December 18

One week until Christmas day.  A week from tomorrow, my gang and I will be flying to Orlando for New Years.  We plan to visit Disney World parks for a few days.  We will also be attending an NFL football game in Tampa Bay on New Years Eve...another pro sport experience checked off my bucket list.

December has been the usual string of Christmas events.  I attended the Joy of Vox concert on December 7.  On December 10, I attended my ballroom dance Christmas party.  My job has been to teach a line dance to the class at every Christmas party and year end party.  I taught the class how to do "the electric slide", a dance I learned in Yuma last January.  It's a classic.  I downloaded Alan Jackson's "Honky Tonk Christmas" and I wore the cowboy boots I bought in Nashville.  We were stepping and touching and scuffing, and grapevining like there was no tomorrow.  Haley and Dustin had a housewarming party on December 9.  They certainly have surrounded themselves with great friends and the part I like the best is their friends are my friends.  Last Wednesday, I had turkey twice.  At noon, I attended the Superannuated Teachers Christmas banquet at the WDM, then I returned to the WDM for the Plus 60 Christmas Party for more turkey.  The meal was followed with a dance(live music).  I even won a door prize!  On Friday night, I had the privilege of carving turkey and serving over 30 youth at The Bridge, a street ministry on 20th Street.  On Saturday, my neighbors hosted a neighbourhood Christmas party and on Sunday morning I was back to carving and serving turkey at The Rock, another outreach church on 20th Street...another beautiful and meaningful experience.  Today, I had an average day.  That is to say, I played volleyball at 9:30, prepared a salad for the volleyball Christmas party, and led a Christmas sing song with my guitar.  After the Christmas party, I played hockey at 1:00pm.

Life is still good.  Merry Christmas to all.

November 25

One month until Christmas.  The house is decorated.  Decorating the house brings back intense memories of Judy.  Judy was Mrs. Christmas and every decoration is a testament to Judy's taste and enthusiasm for the Christmas season.  Feels funny to decorate the house when I am the only one who lives here and sees the decorations.  Of course, I'll have a few people over on Christmas Eve as usual, but until then, the decorations are mostly for my eyes only.

On November 15, I hosted gourmet club.  My guests enjoyed my homemade perogies, cabbage rolls, and kielbasa.  We even had borscht for an appetizer.

On November 20, I hosted men's splurge club or "Tool Time" as we call the monthly gathering.  I've just been baking up a storm this month.  Mom shared her secret bun recipe with me last week; therefore, I made my first of batch of buns from scratch on Wednesday night.  I'm afraid Mom guards her secret recipe even from me because when I mixed up the dough as per her instructions, the dough was more like wallpaper paste.  Once I doubled the amount of flour, the mixture looked more like dough.  In spite of Mom's attempts to sabotage my first batch, the buns turned out well.  I just have to learn how to make smaller buns.  My buns were like mini loafs of bread.  Next time.

Other than baking, I have been playing lots of hockey and volleyball in November.

I am looking forward to all the Christmas get togethers in the lead up to December 25.  Mary is having a healthy pregnancy and Haley is working hard on her Masters degree.  Dustin and Haley are enjoying being city dwellers.  Morgan is spending most weekends trying to knock down the buck with a perfect set of antlers.  He's quite picky when it comes to deer.

I may not post a new message on this blog until Christmas; therefore, I will wish whoever reads this blog a Blessed Christmas Season.  God is good.

November 5

A trip to Nashville has been on my bucket list for a number of years and yes, the trip was worth the time.  I arrived in Nashville on October 24.  Paulette and her partner, Vern, picked me up the next morning.  They were staying at a campground near the airport.  Our first adventure was to tour Opryland.  For those in the know, Opryland is a huge event centre that was built when the old Rymen Auditorium in downtown Nashville was no longer large enough.  Indeed, the Rymen is still being used, but Opryland is much larger.  After touring Opryland, we did what any reasonable visitor to Nashville would do...we bought cowboy boots.  Get this...buy one pair, get two pair free.  Of course, they price the boots accordingly.  Still a good deal.  I bought a pair of Tony Llamas for a cool hundred greenbacks.  The last time I bought Tony Llamas was in Rapid City, SD (1983) when Judy was pregnant with Haley.  On Thursday, Paulette, or Polly as I call her, and I went for a long walk the next morning around the J.Percy Priest Reservoir.  During the afternoon, we went to Broadway Avenue in downtown Nashville.  Broadway has dozens of honkey tonks, all with live bands playing incredible country music.  Polly and I danced in every bar we visited including the famous Tootsie's Orchid Lounge.  We received lots of compliments for our dancing especially especially

 the western two step and the polka.  We killed it.  We also toured The Country Music Hall of Fame.  

On Friday, we toured Andrew Jackson's Plantation.  This was the Andrew Jackson who was a general in the Battle of New Orleans made famous in the Johnny Horton song.  Old Hickory, as he was called, owned 60+ slaves.  The original mansion still stands.  There are recreations of the farm buildings and slave quarters on the plantation grounds.  In the evening, we went to the Grand Ole Opry.  There wasn't a weak performance in the entire show.  I saw John Conlee, Diamond Rio, Ricky Scaggs, Sons of the Pioneers, and many more performers.  Outstanding!  I sat there wishing I could have shared the experience with my dad who really inspired me to love country music.  Saturday was my last full day in Nashville.  Polly and I made a return trip to Broadway to dance and take in more country music.  On Sunday, I was 22 hours in transit with a 6 hour layover in Atlanta and a 4.5 hour layover in Toronto.  I woke up fresh as a daisy on Monday morning and scored 2 goals in my hockey game.  A cherry on top.  On Halloween night, I decided to make 4 dozen perogies. No, I did not give them to trick or treaters.  It's good to be home for a while.  Next up...my nephew, Justin, is visiting me on the November long weekend.  And in true Judy tradition, the girls and I are already making plans for Christmas.

October 20

Since my last post, I have traveled to Toronto for a few days.  I was visiting an old high school buddy in Barrie, Ontario.  We spent a lot of time reminiscing.  Aside from reminiscing, the highlights were attending a trivia night at a brew pub, golfing at Borden Armed Forces Base, and taking in a Barrie Colts hockey game.  I spent two days in Toronto visiting old friends from Silverwood Baptist days.  Next week, I am off again to Nashville for a short vacation.  I am meeting my older sister, Paulette, who is on a cross continent tour with her partner.  I already have my tickets purchased for the Grand Ole Opry.  Of course, I am looking forward to checking out the up and coming talent on Broadway Avenue.  The next getaway will be at New Years.  I am taking my crew to Orlando for their Christmas present.  I didn't take the girls to Disneyland when they were young so now I am taking them when they are in their 30s.

October 8

First things first.  I'm going to be a grandpa.  Mary's due date is in April.  Mary has had very little nausea so far and all of her check ups have indicated everything is AOK.

I am getting together with my crew for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.  Mary is hosting.  I am in charge of roasting the bird. I watched Judy cook at least a hundred turkeys over our 35 years of marriage.  Let's see whether I was paying attention.  Up until now, I was the family specialist in preparing mashed potatoes.  Maybe I'll be the new turkey guy.

Haley and Dustin have finally completed their move from the acreage to their new home in Saskatoon.  They invited me over for NFL football and baked nachos this afternoon.  They are very happy to be in a new home in a neighborhood where their several young families they will surely meet.

Last Wednesday, I drove to Regina to celebrate my oldest brother's 70th birthday.  Volleyball at 9.  Ball at 1.  Picked up my car from the garage.  Drove to Regina for birthday supper.  Made it home by midnight.  Got up on Thursday to play hockey.  That's how I roll.

Last week marked the end of ball season and I played my last round of golf on Friday.  Now, I have begun volleyball.   I am off to Toronto for a week to visit good friends, then I hope to meet up with my sister in Nashville in November.  Thank you, Lord, that I am healthy and able to enjoy the many blessings in my life.

September 28

Last Thursday, I returned to the stage as a stand up comedian.  I was entertaining the Prairie Spirit School Division Foundation at Greenbryre Golf and Country Club.  I was supposed to perform at 6:05.  I was still in the washroom dressing when I heard the emcee introduce me.  I was literally caught with my pants down.  The other surprise was finding out I would be speaking to a younger crowd of company reps rather than an older, baby boomer crowd.  However, the audience was very responsive.  They got my jokes and laughed at the appropriate times.

Mary and I enjoyed the Rider game on Sunday.  There really isn't a bad seat in the new stadium.  Getting to the stadium by city transit was a breeze, but getting back to Northgate Plaza took a long time. 

I am getting ready to host Mary's 30th birthday party on Saturday.  I wonder if the attendees are interested in ukulele lessons.

September 23

I am off to see the new Mosaic Stadium tomorrow with Mary.  Hopefully, the game won't be a sack beating at the hands of the Stampeders.  Last weekend, I closed up the trailer for the season and hopefully, there will be no little mouse visitors like I had last winter. 

I am not sure whether I mentioned in an earlier post, but Haley and Dustin sold their acreage and will be moving to their new home in Saskatoon on September 30.

Mary was in Tisdale with two Hanley students on Thursday and Friday for a student leadership conference.  She took the time to visit my Mom who lives in a senior's highrise.  Yes, Tisdale has a high rise apartment complex for seniors.

September 4

Yes, I am still alive.  The highlights of August 2017 are as follows:
1.  I went to "The Center of the Universe" for Kelvington's Agricultural Fair on the August long weekend.  I haven't been to the fair in years.  Of course, I haven't changed in appearance, but everyone else from Kelvington looks different.  Thanks to the hospitality of my adopted big sister, Diane Rennie, I had a place to hang my hat while in Kelvington.  On the Saturday of the long weekend, traveled with my brother, Vince, and his wife to some of the old familiar haunts northeast of Kelvington...Skipton's Corner, Kinloch, High Tor, Round Lake, and Perigord.  On the Sunday, I went to Barrier Ford where my mom grew up.  I kayaked the mighty Barrier River until a Castorian construction crew obstructed the river.  I finished the day by visiting my mother in Tisdale.  The cinnamon buns were served, as expected.

2.  I also took in the Saskatoon Exhibition with two three year olds, a five year old, a six year old, and a 10 month old baby.  Good times. On August 19, I took in Rock the River.  A friend booked a hotel room at The Bessborough...great way to to take in a rock concert-six stories up.

3.  On August 24, I went to Winnipeg then on to Steinbach, MN for a wedding, then spent a week at White Shell Provincial Park where I enjoyed swimming, biking, kayaking, hiking, and eating.  More good times.

4. Tomorrow marks the beginning of hockey season.  The lungs are going to get a workout for sure.  I have been playing ball twice a week and getting other types of exercise, but nothing prepares a person for the rigors of 60 Plus hockey.  I may cough up a lung.

July 17

Ball, ball, and more ball.  I'm having a good summer.  Last week, I spent three days at the lake...kayaking, golfing, bocce, pickle ball, and walking.

 Today, I had a new experience.  I entered in a 60 plus track and field meet.  I ran the 200m and the 50m.  I won both races, but I am thinking the competition had a few years on me.  But let's just say I was going up against the best senior citizen runners in Saskatoon.  Based on wardrobe alone, I was the underdog.  My competition wore spike and had the shorty shorts from The Running Room.  I had Walmart runners, a "wife beater", and basketball shorts, but I looked good in a casual sort of way.

The 200m was a load.  The trick is to leave enough in your tank to keep the pedal to the metal in the last 100m. Whew!  My next event is on Thursday when I run the 100m.  I'm sure you will be reading about the race in the paper.

July 7

Slacking off again...

This is what I have been up to.

1.  I continue to play two games a ball every week.  The home rums keep rolling, but they have been the inside the park variety.

2. On Father's Day, the girls and I went kayaking at Hopies Lake near Memorial Lake.  We spent a wonderful day together beginning with coffee and Bailley's on the deck followed by kayaking and a dinner at The Lark Restaurant in Shell Lake.

3.  On June10 weekend, I went golfing at Waskesiu with three good buddies including my family doctor.

4.  On the long weekend, I spent Friday and Saturday at the lake with Mary and Morgan.  On Sunday, I went to Haley and Dustin's new lake site at Blackstrap Lake.

5.  I have been getting in a few rounds of golf, bike rides, pickle ball, and walks along the river.

6. On June 29, I went to Tisdale to deliver an Apple Picture Book to my mom.  The book is an album of pictures from the family reunion we had on May 13.  My mom said, "I just couldn't believe the how wonderful the family reunion could be.  It was like I was in a dream!"  I am sure she has already been through the book a 1000 times and I know she has shown the book to most of the residents in her high rise.  We took Mom out for lunch and went for a drive to McKague to tour the grave yard where my maternal great grandparents were born.  Great day.

7.  This weekend I am babysitting my grand dogs while Haley and Dustin go to the Rider game in Regina.

8.  In June, Mom's brother who we visited in April passed away in an Edmonton nursing home.  He was 92.  Mom is grateful she got to see him before he died.  The weekend we visited him was the last two days he was lucid enough to carry on a conversation.  Seeing their tearful farewell will always be a treasured moment for me.

June 3

Highlights since my last post:

1. I took my mother down to Moose Jaw to visit one of her grandsons.  Mom lives in Tisdale.  The elimination of STC is definitely going to impact her life.  On the other hand, at 89, she should probably not be riding the bus anymore.

2.  As many people know, I spent a large part of my childhood in the company of a good friend and neighbor, Sam Lanceley.  I lived most of my childhood with Sam on his farm south of Kelvington.  When Sam was no longer able to farm, my parents bought his farm and Sam came to live with my parents.  Sam's kitchen table from the farm has been in my possession for several years. It was built by an old Scandinavian carpenter in 1942.  Sam bought the table in 1961 at a farm auction.  I was with him the day we hauled it home in his 1952 Fargo.  The table followed me from Kelvington to Wood Mountain to Prairie River to Saskatoon.  Then Mary had the table for a few years until it came back to me this year.  Over the past two weeks, I have refinished the table.  The old table will become my office desk once the varnish dries.

3.  On Thursday, June 1, I had a surreal experience.  I have been playing ball all of my life.  For the past 20 plus years, I have played most of my games at UMEA park behind Lawson Heights Mall.  I have watched many players blast a ball over the 12 foot fence 234 feet from home plate.  I have watched them strut around the bases and high five their teammates as they cross home plate.  I never thought I would see the day when I would be "that guy", but in the second inning of Thursdays game, I hit the ball right on the screws and thanks to a brisk tail wind, the ball sailed over the fence.  For me, it was like draining a hole in one.  Sure, I have hit several inside the park home runs, but this one was special...a dream come true.  A dream I never thought I would realize especially at 61 years of age. 

May 17

The family reunion is in the books.  The reunion commenced with my mother arriving on Wednesday at noon.  First order of business was to bake a batch of buns.  On Thursday, she baked two batches of buns...96 buns in total...89 years old...no problem.  On Thursday evening, my youngest sister from Fort Lauderdale, Twyla, arrived.  She hasn't been back to Canada in 17 years.  My brother Vince and his wife, Loretta arrived on Friday morning.  We made a Costco run because we had to feed about 20 people for supper.  My brother, Wayne, and sister ,Paulette, arrived on Friday evening then a whole host of nieces, cousins, aunts and uncles started to arrive.  Because of the cool weather, my garage was transformed into a dining and party room.  After a barbecue supper, we had a sing song in the garage after a ukulele lesson, of course.  Nearly 20 people stayed at my house on Friday and Saturday evening.  On Saturday, there were 54 relatives assembled.  Thank you, Lord, for providing a mostly sunny afternoon on Saturday. People visited in the house or on the deck.  Many people played bocce on the back lawn.  We took over 400 pictures.  I have looked at the pictures several times since the weekend.  The pictures captured the reason why we had a family reunion in the first place.  The pictures captured smiling faces, children on grandma's knee, hugs, laughter, tomfoolery, singing, playing, conversation, joy, joking, heckling, lots of love, families united, cousins connecting, reminiscing, remembering, and most importantly, my mom taking it all in.  She was so happy she cried.  Saturday evening, over 50 people enjoyed beef on a bun(buns compliments of Mom), salads, and a variety of desserts.  Uncle Clarence and I led a sing song after another ukulele lesson.  Hearing Uncle Clarence sing the familiar old songs brought back wonderful memories of the many times over the years that our family has gathered for sing songs.  Most people departed on Sunday morning.  Many people pitched in to get my house back in order.  The food was stored, sheets/towels were washed, beds were made, floors were vacuumed, and rentals returned.  Everyone left with grateful hearts and fond memories of the weekend that was.

May 4

Whoa!  I haven't blogged in nearly a month.  April must have been a busy month. My biggest project was to tile Haley's old room in the basement. One of the highlights of the month was going to Tisdale on April 22 to celebrate my mom's 89th birthday.  She is an amazing woman.  She knits, she sews, she bakes buns, and still cleans her own apartment.  I forgot to mention that Mom has an older brother who will be turning 91 in just a few days.  He lives in Edmonton.  One of Mom's greatest wishes has been to visit him at least one more time; therefore, I took Mom to Edmonton on April 10-11 to visit Uncle Ted.  We almost had to cancel the visit because Ted took a spill in the nursing home that resulted in major injuries including fractured vertebrae in his neck.  Seeing Mom and Ted reunited was certainly touching.  Who knows?  Maybe this won't be their last visit.  Whatever the case, Mom is content in having had the opportunity to see Ted one more time.

On May 13, our family is going to honor Mom by having a family reunion at my house.  I am expecting close to 60 family members to attend.  Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and we won't have to "shoe horn" everyone into the house.  My sister, Twyla, who hasn't been home in 15 years will be coming.  Nearly everyone of my siblings children will also be attending along with a brother and sister of my mom.  Of course, all four of my siblings will be present.  I have been busy putting the house in order.  I have created space for 12 people to sleep.  Should be cozy.

May also marks the beginning of slow pitch season.  I am no longer playing in the 50 plus league in the evenings.  I play in the 60 plus league every Tuesday and Thursday morning.  I also plan to fill my summer days with biking, kayaking, hiking, and golfing.

Haley has begun her course work for her Masters in Educational Administration.  She is a busy girl with her teaching position at Delisle Composite School, coaching, writing papers, being a wife, attending fitness classes, and keeping her house in order.  Haley is without a doubt, the new matriarch in the family.

Mary and Morgan went to Greece for their honeymoon from April 13-24.  They completely overjoyed and content with their Greek getaway.  Mary is busy like Haley.  She is also teaching musical theatre with a local dance company.  Mary and Morgan are having fun landscaping the yard around their home in Warman.

I should mention that on April 7 we had a small family ceremony at Woodlawn Cemetery to inter Judy's urn in the Columbarium.  After the ceremony, we went to Judy's favorite coffee spot, City Perk, to reminisce.

April 8

I returned home from Orlando on Monday, April 3.  The vacation was great.  I played golf at a PGA course on the Disney property.  Very posh.  There were all kinds of warnings to stay away from the ponds because of gators and the rough because of the two types of poisonous snakes that protect the wayward golf balls.  Throughout the holiday, I stayed very active rollerblading, walking, biking, playing tennis, and swimming. 

Yesterday, we had a very small family gathering at Woodlawn Cemetery to inter Judy's ashes.  There were tears, hugs, and even a thoughtful smile or two.  Audrey prepared a beautiful message for Judy and I officiated the interment.  Mary suggested that we place a wine glass in the niche for sentimental reasons so a wine glass and a shot glass were included.  I believe it was Dustin who suggested we should also include a cigar.  Judy liked to light up with the sons-in-law when the opportunity presented itself.  We didn't have a cigar so Judy will have to do without tobacco until the niche is opened again.  After the interment, we went to Judy's favorite coffee shop, City Perk, to have a cuppa.  The whole afternoon was an appropriate act of remembrance.

I have included my interment remarks below.



Here we have gathered in memory of Judith Anne Opheim(Kolach), so that we may together perform one final duty of love. As an act of remembrance, with reverence and love, we have gathered to place her ashes here not so far away from the neighborhood where it all began for this amazing wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend. In so doing, we trust that somehow what was best in Judy’s life will not be lost, but will live on in her children, family, and all who knew her.
Let us join together in the spirit of prayer and meditation, first by hearing familiar words from the book of Ecclesiastes, and then with a time of silence....
To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to reap;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to gain, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
So wrote the ancient prophet.
One of your mom’s favorite books of all time was Proof of Heaven.  It was the first book I read after Mom died.  The author, Eben Alexander, a neuroscientist was in every way dead and returned to life.  He tells of his experience.  He passed from the Earthworm’s Eye View to the Gateway to the Core where he was in the presence of God where he was taught many wondrous things about all that exist, such as the fact there are countless universes, but none of that knowledge mattered. The only thing that mattered was the knowledge that:

1.     You are loved and cherished.

2.     You have nothing to fear.

3.     There is nothing you can do wrong.

Love is without a doubt the basis of everything.  The love Eben Alexander experienced in his death experience was so wondrous that he could not express his feelings in words.  He said it was like trying to write a novel with only half the alphabet.  However, the single most important lesson that he learned from his experience, the discovery he wanted to share was the unconditional love and acceptance he experienced in the Core.  To know that Judy is surrounded by love and resting in a wonderful place where she is loved and cherished and without fear should bring us some comfort.  Perhaps this is the knowledge that she gained by reading this book.  Perhaps this is the knowledge that helped her through the darkest time of her life…the darkest time of our life.

One of Judy’s favorite songs was “We Rise Again” by the Rankin Family.  I think of this song often and I see that Judy lives on in our hearts and minds, but especially in the lives of Haley and Mary.  Haley and Mary, you are a testament to the wonderful mother you know.  She poured her love into you and now you continue her legacy in your life, your marriage, your relationships, and in your careers.  Do you want to see what Judy stood for?  Do you want to see what Judy valued?  Do you want to see why Judy fought so valiantly to live?  Look at Haley and Mary.

When the waves roll on over the waters
And the ocean cries
We look to our sons and daughters
To explain our lives
As if a child could tell us why

That as sure as the sunrise
As sure as the sea
As sure as the wind in the trees
We rise again in the faces
of our children
We rise again in the voices of our song
We rise again in the waves out on the ocean
And then we rise again

Now we place these ashes; what has come from the earth goes back to the earth; so the cycle of life turns yet again.

[Placement of ashes]

; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to

dust, in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, through

Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly bodies so that they will be like His

glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subdue all things to Himself.

May God the Father, who created this body, may God the Son, who by His

blood redeemed this body, may God the Holy Spirit, who by Holy Baptism

sanctified this body to be His temple, keep these remains to the day of the resurrection of all flesh.

Having completed this final task, may we go forth in hope, with a measure of peace, so that we may live out our own lives with renewed memory and with deepened love for Judy and for one another.

May the truth that sets us free
And the hope that never dies
And the love that casts out fear
Be with us now
Until dayspring breaks
And the shadows flee away.
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields.
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His Hand.

We have been blessed by Judy’s life; go in peace. Amen.

March 11

I have been reading The Power of Purpose by Richard Leider over the last few weeks.  He asks the question:  Why do you get up in the morning?  If the truth was told, I would have to say I usually get up to play sports.  Monday was volleyball, Wednesday was hockey, and Friday was hockey.  I continued my torrid pace in the Plus 60 league playing against 70 and 80 year olds.

On Thursday, March 9, I was a guest presenter at Resonate, a music workshop for Prairie Spirit School Division.  I have taught all day for a long time.  I was exhausted, but I had a lot of fun.  Teaching ukulele skills to students that range in age and ability is always a challenge.  One of my life's purposes is to enrich the lives of children by teaching them to play the ukulele and to keep the old folk songs alive.

On today's agenda, I plan to visit the home show at Prairieland Exhibition.  My son in law, Dustin, has a display.  Hopefully, Haley will be there as well.  Mary and Morgan are around town this weekend so I should be able to see them as well.  The girl's lead very busy lives so best way to get some time with them is to book an appointment.

In 12 more days, I am off to Orlando for  a 10 day vacation.  Hopefully, when I get back, the snow will be all gone and the weather will be conducive to bike riding.

March 5

On Wednesday, March 1, I celebrated my 61st birthday.  My birthday this year was actually like a Ukrainian wedding...the celebration stretched over several days.  The girls and their husbands had dinner with me on Wednesday evening at Konga Cafe.  It's always a joy to get together with the girls and their husbands.  Their is always laughter, reminiscing, and good conversation.

On Friday, I played hockey, then delivered lunch to Haley at Deslisle Composite School.  Another joy...having Haley teach in the town where I spent most of my teaching career.  Not long ago, Haley was referred to as "Alvin's daughter" and now I am referred to as "Haley's dad".  After lunch, Haley took me on a tour of the school to meet her colleagues and her prized students.  Haley is an incredible person and obviously, an incredible educator.  The girl who wasn't interested in post secondary education has now completed her Bachelor's degree,  a post graduate degree in special education, and now she is working on her Master's degree in Educational Administration.

Mary, my other pride and joy was busy this weekend volunteering as a judge at a cheerleading competition.  She put in some long hours.

Tonight, I met my gang in Warman for our weekly family dinner.  The girls are usually very busy during the week and on weekends so I thank the Lord we have a protected time on Sunday evenings when we can meet.

The plan for this week is to play volleyball tomorrow, hockey on Wednesday, and hockey on Friday.  I am also serving as a presenter at a music workshop in Hepburn on Thursday.  The ukulele man rides again.

In sporting news, I believe I mentioned in an earlier post that I have been accidently placed on the second line of my plus 60 hockey team with the 70 and 80 year olds.  I let the league officials know a mistake had been made.  They said changing the lines would be too difficult so I should just play with  the second line, but don't score 34 goals.  I said that wouldn't be a problem given my limited hockey skills.  I have limited myself to 0.75 goals and 3.0 assists per game just to be decent.  I feel like Wayne Gretzky.  I gain possession of the puck in the offensive zone, then I skate around until my wingers find their way to the scene of the crime.

On Tuesday, February 28, I had an unusual experience.  A film crew from Hockey Night in Canada filmed our game and interviewed players.  The footage will be shown during the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs.  An added thrill was a surprise visit from Lord Stanley's Cup...the real thing was brought out on the ice at the end of our game.  I had my picture taken with the mug.  As I wrote on Facebook, I was born in Canada's Hockey Factory (Kelvington), but I was a factory reject.  This is as close to the cup as I'll get.

I recently made arrangements for the internment of Judy's ashes at Woodlawn Cemetery.  A niche in the columbarium holds two urns.  One for Judy and one for Judy when I join her in heaven.  Part of the process is to write a simple epitaph for the plaque that will be place on the niche.  What to write?  What to write?  Ah, I know.  What would Judy say..."It's all good!"

February 22

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of Judy's death.  In the week leading up to February 21, I encountered several bouts of extreme sadness.  As mentioned in an earlier blog, the feelings of sadness/grief are insidious and uninvited.  I was going to say the feelings are random, but they do creep up when the 21st of any month approaches.  Of course, the 21st of February came with greater significance.

What can you do?  Well, the best I can do is anticipate there will be bouts of sadness and the best response is to pray for the peace that surpasses human understanding.

I took Haley and Judy's sister, Audrey, for lunch yesterday.  We had a time of remembrance and support.  Mary is in Houston with a good friend this week and her thoughtful friend made the day a special time of remembrance with Mary.  After lunch, Haley and I took my two grand dogs for a walk out the acreage.  We had a wonderful chat.  I continue to be amazed by the courage, wisdom, and strength my daughters have shown in the last year and in the years of supporting their mom leading up to her death.

So there you have it.  The year of firsts has drawn to a close and so begins a year of seconds.  People who have walked this path before tell me the grief never ends, but overall, the intensity lessens in time.

It has been quite a year.  I pray to God that 2017 will be a better year for everyone.  Over the last year, there have been the saddest days of my life and the most intense feelings of loss, but I live in hope that our hearts will heal and we will serve Judy with the greatest honour, a life well lived with hope, love, forgiveness, faith, and a positive attitude.

February 9

On Saturday, January 28, I flew to Miami for the beginning of a 5 day Caribbean cruise.  The flight to Miami was a grind because I had a 7 hour layover in Toronto.  On Sunday, January 9, my youngest sister, Twyla, who lives in Fort Lauderdale Fl joined me for breakfast and delivered me to the Cruise terminal.  If you have never been on a cruise, let me tell you the line ups far exceed the longest lineups you have ever experienced at the airport or Boxing Week shopping.  The switchbacks were 50 meters long and went on and on.  I boarded the cruise ship by mid afternoon, toured the ship, had a restful sleep, and woke up in Nassau, Bahamas.  While in Nassau, I went on land, enjoyed a few local beers, and checked out the tourist junk.  Nassau is a friendly little city.  I enjoyed seeing the police with their white tunics and pith helmets.  Tuesday was a cruising day. Wednesday was spent in Cozumel, and Thursday was another day at sea.  The cruise ended in Miami on Friday morning.

I am not sure whether I would go on another cruise.  The food is great.  There are lots of activities.  I met a lot of nice people...mostly Americans.  The weather was great.  I loved Nassau and Cozumel.  I didn't wear a patch and never had motion sickness.  My room was great.  The service was amazing.  Even though I was on a ship with 3700 other people, it was lonely being a solo traveler.  There weren't hundreds of cougars begging to dance with me.  Most of the activities were geared toward couples and the younger crowd.  That being said, I am glad I had the chance to try the cruise experience.

Friday was a long day.  I had to clear out of my room by 8 am, then I had to sit in a waiting area for 2 and a half hours before leaving the ship.  Once off the ship, there were long line ups and to make things interesting, the fire alarm went off in the cruise terminal.  I was rushed through customs and when I finally exited the terminal, everyone was herded across the street.  Fire engines, taxis, cars, buses, police cars pulling up on boulevards, pandemonium, swearing, whistles blowing, horns honking...It was a little tense.  Fortunately, I didn't have to be to the airport until 1pm.  The flight to Toronto was fine, but when I went to collect my suitcase, the conveyor belt failed.  Ultimately, I had five minutes to spare once I collected my bags and cleared Canadian customs.  At least, I thought I had 5 minutes until I discovered my flight to Calgary was delayed an hour.  After boarding, we had to wait on the runway for an eternity because they had to de-ice and drive around the runways for a while.  I got into Calgary 20 minutes after my connecting flight to Saskatoon was supposed to depart. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the Saskatoon flight had been delayed until 1:45 am so with the time difference, I got home at 4:30 am.  Oh yeah, and they lost my suitcase with the winter jacket that would have come in handy.

Now that I am back home, I am back to my usual routine of putzing, playing hockey and volleyball.  It's good to be home.

January 23

Saturday, January 21 marked 11 months since Judy's death.  Of course, the 21 of every month will always be a time to remember.  Remembering is a good thing.

Saturday also marked the anniversary of Mary and Morgan's first wedding at Royal University Hospital Chapel.  Mary celebrated by spending the evening with her dear old dad in Wishart at the Malanka (Ukrainian New Year) celebration.  I think this year's Malanka was the fifth one that I have enjoyed and I must say this is one that I enjoyed the most.  They have all been good, but this one was the best.  I danced until 2 am, then Mary and I were guests of a couple who live on a farm close to Wishart. We arrived at the farm at 2:30 am and, of course, we had to have a night cap.  I don't think I have partied like that since 1978.  After pancakes and sausage on Sunday morning, Mary and I returned to Saskatoon by 2:30 pm.  Dustin, Morgan, and Haley joined us for supper on Sunday evening.  I cleared the snow off the barbeque and we enjoyed barbequed chicken and salads for supper.

Attending Malanka in Wishart is like is like stepping back in time.  Hundreds attend.  Children dance with their parents.  Tiny babies, toddlers, grandmas, and grandpas all attend.There are 3 types of cabbage rolls, three types of perogies, kilbasa, home grown veggies, and roast beef.  The local Ukrainian club, the Hopak Dancers, performs several dances. Mary danced with a group of Hopak Alumni.  As usual, she the girl I go to see. A guest troupe from Regina also performs.  The hall is packed.  There is laughter, dancing, and song.  Of course, Mary and I danced a dozen polkas.  My shirt was soaked.  I am proud that at 60 years of age I can dance circles around the young pups.

This week, I am back to my routine of playing volleyball, going for long walks, and visiting friends.  The suitcase is being packed for my next adventure which begins on Saturday.  I believed I mentioned in an earlier blog that I am going on a cruise out of Miami next week.  I am really looking forward to checking off another experience on my bucket list.

January 18

I just returned home this afternoon from a 10 day Arizona vacation.  I was in Yuma for 5 days and Mesa for the last 5 days.

The highlights:  While in Yuma, I stayed in a Microtel and visited my sister, Paulette.  Let me tel you, the tel was Micro.  The room was the same size as the room at the Trail's End Hotel where I hung my hat for my first few days in Wood Mountain during my first year of teaching in 1978.

Paulette kept me busy all week.  Elvis tribute on Monday, trip to Algodones, Mexico on Tuesday, dance lessons/dance/jam session on Wednesday, and dance on Thursday.  I clocked 22 000 steps on my iPhone app Tuesday.  Paulette and her friends love to dance.  I was bagged after every day's activities. 

Yuma is tailor made for the plus 70 crowd.  You don't see many youngins in Yuma.

On Friday, January 13, I took a shuttle to Phoenix.  My buddy, Rick Gosselin, picked me up on Tempe and we made a bee line for the Coyotes game.  On Saturday, we enjoyed the day at Rick's RV resort, then took in the movie, Allies.  On Sunday, we went to church then checked out the Mesa Flea Market on Boundary Road...acres of golf equipment, clothing, jewelry, lawn ornaments, useless things, and goo gaws all for surprisingly high prices.  Sunday night, Rick and I took in the ASU Sun devils ladies basketball game against Washington State.  On Monday, Rick and I golfed with his buddies at Phoenix Resort Golf Course.  I tore up the course as only I can do, but I had fun. On Tuesday, I went hiking in the Gold Canyon (Superstition Mountains).  My friends, Lyle and Bernice Wudrich and I hiked to The Wave Cave.  Three hours, 12 000 steps and the equivalent of 47 stories.
After hiking, we drove up to Tortilla Flats for some country music and a little bit of dancing at a roadside tavern.  On the road back to Phoenix, we stopped the Dutchman Copper Mine, a re-created western town.  We ended the day with some excellent pork ribs at the Philly Restaurant.

Today, I took a direct flight to Saskatoon.  The plane was on time and landed 5 minutes ahead of schedule.

This weekend, I am off to Wishart with Mary for Malanka.  Mary is performing this year with the Wishart Hopac Ukrainian Dancers.  I should be in dance shape after the Yuma experience.