Our move was not ordinary. I will not diss any move. None
is ordinary; each is unnerving--I’ve moved enough to know. But this one is
particularly blog worthy: Moving from Houston, Texas to St. John’s
Newfoundland, Canada in the dead of winter between snow storms, with two dogs,
one which once had her own blog.
Despite shaking heads and warnings from friends in Texas
and Canada not to move Annie and Layla until Spring, we decided that our furry
girls’ rescue-dog spirit would guide them through the ordeal. We are a pack
after all. Besides, from what I’ve heard, Spring is pretty much the twin sister
of Winter in NL. I will let you know.
Anyhoo, the process began long ago. The first flutters of
My Hero’s possible transfer to the St. John’s office came in April (2013.) The Boston
Marathon tragedy happened. My mom’s health took a dive. I was packing for our
trip to see Utah—Bryce and Zion Canyons—via Phoenix, a visit with our amazing AZ
relatives, the drive past Hoover Dam, and a night in Las Vegas. Our first
childless vacation in 30 years. Our boy, youngest of four, was away at college.
The trip to AZ/Utah required packing winter and summer
wear in one suitcase, and quickly I remembered that winter wear takes up a whole lotta room in a closet (or suitcase.)
Move to Newfoundland, and I’d deal with this on a regular basis. Oh, well. No
worries (yet.) Moving to St. John’s, NL? Merely a whisper on a breeze.
While I can only speak for myself, it appears most Americans know nothing
about Newfoundland. I, for one, knew nothing. Of course I had to do the
research. I’m a writer. After searching the Internet, I’ve decided more people
need to write about Newfoundland. Pinterest provided brilliant photographs.
A few years ago (several fews,) my sixth grade social
studies teacher Miss Sims asked us to write a report about a European country. More proof that I have
selective hearing, I picked Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia is neither in Europe nor a
country. It is a Canadian province. So I wound up writing about France, I
think. Nevertheless, my pre-assignment research led me to fall in love with
Nova Scotia. I’ve always told My Hero I’d move to Nova Scotia in a heartbeat
(if The Company wanted to send us there.)
Newfoundland is closer to Nova Scotia than I’ve ever
been. A friend who knows told me that Newfoundland is better than Nova Scotia. I trust her.
Move to Newfoundland? Let’s go!
Stay tuned. Next… Our house packed professionally—it only
took six days.
