It is an overcast, dreary and cold day outside. After having a few days in the upper teens and low 20's, all of a sudden it is hard to get used to what April weather really is! That is ... single digits! It is 2 pm and it is only 5 C. I went for a walk early this morning and although it was cool (didn't realize it was only 0 degrees Celcius but I had on my winter jacket so I was comfortable. At least no snow on the ground! However, now it is still cool and with no sun, it feels like I should wrap up in a blanket and sleep. So I did the next best thing. I put on a cup of coffee to warm up and hopefully the sun will come out and I can get back to work - whatever that might be!
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Wild Bill
I went to the funeral of an older cousin last night. A memorial service. Even though he was family, and lived in the same city, the difference in our ages and our life's travel did not lend itself to our being close. That being said, we connected at different times, in different locations with different people. Through my mom, they would often stop to visit her and I would 'meet up with them' once again. When mom would visit here, I would take her to visit them. When situations arose in their family, after my mom had passed away, I would touch base and visit to see how things were going. I guess I wanted to do so to please my mom.
Last night was no different. I felt we needed to be represented at the service. So I went. I took a few pictures thinking I may send them on to my brothers but didn't get enough to really represent the evening. I was cast a few 'looks' by attendees and interestingly enough, I felt the pressure to (likely my own pressure) to 'cease and desist'. However I did get a few that will help me remember the evening.
The event was held in Rundle Park - a place where I understand Bill loved to walk. He was very active right up to the end of his life. He was also a swimmer, and when his beloved wife, Marguerite, passed away (two years ago to the day of his funeral), to occupy his time, he took to swimming 4 times a day! He was 87 when he passed on. As he was a stubborn Scotchman, he may have put off his demise a while longer had he spoken up about the problem with his foot and it's lack of circulation, and the eventual talk of amputation which never did happen due to his demise!
Anyway, on entrance to the memorial last night, they had a young bagpiper playing a collection of Scottish songs. It was unimaginably LOUD in this enclosed space but somehow I think Bill would have got a kick out of people trying to talk OVER the music! The kids had a nice display of pictures to show his life and family. I took a few pics of them before I felt compelled to hide my camera.
The tribute was given by one of his girls and it was interesting to hear his life story. I did know parts of it as I was growing up but nothing was ever presented in the orderly fashion as it was this evening. He was quite a character and his life demonstrated it! I have never been to a funeral where I left it with sore cheeks from laughing so hard. I was not alone! He was a jack of all trades and a master at none but he tried. He was more than pleased to tell you how he built a few houses on his acreage out of wood gathered from garage sales, dumps, torn down homes, leftover wood piles as well as all the nails he gathered from the same locations (and many were donated to him) and the hours he spent straightening them out for use himself in the building of these houses!
He was quite a trickster and the many stories and laughter from the audience showed that he spared no one any of his antics! Especially his kids! Marguerite must have been quite the lady to put up with most of the things he did!
Anyway, he did not waste his life. He truly lived each moment. It may not have been what we would do with our 'one and only life' but he filled it with love and lots of fun! He will be missed and as his nickname 'Wild Bill' and later, Silly Billy, suggests, he lived his life to the full!
Last night was no different. I felt we needed to be represented at the service. So I went. I took a few pictures thinking I may send them on to my brothers but didn't get enough to really represent the evening. I was cast a few 'looks' by attendees and interestingly enough, I felt the pressure to (likely my own pressure) to 'cease and desist'. However I did get a few that will help me remember the evening.
The event was held in Rundle Park - a place where I understand Bill loved to walk. He was very active right up to the end of his life. He was also a swimmer, and when his beloved wife, Marguerite, passed away (two years ago to the day of his funeral), to occupy his time, he took to swimming 4 times a day! He was 87 when he passed on. As he was a stubborn Scotchman, he may have put off his demise a while longer had he spoken up about the problem with his foot and it's lack of circulation, and the eventual talk of amputation which never did happen due to his demise!
Anyway, on entrance to the memorial last night, they had a young bagpiper playing a collection of Scottish songs. It was unimaginably LOUD in this enclosed space but somehow I think Bill would have got a kick out of people trying to talk OVER the music! The kids had a nice display of pictures to show his life and family. I took a few pics of them before I felt compelled to hide my camera.
The tribute was given by one of his girls and it was interesting to hear his life story. I did know parts of it as I was growing up but nothing was ever presented in the orderly fashion as it was this evening. He was quite a character and his life demonstrated it! I have never been to a funeral where I left it with sore cheeks from laughing so hard. I was not alone! He was a jack of all trades and a master at none but he tried. He was more than pleased to tell you how he built a few houses on his acreage out of wood gathered from garage sales, dumps, torn down homes, leftover wood piles as well as all the nails he gathered from the same locations (and many were donated to him) and the hours he spent straightening them out for use himself in the building of these houses!
He was quite a trickster and the many stories and laughter from the audience showed that he spared no one any of his antics! Especially his kids! Marguerite must have been quite the lady to put up with most of the things he did!
Anyway, he did not waste his life. He truly lived each moment. It may not have been what we would do with our 'one and only life' but he filled it with love and lots of fun! He will be missed and as his nickname 'Wild Bill' and later, Silly Billy, suggests, he lived his life to the full!
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
All I Can Say
Happy Birthday to me! I made it! 65 years of age, happy and healthy! Who would have thought! Special thanks to all who have walked this long road with me! Thanks for your companionship, encouragement, guidance, laughter, sharing of tears, enjoying the beauty of life with me and helping me overcome the ugliness which is out there as well. Thank you for helping me 'rise above' all of that! Thanks be to God who has 'lifted me up'!!
Sunday, March 15, 2015
New
After a few years of looking and never deciding, I finally purchased a new recliner chair for myself. As it turned out, my hubby liked it also so we bought two of them to match! They are bigger than what I remember them at in the store but then it was a warehouse and all the overstuffed chairs were beside this one making it look smaller. Nevertheless, they are now in our home and we have welcomed them with open arms. We watched TV together last night and enjoyed a comfortable time!
For the past two years we have been looking at new cell phones and since it is a significant birthday of mine coming up...what better time to upgrade! We are happy to introduce our new Samsung Galaxy 5. Seems to work really well and now I just have to remember to turn it on!!
Like the chairs, my hubby was fortunate to get one as well. Actually, he gets the first one and I get the second as he is paying the bill. As he says, it is the gift that keeps on giving (him being the giver)! I am forever grateful!
For the past two years we have been looking at new cell phones and since it is a significant birthday of mine coming up...what better time to upgrade! We are happy to introduce our new Samsung Galaxy 5. Seems to work really well and now I just have to remember to turn it on!!
Monday, March 9, 2015
Visiting
I am coming to the end of my visit with my Vancouver family! It has been a busy time but for them, this is routine. It's a wee bit too much of a whirlwind for me but I got through it without too many bumps! Keeps you on your toes. The only thing about when YOU are the visitor, you are NOT IN CONTROL. Guess that is what I notice most. Not sure of the times, or the 'how and when' things happen. You just have to be 'prepared' the best you can. But it all worked out.
Vancouver has been beautiful. The mornings are wonderful - fresh and clean. Dew on everything (especially the windshields) and it just leaves things smelling so wonderful. Definitely the feeling of spring here. This big tree was full of blossoms. This picture doesn't show the real beauty or brightness of the white/pink blossoms.
I also am getting to know the city better as we seemed to be travelling all over it as my daughter was showing me different schools and going to Toys R Us and Sport Chek and a lot of ice arenas! Hockey is still on (just finishing) but floor hockey (or is it soccer?) will be starting up next. They are all into 'something'.
The grandkids play is over now and it was a huge success. They did fabulous! Really brought the Alice in Wonderland characters to life! Kudos to those who run the program - lots of hard work getting these young actors into shape!
All in all, it was a great week. Time to head back to the snow for another few months! There is definitely a thought in my head to 'r-e-l-o-c-a-t-e' but I know I will 'settle into my routine' once I am home and all will be well. Before I know it, Spring will have arrived in Alberta!!
Adieu to my sweeties here in this beautiful place....
Vancouver has been beautiful. The mornings are wonderful - fresh and clean. Dew on everything (especially the windshields) and it just leaves things smelling so wonderful. Definitely the feeling of spring here. This big tree was full of blossoms. This picture doesn't show the real beauty or brightness of the white/pink blossoms.
I also am getting to know the city better as we seemed to be travelling all over it as my daughter was showing me different schools and going to Toys R Us and Sport Chek and a lot of ice arenas! Hockey is still on (just finishing) but floor hockey (or is it soccer?) will be starting up next. They are all into 'something'.
The grandkids play is over now and it was a huge success. They did fabulous! Really brought the Alice in Wonderland characters to life! Kudos to those who run the program - lots of hard work getting these young actors into shape!
All in all, it was a great week. Time to head back to the snow for another few months! There is definitely a thought in my head to 'r-e-l-o-c-a-t-e' but I know I will 'settle into my routine' once I am home and all will be well. Before I know it, Spring will have arrived in Alberta!!
Adieu to my sweeties here in this beautiful place....
Saturday, February 28, 2015
CHANGES
How quickly things can change. I was thinking of getting new verticals or blinds and instead went out and ended up buying two - not just one - but two new recliner chairs. I have been looking for a recliner for a couple of years now. I finally saw one I really liked. When we went to actually purchase it, we decided two would be a good investment for both of us to be comfortable. Since then, I have posted my two swivel rockers which have been in our home for many years. They have served us well but I guess 'it was time'!
I am not sure why I have such difficulty in 'letting go' of 'things'!!! I guess pretty much everything has a 'story' to it and it doesn't seem right to get rid of it. I know I am 'personifying' these inanimate objects. One of the swivels was my mom's. I love sitting in it and each time I do, I remember her. But I really would like a recliner now. I must be getting old!
Oh well, things change and we all must move on. Here's my new chair(s) which will be coming in a few weeks. Hope I have been able to put my old rockers into a good home by then!
I am not sure why I have such difficulty in 'letting go' of 'things'!!! I guess pretty much everything has a 'story' to it and it doesn't seem right to get rid of it. I know I am 'personifying' these inanimate objects. One of the swivels was my mom's. I love sitting in it and each time I do, I remember her. But I really would like a recliner now. I must be getting old!
Oh well, things change and we all must move on. Here's my new chair(s) which will be coming in a few weeks. Hope I have been able to put my old rockers into a good home by then!
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Home
We are home again - as if we never went anywhere! It's amazing how time flies!
Our drive into Honolulu to the airport was uneventful although we are still amazed at 6 lanes of traffic full,to overflowing at 5:30 in the morning! A sea of headlights and brake lights!
The morning sunrise was not as pretty sitting in the airport and I guess it did rain for the day so no wonder the sunrise was so cloudy!
It eventually shone through ...
We got home and the temps had been warm with a little freezing rain - above zero conditions for a few days. It snowed last night though so it is back to being winter and John was out shovelling our driveway and the neighbors as usual - just as if we had never been gone!!
Our drive into Honolulu to the airport was uneventful although we are still amazed at 6 lanes of traffic full,to overflowing at 5:30 in the morning! A sea of headlights and brake lights!
The morning sunrise was not as pretty sitting in the airport and I guess it did rain for the day so no wonder the sunrise was so cloudy!
It eventually shone through ...
We got home and the temps had been warm with a little freezing rain - above zero conditions for a few days. It snowed last night though so it is back to being winter and John was out shovelling our driveway and the neighbors as usual - just as if we had never been gone!!
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