Cold Day In Ikaluktutiak

I was looking in my notebook for a spelling check and noted a item which brought back some fond memories. It was on December 18th and the weather forecast was for a storm moving in to our community within the day. At 5.30am it was hard for me to get excited but the weather was always important as I had responsibilities. First that cup of hot chocolate to help me wake up to the total black landscape and howling wind at 30 kms with a temperature hovering around minus 40.

My mind was on travelling home to see my family and I was counting the days and if all went well I would be on my way on the 20th. With the storm I was somewhat worried. I pushed open the outside door and managed to shovel the hard snow from my step. A whistle brought Buck, my dog out of his sleep under the snow and he stood stiff and tall and shock himself several times to clear his brain and fur of snow. He bounded up the stairs to the landing and after a pat and he always stood up and placed his paws on my shoulders and tried to lick my face. I hated this and let him know but rewarded him with a hind leg of a muskoxen. He retreated to the ground and began his meal.

I closed the door and realized that the barometer had dropped out of sight and maybe we were in for a big one. Still droopy I opened the fridge door and was greeted by a half Arctic Char left over from supper and began to eat it with home made corn bread and molasses. I felt better. I radioed the weather station two miles away and received the news I dreaded. Definite major storm and we were to take maximum defensive positions. Dispite the hour I called off the water and sewage trucks for the time being but made sure water was added to the hotels, nursing center and airport. It now read minus 65 wind chill.

Our radio station now broadcast warnings for the public and a snow day for the school and all non essential workers. I donned my heavy clothes and went by snow machine to hamlet office. The foreman of each dept. knew the drill better than I and prepared for a several day blizzard. Three of our people were out on the land and could not be reached by radio and this concerned us. The RCMP were on alert and together we made a quick check around the hamlet to make sure there were no tracks leaving the area.

Everything seemed to be set but I always felt responsible and worried a little. I left the hamlet office and went home but all radios and telephones were kept open. By 10.30 am the wind was a brisk 60 km and wind chill hovered around 8o below. At this temperature we did not want anyone outside. We patrolled and found that to be the case.A aircraft heading to Arctic Bay sought to land at our airport and as the visibility was fairly clear  the 737 made a perfect landing on the snow covered strip. Eleven miners were on board and were put up in the co.op hotel. We closed our airport.

Without water delivery it was important that everyone conserve water for at least two days. People knew the drill and everyone was OK. Since this was my first emergency I took great comfort from having my 2ic there to aid me.The snow blew into banks that were as hard as ice and up to the eves of the houses.Reports came in with problems with furnaces and water freezing but this was covered by workmen. All day
and that night the storm raged. The sound was
horrific and sounded like a huge animal bellowing as it tried to tear away the walls of the houses. Objects flew by in the wind and caused a danger but with no or limited light nobody stepped outside. By next morning the storm broke and when the wind slowed down everyone in the hamlet went outside and viewed the results. Loud chatter and calling to neighbours about how they managed the storm took place and it added a degree of excitement. Shovels, front end loaders,tractors and graders were fired up to open the streets and the road to the airport. With only a dim light from the sun lights were everywhere and it was an eary sight to view the activity being carried out by everyone in the hamlet.

I made a radio broadcast saying that a feast and games would be held at the rec center at 3pm and everyone was invited.Food was prepared and rec staff had music and games ready as a steady stream of people flooded the rec center. Musical chairs, step dancing and arctic games prevailed and musk oxen burgers, biffy and dried meat was produced and eaten by the people. A few seals and two caribou were cut up for the elders who enjoyed the raw meat and shared with the young ones.

We closed up the rec center at 10pm and everyone went home full of country food and happy for the experience. Inuit take adversity as a challenge and an opportunity. This was a lesson learned by me while there up north in the High Arctic.

Year 2011

I never measure my life in years, months or days but rather by events. This year was filled with events which caused me to consider my very future.One event close to home involving Doris shocked Theresa and I into the reality that she was aging and no longer capable of keeping up to our life of travel and adventure. What appeared to be a minor problem while in Florida resulted in a rather lengthy stay in hospital where tests showed some difficulties in her health. Being 94 and of excellent health except for a few minor issues never the less causes us to make arrangements for her stay at a residence when we travel from now on. This was to say the least a challenge as she has been our constant travelling companion for  12 years. We are fortunate to have found a beautiful accommodation here in Oakville where she will be able to continue her active and happy stay with seniors who enjoy independent living in a grand style.

Our next event was also a health issue involving me with necessary surgery on my spinal column to offset the ravages of arthritis. The period of time was about a year and after some setbacks we received a gift of an excellent procedure which leaves me pain free and ready to begin my new life in an active fashion. Theresa and I planned our year around this event and are looking foreword to our continued life in our home in Florida beginning in February.

Grandchildren graduating from university, more beginning or planning for further education and all growing into adulthood leaves us excited. A first grand child announcing marriage causes us to dust off those formal clothes because although this is the first there are seven more right behind. The dynamics of a family causes Theresa and I to just enjoy the activity created and treasure the opportunity be part of the family scene.

Our four children are the core of our family and they and their children make up a lively ever changing group and we see the challenges of raising and nurturing children vastly different than years gone by. We do our best to keep up but every time we get together we watch in wonder to see the world of youth today first hand and we smile and wonder how we would make out in this crazy, wonderful society.

Theresa and I have been talking about our five and ten year plan for the future and will no doubt make major changes . We plan to live to the fullest and to try to stuff as many of our bucket lists items to the forefront. I would say that travel and adventure will be the core of our life in the next five years and of course family. Always our goal will be to keep our clan safe and strong. 2012 is in sight and I just see it as a big bucket full of opportunities and I trust we will dip deeply and enjoy much.

Soulmate and Mentor

As we walk through life and manage to accumulate so many ideas and thoughts about where we fit into the grand scheme of things, we sometimes meet a person who by association aids in our search for the ultimate answer; we tend to find our comfort zone while in their company. One such person was Dr. J.W.E. Newbery. Maybe it was coincidence, but this United Church minister also married my wife's parents early in his ministry in Sudbury.

Years later when I decided to return to University full time, the first person I met when I went to register was Rev. Newbery. He was welcoming the students to the young university and although he was the principal of Huntington College he was right there in the mix of students, boxes and books. A shock of white hair and a smile a mile wide put you at ease and when he heard I was majoring in Philosophy and Religious Studies he gave me some special attention.

He was the head of the Philosophy Dept and Religious Studies and immediately made me feel at home when he said there was a $300 bursary that was available if I applied. That got my attention as I was married with a family and needed every penny. I hadn't set up a home at this point but he helped and after we had tea with his family I left with a list of good places to live, $300 bursary and a box of required reading for the philosophy courses.

From the very beginning Dr. Newbery and I became bonded. There was something special about this man's demeanour when he talked about religion. I connected when he told me he was working on a new curriculum involving spirituality derived from aboriginal peoples' beliefs. I had just returned from Northern Ontario where I shared two summers with Cree Indians and I was keenly into their culture. Our class was 10 people and we were able to share feelings and personal beliefs with the Dr. However we did much listening as this man espoused a type of new philosophy with a balanced mixture of bible, great works, native cultures of the world, and Christianity, with universal currency.

The four years I studied under Dr. Newbery were life changing. They brought the best of me to the forefront and convinced me to stay with education and forget about working for the church as my type of spirituality would make it be too confining. Dr, Newbery challenged me by giving me assignments to preach at various churches in Ontario who required a minister for special occasions or special subjects. I loved the work and the pay was good but I finally realized I was not speaking from conviction and refused further work. It was at this time I began to have a free and open discussion with Dr. Newbery about what I had accepted as my guide to life and the acceptance of the natural order of things as a reasonable alternative to organized church with all the rules, myths and dogma. I basically found peace and Dr. Newbery openly said that he had a similar experience and still  found comfort in the organized church and I might find that to be true later in life.

Dr. Newbery lived to be 96 and when he passed away a great scholar was lost to the academic fellowship of the university. His legacy was building bridges between faith communities. He developed native studies programs for universities and was awarded citations for his work with native communities within the penal system. A life long member of Amnesty International and human rights commissions earned him the Order Of Canada. For work in recognition of Native Spirituality he was awarded the standing of Honorary Elder a gift he treasured.

Dr. Newbery was close to the David Suzuki Foundation and supported it until his death. He wrote a short poem which I suppose summarises his beliefs.

O God around me,
Your spirit is the great wind
and the quiet breath of every creature.
Everything is alive in You
and towards You all things are moving.
                                                                                                               
E. Newbery

What If

As we move on past all the hype of Xmas and the good feelings we conjured up about the brotherhood of man and all that stuff I began to think what if.

Out leaders could go to work for us and do there job as a team and try to solve the challenges of running our wonderful country. If the leaders in power would lead and represent all the people and not the 20% who elected them. If they would take ideas from every source and see if it might be good and make life better for all.

All levels of government who have an interest in our aboriginal peoples would stop blaming each other for the condition these first Canadians find themselves in and develop a long term, sustainable strategy to bring about results which will bring them into the Canadian Mosaic. This is one of our untapped resources. Over one million people left out of the mainstream of our society is a cruel shame on Canada.

Canada could once again become a peace keeper in the world and forget about the billions of dollars to be spent on weapons which are clearly not for peace but  aggressive actions. Think of the good we could do with that money in our own country with purchases of material to do peaceful deeds. The challenges in the future of fire, flood and weather related events which will be caused by climate change.

All the countries of the world could truly embrace the United Nations as the one world organization which could sort out problems in house before they become world events. All the world powers work outside the UN and degrade the potential good of the organization.

The Tradition Lives On

Xmas Eve at our place with quiet times of special food and drink. Off to bed to be fresh for the morning of fellowship and sharing of gifts and Lynda's Xmas breakfast. A few hours of intense social interaction and then the breakaway for a couple of hours of family quietness and preparations for the family feast. Turkey of course and all the trimmings with more sweets to follow and finally everyone is mellow and beginning to talk about the great day we had. It is over in a twinkle of an eye but the seeds are already sown for the next year. The kids are sorting out who will be here and who will not and so on.

These days are so important for the life of the family and the bonding that takes place. Even though we are a tight knit family we depend on these days to help us hold on to that special something which I call the family brand. To say I am proud of our family ties would be a true statement but I see something unique happening here as the family grows and reaches out to the extended families represented around our table.I sit in wonder to see the happy faces and the verbage expressed by the young ones and I think that this family is in good hands now and in the future.

I realized that the family tried to make this year special for Theresa and I because of the challenges we faced over the past months and they did just that.How can you thank a family for this expression of love except by being the best that you can in the days ahead.

Christmas Morning

Every Christmas is special. This year I am doubly blessed because of my desire to be well and on my way to a new life with walking and physical capabilities. My wish was granted and my objective of walking free without cane or walker became a reality. Last eve we gathered in the sun room and played music and ate goodies and drank our favourite drinks until midnight . Seeing a full day ahead we wisely went to bed only to wake up at 7am and Begin our Xmas rituals all over.

I love Xmas and this being my 75th has special significance. Our family gathering will be robust, noisy and loving as usual but there is a certain change in the family. We are all adults so we are waiting for the new surge of energy to come from the next generation to make the picture complete.With Doris holding her 94 years in check we have four generations around the table. It is a wonderful feeling to be part of a family who share common goals and values and get excited about the simple things in life.

So MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone and remember the true meaning and do something unselfish to make the world a better place in which to live.

Time To Go South

With the warm weather continuing to keep our area in a summer like condition the birds are confused. First they flock and appear to head south and the they reappear again in numbers. The geese are seen in the open ponds and lakes in great numbers and every once in a while we see those flocks high in the sky swooping down and staying instead of going south to a warmer climate.

We have a holly tree in our front yard which is always heavily laden with red berries and captures the attention of robins and cardinals who live close by. This year we have been watching these birds to see when they make their move to leave. They seem to say they will leave when the last berry is enjoyed.

A View From The Past

Our little family were about to sit down for supper when our doorbell rang. I was down in the office so Doris answered the door and much to her surprise our neighbours were there with hands full of Xmas goodies and smiles a mile wide. As neighbours we have been close friends for the whole time we lived at this address.

Both my neighbour and myself have been having health issues for the past year and much time was used in a recovery mode. We have not really been able to socialize for some time and with the cold weather we were living indoors.

Today we were able to erase that void and in our hallway , in ten minutes we were able to reconnect and feel the camaraderie that we missed for some time. Xmas does that to neighbours. We have been sharing our home made wine, preserves and jams for years and I was so happy to see the tradition  remain intact that I realized we have to get our Xmas box ready in the next few days.

This sharing of friendship between neighbours is one tradition that I felt so strongly while living in the Ottawa Valley where friends dropped in without an invitation and people naturally shared their home made goodies because it was the proper thing to do. It is good that this spirit is still alive here in Oakville and it reminds me of a little view from the past.

Our Founding Citizens

Anyone who has known me will attest to the fact that I have a genuine interest in our First Nations people. History paints a ugly picture of how we messed up our many opportunities to bring these valuable people into the Canadian fold. Without attaching blame to the historic facts of just how we attempted to eliminate our aboriginal people let me be clear; governments, churches and the military have in their own turn caused massive destruction to a proud and valuable people.

Maybe through ignorance, maybe through policy, the past 400 years have not been kind to the First Nations. Dreadful, short term policies have turned proud people into third world economic and social wasteland. Most Canadians have only heard or seen pictures of our native people. They rely on the snippets of information given through the movies or newspapers who paint an inglorious picture of our fellow Canadians.

Picture yourself as a free spirited, independent and totally free group suddenly overwhelmed by the movement of thousands of Europeans who stormed across Canada taking what they thought was valuable land, and leaving in tatters a bunch of now homeless people to fend for themselves without resources. Most were killed when they tried to defend their homeland and the rest were herded on to reserves of worthless land and expected to gain the Canadian Dream living in shacks without even the most basic needs attended to.

In 2011 our First Nations people for the most part are no better off than most developing world peoples. There are exceptions where some of the First Nations found themselves on resource-laden lands and did well. The Inuit are fairing a little better in most cases but the Canadian Indians in our cold northern areas are suffering.

Every time the First Nations sign a treaty with the Federal Government the plan falls short. and once again we do not fund at a proper level to enable our young people to be able to cope with the modern complexities of Canadian society.

There are over two million First Nations people in Canada and they could become a valuable resource for our starved labour economy and take their place in the multi-faceted job market instead of lingering outside the Canadian dream "world of plenty". One of my hopes for the year will be a new wave of conscientiousness towards our forgotten people and a new dawn of hope on the horizon.

Time Is Flying

Today being the 18th I realize that a week from now most of our Xmas festivities will be over. The last few days Theresa has taken me out shopping with my cane or walker and I could not believe the courtesy shown me while making my way to elevators or doors. I was impressed and I wondered if this showing of good will was because of the Xmas spirit or the actual good feeling in humanity. I chose to think it is the latter.

While we were in the mall everyone was  busy shopping and moving about with a agenda  clearly written on their face. Stores are very busy and the outlook is for a successful business holiday season. In spite of the crowds and hurrying about there was one place front and center that caught our eye. It was Santa who had a mile long lineup of young faces whose eyes were straining to get a glimpse of the jolly old fellow. The marvel of just how Innocent young children are can be seen a mile away. We were the same many years ago and it is marvelous that the same magic still prevails today.

My task of getting in touch with all family and friends by phone is nearly complete and what a great task I have. Phone visits are so good for me and I feel a real connection after talking to people with whom I have had little association for a time. So time is flying and I better get to work and make a few more this evening.

Special Time

With eight grandchildren I am over blessed indeed. The nice problem is that I never have enough time to share personal one on one time with all of them. Because of the closeness to a few I see them often but the far away ones are not able to be with me close ,often enough for my liking. Today is an exception. Theresa and Doris are out for the afternoon with my oldest daughter for girl time and I have my two granddaughters all to myself for three hours or more.

These are the ones who are editing my children's stories and adding value to my starved vocabulary. When we get together we talk about world issues, women issues and the environment and we manage to solve every problem in our head.Time seems to pass so quickly and the little grandchildren have become mature ladies and you realize that the next generation is right around the corner. The happiness you reap at this time is the result of the times and efforts given to help make sure these people had every opportunity to grow up in a loving and nurturing society.

As you age there is no greater feeling than the one you get when in the presence of your family and you can say, what a wonderful bunch of people kids we belong to.

Empathy Days

During the years I was in politics I was called upon to participate in many projects to help highlight human conditions which impacted lives of many invisible minorities. I always took the challenge and was a good sport about living in a wheel chair for twelve hours, walking with a walker for some time and using a walking cane. As a public figure I recognized the need for open access to buildings, curbs that could be mounted by wheelchairs and elevators to otherwise in accessible public areas. The public reacted and slowly the small city progressed and all recent contracts made access a part of all contracts.

For the last three weeks I have been required to use a walker and cane to make my way about. This is a small requirement when you consider that thousands of Canadians live in a wheel chair or other means of travel and deal with the discomfort and inconvenience of such an arrangement. During these weeks of my semi confinement I have been thinking of ways to make life better for these folks. Times have been kinder and progress made with technology. A few days ago Theresa and I were stopped at a red light in downtown Oakville and we could not help but remark when we observed motorized wheelchairs at every intersection.

I was issued a handicapped parking card and it really is a good thing but all too often the spaces are taken up by people who do not need to use them.One of my Xmas wishes is that people will be aware of people who are dealing daily with mobility issues and to be courteous and make someone smile and say thanks to you for helping in any way to make life a little easier. I know they will appreciate it and you will be able to do a good turn.

What a Joke

I always thought that to show leadership you presented your best foot forward to show your commitment to the project. If it is finance you have a person who understands the financial issues and is able to  lead. If it is transportation you find someone who can lead in the field to show your commitment to the position. In the world today there is no greater issue than the environment. Every country in the world is concerned and willing to become involved in a solution.

In Canada we are not the worst polluter but for decades we have been a leader in pushing the green house gas agenda and offering world class leadership in the field. We have world recognized advocates who have made the world environment their life,s mission. For the last ten years we have become a catalyst for emerging nations to cling to the hope that a solution was available. We were a beacon of sober judgement on our own wasteful and dangerous contribution to the problem. Our rush to use our natural resources in the tar sands to float the economy of Alberta and the huge oil interests has clouded the federal policies to the degree that they have taken the retro step in dropping out of the one solid program called Kyoto.

Many observers have come to the conclusion that our governments dropout was motivated to cover up the lack of progress in meeting their expected goals set out in the treaty.

Our government positioned a cabinet minister who knows how to read scripted notes to frustrate parliament when the environment is going to hell in a hand basket. Instead of having a world class person leading the way for the world and shouting from the mountain tops of the need we have appointed a good, well respected person to this task and immediately turned him into a puppet. How sad to see Peter fumbling for his scripted papers when asked a question. Freed to be open and aggressive for his mandate he could be a tower of strength and could return Canada to its place in the world as a positive force rather than a eunuch when it comes to our environment.

There are people and groups who are watching this charade in parliament and will not be silenced. My new year's wish for the environment is that individuals in Canada will carry the torch and become greener in their own life and aid and abet such projects that further our move to a cleaner and more sensitive society and hope that some sense will come to our leadership and tip the scales in favour of our Canada.

Dreaming Of A White Xmas

The weather outside is warm and the grass is greener than some times in the summer but I am dreaming of a white Xmas. I don't mean snow and all that but the kind of Xmas when everyone gets together and it is like old times. This year our whole family are fortunate to share our time under one roof and recharge those family connections. We are always close and get together many times during the year but from the very beginning our immediate family were so much into the closeness that for years all four of our children slept in the same bed on Xmas eve.

There is something special about the festive season and even with all the commercialism and hype for spending there remains that strong bright desire to reach for a higher meaning of Xmas. We manage to share gifts, food and drinks but there is the bond as seen when I sit back and watch the interaction among the eight grandchildren. It is as clear as crystal that they share something special being part of a larger family and the giggles and chatter fills the room with love and sacred markings which say we are family.

Theresa and I are so fortunate to have healthy children and grandchildren with whom we are able to share our lives and I often think how lonesome it would be to find yourself without family. At Xmas we should attempt to connect with friends and family and bring a little cheer into the lives of folks who may not be as fortunate as we. So when I say I am dreaming of a white Xmas I mean that I am ready to open my mind to sharing with all who surround us and to add a spark of love and comfort into their lives.

Final Words On Hospital Life before Xmas.

Fifteen days in a mans life may not seem like a long time but what occured during that time can mean everything. I will give a few facts and figures which will tell much of the story. I was attended to by two chief Dr's. who performed the surgery.Twelve other Dr's. had a hand in the process as well as in the recovery. I was housed in three different rooms in two different departments. The spinal unit kept me for one week and then I was in re-hab for another week.

The re-hab week was a bonus because I had a small blood clot. I was taught how to dress myself, wash myself, get up and down without flexing my spine and how to walk with a walker and a cane. Managing steps was very important and was supervised every time by at least one if not two people. I was cleared after every session with a test and a colored sticker was placed on my walker. Since you walk on the day after your surgery it is important that you protect the gift you just received.

I walked 4500 meters during the days I was there and climbed 580 steps. I was attended to by no less than 14 different nurses and every one was just great. I never had a slice of bread nor and egg during the entire time I was there but the food was good for hospital food.

I kept these facts to keep me focused but in the end the fact that stands out is that not a cent was passed and I received world class medical attention from a system that cares for we Canadians. I am proud of the way I was cared for and thankful for the opportunity of a life changer.

Home Again

Fifteen days away from home and blogging. Today just before noon I walked through my front door on   my own under the watchful eye of Theresa May. I was greeted by Doris who missed me. I had a look around and everything was the same. What a wonderful feeling to return home.....there is no place like it.

After hospital food for 15 days I began to immediately make a real stew. Theresa got the meat from the freezer and I started with the veggies. I realized that you can't have a stew without a turnip so I asked Theresa to buy one  coming home from the pharmacy. With that task completed I was herded down to the recreation room and seated in front of the fireplace. With the TV clicker in one hand and apple juice and pretzels in the other and a blanket covering my legs , the welcome home treatment was complete.

I kind of had to shake my head to see if it was real. The last few days I saw many things that turned out to be imaginative things. Well this time it is real and I really am home again.

Guest Post: Notes from the Ward

I think the gold star treatment he has been getting on the spinal ward must be pretty good, because Pops seems to be really comfortable in his surroundings. He calls his nurses by name and they are barely out the door before he can tell you where they live, their educational background and other personal tidbits about them. I shouldn't be surprised; he is a people person after all.

Tonight when I walked into the room I saw my good old dad smiling back at me. He no longer looked like a vulnerable patient, although I know he still needs lots of help reaching for things. That leads me to the two "grabbers" he has tucked in close beside him that he uses to pull up his blankets and pick up things. They look like formidable weapons!

I asked him if he had any message for this guest post and he smiled and said, "write that in the beginning the concern was all about spines and nerves and now it is all about bladders and bowels!".

And on that note, I'll close by saying how proud I am of his progress. He is weeks ahead of where he expected to be and is a superstar yet again. Nite Pops. Don't let the bed bugs bite!

Lyn

Hey - no hanky panky: he can't bend, reach or lift for 3 months!

Guest Post: Upwardly Mobile

What a difference a day makes! Yesterday pain was like a cling-on pal who couldn't take hint. Pain was his bedfellow and it was evident in his restlessness, in the creases lining his face and most of all his eyes. He put up a good front but he was clearly agitated. I felt a little downhearted when I left him meditating the pain away.

But today it is a whole different story. Mama T tipped me off that he was in a better space with the pain under control and being up and around a little more. I popped in after work to see it for myself and I am glad I did. He was beaming, sitting up in his bed (30 degrees) having just polished off a delicious (yup - his words) chicken dinner. I scanned the tray and it was seriously licked clean! He chatted happily with Mama T by his bedside and boasted about the fact that he had gone 5 hours without pain meds. He actually did some stairs today and had lots of walking in. Mama T and I think he looks taller ... they say this operation can do that to a person (take note all you shorties out there).

Best of all (thankfully) he finally had a shower!

His talk is all about his recovery and his plans to make it as speedy and successful as possible. When I kissed his stubbly cheek (he hasn't shaved) and walked away, I couldn't help but marvel at his progress and fortitude, and what a difference a day can make.

Lyn

Guest Post: Walk On

When we stepped off the elevator first thing this morning, there he was ... leaning heavily on a very tall walker, and walking (albeit tentatively). Standing tall, sitting pretty and clutching the button for his morphine pump, his eyes showed the breadth and depth of his pain. But he swears that it is exactly what he expected. No complaints; just grit and determination.

The road in front of you will get easier with each passing day. Walk on Pops!

Lyn

Guest Post: Onward and Upward

So after months of delay, dismay, regrouping, strategizing and preparation -- he underwent his surgery and came through the other side in fine form. He was rocking an off the shoulder, paisley cotton hospital-issued gown with bright blue paper slippers. I hear they are all the rage this year. His hair was swept in an up-do, off his face to accentuate volume and texture.

He emerged from his procedure humbled blue paper slippers will do that for you, relieved, elated, focused - and of course, in great pain. The surgeon assured the congregated clan that the procedure was a success and that he will be on the mend and vertical in no time.

Dad is grateful that the surgery is behind him and is focused intently on his recovery. He outlined the next steps as he saw them and assured us that he would be up when we went to see him tomorrow.

As we left him to his self administering morphine pump and visions of a long night ahead he has no illusions, his sweet good night and smile were like elixirs for worried hearts.

Good night Pops. Rest well, for tomorrow. the real work begins. Onward and upward and that will probably involve stairs!

Lyn

People Do Care

Today I was making last minute preparations for my surgery tomorrow. From early in the morning until when I closed the phone at 9:50, there has been a steady stream of well wishers. My children and grand children are concerned of course; and my neighbours came over to offer support and make me feel good. Friends who for years have supported me in my many endeavours called or emailed me. I was wishing I was back in politics again because with this outburst of concern, I could have won every time.

What I am really trying to say is that I am overwhelmed with kindness and it makes me feel so grateful and humble, that I had to express these feelings. I always knew this to be true, but this time there is written and verbal proof. I shall try to be worthy of these sentiments and in turn do my part to add to the pool of well-being and kindness expressed by you to me today.

Thank you.

Christmas Tree

For the past number of years Theresa and I arrive home from Florida in time to set up a small tree and a few decorations to make the house look like a home ready for Christmas. This year with us being here for the whole holiday time and more we thought we should get in the spirit of things and get with the Xmas charm. We gave away our large tree some years ago knowing that we would never use it again. Well here we are needing a tree. Our daughter Glenda has a card for Costco and informed us that they had some good deals on trees.

We met her at the front door an immediately went for the two items we needed. One was the tree and the other was a new flat screen TV to help me recover while spending more time in bed. The purchasing of these items took all of ten minutes. The ladies suggested I load these items in the van and return with an empty cart for the other items they wished to buy. It seemed rather strange that the shopping cart only went in one direction, over to the sweets and treats.

We managed to get through the crowd and make our way to the checkout. We all seemed happy with our purchases and started to feel the Xmas spirit. I couldn't wait to go home and set up the tree to see how it looked. This was a record as we never ever put up the tree until a week before Xmas. As we opened the box and passed by the instructions I reminded Theresa that I had put up many trees and they were basically the same. The tree was put together but what about all these wires?? Since the tree was pre-wired for lights the spaghetti like handful of wires did have some meaning.

I quickly joined some wires with success but since there were six sections a problem arose. One light group would come on and another one went off. After a while Theresa read the instructions and before long all the lights were on and the tree looked beautiful.

Next came the TV. Would we mount it on the wall, or on the dresser top? After reading the instructions we decided on the temporary placement of the TV be on the dresser.We are now in Xmas mode and planning a great family gathering to celebrate all the blessings which unfolded this year. With the news of a wedding and other family events, we shall enjoy our holiday season even more and Christmas will be just perfect as it always is.

Third Time is a Charm

During the last two months I have been participating in the Great Canadian Medical Plan. I am not joking about our system, but I am really showing the universal benefit of such a system. It is not perfect and I am sure that some people fall through the cracks, but it suits me just fine. Since my failed attempt to have a serious spinal procedure some months ago, followed up with a second attempt which ended with a no go, I have had numerous tests by specialists to find out the safest way to get me well.

I must say that the manner I was treated and the care shown by all staff  made me feel confident that this time I will have my surgery in the most timely fashion. Yes, I lack the courage of some, and suffer those twinges of fear as my memory of the past is not completely erased. Recent visits to Sunnybrook and and our regional hospital had put me more at ease because I feel that I will receive the best possible care.

My pre-op which was a few days ago cleared my mind as I was treated to the final tests by a senior Dr who took special interest in my case as it was only the second time in thirty five years that she was called upon to work this procedure. Theresa and I listened intently as she described every detail of our  upcoming event.We left completely satisfied with our Thursday surgery procedure and are thankful that every care is being taken for my benefit.

If all goes according to plans I should be back on my feet in two or three months and our Florida trip will not be completely missed. Theresa will miss Black Friday the biggest shopping day of the year in the USA but happy that we will be given a great American Thanksgiving at Trillium Hospital. It is very gratifying to receive the support from my family and friends and look forward to getting back to normal and sharing in the workload here at home.

Happiness Comes In Many Forms

Yesterday I attended a birthday party for three members of my family. All was going well and when the time for gift giving came I received a great surprise. My daughter and her family - through my son-in law Eddie - presented me with a pair of books outlining both my father's and mother's heritage. The sight of these two books overwhelmed me as I have been working towards this end for years. Every page opened up memories; dear memories of my family and stories of some who have long departed this earth.

Last evening I began to read until I fell asleep, enjoying and savouring every word of this precious document. I continued this morning and had to phone my sister Jeannie and shares some of the little snippets of previously unknown information. Some pictures were included and as I moved from one part of the family to another, Jeannie and I covered a hundred years. She felt she had to have a copy so I am going to try to get one for her. She is the matriarch of our family and she should hold the secrets of the family.

In any case it took a person who was seeking some distant relatives and came across the name, Vickers that triggered his interest and after seeking more information established a link between our families.What a neat happening. I am grateful for this unique experience and realize that happiness comes in many forms. Today I am very happy.

Canada's Changing Role In The World

Canada has been one of the world's greatest peace keepers during the period beginning at the end of the Korean War until its active role in Afghanistan. As a UN member  and its peace keeping responsibilities Canada was recognized as a country that could participate and lead in missions around the world. Our Prime Minister at the time, The Honourable Lester B Pearson received the highest honour possible for his work in establishing peace missions on behalf of the UN.

During the last number of years we have become a country which moved away from its traditional role and has become entwined with the USA as an active, aggressive partner in war. Our armed forces took on the new role and have had a splendid record for their work on the battlefield. Their role also gained recognition for their reconstructive role and have built schools, hospitals and roads as well as stabilizing areas under their control.

This change in our international standing has brought a new face to our military. For years we were the most trusted to bring peace to troubled areas but when you actively carry out combat missions in a foreign land you are seen as something else. People who have lost family because of collateral damage see us as aggressors and no matter how much good we do there will be a lingering hatred for years to come.

It is a personal feeling but shared by many that Canada's stature was greater as a peace maker than it will be as a combat force probably getting involved in disputes outside the UN jurisdiction. I feel very proud of our people in the armed forces and their achievements over the past decades and desire to feel the same way in the future. Our armed forces do not decide their tasks but rather our leaders place them in harms way and we hope it meets the litmus test of being in the national interest and not protecting big business in the oil industry or some other similar situation.

All over America and I include Canada there is a wave of distrust of  our financial intuitions and this spontaneous civil and so far peaceful revolution has captured a large body of our population. It is not because we see successful businesses but rather the great divide between the rich and the poor. America's strength has always been the great , strong and numerous middle class. Today the middle class is shrinking and the few very rich are getting richer at the expense of the others. If the figures are correct some few percent of the very rich own, control or use some ninety nine percent of the wealth of the world.

Many individuals have larger budgets than many countries. With this disproportionate division of wealth there is room for society to rebel and desire change.. Normally this change is done by governments making sure the people under its responsibility are taken care of. In Canada this is done quite well but in many countries this is a huge problem.

Hopefully over the next while there will be peaceful change and the world will be a better place. I am proud to be Canadian and I desire our leaders in government and business work out a solution to the very complex and necessary changes to make our country even better.

11.11.11

While I lived in the High Arctic I became friends with many Inuit. One of my little friends was a young girl who lived two doors down from me. She had a younger sister who was about a year and a half and she used to carry her on her back everywhere they went. Girls from an early age used to carry younger members of their family as it was difficult for very young children to walk through the snow and ice during the travels from house to house or even further. This little one had a very interesting family.

Her mother was one of twelve children. Eleven girls and one boy. Her grandmother was also a member of a family with eleven girls and one boy. In each family the boy was the youngest and each died early in life due to suicide. The grandmother was able to communicate in a small way in English but was known as a wonderful story teller in her native Inuit  language. This language was spoken by Inuit in a region along the North West Passage. I used to get her telling stories about early life and my little friend used to translate.

Some times when a particular humorous part would be told laughter would break out from those listening and again when the story was translated. This grandmother preferred to live on the land and for eight months of the year she moved to her little abode some 5 miles from town. She had great knowledge of the Inuit culture and I tried to get her to explain the significance of the little people  which was believed by all the Inuit people. These little people along with Shamans held the magic which was part of the spiritual heritage of the Inuit. She was reluctant to engage in a conversation because years before she was laughed at and scorned  when she told these stories at a hamlet gathering attended by white people . The white people were there to try to get the Inuit to leave their  nomadic life style and move to settlements. She never told a white person these valuable stories again until I gained her confidence.

One very interesting aspect of her life was doing puzzles. I gave her puzzles one Xmas and ever since she looked foreword to my Xmas present which always contained puzzles. I bought one puzzle which , when completed showed a scene of wolves chasing a caribou. It had 2000 small pieces and I thought she would never finish it. Not long after I answered the door and some of her family were there to invite me to  grandma's house to celebrate her birthday. When I arrived I was greeted by her whole family except her dead son. There was the puzzle all finished and glued to a board and hanging on the wall with her other art pieces.

She told us that night she had special powers as her grandmother and mother had shaman powers because they were the oldest of twelve,  three generations in a row. She told us wonderful stories of the old days and since I was there we all  heard it twice. It was a wonderful evening with a feast of dried muskoxen, caribou and Arctic Char. Memories like these keep me loving the people and their land Nunavut. I wonder how many stories will be told about  11.11.11.. I will never forget the one about 12.12.12.

Weekend Reunion

With perfect fall weather and a visit from friends what more could you ask for? Well, this weekend was just that with a couple of days under perfect conditions to catch up on all the news from the Valley. We had planned to get together over there but we were unable to make that connection so we reversed the plans and they came here.

Most of our ideas about all the things we were going to do flew out the window and we used most of our time just talking. We ate well by enjoying a turkey dinner which stimulated our memories and across the table  we shared memories of people here and long departed. It is rewarding to have time to look at pictures and  try to remember all the people in the back row and have a inward smile about so and so who at one time or another had a brief encounter which you still remember.

Visits cause you to think of the past and share moments which are or were important to you. Doors are opened and conversations jump from one event  to another without a thought . With friends your guard is down and you feel free to be honest and open. Laughter becomes spontaneous as we relive those shared  happy and sometimes humorous moments. Laughter turns to instant sadness as names of people pop up and we realize they are no longer with us. However these changing  moods and moments continue until you realize that the time you planned to play that game of euchre was long gone.

You go for a walk, linger over a beautiful tree with leaves at their peak of beauty and move on making the connection about how fleeting our lives really are. Without words we see each other as we wish to and feel good about the bond that has been established where everything is beautiful in its own way. I loved that song. Evening comes and after a dinner at a local restaurant we return to the warmth of home and sitting in a comfortable chair with a small glass of Baileys make a toast to friendship and friends and plan to get together again in the near future.

The beauty of life in general is your ability to mesh with the natural order of things and to relate to friends and family. When you are out of kilter with either of these truths than your are missing the real joy of life. Personally I have always believed  that happiness and joy can be achieved with little dependency on things if we have the spiritual strength to become one with nature and its natural causes.

Harvesting Brussel Sprout

We had our first hard frost the other night so I thought it was time to harvest our crop of  brussel sprouts. We plant only three but in a good year that is plenty for us. These vegetables are really small cabbages with a stronger flavour. They are easy to grow and freeze well for winter use. This year we had a good crop as the end result was small firm sprouts. Some years the sprouts become large and split thus making them not so good for keeping. We shall eat them tonight for supper and see if they taste as good as they look.

Remembrance Day

 

November 11th has always been an important day for me. From earliest days during our school life there was a special emphasis given to this day. It was a declared holiday for many years but now it is celebrated without the holiday. As youngsters we were treated to veterans coming to our classes and sharing their stories with us. It was interesting that rarely was there a long speech about the actual war but rather what the war meant to the world and we in particular.

Later when I was involved in education we had students competing for the honour of representing our area in public speaking and essay writing. I felt that the little services held in a class or a school were very meaningful when attended to by a Legion Member. The children wore poppies and recited the poem,In Flanders Fields and there were tears from the older members of the gathering as so many were affected by the war.

I have personal feelings about this most important day as many of my immediate family were members of the Canadian Armed Forces during the first and second war.My father was a second world volunteer and went off to war only to find out that he was not suitable due to physical requirements and was sent home after basic training. He was given a volunteers badge which I still treasure and is a main part of my collection. Dad's wedgie is still in my possession and along with my own hold a respectful  place in my room of memorabilia.

In a way I feel fortunate to live in a time and place where I never was called upon to serve my country. I did serve as an officer in the Canadian Militia for years in a Scottish Regiment as did my Dad but I was too young for the Korean war and too old now to serve.

There are many ways to honour the memory of the men and women who served and died for our freedom. November 11th is a symbolic date. Every day there are opportunities to remember. Be positive and supportive when our people come home from war torn countries and suffer physical and mental disabilities. Support legislation that gives our vets a proper support pension and medical facilities. Be vocal in your support and let people know you care about those who have served on our behalf and most of all try to make Canada's foreign policy one of peace and caring for the oppressed and needy.

Believe It Or Not

One of the big questions being discussed around the world today is Global Warming or Climate Change. From the very outset there were many schools of thought. The subject has been talked about, written about, lied about and used as a tool to protect global industry and financial institutions.

One side of the question was taken from a scientific approach whereby scholars massed data to prove that it was a reality and predicted the outcome if we as earthlings did not change our ways, we were in big trouble in the near future. They produced facts to back up their case.

Another point of view was that the changes were cyclic and we had little to to with the problem. Cleaning up the production of carbon spewing into our atmosphere had little to do with the mess. Industry, specially oil interests loved this point of view.

The more that the scientists produced  and preached in the way of facts, the more the other side laughed it off. Today surveys show that the ordinary person is confused and does not really have a handle on the problem. In Canada we have some of the worlds experts on this subject as we have been observing and recording data about the Arctic. These experts are frantic as they feel that they are not being heard or not being taken seriously by agencies who could make a difference.Our government has been cutting the budgets of environmental watchdogs when we should be stepping up our programs to monitor and check changes.

One only has to look at the Canadian Arctic to see just how quickly the changes are being made. Only a few years ago Arctic summers were counted in weeks and now in months. The North West Passage could be navigated by by ice breakers and now pleasure craft regularly cruise along during a much longer and ice free summer. Pictures taken by satellite show the decrease in ice fields that used to be thought as permanent and they no longer exist. Birds have moved further north every year and robins are now settling in the Arctic region. I could go on and on to make a case for the changes being experienced but the question really is it man made ,a natural phenom or a combination and what are we going to do about it.

Because the public debate is confusing there appears to be no real, long range planning to help make the needed adjustments to protect our vital interests.

What Are We Trying To Do?

Every day the papers and television are covering stories coming out of Ottawa that must make people very confused. The government use at every turn of the road  the excuse that they are empowered to do as they wish because they won the election.They claim that because they made promises to change things that proper debate needs not to take place because they have the power. Several promises they made were supported by some thirty five percent of the folks that supported the Conservatives.

My concern became close to outrage when the changes to the criminal code were announced without proper consultation. The next move was to build more prisons to hold the new found criminals. The sentences were to be longer with less opportunity for parole. The gun legislation followed with less restrictions on lethal weapons such as machine guns and self loading long guns.

The resulting actions would result in the closing of the long gun registration against the wishes of a majority of Canadians. This move will make the NRA very happy and the criminal element feeling safer from precaution. Law enforcement agencies used this registration on numerous occasions to carry out their duties every day.

The table is now set for laws to incarcerate more people longer, more jails to keep these people under lock and key all at a huge cost to the Canadian taxpayers. This in spite of the fact that crimes have decreased every year in Canada for the last ten years. It boggles my mind that this government was elected to try to solve our problem of unemployment. I suppose we an assume that this is their program to solve the serious issue of jobs, jobs and jobs.

The right wing conservative  movement is sweeping the Northern Hemisphere. It is very dangerous as it is aggressive and seems to walk over reasonable thinking. Ideology takes precedence over facts and a more liberal approach. Canada has been a country of reasonable, conservative law abiding citizens. We do not need to have the right wingers moving our perceptions too far to the right.

Hopefully parliament will bring some balance to the scene and hold the powers of the Prime Minister in check and put democracy back into the system. My faith is with the people but there has been less emphasis on the House of Commons and more on the shoulders of the PM and his cronies. What are we trying to do?

Time To Talk

Theresa and I just returned from a three week quick trip to our home in Florida.We drove Theresa's little touring car.I thought it might be a tad small for such a long trip but the nearly 5000 kms went bye very well. In fact we made our fastest and cheapest trip of all time. The mountains of West Virginia were no challenge for this four cylinder car and on the open road it handled well at 120 kms.

On these long drives Theresa and I have many hours of uninterrupted time to converse. It is at these times we are able to make plans for the future, examine what we have done in the past and generally enjoy the time together. We both love nature and point out birds and animals that come into our view. This trip was no exception as we try to be the first to spot deer. In Ohio Theresa spotted two deer leaping through a corn field. The corn was very tall and the only time you saw the deer was at the top of their leap. It was a unique vision and so different from other sightings.

On the border of Ohio and Pennsylvania we saw a black cloud which turned out to be swallows, thousands of them going through their ritual flying dance. Some years ago we experienced a similar event but it was Monarch Butterflies. That flock was huge and appeared as a black cloud until we were right on top of it. It was an incredible sight. On this trip we were entertained by the changing colours of the leaves. Although beautiful they paled in comparison to the Canadian Maples.

Being alone for such a long time gives us the time to assess our relationship and the relationships of our family and friends. We are able to understand just how intertwined our lives have become. Although we do not always agree on solutions we do have the chance to put forth a point of view and time to discuss with the eventual consensus resolution. At times we actually write down lists of things we would like to do and when to do it. This trip we planned a possible adventure to the South West of the USA. We both have experience in that region but not together. Another adventure in our future is the British Columbia trip. We must make this a priority. We want to see the coast and Vancouver Island but also the interior.

These planning times are useful and we recognize that anticipation is half the journey. We value our alone time when we have time to talk and create plans for an exciting life.

Dogs

Owning and caring for a dog must be an inherited trait. My oldest daughter has a crazy little dog who was the attention seeker for years before her three daughters became dog owners this year. Fritz ruled the home with his loud barking and greetings whenever anyone entered the home. As of late this little bundle of energy has calmed down somewhat and is better behaved. Fritz did fill an empty space in this home when the three daughters moved out on their own.

The first daughter to become a dog owner bought a springer spaniel and named her Luna. A dog who loves the water and has taught a sense of responsibility to her owners is calmer than Fritz and gets along well with sharing the limelight. As this daughter is planning marriage in the near future this will be a good lesson in just how challenging it will be when and if they become parents. Today with the cost of raising a pet dog and the care involved it almost mirrors the raising of a child. Luna has given her masters hours of attention and joy but has caused the owners to realize the responsibility of ownership in caring for Luna in a proper manner.

The next daughter to become a dog owner chose a small, very young breed that she could take to work and care for in her third floor condo. She named this eight week old beauty Runyon. On a visit to our home this little fellow entertained us for hours. Cute, demandingm and open to years of training and love from his owner this dog is lucky to have a dedicated master. I have observed just how this young lady studied her responsibility and will provide proper training to make this shared relationship a happy one.

The youngest of the three daughters to become a pet dog owner has taken a different route to ownership. Instead of purchasing an animal she has begun to foster a guide dog. Since this young lady is a student at university this large Black Lab will be with her constantly. Part of the training involves strict social behaviours on behalf of the dog and owner. Both will learn and grow together and by the time the dog is to return for final training I am sure that they will be able to make a decision on ownership. This contract is a very responsible undertaking on behalf of this second year student and I am proud she has accepted this responsibility.

Runyon

Buck

You can just imagine what the scene will be on Christmas morning with the four dogs and nearly twenty people all seeking attention. I am sure that the joys received in dog ownership will be just as rewarding as the other gifts they receive on that special day.

Halloween

Halloween was a special day when I was a kid some years ago. We looked forward to this day and planned tricks on our friends and neighbours. Back in those days some of the so called jokes went way beyond and caused damage and outright vandalism. Some towns were known for their outrageous stunts and were widely reported. As young people we were less exciting but managed to have fun without being over the top.

For days ahead we planned our costumes and in a family of nine it was difficult to find props to make yourself less known to your neighbours. There was never a thought of a store bought costume. It was find some old clothes and become a tramp for a few hours or an old army outfit making you a brave warrior or whatever you could muster up. Every year there were movies which caused the majority of young girls to become a Hollywood personality for the evening.

We would soap windows or some silly thing or pull the old rope game where two people would stand on opposite sides of the road and when a car came by pretend you were holding a rope and make the driver come to a stop. Moving from house to house was the main attraction where by the neighbours would try to guess the goblins who crowded their door. Everyone had fun and most of the neighbours got in the act. Apples, home made fudge, candy coated apples for special goblins and suckers were the main treats. At Ma Vickers' place there was the special treat of home made taffy. Granddad Vickers was always given the credit for this delicious treat but in fact we found  out years later that he had nothing to do with it.

Those days were ended in our home with a time when we all had to be in the house and a sharing of our pillow case full of goodies was traded and admired.  Mom always warned us about eating too much candy by using the tooth cavity scare but it never worked. Finally we would go to bed with our treasures neatly tucked away under the bed or other secret place. It was a fun time and was for the children and parents who shared this special day. Next day the pumpkins were turned into pies and the decorations either taken down or re-cycled. 

Today our young people miss the wonderful fun time because of the changes in society. It is not safe for your kids to go door to door, home made treats are rejected because of fear of the contents, they carry UNICEF boxes asking for money for the world's needy and how much is really turned over to the needy. Parents fear for their children and fun pranks are no longer acceptable..This magical day from the past has become another commercial grab as huge stores open for the season and sell China made costumes at ridiculous prices. Tiny toddlers come to your door with bag wide open for the treats and the guessing game is lost. What was a community social event has become much less.

For my part I always carve a pumpkin and welcome the handful of kids from the neighbourhood. Today you are lucky if you get a handful of goblins at your door. Adults buy store treats that they themselves like as they will not have to give many out to the public. We are a few days away from Halloween and I hope this year all the kids have a safe evening and maybe, just maybe the adults could tell them about the days when this was a very special day.

Fishing On The Gulf

Among my friends in Florida there is a man who loves fishing as much as I do. Carl lives nearby and has several boats but for going out on the Gulf he owns a 30 ft. twin hull fishing boat. It is very stable and makes a good platform for fishing. We play golf and when he heard I was only down for a few weeks he invited me out on the opening day of Gag Grouper fishing. The size for keepers was 22 inches and you are entitled to keep two. Red Grouper are available as well with the same restrictions.

We had a perfect weather forecast with light winds and clear sky. Carl was going to go out about 40 miles. At seven in the morning the sun rose red and the clear skies made a beautiful setting as we made our way through the barrier islands and reached open sea. As we moved off shore the wind freshened and we faced a four foot chop.Carl decided to start fishing about 32 miles out. As the wind and current made it difficult to anchor we decided to drift.

Carl gave me one of his grouper rods and on the first try in 65 feet of water I caught a keeper grouper. From there on we caught fish after fish. Forty one to be exact but we were limited to two each. Although it was rough water we never noticed as the fishing was special. Comments from the group indicated that they never caught grouper that big in water so shallow. We had a perfect day which ended too soon as we had our limit. Carl had us reel in and we made for shore with the water becoming less rough so we were comfortable and talked of the fish we caught and the big ones that got away.

As we arrived at Carl's dock we cleaned up the boat as Carl did an expert job of cleaning the fish. He divided the fish equally and for my part I had 9 beautiful fillets. We departed with fish in hand and a whole lot of good memories. Theresa and I had several meals of some of the best eating fish anywhere. I cannot think of a better way of sharing time with friends than fishing.

Looking Down The Barrel of a Gun

Theresa and I arrived at our home in Florida and had to do all the routine things to open our house. It is up to Theresa to open the door and get to the alarm system before it actuates and brings the police. This has never been a problem but this time Theresa opened the door and instead of going directly to the alarm box she yelled to me to turn on the lights. It was dark inside because of the shutters were still on but there was enough light for her to navigate carefully. She never made it and all hell broke loose. The siren made such a noise but she quickly turned it off. Too late as it turns out.

I went about my business of turning on the power, the hot water tank, the water and started to take off shutters covering the pool side door. I was working and making a lot of noise so never heard the police car pull up. The policeman saw our garage door open and yelled but we never heard him. He walked around the back of the house and saw some shutters off but never saw me. He then went completely around the house and entered the pool cage with gun drawn. I never heard or saw him until he yelled to me. I was deep in focus and as I turned I was startled as I was holding a drill which resembled a gun. I use it to turn the screws holding the shutters. I jumped and he turned his weapon down. We were both surprised but it could have been worse. We talked a bit and he made his report. It seems that there was a group of thieves who were ran sacking homes that were not being lived in and as he was alone he drew his gun.

Theresa came out and we had a laugh as we had proof that the security system actually works.She was a little upset as she rarely makes mistakes like this one, specially when it costs $25 for a false alarm. The officer departed after a good visit and we went about our business of getting settled in. The next day we went to the police station to pay our fine and we were met by a volunteer at the desk. As she heard Theresa making her appeal she wrote off the fine. It seems that the police are in negotiations and being lax with misdemeanors. We learned a lesson and we hope to do better in the future and I hope never to look down the barrel of a gun again.

A New Month

October offers so much promise for me as my schedule is filled with so much good activity. It started well with a family gathering yesterday. We planned to have the family get together earlier in the week but everyone was busy. Sunday comes along and so does the rain. Suddenly the plans that were made were undone and every one of the immediate family was available. Theresa and I cooked a turkey and over supper were had a great discussion about world and family affairs.The missing ones dropped in earlier so after roll call all were accounted for.

Theresa and I are travelling to Florida for a few weeks and we really wished to see everyone before we left. A good surprise was the visit from our university girl who dropped in for a few minutes before moving on the her university in Guelph. The few minutes lasted just over an hour and it was rewarding to share time with her and listen to her aspirations. She is studying political science and world affairs. I love to hear of her dreams and strong feelings about making a contribution to the world. She is passionate about her calling and her enthusiasm is infectious.

Yesterday was supposed to be a day when I transplant flowers to fill empty spaces which I prepared last week. My neighbour is sharing her many perennials with me and I am taking this opportunity to move to a small upkeep landscaping scheme.With the rainy weather it is a perfect time to do just that.

We are driving to Florida this time in our small car as we are not carrying anything heavy {except me}. One  road we have not taken on our numerous journeys south is a mountain top highway along the Blue Ridge  Mountains. We are always too busy to take this road but with the fall weather and the beautiful leaves we plan to make the effort this year. It travels from a point in Virginia across country to Tennessee.

On returning to Ontario I have a series of tests at Sunnybrook before my surgery. October is filled with a variety of adventures and I am excited just thinking about them. While I am away I will not be publishing blogs but writing last minute entries for my book. This project has become a family affair and has made me realize just how important family really is in your travels along life's pathway.

Election Fever

The advance pole for the provincial election was held this week and today was the last day to get your say before election day on Thursday. The ladies of the house went to vote a couple of days ago and their names were not on the list. They had to go through that song and dance to vote but they did. Today I was greeted with the same message, my name was not on the list. Normally I would have given them a hard time but it was not their fault but the people who are in charge of the enumeration. It would seem like a simple job but apparently not as there were pages of people who had to register at the voting station.

This election is a very close one as the three parties have each a defined niche and the NDP is on the upside of the surge after the death of their very popular Federal leader Jack Layton. The Grits and Tories are in a dead heat or so the poles say but this week will be the clincher when the sober thoughts of the electorate will cause them to polarize. Once the voters feel there is a winner the people will rush to that side and we still could have a majority.

Normally elections are exciting but figures show that apathy leads only some of us to use our vote. Statistics show that we as a nation have turnouts of between 55% and 65% on a good day. Maybe this year we will do better and fool the experts. The issues are many but many of the real bread and butter issues are not being discussed. Care for our mentally ill citizens, the environment, aging populations and all the economic ramifications are barely touched on because everyone is concerned about the economy and jobs.

There is a real divide in the North American political  picture. The right wing conservative movement is growing here and in the USA and the left wing liberal and social parties are being smothered. Less than 25% of workers are protected by some form of a union and legislation is being developed and passed which will take away any teeth or power they have to protect the workers. The divide between the rich and poor is becoming greater every year. There is less sharing of the wealth of the country as the middle class is shrinking at a devastating pace. The very guts of a country is not Bay Street or Wall Street but the little entrepreneur who works for himself and the worker who produces the goods and services.

There is something wrong when CEO's are making up to 300 times the salary of a worker. There is something wrong when CEO's get bonuses worth millions when the company lost money and workers are asked to take a lesser wage and loss of benefits. This election will not solve all these problems but my wish is for everyone to be heard and when the dust settles we send people to the government which will represent our needs and hopes for a better Ontario.