This has been one very wierd week

This is always a strange week for me. Between the marriage break down and the wedding anniversary. I am often dragged back into the past at the oddest times. For example I have just discovered that I get the music stations now on cable. I love the Galaxy Folk Roots channel. I came into the house and turned it on to hear Roads to Moscow by Al Stewart. A very obscure tune that Sandy loved because of the historic content. I haven't heard that song in decades. It took me right back to the piano bar we all sat in one night in 1978 and when the piano man asked if anyone had a request. A very drunk Sandy yells out "Roads to Moscow it's my favorite song."  "Sorry fella I don't know that one" the piano man answered back. "I'll play Feelings for you instead." We all laughed hysterically. That was before we were even dating. I remember thinking he was a nut case. It has been a great week to have Shauna here. She reminds me that something great did come out of all the pain and suffering I went through to be done with him.

My Sad Day turns into Glad Day Sept 16

Today is the day in 1994 that my ex husband told me "I don't love you any more I'm In love with someone else and I want out." I spent 5 years crying my eyes out on this day. Then I really got on with life wouldn't give it a thought. For some crazy reason I have been bothered by it this year. Maybe because a good friend has just gone through a bad break up. Perhaps that hurt and pain made me remember my own. I am thankful now that it happened. Maybe not for the totally devasting way that it did. However I feel I became who I was meant to be not someone I was trying to be. I will always wonder who my kids would have become if we had remained together. I bet they would not have been half as interesting as they have become!

9/11

I didn't think I would watch the ceremonies of this day but I did. I turned on the TV and CBC news network was there. Obama and Bush plus their wives where shaking hands with people at ground zero. I decided that I was up at 6:30 for a reason. It was worth watching from an historic point of view. The speeches were very well done by the 2 presidents and the NYC mayors as they quoted other people. It was very moving.

When they switched it over to the Pentagon there were the speeches I had expected some one to make. Joe Biden made a powerful and interesting speech. Interesting because he spoke about the 9/11 generation. How they have become the greatest fighting force. He mentioned fighting troops in Afghanistan and made a secondary mention of Iraq. He made it sound like they are the only troops fighting. As we Canucks know we told the Americans that we wouldn't go into Iraq with them. We went to Afghanistan instead. We were called cowards by many Americans but luckily PM Crietien stood firm. We have fought and lost troops while the Americans looked for weapons of mass destruction elsewhere. Did they or did they not find anything. If American troops had been in Afghanistan we would have had their mighty force with us from the beginning. Now that they are there it will be like WWII they will be the only ones to have ever been there. I love the individual Americans I meet when I travel there but I get so angry at the arrogance and the ignorance that is often evident in their leaders.

I am still amazed by those people on the plane that crashed into the field in Shanksville . The bravery of those people has always impressed me. Isn't it sad that they haven't been able to raise all the money that they need to finish that memorial as they wish. If that plane had flown only 2 seconds longer it would have hit a school. They took over the plane with butter knives and pots of boiling water. They passed their cell phones around so everyone could have the chance to phone loved ones.They are all still buried in the ground where the plane crashed including the terrorists.

Then there are the people in Gander, Newfoundland. They took in and comforted all those folks that where diverted when the Americans closed their air space. They had a ceremony in the town's hockey rink. How Canadian eh? The American Ambassador to Canada made a heartfelt speech. A children's choir of grade 2 students sang. The Newfoundland people spoke in their plain language with that charm only they have. The music was beautiful. From a piper playing Amazing Grace to the military band playing the Maple Leaf Forever and A Long Way to Tippararey.

We must remember although it is a small number in comparison to the number of Americans we lost 24 Canadians on 9/11.

On a much happier note the little 3 year old boy that people have been searching for was returned home by his abductor. He is safe and sound in his parents arms.

The Summer that goes on and on

I can not believe that I can sit out in my back yard at 7:30 and enjoy 28 degrees. There is a week of above normal temps coming at us. it is so very nice to have. As I am writing this a flock of 12 geese just flew over head. The leaves on the Mayday tree next door are starting to turn red. They are both reminding me that this to shall pass.

Too bad I am back at work and there is no AC in the building. We may blow out the electrical if everyone turns on the individual fans we have running. Had a meeting yesterday and the heat was on in the room by the break we all had rosey red cheeks. I am doing OK in the heat but I do have a headache by the end of the day. 

Students have arrived for orientation the past 2 days so the halls have been crazy busy. Our nice quite campus has once again erupted into a mass of humanity. Classes start up tomorrow. Professors all showed up today asking a gazzillion questions about copywrite and PPR for videos. One woman asked Pam at Info then Peter and then myself the same question. She had already been in a week ago and I talked to her then. She thinks if she keeps asking we will tell her something different and God help us if they all react this way. She was even asking othe faculty standing at the desk. One told her to ask us the other one told her wrong information. It's going to be a very steep learning curve for them.

i have had a couple of productive weeks and managed to things I wanted to do at the beginning of summer done. I spray painted Lily's bed, bought her a funky new 70's purple bedspread. Got my new washer and dryer delivered. They couldn't set it up for me because the hose attachment had fused itself to the cold water tap. My brilliant girl Laura suggested that I use CLR and it worked. Just like in the late night commerials that she watches. It took me a week to get someone in to help me fix the levels so I could use the machines. Deni and I figured it out and we can not understand why guys like to do that kind of stuff. I did at least 10 loads of laundry. sheets and blankets mostly. 

Labour Day was very quiet in my neighbourhood. Most people went away because the weather was so beautiful. It was nice to have the time and energy to get stuff done. i invited my Mom and Daryl over to watch the Labour Day Classic and to have BBQ dinner. The game was terrible for the Stamps they lost big time. The best part before the game a CF15 jet fighter roared through the stadium. Then he roared directly over my house. I was outside and looked straight up and he was banking a turn and I could see the pilot he was so low. I have never seen one that close. What a thrill!

i am planning my trip to Toronto to see Laura and her new baby in January. I am having a tough time even thinking about how cold it will be then. I want Mom to come with me because those 2 brothers of mine are not making an effort to come out and see her. I hope the trip won't be to difficult for her. I don't understand how she can sit and watch baseball for hours but finds it difficult to sit on a plane for a 4 hour flight. I only want to stay a week in winter. I will try to drive back in the summer for an extended visit. 

This weekend is the Spruce Meadows Masters I will go for one day. Last year was also beautiful weather. I wasn't going to go this year but I know I will miss it if I don't attend. I took some fantastic pictures last year with my then brand new camera. I also want to get to the Glenbow museum to see and exhibit of costumes from movies such Johnny Depps Pirates costume.

It is now 8:30 and I am sitting in deep twilight my favorite time of day. The moon has risen over the top of my lilac hedge and the light in the west is a soft orange pinkish glow with a clear blue sky above. the temperature has now dropped down 10 degrees in an hour. time to head in as my bare feet are telling me that 18 C is not as comfortable as 28 C was!

Making it through the day.

I ran really fast to finish all my Saturday morning chores and all was done by 10:45. I was unloading groceries when little Danny next door popped out to ask me if I wanted to join them for pancakes with Saskatoon berries and chocolate chips. At first I said no I had breakfast but her sad little face guilted me into accepting. I set up the good old VCR to tape the funeral made sure it came on at 11:00and went over to have 2nd breakfast. It was good to do.

First it was the last of the berries that Tim had picked from the woods behind our places. We talked about how both of us had gone picking berries in northern Alberta. He grew up in a town due west of Elk Piont where I would visit with the Russell clan. Rose Russell knew all the best berry patches. Tame blue berries have never been the same after picking the tiny wild one in ice cream buckets with her. We talked about life under the crazy condo rules. We both want solar panels on our south west facing roofs and a clothes line in the back yard. They are good people to have next door. As I came back into my place Steven Piage was singing Hallelujah. I am not sure if it is true or not but I heard earlier that is the song Jack slipped away listening too. It was k d lang singing it to him then. Glad it wasn't Leonard Cohen! (he is not the man with the golden voice that he claims to be) I watched The Rev Hawke give his sermon. It was obvious that he knew the man very well. Then they sang Rise Up the song I will now always think of Jack when I hear it. I left after it to do some other things.

In the afternoon I watched the Calgary Stampeders play the Montreal Alouettes. We won! It was a game I would normally have attended. It was the best game I have seen all season in the CFL but I was OK staying home to watch it. There was a new player from an old Stamps family. Johnny Forzani he had a fantastic game his first touch down then a second one. I bet his Dad was bursting with pride. I couldn't help but think of his Grandmother who passed away this spring. It was just before the annual Mothers Day Run that she was aways at to support her son. Life does indeed go on.

I did manage to watch the rest of the state funeral after the spectacular sunset we had. It was so very beautiful I had to run out and take pictures of it. Jack's children did a fantastic job. Both were so strong. They told both funny and moving stories. His daughter is pregnant with her second child. I wonder if that child will come into the work with memories from the womb of this day?  Steven Lewis brought the house down a few times he got standing ovations for his beautifully crafted words. The right wing looked a little bit uncomfortable. At one point they panned the crowd and the blue people were clapping but stone faced in contrast to the red, green and orange people that looked joyous. Some more than others.  all those rookie NDP kids from Quebec. They showed Stephen Harper at once but how does one tell what the robot man is feeling. However his wife was feeling enough for both of them. I think I like her.  The service ended with a fantastic singer with the full church choir singing Come Together. I wasn't expecting to here that one but it was perfect. I crawled into bed right at midnight it was a long hard day to go through.

This morning I am sitting out on my front step while typing this and listening to the birdsong watching the sunrise in a beautiful clear Alberta blue sky. Life goes on and life is good.
Some how this country will survive the current government and pray that we will be able to fix the wrongs that they are quietly doing. In particular the enironmental issues. There are more problems than just the tar sands pollution. I have love, hope and optimism.

"Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

All my very best,

Jack Layton"

Such a sad day for Canada

As I sit and watch the talking heads of CBC drone on and on as only they can do I begin this day of mourning. I know I will need a box of Kleenex to get through the eulogies, I can not believe that his son and daughter are going to each give one. I can not fathom how they will get through it. A state funeral being broadcast to the nation. Some people have incredible strength. It is difficult enough to say good bye to your parent. I do look forward to hearing Stephen Lewis speak. He is a hero of mine and such a fabulous orator. I fear where the left leaning of this nation will now go. I hope we will not wander aimless and leaderless for years. I know there are caring, passionate people in the party but do they have the charisma, humour and leadership qualities that Jack had. I hope that he has left us with the momentum to carry on.

Laura made me laugh when she told me that he would come into Dangerous Dans's Burgers to get an order of ribs and mashed potatoes. She told me that after i had watched the Rick Mercer interview where Olivia Chow and her mother had him on a super healthy diet. I wonder if he ate the ribs and spuds before he got home!

You would have made such a great Prime Minister. What would people have thought of you on the world stage?

I will miss you Jack Layton.

Summer 2011

Pie at the Raven and Crown Pub Cedar BC

The end of summer is near. When I awoke at 5:30 this morning my outside solar lights were still on. That sun is getting up later and later. I have had a good summer this year. Not much happening the first month. I was waiting for my little Miss Laura to get out here for a visit.

Went to the Stampede parade for the first time in many years. MRU had reserved seats in the bleachers. That was fun. The parade had a different feel to it. Maybe not as many bands as years past. I can't put my finger on it but it felt different. It was still long 3 hours. Enjoyed the Mount Royal folks we sat with. Had a great conversation with Gord Gillies. Such a nice man. The MRU floats were fun to see. I didn't recognize anyone. I think that is Tamerea on the far right side pushing the cake. Not sure. Of course everyone stood up so I was taking pics over people's heads.

MRU birthday centennial Bday cake float

Laura arrived in mid July for a visit that was too short . We had Lily-Ann for 2 1/2 days. It was also far too short but it gave Laura and Lily time together. They went to the zoo on the hottest day we had at 30 C. Laura didn't find it to bad but I know it would have been to hot for me at the zoo. It gave them a nice day to spend quality time together. Next day we went to visit my Mom, fun to have 4 generations together. Glad that we could do that.

Laura, Lily, Marge

I left the morning after Laura went back to TO. The weather was perfect to travel, overcast and rainy. Time to go. Spent the night in Salmon Arm. Woke up to sunshine. Made it through the craziness of Vancouver driving arrived just as the 12:30 ferry was loading it was full. Next one was leaving at 3:15 and there was room for me and the Echo. I was worried that I might have to wait for the 2nd sailing. It was Friday night of the bathtub race weekend. Arrived at the Millstone Spa at 5:30. Kevin was working late so Kathryn and I headed out to Gina's Mexican Restaurant for supper. Love that place.

The Spa on the Millstone River. Tide is out.

The next day we stayed in town. Went to a street festival downtown in the morning. Checked out the downtown branch of the public library. Very nice place. Of course the public computers were swamped. Found a used bookstore bought a copy of In the Skin of a Lion for my summer reading. That night we walked down to the harbour to see a fabulous fireworks display. 

On Sunday Kathryn and I went to the folk fest in Duncan. Saw mostly Alberta artists. It was a funny flashback to the sixties. There were more hippies in one place than I have seen since Yorkville. The festival was very small only 3000 tickets for sale. They didn't even sell out. It is a beautiful venue on a working farm. My favorite performance was Maria Dunn in a chapel. She didn't even need a mic and her voice is so pure. Then there was John Wort Hamann performing on the main stage. He was the closing performer. He didn't do his usual red neck prairie boy performance. It suited the laid back atmosphere. He mainly performed old songs from Dynamite and Dozers. I really like the relaxed venue and I hope to go back again for the full weekend some year.

Innukshuk on Miracle Beach

Oyster River as it follows into the Salish Sea.

Monday I reserved a campsite at Miracle Beach for 4 nights. Once again it was a beautiful place to be. I went up the road a bit and found a beach that had only 4 other people on it at Oyster Beach. Spent an afternoon just relaxing in the sunshine. Went back early the next morning to take pictures. Light was so soft as only the west coast can be.
It was so nice to be sleeping in my tent. Every morning a Raven would stop by to be my alarm clock at around 6:30 am. Then the songbirds would start up. Loved it.

Campsite at Miracle Beach

My favorite footbridge on the way to the beach.

Friday I returned to K & K's place. Kevin had a day off so we got to watch a football game on Friday night. BBQ, beer and football! Saturday Kathryn and I went to an incredible garden in Cedar BC. It was very whimsical and quirky. It had been created by artists. Then it was off to a pub where I had the best pie ever! Raspberry and blueberry together in a mile high pie. Sunday we all went to a Farmers market in a field beside the same pub. Took a drive around the backroads of Cedar. 

A happy bumble bee.

Metal palm trees.

Said good-bye to K & K early Tuesday morning. They both had to go to work early poor babies! Headed down to Chemainus. I wanted to check out the location of a condo that I love the look of on line. it was in a great location right across the road from a nice park. I would love to retire and live there. I will continue to keep my eye on the place. The town was so friendly I walked around for about an hour. Everyone smiled and said hello. Super nice small town. They even have an emergency medical centre. Important place to have was we age.

Debbie's retirement villa?

Continued down the road to Victoria, found Goldstream Park.The site wasn't ready yet so I went to visit the old Russell home. It was still well cared for. There new homes built across the street up the hill in front of the house. I drove to the top of the hill and arrived at Greenmasions Way. Rather pretentious! The lots on the very top are still empty. They are no doubt worth a zillion dollars. The views were 360. Returned to the campsite and it was ready so I set up my tent and spent the rest of the day resting and relaxing. 

Zillion dollar view across the Strait toward USA.

Next day was my Emily Carr day. Started out with a walk through Beacon Hill Park. Both the manicured flower beds and the wild grasslands. Thought of her walking her sheepdogs in the park. I had my own flashback moment when I saw the Children's Farm and I saw my 2 little girls running and laughing playing with animals. Happy times. Next I stopped by The House of All Sorts. It is still a rental property. I so want to rent a place there. The 2 Thunderbirds she painted on the attic ceiling are there still. 


Then it was on to the BC museum to see an exhibit titled The Other Emily. It was about her early years in Victoria. They wanted to show that she was not this old cranky woman who suffered for her art as she is so often depicted. It was a fabulous exhibit I hope they tour it. I spent about 3 hours reading every word. They had many original paintings on display that I had never seen before. 


I walked to her childhood home. I had been many years ago and they have been given more funding and have made improvements. Upstairs is still not open but maybe in time it will happen. Walked pass the James Bay Inn where she passed away. All 3 places she lived most of her life are within a 4 block radius. It was a special day for me. Makes me wish I could paint or write!

The House of All Sorts

Childhood home

Next day was packing up and heading for the ferry. That was slow I never want to leave once I get to the Island. Got on the noon Ferry from Swartz Bay. It was fun to go through Active Pass. I was on one of the new Super Ferries. Got a great spot right behind all the motorbikes. Makes for a fast get away. After once again driving through the nightmare also known as Vancouver I only made it as far as Merrit. I was tired and just didn't want to stay in smelly Kamloops. When I got out of my car at 5:30 pm it was 33 degrees. Like stepping into an oven. Went into the room turned on the AC and went for supper. I turned off the AC because I didn't want to listen to it all night. Woke up at 2 am drenched in sweat. Turned the noise maker back on slept in until 7:30 am. Didn't get back on the road until 9. Drove to Salmon Arm for brunch then drove home and arrived at 7:30 pm. Just missed a terrible storm in NW Calgary. Streets turned into rivers. Hail so bad it was like driving on ice. Lighting hit a home not to far away and set it on fire. All I saw was a beautiful double rainbow as I drove into town. It had all passed by the time I was pulling in. 

Original painting in the Carr home

Today I am off to check out a new Provincial Park that opened yesterday just down the road.

Then it's the annual Babes in the Badlands camp out this weekend.
Back to the Salt Mine on Tuesday.