December 15

 If you are a Facebook user, you know memories from years past pop up on your newsfeed.  This morning,  a memory popped up from 15 years ago from an old student of mine.  I taught her in the early 80s.  She was an interesting person.  She loved scratch and sniff stickers, a fad at the time.  She always borrowed the same book from the library...Ripley's Believe it or Not Tombstones.  She was creative, sensitive, and eccentric.  Moreover, she was different and for that difference she was bullied by some.  I was a relatively new teacher and found her fascinating. An obligation at the school was to orchestrate a yearly assembly for each classroom.  I wanted to amaze everyone with my abilities as a drama/music teacher so I pulled out all the stops to present a musical based on the Hans Kristian Anderson story, "The Ugly Duckling".  This young lady was going to be my star so I cast her as the ugly duckling.  I made her an elaborate costume with crepe paper, meter sticks, and a white bed sheet.  Oh yeah, and flippers from a snorkelling set.  The ducklings were dressed in yellow garbage bags stuffed with newspaper to plump out their tail feathers.  The students learned their lines and practiced their songs.  I designed the set.  I was going to impress!  On the day of the performance, everything that could go wrong, did go wrong.  The students forgot their lines. The stuffing came out of the ducklings legs.  Their singing was barely audible.  My star tripped over her flippers and knocked over other students with her meter stick wings.  She got into a fight with another student.  I was horrified!  Then I looked at the audience.  The parents were sitting behind the student body.  They were giggling gleefully and totally enjoying the performance.  After the students returned to the classroom, I reamed them out for their sub par performance and they were contrite.  In the fallout from the debacle, I came to realize parents and everyone else were not watching the performance to boost the ego of a cocky young teacher.  They were there to see their child on stage and whatever happened in the performance was okay because their pride and joy were up there doing their best.  It wasn't about me; it was about them.

Back to my star.  I didn't realize at the time that she was autistic.  This was before we heard the word, autism, in referent to the movie Rainman starring Dustin Hoffman.  We didn't understand.  Autistic students were not understood and were thought to be "weird".  Thankfully, the part I got right was: I appreciated the unique individual I encountered long ago.  And this morning, she wrote something to the effect, "We've come a long way over the years.  I am glad that you were my teacher".

December 14, 2023

 I was born in 1956, the year snowfall levels were so massive that snowbanks reached the arms of the telephone poles. I read once that "you are what you were born to".  This helps to explain why I love snowfall and winter storms.  Apparently, I am going to have to wait for my snowfall pleasure this year.  This autumn has been remarkably warm in Saskatoon and, apparently, we are going to have a brown Christmas.  

The highlights since my last blog entry are as follows :

1.  Our November getaway to the townhouse at Elk Ridge was very satisfying.  There was a bit of snow, but I am certain the meagre amount of snow has melted away.  Linda and I had a day to ourselves, then we had some dear friends join us for one night. To finish the weekend, we had my clan join us for Saturday and Sunday.  We had the swimming pool and the hot tub at the Lodge all to ourselves both days.  Luvisa and Gunnar spent hours in the pool and on the waterslide.  We had quality time together as a family.

2.  The rest of November was back to the routines that we enjoy...morning coffee and Wordle games, hockey, pickle ball, hockey, long walks, Christmas baking, grandparenting, and healthy living.

3.  As mentioned in a previous blog, Linda and I joined two other couples in Puerto Vallarta for a week at an all inclusive.  We really enjoyed the time spent with friends eating good food, lounging by the pool/beach, playing dice, swapping tales, and merry making (if you know what I mean).

4.  Two days after returning from Mexico, we had little visitors.  Mary and Haley went on an epic trip to New York City to celebrate Haley's 40th birthday so we looked after Luvisa and Gunnar.  Having two people on deck to meet the needs of a five year old and a two year old is much easier than flying solo.  I am proud of the way Mary handles the challenges of being the lone parent while Morgan is away for work every other week.

5.  Haley and Dustin's new house is under construction on Spadina Crescent.  The framing is mostly completed and the windows/doors will be installed very soon.  Fortunately for them, the weather has been favourable for construction.  The house should be closed in before much snow falls.

6.  Christmas Eve festivities will be at Mary and Morgan's this year.  We used to always congregate at our place, but meeting at their place makes more sense because the grandchildren can get to bed earlier.  Erin arrives on December 22 and Scott arrives at midnight, Christmas Eve.  They will be at their dad's place on Christmas Day while Linda and I will be at Haley's for Christmas dinner.  On Boxing Day, we will be going to Prince Albert to enjoy Christmas dinner with Linda's family.

7.  Our next trip to Elk Ridge will be December 30-January 7.  Hopefully, there will be enough snow at Elk Ridge to cross country ski and snowshoe.  Whatever the case, it will be enjoyable to be surrounded by the boreal forest as we bring in the new year.

This concludes my December 2023 edition.  I wish everyone peace in their homes and in their hearts.  May you experience forgiveness and freely give forgiveness.  May you also have thankful hearts healthy bodies.  May you also share good will toward all the people who share life's journey with you.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

November 2

 Greetings from 110 Gustin Crescent.  Today is a Thursday and because my whole life is a long weekend, Linda and I are traveling up to our townhouse at Elk Ridge for the weekend.  We have already had a chance to use the townhouse in October soon after we took possession.  Linda's daughter, Erin and grand dog, Otis, spent five days at Elk Ridge in mid October with us.  Linda's Prince Albert family joined us for one day to celebrate Linda's Big 6 - 0.  Even though October - November is off season at Elk Ridge, we still found plenty to enjoy with hiking the boreal forest, playing games, enjoying healthy food, and using the pool/hot tub at the lodge.  This weekend, my clan is joining us for Saturday/Sunday.  Should be fun with 6 adults, two grand dogs, a five year old, and a two year old.  I can hardly wait to take a long walk in the bush.

In other news:

1.  Our trip to Cypress Hills in September was gratifying.  We camped with another couple who have a motor home.  They also had electric bikes so we rode for miles on the trails of Cypress Hills.  We also toured Fort Walsh and took in the attractions of Maple Creek.  From Cypress Hills, we traveled across southern Saskatchewan to Wood Mountain where I began my teaching career (1978-80) and Grasslands National Park.  I even had a short visit with my old buddy, Billy Mielke who lives in Wood Mountain.  Linda was blown away by the solitude of village.  We were able to go into the school where I taught and we breezed by my old teacherage ($45/month including some utilities).  After Wood Mountain, we made our way to Regina where we stayed in Buffalo Lookout Campground and visited with my oldest brother, Vince, and his wife, Loretta.  On the return trip to Saskatoon, I had to pray really hard to avoid running out of diesel.  Note to self, don't trust gas gauges.  I believe I had 0.6 litres of diesel when I rolled into Davidson for fuel.

2.  The trip to Oakville/Ottawa/Montreal was a huge success.  Linda's sister and her husband live in Oakville, just a couple blocks from Lake Ontario.  Linda likens a stay at her sister's place to staying at a spa.  We enjoyed wonderful meals, bike rides, good conversation, and long walks through affluent neighbourhoods.  The leaves were just beginning to turn glorious fall colours.  One day, we drove to Elora, near Guelph.  The countryside in southern Ontario is always interesting...so different from Saskatchewan landscapes.  The Blue Jays games were an event.  Blue Jays lost.  That's all I'll say about that!  I did have the good fortune of taking in the second game with my good buddy, Brian Hartzell and his family.

3.  From Oakville, we took the train to Ottawa.  We spent two nights with Linda's son, Scott, and three nights at a nearby Airbnb.  Linda and I did a city tour on a double decker bus, biked the Rideau Canal, walked for miles, hiked the Gatineau escarpment with Scott, and toured the National War Museum among other attractions.  

4.  On Thanksgiving weekend, we drove with Scott to Montreal where Scott's girlfriend, Sara, lives.  We took in a photo exhibit featuring award winning photos taken by photographic journalists from various around the world.  We also toured the waterfront, Old Montreal, and Mount Royal.  It had been many years since I had been in Montreal.  Montreal has a totally different vibe than Toronto.  We enjoyed some delicious food and good conversation.  

5.  After driving back to Ottawa, we caught a train the next day and returned to Oakville then flew back to Saskatoon on October 11.

6.  Linda and I have got back to our routine in October with Linda playing pickle ball and me playing hockey.

7.  Mary and Haley are well into their school year.  Unfortunately, there seems to be imminent job action and possibly a strike in the near future.  Morgan is enjoying his new job at Cenovus and Dustin's business has moved to a new location with more show room and production area.  Haley and Dustin's new house plans were finally approved by the City of Saskatoon.  I think the basement will be poured by the long weekend.  They had hoped to have the build closed in before the snow arrived, but construction will go ahead with winter build accommodation.  

8.  Luvisa is dancing on Mondays and Wednesdays.  She is in jazz, ballet, and acro on Mondays; Wednesday is Ukrainian dance.  The Luv Bug is enjoying kindergarten especially because she has a wonderful kindergarten teacher who has a talent for bringing out the special qualities and strengths of each student.

9.  Gunnar is learning new words everyday and speaking more in sentences.  He is a lovable little guy who loves to laugh and cuddle with his grandpa.  We have lotsa fun playing ball, racing cars, and reading books when we get together.

10.  I have continued the musical gigs I started last year at Luther Heights Day Program singing songs with a group of adults with Alzheimer's disease.  My heart expands every time I get together with this wonderful group of people.  I just love them!

Our next adventure is in three weeks when we travel to Mexico for a one week all inclusive vacation.  Linda will have both her children home for Christmas and will likely spend Christmas Day with her Prince Albert family.  I will be with my little clan.  We will be bringing in the new year at our townhouse in Elk Ridge.  I will likely be making another blog entry before Christmas, but if I don't ... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

September 4

 Wow!  Has it ever been a summer.  Actually, summer isn't over.  When you are retired, summer is extended 365 days.  Tomorrow, Linda and I are off on another adventure.  We are taking the motorhome to Cypress Hills and Grasslands National Park.  We will be gone for a week.  Siesta Sam, the motor home has been rolling all summer.  We spent four weeks total at Waskesiu, one week at Emma Lake, one week at Candle Lake, two weekends at Memorial Lake, and I took the motor home to Fishing Lake and Kelvington.  

Other news:

1.  Luvisa starts kindergarten this year.  I had the privilege of being her chaperone at kindergarten orientation because Morgan was at work and Mary was wearing her teacher's hat because Luvisa is attending the school where Mary teaches, Traditions School in Warman.  Luvisa continues to be a nature lover.  She spent another summer collecting bugs, frogs, butterflies, dragon flies, and other critters.  She also took jazz dance lessons throughout the summer.  Her latest fascination is elk hunting with her dad.

2.  Gunnar continues being a healthy, happy little boy.  Listening to him use new words and form sentences brings me no end of entertainment.  I have been teaching him how to bat off of a tee.  He's gonna be a slugger.  He loves trucks and is very curious about all things mechanical.

3.  Haley and Mary are back to school.  Mary at Traditions and Haley at Aberdeen.  Mary continues to be busy with working out, Fireside Singers, and enriching the lives of her children.  Haley is quite excited because Dusting and Haley are building a new infill house on Spadina Crescent along the river north of 33rd Street.  Morgan is beginning a new job with Cenovus Energy as a power engineer near Lloydminister... one week in and one week out.  Haley, Dustin, Mary, Morgan, and the kids spent an enjoyable summer at Memorial Lake.

4.  When Linda has been home, she has been busy beautifying the yard and refinishing furniture.  She really does beautiful work.

5.  I missed a lot of ball this summer because we have been on the road a lot.  The highlight of the ball season for me was playing with the Saskatoon 65 plus traveling team at a tournament in Camrose AB.  Our team went unbeaten and won the whole thing.  Unfortunately, I injured my knee playing pickle ball in early June.  I have had a gimpy knee ever since, but the knee is getting better.

6.  Linda and I have enjoyed two music festivals this summer, the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival and the Waskesiu Music Festival on the beach.

7.  In late Septembers, Linda and I are flying to Toronto.  We will be visiting with family and friends in the area and I will be attending a couple Toronto Blue Jays games.  Hopefully, they will make the post season.  We will also be taking the train to Ottawa to visit Linda's son, Scott.  We will travel to Montreal to spend the Thanksgiving weekend with Scott and his girlfriend, Sara, who is a medical intern.  Then we will return to Saskatoon in mid October.

The last thing I will mention is that Linda and I have purchased a townhouse at Elkridge Resort.  We look forward to sharing the townhouse with friends and family and building memories year round.  We take possession on October 2.  We plan to do some hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snow showing throughout this fall and winter.  Next summer, we will be playing more golf and enjoying the opportunity to kayak, hike, swim, and hang at the beach in nearby Waskesiu. 

I know there is a lot of pain and hurt in the world.  There is plenty of bad news and I am aware of the suffering that exists.  I do pray for those who are sick and hurting, but in spite of all the pain, I try to find my bliss.  We are all going to die some day; however, until then, we shall live.

May 16

 A new month and so many changes to report...

1.  The upstairs of our house is has been totally repainted.  To continue the task of remaking our living space, we refurnished the living room with two new leather recliners, a new sofa, and an accent chair.  Looks amazing!  We were also able to sell the old leather furniture for a decent price.

2.  We had a full house for Easter.  Linda's kids were here from Alberta.  Linda's sister's family from Prince Albert and her nephew's family from Saskatoon were also here for Easter Dinner.  To add to the enjoyment, we also had Haley, Dustin, Mary, Luvisa, and Gunnar for a total of 19 people for the Easter meal.  The biggest controversy was whether the children should watch "Paw Patrol" or "Frozen".

3.  I was done hockey for the season at the end of April.  Linda and I began golf lessons on the same day hockey ended.  We had our toques and ski jackets on for the first lesson.  Linda is playing a lot of pickle ball and loving the sport.  I am getting into the sport too. I guess I'll have to fall off my wallet and get a decent raquet.  The $12.50 Canadian Tire model just isn't cutting it any longer.  The other players are shaming me and telling me my raquet sounds funny.

4.  I finally sold my camper trailer last weekend.  As mentioned in a previous blog, I gave up my lease at Shell Lake.  Fortunately, Mary and Morgan's name came up for one of the sites close to where I had my camper for many years.  Now they have a fully serviced lot for less than half the price they were paying in the campground.

5.  On May 10, we went to Luvisa's Ukrainian Dance Recital.  Bug performed very well.  She was shuffling, strutting, and wiggling perfectly.  Gunnar is beginning to use more and more words.  I am pleased to report that one of his favourite words is grandpa (Boppa).  He still speaks mainly his own version of babble, but his speech is developing.

6.  Linda and I will be taking the motorhome on its maiden voyage during the Victoria Day Weekend.  We will be joining the kids at Memorial Lake, except we will be in the campground and Mary/Morgan will be in the trailer court.  

7.  On the last weekend of May, we are taking the motorhome to Camrose AB because I am playing in a ball tournament near there.  We will have a chance to visit Linda's niece who lives near Stettler and my sister, Polly, who lives in Red Deer.  

8.  This is my year for dental work.  I had a root canal last week. On May 30, I have oral surgery and in June I am getting bridge to replace the upper dentures that I have had for decades. I will be in the prosthodontics chair for a total of six hours in the next two months. Good times. 

9.  Gunnar celebrates his second Birthday on June 2, the same day as Haley and Dustin's 11th anniversary.

10.  We had a Mother's Day Barbecue on our deck yesterday.  What a joy to have my little family together.  The adults visit while grandpa and the kids play in the backyard.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

11.  I had a date with Luvisa on Saturday.  We went to see a musical, "Frozen", at Prairie View School in Dalmeny.  We had a special time together including a deep conversation about what true love is.  Inspired by the musical, of course.

I have a good life and I am happy.  I am hopeful and thankful.  I have faith.  That is to say: the assurance of things hoped for and the certainty of things not seen (yet).  As long as I breathe, I hope.  It's all good.

Mr. Z, The Big Unit.

Luvisa bottom row third from left.

The old guy and the young gal.

Gunnar and Linda

My Bug in Mexico.

April 13

I know I have not made a post since December 1; therefore, I have some catching up to do. So here goes..

1.  It was a different Christmas this year.  Both of Linda's children, Scott from Calgary and Erin from Edmonton, were here for Christmas.  Linda's grand dog, Otis ,was also here for Christmas.  Linda, Scott, and Erin spent Christmas Day with Linda's sister's family in Prince Albert.  Mary hosted the Christmas Eve party at her place rather than the usual Christmas Eve at my place.  Haley hosted Christmas dinner.  We were joined by Dustin's parents.

2.  Linda and I snowshoed and cross country skied a fair amount this winter when we weren't holidaying or playing other sports.  I bought Linda a pickle ball racket for Christmas and now she plays pickle ball twice a week.  I play pickle ball once a week and play hockey twice a week.

3.  Linda and I flew to Palm Springs in January for a week.  We stayed with her sister, Chris, and her husband, Dwight.  The weather was cooler than normal, but the temperature was ideal for hiking.  We ate a lot of good food and played games every evening.  Good times.

4.  In February, Linda and I spent a week in Akumal, Mexico.  A highlight of Akumal was meeting three other couples from Winnipeg and Toronto who were staying in the same condo complex.  We had a lot of fun together going to the beaches and sharing meals together.  Another highlight was snorkelling at a lagoon north of Akumal called Yal Ku.  There was an amazing variety of tropical fish in very calm waters.  We spent another week in Playa del Carmen with my girls, their spouses, and the two grandchildren.  We had a beautiful villa rented with our own pool and huge patio area.  The villa was only 5 minutes from the beach and 10 minutes from the tourist area.  My gang loves to try out the various restaurants so they were in their glory.  Luvisa and Gunnar loved the swimming pool.  Luvisa spent hours swimming with Morgan while Gunnar threw stuff in the pool.

5.  Since we have been back home, we have been busy painting the main floor of the house.  Linda and I. painted all the trim and the doors, but we have a paint contractor painting the walls.  We also finished installing a new vanity in the ensuite.  We are not sure how we would build a house because installing a vanity with new fixtures has taken us nearly six months.

6.  Since November, I have been meeting weekly with a group of adults who want to learn ukulele.  We had our first performance on March 29 at Luther Heights for a group of Alzheimers patients.  I have a regular gig performing at Luther Heights.  I take my guitar/songbook and sing a few songs for the group.  Having my ukulele group perform with me was a real treat.

7.  The girls are doing well.  Haley recruited me to teach ukulele for her grade 9 music class in Aberdeen School.  I was surprised at how keen the students were to learn ukulele.  We had a very productive session.  Mary has been busy judging cheerleading over the last two months.  She was judging a provincial competition in Moose Jaw in early February.  On her way to Moose Jaw, she ran into a deer so her car is still in the body shop.  Fortunately, her mother in law was kind enough to lend Mary and Morgan her second vehicle.

8.  I have had a leased sight for my travel trailer at Shell Lake for the past 12 years, but I have given up my lease.  We will be using our motor home instead.  Dustin helped me retrieve  the trailer from Shell Lake and now we are selling the travel trailer. 

There are so many things I probably forgot to include in this blog entry.  Suffice to say, our lives are busy in spite of the fact we are retired.  Moreover, we are happy and thankful for a great relationship.  April 1 marked our one year anniversary of living together.  I am truly thankful for the companionship, conversation, support, laughter, compassion, and love.  Linda gets along very well with my kids and grand kids.  I also have enjoyed the loving support I receive from Linda's kids and her family.  We are blessed.