startling at times, making it really cool to listen to!However, Boo did not like the sitting around, so I couldn't stay for long.

This week is once again a short school week! We have had a lot of those in a row so far. I like it, because it gives me more time to do homework and focus on my passions. I am hoping that the warm weather comes soon, so that track and field will start. I have felt so fat and lazy (even with having a gym class) so I can't wait for it to start!

P.S I got the wildlife rehabilitation internship at Sandy Pines Wildlife Center in Napanee! I am so happy and excited! It turns out that I am the youngest intern! All the others are either done University or in their second year! Either way, I think its better that way, because I will learn more from them, and they have had post secondary experience, so maybe they might be able to give me some advice! Even though it doesn't start till July, I am still thinking about it all the time!

Wolf!

It is finally the March Break! I am so happy to have time to do the things I enjoy and am passionate about. To make things even better, the weather is a lot warmer!


 To start off my March Break, I decided to go riding with one of my riding instructors. (My best friend Sierra came along!) It was a lot of fun, although the horses were extra hairy, because they are shedding! What I thought was going to be a short ride turned out to last a little over two hours. It was such a beautiful day though! I was only wearing my sweater and jeans. (I haven't  been able to do that for a long time!) What I love about the area I live in is that it doesn't take long to be totally submerged in nature! As we got deeper and deeper into the woods, it almost seemed wrong to make a noise. We were far enough back, that we discovered evidence of a wolf pack. Wolves are pretty scarce nowadays, so this was a pretty exciting discovery!

On Sunday, I felt it was warm enough to start running again. I got on my running gear, got my dog, and off we went. It felt so good to run again! I decided to go somewhere I'd never run to before. It was a little dirt road hardly anyone lived down, so we went up it and explored. While we took a walking stretch, we came across this deer eating in a field. It didn't seem to notice us, so the dog and I stood there and watched it for awhile.


When I got home, my little sister was complaining that my brother took the kids phone to his friends place, so I offered to go bike and get it! It was a pretty long bike ride to his friend's ranch, but it was enjoyable, and I came across even more deer!

I love biking down this hill, but I hate biking up it!

On Monday I went to Sierra's


(I really don't enjoy living in town, so whenever I can get away I do!)


Sierra lives kind of everywhere, but at the moment she is staying with her dad in a town that is practically a ghost town. Not to far off is the bush though. When I got there, she told me she had seen a wolf take down a deer not too far from the house when she had been riding. We decided we should go take a look at it, and savage what we could. (hide, any good meat, bones,etc) When we got there however, we were met with a big surprise! The wolf had dragged his kill all the way down to the river bellow, and floated it down to another location where it couldn't be tracked  by other meat eaters.


(I am amazed at how intelligent these creatures are!)


Anyhow, we didn't bother tracking it further down the river, because the river and snow around it is rather dangerous with the melt off. We trugged home like defeated hunters, but it had been an enjoyable adventure!

Where the deer was taken down

 

The trail the wolf left by dragging the deer

The river where the trail ended

 

For the rest of the day Sierra and I chilled with her horses, kept the fire going, made food, watched a movie, and did art on her bed in the attic as we listened to the rain pound down. When her dad came home, we had pizza for supper and her little sister taught me how to make guacamole. Then we spent the next three hours preparing and processing the meat on their recently butchered cow. It was tiring work, but it felt great to be doing something new, work with others, and feel helpful!


Plus I got free scraps for the dog and a steak for me!

Sierra's Donkey!

Her pony Joe



Anyhow, this week is looking amazing for Maple Sugaring! The days are warm and the nights are cold, so I will probably be assisting Sierra's family with that!


Also I got the wildlife internship! I am so excited!!!!