Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom (And Whimsy)

Posted on October 8, 2025 under Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom with one comment

The cover of my autobiography

Pete MacDonald photo

 

“I’m back in the saddle (classroom) again,

Out where a friend is a friend.”

Back in the Saddle Again – Gene Autry

I will launch into the present shortly… but just a few footnotes from the past.

I have decided to call the past month spent in Metchosin, B.C. as “My West Coast Camino”. No, I didn’t walk across British Columbia as I have done twice in Spain but as part of my “holistic” therapy, I did manage to walk more than 300 kilometers. I reckoned that spending 2.5 hours nearly every day, walking through old growth forests, was good for the body and soul.

Those of you who have been courageous enough to read about my exploits in B.C. during the month of September might remember the incident with the outdoor shower when I managed to lock myself inside the shower. On my second to last day, I decided to have one more of these exquisite cleansings. The latch on the shower door had been fixed so I had no fear of incarcerating myself again. The shower is surrounded by gravel on the outside to facilitate drainage. There is one flat stone lying at the entrance to the shower. Rather than take off my shoes and have to walk on gravel, I decided to step into the shower, fully shod, and then place the Sketchers on the flat stone.

In the shade of a giant arbutus tree, I luxuriated as hot water rained down on me. I toweled myself off and opened the shower door. Sure enough, my Sketchers were awaiting my arrival but sadly, they were filled with water. I thought that the water would go through the openings in the floor slats, but water runs downhill, I discovered.

One other unique experience. I will spare all the unnecessary details, but I had my final treatment outdoors. Carly moved her massage table outdoors onto a concrete slab. Eagles and hawks soared overhead, the sun shone brightly and to the sound of two dozen clucking hens, I had my last session. Hard to believe that you can tan while getting a massage.

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For some unknown reason, Porter decided to put me in first class for both of my flights home. I’m a small-town guy and first class is not in my lexicon. I did not ask why but for the first time in my life, I wasn’t herded like cattle during boarding. I was first on and first off on both flights. Those of you who fly Porter regularly know that they only have two seats on either side of the aisle. There was enough leg room for a 7-foot basketball player, and I didn’t have anyone in the seat beside me. When they passed me the dinner menu and a glass, yes, a real glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, I thought I was in heaven.

I have decided that if I ever win the lottery, I will always fly first class in the future. I guess I had better buy a ticket! And, from this point on, I will be a Porter regular.

By the time this story has been published, I hope to have had a few days of substitute teaching under my belt. I really miss the stimulation of being around young people.

My arm is feeling much better, and my orthopedic surgeon is very pleased with my progress.

My autobiography is in the final editing stages, and all the other pieces are falling into place. My son, Peter, took the photos which will appear on the front and back covers of the book. I’m hoping to publish in late November and am planning a launch at the Heritage Museum sometime in December.

Have a great weekend.