I grew up in a #Military Family, attended more schools than years, in various provinces in Canada, overseas in Northern (Westphalia) & Southern (Schwartzwald) areas of Germany. https://mstdn.ca/@Rasta/110230700753574347
As a teen, I'd bike or walk to France, take school ski trips to Austria, & bus tours everywhere.
I used to fix Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks & made a little spending money. I'd babysit too, there were no other odd jobs
After returning to Canada, and sort-of attending school (I found out I could skip classes without consequences, they had no CORPORAL punishment in schools anymore!)
So, I didn't really attend, so I didn't pass either..
Worked part time at a Hospital while I make a choice: Return to school the next year, or start working.
I went to the recruiting office & signed up to join the Navy.
#Introduction#Thread
I've traveled before, during & after, my Navy time, most of Europe, Caribbean, Mediterranean, above Arctic circle & below equator, plus personal trips with family.
England, Scotland, Norway, Sweden,
France, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Spain, Portugal, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Bermuda, Acores, Great Lakes, Kiel Canal, etc.
Visited most of the Battlegrounds of Europe, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, Vimy, Passchendaele (Ypres), Stonehenge #Travel
#Introduction#Thread#Travel
Even after I retired from the Military, I was hired back as a Civilian with the Public Service #PSAC and learned that workers have rights! (I'd never been in a Union before, and I got active in it for a time)
The jobs I was called to do, were not overly skilled or paid. But, for the same money, you could have me, with decades of experience in everything. I was valuable to them, so they offered me up to 6 jobs in one week, until I returned again to the work force
#Introduction#Thread#Travel#PSAC
I retired before I turned 50, so I returned to work in a Medical Facility (hospital) storing data/paying financial claims, & as a bonded carrier for secure deliveries on an Airforce base.
I also had my DJ business, in its heyday, I was looking to expand & hire, with 3 vans & 2 full sets of DJ gear to go on the road. The Taxman wanted all my money.
About then, my wife became disabled & our life plans had to be changed. #Life#Retirement#Retired
#Introduction#Thread
..as an aside, my wife has a deteriorating spine. She was not expected to walk, she spent a year in bed, which helped cement my reasons to stop working completely & take care of things at home.
I have a 2nd home. It's more of camp vintage now, you'll hear me refer to it as my Retirement home or Cottage. It's a lovely area, my plans were to retire there. But each successive government hurt rural Halifax. I can't retire there now. Essential services are gone forever
#Introduction#Thread
For about 7 months of the year, we live in Rural Halifax, without Cellular, Television (there was never cable), many have no internet, lost the bus in 2005, Analog TV in 2010 (digital isn't strong enough to reach outside the city)
Healthcare is 2 hours away. Gas is 30 miles away, no banking services, no ATM, no communications.
Survived last year's hurricane Fiona, it tore up the house, still waiting on repairs.
For that reason, we keep primary residence in the suburbs
#Introduction#Thread
All summer, the ocean is at my back yard, I rarely miss a sunrise, they are breathtaking every morning, across the harbour full of colours.
Night skies are not polluted by city lights, and Nature creeps into the yard under pitch darkness. I take photos of stars all night
#Introduction#Thread
My wife can't lift a corner of a boat.
I'm not a big person. My boats are tiny so I can manage alone. I've made carts & slips to put them in the ocean myself. My wife & I venture into the #100WildIslands off #Halifax area of #NovaScotia. I publish a little #TravelBlog of each new adventures, to bait all of you who #kayak or #boat.
You'll see me post photos of River Otters in harbour, seals following us around, Mackerel fishing, coastlines & Islands in my feed #Boating
#Introduction#Thread
Due to my upbringing, I had wonderful experiences that most people would never have, but I also lost experiences that others take for granted.
I didn't have a #Hobby
On ships, people golf in port (I didn't think I'd ever get old enough to be a golfer 😂) and I detest #sports (well, any viewing of them, you really do need the exercise 😉)
I was looking for a discontinued species of Apple when I found my interest. #IndoorGardening#Gardening#GrowYourOwn#Seeds#Trees
I've forgotten some. There's seeds on a pineapple, and on a Banana. Both are likely sterile but I tried each without success.
Right now, I am growing daffodils from last year's seeds.
I've started one or two pots of all my varieties of tomatoes to see what starts. They should be able to go out in the greenhouse in a few weeks.
@Lstn2urmama I have some journals. IN the Navy (where you can sail the seven seas ♪) everything is recorded in log books, amount of weight on board, fuel, water, coordinates, etc. Many senior people had a pocket RED BOOK, more valuable than savings bonds. All the notes of trips, breakdowns, etc. .We had some records. I used to have scrapbook one, tickets and items from foreign port. I used to collect ashtrays and beer mugs too.
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