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Starting my cityfolk life. |
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Wayne and I used to be what he calls "cityfolk" in his
books. I was born and raised in Compton, California. You don't get much more cityfolk than that. When my parents were young, it was a small town. Mom's family were farmers and Dad's ran a corner grocery store. They each were the first in their family to go to college, and both became teachers. Now my small hometown has been swallowed by the urban sprawl emanating from Los Angeles. There's nothing rural about it any longer.
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Daddy's girl hiking in Lassen National Park. |
Because both of my parents were educators, summer vacations were for camping trips, many up the coast to British Columbia. I learned to love the outdoors and fished alongside my dad. Mom, Dad, and I (I'm a spoiled rotten only child) hiked, went to ranger talks, and learned lots about nature. The seeds for my future life were planted.
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Principal of Erwin Elementary School. |
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Following in my parent's footsteps, I went to college and become an educator. I taught kindergarten like Mom and then became a school administrator like Dad. Those were great years. I met Wayne, and we found we had lots of common interests. That's been one of the strong points in our marriage. He taught me to fly, and we purchased Piper Arrow 997.
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997 in her original paint in Baja California. |
We traveled far and wide in 997 to places like New York, Cancun, James Bay (the tip of Hudson Bay), and the Arctic Ocean. Many years included camping under the wing of our airplane in British Columbia. On a trip in 2000, we discovered
Powell River, BC. We returned in 2001 and discovered
Powell Lake with its unique floating cabins.
That was the moment we started the transition from cityfolk to a new way of life off the grid.
We had to learn new skills for our new off-the-grid lifestyle, and quick. That's where our good friend John comes in.
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Our float cabin at Hole in the Wall on Powell Lake. |
We bought his Cabin #3 at Hole in the Wall, and we lovingly say "he came with it." John has remained our friend and patient mentor.
After taking early retirement from our careers in education in 2005, Wayne and I wanted to spend more time in all seasons at our float cabin home.
The solution was to become Canadian permanent residents in 2008. That decision evolved into becoming Canadian citizens in August 2018. Dual citizenship has lots of benefits for us in both countries.
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Powell River, BC, from the Texada Island ferry. |
You never know what life has in store.
Wayne and I never want to go back to our cityfolk roots. The slower pace in a small town like Powell River fits us.
We spent years looking for a place to retire. Like many things in life, the solution found us. Are you looking for a small, safe, forward thinking place to live? Take a look at Powell River.
Here are some links for more information:
If you have any questions, please leave a comment or use the link in my profile to my email address. -- Margy
Loved reading all about M for Margy.
ReplyDeleteThanks. My posts tend to be more topic oriented so this let my readers know a little more about me. - Margy
DeleteWhat a great life - and great decisions to come to where you are today. I'm catching up on reading blogs after a horrendous September - might even get back to blogging more soon. Have a grand week and enjoy the nice weather before the rains start again - we have sunshine today - and 56 degrees - which is great for this time of the year.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you had a tough September. What a difference a day makes, today is cloudy and cool. - Margy
DeleteHow lovely and heartwarming to read a little bit about your lifestory. You maybe spoiled but I guess you were that kind of child how had the great luck to grow up in a loving home. Not a given thing to every child sadly enough.
ReplyDeleteYOu are a blessed person and I am happy about that for you.
Have a splendid, ♥-warming ABC-Wednes-day / -week
♫ M e l d y ♪ (ABC-W-team)
http://melodyk.nl/23-M
You are right, I did grow up in a loving home. I have so many fond memories of growing up. And even though I was "spoiled" (still am I guess), I learned a lot of strong values. - Margy
DeleteVERY informative tale of your transformation!
ReplyDeleteThanks Roger. Now that I'm approaching 70 I reflect more on how I got here. - Margy
DeleteAn amazing journey!
ReplyDeleteAnd good memories of all those teaching days. - Margy
DeleteWonderful journey. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting. - Margy
DeleteMargy, I love your story. I like knowing that Compton was once a small rural town. Cheers to you and your Mister!
ReplyDeleteI imagine there a lots of small towns like Compton that became part of the suburbs of a big city. Once that happens they lose their distinct personality. - Margy
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ReplyDeletewhat an interesting life you have led or rather are having. I suppose each of us in our own way have special lives. You have a way with words so that is a plus also.
So far no sightings of bear. A few years ago we had lots of bear scat under the apple trees but nothing for the past several years. I wish the bear (s) were back.MB
Thanks for the complement. Most people are wishing the bears would go away. Interesting perspective. Why do you wish to have bears back? Most here worry about damage to crops, property and safety. - Margy
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