Welcome to the Club - Fall 2021

Never throw this away (like that old Superman comic book you owned).
Old Memories, New Beginnings
One last look, one last walk, I was
leaving my beloved home behind. The
last few months had been heartbreaking
and hectic. The unexpected death of my
husband of 54 years, a home invasion,
the disemboweling of sheds, the heartwrenching
disbursement of household
items, all culminating in this moment.
Goodbye cherished gardens, a home
swollen with treasured memories, a
woodland housing ten acres of native
trees, flowers and songbirds. I was in
despair, I was moving to a senior’s
community in the City of Sarnia.
One first look, one first walk, I was
strolling through my new home, all
one thousand and eighty square feet.
Everything was sterile, no memories
lingered here. Hello little yard, barren
except for the newly laid sod. Well,
helloooo huge deck. Absorbing the
sound of cars whizzing by, planes flying
overhead and the blaring of the train
whistle down the road, I closed my eyes
and longed for the peace and tranquility,
now gone, but never to be forgotten.
However, I did have one consolation
and companion —my Jack Russell terrier,
Jackson. He would also have to adapt to
By Betty Popelier, Sarnia
our new surroundings. No longer having
free reign over a vast territory, now a
leash would limit his every movement.
I must say he adjusted admirably and
seemed to enjoy peering out the living
room window every time a movement
was sensed.
The first few months were difficult
as the move was made in July, and
the hard clay ground refused to yield
to my shovel. Sadly, the little gardens
I envisioned would be postponed until
the following spring. It was going to be
a long summer.
A gazebo that my wonderful daughter
and son in law erected on the huge
deck, and a kindly neighbour, was my
salvation that first distressing year.
Many a warm, hazy afternoon was
spent basking, drink and book in hand,
under the awning of my cozy outdoor
living area. On one of those afternoons I
looked up to see a woman approaching.
She introduced herself as Maggie, a
nearby neighbour. After a friendly chat
she handed me a brochure, and this was
an introduction into a world I thought I
knew, but would be proven wrong.
Lambton Wildlife Inc., an organization
Welcome to ...
dedicated to bringing those with a love of
nature together by means of excursions,
presentations and preservation. That
was me, I loved nature... after all, I had
spent the last 45 years living in the
country, surrounded by 10 acres of bush.
I gave great consideration to becoming
a member, and looked forward to my
first excursion.
The initial outing was viewing the
garden of a landowner within the city
limits. There, wildflowers and shrubs,
native to our environment abounded,
defying the urban setting surrounding
them. I was momentarily transported
back to my treasured, former home.
I was also, for the very first time, to
become more attune and aware of
Mother Nature’s natural beauty.
Since joining this dedicated
organization I have grown to appreciate
and value our environment, gone on a
fungi foray where, in one small forest,
a multitude of these fungi thrive. I have
learned how to identify a leafless tree,
just by examining its bark, but also
appreciating the life and beauty emitting
from the leaves on its branches. I look
at birds in a whole new light, listen for
THE Club
their chorus of song, and seek them out
constantly.
Last summer I actually nurtured a
caterpillar and watched it transform into
a magnificent black swallow butterfly.
My little gardens have become a reality
and there is an area dedicated to native
flowers.
Although now living in a city, nature’s
beauty surrounds me and I am excited
to continue my exploration. There
are approximately 31 trails, open to
walkers, hikers and cyclists of all ages,
encompassing 100 kilometers within
Lambton County alone. They are
brimming with natural wonders and
treasures waiting to be discovered. The
rewards are priceless.
For more information on Lambton
Wildlife Inc, visit www.lambtonwildlife.com
If you need access to additional funds,
using the equity in your home
can be a lower cost way to borrow
the money than taking out a traditional loan.
For example, you can use your home equity to:
RENOVATE YOUR HOME,
AN ADDITION, POOL
BUY AN
ADDITIONAL
PROPERTY
INVEST
IN STOCKS
BARRY
PORTER
Mobile Mortgage
Specialist
BUY A CAR
OR BOAT
Cell: 519-466-3833
E-mail:
barry.porter@rbc.com
FALL 2021 Popular Slogans... Gilette - The best a man can get.
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