There’s nothing I enjoy more than a good love story – whether that be the love of a woman or a love of the land. But when you combine the two you end up with something so special it just has to be shared. I always knew Joe Wiseman to be a great man but his wife’s testament confirms our suspicions with an authority few will ever experience.
I recently sent out a request to our guides for submissions regarding their personal lives, what they’ve been up to in the off season, what they were reading, music, hobbies, etc. Here is the response I received from Joe Wiseman:
Hi Andrew Here is a little information regarding my most recent or current activities. The bartering system is still alive and well in Newfoundland and Labrador. My friend and I re-shingled my house last week and then I returned the favour by spending a couple of days helping him do the foundation for a new house he is building. No currency exchanged hands for our labours and we don’t even keep count. It’s still the Newfoundland way in many cases. Meanwhile another friend and I spent a day on the water enjoying the most ideal conditions I’ve experienced in some time. The sun was shining brilliantly and as we slowly steamed through the loosely packed, colourful and interestingly shaped ice-pans the reflection was so clear that looking down from the stem of the boat it was difficult to tell sky from water. Of course a bonus was we harvested four seals which we shared with family and enjoyed some delicious seal stews and flipper pies. And what would spring be without the traditional trout fishing excursion. Once again we lucked out with the weather and I was able to convince my friend to take a break while waiting for the foundation of the house to be ready for the next stage. So we headed out on a two hour jaunt over bogs and hills to our favorite pond where we got our quota of beautiful trout averaging about a pound each. This trip is like an annual pilgrimage for us and for me being sixteen years older than my buddy; it’s beginning to feel like a stress test. I just finished and loved reading “Mattie Mitchell – Newfoundland’s Greatest Frontiersman “ by Gary Collins. I am now reading “Abundance–The Future is Better than You Think “, by Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler. My interest in music is always foremost and I just did a CD which should be ready in a week or two. It includes a couple of traditional Irish songs, two accordion instrumentals and original songs composed either by my talented wife Valerie or her equally talented brother Ted. I am now looking forward to meeting some very interesting people this summer, making great new friends and along with McCarthy’s Party delighting in showcasing our great province.
Cheers Joe
As always, Joe provided a perfect response in every sense of the word. So good in fact that I decided to make a blog post out of his writing. But when I wrote a reply to Joe’s email requesting a couple of photographs to go along with his post – his wife Valerie responded with the following letter and so the real story begins – albeit as one of the finest tributes I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.
Hi Andrew, Valerie here (Joe Wiseman’s wife), Joe is on the road this morning, on his way to Deer Lake. I’m sorry, but they didn’t take any pictures during the moments he described in his email, but if it isn’t inappropriate I would like to mention his new CD, ‘Standing in the old house still’. I think he just felt that the time was right to go through the process again. This time he wanted the music and songs to sound more organic so he had my brother Ted produce the CD for him. Ted is a retired teacher and that had been his line of expertise. Ted is also a songwriter and he happily gave Joe three of his songs to record; two beautiful love songs and one up tempo song. For Joe’s last CD, ‘Home is where the heart is, I wrote the twelve songs for him, but for this latest one, I had only four ready. One of them is entitled, ‘A Slow Good-bye’. I believe it will touch hearts because I wrote it with those in mind who are in the process of losing their spouses because of Alzheimer’s. Of course, other light-hearted tracks will offset the sad. With his Irish background, Joe gave into the temptation and recorded two Irish traditional songs that have been around for a hundred years. With a couple of his accordion instrumentals added for those who want to step out on the floor, the CD was complete. I am so pleased with the end result. Samples of the new CD can be heard on Joe’s web site. www.joewiseman.ca
I have also attached a photo of Joe and me taken a couple of years ago. l can’t seem to talk about Joe’s CD without telling a little about him. He is truly a special person; not just in my eyes, but to others as well. He is so tolerant of the introvert, the braggart, the fanatic, and those who have lost their way. If there is some good under the veneer, Joe will find it and that will be the person he sees. He has such a kind soul. He will never try to avoid helping someone in need. Instead he’ll give his time freely and gladly, without a complaint. He treats women with respect and though a silly joke or two may leave his lips, it’s always in good taste. I am so proud to say I am married to a gentleman. For the past twenty-two years Joe Wiseman has been my special buddy. I admire his talent, respect his intellect, am in awe of his wit and humor, and will always love his company. He has passed the test, in flying colors, in being a great father and husband. Sometimes when he comes home late for supper, leaves his clothes on the bedroom floor, or can’t figure out why I bought him a hammer, I think of what really counts; our laughter together, the music, the clicking of wine glasses, enjoying the great outdoors in all seasons together, entertaining good friends, the planning and seeing things through. Sometimes when I get discouraged with a project I am working on, Joe is there to encourage me to no end until I’m back on the right path again, with renewed anticipation. I am truly happy that I met Joe and elated that we married. I looked out my living room window this morning and watched the sun dancing on the harbour water, the harbour he loves so much, and I realized that any life without Joe would have been incomplete. Have a great day, Valerie I know I’m a bit of a softy but this brought a tear to my eye. Joe is indeed a fine gentleman, but as we all know, behind every great man there is an even greater woman. How fortunate we are to have both of you in our lives
The very best from all of us,
The entire McCarthy’s Family –
Mom, Dad, my brothers and their wives,
all your fellow guides, our office staff
and everyone who has ever travelled with us.
