Lynda Dianne

Our eldest daughter is having her birthday today and we will not be there to celebrate with her. On the evening of her birth I was not there as well as I was on the parade square several miles away. Before I left home that evening I asked her Mom if she was OK and she said everything was great.

Our battalion had just formed up at the beginning of our parade when  Col. Burke called me out to come front and center and to be quick about it.As I moved to the position immediately in front of the Colonel he announced that I was about to become a father and I was to get going before I missed all the action. As I left the parade square there was a cheer from the troops and I was elated to get going to Ft. William and McKeller Hospital.

Lynda was born in the evening and her mother had a difficult first birth but we were so happy to have a healthy baby girl. Through the years her presence in our family made being a father a real treat as well as an adventure. Lynda gave us some of the most humorous incidents and serious ones as well.

As the years quickly moved on so did our relationship. Growth through understanding and trust with Lynda and all our children makes for a happy and understanding family circle. Lynda was always there for her sisters and brother and specially her Mother. Her bond with her mother gave new meaning to the word  caregiver as she and her siblings helped their mother through a medical adventure like no other.

Today as I bask here in the Florida sunshine I would trade a few of these wonderful days for a few hours with Lynda and family as she celebrates her 50-something special day.

Happy Birthday Lynda Dianne and many more.

Glenda's Birthday Celebration

Our youngest daughter had a birthday a few days ago and we had a double treat. Not only did she have a happy time  but made us aware of her selection to take her MBL. This is quite an honour as only 30 were chosen to partake in this unique program where leadership is the main focus. This is a challenge that she will gladly take and is a reward for her years of hard work in her leadership role in education.

Most of the family were present and it is always special when we get together. There will be another celebration when Glenda graduates and makes us all proud of her accomplishments.

Project Beginning

Today was the beginning of my basement project. I wished to build a wall unit in my basement museum but was unable to due to my surgery.With Father's Day on the weekend and my son unable to come to see us we decided to get together today. My son worked his early shift getting up at 2am and working to 10.30 am decided to come for a visit. He had dinner with us and we went to work.

There was a time when I directed him as my helper to become a very proficient worker around the house and in earlier times on our boat.Henry now directs me as I am amazed at the ability he shows in building skills. We set out today to just rip out the old wall unit and prepare the space for new construction.

I had all the material ready in case we did a little of the new work. On the hottest day of the year we went to the garage and set up for cutting materials and designing my unit. I had drafted plans for the construction but he helped to make changes that improved the design and we were off. During the next five hours we worked together sharing ideas and working with careful cuts with our power saws and ended by completing the first phase of the wall unit.

It is such a pleasure to work with Henry as he is cool and works quietly but with authority and we made progress for beyond what I expected. During our work together we had the usual father and son conversations but on a more equal level. I respect his ability and strength to carry out tasks that I no longer can do at this time in my life.

It always brings me back when I worked with my Dad and I remember the difficult and hard work of loading coal on weekends and helping with whatever jobs Dad took on. I learned many things about my Father when I worked with him and now as a senior citizen I realize the importance of working and demanding quality service when working with young people.We do no good service to our youth by not expecting them to contribute to family. Lessons learned from Mom and Dad are life lessons and stay with you all the days of your life.

My time with my children and grandchildren are precious times and I only hope that they value the work ethic and rewards one receives from honest efforts and a sense of pride from work. Today was just one of many with Henry and I am thankful for that privilege.

March Birthdays

March was good for our family as was February. In march we had David, Carol Anne, Shawna and Lynda all celebrating their special days. My two youngest siblings were happy to have a birthday in good health and looking for more of the same. My granddaughter who lives further away from us at five hours driving or four hours if her mother drives is having a special year. Shawna is graduating from secondary school and already accepted by all three schools she applied to.

Her choice of schools could bring her to Toronto and within an hour of our home. If this actually occurs we would see more of her and her Mom and Dad. That would be a bonus for shore.

Lynda is our oldest daughter and my writing inspiration. My wish is for her to complete the editing of my book to relieve her from a tired arm. She writes all day at work and continues when she comes home. Lynda along with my other three children make our life interesting and complete. They along with their children and friends make quite a group when we get together. We wish all of them a happy birthday and continued close association with the clan.

This year more than most caused me to look at our family and realize that we have aged in a hurry. This fact always makes me anxious to fill every minute with life issues and gain the rewards you receive from such a ethic. Theresa and I always feel blessed as far as our family is concerned and look forward to our next family get together. This year we will be having our first wedding of a grand child and that will be special.

Lynda Dianne

On the 29th of March, 1960 I left home after being reassured that Roma was OK and the baby would be at least another day before entering this world. Besides being a special day for Roma and I having our first child, it was the evening I was to be promoted to 1st Lt. in the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment. I was dressed in my kilt and battle dress at the Port Arthur armories when I was called front and centre by Colonel Burke. I expected him to give me my second pip to make me a real Lt but instead he quietly said to me,"Get yourself out of here and get to McKeller Hospital, you just became the father of a baby girl".

Many visions raced through my mind as I raced the 8 miles to the hospital. Our daughter was not available immediately and I worried that something might have gone wrong. However I was eventually greeted with a beautiful daughter and was very happy. I had a name picked out and it was Dianne (the goddess of love) and Roma always said if she had a daughter it would be named after her best friend Lynda who was killed in a car accident. So Lynda entered the world with great expectations on our part and a whole life to live up to them.

As an only child before her sister was born, she was a little spoiled. But it was impossible to not spoil her because she was so cute and everyone gave her a lot of attention. I was a busy father but her mother was always by her side ad for a few years she made our life joyful and interesting. When we knew we were expecting again we discussed it with Lynda and asked if she would like a baby boy or girl. She kind of twisted up her face and said a baby brother would be OK but she really wanted a pony. That did not go over well with Roma.

Over the following years Lynda was our pride and joy and, along with the added family, took her place as a born leader and wonderful member of our family.I will not describe all of her characteristics but over the last 51 years she has been a source of energy and strength during all of our activities. A scholar, not a great athlete, but a good musician (not singer), store manager at 12 years when she looked after the cash register when her mom took a break, a sponge when it came to absorbing what it meant to be a family member and learning from her mother, and a sister to her siblings.

Later in life she became a friend and shared quiet moments with family and close friends which are still close, and communicate regularly to nurture her need for the memories of the past. Her greatest achievement was the love she showed for her mother who needed a caregiver while awaiting a lung transplant. She gave up her successful career in communications and devoted her life to her task. It was not a burden but an opportunity for her to be close to her mom, and all of our family admired her courage and devotion. Any of our family would have done the same, but she was the one who was able to have the time and will to get the job done.

While I was living and working in the High Arctic as part of our plan for Roma, she kept me in the loop and I never felt I was away. One little thing she did was send me a grow light so I might have real flowers in my home. Throughout the years since her Mom's death she, along with her siblings, have remained close and strong. She became the one to go to and our family get-togethers are the result of that magical thread that holds us together. For the past years life has been a constant series of significant adventures with children, grandchildren, and friends joining our ever expanding circle of extended family, and Lynda has been one of the constants in that circle.

So at 51, she will be embarking on other plans and other adventures, and that is what sets her apart from so many people. She has a social conscience and a drive to show it and make a difference. For all this we are proud and love our daughter, Lynda Dianne.

Home From Africa

What a great welcome from daughter no 1 when she burst through the door to announce that she was home from Africa. If you know my daughter you will understand that for the next hour Theresa and I just sat and listened to the most wonderful saga. She had this dream for years that one day she would go to Africa and take pictures of the elephants. Well she did.

Every word that she uttered was a verification that the money spent and the time away was well worth it. I wanted to go as well but knowing the demands were a little beyond my ability to perform I stayed home. I lived through her dream and every word she spoke was a true reflection of my own desire to be with her and my grand daughter. I loved the vitality and the deep love for Africa she experienced and it was similar to her feelings during her visits to the true north in Nunavut.

Many of her thoughts expressed a similar culture for people who live off the land. She brought me a very symbolic gift as she was given an elders stick for me as I was considered to be an elder in my own country. It is a piece of art with tiny beaded work around a stick which is given to people who are elders in their own right.

I shall treasure this gift and will no doubt be reminded many times about the symbolic significance of this gift. I am so happy to have my loved ones back in Canada safe and richer for their experience in that great continent of mystery and beauty Africa.

Off to Africa

After months of planning and excitement mother and daughter are finally off to Africa. Lyn and Darcy have been in a stage of euphoria because this was a dream for years and finally the opportunity arrived. They are taking advantage of a Free the Children program which permits people to go to Africa and participate in the building of facilities in Kenya. It will be a chance to experience a few days out on safari to photograph and observe the wildlife. Elephants will be the focus but all will be appreciated.

This will be the second adventure for Darcy as she and her schoolmates went to Costa Rica to experience a similar project.There were last minute things to do as the timing was at a time of graduations and school events. Bags were packed with necessary items {no extra shoes for the ladies} and could weigh no more than thirty pounds. For ladies this is a challenge.

We shall be watching for texting from Africa to see how things are going. We are proud of all the folks who do similar adventures to make life better in other countries. We are very proud that members of our family are meeting the challenge. We trust they will make a difference and return home safely.

Dad's Helper

My son is visiting us today and little does he know the jobs I have lined up for him. Henry has always been a good helper and has been my loyal assistant on many projects. From early life he was a reliable helper and when we worked together he knew my thoughts and without much verbal communication we functioned as a well oiled team.

Now we are older and I find myself being the assistant in many cases as he has become a very efficient worker and undertakes projects around his house and mine that few would attempt. He can read plans and execute them effectively. I never took the time to read plans and instructions and often found myself taking twice as long as I should have. His field is centered around electronics and has helped me in so many ways. All my family are pretty handy with computers and cameras and use this skill to communicate.

I wait for my son to come and set up a new (new to me ) music center for my garage and get my CD player hooked up (for the third time) to my TV. These chores get done when I get help. His visits are partly work but always fun. Today we have to schedule the laying down of a floor for my grand daughter and putting on a new roof at my house. A small section has to be replaced and it too small a job for a contractor but a one day for us. I messed up my GPS somehow so he took it and re-programmed it for me. He likes it so somehow I feel I may be waiting for its return.

I look forward to these little visits and the time I share with my son. It is a good feeling to have family close enough that we see each other at times other than weddings and funerals. My daughters are helpful as well but I only have one son. I am beginning to rely on him more and more to take charge of the heavy going. In return I make his favourite meal and enjoy the company.

Rescued From Work

Saturday is usually a work day and I have so much to do. Awake and up at seven with high hopes of completing some of the hundred add chores. Up to Canadian Tire to get first crack at the Geraniums on sale for $1.97 and there was so much choice I wasted time trying to get the very best for our pots which sit on our front step. Rushing home and immediately mixing the earth from last year with fresh smelling sheep manure and compost brought me to lunch hour.

Half way through lunch daughter number three came in to visit after she dropped of her son from baseball practise. A phone call from my oldest granddaughter asking if I was busy as she and two other grand kids wanted a visit, This was priority number one so we piled in to our family room along with daughter number three and we had a great talk of world affairs and some less heavy gossip.

Two of the grandsons decided a pool game would be fun so they went to the basement and started a game. The front door opened and daughter number one burst in with her usual friendly self and after that I listened as it is hard to get a word in when the daughters spring forth about women's rights and the state of the union.

I went downstairs to watch the pool game but kept one ear to the noise up above. After three games of pool which was won by the 14 year old we moved in with the crowd who were now ready for a cup of tea. Discussion about the next week double birthday hog wrestle resulted in everything ok for the event. Further discussion about the upcoming yard sale to help with the building a school in Africa again resulted in plans all ok.

Two and a half hours later the grand children and daughter left and we were left with daughter number one and a quiet planning session around the events of the next few weeks. Great to be close enough to be able to communicate with family face to face on a weekly basis and in some cases daily.

Work was forgotten nearly but there is always tomorrow. Clean the fish ponds, plant the beans and beets and mow the front lawn. What is better than to have a break from work because of the visit of my loved ones. All I can say is I was rescued by the most important thing in my life after Theresa.....my family.....thank you kids.

Turning Fifty

This week I reached a milestone. One of my daughters turned 50. This is a joyous occasion because many people don't even have a daughter. For we who are fortunate to have family and friends , a birthday is a reminder that there is somewhere out there that matters. For Theresa and I there is nothing more exciting than our discussions about our kin.

Our fifty year-old has given us numerous occasions to be proud and thankful for a wonderful relationship. With three others reaching fifty during the next few years we will be blessed many times over. All have good or reasonable health, all provide us with moments only family can provide and of course the security in knowing we have a safe haven when we start to age.

On our cruise Theresa and I had time to take stock of our lives. We were able to realize just how blessed we were and the satisfaction of living close enough to our kin to benefit from their love and support. We do live far away for six months of the year but with the telephone and Facebook we pretty well are able to keep up with their world.

On a personal note I remember when turning fifty was a big deal, now with the baby boomers fifty is the new forty. we associate regularly with active people who are well into their eighties. Today your real age is not a number but the physical and mental stage you are in. We frequently say things like, "I feel like a forty year old" or "am I really that old?". What you are really saying is I want to live life to the fullest without the restraints of age.

So there we feel awfully young to have a fifty year-old daughter.

Who Scared Who on Moffat Street

In 1968 we lived in an old three story home along the side of two rivers. Actually we were on the point between these rivers and the land came to point, hence the folks who lived on this street were called pointers. At this time my mother-in law Marg was living with us and would look after the children when we were working.

On this particular fine day my daughters Dar and Glenda were playing with the neighbours when they burst through the door of the summer kitchen. "Grandma, Grandma there is a bear chasing us" they shouted, and began to put the knife in the door. We had no locks on our doors or keys either but we did put a knife between the door and the door frame for security.

Marg entered the kitchen and tried to settle the kids down by saying that it was not a bear but raccoons. We had raccoons in our yard every day and night. Dar was not content with the explanation and continued with Glenda to protest.

Marg had enough and picked up the broom and proceeded to go to the back door to chase away the intruders. As she opened the back door, there was a huge mother bear standing on its hind legs with a cub by its side.

Marg screamed and slammed the door, the bear looked shocked and bolted over the back fence. The cub climbed the fence with difficulty and both ran down the bank of the Indian River and swam across to the high school playground where a track meet was being held. The thousand or more students parted faster than the Red Sea as the bears ran across the field and on away to the river and safe wilderness.

To this day we talk about this event and discuss it in detail. We still wonder when Marg opened the door - who scared who ... Marg or the bear? My money is on my mother-in-law.

Terrace Bay Ontario

Living away far from home at Xmas is not too good so we decided to drive the thousand miles through a deserted road to have Xmas with Roma's family. We were living in Dorion, a little village in Northern Ontario and at the last minute decided to go home to Magnetawan. School was out at 3 pm and I decided to leave immediately and drive right through the night.

We had our young daughter with us and she was only one year old. we packed the car and had Lynda in a bed seat in the back seat of the car. It wa not a good weather forcast and I wanted to get ahead of the storm.

We left Dorion at 4.30 pm and charged down highway 17 and headed east. After travelling for a few hours we had to nake sure we had enough gas as there were only a few stations open and they all closed at 9 pm.Something was not quite right with the car and it seemed to lose power going up the long hills north of Lake Superior.We never met a car and began to worry about the action of our Dodge Vicount. I knew the road well and stopped at a little gas station and checked the car. There was a lot of smoke or steam coming from the exhaust and the engine began to overheat. The next town was Terrace Bay and by the time we reached there our car was wasted. I stopped at a Husky garage and there happened to be a late worker finishing a job on a truck. Quickly he told us we had blown a head gasket and he could fix it in the morning.

He was kind enough to take us to the only motel and helped us get a room. It was closed but opened for us. Seeing our young daughter the lady made us comfortable and gave us the service of the small kitchen. She left and we had the motel to ourselves.

Early the next day I went to the garage and the kind man said he had to order the new gasket from Fort William and it would come on the bus. Later he said it had to come from Winnipeg so stay at the motel and he would get to work as soon as it arrived. News spread that we were stranded and help came from all sides. We were invited to lunch at the garage restaurant and no charge. The day was long but we had visitors and one family I knew from playing hockey with the dad invited us for supper.

Lake trout caught through the ice was delicious and a drive back to our room ended our day. Next morning our car was ready and we left. Before leaving I went to pay the bill and he charged only for the parts. We were so happy and thankful as we were on a short budget. "Merry Christmas" he shouted as we left the friendly town to complete our journey.

We travelled all the next day through snow covered roads and never saw a car. The road was closed at Saulte St. Marie and when we arrived there the OPP was surprised to see us. Eventually we arrived at Magnetawan to a happy and worried family. We had such a good Xmas that year and felt the spirit of Xmas through the folks who made it possible for us to be with family.

Christmas Tree and Our Cat

We as a family of only four lived on an Air force Base at Falconbridge for nearly four years. Two children made us a small family but we were just getting started as two more were soon to be added to complete our family circle. Our little story and a half house was perfect for us and we lived in a controlled environment within the gates of the station. We felt very safe and our two children took advantage of the amenities not offered in civilian life.

Those years were special and Christmas was celebrated in fine fashion. One particular year was noteworthy as we had our visitors from Magnetawan. The Smiths came and helped to make the Xmas even better. Roma's parents and their youngest daughter arrived and we had a good visit. Our Xmas tree was decorated with some of the old ornaments given to us by friends. One decoration was an angel which sat on the very top of the tree and was one which had a history. My mother in law gave us this ornament and we still have it today despite its ragged condition.

Our little cat also celebrated Xmas as Lynda and Margie played with her as she ran freely throughout the house.In the evening we turned on the tree lights and our cat immediately jumped on the tree and climbed to the very top and down came the tree.The cat ran but not before the tree toppled over to hit the fish tank and the decorations flew.

We all tried to save the tree but it happened so quickly that all we could do was clean up the mess. There was no real damage but it did add some excitement.It was one time that the animal world was truly part of our Xmas and I often think about the incident as Christmas approaches. Christmas is a time of remembering and we are able to relive those special moments from the past and savour them once again.