A Live Well Lived

I was at a funeral last night to which over 600 people attended. That has got to say a lot about the individual! He was fun-loving, caring, outgoing and congenial. A bit of a trickster too (correction: a lot of trickster) helping to either draw people or turn them away. In his case, it seemed to draw them. Not that numbers indicate popularity as state funerals and big name celebrities often have "extras" with gawkers or groupies attending on the sidelines. But these people were there simply encouraging and supporting family and friends, acknowledging a fine man. Rest in peace, Harry.

How do you sum up a man's life in pictures? 25 good ones or 100 not so good or a 1,000 of everything they were able to find? Not sure if you enjoy looking at other people's pictures but I sure do. They tell a story. For Harry, family and friends were a priority. Volunteering obviously enjoyable to him as he did so much of it. Being in the thick of things, helping wherever he could.

The rest of us will now simply cherish any memories we have of him. It might do us all well to follow his example of helping others. Not to 'get the numbers' attending our funeral but to enjoy the fruits of our labor while we still have opportunity to do so.

Enjoy your day and make it even better by sharing yourself with others.

Good Weekend

The past weekend was a good time. I was at the farm for a few days and the weather was great. I am happy to say that they finished doing silage and that John was able to come home on Sunday. Aside from that good news, I enjoyed a quick ride back and forth on the cutter with John. It was cramped quarters but still an 'experience'. Pictures don't capture the feel or the real look inside the cab but here's a few anyway. I tried downloading my video but I guess it was too long so the site won't take it. Pics will have to do.

Noisy inside but great view

Good Crop

Straight Rows

I think I have always mentioned about the great sky and clouds at the farm. They seem to go on forever. Just a sampling...

I think Fall must be arriving early as we saw lots of this happening -




Geese heading south

 And of couse, lots of these...so cute...

She enjoyed licking the car and window. John said she must be a girl as she's checking herself out in the mirror!  They definitely were not shy. They surrounded the truck when we called them - just curious!

Next thing will be harvest in a few more weeks. That's a great time too. The trees will have turned colour and it will be beautiful. However, don't want to rush summer out too soon. Just enjoy each day as it comes, winter will be here soon enough!

Determined Hornets

Three RAID bottles later, and those little fellas are determined to build a home in the fallout zone!  Although there is not as many as there were, and even with their little buddies lying dead in the entrance, they still want to fly in and set up shop! The third bottle was sprayed last night and after the entrance was filled with white foam, we still had one guy fly out. Amazing and determined!

I am heading to the farm today to see my honey. I will be away for a day or two. Although I don't see him too much while I am there as he is on the equipment and in the field, I do get a chance to reconnect and to visit with family. Also will stop to visit John's mom who is 102 years old. You would never know that as she is so young in appearance - maybe 80! I think her secret was hard work and no makeup - not that she needed it - a natural 'the girl next door beauty'!!

It poured here last night but it is sunny this morning. There was a small drizzle on the farm but nothing to worry about - they are out in the field this morning.

Going cruisin'...with no air conditioner. It will be like the ol' days with the windows down and the deafening roar of the wind. Ahhhh memories....

R A I D !!

We have a hornets nest in our cedars on the front walk. They found a little spot and have made themselves at home.  I noticed a few of them flying around and once you do take notice...well, you see a lot! They weren't harming anyone but still...there were a lot of them going in and out of the nest. So, we purchased some RAID!!Hornet and Wasp spray. $11 a can. It was a white foam that covers the whole nest and then disappears.

White foam spray

John protected...neighbor not!

John chose to wear his plastic coverup just in case he got them riled up with the spray. They did hang around for a long time. It was amazing to see how many hornets were actually coming and going. Judging by the number that came back wanting to go into the nest, there were quite a few more than what I thought were flying around.

We tried it on Sat nite after it had cooled down a bit and on Sun morning it looked quiet. Sun evening they were buzzing around again so I bought a 2nd can and emptied it on them.

This morning, I looked into the nest and could see a pile of them (dead). One flew out though which means that some are still alive or else he just went in before I got there and came out right away. Not sure. I think I will have to do it one more time!!

Date Night

Friday is 'date night' with my hubby. However, since Edmonton was playing BC in the evening, we needed to do our date earlier in the afternoon (it's callled compromise!).   So....we went to the movies to see 'The Help'.  If you get a chance, go to it. A very good movie. Probably the best one we have seen in awhile. My sister-in-law told me about the book and suggested I read it. A good read she said. The show is 2.5 hrs - not a little 90 minute thing but I never looked at my watch once. It was good to the the very end. It's hard to believe our society ever thought this way but at the same time, things haven't changed a lot. Just take a look around.
http://www.cinemaclock.com/movies/alb/Edmonton/41613/The_Help.html

Cool

It was cool this morning - only 8 C when I got up. It had rained last night and was windy. You'd never know it was summer.  However, this morning it is sunny, still windy and not yet warm but I am sure it is headed that direction.  Kinda reminded me of a late winter, cool day. Ugh! (but still beautiful)!

Surprise

Big surprise!  It had been raining a bit at the farm so John called and said he would be home for supper! He will be in town for a few days and, weather permitting, he hoped he would head back to the farm again on Sunday. After arriving home, he got a call from there which said the wind had picked up and things were drying nicely and they were out in the fields. Go figure. Anyway, he is committed now to do a few things here so will be in town for a few more days.

In the meantime, I went back for my blood work this morning after doing another 12 hour fast. This time, I definitely made sure I was drinking 'clear' water! They poked the same arm and thankfully, this time, it didn't hurt. Last time it pinched and I ended up with a good bruise!

I am so thankful that I do not have to go to clinics, doctors, x-rays, blood transfusions, radiation, chemo, physicotherapy or anything else for that matter on a regular basis. A person should be thankful for their good health and not take it for granted. This week I am definitely doing so!

Wrong Choice!

Well I thought I would ' beat the system' and just walk in and wait to get my lab work done as the Dr. instructed. I needed to fast for 12 hours so last night about 7 pm I took my final 'bite' and drank water the rest of the evening. It is very interesting to see how focused our minds, well, my mind is on food. Especially when you can't have it!

The clinic opened at 8 am so I was there at 8:15 to allow those who had booked on line to get processed (or so I thought). It seemed that of the 15 people in front of me, most of them did NOT have an appointment. They were just waiting like me!!  Anyway, as I had just taken in all my bottles to the return depot, I did not have a water bottle in case I was feeling hungry or thirsty. So, I stopped at the Mohawk next to the clinic to buy one. Well, all they had was flavored water which I took without thinking. I did comment to the cashier that I wanted plain but only because I am not a fan of flavored - not because I shouldn't have had it for my blood tests. No....I was not thinking about that.

So, I registered and waited.  I was called at 8:35 am and as I was seated and waiting for her to 'draw blood' it hit me! Oh Oh...I sheepishly asked if it made a difference to the tests if I was drinking this flavored water (all the time knowing that of course it did!!!). She seemed hesitant to say yes, tried to say it was up to me....then asked another lab tech and finally they said it would not be good to do.  They could do some of the tests but I would have to do another 12 hr fast and come in again. Wouldn't you know it!!

I was finished the tests by 9:15 and gone. My parking stub was good till 10:15 so I put it back into the retrieval spot for the next guy (if he wanted it). Pay it forward!

I headed to McDonald's for an egg mcmuffinn and coffee and then came home and decided to cut the grass. That hopefully would wear off those calories! With all the rain, it was getting long, even though John had just cut it on Sunday. One bag full. It looks good and I feel good for doing it.

Now I have to figure out when I can go for the rest of those tests...let me see....I need 12 hrs of no food....hmmmm ...where can I fit that in??

It's been a few days and lots of little stuff happening but nothing too significant. John has gone to the farm to try to do some silage but the weather is not cooperating. Beautiful and sunny and then a light shower in the evening to stop cutting. In the morning it is damp so they have to wait and by evening again....well, you know the story.  However, at the farm there is always something to do so he's not sitting around.

I went for my annual checkup. The Dr. gave me the paper with all the 'tick marks' to have blood work etc and I headed out to have it done. It was 9 a.m. and the clinic was packed! They told me I could phone a central number and make an appointment so I thought I would go home and do that as I had volunteered to answer phones at work from 11 to 1:30 and I didn't want to 'get caught' in the lineup and not be finished the testing.

The central phone number is a good idea but I was surprised that I could not get in for another week. He told me I could go and wait and eventually get in as they stagger appointments and take people as they have the time. I guess people don't always keep their appointments, they are late, or they phone and cancel at the last moment. Anyway, I thought I would play it safe and book and then go and try to sit and wait it out. Because I have to 'fast' I was hoping to do so 'overnite' and then get in early but I guess everyone thinks the same way and the morning appointments are all full. Add to that the other things I have to do and somehow the day is gone before you know...the week too!


With all the rain we have been getting, the skies have been beautiful and the clouds something else!! Here's a few pics:



Sunday night before the rain

 On Wednesday it was dark and while I was inside at a meeting, it had poured and there was thunder and lightening that you could hear inside the building. Coming outside about 9:30 pm and it was fresh and clean and a beautiful sunset. Pictures never can capture it correctly and you miss out on the wonderful smell of fresh rain!



Beautiful sunset after the rain

 On Sunday afternoon, I was out at Pigeon Lake with our neighbors and came upon this porcupine on the road. He was not in a hurry to get out of the way but by the time we got our seatbelts undone and got out to take a picture, he was headed into the bush. Still...here's another pic...



Heading into the bush

 I went to a 40th anniversary celebration for our friends Gerry and Karen last night. Their daughters had put on a little party and gave them one of those 'coffee table books' with their life story in it! Great pictures and captions. Absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful keepsake of their lives to date! It's interesting to look back at the hairstyles, the clothing, the faces and bodies and see the changes! Where does the time go?




40 years of bliss (see their book looks just like them too)

Since we were waiting till after we did our house siding to put in our plants, I got a late start on them. In the end, I picked up a few at the Superstore garden centre which was already closing down and they had all their plants on for $0.49 each! Usually, you pay a couple of bucks for each one. I didn't go crazy as the plants were not at their best, but...they appear to be doing ok now that they are in my flower beds. 

They are starting to spread a bit (finally)



Wave petunias

It's nice to have Perrenials!

Just starting to bloom

Another beautiful day today as it is supposed to go to 30 C which is too hot for me. Thankfully, the new windows and siding have made a BIG difference to keeping the house cool. I am sure it will do the same thing in the winter when it is cold. Ouch! Bite my tongue for even talking about winter! I need to just enjoy the warm weather while it's here!

One More Thing ...

I should have added this picture yesterday in my little video clip ... seems like yesterday ... only we have all aged a bit (but gracefully)!!

Anton & Annie Davediuk, John & Linda, Hazel & Ed Field





Happy Anniversary, Honey!

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Decisions

I got an email last night from a cousin who was forwarding on some information about the death of the mother of one of our other cousins. Unfortunately, even though she was in Edmonton and in the hospital, we did not know that. Obviously, we are not close cousins. Even so, we are saddened to hear of her passing.  The funeral will be in Sask on Friday. Of course,now I am thinking of all the different ways for me to get there.

I checked out my air miles and my aero miles plans and I don't have enough on either one of them to go too much past my own back door! You definitely need to be spending $$ to accumulate air miles. Guess I don't do that either!

Short of driving 9 plus hours one way to get there, it looks like I will be staying home. I think I could convince my hubby to take on the trip but I know he is itching to go farming so that likely won't happen. Driving myself is another story and I don't think that will happen either.

Oh well, as they say "all dressed up.....and no place to go..".

Just thinking...

I worked today. It was a busy, full day and I enjoyed every minute of it. At one point during the day, I remember thinking how fortunate I was to have a job that I liked doing (albeit only two days a week), good people to work with and the ability to choose whether I want to work here or someplace else or not at all. I am not thinking of changing jobs...simply being thankful for the one I already have.

I visited my friend yesterday who has Alzheimer's. She is at a different location as she is being checked out and her meds are being modified and thus she is being observed. She seems to be doing well but is noticeably more quiet. I am not sure if that is the drugs or the disease. Anyway, as we all know, patients with this disease forget things and often where they are, why they are there and who YOU are. She doesn't recognize me when I come in. Her friend of thirty plus years. She does not know me but seems willing to walk with me and even go outside the building. I am thankful they allow this for her. There are some patients in her area that are quite vocal, screaming and crying most of the time and others who are continually using expletives to share emotions. It cannot be a comforting thing for my friend to hear this regularly. 

I thought about how fortunate I was to be able to come and go from my home, my job, shopping centre, church, wherever I choose to go. I admit I take it for granted. I am thankful for my health - oh, I have aches and pains but nothing compared to what so many others are experiencing.

 How difficult it must be to be 'caught up in yourself' and unable to get out. I am realizing that unless I go or one of her family members or other friends, she remains inside looking out.  That is always where you find her - at the end of the hall, looking out the window. She's not sure where she is at or what she is looking toward but it is OUT. Away from where she is standing, outside of where she is living. So many are there without family or friends to visit or even touch their hand, or share a smile.

Yesterday, an elderly gentleman was staring at me while I waited for the nurse. I smiled at him and said hello. I told him that it was a nice day outside. It was sunny.  He never took his eyes off me. He had blue, blue eyes which were circled with redness which made me think he had been crying. He just stared at me and then walked towards me. I admit I was a bit apprehensive. I remember thinking that maybe I shouldn't have mentioned 'outside'.  He began talking to me, mumbling about something. He was quite intent about whatever he was saying. I simply smiled and nodded my head in agreement. What else could I do? He seemed satisfied with that. After I walked away, I wondered if it had made any sense to him. What a terrible disease.

As I was saying, my day went by fast as I was so busy. I wonder how fast it went for my friend as she looked out the window?

Long Weekend

Well, I guess the L - o - n - g  weekend is almost over. Weather was good except for an occasional late night shower. Last night we had lightening and thunder and only a bit of rain. Nature was just exercising her voice so there was not any accumulation of moisture this morning, thankfully.

Yesterday we went to Jurassic Forest, north of the town of Gibbons. It was very good. A great family place. A friend of ours manages it and it appears to be increasing in popularity. A lot of groups go through it as well as families. We had no kids or grandkids with us but enjoyed it just as much. I really enjoyed seeing all the young kids and how excited they were with the displays. They were all very good.  My camera doesn't do any of them justice, but here's a sampling;

This guy makes me think of a 'pointer'



Forget his name but he's big



Rides for the kids



I definitely need a new camera as these video clips are not the greatest but...It tooks us about an hour and a half to go through it and we didn't read everything.They have a boardwalk that is roped off which somehow makes it more authentic. I don't know...I thought it was very enjoyable. I won't show you everything - you need to check it out yourself!

Tomorrow is a work day so I guess I will be back at it! At least it will feel like a short work week.  It is weird as we are usually gone the August long weekend but not this year. It makes the summer feel longer I think as we now have the whole month ahead of us and we're not going anywhere!  John will likely go to the farm this week.

Nice way to end a long weekend. Blue sky, no clouds, sunshine and the sounds of lawnmowers. Ahhhhhh summer....