We are what we …read. Food for the soul, vitamins for the brain, laughter for the heart.

I was never very scholastic, finding the ritual of sitting at a desk, memorizing words spoken by a monotone teacher extremely hard to remain awake to. The education of Sherryl came from what I read. It didn’t matter what, a how-to book, popular science or the school encyclopidia missing books D and M. Anything in print I absorbed, if I had a question an itch that needed to be scratched I could always find the answer written down somewhere. 

 A popular saying in our house was, “If at first you don’t succeed, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!” That saying stuck with me, and over the years I discovered the wonder of the Web. Every conceivable question I had was answered at the click of a button! 

 “Heaven, I’m in heaven”  And I am, at least for now my part of Canadian Heaven is called Port Hardy BC. Many people stammer in utter disbelief when they realize I am living up here! “What possessed you to move there?”

Growing up in Ontario had left me longing for summer days of driving dusty back roads in search of adventure. So after ten years of Gulf Island living I went in search of space. I typed in the parameters of my desires, clicked the mouse three times, and read on; “Port Hardy where the highway ends and the adventures begin!” 

Reading the town was surrounded by lakes and rivers free from development, with miles of logging roads just waiting for me to explore had me hooked.  Bonus, it was cottage country without the cottages! I sold my Gabriola home, bought a 4X4, replenished my tackle box and headed north.

How does an outdoor enthusiast make use of the written word for more than light reading while soaking up the sun?  I read how to use a marine radio, helpful as I navigated Knights Inlet in a tug boat my first time at sea. Studied the art of Fly Fishing, learned to bait a crab trap and smoke salmon. Books on BC lead to a gold panning expedition. Last week an article complete with diagrams helped me fix the linkage on my truck.  I’ve looked up plants and insects that defy identification as memory has it’s limitations.

Authors like James Michner, have opened my mind as I traveled through Texas, Chesapeake and Alaska. Anne Rice was with me as I walked the French Quarter of New Orleans. Jonathan & Faye Kellerman helped me fall in love with Arizona. While stories from Clive Cussler and Jimmy Buffet keep me living by the ocean.

Just last night I helped a friend who had a painful jellyfish sting and didn’t want pee on her face!LMAO…. {Long Story} I now know white vinigar will work, and that you should never use fresh water it will only agravate the sting

 From reading I have taught myself so many things.I feel so lucky to be born in an age where information has become so readily availible. If there is to be a moral to this, it is to never stop learning.

   Yes you are what you read and I’ll never stop! This I believe.