Change

Flowers are dying in the garden, the nights are colder, tomatoes are ripening, and birds are getting ready to leave, and soon the trees will have turned colour.  I saw a blue jay in my back yard this morning.  I like the changes that fall brings – thinning or moving perennials gives me an opportunity to revamp my yard and think ahead to spring.  I haven’t had to think about going back to school for many years, but it seems to me that those years stay with you and so there’s a sense of renewal even though summer is dying.

When I first started coming to Saskatoon as a child with my parents, there was a T. Eaton store downtown where the Public School Board offices are now.  I’m glad that building has survived, though it has gone through changes.  After Eaton’s it became the Army and Navy Store, with a much different ambience.  Kitty corner  stands the Senator Hotel which had a lobby and lounge area years ago where it now has a restaurant.  The city has continued to grow outwards over the years and older neighbourhoods have changed too.  I remember going to see a western movie at the Broadway Theatre when I was around 8 years old.  Years later the theatre became a place for porn movies, and then luckily a repertory theatre showing foreign and independent films.  Over the years the theatre has been renovated and spruced up so that it looks good and hosts not only interesting films but great intimate musical and other performances.  Broadway, the street, has changed too.  One of my favourite coffee and lunch places, The Living Room, is no longer there, but we have Il Secondo bakery and eating spot.

Change is inevitable.  Sometimes I like and embrace it, other times I don’t.

Currently my son and his family have moved from Halifax to Edmonton.  I know they like Halifax (and will miss it) and so do I.  My grandson seems glad to have settled after a few weeks of moving around and lots of car rides that he didn’t enjoy.  From all reports he likes their new living space and area.  I’m happy to have them living so much closer.  I can take a Greyhound bus up there for much less money than it takes to fly to Halifax, and in less time, so I’ll be able to see them more often.  I’ve noticed that there are also occasionally very good deals on flights.

Edmonton reminds me a little of Saskatoon with its riverbank and university.  It’s a sprawling city, too, so not as easy to get around on foot as Halifax, but I’ve heard the transit system is a good one.  I haven’t visited Edmonton for a number of years and I look forward to getting reacquainted with it.  I remember Fort Edmonton and the high level bridge, the Legislative Buildings, Jasper Avenue, and good restaurants.  I hope to find a good book store or two and new places to eat.  And the mountains are close.