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Andrea Ernst

@andreaernst_

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It’s been a long long long last two months ~ so much has occurred. A dear old friend became very ill, and deeply shared her last few weeks with many of us. Every spare moment suddenly became the hospital, the profound day-to-day moments of sheer beauty and utter sadness. Two days after our very loved friend passed away, Grandson Aliah married his forever bride, then two days after that momentous occasion I stepped into a silver tube at midnight ~ woke up in Australia. And here I am now. Purposely, with intention, rising with the Kookaburras just after 5:00am to watch the glorious sun rise. Which thankfully it does. Each and every day. This life is for living. And for saying yes to everything that you can. ♥️ taken in Fernleigh, New South Wales, Australia by @andreaernst_

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2

a month ago

Very important day today. It’s the Beaver Point Hall Celebration for Christine Sigurgeirson Donnelly Ross’s 90th Birthday! Christine has always been such a constant inspiration in my life, and of course so many others. If I think back, Christine was the very first extraordinarily vital, mature woman, that I met on Saltspring almost fifty years ago now. Was always in awe of how Christine navigated raising a third daughter in a second marriage with seeming ease. And then of course there was Little Red Schoolhouse.

How can any of us forget that kind nurturing duo of Bly Kaye and Christine. There they were guiding our precious little South End children through their very first experiences in that historic school house. Oh we all were so incredibly fortunate. Children and parents.

And then there is the real fact that I used to secretly wish that Christine was MY Mother. Christine has never hesitated to reach out to me throughout some rough, tough patches in my own life. Unfailingly. Generously giving of her own time through any number of Christine’s own trials and tribulations. So grateful.

Anyhow, here we are today all these years later. Many of our darling fresh children now have their own children. And Christine now has arm loads of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And of course Trinity lives nearby and has been such a strong, dare-I-say, devoted daughter.

Today we will gather to celebrate, to honour, to share our collective respect and regard for an extraordinary woman. So wonderful!

(Nice to see dear Leslie in this photo with Christine and Bly as well)♥️♥️♥️ by @andreaernst_

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4 months ago

It was a serious push to get everything done and taken care to get up to Nanaimo for the HEU 2026 Regional. One of the unexpected surprises of this more mature life has been discovering how much I love Unions and the entire Union movement.

Have been reflecting back to try and understand why I feel so strongly about worker’s rights. Think the book The Grapes of Wrath may have been pivotal? Or the countless images of the dust bowl years both here in Canada and the US. Then the stories of the Dirty Thirties when men (and likely some women) rode the rails across our large country trying so desperately to find work.

Here in BC there are some good Labour Historians that I must read more from. In the meantime here we are in 2026. So many of the people that I have met here at this Conference work beyond hard in the health care field. And their bodies pay a serious price for tending those we place in institutions.

Seems to me in this ever aging population combined with fewer and fewer Health Care workers the years ahead are not sustainable for employees. We are going to have to start initiating difficult conversations around how we age. And what our expectations are.

Anyhow. . . In the meantime today I shall enjoy being here in Nanaimo learning more about how to support my co-workers. And how to be incredibly aware of what Unions here in BC actually do for so many of us. Very grateful. by @andreaernst_

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5 months ago

Have so much respect for my eldest daughter Natasha McCabe and her astounding OTB Jack. Jack is really the horse that an Outback-style story could be written about. On the track one of those game honest little horses that always tried his big heart out. Then when Jack left the track he went to another owner who campaigned this horse at every far flung jump course that existed. Basically hop on the large trailer with other horses and live on the road jumping at each place where a jump-purse existed. And in the marvellous country of rural Australia there still exist countless venues where dedicated horse people gather. They gather to ride. And to jump. Full stop.

Then Tash entered Jack’s life. Tash had been searching for another horse after her big flashy jumper indicated he wanted to reside in a large show barn type of place. Jack had/has a more humble approach to life. And Tash and Jack fell into an immediate lovely trusting partnership. Seven months ago both Jack and Tash had a few physical setbacks.

And yesterday they together rode back into a beautiful sense of rhythm and mutual trust. And they truly earned second place in a Championship jump off. So proud of these two. And even more proud of Natasha’s careful considerat caring horsemanship. Well done Jack & Tash ♥️♥️🐎♥️♥️ by @andreaernst_

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6 months ago

Blessed Solstice to one and all from the Saltspring Island, BC Forest. We have made it! Today begins the slow spin back towards the light (or adieu to the longest night ~ whichever way you view life). Truthfully, I can never remember the correct term. All I know is we have collectively up here in the North made it through the endless gloom. Beyond grateful. Thankful to feel the strong sense of gratitude in my star-laden-bones for the return of sun. Of light. And for my wonderful family that keeps me going.
#Solsticeblessings #gratitude #tonighttheancestorswillcircleafire #forestlife #feelingtheseason #happiness by @andreaernst_

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10 months ago

Waking up in gloriously warm Medicine Hat and ready to reach Eastend today. It’s been a wonderful road trip with so many insightful experiences. Shall formulate my thoughts a bit better over the next few days.

In the meantime, it’s good, solidly good to be back out here on the Prairies where I belong. This is home.

Mountains were intimidating and beautiful as always too. ♥️ by @andreaernst_

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a year ago

And that’s a wrap. Both of my wonderful jobs will be on pause for two weeks. Family responsibilities are on pause for the same time. But with lots of love still flowing west and south. Figured out what I am going to do when I grow up.

And tomorrow I get to hit the road with the trusty Roque. Hoping to meander. Take my time. Sit in the sun where I want when I want. Stay in my favourite out-of-the-way cheap motels. And above all, get back home to happy Eastend, SK.

Oh yes, and spend time dismantling 1/2 of the Cedar Ave House. And really really really get to know that yard. The trees. The falling-in fragile house. The backyard! Not to mention check on my compost at the Blue House. And turn 67 in my happy place.

Today will finish loving up my plants and tending my little courtyard garden. Oh the bliss of personal freedom! Happiness ♥️ by @andreaernst_

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2

a year ago

Day 2.5. This Granny was in bed at 8:30pm, Grandchild decided to crawl into bed at 9:30pm. We had a long day at the Park and then Bader’s Beach until after 5:00pm. Amazed by all the oysters Tourists gather all day by the bucket loads there. Do any locals even eat them?

Anyhow, wonderful sleep and then the morning began. I don’t actually know how parents gather their children together in the mornings? From the ice cubes required in the water bottles, hair braided, to specific types of pancakes, to untold changes of clothing packed, to requests for hamsters with buldging black eyes that look like they would fall out of their heads, to tiny tiny treasures that MUST be packed, and on and on. . .

Baton (and Grandchild) passed over to Uncle Sean Sean now. Thank you Sean! ♥️ by @andreaernst_

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0

a year ago

Day One of embracing the joy of being a responsible Granny. We made it through the night, and what a triumph! (Clicked the wrong button here and hit AI ~ if these words don’t sound like mine it’s because they are not!). Not used to sleeping with a little person anymore, who changes positions every ten minutes or so, but we adapted. Figured out breakfast, thanks to Luna's expertise in making the perfect pancakes. And I learned a valuable lesson on properly packing a lunchbox - little people are absolutely brilliant! Far smarter, it seems, than those of us sliding down the hill into our later sixties - a humbling realization.

We were out the door and into the car in record time, and we were the first to arrive at the sacred Kindergarten doors. Granny, remember, DO NOT go in the red doors! What a pleasure to see Shawn and his lovely red-headed daughter Pippa, and other familiar Saltspringers navigating the first full week of Kindergarten. The sense of community was truly uplifting! After settling Luna into her circle, I treated myself to a well-deserved cup of tea and a moment of relaxation (OMG AI took out the word smoke!)

I'll be back at noon, hopefully with a visit with Granddaughter Sloane, and then we will tackle the busy day ahead together. Being a Granny, Grandma, GG is a true blessing - life is good when we're alive!♥️ by @andreaernst_

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3

a year ago

Watched the golden morning sun glow up
a miniature rose bush in my tiny garden this morning. Nothing overly remarkable about this nameless rose. BUT what is of note is how encouraging life is.

All of you likely know these roses. They are on every grocery store throughout much of the season. They are certainly cheap enough. They look great for about three weeks and then they just lose their life force. The buds dry out. The flowers disappear. The mood has passed. And they often are discarded.

But, here is my however. . I have been experimenting with planting these spent roses outside in the garden. Giving them a good bone meal feed, healing some compost around them, and my new super power food ~ pellets of sheep’s wool. Last winter I threw a towel over some during the cold snap.

And now look a year later! My first one is about to bloom. It’s easily quadrupled in size. It grew in Hosta friendly shade. And its life force has returned with a vigor. So encouraging. by @andreaernst_

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a year ago

In the blink of a lifetime’s eye suddenly there are seven people you love far beyond a verbal understanding of what familial love truly is. And all standing there in a far way Continent named Australia. Yet you can easily remember a life when all you seven wonderful people were not even born.

This life is some marvellous never-ending experience. So very grateful this Easter 2025. And dear Dan, how much I love you too. Your endless hard work, your values around all that family means is so inspiring. And my wonderful girls (women), well you parent your children with such grace and patience. And to my sweet so-loved grandchildren that are present in the photo enjoy that Lennox Gelato in the sun with each other! Happy Blessed Easter 🐣 by @andreaernst_

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a year ago

And off my beloved girls go into the Night Sky Australia bound for Easter with Tash & Family. Must say it’s emotional as it’s a big trip, and I miss them already. Vancouver to Auckand, Auckand to Sydney, NSW and then finally Ballina, NSW where Tash will be waiting. Travel well you two♥️♥️ by @andreaernst_

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2 years ago