In like a lion

Since my optimistic musings about spring, we've received three good dumps of snow.  Even so, the ocsillations from mild, sunny days to blizzards only emphasize the on-going transition.  The long-range forecast calls for highs near 10 degrees by the middle of next week, and I fearlessly forecast that I'll hear a red-winged blackbird calling along the canal before the following weekend.

At work, in the Natural Systems team, we've already moved into planning for summer.  Consultants have begun to call us to discuss the fieldwork requirements of their clients.  Our Water Resources Group has asked where we'd like them monitoring this year.  I've begun arranging access agreements for our own contractors, setting up purchase orders, and planning my own site visits.

At home, we've begun to look toward the holidays.  When should I take vacation; where might we go?  Will Sue have a new contract?  Will the boys want to travel, work, or just hang?  Will they still want to spend time with Sue and me, or have they already turned toward their outer lives?

Where was I at fifteen?  1976.  I wasn't working yet, but I did spend a two week training placement as a deckhand on the Princess Marguerite -- the lovely, old car ferry that operated between Victoria and Seattle.  The following year, I spent the summer working in a car wash and restaurant stock room.  After that, a summer with the naval reserves.  Then, my summer after high school, working at the Victoria Forestry lab.

I try to remember that last, unencumbered summer of 1976.  I spent much of it on my bicycle, roaming around the lower island.  I cycled to Sooke, Saanich, Goldstream Park, looking for places to hike.  I explored the entire shoreline of Victoria, from Esquimalt Harbour past Oak Bay.  I spent weekends in the boat shed at Rainbow Sea Cadets.  I listened to some great music:   Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Abba, Queen, Supertramp, Paul Simon, Peter Frampton, Heart, the Eagles, Bob Seger, the Ramones, Chicago, Boston, Trooper, BTO, Al Stewart.

I hope that the boys wait another year before taking on full-time, summer jobs.  Not just because I'd like to spend more time with them this year, but also because this may be their last chance for the next 50 or 60 years to live a few weeks with the freedom to go anywhere and do anything.