The first weekend, and actually much of October, is a series of chore/task based activities that resemble winter prep. All the “El Niño” chatter aside, we know after those first big winds roll through that temps drop, frost hits the windshield and we can expect any sort of rain / wind / sleet / flurry from that point onward. At home, hoses got drained and coiled, the snowblower was wrestled to the front of the shed for “first start” of the season, and winter shovels took position on porch. At camp, the waterline got pulled, beach polished, brush for banking stockpiled, and food/drink that explodes when frozen is lugged home! 💥
Thanksgiving seemed to land quickly this year… our gang and the MacNeils were all on hand at 204 Cloverville for conversation, laughter and the finest of dinners (thnx Ms. L)! Lots of catching up as it had been awhile… Great to see everyone. The holiday weekend set up a series of short work weeks. Of note, we also felt the latest on a potential workplace action with fellow school workers (TA / Bus / Secretaries / Building Operator/ Custodians) with a looming Oct 26th date for possible strike. Those employees were on our minds as stalled talks and impasse only heightened anxieties!
As has become the custom, we were off to the city for the NSTU Provincial PD Day at month’s end. Once again, we used the opportunity to connect with the latest in learning topics and educators at the ATEC conference. Perhaps, however, at this time in our careers we find as much (or more) benefit in checking the pulse of fellow teachers in pre / post PD discussions at the chosen dining / pub opportunity in the downtown. The steam-whistle often shrieks with the opportunity to vent and hide in the anonymity. Nicely, Ms Monica tagged along as well so good check in there! Tag on a Pete visit for music and some fall football 🏈 (StFX gets W over Acadia) and you have the makins’ of a fun weekend!!!
After being “rag-dolled” by a super inconvenient gall bladder attack in the days post conference, it was back to best behavior. Oh Lord… my first personal glimpse of health care in a while. Prep for IPP Meetings, Grade 7-8 Halloween Social, and CUPE colleagues steadying for work action set a busy scene at work (Not to mention a lot of excited trick or treaters). It’s in these fall days that our educational honeymoon often ends abruptly!
However, we did manage several accomplishments. The “Travel Team” here got on the web and have set wheels in motion for our first trip to Asia for Summer ‘27. That’ll knock us out of the research comfort zone. Further, the vehicle was serviced, winter ready with new tires/rims and ship shape for the next change of season. We enjoy daily our new living room stove and the coziness it lends in the mornings / evenings. October ended with a Friday overnight camp visit, that saw garlic planted, the ol’ fella manning the Halloween traffic (such as it is) and Janie helping out with “We Scare Hunger” for the umpteenth time (High Schooler collection of non-perishables for local food bank).