It was more than a summer job.

I worked for the Wendell's for three summers. The first summer I lived at home and drove out to the farm near MacNutt, SK everyday. But by the second summer my parents had moved to a community 5 hours north. I have never spent much time exploring any potential connection there. I didn't threaten to move home again and they didn't move away.

So the second summer I stayed in a campground maybe 15 minutes (I really have no idea) from the farm. This was a good set up, I had my own space, teeny as it was. My parents let me use their 15 foot (?) 1983 Prowler. Oh yeah. Again, this generosity might have been to discourage any job, searches in Flin Flon...hmmm, hadn't thought of that. But I didn't want to go to Flin Flon, I wanted to go back to the honey farm and work with Keely, Jake and Sharky. So I camped, at Pyotts West, a campground on the (wait for it) west side of Lake of the Prairies.That camper was great, but it was pretty teeny - good for one person. Not sure how my whole family ever used that thing.  Keel, Isabel and I called it my "Compartment"  and several times considered writing Bill Richardson at the CBC with tales of that space. 

That was the summer Keely made me a tape: one side had Living Under June (Jann Arden) and the other had Surfacing (Sarah Mclachlan).  In 1995 there wasn't much for radio in the country (just good ol' GX94) so I listened to those tapes.  I listened a lot.  And when I didn't have those on I listened to CBC radio.  "As it Happens" with Michael Enright and Barbara Budd, Vicky Gabareau, Peter Gzowski - they all kept me company at work and in my little compartment.  Those were the summers I fell in love with the CBC.

Now if you can think WAY back to 1995ish - member how we didn't have cell phones?  At all?  And sometimes we didn't even have a phone that wasn't attached to the wall? GASP?  I called people from the PAYPHONE.  Looking back I'm really not sure how I managed that but I will you this:  I wasn't bored and  I wasn't lonely (well, maybe twice).  I was freaking EXHAUSTED, who had time for lonely or bored??

Summer three was to be my last summer with the Wendells.  By then they had adopted me and let me stay in their house.   They charged me some scandolously cheap fee for room and board.  I thought I was in heaven.  Especially when you remember the summer before I ate hotdogs and lived in a compartment.  Now would be the time to mention that ISABEL CAN COOK!  Wow.  And she made my lunch!  That was probably one of my most favorite summers. As I write this, I'm truly considering moving back in.  I would probably have to kick someone out of my room.  That would be awkward, but only for the first little bit. 

Working on a honey farm was important to me b/c I truly think it changed who I am today.  I learned about myself working there.  I mean, I give credit to my parents and to my boss at my first job (gas jockey, full service "jump to the MF pump kids") with teaching me about responsibility and hard work, but it all came into play at the honey farm. 

I learned:
- that I never (ever) want to work hard again.  I learned to think long and hard about my lifelong career and to choose something with decent hours, air conditioning, nice clothes, and the option to sit down whenever the hell I want. 
- the joy of a coffee break
- the honey farm = fat camp.  So long "Freshman 15"
- I can catch a gardner snake and toss the efffer into the bush to save my dear friend Keely. 
- I am not afraid of live mice, but the thought of discovering a dead rat filled me with unreasonable horror
- pancakes are served best with sour cream and brown sugar (thank you for that gift Grandma Wendell)
- I don't swell when a bee stings me (which sucks b/c then NO ONE CARES  and you STILL HAVE TO WORK)
- a cold budweiser at 5:30 on a friday is The Best Thing Ever

Tim and Isy, I hope Maddie can come and work for you someday.  I want her to learn all of the above. Thank you.



You don't believe me?  Check it out...
http://wendellestate.ca/
http://www.prairiebees.ca