tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22128262185742405072009-11-11T16:34:57.352-05:00Dedicated to people who zig and zag their way through life.Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.comBlogger143125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-76082890443115829042008-07-25T19:20:00.001-04:002008-07-25T19:29:16.405-04:00

The theme of the last two days has been fog. Actually, it has been more than two days but I don’t want to count. Yesterday we drove down the Eastern Shore by the Marine Road. The picture above was typical of the ocean views. I took this around the town of Ecum Secum. That reminds me of a game that I used to play with my kids called “No Peekin’.”The highlight of the day was the menu for Pace’s

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-58433229539758832142008-07-21T13:16:00.002-04:002008-07-21T13:20:05.850-04:00

I awoke yesterday, Sunday morning, in Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, in a weary state. All attempts and pep talks at self-revival failed. I was tired from two long days of hard driving and sightseeing. I needed a break. I needed some down time. We were scheduled to visit the Louisbourg Fortress, a wonderful reconstruction of an Eighteenth Century fort and town. I could not bear the thought of going to

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-20506106092154518242008-07-20T18:12:00.004-04:002008-07-20T18:42:57.824-04:00

For the last two days we have been travelling on the Cabot Trail on Cape Bretton in Nova Scotia. The Cabot Trail, about 180 miles long, is known as one of the most scenic drives in the world and it did not disappoint.At the end of the first day we were in a crafts store near the top of the trail. The woman in the shop asked if we were planning to take the road which went off the Trail and up to

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-55878944759382343222008-07-18T04:58:00.001-04:002008-07-18T05:23:19.814-04:00

This is one important piece of leftover business from PEI. In Charlottetown, the capital, sits St. Dunstan's Basilica, an imposing structure of Roman Catholicism. Inside the front door is a sign with warnings and prohibitions (a Catholic specialty:) "Proper attire required. "No food or drink""No Inline Skating"What? No inline skating??? I am glad that I did not drag my rollerblades all the way up

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-2865814035795269252008-07-17T18:05:00.002-04:002008-07-17T18:10:17.658-04:00

Tomorrow we leave Prince Edward Island for Nova Scotia and we are sad about it. Our trip here has had magical qualities that only an island can provide.PEI is defined by the wind, the sea, the land and the people. The wind blows sometimes harshly and sometimes delicately. It carries the sea on its breath. The land of red earth drew the French, the Irish and the English. They farm, they fish and

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-9770389732174348002008-07-15T15:40:00.001-04:002008-07-15T15:42:39.450-04:00

Last week we were fogged in at St. Martins, New Brunswick. We planned to drive/hike/walk the 10 km Fundy Trail which runs right along the Bay of Fundy. It is supposed to be spectacular visit and I was disappointed that we had to skip it. Who knows if we will ever be back that way.I thought at the time that maybe something else would show up because of the loss. This morning on the beach in Prince

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-25180763067232626452008-07-14T05:29:00.005-04:002008-07-14T06:09:05.582-04:00

Prince Edward Island has been our home for the last few days. We have been travelling the west side along the North Cape Coastal Route. The ride has been exciting along dramatic coasts, through small French villages and through potato fields. Spuds are a really big deal here since they are one of the major potato production areas of the world. The combination of potatoes and forest has caused the

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-73857636797469286212008-07-10T18:12:00.003-04:002008-07-10T18:17:01.362-04:00

When we entered the province of New Brunswick and stopped at the information center, the gentleman, Wayne, was very helpful. He told us about all the highlights that would be on our route on the way to Prince Edward Island. And then he mentioned, “And Alma is the home of the sticky bun.” I thought that I heard him wrong and said, “What?” He repeated, “Alma is the home of the sticky bun.” Right

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-30520403634654380482008-07-10T06:31:00.002-04:002008-07-10T08:05:30.766-04:00

It has been a day of the elements here on the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick – fog, wind, water and now fire. I am in a campground in St. Martins where we visited caves bored by tidal waters. This area has huge tides. We walked in the caves at low tide and at high tide they are filled with water. It’s nature messing around with us.The day was ruled by fog, an evocative element if there ever was

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-8986832384125712272008-07-08T20:07:00.003-04:002008-07-08T20:18:07.857-04:00

Today was spent visiting St. Andrews, New Brunswick, a lovely seaside town. One of the highlights is Kingsbrae, 27 acres of outstanding gardens. My eye is always drawn to the sculptures in gardens and here they were particularly whimsical.I was not my usual antisocial self and I met at least half of the town while strolling down the main street of town. It helped to have my dog, Zoe, with me.

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-25015047803411841732008-07-07T17:40:00.003-04:002008-07-07T17:49:09.479-04:00

I am with my wife on the first day of a three week motorhome trip to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. It started out as it usually does - with a dead battery. But I had my handy dandy portable generator and I was able to jump start it. Motorhomes and dead batteries go hand in hand, so I was prepared. In the past this could easily have destroyed my day, but this time the self flagellation

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-61175515659363898462008-02-13T11:20:00.002-05:002008-02-13T11:37:23.851-05:00

First, I want to give you lots of reasons why I have not blogged for awhile. I have lots of them, but none of them are particularly valid. The truth is my Inner Blogger went on a two week vacation without prior notification. He is now back and has been spoken to. He is now sulking in the corner, so I write this without his help.So I need your help. I need help with a really big question: If I get

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-39270447920263541782008-01-29T14:42:00.000-05:002008-01-29T14:50:28.901-05:00

To beard or not to beard: that is the question. Whether ‘tis nobler to let my quarterback go out there alone, or whether I need to show my solidarity.These questions began to itch me a few days ago. I was getting a little scruffy looking because in the tropical stupor that is Fort Myers Beach I had forgotten to shave for a few days. Then the story hit the papers about the injured ankle of Tom

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-40295028039767404002008-01-27T15:55:00.000-05:002008-01-27T16:00:50.155-05:00

Writing this blog has interrupted one of the most important things that I do all day. And sometimes I do it all day. I have sprung into action ruining all that I have worked so hard to attain. I have been trying to follow the advice of my newest guru, Arlo.I recently heard an interview of Arlo Guthrie on XM Radio. If you came of age in the sixties, you have to love Arlo. He was one of the

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-21078098357362281242008-01-25T13:03:00.000-05:002008-01-25T13:06:46.558-05:00

This picture is of San Carlos RV Park and Resort in Fort Myers, Beach, Florida, where I am currently residing. “What happened to Homosassa?” you ask. Ah, I will tell you.Simply put, Homosassa was the wrong place for my wife and me to be. After many years spent in Fort Myers Beach, we decided to try a new area this year for many good reasons. However, our decision turned out to be wrong for us.

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-54850768591455852362008-01-19T10:33:00.000-05:002008-01-19T10:36:32.737-05:00

I am becoming aware that the difference between the North and the South is more than the red state/blue state distinction. I am seeing things here in Florida that I just do not see at home.Every other commercial vehicle on the road is a pest control truck. How can all these pest control businesses be supported? I guess that I do not want to know the answer. I also saw a truck for a company that

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-66205848245747944382008-01-17T10:50:00.000-05:002008-01-17T10:57:16.203-05:00

Yesterday I was in Greece. At least it felt like Greece. I really was in Tarpon Springs, Florida, which is home to a Greek sponge diving community. Beginning in 1905 experienced sponge divers were brought over from the Greek Islands to work the substantial sponge beds of the Gulf. They stayed, started families and built a strong Greek community. You will still hear a lot of Greek spoken in the

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-69263361977946428852008-01-13T10:05:00.000-05:002008-01-13T08:46:07.785-05:00

This is the view of St. Augustine from the Anastasia Light House. St. George Street in St Augustine is a pedestrian walkway that runs several blocks through old town. It is a delightful mixture of gift shops and historical buildings. Others would say that it is a history based tourist trap. I like the place because it has a great feel to it. St. Augustine claims to be America’s oldest continually

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-1236270425017132162008-01-10T14:56:00.000-05:002008-01-10T14:59:31.303-05:00

I snapped this picture at the KOA campground in Point South, South Carolina. It’s called “The Swimming Mermaid.” The title seems redundant to me. Are there non-swimming mermaids? I have not seen one. Of course I have not seen “The Little Mermaid.” But it seems to me that water is always involved.This mermaid sculpture seems destined to stay out of the water and I think I know why. The pool at

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-25014079978280112092008-01-07T09:24:00.000-05:002008-01-07T09:37:14.709-05:00

I am a fan of country music, especially when I am driving down the highway. There is nothing that makes the miles go faster than a good song about how a man or woman has been wronged by her man or woman, and only if he/she had known how he/she had been hurt by his/her treacherous behavior, he/she would have changed. You now know the secret formula for a country hit.Country music provides all of

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-51410373615828584332008-01-05T10:48:00.000-05:002008-01-05T07:55:24.015-05:00

I saw this sign as I was driving down the exit ramp for a highway: “My Child’s Pack – Bullet Resistant Backpacks Sold Here.” It hung on a small sporting goods store in Danvers, Massachusetts. I went back a few days later to take a picture because the sign stunned me.I live near Danvers and for many years worked in that middle class suburban town. It is a fine little town. Why would any child in

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-79226689473913901442008-01-03T07:30:00.000-05:002008-01-03T08:45:54.032-05:00

I have not made a New Year’s resolution in many years. It always seemed like a setup for failure. My church had a program in which you could write down your resolution and the minister would mail it to you a year later. It was soooo nice to be reminded that you were a shirker. It was almost like being Catholic again.So this year instead of a resolution I am going to make an absolution. This is

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-12496722947005807622008-01-01T19:06:00.000-05:002008-01-01T19:08:16.761-05:00

I have been hurtling down the highway in my motorhome heading for Florida, so I have had a lot of time to think about deep, serious questions. I was asked recently what profession or job I would want to do if I had it all to do over again. This is the adult equivalent of the old question asked every child: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”I still do not have a good answer to that

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-79194270989491680402007-12-30T07:27:00.000-05:002007-12-30T07:21:10.663-05:00

I was really busy in the kitchen on Christmas morning. I am an early riser so my job is to get the turkey in the oven. I tucked that bird into the heat and I was on to other kitchen stuff. I even made some breakfast for my dear wife. All of this preparation created quite a mess.“I’ll clean it up. I don’t want you to run out of energy. We have a long day ahead of us,” she said.I replied, “No, I’

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212826218574240507.post-6528966495797743792007-11-22T08:25:00.000-05:002007-12-28T08:49:10.091-05:00

Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to express gratitude. We say thank you for all that we have. In my house we are especially thankful for all the cooking done by my wife. But saying thank you is not enough and this year I want to do more.Preparation of the holiday feast falls on my wife’s shoulders, as in many American households. I am determined to lighten her burden this year and I have

Jim Hessionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10786448702002298058noreply@blogger.com1