Summer Reflections

The last day of the month! Where did summer go? The months have flow by. On the May long weekend, we were in Jasper with our neighbors camping. It was beautiful.

Our neighbors Karen & Jerry

We had planned on going to Slave Lake this year to camp but because of the fire there, they cancelled us and refunded our money. Thankfully, things are getting back to normal. The first rebuilt home-owner moved back into their new home yesterday. I am sure many others will soon follow. If you think you have problems, imagine what those people have and are going through still. 

The next weekend we were at the Jasper Park Lodge for a conference. Beautiful weather and saw lots of bears. 

A long hike into Jasper

On the golf course at Jasper Park Lodge

Bears on the golf course - a regular occurence

Not that we weren't busy. We updated all the windows in our house in June, and in July we had new installation and siding put on our house and garage. A new fancy front door and beautiful glass patio door as well.



Before

After

In July we went camping  with our kids to Nelson, BC. Although it had been raining there a lot, it did finally stop and it was hot on the many trips we made to visit surrounding points of interest.

Happy Campers

Gracie loved this push cart and was "off and running"



At the Glass House - 2011



The Glass House - dad & me 1955

Nelson is an artsy little town. We had a good time with the kids and then they headed west and we headed to Radium.  Camping has still got to be one of my (our) favourite things to do. I love the campfire and the relaxing and reading and hiking to see new things. It's even better when the weather is nice, which always seems to happen for us at Radium. They had been doing renovations this year and were not accepting reservations on-line so amazingly enough it was hardly busy at all. Guess people assumed it might be full and didn't want to take a chance. It was quiet and serene this year. Lovely.

Home Sweet Home



On our way home from Radium, we stopped in to visit my brother Ken and his wife Wendy at Kananaskis. They were working for Parks Canada this past summer. A beautiful location with lots to see and do. Lots of bears in the area as well.  I think we would need a hardside trailer, not a tent-trailer but beautiful there anyway. Never did get a picture of Wendy this time around but here's one from a previous visit with them...




Ken & Wendy, Oct 2010



Ken meets us at the front gate

Grizzly and her cub right in front of us

Ken and me in front of Lower Lake

Well, that's up to mid-July. Putting in these few pictures took me some time as I relived it all. Guess I will finish the rest of the summer next time.

Beauty & the Beast

Translated, it means the beautiful and colorful autumn trees and the north wind blowing through them today! What a contrast. Sunday it was 32 C and today it didn't reach 20 C and with the wind blowing, you can take it down a notch or two. The sun was shining and the sky was blue and there was some amazing beauty in the colourful leaves being blown off the trees and into the streets and lawns.

Still...it is a reminder of things to come. Why do we live here? Oh yes, Eskies football, Oilers hockey, ice skating, the beautiful white snow, X-country skiing, downhills skiing, tobogganing. Hopefully we have a few more days (even a month or two) of green grass, coloured leaves, warm weather before we enjoy the blanket of white.

Evening Beauty

I was cleaning up the kitchen tonite and looked out the window to see the most spectacular sunset happening. I couldn't see it well for the trees but I could see the bright orange and yellow sky, so I grabbed my keys and took off to find a more open space.  I made a U-turn at the end of my block to get a better picture of the sun at the end of the street.

It was amazingly bright yellow! I thought I could get a more open shot down 28th Avenue so I headed there. I pulled off to the side of the road and took a few more...

You can tell the sun is setting now but the pink hue was amazing. Wish I had a better camera to capture it.

Couldn't resist the one in my side rear view mirror.

Loved the little pita pockets in the sky. What a feast for the eyes tonite!

Where did the time go?

I got a picture from my brother this week of me taken when I was 19. I can't remember why I ended up having a portrain taken but must have been because I got a coupon! Anyway, interesting enough, I had my hair done on Thursday and I realized I had the same color of clothing on as this old picture. Do you see any resemblance in these women????

I'm not sure why I could not get the first photo any larger but you can still see the comparison. Wow, where did the years go?

On the Run

I'm on the run again. Off to an all-day Care Seminar by John Auxier, Ph.D.  Topics? domestic violence and the church, Internet addictions, pornography, child abuse and in the afternoon crisis intervention, suicide prevention to end the day.  If you don't have these things in your life (be happy) they seem so 'unreal' but unfortunately too many people do!

The day is supposed to be a high of 27C and that's good - I'll be in an air conditioned room!

Busy Week

It has been a very busy week. Lots of phone calling, changing schedules, typing new schedules, phone calling, changing schedules - well, you get the picture. It's amazing how much time that can take.  However, in the end, things are working out.  Our Stephen Ministry training will not go ahead in our church this year but thankfully another church is training and our three candidates have agreed to go there. Wonderful. That is the reason we network to accomplish this. The only difficulty was that the other church had already started and completed two sessions since Sept 6 and so we had to do an all-day workshop on Saturday to catch up. But...we did it! I was so happy that the candidates agreed to the switched training night (Tues) from the one we had proposed (Thurs). I know it meant they had to do some re-arranging of their lives to accommodate this. Thanks people!

John is still at the farm. They had some cooler weather one night (-4 C) which caused frost. Some damage to the conola crop but guess they won't know how much until they grade it.Thankfully, some had already been cut. The bad news was that John took a tumble on the house stairs and ended up breaking his toe. He says he can't climb under the combine now so Mark has to do it!! Guess that's a good thing!

We are doing a new life team study at our church called Sacred Roads. The first part of it is a book and video series by John Ortberg called "The Me I Want To Be" (becoming God's best version of you). I have watched the videos and read most of the book as well as gone through the Participant's guide and I think most people will get a lot out of it. However, it always depends on the person. You get "out" what you put "in". That starts Oct. 2nd.  Since I am not training now, I have agreed to lead a small group on Wed mornings at the Ladies Morning Out which will cover this particular study. Those ladies who can't make an evening group could attend this one. We'll see how much interest there will be. I know for sure of three people already and that's why I said I would lead.

Weather is cooling off and it is definitely Fall weather now. I wish I could find the time to get to the farm but every other day is a meeting or event it seems. The weekend coming up is a wedding which John will be coming home to attend and likely be returning to the farm thereafter. We'll see how much they get done this week.

In the meantime, I will 'keep on keeping on' or so the expression goes, always remembering to "stop and smell the coffee"  (or roses) whichever appeals most to you!

Contemplating

This was part of my devotional this morning. With all the 10th anniversary 9/11 tributes this past weekend, I recognized once again that life is short and we don't know when the finish line will appear. In the meantime, what am I doing with my life?  Am I making the most of it for me or for others? I think others is the likely intent.  I guess this guy hit home with holidays and visiting grandkids and doing what I or we want to do versus what needs to be done.  Anyway, it got me thinking again - life is short - we are only here ffor a short time. There's lots to do and I want to it.

The following are not my own thoughts but are by one of the writers on the Bible Explorer 4 program on my hard drive. He does a daily devotional so I thought I would like to share it.  Makes you think - at least it did me. Just a thought...


When does one fold up his tent to go and play?



In my weariness, I dreamed of hitting that magical age of retirement and cruising a bit. You know, buy the big sedan, throw in the "sticks," and meander across the country. Ease up. Back off. Slow down. In a word, "retire."


Then I read of missions expert, Dr. Ralph Winter, who along with his wife, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. His response? "I can see the finish line, and I've decided to sprint for it." Retirement? No way.


I thought of Billy Graham, who, in his late-80's, with Parkinson's disease, is still holding city-wide crusades and satellite conferences that affect millions… or more. Retirement? No way.


Or Bob Cockerel, who, in his 40's took time away from business to make trips to Africa to teach in a Bible school. When in his 60's he was diagnosed with cancer, he bought a one way ticket and disappeared into the bowels of that continent to finish what he had started. Retirement? No way.


Or Mother Teresa, who died at 87, with 3 garments to her name, and $100.00 in the bank. Herself feeble and ill, she continued feeding and loving the disenfranchised to the very end. Retirement? No way.


I am reminded of that farmer who made it big. Or rather God allowed him to make it big by blessing his land. So he dreamed of larger barns and "party time". Wanted to cruise. And God's answer? "No way!"


"The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself… 'I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods… Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.' But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you… ?' This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.'" (Luke 12:13-21)

QUESTION: Tell me, is there a fire burning in your soul for the things that break the heart of God? Most everyone in the world knows about Coca Cola, but have yet to once hear the name "Jesus." Yeah, let's visit the grandkids, take the cruises, and play golf now and then. But retire? No way! Personally I have made a decision to sprint for the finish line, giving it 110% until I drop. How about you?

see Bible Explorer 4, Facts of the Matter (Sept 13) and - for a daily devotional, check: http://www.factsofthematter.org/

Another Week

Well, another week coming up. John is at the farm now. Wouldn't you know it. He just left and it rains the next day. Not sure if they got it but even if they did, there is always something else to do there. This morning it is foggy and 4 C which is a big difference from 30 C and blue sky a day or two ago! Crazy weather.

We heard from our daughter the other night. Our little granddaughter Gracie wanted to say hello. She is talking (though not making a lot of sense, at least to us) and once she knew it was grampa on the phone, she never stopped. A lot of words we had not heard before - haha - and they were all put together into one sentence, non-stop! Every once in awhile we recognized a word! It sounded so cute. If you asked her a question, she knew the answer (I think)! Once she got going, she was not stopping!!!! I am sure if you are with her all the time you would understand her better. She has different names for everyone. My mom said when I was a little girl that I never called my brother by his name, Kenneth. I always called him YIYEE (pronounced y i - yee). Guess it was easier to say.

Looking forward to seeing them all at Christmas as they are headed here this year. The boys can't wait to play in the snow! Yikes, it's not that far away but I can still hope for sunshine and warmer weather today!

Gone but not forgotten

I'm feeling guilty this morning because my little spider friend is no more.  The web he was making and the critters caught up in it were getting to be a bit too much. John removed it all this morning. My view now is clear but in my heart there's a bit of sadness. Because I really DON'T like spiders, I had been using this guy as a means to help me 'get over it'. I think I was dealing better with just looking at him but he still made my skin crawl! I am sure it won't be long before another one moves in to take his place but in the meantime, I will enjoy the open space and blue sky.

Open sky

Arachnophobia

Here's something that is creepy - spiders!  Well, at least one spider that makes his presence known and seen. Right outside my kitchen window. I guess I could sweep him away but then that would mean I have to go near him! YUK!!!

Anyway, he does make an impressive sight!



Working hard during the day




Busy till the sun goes down



Remembering

I was at the grocery store the other day and as I moved into another aisle I looked up to see a little white haired woman leaning against her grocery cart and trying to reach a can of soup off the shelf.  It was dejavu for me as she so reminded me of my mom. 

Mom was just a little bit of a woman in height and had a little more to her in weight but we loved every inch! Seeing this lady in the store reminded me of mom.  In fact, she looked just like mom until she turned her head and I got a look at her profile which was just a tiny bit different. Nevertheless, my heart skipped a beat!  Mom passed away March 16, 2001 so rationally, I knew it was not her but emotionally, well, that's a different story.

This lady had on a pair of navy polyester pants with a white sweater top. My mom's favorite outfit! Her white hair was styled in the same way and it was just was white and thick as my mom's. Interesting how emotions come up out of nowhere and grip your throat! I am sure this is the same lady who has a sweater-coat like mom's also. Grey/black and silver. I've seen her before!! 

In so many ways, I enjoyed that brief encounter. Miss you mom, love you!

Here we go again...

We were at it again with the wasps yesterday. It seemed that after I had sprayed them three different times with the RAID foam stuff that they came back anyway. I heard that wasps actually eat their dead comrades. Yuk! It might be right as there were not any wasps around and I saw plenty of dead ones after the foam disappeared. Anyway, John thought the fastest way was to use the dry/wet vac on them and it worked! He stood there with the hose and got them as they were coming and going! Hundreds of them. Hopefully, that will do it.  We soaked what we think was the nest entrance with the garden hose. I guess we will see later today if it worked.  They kept coming in groups of 6 or 7 ... and then there were none!!



Suck it up!

A beautiful labor day yesterday. It is supposed to be even warmer today. I think I must have missed a month as this weather feels like summer not Sept. Guess we will take it and enjoy it all the same!

Holding

It seemed busy yesterday for some reason. John had to go to St. Paul, my brother & wife were leaving in the morning, the furnace cleaner was here at 8:30 a.m. and I had to wait around for the siding guy who was putting up our address plate and light fixture. I also made a quick trip doing errands and before you know it the day was gone.

This morning I am drinking a litre of water for an ultasound test. Sounds easy. Drink it one hour before the exam and HOLD. I am not sure if this will take as I don't carry that much water around with me (if you know what I mean) if I can at all help it! Especially, I don't leave the house without making a trip to 'you know where'. This morning, however, is quite different. I just hope my appointment time will not be delayed or I won't be delaying either!! This is going to be v-e-r-y  i-n-t-e-r-e-s-t-i-n-g!

Family Visit

This morning, Myrna was able to show me how to upload pictures from MY PICTURES to Picassa and upload them directly to my blog so I thought I would give it a try and 'look mom..it works!"

David & Myrna are on their way back to Regina from their granddaughter's wedding in Comox but stopped to have a short visit. We're so glad they did. However, as life would have it, we had a function on last night so they took the opportunity to have a short visit with us, then went to visit Myrna's brother here in Edmonton for supper while we went to our meeting and bbq somewhere else! It all worked out in the long run. This morning, we were up early and had breakfast and a nice chat before John had to to go work, the furnace cleaner came by at 8;30 am and D&M packed up their motor home and said their goodbyes. Now I am sitting at my computer, practising what she showed me. I hope it works. This is the third time I have done it as something always went askew with the photos or the text. As you can see, the text did not stay where it was supposed to but has looped under the first pictures but I guess that is ok. Now that I think of it, I did set it as 'left margin' so it is doing what it was requested to do.

We only had a short visit but promised we will do it again soon. Glad to see David's hip is functional after his hip surgery in May. I didn't even notice it until we started talking about his operation that he was not limping or using crutches - it was that good!

Anyway, it is always nice to visit with family. We need to do it more often!

Save driving you guys! Lots of love...