again

We are looking to buy a cottage. J and I dropped the kids at camp this morning and ventured north to view a potential place. Its the first time in forever we have done something together other than shop (and I guess we were still shopping - sort of). We had 1 1/2 hours in the car to chat without the usual interruption.

The place was nice. Not right for us, but still nice, and we came away with a clearer idea of what we would like. On the way back, we talked about how strange it is to have to come out every time we are in a new situation. We have kids. They are our kids. Nothing unusual to us in that, but in every new situation, there is always a bit of trepidation that we are walking into a situation of judgement. It's like coming out again and again and again. Out of the city, we are aware that there can be little tolerance for non-traditional families. The poeple we met did not seem to have any issue with us at all, but who knows about the next time...

20 years ago, we had rocks thrown at us on the street in front of a bar. On many occasions, we had to leave a club by the back door as there were people out front who were spoiling for a fight. We've come a long way. But sometimes its hard to forget that stuff.

The kids know nothing of these moments of concern. We live our lives in plain view with no shame. But sometimes, like today, we do acknowledge that there is always a tiny bit of fear in the background.

Canada Day

In our house, Canada Day is the biggest event of the year next to Christmas! We have a tradition of visiting with friends from morning (the parade begins at 10am) until after the 10pm fireworks. The kids dress up in red and white and jump and dance at the roadside while the parade passes by. The parade is a small local one. Boy Scouts, a fire truck, a pipe band, the veterans and some local political figures march pass in an hour long tribute. Not impressive from an adult perspective, but an awesome display according to the kids. This year, our friends' sons marched in the parade.

We were late getting up. Not me - I am an early bird by nature - but the remaining members of the family were still asleep at 9am. J awoke at 9:15. Choking, wheezing and gaspiing for breath. She tried her puffer to no avail. Woke up the kids, threw them in the car and we were off to the hospital. We were fast-tracked through to a bed where J had a ventolin mask. The kids did not want to miss the parade, so I drove them to the friend's place, threw them out of the car - no sun screen, no hats, no breakfast yet. She too care of it. Back to the hospital.

3 ventolin treatments later, J was finally able to breathe and we left with a handful of prescriptions, directions to call the allergist on Tuesday and a warning to stay away from the animals (!). Asthma. Late in life to develop it, but here we are. With 12 pets in the house, it looks like we are going to be forced to give some away. I have an awful feeling it is the cats. Both J and 6 are HUGE cat lovers! I am sure there are some difficult decisions ahead...

Asthma trigger? I had the ducts cleaned on Friday. Thought it would help with the allergies...oops no. Apparently it stirs up more stuff - at least initially. Geez!

The remainder of the day was good. I had a drink ( and I never drink). Slurring after half a vodka cooler of some sort. Confirmed I am a cheap drunk. Made the fireworks display interesting though...

Happy 4th of July to all US friends!