Last Weeks in Melbourne Fld

It's almost time to move on.

Wickham Park in Melbourne Florida has been a nice experience for a month.

This Hong Kong orchid tree was a beautiful sight near our campsite.

Campsite

This friendlly black snake (harmless) "popped" out of the bush during our lunch.

Ibis at the park pond.

Egret visiting the pond.

Maggie thinks she is going to the weekly Jazzercise with Chris.

Maggie enjoyed the K9 cookies made by Kelly, (above) and sold at the farmers market every Thursday.

A local theatre production of "SPAMOLOT" was a hoot!

The Insane Burrito served great Mexican in their seaside location.

Their menu was huge so we requested whatever the locals order.

WOW!

A mid day treat of a small blueberry pie from a local bakery was a great finish to a day at the beach.

Maggie seems a little disapointed with her lowly dog treats.

Entrance to a near by art gallery.

Maggie really enjoyed the dog park.

I think I heard her say "I have no idea what or who you are but please leave my pool".

Sights on the walking trail.

BIRD of PARADISE

USAF BASE Officers Club Beach just down from Cape Canaveral.

A great beach on the Atlantic Coast.

Beach bird life.

Local life.

The traffic was heavy in the warm water.

Body surfing demo.

It felt more like a "body demolition"!!

Chris's latest work of art:

"Pansies In A Crystal Vase"

Remembering Mom

    

Jean Frederica Mitchell (nee Buckley) August 27, 1920 – April 9, 2014

Mother passed away at Gateway Haven Nursing Home in Wiarton, Ontario, Thursday evening, April 9, 2014.  She was in her 94^th year.

Cherished mother of Christina and her husband Sheldon Mac Lean of Tobermory.  Loving grandmother of Paul Mac Lean and his partner Jacqueline of Cornwall, Kellie Mac Lean and her husband Randy Smith of Tara.  Dear great grandmother of Kelsey and Alita Mac Lean of California.  Predeceased by sister, Kathleen Russell, Harare, Zimbabwe. 

Jean was born in England and came to the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec as a war bride in 1945.  She was predeceased by her husband Lionel in 1998.  God speed to heaven Mother. 

Private family funeral arrangements entrusted to the George Funeral Home, Wiarton, Ontario.

Expressions of remembrance to the Canadian Mental Health Association would be appreciated.

As I reflect on Mom’s passing, a flood of memories is washing over me.  I think of her arrival in the remote Gaspe Peninsula at the age of 25, far from home and family in England.  Our Canadian winters must have been quite a shock.  Her mother, Beatrice came to visit the Gaspe and I can picture a photo of her sitting on the shore of the Baie des Chaleurs.

My father reenlisted in the RCAF and thus our adventure of travel began.  He and Mom were my tutors as relocating in Canada and Europe meant I attended a total of 17 schools.

In those days we all memorized Shakespeare in school.  Mom corrected my memorization homework with quick recall from her own memory of said plays.  This was amazing to me.

She painted and played the piano.  One day, long ago, I came home to discover her playing my guitar….. a lovely melody sounding through our home.

We lived in Paris, France for years and enjoyed traveling in Europe as well as visiting Nanny Buckley in England.  I spent one flight from Paris to London crawling on my knees throughout the aircraft looking for a button missing from mom’s fur coat…. Thus began my education and development of a Monty Pythonesque sense of humour.  Who doesn’t enjoy laughter….our lives continue to be blessed with humour.    

Our family is comforted by the fact that mother was only very ill for a few days.  Thursday evening marked her transition to a peaceful and loving place.

I would like to send our sincere thanks to loving friends for their warm and compassionate messages.  We are out of Canada until mid May and have appreciated these emails to our new email address  macleanchrisandshell@gmail.com   joyfully, Chris