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?