I want to tell a story; a novel.

I need to write it, to experience it again.

The first time I was in awe…

Just along for the ride.

It’s over like that summer storm.

The one that never was.

The one that was a forecast.

In the time before because…

I left school, not going back.

My mind is blank, the exam is up.

But I still have those dreams.

And no one heard the screams.

I watch her here so closely.

I can almost see her grow.

She tells me I’m a good Dad.

She’s the only one to know.

I feel it is now or never.

But that’s just in my head.

I eat now when I’m hungry.

The monster’s fat and fed.

The days are just spent writing. Pretentious story that’s in my head. Better get it down on paper… Before I forget those things you said.

Dennis Mantin

Cavendish…

Sand dunes rise out of the falling tide of the Gulf of St Lawrence…

The boardwalk side of the dunes rise above the beach for as high as 30 to 40 feet and hold fast the marsh grasses that hang on…

The beach side hold sand, gulls and tourists…

This is one of the many paradises I have found in this part of the world 🌎

I am closer to home however I feel no particular bond here. It’s just nice and peaceful and calm and lovely here at Cavendish Beach…

Torn between 2 worlds now; the one we just left in Cape Breton; the place I want to be; and the one where I work in Toronto…

This is what the wise might refer to as a high-end problem; which isn’t a problem at all. I actually like what I do for work. I like where I live. I just prefer Cape Breton.

She is happy and I am writing again…

They built a house that still stands straight; with a fireplace- 4 openings on every side of the rectangular 7’x 9′ construction.

Their 2 storey home built around the fireplace openings on top of a hill a stones throw from the Bra dor lake near Iona.

Brilliant design and choices 👏

I found the house of my ancestors, 1820 (circa) and it is a thing of beauty.

Dennis Mantin

J.K. (John Kenneth) was my uncle and he drank a wee bit every now and then. JK liked white rum and whenever he was running low he would say to whoever was there…

“I think it’s time for a highball dear.”

Whenever he would have to much and someone would have to walk or drive him home… He’d say without fail:

“Say nothing and saw wood. “

I met Mary Aseph 88 today who is the mother of my friend Ferris and who until today I didn’t know we are related. Mary’s mother and my Grandfather ‘Little Jimmy MacIver’ were first cousins.

I will be traveling this week to ‘MacIver’s Cove’ near Iona Cape Breton for the first time, with my daughter Zylia 9 to look up more of the MacIver’s!

This is exciting for me and a log for Zylia when she is older.

Mary Aseph

Little Jimmy MacIver

Zylia

Dennis Mantin

She answered the phone and replied to whatever was asked,

“We are just sitting here reminiscing. “

It’s funny how one word changes everything…

‘Is that what we’re doing?’ I thought and concluded that she was correct. I think I’m done reminiscing.

I think it’s time for a brand new renaissance; a different approach. Let’s let the past lie; in all its glory and confusion.