Holding Frequency

Welcome, glad you stopped by

2012-01-29T13:00:00.000-05:00

It's Almost February

...and winter has not arrived. OK, now that I've said it, it'll probably come with a vengeance. Actually its supposed to be in the mid 40's next week.

Our little group – Mum, Dad, Pete, Joanne Woods and I, saw The War Horse. I didn’t realize it had been a stage play. Interestingly, fourteen horses were used to play the featured horse. It’s an emotional film and the scenery is beautiful. Not sure how they are going to give the horse its Oscar? Also saw Moneyball. It's a very good film and Brad Pitt is great. It's a little like Jerry Maquire with Tom Cruise.

The Hawk (pictured left) was in the backyard the other day. It had killed a sparrow from the bird feeder. Haven't seen any birds feed since.

Mum and Dad are spending some time in Cuba, while brother Peter is spending 10 days in the Villages of Florida.

Must note the passing of Nola Trescher, mother of our good friends on the French River. My sympathies go out to them all.

Tom Blankart, owner of the sailboat Karaka (on which I sailed) crossed the Pacific in a boat he refitted and has sold it in Australia. He will soon return to Mexico to refit Karaka.

Left Behind - CBC Ideas Show
Over the past 30 years, the benefits of economic growth in Canada, the US and much of the rest of the world, have gone increasingly to the top one percent of the population. For the majority of families, however, incomes have stagnated. This rise in inequality coincided with a sea change in government policy. Beginning in the 1980s, governments in much of the English-speaking world embarked on what has been called the neoliberal revolution - deregulation, privatization and tax cuts, aimed at liberating markets and stimulating the economy. The rising tide was supposed to lift all boats, but it didn't. Jill Eisen explores what happened. Listen to it here.

Keystone Oil Pipeline
China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group) and Saudi Aramco have agreed to a joint venture oil refining company in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Sinopec will contribute 37.5 percent of the investment and Saudi Aramco 62.6 percent. This is Sinopec’s first overseas downstream investment. This joint venture will build an oil refinery covering an area of 5.2 million square meters, which is expected to put into operation in the second half of 2014.

In a politically explosive decision, President Barack Obama rejected plans for a massive oil pipeline through the heart of the United States, ruling there was not enough time for a fair review before a looming deadline forced on him by Republicans. His move did not kill the project but could again delay a tough choice for him until after the November elections. My question is, why can’t the American (for that matter the Canadian) government build a new refinery at the border, so that the majority of the pipeline (and its thousands of temporary jobs) need not be built? If the Chinese can do it, why not North Americans?

Books Read
The Right Man, The Surprise Presidency of George W Bush, David Frum, 2003. It deals only with the period David Frum worked as a speech writer for the President. It ends before the attack on Iraq. I found the most interesting parts are the daily behind the scenes look at life in the White House. Apparently the Clinton’s took thousands of dollars worth of furniture when they left, and the place (White House) was quite dirty – in need of a deep cleaning. I can’t recommend it with much enthusiasm. 2/5

An Irish Country Doctor, Patrick Taylor, 2004. A charming book in the style of All Creatures Great and Small. A young doctor joins an older one in the Irish countryside. Nothing serious, just a little fun. 4/5

First Post of 2012

2012-01-07T12:27:00.000-05:00

Wishing any and all who happen by this blog, a Joyful New Year. (Blogger is not working correctly and positioning images is difficult) 2011 was tough for many, perhaps not like the war years or the Great Depression (not that I remember them - was not born), but still a year many are glad to see behind us. (pictured left; John, Paul and James) I spent Christmas in Mississauga (Ontario, Canada) with my sons, James and John - it’s always so good to see and spend time with them. On Christmas eve, Uncle Paul was over and we had a delicious meal of steak and giant shrimp. Anthea (my-x) made a super turkey dinner on Xmas day and I headed home after boxing day. (A little cleaning up from last year.) I visited the Detroit Institute of Arts for the first time with a group from the Art Gallery of Windsor, plus Mum, Dad and Joanne Woods, to see the Rembrandt exhibition entitled "The Face of Jesus". The museum is impressive and the show was interesting. Rembrandt used the same model over and over in his various depictions of Jesus. Speaking of Jesus, it was a miracle I got a B+ in my accounting course. I’ve returned to school (University of Windsor) and am studying for a Certificate in Arts Management. I’m looking for an internship this semester - hoping for one at Caesars Windsor.

On a sad note, a French River friend (and legend) David Rea died this past October, he was 65. (pictured above; David is backrow left) A link here for more.

There has been quite an interest over the appearance of a Great Grey Owl which is rarely seen south of Lake Superior. The majestic bird, the biggest species of owl on the continent, has drawn bird enthusiasts from as far away as New Hampshire. Birders from Ohio and the Niagara region are also lining the rural roads looking for the owl. In flight it’s wing span can be over 5 feet. Peter and I took nieces Annie and Lynlee Armstrong (pictured Annie and Lynlee) to look for it, and was not hard to locate - just follow the cars.

Books Read

The Heretic's Daughter, Kathleen Kent. This book is based in part on Carrier family legends passed down through 10 generations. In this narrative Kathleen has chosen to explore the life of Thomas Carrier, husband to Martha Carrier, who was hanged as a witch in 1692, and how these two remarkable people met and fell in love. According to family lore, Thomas lived to the age of 109, stood seven feet tall, and was one of the executioners of King Charles I of England. Good read.

The Associate, John Grisham,Three months after leaving Yale, Kyle McAvoy becomes an associate at the largest law firm in the world, where, in addition to practicing law, he is expected to lie, steal, and take part in a scheme that could send him to prison, if not get him killed. Is also a movie. The

Family Gift Exchanage

2011-11-28T09:45:00.001-05:00

For next year
Nana makes for John Fry
Grandad for Sarah
Peter for Devon
Chris for Jon Leopold
James for Dan
John F for Norm
Cathy for Erica
Norm for Peter
Katelyn for Grandad
Jon L for Holly
Andrea for Kim
Gillian for Lauren
Dan for James
Jack K for Nana
Jesse for Emily
Holly for Chris
Kim for Andrea
Devon for Mary-Kate
Lauren for Jack K
Daniel for Gillian
Erica for Cathy
Mary-Kate for Daniel
Sarah for Jesse
Emily for Katelyn
Grant for Kim

Scalping
Currently 70% of all trades on Wall Street are done by computers in milliseconds, making a few dollars/cents on each trade. This Youtube video shows a computer in action. One wonders if before long we might reach 99% of trades done by computers.

Hi There, sorry for such a long break

2011-11-24T09:03:00.001-05:00

Church Dinner

It's American Thanksgiving and the house is almost ready for the 24 or so of family who will arrive Saturday for our annual gift exchange. Decorations up, outside lights too. (I might make another movie of the day - will see) School (University of Windsor - Certificate of Arts Management) is keeping me very busy and accounting - uugh.

Recently we (Mum, Dad Peter and I) went to the church turkey dinner and then home for some bridge, with those we had dinner with. I came second of 8. Mum won (no surprise),

Dad, Mum, Jean, Peter

Last Sunday (Nov 20th) we visited Dad's cousin Jean Greffenburg, who at 90 fell and broke her arm. She has a caregiver - Jan - who is a great help and a comfort to Dad. We then had a wonderful dinner at Per Bacco.

I've included a picture of the blue candle sticks over the mantel, as Dad says the kids never see them, as they are packed away for the weekend event.

Passing of Steve Jobs

It has been reported that the last six words Steve spoke were "Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow" Makes one wonder. It is interesting to note that the big 1984 Super Bowl ad that launched the MacIntosh computer was a push against George Orwell's novel "1984". Turns out that big brother can now track your every move, every purchase using Steve Job's creations - ironic.

Politics

An idea for the housing crisis, which still has the potential to bring down the US economy (just like the lost decade in Japan after it’s housing bubble burst). If you have a house that’s underwater – bought with a mortgage of $300,000 and now worth $200,000, you’re stuck with it. If you want to sell and move to take a job else where, well that’s a big hit. They just can’t sell. So the government departments of Fanny May and Freddy Mac need to reset the mortgage at the current value of the house - $200,000. The mortgage payments come down and foreclosures decline. It puts a halt to the devaluation of housing stock, which under the current conditions is expected to continue its decline. So the - Louishome owner continues to pay the $200,000 mortgage and stay in the home. Our particular example has a $100,000 liability backed by Fanny and Freddy. With stability in the housing market, prices may begin to rise again. If the homeowner sells for $250,000, the $50,000 goes back to Freddy and Fanny. The new homeowner will now hold the balance of $50,000, but not pay on it. In time the house may increase to $300,000. Again when the new owner sells at $300,000, Fanny and Freddy get back their last $50,000 and the system is whole. The next owner is free and clear and when they sell, assuming it’s over $300,000, they keep the profit. The only problem, is that housing prices may never reach their inflated 2008 prices. Then the tax payer is on the hook, another bailout.

Books Read
A Partisan's Daughter Louis de Bernières, (2008) tells of the relationship between a young Yugoslavian woman and a middle-aged British man in the 1970s, set in London. Short read, a little weird.

2011-10-15T12:12:00.000-04:00

Hi and Welcome

Grant, Katelyn, Noah and John

It’s a cool, wet and windy day as I prepare this post. First and foremost is a warm welcome to the newest member of our extended family. Noah was born in perfect health (7lbs, 14oz) on Thursday evening October 13. Noah is the second son of my niece Kaitlyn Leopold (my sister Cathy’s oldest child) and brother to Grant. On a sad note, Noah’s great maternal grandmother died the next day.

On October 2 Mum, Dad and I saw Joe Coughlin – Classic Crooner, accompanied by the Windsor Symphony.

Annie Armstrong

School is keeping me busy (Certificate of Arts Management) something to get me back in the working world – hopefully. Had a brief visit from one of my best friends from high school – Cameron Falls. Cam splits his time between Lake Tahoe and Florida with his wife Sue. He has family still in Windsor and makes an annual visit to see them.

On Wednesday Oct 5, the four of us drove down to an open house for MD management’s new location. We met Al Shiren and companion Dianne and invited them out with us to celebrate Mum’s birthday (82). We had Chinese food at the Ho Wah Restaurant. It was pretty good, but Dad was not crazy about it.

Peter saw Roger Daltry at the casino doing the Tommy show. He thought it just ok. Nephew Daniel Waters had a minor accident while on his bike. He was hit by a car, but sustained only minor injuries.

Kids in Church

For week of October 3-7 we busied ourselves in preparation for Thanksgiving. Mary (my youngest sister) came down from Markham with her girls Sarah and Emily. Mary’s in-laws – John and Alice Braithwaite have recently moved into a new home and they hadn’t seen it yet. My two sons, James and John also drove down, it was so good to see them. The plan was to have our big dinner with all of the mentioned (including Alice and John) and also our cousins from Bracebridge – Loren (Armstrong – Mum’s sister’s son), Melanie, son Luke and daughter Annie. Annie plays defense for the Windsor Warrior Women’s Hockey team. Lynnlee, their oldest daughter was sick at home. The girls made signs for the game and most of us headed over to watch. Meeting Loren and family there, we realized they had a team dinner scheduled for that afternoon, so the dinner was short four, which was OK because we didn’t really have enough turkey. The dinner was delicious. Later that night the Armstrongs dropped in for a brief visit. James and John headed out Sunday night as James had to work Monday morning. Mary and girls stayed another night and headed out early Monday morning.

Detroit Lions and Tigers are keeping us on the edge of our seats.

I feel I should mention the 99% - the people camping out on Wall Street. You should visit their site. They are reminding us of the bailouts of Wall Street brokerage houses, GM, Chrysler and AIG to name a few. There is estimated $660 trillion of these non-performing securities tucked into millions of 401K’s (US version of our RRSP’s) and other mutual funds. Some kind of re-setting of the world economy is probably in the cards. Some say this movement was birthed by the Arab Spring. It’s difficult to predict what might come of it, but I find it encouraging that citizens are exercising their democratic rights. Its influence has spread around the world.

Catherine's Bookends

2011-09-20T11:40:00.001-04:00

Cathy visits

Cathy visited Thursday (I think around August 25th), stayed overnight, swam in pool and had a some good food. We really liked the chocolates she brought.

It was time to get organized for school. I'm going to the University of Windsor, taking a Certificate in Arts Management. I'm retraining to get into the management of theater, or art galleries, museums and the like. It can be completed in one year, 10 courses, two of which are internships. I don't have those set up yet. While looking for some of my course books at the University Bookstore, I ran into my cousin Loren Armstrong (from Bracebridge) and his daughter Annie. Annie is on the Windsorr Women's hockey team. It was still hot, so I invited them over for a swim and dinner that evening. We had a nice visit.

James and Deanna

During the second weekend of September, James and friend Christo tried some fishing and then closed the cottage for the winter. We purchase the Nash's big boat "Too Sexy".

Mum, Dad, Joanne, Amy, Peter

In early September (Mum, Dad, Peter and me) picked up Joanne Woods at AMICA. We motored up the 401 to Cottam, where we joined up with Amy. Amy is great, she’s 88, with a bad back. Years ago she lost one son to illness and another to suicide. She’d arrived in her brand new Nissan Maxima - quite the car for a woman her age. We split into two groups and made our way to Petrolia. Petrolia was once the richest city in Canada, due to the oil discoveries in the late 19 century. Men from Petrolia went all over the world helping others extract the black gold.

Dad with Leisa Way, star of the show

After a wonderful lunch at a quaint restaurant, where our meticulous waiter brought some excellent dishes, we wandered over to the theater. Reconstructed after a fire in 1985, the outer shell is as beautiful as the new theater inside.

Much Ado Do about Nothing

The show we saw was entitled “Rhinestone Cowgirl: A Tribute to Dolly Parton, by Lesia Way, accompanied by her band The Wayward Wind. The others in our party had been to see her last year when she did a similar tribute to Patsy Cline. Because they didn't know many of Dolly Parton's songs, they didn't like it as much.

Cathy came up again on Sept. 17 for an overnight. Sunday we went to church and then to the University of Windsor Players to see Much Ado About Nothing. We thought it just ok. That night we had Annie Armstrong over for dinner.

No books read, but did see "The Help" and really enjoyed it.
Sorry for such a short post, must get school stuff better organized.
Chris

2011-08-24T12:06:00.046-04:00

A Little Quantum Mechanics
The atom is a basic unit of matter that consists of a dense, central nucleus surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged electrons. The atomic nucleus contains a mix of positively charged protons and electrically neutral neutrons (except in the case of hydrogen-1, which is the only stable nuclide with no neutrons). The electrons of an atom are bound to the nucleus by the electromagnetic force. Likewise, a group of atoms can remain bound to each other, forming a molecule. If you took all the empty space out of all the molecules (atoms) that make up all the people on the planet, the remaining matter would be the size of a sugar cube.

Noted: the passing of Jack Layton, (August 21, 2011) head of the New Democratic Party and leader of The Official Opposition of the Canadian Government. He may be given the title of "Right Honourable" posthumously. Watched his state funeral on TV Saturday August 27.

Also noted, Hurricane Irene did not live up to her billing, which was a good thing.

Sunday Aug 21, Mum, Dad, Joanne Woods and myself attended a live jazz performance at the Art Gallery of Windsor. The sax player was my sister Cathy's private tutor. We then drove to Jackson Park, (pictured) a much downplayed jewel of Windsor (I'm beginning to sound like a Windsor promoter). On Tuesday evening we were treated to dinner at the remodelled Menards Tavern by Al Shurine and his companion Dianne. The tavern once owned by our neighbour John Jordan (whom I saw at the Metro store last week) has been fixed up by Murry Troop. I knew Murry from days of my youth, water skiing, boat racing and partying on Peche Island. I will say the food was OK, worth a try if you're a Windsorite.

Son James has been asked to redesign one of the par 3's at the Mississauga Golf and Country Club. (Will post when complete.)

The other day I found a large bat stuck between my bedroom window and the screen. I'd no idea how it got there, but it reminded me of another coincidence. My youngest son John had given me two books for my birthday (I mentioned one before) - The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck, and The Secret History of Dreaming, by Robert Moss. Both authors described the (same) story in which a woman goes to see Carl Jung for psychiatric treatment, and she recounts a dream about a scarab. At that exact moment a beetle which most resembles the scarab, lands on Jung's window. He thought this more than just coincidence (see story here). So now I have a bat on my window and I remember Jungs window, could it mean anything? Native Americans recognized that the bat was highly sensitive to its' surroundings and so therefore was considered a symbol of intuition, dreaming and vision. This made the bat a powerful symbol for Native American shamans and medicine people. Often the spirit of the bat would be invoked when special energy was needed, like "night-sight" which is the ability to see through illusion or ambiguity and dive straight to the truth of matters. More on bat symbolism here.

The Serendipitous String
Aug 23rd, 1:50 pm, while reading on my bed, it started to sway. Was quite gentle, comforting, this earthquake. Next day, reading some poetry, I found one called "Earthquake" by R.A.D. Ford (Robert Arthur Douglas). Radford - putting the letters together is my x-wife's maiden name. The quake was estimated at 5.8. I'm in my 58th year.

Earthquake
The seasons burn. The wind is dry,
Like the tongue of a sickly dog.
The eyes of the fishermen's wives
Are buried in their dark faces
And the children are all armed with knives

Nothing in the sensuous street gives
Us warning, even cruelty posted
Everywhere, slinking in the shade,
Or unashamed in the meadows
Of cactus that press upon the dead.

Nothing except love - a warning that
Runs before the earthquake to say
That the streets are opening, the fire
Prepared and the waters of the bay
Ready to resume their empire

It was in the end a small one, the killed
Very few, the fires soon put out. But not
The memory of the women running above
The blast with her too late warning
And testimony of love.
by R.A.D. Ford

I finished a book called "The Question" by Austin Clarke, Barbados most famous author. I picked it because I'd spent a month on the island and had fond memories of it. Two days later an article in the Globe and Mail showed a large picture of Austin's library (as shown), where I presume he wrote the book.

Books Read
In The Heart of the Sea. The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex, by Nathaniel Philbrick, 2001. A National Book Award winning work of maritime history by Nathaniel Philbrick. It tells the story of the Whaleship Essex from the point of view of Thomas Nickerson who was a fourteen-year-old cabin boy on the Essex. The book is based on a notebook written by Nickerson when in his seventies which was lost until 1980. It is the true story which became the basis for Herman Melville's Moby Dick. Good read, enjoyed it.

The Question, by Austin Clarke (pictured below), 1999. Winner of the 1999 W.O. Mitchell Literary Prize. Clarke's narrator is an unnamed man, a judge at the Immigration and Refugee Board in Toronto and an immigrant from an unnamed Caribbean island. A content but unadventurous man, he has a handful of friends and a devoted lover, a Filipino woman named Room. At a suburban party, the narrator meets an unnamed white woman, who quickly seduces him, and for whom he abandons Room. Soon, the narrator finds that his new lover (and eventual wife) comes with some deeply trying accessories. Clarke's narrator tells his story in a profoundly intimate style, retreating into flights of memory through his Caribbean childhood and his experiences at court, and passing judgment on would-be Canadians. Not a long read, and in the end, unsatisfactory (in my opinion.)

For those curious, Tom and Crew in their new boat "Orianna" are perhaps 2/3 rd's across the Pacific at this post. Follow this link to Kim's musings while at sea, I find them very interesting.

Indigo Children

2011-07-28T11:15:00.082-04:00

Dad, Mum and I took Jean Grefenburg (Dad's cousin) and Jan (her caregiver) to the Olive Garden in St. Clair Shores Michigan, for Jean's 91st birthday lunch. Food was not a good as last time - too much!

Saw Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows part 2, (official website) in 3D and thought it pretty entertaining. It's the final instalment, though there is room for a prequel and the next generation of young wizards.

On Saturday July 23rd James (my elder son) took the train down from Toronto (to Windsor) for an overnight visit. The next night we had a late phone call from cousin Loren to ask if wife and daughter (Melaine and Annie) could stay overnight. Annie has been drafted by the University of Windsor hockey team and was down for a pre-season practice. We hope to see her play and visit while she is here.

Problems with the big boat engine (at the cottage) have everyone in a tizzy, but I think things will turn out OK, as Dave the new mechanic seems (?) to know what he's doing.

It was reported that July 2011 has been the hottest July on record. Some scientists say that most of the planets in our solar system show evidence of warming, this in view of other studies which show the amount of heat created by the sun is actually decreasing. NASA is suggesting there might be liquid water on Mars. (see image here)

We also heard a great deal about the American debt crunch. The US government did not run out of money August 2 and have now appointed the Gang of 12 to cut 1.2 trillion over the next 10 years.

Number sense:
1 million seconds = 11.5 days
1 billion seconds = 31.5 years
1 trillion seconds = 317 centuries

On Friday July 29th, the generator shack at Keystone burned down...again. Johnny was fishing out by the main channel marker with Peter and Bobby, when they noticed the glow.

August 10th, free Wednesday's found Mum, Dad, Joanne Woods and myself at the Art Gallery of Windsor for lunch and some very good live jazz by saxophonest Ray Manzerolle (pictured) and piano accompanyment by Mike Karloff (I think, but not sure of his name). Ray spent 11 years from 1987 touring the world with guitarist Earl Klugh. He's played such major festivals as Newport, Monterey, New York JVC Kool Fest, Nice France and the Playboy Jazz Fest along with famous jazz venues such as The Blue Note (NYC and Tokyo), The Bottom Line, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall etc. He recorded on Warner Brothers Records on half a dozen albums with Klugh and also with guitarist George Benson, with whom Ray did international tours and television programs.

I skimmed a book called "Heaven is for Real", the story of 4 year old Colton Burpo, who during a serious episode of a ruptured appendix, goes to Heaven and visits with Jesus and other Biblical personages. In the months and years following Colton's experience his parents asked him many questions. They were curious as to what Jesus looked like. Colton could never find a face that he thought was representative of Jesus, until he saw one painted by Akiane Kramarik (seen top below). This would not be that unusual except that Akiane, a child prodigy, was only 8 when she painted it. We have also marveled the talents of the 11-year-old singer Jackie Evancho. She is quite something if you haven't heard her. These two children, who happen to look like sisters, might be what have been called Indigo Children.

For my birthday (May), my son John gave me two books, one was "The Road Less Traveled", by M Scott Peck. Though familiar with the book, I'd never read it. Scott's opinion is that we live in consciousness, which I doubt anyone would (seriously) dispute. He goes on to point out that we also have an unconscious, which works in tandem with individual consciousness. He then suggests we all have access to a deeper unconscious which connects us with each other, which accounts for the Miracle of Serendipity - like when you are thinking of someone and then they call. The other day I was looking over my blog and laughed again at the CBC announcer who pronounced the Danube River as "Dan-oo-bee". That same day I noticed a brochure Mum had left out on trips down the Danube. Later that night an André Rieu PBS special played the Blue Danube Waltz. That same day I was reading The Forgotten Waltz and each chapter is named after a song. I often have the radio playing while I read. After finishing the chapter entitled "Dance Me to the End of Love" (by Leonard Cohen), it came on the radio.

Books Read
The Memory Keepers Daughter, Kim Edwards, 2006. The novel begins on a winter night in 1964, when a blizzard forces Dr. David Henry to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy, but the doctor immediately recognizes that his daughter has Down syndrome. For motives he tells himself are good, he makes a split-second decision that will haunt all their lives forever. He asks his nurse, Caroline, to take the baby away to an institution. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child as her own. It's been made into a movie (trailer here), can't say I really liked the book.

The Forgotten Waltz, by Anne Enright, The novel is narrated by Gina Moynihan, a Dubliner in her mid-thirties who works in IT. She is looking back from the winter of 2009 over the seven years since she first met Seán Vallely, the man for whom she has left her husband. Gina presents us with an anatomy of their affair, from their first glimpse of one another at a barbecue, through a series of assignations in anonymous hotels, to her uncomfortable relationship with Seán’s 11-year-old daughter after he has left his wife.

State of Wonder. Ann Patchett, 2011. Dr. Marina Singh, a research scientist with a Minnesota pharmaceutical company, is sent to Brazil to track down her former mentor, Dr. Annick Swenson, who seems to have all but disappeared in the Amazon while working on what is destined to be an extremely valuable new drug (allows women to have children into their 70's), the development of which has already cost the company a fortune. Nothing about Marina's assignment is easy: not only does no one know where Dr. Swenson is, but the last person who was sent to find her, Marina's research partner Anders Eckman, died before he could complete his mission. Plagued by trepidation, Marina embarks on an odyssey into the insect-infested jungle in hopes of finding her former mentor as well as answers to several troubling questions about her friend's death, the state of her company's future, and her own past. A little long getting to the good part, but good once you are there.
Perhaps if there is a theme to this post, it might be children - who are all, magical.

July 23rd

2011-07-23T12:33:00.001-04:00

It's a few days after my brother Peter's 56th birthday (July 21) and temperature records were broken in over 1,500 cities and towns across North America. In Windsor it reached 52 Celsius or 122 Fahrenheit (with the humidex).

On Saturday June 25, Mum Dad and I attended the annual Windsor-Detroit Tugboat Races. Though they have been held almost continually since 1949, I'd not attended one. The weather was almost perfect and provided a great photo op. See my pictures here.

The following Wednesday, after much shopping and packing, the three of us headed north. Our first stop was in Brampton as Mum needed a tooth looked at by Uncle Kim and we'd planned to stay the night. However, the dental work was done quickly so we forged on to our cottage on the French River. We arrived at the marina around 7:00 and were unpacked at the island around 9:00. A long day but we decided it was worth it. (pictured: John Fry with 35lb muskie)

Over the next few days various family members arrived: (order not correct or important) Sister Mary and her girls Sarah and Emily and dog Ruby, sister Holly and husband Kim, son Devon, daughter Erica and friend Taylor. We were 12 in camp for the long holiday weekend. The traditional Canada Day flag raising took place and the after party at Kennedy beach was well attended. I volunteered to babysit the dog.

In the photo from left to right: young Marcus, his aunt Julianna (Alexs' daughter), Bill (cousin Gina's second husband) Mum, Alex, Gina, Sarah, Mary (behind) Dad and Emily.

The weather was great and much fun was had by all. Kim and I built steps to the new outhouse. John caught a 35 lb muskie (4th of the year) but fishing was poor.

As the holiday weekend came to a close, family members began to depart. Mary and the girls stayed on for week and were treated to a couple of nice storms. We celebrated my son John's 20th birthday. They left the following Sunday, and Tuesday friends of Mum and Dad arrived - Al Suren and his partner Dianne. They had planned to stay two nights but stretched to three as the weather and camaraderie was addictive. We then had two days to clean up for the arrival of the Klass family. We left early Sunday and drove to Port Credit for a short stop over to see son James - and then on to Windsor. (pictured: Al and Dianne)

On Friday July 22nd, my niece Katlyn, her husband Jon and three-year old son Grant, stopped over for the night before heading north to spend time at the cottage with their family. Katlyn is expecting her second child. They have recently moved back to Ottawa, Ohio, where Katlyn begins her medical practice and Jon goes to work for the fertilizer plant his father-in-law's father started.

Books Read

Deception Point, a 2001 techno-thriller novel by Dan Brown. The plot concerns a meteorite found within the Arctic Circle that may provide proof of extraterrestrial life, and attempts by dark forces to prevent this finding from becoming public. Good summer read.

The Afghan is a 2006 thriller novel by Frederick Forsyth and concerns a planned Al Qaeda terrorist attack to take place against an unspecified target. As with other Forsyth novels, the full details of the plot are not revealed until the end. The story takes place in Indonesia, Pakistan, Guantanamo Bay detention camp, Trinidad and Tobago, Washington state and onboard various ships sailing the high seas. Pretty good.

Lost Light is the ninth novel in Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series. It is the first Bosch novel to be narrated in first person; all prior Bosch novels had utilized an omniscient third-person style. Lost Light is the first novel set after Bosch retires from the LAPD at the end of the prior story. Having received his private investigator's license, Bosch investigates an old case concerning the murder of a production assistant on the set of a film. The case leads him back into contact with his ex-wife Eleanor Wish, who is now a professional poker player in Las Vegas, and Bosch learns at the end that he and Eleanor .........OK

The Golden Mean, by Annabel Lyon. Aristotle wrote much about happiness – but if we are to believe Annabel Lyon, his own lessons were lost on himself. In her debut novel, The Golden Mean, the acclaimed short-story writer shows us life through the great philosopher's eyes, and the view is largely cloudy. Cursed with both “a freakish brain” and a wit “as dry as mouse droppings,” this is a man for whom contentment exists only in the abstract. Didn't like it.

Congrats to Grad

2011-06-18T13:58:00.009-04:00

I went north for carpel tunnel decompression of my left hand late May at The William Osler Health Center (Etobicoke General). Dr. Baum did a nice job, and have healed well. Drove back to Windsor the following day. (pictured: James)

May 31 took a tour of St Clair College's n ew media center with program director Veronique Mandal. I've applied to take a one year program - Media Convergence, and am waiting to see if I'm accepted.

Two weeks later was back in Guelph for elder son James' graduation from the University of Guelph, Landscape Architecture program. (pictured: James with classmates) Sister Cathy and husband Norman, arrived Tuesday 14th to celebrate Mum and Dad's 59th wedding anniversary. Having just returned from Toronto I was too tired to join them for dinner, but did have a nice visit.
(pictured: Dad and Mum on 59th wedding anniversary) Evening of June 17 joined Mum, Dad and three of their friends for an intimate evening of live classical music at the Art Gallery of Windsor. It was part of the 18th Ann ual Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival.

Five Regrets of the Dying
By Bronnie Ware
For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives. People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learned never to underestimate someone’s capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, such as denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though... every one of them. When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five:
1) I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people have had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.
It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it.
2) I wish I didn’t work so hard.
This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.
By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.
3) I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.
We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.
4) I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.
It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.
5) I wish that I had let myself be happier.
This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.

May 23, 2011

2011-05-23T13:18:00.024-04:00

Hi There,
It's been a quiet few weeks since my last post.

Flood waters wreak havoc in Victoria, Australia, US congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford was shot but survives as six others die in Arizona attack, protesters in Tunisia oust President Ben Ali from power, thousands celebrate the toppling of Mubarak in Egypt, protest marches jam Bahrain's capital, mass demonstrations against Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh continue, Italy's parliament backs Berlusconi in sex scandal, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake hits Christchurch, New Zealand, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami pummel Japan killing over 25,000 and creating a nuclear meltdown which will take a year (at least) to fix, multiple deadly tornadoes in the US, historic flooding in both US and Canada, coalition forces invade Lybia, Prince William marries Kate Middleton taking the titles Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, a wild fire destroys the town of Slave Lake, Osama Bin Laden is killed and buried at sea, after 100 years British Monarchy (Queen Elizabeth II) visits Ireland ( which has 40% unemployment), Arnold Schwarzenegger commits adultery and fathers illegitimate son, the head of the IMF, Dominique Strauss-Kahn (allegedly) attacks his chambermaid, however, the world did not end on May 21 as predicted by Harold Camping.

On a personal note, elder son James graduated from Guelph with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and his brother John finished his second year Kinesiology at McMaster. John is now on the French River with Uncle Peter, working at the Riverview Marina on the Dokis Indian Reserve, while James, nurturing a career in golf course design, has joined the grounds keeping staff at the Mississauga Golf and Country Club. Dad had a heart attack in February and last week had two stents implanted. Cousin Mary-lee's (mum’s sister’s daughter) youngest son was in a terrible car accident and is recovering slowly. Mum, Dad Peter and I attended a Windsor Spitfire game and later visited our Ohio cousin’s overnight. James, John and x-wife Anthea came down for Easter.
Housekeeping note: the Playlist (at left) does not work in many countries (Canada included) as license agreements not in place.

Poem....
Thinking
breathing
in and out
like water lapping
at the shore
of an island
called life

Read
The Help is a 2009 novel by American author Kathryn Stockett, about African American maids working in white households in Jackson, Mississippi during the early 1960s. I enjoyed it, though felt the ending somewhat unsatisfactory. Currently being made into a movie.
See you later
Chris (now in 57th orbit)

Taking a break

2011-02-14T08:29:00.002-05:00

I'm taking a blogging break, will be back soon.
Best Wishes to all
Chris

Happy Belated New Year

2011-01-02T10:03:00.021-05:00

Welcome,

Time for an update. New Year's eve my brother Peter (cooked) and I (served) our second annual New Years dinner for Mum, Dad and six of their friends. In attendance were John and Alice Braithwaite, Dr. Dick Johnston, Joanne Woods, Mrs. Joan Benson, and Mrs. Barbara Nickleson (please excuse spellings). (pictured: Alice, Dick and Barbara) Dinner started with a shrimp and scallop appetiser, followed by a salad, then the entree of salmon and then dessert. After dinner the gang played bridge till about 11:30, at which time all headed home. We've had a number of snowstorms, so the snow banks are growing. Here is a link to a YouTube video of my sons' cousins (John Radford family) sailing vacation in the Bahama's. If you've read this blog before, you will know that my brother Peter has had several of his photographs used on the Windsor news weather photo of the day. Last week Mum submitted a photo but it was not shown that day. However a few days later it was! What a surprise we had when it won. That's it for now, I know it's short, but hope to have more and better news for next post.

Book Read

Crime Machine, Giles Blunt, 2010. The North Bay crime writer, his main character John Cardinal solves a rather grisly multiple murder. One of his darker works.

A Cold for Christmas

2010-12-22T09:13:00.022-05:00

Welcome
As Christmas approached there was a planned dinner (Sat., Dec. 18) at the Braithwaites' (John and Alice) - my youngest sister's (Mary) inlaws. It was to be the girls' (Em and Sarah) Christmas with their grandparents. Unfortunately Mary had been quite sick (threw up all night) and could not make the trip down from Markham to Windsor.
(pictured: Alice, Alicia and Janice with the hockey stands) The dinner went ahead and the four of us (Mum, Dad, Pete and I) plus Mary's sister-in-law Janice and her husband Bill, and grown children Alicia and Brandon, enjoyed Alice's lamb dinner. It was at that party the mystery gifts that John and I made (mentioned in the previous post) would be given to the girls. The gifts are pictured - much needed hockey equipment stands. (pictured John, Brandon, Alice, Janice, Alicia and Bill)

Sunday we were off to church and Dad and I were still fighting colds. Rev. Ann started the service off with a video of the the church doing a flash hallelujah mob at Devonshire mall. (View here 5 minutes) We took it easy that afternoon but were surprised by Church carolers at the door. (pictured)

Monday the sun came out and we piled into my van for a short trip across the border to Detroit, to visit cousin Jean, who is 90. We took Jean and Jan, the lady who helps her, for a leisurely lunchat the Olive Garden. On Tuesday, I drove (3 1/2 hrs) to Port Credit. I was hoping to visit (overnight) with my friend Jill in Guelph, but had a doctor's appointment the next morning at 10:30am. I also had to stop in Port Credit to get my second injection for hepatitis. (Dad and Jean at lunch) So went on through. At the cutoff from 401 to 403 to Hamilton I was first upon the scene of a rollover. The young man was not hurt, but I had him get in my car till the policed arrived. As I hadn't witnessed the accident, they said to go on. Tuesday I headed over to my doctor's only to find out her mother had passed and was thus not in the office. Dianne, her secretary directed me to a walk-in close by. They gave me the shot, plus more (I think). After I stopped in at Sweep to visit and load software. Looks like the digital magazine is taking a year off.

Wednesday and Thursday found me making Christmas preparations at my x-wife's and our boys, both home from school. Friday Anthea (my x) picked up her mum from "the home" to do her hair. Then her brother Keith (Channel 7 Eyewitness News - Buffalo) visited with his wife Linda. It was towards the end of their vist that the train hit me, or so I felt. (pictured: l-r John, Anthea, Linda, Edna, Keith and James) As soon as they left I headed for bed. I missed Christmas eve dinner, and had to listen to the gifts opening from upstairs in bed. I could hardly move for two days. No fever but chills. It is/was a chest cold and as of this writing (Dec 31) I still have it, though not nearly as bad.

Monday I managed to get up, John went snowboarding at Blue Mountain, while James and his girlfriend Deanna went off to Niagara Falls. On Wednesday brother Pete, who'd been in town for some legal briefings and staying up at the Waters' house, picked me up and we drove back to Windsor. Thursday we shopped for New Years dinner, which Peter will cook and I will serve for 6 of Mum and Dad's friends. We did it last year and everyone really enjoyed it. That's it for now.

May the New Year bring you joy and happiness, and some of us jobs!

Christmas Nears

2010-12-07T10:29:00.031-05:00

Welcome
First a note (excuse pun) regarding the music. I've added something called Playlist. Music will start to play shortly after you log on to this blog. You can turn it off, or change the song to something you prefer (from my choices). Playlist is free and you can create your own to have running in the background as you surf the net or work on your computer. So to the update.......

After the Fry Family Gift Exchange (link to video) on Sat Nov 27, I drove Johnny back to Hamilton (McMaster) and James on to Port Credit. James was off to school the next day and I returned to Windsor, Tuesday (30th).

Friday night (Dec 3rd) Mum, Dad and I attended the opening of the

Shirley Williams exhibit at the Art Gallery of Windsor. I met Veronique Mandal, journalism coordinator for St Clair College. I'm considering taking a course if things don't change for me soon, so will set up a meeting with her for advice. That same day John had 4 wisdom teeth extracted. Saturday he was OK, but Sunday he began to get headaches. He's fine now.

Sunday after church I met with John Braithwaite (my youngest sister's father-in-law) and we talked about making some Xmas gifts. That afternoon Mum and Dad booked a Cuban holiday for early in the new year. I ran about shopping for parts for gifts and made a Fry Birthday Cake. This recipe was originally Mrs. Betty Andrews'; we stole it.

Fry's Birthday Cake (Angel Mocha Torte)

1 angel food cake, sliced into 4 layers (an electric carving knife helps)

Filling:

1/2 lb butter

1 1/2 cups icing sugar

2 squares semi sweet chocolate - melted

1 tsp vanilla

2 egg yolks

6 tbsp cold coffee

1/2 tsp salt

2 egg whites, stiffly beaten

1/2 pt whipping cream

2 tbsp icing sugar (second amount)

1/2 tsp vanilla (second amount)

Beat butter, add icing sugar, melted chocolate, vanilla, salt, egg yolks and coffee. Fold in well beaten egg whites. Cut cake into four layers. Spread with filling. Five hours before serving, frost with cream whipped together with icing sugar and vanilla.

Serves 16 (smallish pieces) serves 4 better for two days.

Wednesday Dec 8, John Braithwaite and I made the gifts for his grand daughters (my nieces). The next two days I spent painting the kitchen cabinets. While watching the news (I think it was Thursday night) the winner of the monthly weather picture for Windsor's local news show was announced - it was Peter's "Ghost Ship" (is pictured above)

Friday Dec 10, Dad, Pete and I had dinner with our Fry cousins at the Keg in Windsor. It was a fun get together, visiting with cousins and meeting the younger members of their growing family group. We were 16 altogether. (pictured are Dad, Joyce and Brian) Mum had been at her book club that day and her back was hurting, so she stayed home. My middle sister Holly and her eldest son Devon, arrived that night, as Devon was writing the LSAT's - pre-law exam, at the University of Windsor the next morning. There were quite a few rules regarding what you could bring in, time limits, food allowed etc.. It lasted a couple of hours and he thinks he did well. Not sure if he'll actually enter law, just a backup plan at the moment. That night we had a slow and delicious meal of rack of lamb. Holly and I stayed up till after midnight chatting.

Mum had two days of medical tests (Monday and Tuesday) all seems to be well, Dad spent Wednesday in bed - he and I have a cold - his worse than mine. Thursday I did some Christmas shopping and Friday, Pete and I hunted for my gift from Mum and Dad - a laptop. That's it from here, see you after Christmas.

A few more pictures here.

Books Read

The Ghost Road, Pat Barker, 1995, Winner of the 1995 Booker Prize.
Excerpt: "Posted to the 2nd Manchester's. We leave tomorrow. It's evening now, and everybody's scribbling away, telling people the news, or as much of the news as we're allowed to tell them. I look up and down the dormitory and there's hardly a sound except for pages being turned, and here and there a pen scratching. It's like this every evening. And not just letters either. Diaries. Poems. At least two would-be poets in this hut alone. Why? you have to ask yourself. I think it's a way of claiming immunity. First-person narrators can't die, so long as we keep telling the story of our own lives we're safe. Ha bloody f_ _ king Ha." pg. 115

Gift Exchange 2010

2010-11-16T18:40:00.025-05:00

Welcome back.
Saturday evening (Nov. 13) Mum, Dad. Peter and I enjoyed a turkey dinner at Riverside United Church which was well attended, bringing in just over $2,000. We sat with Mr. and Mrs. Don Brown.

Sunday I joined Mum and Dad at church, Mum now sings in the choir.
Monday I worked on my Christmas Exchange Gift. This year I had Uncle Kim (my sister Holly’s husband) who unfortunately booked his office staff party that same day, not realizing it was the exchange weekend (he was not there) . As the presents are now open, I had a print made of a picture (above) I'd taken of a foggy morning at the French River, for his office.

Raked more leaves as they are finally began to fall in the backyard. On Tuesday, cousin Charlene (nee Fry) stopped in for a visit, she is now living just a few blocks away. Thursday Amy Lord joined us for dinner and entertained us with stories of her cross-border shopping exploits and Mennonite neighbours. It seems the Mennonites (all 7) enjoy TV (which they can’t/don’t have) and are over every night. Some watch one TV and some another. After dinner they (Mum, Dad, Peter and Amy) were off to the WFCU to watch the Cirque du Soleil

On Saturday (20th) the four of us (Mum, Dad, Peter, me) visited the Sanson Estate Winery with Joanne Woods. Joanne lost her partner a few months ago and had her house up for sale. I think she sold it the next day. We had a good visit, saw a cooking demonstration, tasted their wines and then headed over to the Positively Windsor Art Show where the 74 members competed by painting works to reflect the theme “Positively Windsor”. The main exhibit was held at Mackenzie Hall. While touring the exhibit we ran into Jeff Jordan, a boyhood pal (who lived across the street). I made a video of the day here.

Sunday was church. Mum in the choir and Dad on collection duty. Alice (my sister Mary’s mother-in-law) sat in her usual spot just behind us (me) but her husband John was home in bed with pneumonia. The week began with heavy duty preparations for the coming Fry Gift Exchange (more later). Dad and I made several stops, while Pete and Mum prepared the list for major shopping come Friday. On Wednesday I headed out for Toronto, stopping first at Sweep! to drop off camera equipment I’d used to photograph the curling (at the start of November). I’ve not really had a chance to talk with Jim (Henderson), but it looks like Sweep! might be in hibernation (for the moment) I headed over to my x’s. Thursday I started by putting up outside Christmas lights and then downtown to Y-H Acting Division Inc. to pickup a check from work on “Breakout Kings” (new A&E series starting in January 2011) They liked my Movember mustache and took some new pictures (of me). Then to my doctors for some shots, which I had to get from the clinic pharmacy. I was in their computer system, and it indicated I was 56,000 years old. Pharmacist said I looked good for my age. Later in the day I put up the inside Christmas tree. That evening I watched “The Night of the Iguana” a 1964 film based on the 1948 short story by Tennessee Williams. I’m liking those old flicks.
Friday afternoon I picked up James as he arrived at Square One on the bus. Anthea (my x) had picked up John in Hamilton.

Fry Gift Exchange
Up early Saturday and out by 8:15 to Windsor for the Fry Family gift
opening. This a tradition takes place on my Dad's birthday, (87 this year). It also coincides with nephew Devon Waters birthday (24) and American Thanksgiving, when our American (Ohio) cousins are all home. We meet in Windsor and exchange homemade gifts. Each pulls a name from a hat and makes something for that person. This year we had 23, missing Uncle Kim (who had an office party) and Daniel, who finished in the top third of an all Canada university run (congrats). Guests arrived around noon and the men crowded around the TV to watch Ohio state beat Michigan - wasn't much of a game. After a nice spread of chicken wings, salads and sweets, we settled into the living room for the gift openings. Fun was had by all. Then we poured a few drinks and enjoyed the second part of the feast, with delicious turkey and honey ham sandwiches. Special guest was Tim, Andrea Klass’s new significant other. He is a great sport. Unusual this year was that our American cousins stayed overnight – so 23 found beds, cots, couches and two queen blowup mattresses to rest their heads. Sunday we all headed out. I dropped John at school (McMaster/Hamilton) and James and I made our way to Port Credit. (I filmed and edited the video on this page.)

Books
The Measure of a Man, A Spiritual Autobiography, Sidney Poitier, 2000.

Gift Exchange for 2011
Grandad makes for – Gillian, Nana for – Lauren, Peter for – Holly, Chris for – Norm, John Fry for - Nana, James for - Jon Leopold, Norm for – Chris, Cathy for – Sarah, Katelyn for – Devon, Jon L for - Mary Kate, Andrea for – Emily, Gillian for – Erica, Dan S. for – Peter, John Klass for – Kim, Kim fro - John Fry, Holly for - Dan S., Devon for - John Klass, Lauren for – James, Daniel for – Andrea, Erica for – Katelyn, Mary Kate for – Cathy, Sarah for - Daniel W, Emily for - Grandad.

Moving into Movember

2010-11-01T11:26:00.049-04:00

Welcome Back
If you have a few minutes, check out this YouTube video on "Quantitative Easing".

October 28th, I stopped in at Kim's (my brother-in-law's dental practice) and he ground down my right front tooth (it's false - lost playing street hockey when I was 12), then over to the Willian Osler Health Center - for a carpel tunnel assessment. Carpel tunnel causes my hands to go numb (are painful) while sleeping, and holding a newspaper is difficult. The test involves measuring the amount of electricity moving along the nerves in one's arms and hands. (My brother Peter took the above picture and it was featured on the Windsor TV news Friday 12th) You are subjected to many shocks...it's disconcerning at first, but I got used to it. I failed (or passed) the test (not sure how to say this), but I'm a candidate for surgery. Then I stopped in at Sweep! to work on the next issue.

Friday 29th and 30th at my sister Mary's in Markham. Raked some leaves. On Sunday I headed over to my x-wife's to baby-sit Suemoe (the dog) while she was away. Raked more leaves, cleaned a bit. Left Wednesday morning, up to Sweep! office, picked up camera equipment and drove to Windsor. Arrive around 3:30, had a nap and headed over to the WFCU arena to take pictures at the Gray Power Grand Slam of Curling. Event started that night, 4 (picture taken in Riverside, day before Remembrance) draws on both Thursday and Friday, Saturday were the tie breakers, quarter and semi final games, and Sunday the final. I was quite tired after and have a sore back from lifting the camera equipment. Mum Dad and Peter had tickets for every draw, though most often made two a day.

I watched (most of) the final with Mum, Dad, brother Peter, Dr "Dick" Johnston, Barbara Nickleson and Wayne and Beth French, from a donated private box (took pictures for first few ends). It was exciting, with a relative newcomer "Mike McEwen" beating fellow Manitoban Jeff Stoughton with a steal in the last end. Full story here. I probably took 3,000 pictures, keeping less than half that number.

On Saturday, Peter noticed a story in the paper regarding a job competition for 'an international traveller". You needed to submit a video stating why you thought you might make the best traveller. So I rushed about and made (a bad) one. It was limited to 40mb and 2 minutes. So it took some time to figure that out - recording density and length of time, and then it needed to be in mpg not avi format, so I downloaded free software to convert. Eventually, after trying for a few times to upload (with no success) I found further instructions which said the video needed to be in two parts, one minute selling a tourist destination in your home town, and one minute about yourself. OK, I didn't see that and realized that you needed to spend some serious time (a week at least) making your video...it would be posted and the public will choose the winner. I didn't have that one. So I decided I needed to learn some more about making videos. My first test piece is here.

I'm growing a goatee for "Movember" - facial hair in support prostate cancer research. Don't know if I'll make the end of the month, finding it terribly itchy.

From my niece, Andrea
Hi Uncle Chris!
I had a great time in Honduras. It is a beautiful country. Here are a few photos if you want to post them. I included a picture of the baby I delivered. (Andrea is left in picture) I was on call and lucky enough to get the only delivery of our group. It was a funny situation because I was wearing flip-flops and the attending doctor had bare feet....during the delivery - only in Honduras!
Take care,
Andrea

Read
A Prisoner of Birth, Jeffery Archer, 2008. An interesting page turner, perhaps a bit far fetched.
Late Nights On Air, Elizabeth Hay, 2007, Winner of the 2007 Giller Prize and the 2008 Libris Award for Fiction Book of the Year. The lives of the staff of a small CBC radio station in Yellowknife.

An interesting article "Wall Street's Bailout Hustle", by Matt Taibbi

Into the Fall (Oct 10 - 27)

2010-10-14T12:58:00.055-04:00

Welcome!
I turned the lock and hid the keys, closing the door on another cottage season. Then took a slow boat-ride down-river on a beautiful day (21 celsius) and thought about the summer gone - six muskie's caught, well over 100 visitors, construction of a new outhouse, trees planted, much painting, low water, beavers and many more cherished memories. We are blessed with abundance.

Made my way (5 hours south) to Port Credit and met up with my sons for Thanksgiving weekend (8th-11th). The older, James, is in his final year, Landscape Architecture, University of Guelph, and brother John in second year Kinesiology at MacMaster. My ex-wife was in Windsor attending her high school reunion (Vincent Massy SS) with her friend Tom Bennett, also a Massey grad. She returned Saturday morning with a bad cold. On Sunday the boys and I ventured up to our Waters cousins in Brampton and had dinner with many of the family, including the Braithwaites, Mum and Dad and my brother Peter (see photo). The Monday holiday was a lazy day and James returned to school.

Tuesday (12th) John and I headed up to Brampton for some minor dental work, after which we drove to school in Hamilton. The next day (13th) I was over to Sweep! (curling's digital magazine) and then stayed the night at the Waters' Ken Park Plaza. On Thursday we learned Devon (my sister Holly Waters oldest child) got an exciting new job in Markham.
Friday (15th) found me on the (film) set of "The Breakout Kings", (new show on A&E) playing the part of a cook. It was a fun little role (not speaking) and I will have screen time - just me - by myself. The camera is on me for the opening of the final scene. (pictured: Kent and Donna with new floor) On the weekend (16th-17th) Kent Angus and I installed a new laminate floor at Donna's (his partner) daughter's apartment. It looked fabulous - iidssm (if I do say so myself).

Monday (18th) it was back to Sweep! where Jim Henderson and I headed down the 401 to London to photograph the final of the Southwestern Ontario Women's Charity Cashspiel. It was somewhat curious as three of the girls had posed nude for the 2010 Women of Curling Calendar (they seemed comfortable being photographed). I spent that week at the Waters (with Kim, Holly, Erica and the two cats), made a new brochure for Kim, and then headed back to Mary's (my youngest sister) for the weekend. [The moving about is due to Devon now staying with Mary during the week - but works out fine as Sweep! is on the far side of town - a daily commute which is not practical - 1 hr each way]

Saturday I accompanied Emily and Sarah (Mary's girls) to their Markham Bears ringette game in Newmarket - they tied. I didn't go the Sunday game in Burlington, which they won - with 10 seconds to go and down two players! (at this point in the season they are undefeated). Headed back to Waters for the last week of October.

A bit of news regards some future plans (something I don't usually do). I'm thinking of booking a flight to where I will be volunteering (still charged $15 a day) at the Birdwatcher's House for a month or so. After which I hope to make my way to the Galapagos Islands and then south to Peru and Machu Picchu. I found the position on The Caretaker Gazette website, and I also noted a similar position at Apu Lodge near Machu Picchu. I then contacted the Birdwatchers and began an email conversation with Mrs. Doris Burke. Doris and her husband Dan (both 58), have started a new life on the road (their journey here). They had only been at Birdwatchers two days when I contacted Doris. They must have seen the same ad and were starting their stay, and then were moving on to the same Machu Picchu hotel. Perhaps we will meet along the way. I've also join Travlbuddy a very helpful site for those travelling on a budget.
Finally, here's a little halloween scare.
That's all for now
Stay well
Chris

Ideas File
Flag bumper stickers. Place the flag of country of manufacture on rear fenders of all cars...will make you think when you stop at a light and all the cars around you are from Europe.

Online campaign to reduce price of gas. One would think that in this day of instantaneous communications, we could collectively boycott a particular gasoline corporation until they reduced their price to a predetermined one (say $0.90/liter). Once that happens, we would then swarm to the lower price forcing other manufacturers to match same.

Localized Olympic zones (like the Vatican or Washington, DC.), for each continent with sites for both summer and winter games. These could be enlarged/improved before each cycle - instead of starting from scratch each time. [in the current system, though jobs are created, governments (citizens) continue to pay the cost. Regardless of reports, Olympic Games do not make money.] Interesting article here
From the article...the security budget (set by Vancouver Olympic Committee) for Vancouver 2010 (total cost $7 billion) was $185 million, but later revealed to be $900 million.

Update on the 99ers, from 60 Minutes, October 24, 2010 (13 minutes)

Pictures for this post here.

September 14 - October 9

2010-10-09T13:24:00.039-04:00

Returning from a trip east (see last post), I arrived in Port Credit (Mississauga, Ontario), at the home of my ex-wife Anthea (Monday, Sept 13). She was having her English cousins (from England - Anthea's mother Edna's family) for a visit, and had asked for help in getting the house ready. The cousins (Irene - Edna's sister, Irene’s boys', Peter and Ken and Peter’s wife Mary) were over to see their 86 year-old aunt/sister, Edna Radford (my ex-mother-in-law) who now has dementia – it will probably be their last visit. (picture: a foggy morning - I kept many of the pictures I took of this) They had planned to come this spring but could not make it due to Eyjafjallajökull, the Icelandic volcano. I cleaned carpets and upholstery, did laundry, cut lawns, moved furniture etc., for three days. The place looked pretty good when I left. On the 16th I headed up to Brampton en route to the French River, to pickup end-of-season laundry. I stayed overnight at Holly and Kim's, and left next morning. It was a long day – shopping in Noelville, loading and unloading the boat, hauling everything up to the cottage, then putting it all away. It's so much easier with a few helping hands. Nature knowing the situation, arranged for rain all the next day, forcing me to read and relax. (pictured: from left, Ken, Peter, Anthea, Mary, Irene) Sunday the 19th dawned bright and sunny and I started painting the east (front) side of the cottage – it took the entire day, and I finished.
Monday I headed back down-river to the reserve/Riverview Cottages where we keep our boats. Picked up drinking water, propane, boat gas, said goodbye to some late cottagers leaving (Allison's and Marcus's), and took the opportunity to have repairs made to the big boat cover. I left the big boat (now repaired) and went back in the small boat. It was about this time that the beavers had come to build. The first lodge was under the floating dock. The pocket made by the plastic frame, appeared ideal for a new home. Tuesday (21st) I prepared for the arrival of the aforementioned English cousins. It was a beautiful day and they enjoyed a leisurely drive north. (pictured: I was reading about the Shroud of Turin) Arriving around 3:30 we carried supplies and luggage up to the cottage. Not being experienced campers, the screen door was left open for quite some time. Peter and Ken went for a late-day swim off the west end of the island. Ken said it was warmer than the ocean. That night we were inundated by mosquitoes inside the cottage, to where I had to burn a mosquito pik – something I hadn’t done in years. It was a clear night with a full moon and we wandered down to the dock to watch the beavers (2) as they continued to build lodges, now under both docks. We didn’t/couldn’t frighten them off. That night Ken, who was sleeping in the loft, accidentally left the balcony door open. He mentioned he'd felt something flying quite close to his face during the night, but it didn’t bother him. Next day was overcast and dull. Ken, Peter and I spent the morning doing the snoop-dog tour – trespassing on other islands. By noon it started to rain so we hunkered down indoors to a wonderful day of games – Sequence, Hearts, Bid, and Boggle. Anthea made a delicious turkey dinner and then we settled into a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit (Anthea, Irene and Ken, beat Peter, Mary and me). In the middle of the game, Mary commented that she felt a drop of water, but I paid little heed. It was raining hard and the wind was blowing from the east (unusual). She shortly felt another, then another. Indeed the roof was leaking. I placed a bowl on the couch and we continued with the game. A few minutes later another drip fell, and then another. Finally we had to move the couches and place 6 bowls to catch the many drips. My guests were watching the weather, and if it cleared they would stay another day, if not, they’d head out for Ottawa. The forecast was not good so they decided to pack up. Peter headed for a shower and when he opened the door a bat flew out. Obviously that was what Ken and sensed the night before. While they packed we heard (on the radio) that a transport truck carrying nitric acid was on fire and the highway at the French River was closed in both directions (north/south). It would have been funny, but they were headed east. I enjoyed seeing my old friends again. I stayed another two weeks. It was cold for several days before a return to a welcome Indian summer. Fighting the beavers took much of my time, but I did manage a great deal of brush burning, shampooed carpets, cleaned the boathouse and general closing chores. I left Friday October 8 on a day when the temperature reached 21C or 70F. There are lots of images on my Flickr account here. More pictures of the cousins here.
Mum turned 81 on the 5th and Jack Klass 22 on the 3rd (October)
Till next time....stay well
Chris

Books Read
Angels and Demons, Dan Brown, 2000. Maybe better than The Da Vinci Code.
Still Alice, Lisa Genova, 2007. Engrossing story about Alzheimers, recommended.
Havoc, Jack DuBrul. So bad I removed it from our library.

The Shroud Codex, Jerome Corsi, 2010. Mystery novel around Shroud of Turin. Not bad.

Dear Mad'm, Stella Patterson, 1953. 4th reading, always enjoy.

Heard on the radio - CBC announcer Jason Turnbull, describing the Hungarian tailings spill, saying it could reach the Da-New-Be River (Danube), I still get a chuckle.

Fact: 5% of Americans control 85% of America's wealth. Think about it....

North East US Tour Sept 3 - 13

2010-09-06T09:19:00.053-04:00

First....a puzzle:
No C are B
all B are A
Therefore.... some A are not C.
Is it True? See answer at bottom

I left Friday September 3rd and took Interstate 90 from Buffalo to Albany, then found my way to Route 2, which took me through the Berkshires in Massachusetts. I reached my friend, Anne Harding's house, in Turners Falls after the 8 hour trip. When I arrived in town I needed to get my bearings, so stopped at a main intersection, made a left, went one block and got out the map. I looked up at the street sign, it was K street, the one I was looking for, and Anne' house was three doors down. Anne was not home so I wandered down to a local store and picked up a 6 pack and drank a few beers on the porch. Anne finally returned and we sat and talked for a few hours. The next day we were off to Clinton, Mass, (about an hours drive) to visit the Russian Icon Museum with two of Anne's friends, Joyce and Sheila. An icon is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, from Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism.

From the web: The Museum of Russian Icons was founded in 2006 as a non-profit educational institution by Massachusetts industrialist, Gordon B. Lankton. The collection includes more than 400 Russian icons, the largest collection of its kind in North America, and one of the largest private collections outside Russia. The collection spans six centuries, and includes important historical paintings dating from the earliest periods of icon “writing” to the present. For more on the The Museum of Russian Icons follow the link.

The girls met Mr. Lankton as we were leaving and he took them on a short tour of the new wing (which was not yet open to the public), while I visited the war memorials displayed in the municipal park outside. Then a scenic 45 minute drive to Barre and Picasso's restaurant. Chris (one of the two chefs) is Anne's neighbour and he came out to say hi and ask how dinner was. It was some of the best food I've ever had (follow the Picasso link to see their menu). Sunday Anne woke with a cold, but she persisted and we started with kayaking and then a boat tour down the Connecticut River. After it was home for nap, then a brief walking tour of the town, on our way over to Yoshi' Kogo's for dinner. Yoshi had just started renting a room in a large older home, owned by one of the local restaurateurs, and we were her first dinner guests. Yoshi is an illustrator, famous for the children's book "Big All". We were also joined by Nina Rossie a very talented artist in her own right. Monday was Labour Day so I worked in Anne's garden, we took a bike ride, napped, read and went to a neighbourhood dinner party. Anne was back to work on Tuesday, so I headed west to "Shelbur ne Falls" and the Bridge of Flowers (nice picture of it - I took lots too) and then to take pictures in the Berkshires. Out for dinner that night at the Rendezvous , (co)owned by Jamie Berger, who I met twice - once at Anne's house and again at the Labour Day dinner at Gen's. On Wednesday I made my way over to "historic" Deerfield Village and spent the afternoon touring the exhibition. As high season was over, I was, for the most part, the only one on the tours (each house has it's own tour). After 4 interesting days I said goodbye to Anne and started out on the next leg of my eastern tour.

My plan was to visit Barnstable (on Cape Cod) to look for graves of ancestors on my mother's side (Tracy's, Collins, Snows and Bradfords), but it was not what I expected. Barnstable is a county not a town, and unlike upstate Mass where every town regardless of size, had several church's, I could find none in Barnstable. I was short on time so turned and headed for Fairfield Connecticut where I was staying the night with Rip and Jill Littig. We had cocktails and cheese in the wine cellar, then Rip showed me around the property, while Jill bbq'd a steak, which we enjoyed till 11:30. Rip was taking Friday off to play 36 holes of golf with two school chums, and I was headed into New York city - for the first time. Friday morning, Jill put me on the train station - it was a great help and they are such gracious hosts.

The trip terminated at Grand Central Station, where after a false start, I made my way to 86th Street and Lexington Ave - on the upper east side. I found my friend, Marla Mossman's apartment, where the doorman handed me a note saying she was at her hairdressers and I was to meet her there - which I did. We got caught up while she was in the chair. (Follow this link to Marla's website The Peace Caravan, a journey along the silk road.) We did some shopping and returned to her apartment, had tea, then I walked over to the Guggenheim and Central Park. That evening Marla had a friend, Mary Jordan, over for dinner. Mary, is an artist and film maker. Her latest project "Word Above the Street" plans to wrap all the water towers in New York City in graphics by various known artists. The project's theme is sustainable water usage worldwide. We talked late into the evening. By Saturday it was clear I'd caught Anne's cold. None-the-less it was off to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's a huge place, too big to see in a day, and after 3 hours, my cold had sapped my energy. After a nap we stepped out for some great Chinese food and then strolled in Central Park looking at the two lights shinning in the sky marking the 9th anniversary of 9/11. The next morning we walked in a drizzle from 86th to 42nd Street. Most of the way 2nd Avenue had been turned into a street mall and there were thousands of people. At 42nd Street we hopped on the subway and made our way to the tip of Manhattan and boarded the Staten Island Ferry for the trip out and back. We then visited "Ground Zero" and the surrounding area and returned to watch the US Open tennis - but it was cancelled due to the rain. Friday morning I took the subway back to Grand Central Station and boarded the train for Fairfield. Jill was not home so I left a note thanking them. My next destination was Dallas Pennsylvania to visit Jill's sister Liz and her husband Paul Gallagher. I thought I'd make a miserable guest and didn't want to leave my cold behind, so made my way back to Canada. Just as I was leaving Pennsylvania and entering the southern tier of New York, I hit a hail storm! It was an interesting and enjoyable 10 day jaunt. Thanks to all my hosts!

(Too) Many pictures here.

Answer: Yes

(fewer than 10% figure it out)
Example:
No flying things (C) are penguins (B)
all penguins (B) are birds (A)
some some birds (A) are not fliers (C)

Books Read

The Girl Who Played with Fire, second novel in the million-selling Millennium Trilogy by Swedish writer Stieg Larsson

August 18 - Sept 1

2010-08-20T10:56:00.025-04:00

Welcome back, and if it's your first visit (you may have just stumbled in) please feel free to look around. Mum, Dad and I left the family cottage on the French River and arrived some 10 plus hours later, in Windsor. Slipping into bed that night, I noticed a large section of paint falling away from the ceiling, so investigated the next (pictured: Dieppe Memorial dedication) morning. During repairs on the air conditioner (which lives in the attic) the (only) window had been opened - no glass. Water must have been coming in, so repairs were made. I patched, plastered and painted the ceiling over the next few days. On Tuesday we began the interesting task of cleaning up Dad's extensive collection of slides. He had over (estimated) 3,000 family pictures and perhaps 5,000 of trips he and Mum had taken. I placed the slides in the carousel and we viewed, throwing out similar images, and pictures that would be meaningless to we kids. We went through them all twice, and tossed out probably 1,500 (family slides only). It took three days. On Wednesday we had a nice visit from Mum's friend Jessie and her son Michael and his wife Leiha. On Thursday we toured the Art Gallery. Dad met mayor Eddie Francis, shook his hand, and thanked him for running again - Eddie had promised to stay for only two terms, which are now up. (pictured: blueberries at Klassens) This day was the dedication of the Dieppe Memorial and a large crowd had gathered at the water front. Dad and I went down as Mum watched from the gallery. Dad introduced me to a pretty dentist - he knows someone where ever we go. We then had a nice lunch at the new bistro - The Taste Bud in the gallery. The bill came to $98. I checked with the server and she had charged us for two bottles of wine, not two glasses. We ran into two of Mum and Dad's friends and they joined them at the table for dessert while I went for the car. Friday I went for a bike ride. Saturday found us blueberry picking at Klassens in Harrow - it was not the difficult picking I'm used to on the French River. Then we drove to Amherstburg and back. To church on Sunday and said hello to John and Alice Braithwaite, Jurien Camon, Joyce Boyer and met the new minister -Ann Rowsell - she is great. After lunch I headed out and drove to my friend Jill's in Guelph. Had a nice visit and I left the next morning for the cottage - again. Planned the day to meet up with John at 5:00 to get a ride up river. Did a shopping stop in Noelville - where the roads are all now newly paved. (pictured: John, John, James, John and Christos) James and three friends - John, John and Cristos wanted a boys only fishing camp, so my John dropped me off at Turtle Cove, where my brother Peter runs the island. It was empty (but for Peter), so I stayed three days and helped with some closing chores. Tuesday night John Fry caught a 20lb muskie, but lost it in the netting procedure. Thursday (Aug 26) was his last day on the job - the 4 months seemed to fly by. David Kennedy dropped by to return a copy of "Dear Mad'm" to me. A dream is to one day make it a movie. David sent an interesting blog link to his brother Bruce's Atlantic crossing in a sailboat. Sadly a few days later he informed us that his brother Peter had passed. The James gang left Friday morning - after John Fry caught another muskie (3 for him, 6 in total for the cottage this year) and I returned to start a thorough cleaning. (pictured: north view from Turtle Cove) Peter and Corien Nash (Turtle Cove owners) arrived that day and invited John and I for a nice dinner - thanking me for helping with the closing. Saturday, Kim and Devon came up from the village having completed a three day canoe trip. We made them lunch and then we (John and I) headed out into pretty rough waters. It has been an unusually windy summer. I would be remiss if I did not congratulate Uncle Norm on a job well done on his outhouse. (pictures next post) Sunday, in Port Credit, John and I did his laundry at a laundromat. It took about 1 1/2 hours and we used five machines simultaneously. He packed for school (2nd year kinesiology - McMaster) and Anthea (his mother) and he drove to Hamilton to drop the load off. Paul Radford stopped in for a short visit, then used AJ's (my ex, his sister) car to shop - he lives downtown now. John and three friends headed back to McMaster on Tuesday, took more furniture and stayed over to watch Mac beat Queens in the first football game. (pictured: John's 3rd muskie this year) They returned Wednesday morning, John and I helped Paul Radford move some furniture in a large storage unit to a smaller one. Paul lent John a nice computer desk and leather office chair. We then bought a new mattress (for John) and headed out for Hamilton. Unloaded and I returned. I'll be heading out for a short eastern US visit with some friends. See you next post. Stay Well.

Pictures for this post here

Cottage With Mum and Dad

2010-08-16T12:00:00.015-04:00

Left Port Credit and drove to Windsor on July 27th.
Stayed a few days to prepare for drive with Mum (82) and Dad (87) to the cottage. We left Thursday (29th) morning and arrived at the marina 8 hours later - an uneventful trip. After the ride up river (to cottage) we were visited by Liz (Trescher) Gallagher and her sister Jill and husband Rip and their 3 kids. Jill and Rip were just finishing up their week - and leaving the next day. Cottage inhabitants included Kim, Holly, Mary, Sarah, Emily, John. We settled in and the next day (Friday) had Sam and Doris Trescher and Liz (Trescher) Gallagher and Peter (Fry) and Pierre (Nash) for dinner - 14.
Saturday (31st) was the 1st anniversary of Paul's (my sister Mary's husband) passing. We did nothing special. Lauren, Erica and Daniel Waters (3 of my sister Holly's children) arrived that morning in a tizzy, as Lauren had left her purse at a Tim Horton's near Parry Sound. Holly accidentally called (Pictured: Dad, Mum Doris and Sam) 911 and that started a series of calls from the police. They (the police) began to wonder how they might respond to a 911 call from the river - if they ever got one. Later that day, the Tim Horton's manager called to say they found the purse, and so did the police. With brother Peter and his charge Pierre over for dinner, we were 14 again.
On the Holiday Monday, cousin Gina (see this post) husband Bill, son Jonathan, his wife Erin and baby Jackson George, stopped in for a visit. The link would take you to Gina's letter where she described Jon's skiing accident, which left him in bed for two months. He is (Pictured: Bill at wheel, Jackson and mum Erin, Gina and Jon) now learning to walk again - he and the baby. Some cottagers left that afternoon, and the balance headed out Tuesday. With the cottage to ourselves, we relaxed into books and naps and odd jobs. Dad and I painted the deck (three days) while Mum cleaned the cottage, organized the food and defrosted the 3 fridges. The days drifted by and we enjoyed the quiet. On Tuesday afternoon, we had Gina, Bill and friend Karen, plus Peter for dinner. This was a (kind of) thank you (Pictured: John Boykin) dinner for Gina and Bill who'd delivered Peter's new boat from Sturgeon Falls to the Gielser factory in Powassan for some upgrades. Peter has started painting this summer with some interesting results. He offered Gina her pick and she gladly accepted one. Later in week we had a visit from John Boykin and later, Carrie Granada. Wednesday and Thursday were John's (my younger son) days off (works at marina on reserve). We fished but had little success. On Friday, Gillian (daughter of sister Cathy) and her husband Dan arrived, with two friends - Nate and Koreen. I missed a golden photo op, because as they were pulling up to the dock, Gina, Bill, David Critchley and (Pictured: Mum, Dad and Carrie Granada) his girlfriend, had stopped in to pick up a "Sequence Board" Mum had made them. That made another 12 on the island. All good things come to and end - so they say, and we departed Saturday morning. The ride home was good until we reached Toronto. The 407 westbound was closed, and the 5km to the 401, which should take about 3 minutes, took 1 1/2 hours!!!!

Seth Speaks - (interesting)
“Your thoughts have an electromagnetic reality. Now you must realize that this is true or the rest of what I am saying will indeed sound like Pollyanna nonsense.
When you think in terms, for example, of abundance and plenty, then those thoughts draw to you abundance and plenty as a magnet does.
There will be a while, while you are changing your beliefs - for example, you will find yourself in a period where you feel quite self deceptive and you are saying ‘I am surrounded by wealth and abundance’, and you still look around you and you are poor. And you think, ‘This is a lot of bull!’
But it took you some time to build up your beliefs to the point of your present experience, and, so, in your terms, there may be some lag before your new beliefs draw to you abundance. But, your physical experience follows your thought. And you cannot change the experience without first changing your thought. Now it does no good to believe two things at the same time.
So, what you do is this -- you say, ‘I will play around with this idea. I will admit that it might be possible that my own thoughts about money are causing my lack of it. And so, for the hell of it, I will, several times a day, pretend that I am surrounded by abundance, and in my mind I will imagine the things that I want. If it does not work, I have not lost a thing, but if it works, I have gained a lot.’
So, you try it for several weeks, and each time that you do, the idea becomes a little bit more possible, a little bit more real. And, in the meantime, these thoughts are changing the beliefs that you have had.
They are at least balancing them. And they begin to draw to you abundance. There is no other way to change your physical reality, but by changing your thoughts.”

Pictures for this post here

Books Read
Swallows of Kabul, Yasmina Khadra, 2002
3 Day Road, Joseph Boyden, 2005

Mid Summer at Crowe's Rest

2010-07-24T12:06:00.017-04:00

June 30 - July 24
Sorry about that, it’s been over three weeks since my last post.

The Growing Ranks of 99ers – Saturday July 24/2010
“This week, after more than a month of political wrangling in Washington DC, an extension of federal unemployment benefits was signed into law, bringing relief to 2.3 million Americans who had lost benefits during a six-week lapse in the program. The extension will extend eligibility for federal unemployment benefits through November, but it doesn't help everyone who is unemployed. The bill gives no further aid to the so-called 99ers, those who have already exhausted all the federal unemployment benefits available to them. It doesn't look as if any help is on the horizon for this growing group of Americans. Economists estimate the number of 99ers to be around 1 million. That number is expected to get as high as 2 or 3 million as the recession drags on. MLive.com
Let's see...I'd say that another 2.3 million will be added by December 1st.

Wednesday June 30th.
Headed downriver to the Dokis Indian Reserve with (my younger son) John, on his way to work (noon to 8 pm shift). Drove 45 minutes to the Noelville public library and took a few hours to prepare my blog post (of mid to late June). I did some shopping (beer, birthday gifts for John) and treated myself to some of the best fries and gravy I know. (will get photo of that chip stand for next post) I also did some “material hunting” as Uncle Norm (my sister Cathy’s husband) was bringing a prefabricated outhouse from Ohio. The term "prefabricated" was not completely accurate, as the materials list I was given (after several long telephone discussions) was extensive. However, most of what we needed seemed to be available. I said I’d call in the order and for $20 they would deliver to the village. I’d stretched my afternoon as much as possible, so headed back to the marina – We’d anticipated I’d have about two hours to kill waiting for John’s shift to end, and had planned to do a little fishing.

On the 20 minute ride down the dirt road to the Dokis Indian reserve, I was stopped by another meeting with nature (re: Philadelphia Flyer – last post). The largest doe I’d ever seen (think the shoulders would have come half way up the widow of the van) jumped onto the road in front of me. I stopped and she stopped. She took a long look at the van and then rose on her hind legs, and “clawed” the air a few times with her front ones. She then seemed to jump off the ground while standing in place, then walked slowly into the bush. A few minutes later I arrived at the marina. I’m not sure of the timing, but I think Kim, Holly, Mary, Sarah and Em had arrived while I was in town and taken the big boat down river. Before starting my fishing expedition, I noticed that the new Keystone Lodge manager, Helene Filion, was sitting at the dock. She’d promised to do something about the noise of the generator, but it was still quite loud. We’d seen a new generator arrive – giving the Keystone barge a standing ovation as it passed, but it was not hooked up. (Pictured: James, Dave and John - showing fish count) I asked her what the situation was, and she stunned me by saying that they were shutting down, that very day. They’d worked hard for at least 9 weeks getting Keystone Lodge ready, but said there was still too much to do and they realistically could not open in time to make any money. To me this was good news, perhaps the generator would be shut off. The lodge is still very much for sale. After sharing this tidbit with John, I took the boat out for fishing as planned. It was a nice evening (around 6:30) as I headed out looking for calm waters near rocky shoals. About a half hour later rain showers arrived and I headed to shore to stay dry, I still had an hour or more to wait. The rain stopped and the sunshine returned (doesn’t get dark till about 9:30). I’d been trolling the shoreline, but with the water low and this being unfamiliar territory, I found the rock avoiding exercise tiring. I nosed the boat into the middle of the channel, made myself comfortable and settled down to a nice slow troll into the setting sun. (Pictured, Mary, Sarah and Em emerge from storm) Within five minutes I was jolted out of a mild meditation by the extreme drag of a large fish. The next few minutes I enjoyed a heart pounding fight with a 42 inch (approx) muskie! I might have a picture for a later post. Returning to the marina, John was quite envious. He’s been diligently muskie hunting for 8 weeks, with nothing to show, yet both his mother and I hooked one. We loaded a 100 lb propane into the boat and headed home.

The next day (Canada Day) James arrived around noon with friends John and Dave, for a couple of days of fishing. We now had 10 in camp (6 outhousers – people who use the outhouse instead of inside toilet). Weather continued to be nice and hot. Blueberries plentiful and this year I made my first two pies – which make me (apparently) the new unofficial heir/cook to the Mum’s famous/fabulous blueberry pies. I need to make a few more to finesse my results. On Friday (July 2nd) Kim, Holly, Mary, Sarah and Em canoed/kayaked over to Hidden Lake to build an inuksuk at the spot where Paul’s (Mary’s husband who died a year ago) ashes are spread. On their return they got caught in a rain shower. (Pictured: Kennedy beach flag raising) Friends, Kent and Donna stopped in, ostensibly to discuss their new home renovations and to confer with me regards doing some laminate floor work. The next day (Saturday), the cottage filled as Lauren, Daniel and Erica Waters arrived, now 13 (still only 6 outhousers). We joined another 50 (or so) people on the Kennedy beach for the annual Canada Day Flag raising. It was moved from the usual small island in the main channel due to low water levels. I vote we keep it at the beach. Had a great visit and spoke with matron Anna Kennedy. We departed (prior to the picture taking ceremony – will try to get one) and returned to the cottage to celebrate my son John’s 19th birthday.

Sunday brought more gorgeous weather so Kim, Daniel and I made a reasonably successful attempt uprighting Grampa’s marker (a channel marker - last of it's kind allowed as the French River is now a Heritage Waterway - commemorating my maternal grandfather, Dr. Loren Lee Crowe). They (Kim and Dan) propped up the half ton of cement and rock, while I lassoed and yanked out the loose rocks from underneath. (Pictured: John turns 19) The marker fell back, but the 4x4 we’d used as a pry bar was stuck. We then used a 2x4 to pry out the 4x4. It worked and looks much better. Most everyone left that afternoon and unfortunately James’ fishing group only caught a few. In camp remained John, Mary, Sarah, Em, Holly and me (3 outhousers).

Monday, cousin Gina (Gina’s letter in past post) and Bill stopped in for a visit.

Wednesday saw the arrival of my brother-in-law Norm, sister Cathy, and the new outhouse. During March break, while many of us were in Florida, a vote was taken to see if Norm could go forward with a proposed new outhouse (which ties the effluent into the current holding tank). I was the lone dissenter. My sisters laughed as it fell to me to make arrangements for much of the materials and to help construct, what I was against from the beginning. Around 4:30 the barge, driven by John and Peter (Granata) arrived with Norm, Cathy, the prefab from Ohio and the material shipment from Rona’s in Noelville. (Pictured: Norm's outhouse) We started unloading at the convenient low flat spot near the holding tank, when Norm decided it would be better to move about 1000 feet down the shoreline, where the rock hill was very steep and high. We could carry the prefab sides, the lumber, cement, full sheets of plywood, door, etc. up this hill and then walk it back towards the holding tank another 500 feet, all in 98 degree heat. The logic still eludes me. We built the outhouse within 10 feet of the original unloading spot. As all the workers had overheated, we jumped in the water and lay there for some time. Construction started the next day and we worked till dinner. As we started work the next day, the generator at Keystone stopped, and as far as I know, not restarted. What a wonderful sound it doesn’t make. Again, another full day and the roof was completed.

Saturday was moving day. Several years ago, Norm and Cathy had used the island as a base camp for 60+ American Boy Scouts. They were doing it again this year, and the support group was to arrive around 2:30. I had to pack John and my belongings, clean the bedrooms (we'd used) and help Cathy clean the cottage. I gave Norm another hour help as he worked on the outhouse but had to start packing. It was a good thing as the group called and would be arriving two hours early! I hauled our stuff down the dock (no help) and took it over to the Nash cottage, where we would stay, me for two days, John for a week. (Special thanks to Peter and Corine Nash for having us). We would be with my brother Peter, who manages the Nash cottage, and the Nash’s youngest, Pierre.

That night Peter cooked some delicious ribs. Pierre had devoured 9 while the rest of us had finished our third – maybe he wasn’t being fed? Sunday I decided to try out the little “Invitation” sailboat at the Nash cottage. Couldn’t find all the rigging parts, but enjoyed the sail. Will try again if lost parts found.

Monday I headed to the city early with John and Peter (G) as they went into work, arriving at my sister’s in Markham early afternoon. Tuesday I got caught up with some paper work and Wednesday started the flooring. Kent and Donna were also staying at Mary’s while their new house was renovated. I finished the larger downstairs bedroom (floor and quarter round) Thursday, but there was no place to work Friday. Saturday and Sunday, Kent helped me do the large (24 x 25) main room in the basement – 34 boxes of laminate. I continued through Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and finished Thursday morning. Thanks to Kent and Donna for the opportunity and for the gifts.

I prepared this post at my ex’s where I’d gone on Friday July 23 to belatedly celebrate my older son James’ 21st birthday. Having caught an intestinal bug, I was not up to cooking, so we decided to order Chinese. As no phone book could be found, we used the Internet. I accidentally thought I’d called our old favorite, The Shanghi House, and my ex offered to go pick it up, which was nice as it was not that close. She first went to the wrong strip mall and then found the right one which was close by. They had an order for Fry, but it had been picked up. Confusion ensued with Anthea on the phone and James searching the Internet for what I’d done. I’d actually called a place which was pretty close, so Anthea went there. She as gone (all told) about an hour. I felt bad, but the food was great. They now have a menu in the junk drawer.

I draw your attention to the blog postings of my nephew Devon Waters, who has a summer job in Washington DC - very interesting reading. Look for the SSCIJ _ Weeks 1-6.

Another interesting blog is my high school sweetheart's sister - Marla Mossman. She was recently in China.

Pictures for this post here.

Books Read
Any Known Blood, Lawrence Hill,
Long book by the author of The Book of Negroes. It could almost be a companion book. Based somewhat on his own life history, probably more than he reveals.

Into the Blue, Andrea Curtis, 2003
The sinking of the J. H. Jones, in Midland Ontario in1906. The owner and captain was her great grandfather. A true story, quite readable and an interesting piece of Bruce Peninsula history.

Crowes Rest Open for the Season

2010-06-30T13:47:00.016-04:00

The Constant Kitchen - Saturday, June 12th.
James, his friend Christo and I rose at 5:00 am and headed 4 hours north from Port Credit to the Dokis Indian Reserve in French River country. My ex-wife was soaking up some R&R there, while visiting our son John, who works at the local marina. On Thursday she was joined by my niece Lauren Waters and three of her friends – Jenny, Alex and Calvin. With our arrival, there were nine in camp. As meals had not been co-ordinated, we made breakfast first, while Lauren and her group slept in (back cabinet). They followed mid morning just after we’d finished our cleanup. By the time they ate and cleaned up, we were back in for our lunch. This pattern kept the kitchen occupied much of the day. James and Christo came for 36 hours of fishing – they would leave will all the next day. Anthea (my ex) joined them during their first outing and was rewarded with her second life muskie, and dandy about 20 lbs (see picture). All had a great time and left Sunday afternoon.

Table for Six - June 12-14
Monday was a cleanup and a special thanks to Lauren and guests for their help before leaving. Carrie Granata (nee Kennedy) invited John and I for dinner Tuesday. The Kennedy girls – Jane, Susan, Carrie and Jenny – are known for many talents, not the least being their culinary skills. A simple meal of chicken thighs, tiny new potatoes, broccoli, and a salad was delicious. Even better was a chance to chat with the next generation of young river adults – Emma, Jane, Peter and of course Johnny. Emma is waiting tables at Lunge Lodge, Jane is volunteering at the Reserve school, and Peter and John work at the marina. The River is good to us in many ways.

Philadelphia Flyer - Tuesday June 15th
As sometimes happens, I heard a rap at the window, the intersection of bird and glass. Investigation found what we (John and I) guessed (bird book images are sometimes inconclusive) to be a Philadelphia Vireo (see picture). Lying motionless on the deck, I picked it up and warmed it in my hands. Regaining mobility it perched contently on my index finger for twenty minutes. This kind of experience brings one’s focus (if so inclined) closer to nature – this delicate perfection momentarily unafraid of human contact. One is granted a brief relaxation of standard rules of engagement and allowed to gaze upon this creation in wonder. But I had chores to do, so placed the Philly on the railing, it was gone next I looked.

Memorial Fathers Day - June 16 – 20
Wednesday was the start of ‘The Boys’ Fathers’ Day Weekend”. My brother-in-law, Paul, who sadly passed away last summer (age 45) would annually bring 6 or 7 friends up for several days of fishing. Last year I joined them, and gladly agreed to host a memorial weekend this year. ‘It was a dark and stormy night” and indeed it was as the first of the group, Bernie and Tom Korte, launched their small boat, loaded to the gunnel's at the Riverview Cottages marina (closed for the night). High upon the hill, lodge owner Leonard Dokis watched with concern as the fisherman heading out into the storm. The once Indian Chief ordered his own boat out after them. Seeing it approach, Bernie thought they might be checking for his operator’s license, but it was to his relief that they were to be escorted to the calmer waters of the middle channel. Meanwhile, Leonard had called to apprise me of the situation and suggested I go out to meet them. I decided to wait 15 minutes at which time they rounded the island, safe and sound. Greg and Joe arrived the next day and Pat and Joe on Friday. The food was superb (I put on 4 lbs) beer plentiful, companionship terrific, weather fantastic, and fishing was OK. The highlight was Pat’s 30 lb muskie which he had to the boat 3 times, but Joe’s bass net was no match for such a monster, and alas, no pictures. They’d kept a few pike and odd walleye, and in a fitting last meal, Sunday noon, I fried them up (the fish) with beans and cake. It was a fine way to end the holiday and remember our dear friend Paul.

Fish Tally
Small mouth bass – 10
Large mouth bass – 33
Pike – 32
Walleye – 2
Perch – 2
Muskie – 1 (we had to give it to Pat)

Snoop Doggie Dogs - June 21-25
The next day (after the fishermen left) the West End Girls arrived with their Bramptonian cousin in the charge of my sister Holly. The first day it was very wet, the next day somewhat and when the sun came out on Wednesday, so did the Snoop Dogs. My sister loves to “visit” other cottages when no one is around, so we did. We stopped at 4 places (I’ll never tell) commenting on what we liked, what we didn’t, the view, the docks and what we’d change. Erica and Sarah both drove the small boat. We had lots of fun, Erica won “Rummoli” and Holly “Apples to Apples”. Meanwhile, my brother Peter arrived at his place (Nash Cottage) with his summer student “Pierre”. The girls finished up their short visit and headed out Friday. I cleaned the next day.

Our cottage fish count is near 150, all but 4 released.

"Ritzy" the female mallard is back for her third year, and there are pictures at my Flicker site of the trees planted this year, they are (almost all) doing well. Also a link to one of my nephew's blogs - Devon Waters. He is in Washington DC, doing some consulting work for the summer.

Pictures for this post here

Books Finished
Quattrocento, James McKean, 2002.

A tale of time travel, love and fine art. Recommend as a short and satisfying read.

The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho, 199.

A great book, thought I’d already read it once, but think I would have remembered this one. Must read more of his, and he has lots.

Red Mains’l, Peter Pye (est 1949).

True story about two English doctors (man and wife) who leave it all behind and sail from England to Caribbean and back on a 30 foot boat. They stopped in Barbados and ate at the Yacht Club where I had lunch and I don’t think it had changed. They then went to Tobago and anchored in the same bay I had and thought it the best in the entire Caribbean. Then on to Grenada and Carricou, places I’d stayed and followed the islands north to the Bahamas and stopped at the light house on Cat Island where my sister had been last winter. I loved it.

The Running Man, Ben Benson, 1957.

Serial about a young policeman. Only for the truly bored with no more books to read.

May 1st to June 5th

2010-06-08T22:29:00.003-04:00

Bonjour

First, let me apologize to anyone who received an email from me regarding Viagra; my mailing list was hacked. I haven't heard if it did damage, however I did receive a large commission cheque from Pfzier. Thank you to all who purchased any of the 12,240 doses.

An interesting note on number (size) concepts: 1 million seconds equals 11 days (plus a few hours, minutes). 1 billion seconds equals 31 years (plus a few months, days, hours, minutes).

Hope oil is well in your part of the world.

Deep Water Horizon sounds like the title of a horror movie.

Until the first partially successful cap was in place (June 5), it was estimated that between 2 and 4 million liters (or up to 25,000 barrels) of oil escaped every day. (I find it confusing when the media reports the spill in terms of liters and gallons and barrels - they should stick to one measure)

BP has spent, as of this post (since the spill began on April 20) about $1 billion on the cleanup. (about the same as security for the Canadian G8/G20 summits) They are only insured for about $3.5 billion (won't be enough). The cost of which will be passed on through increases in home/life/car insurance premiums worldwide. Last year, even the mention of hurricane season caused oil prices to jump. Why has it not skyrocketed with the total loss of this rig? Crazy things happen.

I returned from the island tree plant expedition and spent the next two days continuing to paint Kim's office. Sunday I moved down to Anthea's (ex wife) as both boys where there. On Monday/Tuesday I completed the last issue of Sweep! (for the season), Wednesday cleaned house, Thursday John and I got new passports and then I was off to my sister Mary's on Friday. I had to fix some grass I'd watered with Killex. Saturday we celebrated Sarah's 13th birthday - now officially a teenager and Sunday I finished the painting. It snowed that day.

On Monday May 10th, John (my younger son) and I headed north from Port Credit, Mississauga, about 4.5 hours to the Dokis Indian Reserve. John is working at Riverview Cottages/Marina for the summer, until his return to McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario) where he will begin his second year kinesiology studies.

As reported in an earlier post, the water remains about 2.5 feet lower than normal. Of the 68 sailboats in the North Bay sailing club, only one has/can be launched. The first week was colder than expected and we needed fires (for warmth – no heating) for several days. But things changed – dramatically. Mid-summer heat arrived two months early. This chart shows temperatures for May. Fire alert was on extreme and a ban continues (as of this post) on all open fires.

After a week in camp and the welcome arrival of warm weather I decided/needed to go down river for food. Before leaving I stopped in at the fishing camp on the next island, Keystone Lodge (if you follow this link you will see a picture of Keystone Island. Our island is the small one just above it) to complain about the loud generator. We’d heard rumors of new owners, whom I subsequently met. They came down to greet me, I was their first official guest. Helene (Filion) introduce herself and friend Eric. They are a young couple (mid twenties) who are going to give the lodge one summer to see if they can make a go of it. They have not purchased it (For Sale signs still up) but are adding sweat equity and who knows what else. We had a nice chat, then I explained my reason for the visit. Helene was very understanding and said that the main generator had died and they where running the old backup. A new generator was to arrive in a week. Three weeks later and still no new generator – I need to visit again.

I proceeded down river to the marina and car access out. John was there working and I told him of my Keystone visit. He said somewhat surprised, that the boyfriend was there (at the marina) will all his gear – he was leaving. I said that’s impossible – I left directly from the lodge. John asked “Is he a young guy, skinny with facial hair?” "Yes", I said. “Well he’s just around the gas shed” Curious I had to have a look. It was not “Eric” but another young man. Story unfolded that this boyfriend had put straight gas in a mixed gas motor and blew it up. Helene’s father (who seems to come and help on weekends) called the police to come and get him. He'd locked himself in his room and was threatening suicide.

Before I left for town, I checked my email and was interested to find that a job I’d applied for had responded looking to set up an interview.

The heat was upon us, with some days into the high 30’s with the humidex. For several days (morning and evenings) I attached the fire hose to the water pump (our personal water for showers, toilets, kitchen is pumped from river to a large tank on the roof) and watered various sections of the island. I could go 300 feet in 3 directions plus another 100 with the pressure from the hose. The 100 trees planted by Holly and Devon (see last post) seem to be doing well, some almost doubled in size.

With the water low, I took the opportunity to build steps (out of the water) near the two docks. I fixed the screens on the porch, repaired the ailing deck chairs and the top of the big boat, which brings to mind a comment by Sarah. She noted that for such a creative group it seems strange that we named the big boat “Big Boat” and the little boat “Little Boat”.

By the end of week two I’d made contact with Allan Thompson, Associate Professor School of Journalism and Communication Carleton University - Ottawa Canada and Director of the Centre for Media and Transitional Societies, who was interested in me for a 1 year contract position in Kingaly and Butare Rwanda. We had a brief phone interview and then a formal skype visit. The job entailed running two properties which the Centre rents for visiting journalism studies instructors. Sounded very interesting but alas, I didn't get it.

I made my way into town again, and picked up food and drink for the long Holiday Weekend. First to arrive Friday afternoon, were Kim and his oldest son Devon, Mary and her girls Sarah and Emily. They had a slow ride up river as they were towing the Waters new (used) canoe. Later that afternoon I went down to pickup, James, Anthea and Deanna (Jame’s girlfriend). It’s was Deanna’s first visit, and I think she liked it. We had ten in camp.

The next day was my 56th birthday and I got a double layer cake which needed four long metal skewers to keep it together. As mentioned the high fire danger did find one burning at the mouth of the river. We had quite an air show as one spotter plane and a helicopter circled, while two water bombers did their job. Kim left Sunday, James, Anthea and Deanna Monday, and Mary, Devon and the girls Tuesday. Back to John and me. Fishing to this point had been poor, but we began to see some large muskie – 7 as of this post. Toward the end of the month things began to pickup and we got 14 one day, and a few more the next.

More pictures here

A Letter from Cousin Gina
Gina has kindly agreed to let me post a recent letter she sent Mum. Gina is the oldest daughter of one of my Mum’s sisters. [Mum had two sisters; Marilyn, (died in 1959, at age 25 in a car accident) and Denise (Gina’s mother), who died in 1987.]

Good afternoon Aunty Lou and Uncle Jack.

It has been much too long in my writing you and I must apologize for my laziness which is the only reason I can think of. It is not that we have not had news but that I have got out of the habit of sending chatty emails. It is a winter wonderland today, we have had snow all day and everything is white again! I will have to give Chris a call and see how he is.

I have included an update of pictures of our Jackson George and you can tell he is a well fed baby. He is a good little boy and reminds me of Jon's calm disposition when he was that age. Erin has had her hands full because Jon had a bad skiing accident in Vermont at the end of January. He lost his balance going about 60km and smashed into a snow making tower. Both of his legs were very badly damaged (broken tibia plateau, broken patellas, every ligament either severed, torn or shredded). He spend 6 weeks in the hospital after two surgeries, got pulmonary embolisms, and finally was sent home with a hospital bed, commode, wheelchair and bed table....and no help. So Erin has had to take care of two "babies". Jon is now beginning to walk with canes, slowly but surely, and takes great delight in using the "big boy" toilet. We are very thankful that his injuries were not permanent and he will be able to go back to the active lifestyle he's used to.....eventually.

Dad had surgery in March....7 stents were put in. He had 90% blockage in all of them and is feeling much better since. All his tests were fine/positive but the cardiac surgeon in Sudbury (who is Karen's partner's cousin) did not like the sound of the pain dad was experiencing. So when he did exploratory surgery he found some blockage but did not expect to find as much as he did when he went in. We can see the improvement in his colour, energy, and memory but Ruth is trying to get him not to do so much yard work just yet!

I will add to the number of people you know who have died because Jack Trussler died earlier this winter. He had been sick with ALS for some years and was permanently disabled except his mind was fine. It must have been awful for him but Jenny, his older daughter, said he never complained and always tried to make them laugh when they visited.

Mr. Critchley gave us quite a scare two weeks ago. He was so bad off they put him on life support for five days so the boys could get home to say goodbye. But you know how stubborn he is.....Dr. Asselstine and a group of doctors fought the infection and pneumonia (plus everything else that was wrong causing his organs to start shutting down). And now, he is driving the golf cart while John golfs. We call him Lazarus!

Ben is still with us trying to find a job overseas teaching. He is hoping to go to Hong Kong but may go back to South Korea if nothing comes up. He says he will be gone by August.

Marissa and Jay are enjoying married life and continue to renovate their home together. Marissa has her own pink toolbelt and work boots,and puts most men to shame with her abilities.

Bill and I are busy with work and are beginning to look forward to July. We both coach quite a bit, Bil in sports and me in the arts. I am still working through my Spanish certification and am looking in to a PHD program they are thinking of starting at Nipissing University. We are going to a retirement seminar on Thursday because Bil has only three more years left of teaching compared to my 5. I know it will go by quickly so we want to start getting things in place.

I hope we get a chance to visit with the Fry clan over the summer. If you and Uncle Jack are coming through NB again, we would be more than glad to have you stay in town with us before you head across. We enjoyed your visit with us so very much and want to let you know you are welcomed any time. That goes for the rest of the family.

Well, this is a shortened version of what has been going on since the new year. We hope all are well, healthy and happy. Please pass on our hello's and best wishes.

Love to you both.
Gina

Books Read
Without TV, and poor radio reception, and if you like to read, you can go through books at a pretty good clip.

A Year by the Sea, Joan Anderson, 1999. A true story. Joan’s husband is transferred by his firm and she decides she's not moving with him. They own an uninsulated cottage on Cape Cod, where she goes for a year of soul searching. Forced to finance her new life, she chronicles the year. A short and interesting read.

The Arctic Event, James Cobb (Covert one Series) 2007 – will most likely make it's way to the big screen – a good summer page turner.

90 Minutes in Heaven, Don Piper, 2004. On his way home from a church meeting, minister Don Piper is in a head on collision with a truck. He's pronounced dead at the scene. Another minister (who had been at the same meeting) arrives and feels impelled to pray for Don, even thought he had been dead for over an hour. Don comes back to life. There is a brief desciption of Don’s 90 minutes in Heaven, but the rest of the book involves his long recovery. A definite pass.

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Carson McCuller, 1940. Carson wrote this when she was just 23. A good book, worth the read – “And the people dreamed and fought and slept as much as ever. And by habit they shortened their thoughts so that they would not wander out into the darkness beyond tomorrow”

Every Woman’s Nightmare, Steve Long 2006. The true account of the murder of Lori Hacking by her Mormon husband Mark. Reading it was a nightmare, take a miss.

Amsterdam, Ian McEwan, 1999, Winner of Booker Prize – “The ancient stone steps had been climbed, the wisps of sound had melted away like mist, his new melody, darkly scored in it’s first lonely manifestation for a muted trombone, had gathered around itself rich orchestral textures of sinuous harmony, then dissonance and whirling variations that spun away into space, never to reappear, and had now drawn itself up in a process of consolidation, like an explosion in reverse, funneling inwards to a point of geometrical stillness; then the muted trombone again, and then with a hushed crescendo, like a giant drawing breath, the final colossal restatement of the melody (with one intriguing and as yet unsolved difference) which gathered pace, and erupted into a wave, a racing tsunami of sound”…….it goes on. Over rated.

The Comedians, Graham Greene, 1965. Haiti during the dictatorship of Papa Doc. Very interesting, one of best books I’ve read this year. Would be good movie.

The Road, Cormac McCarthy, 2006. Already a movie. Father and son as they travel an interstate highway to the Pacific coast, after some kind of (possibly nuclear) world war or natural disaster. The few people who survived are cannibals or not. A dark story. It takes away everything superficial and reduces people to creatures whose only purpose is to survive another day. No politics, no religion, no economy, no society. Strong stuff.

A Jewish Sex Joke

No matter what this husband did in bed , his wife never achieved an orgasm... Since a Jewish wife is entitled to sexual pleasure, they decide to consult their Rabbi.

The Rabbi listens to their story, strokes his beard, and makes the following suggestion: 'Hire a strapping young man. While the two of you are making love, have the young man wave a towel over you. That will help your wife fantasize and should bring on an orgasm.

They go home and follow the Rabbi's advice. They hire a handsome young man and he waves a towel over them as they make love.. It does not help and the wife is still unsatisfied.

Perplexed, they go back to the Rabbi. 'Okay,' he says to the husband, 'Try it reversed. Have the young man make love to your wife and you wave the towel over them.'

Once again, they follow the Rabbi's advice. They go home and hire, the same strapping young man. The young man gets into bed with the wife and the husband waves the towel. The young man gets to work with great enthusiasm and soon she has an enormous, room-shaking, ear-splitting screaming orgasm. The husband smiles, looks at the young man and says to him triumphantly,

'See that, you schmuck?

THAT'S how you wave a towel!!

Tree Planting 04.27 - 04.30

2010-05-01T10:20:00.004-04:00

First, a big old Happy Birthday wish to Uncle Norm, who is now just shy of his golf score.
On Tuesday April 27, Holly (Waters) Devon (her oldest) and I drove to Alliston Ontario (north of Brampton) and picked up 100 seedlings to plant on our island on the French River. Not sure what to expect, we got nervous when we arrived at our scheduled pickup time (because there are supposedly so many trucks arriving for same - we didn't see any) and saw about 100 not so very small trees neatly waiting at the gate (see picture) - we had a small van. Fortunately for us, ours came in two large paper bags. We continued north for about 4 hours and arrived at the Dokis Indian Reserve where we keep our boats. We'd heard the water was low, and indeed it was. Most of the pictures related to this post show the water levels. Arriving at the cottage, everything appeared to have wintered well. Devon and I hooked up the water system and found no leaks. Holly was busy making a fire as the inside temperature was about 40F. The first night was a cold one, but the weather improved over the next two days. Tree planting started by 8:30 the next morning, and the 100 seedlings where in by 11:00. We took the afternoon to tour about, looking at the low water level. Thursday, Devon and I fixed the floating dock to the little dock, they (Devon and Holly) took a kayak ride, while I rebuilt the bridge to "Crowe's Crack" . We did a great deal of cleaning (downed branches), and hooked up the fire hose to water as much as we could (from the west tip, standing on Bears Cave, to just past the boathouse) as the fire danger was extreme. We left Friday, mid morning and arrived in Brampton by 4:00.
Pictures for this post here.
There is also a set of pictures of a different location for the new "shed", just the other side of current proposed site.

04/06 - 04/26

2010-04-26T10:05:00.001-04:00

painting office

It's been about three weeks since my last post, and things have remained quiet. From the 7th till 15th, I was at my sister Mary's. Did a little spring cleaning - washed windows, cleaned out backyard shed, re-did her vegetable garden, cleaned the BBQ and enjoyed the early warm weather. On the 16th I was back painting my brother-in-laws' dental office (for the weekend). On the 19th (Monday) I received an email suggesting I hurry down to Windsor as Mum and Dad had decided on a new car - a Ford Edge, and I was going to give them my van for a trade-in and take their old van. It took a few days to get their van safetyed and ownership changed for the delivery of new car on Friday. We watched the Windsor Spitfires (OHL hockey team) come from a 3 game deficit to win their division. Peter was busy selling his boat (he got last year) and the phone was ringing. I washed the windows and did some gardening. I left Friday morning, dropping off golf clubs at the Credit Valley Golf Club for a friend (Peter Nash), stopped in (Port Credit) to say hi to John. Then was up to the dental office (Brampton) to continue the paint job. Actually I was installing a laminate wood floor in the reception area. Place is looking good. Sunday Kim treated us to Japanese food and tomorrow Holly, Devon and I leave for the cottage for a few days to plant some trees. Been really lax with my camera, which is unfortunate as spring is at least two weeks ahead and the flowers and shrubs are beautiful.

New Edge

If you haven't noticed, there is a small logo at the bottom of the right hand column (just below "My Blog List") called "Stat Counter". Don't click on it as it will take you to their website (unless you want to place one on your web page) but click on VIEW MY STATS. It is a free application that tracks people (doesn't say who they are) who visit my blog. It's kinda cool to look at, as it shows where the viewer is located. There's also lots of other information (if you open it, look at the right column - I like the "recent visitor map"). As of this post there have been 258 different viewers since I installed it in March.

My Mum now has her own blog. Among her many interests is reading and her book club. See Louise Fry's Reading list and feel free to contact her regard recommendations.

Obesity - Blame it on the French

After some (limited) thinking regarding the problem of obesity, especially in children (it's in the news so often), I've concluded we can blame it on the French.

Me in wheel

It starts with the two income family and "latch-key" kids. With no one in the home after (and sometimes even before) school, kids eat what they like and tend to sit in front of computers and TV's. Parents often find it easier to pickup a takeout dinner than cook. What caused this situation?

Two incomes are now (generally) required to finance our modern way of life. This is primarily due to the increase in home prices. There was a time - 50 years ago, when one average income could provide all the necessities of a 6 person household, mortgage included - though a college education was not part of that budget. Then real estate started to rise.

How was it that real estate prices increased to the extent that two incomes became a necessity?

In the mid 60's the women's liberation movement was born. It encouraged more women to reject the (some would say the stifling) role of a "modern housewife". Women began to enter the workforce. These first few two income families had the disposable income to buy the homes of their dreams. As more families became two income, the real estate boom was born.

But why did women loose the desire to be housewives?

During World War II while the men were on the front, millions of women were at work in factories. When the men came home, women had to give up these jobs. On returning to the home, women found that they felt unfulfilled in that role, and looked back at their days in the workforce with longing. These feelings could not be suppressed and this desire for something new emerged in the daughters of those workers, as the women's lib movement of the 60's.

This revolution was probably unavoidable, the war just precipitated it.

Why did we have WWII?

Adolf Hitler found a ground swell of support from a populace in deep depression.

This situation was caused in no small part by the French occupation of the Rhine valley (area of vast German natural resource wealth) and insistence that massively debilitating reparations be paid by Germany as a consequence of WWI. (Germany is still paying them and should be finished by October of 2010) There is considerable debate (good Wikipedia article here) over this point so I suppose I could continue by saying that had there not been WWI, there would have been no need for reparations. Reasons for WWI here. But, I'll leave it on the doorstep of the French.

Interestingly, a recent Australian study found that stay at home and full time working mom's tend to have the overweight kids. It was the part-time working moms' who had more children of proper weight.

Books Read

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, 2007 author of the Kite Runner.

The lives of two Afghan women living from the time of the Russian occupation to the present. It gives a disturbing view of the daily lives (plight) of women under successively repressive regimes - the Taliban being the worst. I think the experience of so many generations with war, poverty and fear, have distorted the attitudes of Afghan men. Their ideas regarding women have been stunted and cemented in a perverse and unwarranted position in which women are forced to bear the guilt (and transferred hatred). There are many parts which are difficult to read, though some overlayed with the Afghan experience, are undoubtly present in western society. (spousal abuse is not confined to Afghanistan)

Van Gogh goes dental 03.15 - 04.05

2010-04-06T12:58:00.006-04:00

It's been a quiet two weeks.

I arrived back in Port Credit after five days shooting pictures on the ice at the 2010 Halifax Brier, and went directly up to the Sweep! offices and downloaded the approximately 5,000 pictures I'd taken. I spent that night at the Water's (my sister Holly and husband Kim) house while they began their week in Florida at the Villages. (see previous post) I would be painting Kim's dental office all week. They returned on Friday (19th) and we continued working at the office all weekend. On Monday (22nd) I returned to (my sister) Mary's and was there for week - it was quiet. Then it was back to Waters' office on Friday to continue painting - it cannot be done during office hours. It does look very nice. I then spent the week at Waters as it was/is close to the Sweep! office where Jim (Henderson) and I completed the 7th issue of the year (one more to go). Unfortunately our long time editor Bob Garvin decided that it was just too much work and he resigned. The weather has been unusually warm reaching the mid 20's for the Easter weekend. Easter dinner was celebrated at the Water's on Sunday. Dinner included the Waters family, plus my youngest sister Mary, her girls Sarah and Emily, my sons John and James and girlfriend Deanna. It was the first time we'd met Deanna and she is super. My ex wife also joined us. Pictures from dinner here.

A recent discussion brought up the topic of religious belief (scary). In belief positions [of a spiritual nature] there could/might be considered 4. [God in this instance could be nature, the "Force" or any kind of supreme being.]
A. You don't believe in God and you don't believe in life after death

B. You believe in God but you don't believe in life after death.

C. You don't believe in God but you do believe in life after death (we couldn't understand this position - and indeed it may have no subscribers).

D. You believe in God and you believe in life after death.

Where do you place yourself?

Books Read

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Even though it's an Oprah book, I loved it. It's Elizabeth's own story of leaving her marriage, having an affair, then after that fails, embarking on a one year journey living in Italy, then India and finally Indonesia. In Italy she concentrates on learning Italian and eating. On to India where she lives in a retreat doing yoga and meditating and learning about herself and the nature of reality. Then to Indonesia where she works for a healer and finally falls in love. What I especially like is that Liz is 34 and the man she falls in love with is over 50! It's been made into a movie staring Julie Roberts for release this summer. There is a two minute trailer for the movie here. The book is (as of April 2010) #2 on the best selling non-fiction list, which is interesting in that it was published in 2006.

Windsor - Orlando - Toronto - Halifax

2010-03-12T10:31:00.043-05:00

Windsor

Thursday Feb 26, and I was off to Windsor (from Toronto) via VIA Rail. Nice, quiet ride but note, if you are booking with VIA, do it about 10 (or so) days in advance. When I checked the schedule, price was $56. A day or so later it was $80, so book early! At the train terminal, people would rather STAND in line for an hour than sit in chairs provided. We all got on the train and we all got seats. What's with that? The ride is about 4+hrs and Peter (my brother) picked me up at the station. That night and the next day it snowed, most I've seen since I lived there - 37 years ago. We watched Olympic curling and Canada beat Russia and the Slovaks in hockey. We prepared the car, packed, and Peter made a delicious prime rib.

Florida here we come

Saturday 27th we started our 3 day drive to Florida - Mum, Dad and me. With no wait at the border, we made Lima, Ohio in about 2 1/2 hours. I mention the time because our three day drive was completed in two. {ForMyInfo - Fort Knox is in Kentucky} We drove as far as Lenoir City, which is about 550 miles and stayed at the Comfort Inn, which we found true to it's name. MapQuest said it should take about 9.5 hours, and it did! We checked-in, in time to watch Kevin Martin win the gold medal for Canada in curling....yes it was on TV in Tennessee. That night we decided to make the push to "The Villages" another 590 mile, 9 hour drive. We stopped for lunch south of Atlanta and made Cathy'n Norms (CNN's) for dinner.

In the Villages

Jack (formerly known as John Klass) and his girlfriend Jessie, were already there on school break. The weather was a bit cool. We stayed a few doors down at Jerry'n Mary's (JNM's) which was the same layout as CNN's and (also) beautifully decorated. Monday March 1, we unpacked and food shopped. I took advantage of the sun (as forecast was not good) and went to the pool. I don't have the specifics of my stay at my fingertips, but I think on the 2nd we were at Brad'n Judy's (BNJ's) for music by the quartet (Cathy and Brad on alto saxes, Joan on piano and Lori on trombone) and the most wonderful hors de ordervs I've had in ages - shrimp, strawberries, sausages, cream dips, smoked salmon, brownies, date squares and more. Jon, Katelyn and Grant Leopold had arrived that day for a week's visit. Wednesday we had a lazy day due to inclement weather and later to the Village Square to hear a band.

Nanatee

Thursday we all (10 of us - two cars) drove an hour west to the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park and really enjoyed it, though the weather - the coldest March in memory - could (obviously) have been better - it was fortunately sunny. Friday I drove some golf balls - well, and Saturday, Norm, Jack, Jon and I went to Golfest, where we all drove balls, testing out new clubs and saw Annika Sorenstam (she has a nice blog). After, we golf-carted (more people drive golf carts than cars in the Villages) over to one of the "Town Centers" for a ribfest. The guys dropped me off at JNM's to help Mum with a turkey dinner for 10 - it was superb. We played our third game of "Knock" (card game) and I finally won. Katelyn sitting next to me, commented that I was perfect - meaning I'd bid and made every hand. (I took it as a general compliment). By Sunday it was clear that Mum and Dad's van was not running properly. We took it to the local Chrysler dealer who said come back on Monday. We did, and dropped it off for service. Dad and I got a mini tour of the area as our driver Richard dropped another customer off first. It was not a major problem and my ride to the airport - Clarisse - arrived at 5:30. We had a nice chat and my flight to Toronto was uneventful - my seatmates both very quite.

Toronto for a Day

James (eldest son) picked me up around 11:30 - it is always a joy for me to see him or his brother. No rest for the wicked (not really sure what that means) but Tuesday I was in cleaning mode -shampooed a cream coloured carpet, vacuumed house, cleaned kitchen, James' room, cooked large ham, washed van, did banking, food shopped (3 different stores) returned beer bottles and repacked for Halifax. Paul Radford joined us for dinner. James is really liking his job with the city planning group. Wednesday would be another big day.

Halifax and the Brier

I drove James to work and then continued over to Sweep! to pick up camera equipment for the Brier, the Superbowl of Canadian Curling. Each province has a championship and the winners compete (this year in Halifax Nova Scotia) to see who is the best. Jim Henderson, the photographer for Sweep!, was expecting his first grandchild that same week, so I went in his stead. After last minute instructions (from Jim), I picked James up from work at lunch and he drove me to the airport. My flight left at 2:30 and arrived in Halifax at 5:30 east coast time - flying time is about 1 1/2 hours. The Brier volunteer committee had drivers from the airport (a usual $60 cab ride) and dropped me off at my hotel, the Lord Nelson, - very nice. After check in, I walked the 5 blocks to the event and registered. There were problems with my venue pass but I met with the manager Jeff Tinson and we straighted things out. I met up with our second string photographer - Ian, and we planned a shooting strategy as only one photographer per organization was allowed on the ice at any one time. I shot pictures that night and also met up with Bob Garvin (our editor) and Dave Thomas, a contributor. The biggest problem (in the media rooms) with an event sponsored by Tim Horton's was the abundance of free donuts, muffins and cookies - they were everywhere, unlimited - too tempting. Alexander Lager beer is another sponsor - yep, free beer. After a long day I hit the sack around midnight. Thursday was fun, three draws, another long day, bed by midnight, and the curling got more exciting as the better teams became apparent.

Friday saw only one game, 47-year old Glen Howard, facing the youngest skip in the competition — 23 years his junior, Northern Ontario's Brad Jacobs. That night started with Russ Howard holding the media door open for me - I told him that if this was the way my evening started, it won't be all bad - he laughed. Earlier that day I met Scott Taylor, the Ontario coach and Steven Brice the alternate. Also chatted with James Gratton (New Brunswick skip) and Bruce Corte (Sask third). It's an interesting, somewhat "unreal" experience, after having watched the Brier for many years, to be sometimes only a foot or two from the rocks and sweepers, not to mention in the middle of the area with 10,000 people watching, though it does not take long to forget about that. After spending 5 days (basically) on the team benches (this is most common when you take a camera position back by the scoreboards where the coaches sit), and Brad Gushue, Glenn Howard, and Jeff Stoughton are standing next to you, you stop taking pictures. It was a close game but undefeated round robin champ Howard won. Jacobs would have a second kick at the can on Saturday.

Saturday

Finished tied for third Kevin Koe would face Newfoundland's Brad Gushue (represent Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. At the Olympics, he defeated Finland's Markku Uusipaavalniemi in the finals to win the Gold medal. With his teammates, Gushue became the first Newfoundlander ever to win an Olympic gold medal.) Koe defeated Gushue and then had to face Jacobs that night. Koe won. Not having been to a Brier before, I thought I should at least have a look at the famous "Brier Patch" pub. Jeff Timsen (in charge of media) had given me four free beer tokens, which I soon found out was pretty good as each beer was $5.75. Well one beer led to another and before I knew it well........lets just say the place really rocks.

The Final

Sunday was the late day final with a pretty full house. It was a close game, into an extra end, with Alberta's Koe winning his first Brier and first win ever against the Glenn Howard powerhouse. The closing ceremonies took us past midnight and then it was back to bed. I took about 5,000 pictures.

Pictures for this post here.

Visit Karaka's Blog for an update on the ever busy and interesting travels of the gypsy boat and her "crew of the moment".

Back in The City

2010-02-16T08:26:00.015-05:00

The City is a nice old jazz piece by Marc Almond (YouTube link). James (my eldest son) picked me up at the airport, was good to see him. He's now on a co-op term with the City of Mississauga, doing work in his field of landscape architecture (3rd year). The next day I was off to Sweep! to prepare the Pre-Olympic issue. (continued Wed, Thurs, Friday)

On Friday night James and I watched the Olympic Opening Ceremonies - had the most fun commenting on the outfits - we liked Canada's best. Over to Mary's on Saturday. Her girls (Sarah and Emily) had 11 ringette games that weekend - a record. Sarah's team won gold, while Em's highlight was ejection in last game. Sunday we watched more Olympics.

Monday was family day. Over to Waters, James and John too - to Heart Lake for some tobogganing and skating, then back for chicken chili (tasted better than it looked). Wednesday it was back over to Sweep!/InfoQuest. The two business run from the same office, though Infoquest, a marketing research facility, is the primary one. Jim Henderson (partner in Sweep!) was off to Olympics and his usual event host - Margo, was at a concert, so I was over to learn the ropes for a Thursday night session. John (my younger son) was at the end of reading week and was sick in bed. I did his laundry and then up to Infoquest from 2-10. The group was in from Ottawa, sounded like government sessions - ads for job retraining (I think). Devon came down to help, as he might be needed in future, though he had a job interview Monday. Briefly met James' girlfriend - Deanna.

Sunday I was on a movie set: Dream House with Daniel Craig (the new James Bond) and Naomi Watts, this time as a driver. Mary's car (cause they didn't want red) may appear in the movie. I did see Mr Craig, but only from a distance.

Monday stopped in the Brampton Dental Office and had a cleaning/checkup, then up to Sweep! to prepare the Brier Preview issue while Jim (Henderson - Sweep partner) was at the Olympics. Tuesday I didn't feel well so took it easy. Heading to Windsor soon to drive Mum and Dad to Florida - should post from there next.

All pictures for this post here

Barbados - part 1

2010-02-14T09:33:00.002-05:00

Time to report on my Barbados adventure.
The first question many people asked me was, "How do you know Haynes (Darlington)?" You might be wondering too. After my late summer at the cottage, I moved to Markham, staying with Mary and the girls. I was not there a couple days when Mary asked if I would be interested in staying in Barbados with an older gentleman. (pictured: left, Haynes and Sparky) My curiosity was piqued. As I understood, her neighbour and good friend (over the back fence) Gillian McCarthy had an aging uncle who needed some help at his place on the island. I thought Haynes lived there full time, and assumed he was white. Turned out Haynes was black and lived in Toronto. As long as he was not gay (not that there is anything wrong with gay) I was still game. I met Haynes a few times before we went and then followed him south three days after he'd arrived - on January 11. Haynes paid my airfare and all expenses while in Barbados. I helped out at no charge.

A Little More about Haynes and the Darlingtons
Aubyn Haynes was born on the island in 1937. His father, Albert Ethelbert Darlington, b. 1903, was a junior school headmaster in the northern eastern part of the island. (we went looking for the school as Haynes was born there - found only ruins) He died in 1962, at age 59 of colon cancer. Being around older folk most of the time, I got caught up in the one of the main topics of discussion of this age group - your health, or lack of it. (pictured: lunch at the yacht club) His mother, Magarita Baryl Heath, who I met, is 99. He had an older brother, Heath Albert, a dentist who died of cancer in 1981 at age 47 in New York. Younger sister Hilda Agnes (b. 1938) is a retired nurse who received her training at McGill, married a doctor, Paul Goring in Canada, divorced, and lives with Lisle Weekes. Lisle was in the English army, but was originally from Barbados. He left his wife and returned to Barbados with Hilda. Haynes older sister Maureen Erna, raised chickens on the property know as Casa Bramasole - where I stayed. The name Casa Bramasole comes from the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" (link to movie trailer) Maureen lives with, and takes care of their mother.

Haynes studied pharmacology at a local college and then moved to Toronto to complete his degree (in pharmacology) at the University of Toronto. I don't know if he ever worked as a pharmacist, as I only heard of his extensive sales work with Kodak and another European drug company. Why Kodak you might wonder. Unknown to me Kodak was/is a main supplier of film for x-rays and a significant supplier of anaesthetics. (Kodak purchased Sterling Drug - Bayer Aspirin - in 1988 for $5.1 Billion, and then formed an alliance with Sanofi S.A. of Paris - Kodak then sold Bayer to SmithKline Beecham for US$1 billion, who then sold it back to Bayer AG in 1994 for US$1 billion) Haynes married Nola Smith (of Barbados) who is Gillian's aunt. Haynes and Nola have two children, Shawn and Tracy and two grandchildren, Trey and Pryhanka. [I am working on a family tree for the children and will post later]. In his youth Haynes was an avid rally car driver, has a private pilots license, and he also has lectured in Barbados and at George Brown College on pharmacology. On retirement, Haynes found himself returning more often to Barbados and had plans to open a tea house on the property know as Casa Bramasole.

Diary (red means we/I left the house)
11 - Arrive in Barbados! Haynes picks me up and we stop at Emerald City for food. Met Leslie Maynard and his wife Satie. Leslie and his wife live just down the road, have two young children, runs an auto body/garage and looks after the house while it sits empty. I saw a great deal of Leslie - he was a good sport.

12 - get the new chain saw started and test it out, fix the headlights on the John Deer lawn mower as there are some 1.7 acres of grass to cut. It rained a bit. There has been a problem with roof drainage, as it backed up and came in from the kitchen ceiling last year. (pictured: Leslie, cutting the trees)

13 - mount small flat screen TV on the wall in the living area and ate lunch at "Cutters"

14 - cut the lawn and trim bushes

15 - lunch at the yacht club (in Bridgetown) with 7 friends of Haynes.Visit with 99 year old mother Darlington. We picked up a larger tv (60"), and took down the smaller one we'd just hung. Down to the Oistin's (pictured) fish market with Leslie and Ricky. Oistins is a large outdoor (meat/meet) market with dozens of small bbq huts serving mostly fish. There are hundreds of people (a good mix of locals and tourists) - especially Friday night, with all kinds of tourist stuff for sale and different kinds of music (not too loud). It's on the beach and has a real festive atmosphere. (I didn't take my camera - dumb, and we didn't get back)

16 - cut grass outside the fence, trimmed more of the outer trees, bucket truck expected but did not arrive, fixed lights on porch and outside, food shop at Emerald City

17 -morning spent picking rocks out of lawns, Ben arrives around noon and Leslie goes up and trims the large trees

18 - spent morning rushing to cut up all the downed branches as Ricky (different one) was to come and take them away by noon. He never came. Leslie brought Mr. Power around - he was not feeling well and wanted medical advise from Haynes - he went into the hospital that night.

19 - finished cutting/pruning the outer trees and painted the fenced posts and "other" side of the fence [Haynes had done the road side](pictured: the painted fence)

20 - into Bridgetown [Haynes got a haircut] I to internet cafe. We then visited "Sparky" - Nola's youngest brother who has a guest house downtown ($20 US a night) and met Andy and Beverly - they were working on a boat part in Sparky's tool shed. Another stop at Emerald City and got a new battery for the lawn mower. (I think this visit to Sparky was the first time in several years that Haynes had visited his brother-in-law, even though he is on the island perhaps twice a year).

Pictures here

Barbados - part 2

2010-02-13T11:31:00.004-05:00

I pick up the story on Thursday 21
(red days are days off the property).
This was the national holiday in honor or Errol Barrol, the first Prime Minister of an independent Barbados. We spent the morning (up usually around 6:20 and were well into projects by 7:15) cutting the lawn and cleaning in preparation for our dinner guests. Unlike the help Haynes had last year (John) it was decided I was a pretty good cook, so Haynes had invited four friends, who'd never been out to the farm, for dinner. (pictured: Bernard, Pam, Phyllis, Jean, Haynes) First to arrive (at 4:00) were Jean Smith and her younger sister Phyllis Clarke. Jean was 80 but could pass for 65, and Phyllis brought us one of her CD's. She is a fantastic piano player and I purchased her most recent CD. Soon after, arrived Bernard and Pam Perkins. We enjoyed smoked salmon, with cream cheese on crackers, then sat down to a dinner of chicken, pigeon peas, rice and my salad, followed by coconut ice cream, chocolate and tea. Before they left (around 9:00) we received invitations to both homes for reciprocal dinners. I'm not sure Haynes had ever been to either.

22 - A little tired after the party, I cleaned front ditch and Ricky arrived to pickup the remaining debris from the tree pruning (which had grown significantly since his first load). Haynes first reports having trouble with the vision in his left eye.

23 - We did the grand east coast tour and it was a pretty much an all day affair. We visited the Andromedan Gardens, St John's Church, had lunch at the Round House Restaurant (on the sea) in Bathsheba, toured the area of Hayne's youth, looked for the old school house where he was born and his father was headmaster, visited his boyhood church (St Andrew's) and sat in the family pew. We had a very close call going up and hill and around a bend...with a bus!

24 - changed the oil in the lawn mower and ripped out the bureau in the basement. It was a running joke - as the basement is upstairs. At night we often watched a movie - we did not have cable and no channels could be picked up. It was two days after the earthquake in Haiti that we heard.

25 - a lazy day, we hung a full length mirror and cut some more lawn. I would usually read and have nap around 2:00. I finished three books - Good to a Fault by Marina Edicott (2009) (review here) - which I highly recommend; Lessons in Truth by H. Emily Cady (1894) (loaned to me by Leslie) and Night Crossing by Robert Ryan (2004) - ok.

26 - Haynes' vision in his left eye had deteriorated to the point where it would be better if I drove. They drive on the left side in Barbados and normally cars are right hand drive (places the driver in the middle of the road - like in Canada) Hayes' car (a nice Mercedes convertible) was a left hand drive, so he was driving from the left edge of the road, where his vision was limited. He would overcompensate and (pictured: our tour guide at Sugar Museum) we often came very close to the oncoming traffic. The roads in Barbados (for the most part) are narrow, forcing one to often stop for oncoming cars. So I drove, north on the west coast to the sugar museum, then down to the airport to see the Concorde (see below). We then went to Teddy's (brother-in-law) and Rays' (Gillian's aunt) for lunch (which was delicious), then I drove "Sparky" (also there for lunch) home and had to navigate rush hour traffic - it's bad there too. I did all the driving from then on.

The Concorde
On November 5, 1956 the Supersonic Transport Aircraft Committee (STAC) was established. The committee was made up of representatives of Britain's aircraft and engine manufacturers, as well as government officials and personnel from the Royal Aircraft Establishment, to study the possibility of building a supersonic airliner. The first commercial flight was January 21, 1976. Twenty Concorde aircraft were built, six for development and 14 (pictured: Haynes on Concorde) for commercial service. There were 2 prototypes, 2 pre-production aircraft, 16 production aircraft. The first two did not enter commercial service. Of the 14 which flew commercially, 9 were still in service in April 2003. All but two of these aircraft are preserved. The first scheduled routes where London to Bahrain (terminated after 3 flights because of noise) and Paris to Caracus and Mexico City. The US had banned the Concorde due to the sonic booms. Later the scheduled routes where London and Paris to New York, Washington, Miami, and Dallas, and in the winter months, Barbados

27 - While we were cleaning up outside (you can pick coral out of the lawn forever - hits the lawnmower blades) Haynes broke the main water line into the house. We rushed out to Marshall's for parts and made the fix.

(pictured: Miami Beach)

28 - Another tourist day. First off to the museum. They were setting up for some event, which turned out to be a visit by Prince Harry the next day. Then off to Miami beach for my first swim in the ocean (yes it took a while). On the way back we stopped off at St Philips Church to photograph the big trees. Later that evening it was back into town for dinner at Jean and Phyllis' and Pam and Bernard were there. Phyllis (the piano player) could play (almost) anything I requested. After a dozen or so I suggested "By the Time I get to Phoenix" She thought for a second and then played it almost perfectly. I said I thought she wouldn't have known that one. She said she'd never actually played it (pictured: Jean Smith) before, but knew the tune in her head. I was amazed - and she doesn't read music.

29 - A lazy day, reading, napping, painting, did some grass cutting, wash car and cooked.

30 - Workers (Omar and Colm) arrived to start taking out the old tiles in the "basement". It was noisy so I did about the same as the day before. Haynes had hit the side of the garage (the year before) and marked the car. It was a very tight turn into a very narrow garage. The day I arrived I suggested he try backing into the driveway and then approach the garage from a different angle. It was much easier, but the garage itself was not deep - you had to almost (and often would) bump the end of the garage wall to make sure the car was in. We strung a tennis ball to touch the windshield to indicate you were far enough in. Out for dinner - Chinese food - delicious.

All Barbados pictures here

Barbados - part 3 of 3

2010-02-12T09:44:00.001-05:00

Red days indicate away from the farm.

Sunday 31 - On Thursday we'd stopped by a local auto body paint shop and had arranged to bring in the Mercedes to get the small scratches painted on Sunday morning. It would take about 4 hours, Haynes would wait with the car and I would spend the morning at Bottom Bay beach (close by). The painter was not there so that was that. Haynes really wanted to get that job done, so we drove over to Leslie's shop and Leslie kindly agreed to paint it then and there. Later that day Lisle and Hilda stopped by for a visit. I was doing a family tree for Haynes, and Hilda filled in some details. While I cooked dinner, Hayes continued removing tile from the basement.

Feb 1 - It was tile day. Haynes and I stopped on our way into town to pickup a certified cheque for the tiles. We met Omar and Colm at the tile company and picked out what we wanted, then negotiated a truck to drive them to the farm. Then we forgot that we also needed a new toilet, vanity and shower stall, so back in we went. Of course this required a new certified cheque, so back to the bank and then back to the tile company. On return to the tile company we were shown a minor defect in the vanity and they didn't have another. OK, then just give us the balance of the cheque in cash. No could not do. We left without making the purchase. Now we loaded Omar and Colm into the car and drove to another tile place and spent at least two hours getting everything we needed. Monday was something of a lost day. That night we went back into Bridgetown for dinner at Bernard and Pam's. We dined with our hosts and guests, Glen (not in photo) Angela and Edward and Donald. Glen had more degree's (from Canada and England) than I can remember and showed us a new "backing up" mirror for cars that he had invented. Later Edward told us of his early days when he had planned to be part of a coup of the Barbadian government in the mid 60's but was dissuaded when his Cuban cohorts announced the execution plans. One interesting fact/opinion emerged. Barbadians of a certain age (65+) who left the island to be educated in America or Europe, are not warmly received upon their return - it appears to be a common experience - "the prodigal son is not always welcomed".

2 - The tiles arrived in the late afternoon and we had to go and get another cheque. The guys stayed until about 9:00 to get a good start on the job. In the meantime, the wrong style of toilet was delivered, which caused no end of trouble - it is still not connected.

3 - As the guys would be working all day, Haynes did not want to leave the house, so I took the 8:30 bus into town for the day. For 75 cents Canadian, I can take the 1 hour bus ride into Bridgetown. Needless to say I was the only white person on the bus. (both directions) I stopped at the bank, then the internet cafe, then library, then Parliament buildings and finally the Supreme Court. I was in search of parish birth, death, marriage and baptismal records in my research of Haynes family. The museum had directed me to the library and then finally to the Courts, upon which I could not enter because I was wearing shorts. Another time. I spend the rest of the day on the beach, and then headed back to the bus station. It's a large building and I slowly began to realize that of the 400 people there, I was the only white person. They were very helpful, directing me the the proper bus line and pushing me ahead in the queue . I was back by 4:00.

4 - about 2o minutes after I'd left on the 3rd, Lisle had called and offered to take me on a tour of the north and west coasts - places I'd not been. He kept the offer open and picked me up around 1o:30. While at a "blow hole" on the north coast there were (only) two women with us (we arrived at the same time). Lisle knew where the holes were so they tagged along. We got to chatting and one women was from Canada, but she said to Lisle, it's way up north near Sudbury. I said "Oh, my family has a cottage on the French River" She said, "Really, I run a fishing lodge on Lake Nipissing" I said, "Do you know of Keystone Lodge" She did, but had not been there in many years. I didn't get her name or the name of the lodge - she was just so amazed that we'd meet.

5 - Because the wrong style toilet had arrived we had to drill out a new hole through the concrete floor. We had to go into town to get new parts for the toilet drain. Then the pipe ran into the main hot and cold water pipes so they had to be rerouted. This resulted in loud and long verbal exchanges of disagreement between Haynes and the plumber. It went on for some time, but after a few beers and rum, the plumber agreed to return the next day and redo the plumbing. That night we had dinner at the Hotel Pom Marine with Sandra and Mike Busse. Mike was a business consultant of Haynes, who had a dental supply company in Toronto. The company was bought out, but he still works for them on a part time basis. He might drop in on Uncle Kim. Hotel Pom is an old luxury hotel which has been converted into a culinary and hospitality teaching school. The 7 course meal was superb. We dropped Sandra and Mike off at their hotel and gave me a chance to see "The Gap" - they were staying in the area.

6 - early the next day, Haynes had asked Mr Powers to bring over a handyman to check to see if the plumber had fixed the pipes correctly. It was their opinion that everything was fine. The plumber never came and Hayes was very quiet for most of the day. I felt things were just not going to improve with regards to plumbing and decided to enjoy my last few days on the beach. I asked Leslie (who lives up the road) to take me to Sparky's guest house in Bridgetown. Sparky had room, even though he had 1 couple (Charlotte and John) and a single girl (Hanna) from England. We went out for some local fish - which was great and a few Scotch's.

7 - Sunday was a usual beautiful day - it was 33C everyday, accept once went down to 29C. I rented a chair at the boatyard for $20 Barbadian ($10US) which I could use as a credit at the bar. I got a "Banks" beer and fries with $6 left. I stayed most of the day and had an early dinner there too.

8 - Departure by 5:00. Walked into town to do online check-in, but Barbados International does not have that facility. The plane was late in departing as one of the 3 GPS units was broken. The pilot was nice, we just told him to head north, we'll recognize the CN Tower. I sat with two nice girls (not sure which team they were on) for the flight back. (I flew Westjet, Haynes flew Air Canada)

If you reached this point, thanks for hanging in. Special thanks to Haynes Darlington for showing me a wonderful island and getting to some of it's people. See you in the next adventure.

Barbados images

2010-02-09T21:52:00.007-05:00

I landed at Toronto's Pearson around midnight, Monday February 8, after a month in Barbados. We almost had another night as one of the plane's 3 GPS units was broken, but they re-routed us over the islands. I will be getting to the blog portion soon, but thought I'd post the pictures [here] (over the next few nights) - as you know - worth a thousand words, and give you a taste of the island.

Barbados - some background

2010-02-08T18:58:00.001-05:00

A little history. The island is 166 sq. miles with a population of about 285,000, of which 90% are Afro-Bajan, 6% Asian and 4% European. Windsor, Ontario has a metro area of 395 sq. miles and a population of 323,000. You can easily drive the island in a day, stopping at many of the scenic spots – it’s small. The northern tip has the highest point [picture taken from that point and slopes to the south, where there are fields, still covered in cane. The island is not volcanic, but coral which sits at the juncture of two tectonic plates, and has been slowly raised above the Atlantic Ocean.

The Portuguese, were the first Europeans to discover and name the island. The word Barbados is Spanish for "bearded", but it is a matter of conjecture whether "bearded" refers to the long, hanging roots of the bearded fig-tree [pictured]. The Portuguese briefly claimed Barbados from the mid-1500s to the 1600s, and may have seized the Caribs (original inhabitants) on Barbados and used them as slave labour. Other Caribs are believed to have fled to neighbouring islands. Apart from possibly displacing the Caribs, the Portuguese left little impact and by the 1610s left for South America, leaving the island almost uninhabited. [The tombstone pictured reads: Here lyeth ye body of Ferdinando Paleolocus descended from ye imperial lyne of ye last Christian Emperors of Greece Church Warden of this Parish 1655 1656 vestryman twentye years died October 3 1678] British sailors landed on Barbados in 1625. They took possession in the name of James I. From the arrival of the first British settlers in 1627–1628 until independence in 1966, Barbados was under uninterrupted British governance and was the only Caribbean island that did not change hands during the colonial period.

Barbados eventually had one of the world's biggest sugar industries after starting sugar cane cultivation in 1640. One group which was instrumental for ensuring the early success of the sugar cane industry were the Sephardic Jews, who had originally been expelled from the Iberian peninsula to end up in Dutch Brazil. This quickly replaced tobacco plantations on the islands which were previously the main export. As the sugar industry developed into its main commercial enterprise, Barbados was divided into large plantation estates (some 700) that replaced the smallholdings of the early British settlers. Some of the displaced farmers moved to other British colonies in the Americas, most notably North and South Carolina, and British Guiana, as well as Panama. [pictured one of only two remaining sugar mills]

To work the plantations, planters imported enslaved West Africans to Barbados and other Caribbean islands. The British abolished the slave trade in 1807 but not the institution itself. In 1816, slaves arose in the largest major slave rebellion in the island's history. Twenty thousand slaves from over seventy plantations rebelled. They drove whites off the plantations, but widespread killings did not take place. This was later termed “Bussa's Rebellion” after the slave ranger Bussa, who with his assistants hated slavery, found the treatment of slaves on Barbados to be “intolerable,” and believed the political climate in the UK made the time ripe to peacefully negotiate with planters for freedom. Bussa's Rebellion failed. One hundred and twenty slaves died in combat or were immediately executed; another 144 were brought to trial and executed; remaining rebels were shipped off the island. Slavery was finally abolished in the British Empire eighteen years later in 1834. In Barbados and the rest of the British West Indian colonies, full emancipation from slavery was preceded by an apprenticeship period that lasted four years. [pictured is the Parliament building in Bridgetown]

Plantation owners and merchants of British descent dominated local politics, owing to the high income qualification required for voting. More than 70% of the population, many of them disenfranchised women, were excluded from the democratic process. It was not until the 1930s that the descendants of emancipated slaves began a movement for political rights. One of the leaders of this movement, Sir Grantley Adams, founded the Barbados Labour Party(BLP) in 1938, then known as the Barbados Progressive League. While being a staunch supporter of the monarchy, Adams and his party also demanded more rights for the poor and for the people. Progress toward a more democratic government in Barbados was made in 1942, when the exclusive income qualification was lowered and women were given the right to vote. By 1949 governmental control was wrested from the planters and, in 1958, Adams became Premier of Barbados. [pictured is Grantley Adams International Airport]

From 1958 to 1962, Barbados was one of the ten members of the West Indies Federation, an organisation doomed by nationalistic attitudes and by the fact that its members, as British colonies, held limited legislative power. Adams served as its first and only "Premier", but his leadership failed in attempts to form similar unions, and his continued defence of the monarchy was used by his opponents as evidence that he was no longer in touch with the needs of his country.

Errol Walton Barrow, [his statue is a prominently displayed at the center of town] a fervent reformer, became the new people's advocate. Barrow left the BLP and formed the Democratic Labour Party as a liberal alternative to Adams' conservative government. Barrow instituted many progressive social programmes, such as free education for all Barbadians, and the School Meals system. By 1961, Barrow had replaced Adams as Premier and the DLP controlled the government. With the Federation dissolved, Barbados had reverted to its former status, that of a self-governing colony.

The island negotiated its own independence at a constitutional conference with the United Kingdom in June 1966. After years of peaceful and democratic progress, Barbados finally became an independent state on 30 November 1966, with Errol Barrow its first Prime Minister. Upon independence Barbados maintained historical linkages with Britain by establishing membership to the Commonwealth of Nations. A year later Barbados' International linkages were expanded by obtaining membership to the United Nations and the Organization of American States.

All (when complete) trip pictures here

Back Soon

2010-02-03T09:01:00.002-05:00

Hi all,
I've been in Barbados for over three weeks, and don't (really) have internet (doing this in town - 1 hr bus ride), so will post a summary in a week. See you then. Stay warm!

2010

2010-01-04T10:44:00.022-05:00

I started the second decade (if that is how this year is described) of the 21st century in Windsor. Packed up, thanked Mum and Dad for a nice visit and drove back to Markham. I was going to stop and visit with James (in Port Credit), but a snow storm hit, and a 5 car pile up seconds ahead of me, just as I arrive in Toronto, so I kept going.
The next day took all Christmas decorations down and picked the girls up at airport around 7:00 pm. Returning from the Bahamas where they had a ball (as pictured - and more here). On the 3rd, Mary and I finished putting Xmas stuff in storage while piles of laundry were done. Late that evening I picked up James for the start of his new job (and stay) in Markham. Is was very cold. Watched Chris Bosh become all time leading point scorer for Toronto Raptors (on TV).

By Monday it was clear I'd caught Dad's cold - just as well to get it out of the way first thing (I usually get one cold a year). As mentioned, James started his first (career related) job Monday morning, and was surprised to find one of his classmates starting too. He seemed to be enjoying the job, though he complained - I think in jest - of it being a bit boring. We kept trying to explain to him that in most new jobs, it takes a week or two to get up to speed. On Thursday I was to head out to photograph the curling competition in Guelph, (see me pictured)but the transportation of James (to and from work) was a problem. Mary could help him Thursday, but Friday she was off early to a ringette tournament in Whitby. I decided that with my cold, that I would miss the Thursday events, drive James to work Friday morning and then head out. James would take a GO bus back to Mississauga at days end, as it leaves almost from his (work) door. On Thursday evening he learned that the job he'd wanted (but didn't get) in Mississauga had come available. I was glad to be around to talk it through with him. The pay is significantly higher with the City of Mississauga.

I eventually made it to Guelph and met up with Jim Henderson (partner in Sweep!). The purpose behind me learning to use the camera equipment and getting more comfortable on the ice, is that Jim is expecting (his step-daughter actually) to be a grandfather for the first time during the Brier (Canadian Men's Curling Championship) week. If that's the case, I'll be prepared to go in his stead. I was to stay over at my friend Jill's (in Guelph) but she had other guests and my cold was just too draining. I drove back to Markham. It continued very cold -25C (with wind). This post is a few days early because tomorrow (Jan 11) I leave for a month in the Barbados staying with Haynes Darlington. So my next post should be in a week or so to bring you up to speed on this new adventure.

Books Read

If Life is a Game, These are the Rules

by Cherie Carter-Scott

1. You will receive a body

2. You will be presented with lessons

3. There are no mistakes, only lessons

4. A lesson is repeated until learned

5. Learning does not end

6. 'There" is no better than "here"

7. Others are only mirrors of you

8. What you make of your life is up to you

9. All your answers lie inside you

10. You will forget all this at birth

Something to watch for: it appears that evidence of Nano-Thermite (available only to the US military) used in propellants and explosives,was found in the pools of molten steel at the base of the Twin Towers and building 7.

Happy New Year! (Dec 16 - 31)

2009-12-17T08:16:00.048-05:00

Wednesday Dec 16th, more snow and the cold weather dug in it's heels. I ventured from Markham and picked up son James at the Square One shopping plaza in Mississauga.
We headed north on highway 410 and the short trip (maybe 10 k) took an hour - Toronto traffic! We met the Waters (Kim, Holly, Lauren, Erica) and Braithwaites (Mary, Sarah and Emily) at the Brampton Mandarin - Chinese Buffet Restaurant. We pigged-out, very few of us having vegetables. I enjoyed the King Crab legs (3 times), clams, shrimp, prime rib, lamb, sushi, chicken wings, and more prime rib. It was fun (not cheap) and the holiday lights amazing (see pictures). James and I then headed back to Anthea's.

Thursday 17th - Up to Sweep! to start our 3rd issue. Worked late and then downtown to pay respects at Cam MacDonald's reception (link). I visited with Tom Bennett (Cam's best friend) and also Bob Russell, and Hardy Sanderson - people I know, but didn't know they knew Cam. (I think Bob might be a relative).

Friday 18th - was back to Sweep! and finished our First Ever Bonus Issue. Usually we do 6 - 32 page issues (192 pages). This year with our new digital only format, we've already published 140 pages, and still have 5 issues to go. Jim sent the final pages Friday night and they were live (on the web) Saturday morning. The printed issue usually took two weeks from delivery to printer to arrival at customer.

Saturday 19th - found me shopping for Anthea's kitchen and cooking. I walked over to a local convenience store and past a coffee bar. The attendant was outside and we exchanged pleasantries. On my return with my paper, "Peter" had locked himself out of the coffee bar, and had no key. I tried getting help at a jewelry store (turned out to be pawn shop) and the local police station but none was found. I went to Anthea's a got him a coat and then we tried pick the lock - no luck. Two others arrived so I left them all trying to get in. (must stop by to retrieve the jacket)

Sunday 20th - James, Anthea, and I drove up to Em's ringette game in Mississauga - they won 4/2. John and Alice Braithwaite (Mary's in-laws) were there, and had been at Mary's for the weekend. James and I went Christmas shopping for Pandora (the gift of the year) and found the mall was not busy. I return to Mary's.

Monday 21st - I was over to Haynes returning the chainsaw. Haynes needs to package it up so it will make it through the sometimes sticky-fingered customs. Did more Christmas shopping and put a few more decorations on the tree. Girls (Em and Sarah) home for school break.

Christmas Eve - we went over to Waters for Christmas eve dinner. (Kim, Holly, Devon, Lauren, Daniel, Erica, Me, Mary, Em and Sarah) lovely dinner - prime rib BBQ, Those super veggies (will get recipe and post) asparagus and salad. Back by 10:00. Had to get up during the night and fill stockings, a new thing we can blame on the Klass family - each person gets up at a different time, tiptoes downstairs and fills the other stockings (hung by the chimney with care). Cathy called from Ohio and wished us a Merry Christmas.

Christmas Day - all up by 7:00, gifts opened by eight - It was a Pandora Christmas. The turkey went in the oven by 8:30. It was a cold, windy and gray day. My boys and Anthea arrived around 4:00, Waters shortly after - great dinner and lots of ping pong. No leftover turkey!

Boxing Day - dropped girls off at airport as they headed out for a week in the Bahamas. Had a quiet day to myself (27th) and on Sunday (28th) headed over to visit with (son) John. [James was at a cottage near Parry Sound]. I stayed over and left for Windsor around noon. Arrived near 3:00 and found gas at 84 cents - there was a price war.

Tuesday 29th, Peter and I spent most of the day working on a bug in Mum's computer. It's a program identified as ccSvcHst.exe and it seems to be part of Norton Antivirus. It uses up much of the CPU memory, making the computer run slow. Turning off Norton was the only fix. Could be the computer is old for the new version of Norton. Our reward was a crab leg fest - all you could eat - delicious. I'm putting on weight.

Wednesday 30th - was cold and overcast. Had some nice steaks and opened the second bottle of wine of "Holly's gift to Peter". Holly gave Peter 4 bottles of red wine in brown paper bags. She then took the descriptive information from the labels, the grape type (four different) country of origin (four different), and price, and put that all on a sheet of paper and copied it four times. The object is to assess each bottle, make your choice and when he has finished all four bottles, remove them from the bag and see how accurate you are. It would be best with a group of [say] 8, and drink all four bottles in one sitting and get 8 opinions. I'll let you know how he does.

On New Years Eve, Peter acted as head chef while I was the waiter. We prepared and served shrimp cocktail, salad, prime rib with twice baked cheese potato, squash and broccoli and a dessert of peeled pears soaked in creme de menthe and covered with chocolate and served with strawberries, raspberries and champagne. We served Mum, Dad, and 6 of their friends: - Bob and Joanne Woods, Barbara Nickleson, Joan Benson, and John and Alice Braithwaite. It went very well though the meat was a little cold. We watched the Canadian Junior hockey team beat the Americans a shootout while the older people played bridge. I drove back to Markham on New Years Day.
All pictures for this post here

Books Read
Fall on Your Knees - Ann-Marie MacDonald, Winner of the 1997 Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Book. On the Canada Reads List 2010
{from the web} "The book (set in Cape Breton) starts with James Piper who goes into the piano tuning business. Through his work he meets Materia (who is 13 at the time; him 18) and they elope. Together they have 3 daughters: Kathleen. Raised mainly by James and is destined to become an opera diva until she goes to New York for lessons and returns pregnant. The pregnancy kills her. Mercedes takes over taking care of the family when her mother dies (suicide), and tries to rationalize things in a religious manner. Frances, the corrupter of the family who accidentally kills one of Kathleen's twin children, Ambrose, and causes the other, Lily, to contract polio and be crippled. Frances resorts to prostitution to heal herself and saves all of the money for Lily. Lily is Kathleen's daughter, with whom she was impregnated with by her incestuous father. The novel focuses on the Piper family from start to finish, following them through World War 1 and beyond, illustrating the trials, tribulations, and disappointments of the family."

I don't know if I liked it, which is unusual for me. The writing is beautiful, but the story not dark or light. It's a long book but reads quickly. A thing unto itself - did not leave me with much other than to again acknowledge our potential to live our lives in minor chords. (560 pages)

Book of Negros - Lawrence Hill: Winner of the Rogers Writers Trust Fiction Prise, 2008 Commonwealth Writers Prize - Best Book.
Story starts in Africa in 1745. Follows the life of "Meena" as she is captured by slave traders, the horrific Atlantic crossing to America where she is sold to two owners before escaping with British to Nova Scotia, and finally returning to Africa. It is a story of courage, determination and resiliency as Meena survives loss after loss - loss of parents, freedom, dignity, two children and a husband. A satisfying read. (486 pages)

Interesting note: both books have portions taking place in Nova Scotia. I will be heading there later in the year to photograph the Brier.

Dec 1 - 15

2009-12-16T08:58:00.005-05:00

It's been a quiet two weeks.

Wednesday (Dec 2), was sunny, reaching 14C, so I took the opportunity to put the outside house lights up, then raked the lawn and swept the driveway.
On Friday (Dec 4), met with Haynes and we went over to the Home Depot and purchased a chain saw for work to be done on his place in Barbados. That morning Holly had a little car accident - while Erica was getting out of the passenger side of the Honda, another car hit the door. Luckily Erica was not hurt.

On Sunday (Dec 6) Mary, the girls and I, went for a hike. Pictures this post are from that.

Monday headed over to Anthea's and cleaned up the basement - so John can relax with his friends over the Christmas holidays. James is (apparently) off to a friend's cottage near Parry Sound.

Tuesday, more cleaning, then around 7pm James and I drove to Mary's - James had an interview Wednesday in Markham at 10:30 and first snow storm was expected. It arrived with lots of snow and the driving was difficult. We made the interview on time and James was offered job! Back to Mary's to dig her driveway out and then on to Port Credit. There was another interview Thursday, but we don't need to go into that - suffice to say he will not take it if offered. Mary has kindly offered to let James stay at her place (during the week) if he takes the Markham job.

I headed back to Markham, where the girls had a busy weekend. Em and Sarah saw "The New Moon" vampire movie, Saturday was ringette and after a parents' meeting and Sunday was a brunch with friends. The Sunday Hamilton 4:00 game was fortunately cancelled.

On Monday I brought in the tree (purchased a week earlier but sitting in garage), set it up and put the lights on. Mary and the girls decorated it that night. I also started painting Mary's bedroom - purple. Finished Tuesday.

Passing of a friend - Cam MacDonald

Cam’s long and courageous battle with cancer ended on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at the Toronto Grace Hospital, at the age of 58 years. Cam’s zest for life, family and people will be missed by his loving wife Val (nee Prokomenko), his cherished daughters Allison and Heather, and their Mom and his good friend Susan. Dear son of Dr. Cameron and Kathleen MacDonald of Windsor. Beloved brother of Ellen (Terry MacLeod) of Winnipeg, Betts (Bill McClinton) of Windsor and Michael (Jo) of Australia and their families. Cam was a graduate of Walkerville Collegiate, Windsor and the University of Windsor. Cam will be remembered by his many friends and associates in Commercial Real Estate.
Legacy Guest book
Marketing News

From the Toronto Star Business Section
No More Executive Bonuses by Henry Mintzberg
"Executive bonuses—especially in the form of stock and option grants—represent the most prominent form of legal corruption that has been undermining our large corporations and bringing down the global economy. Get rid of them and we will all be better off for it."

Jill Bolte Taylor
Jill Bolte Taylor is a brain scientist who had a stroke at the age of 37. The injury to her brain caused her to temporarily lose the ability to talk, read and write. But it gave her a new understanding of human consciousness, and of her own place in the universe. Today, Taylor has fully recovered. She tells her story in the book, My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey, and in a much-watched video. Mary Hynes speaks to Jill Bolte Taylor.

Canada Reads Booklist - 2010
Fall on Your Knees - Ann Marie MacDonald
Generation X - Douglas Copland
Good to a Fault - Marina Endicott
The Jade Peony - Wayson Choy
Nikolski - Nicolas Dickner

News From Karaka

2009-12-09T19:24:00.008-05:00

Follow this link to the most recent adventures of Tom and the crew of Karaka. Attack by pirates!
Pictures of my Caribbean/Karaka voyage here

Nov 16 - Nov 30

2009-11-19T11:00:00.039-05:00

Markham
I write this on December 1st and it's official, this is the first time (since records have been kept - 1937), that Toronto has had a snow free November. We also learned Tiger Woods has had several extramarital affairs.

During the week (of the 16th) I continued work on my Christmas gift - a painting (I can say now as they've been opened) of a corner of the kitchen at our cottage (as shown). I drew Jon Leopold, (husband of niece Katelyn, oldest daughter of oldest sister, Cathy Klass) and this was the room in which they announced their marriage. I remember that evening as calm and clear and had insisted the two of them join us on a sunset cruise. Jon (Leopold) kept refusing and was determined he and Katelyn would stay behind - he got a little hot and I backed off. Of course I had no idea he was planning to propose.

Guelph
On the 18th, I left for Guelph and it took 1 1/2 hrs to reach Mississauga (30 miles) - ahh. Arrived Guelph and picked-up James. Had a quick visit with John Corlet (one of James' roommates/friend from high school - both in Landscape Architecture, John is going to Scotland for his co-op term), and then James and I headed out for brunch and to look for material to make his Christmas gift. A (new) Family tradition now in it's 8th year, we (all 23) pull names from a hat and make a gift for that person - so you know a year in advance. We get together on the last weekend of November, which is also my Dad's (this year - 86th), Devon Water's (23rd) and Aunt Peg's (86th) birthdays - and open them. Returning James to class I went searching for materials - found at Home Depot. Then stopped in at Jill's (a friend in Guelph - see earlier post) and started a spaghetti dinner. Picked up James again and together we worked on the gift. Jill's new boyfriend - Scott, arrived. Twice divorced, with three kids (1 by 1st, 2 by 2nd, x-brother-in-law to Liona Boyd)*, Scott was an orthodontist/surgeon, and is now teaching at the University of Waterloo. Scott is American, born in the Cincinnati area, and graduate of Ohio State. As luck would have it, I was wearing my "Go Blue" (Michigan State - Ohio State's arch rival) sweater. The four of us had a nice dinner, then I had to get Jim back for an evening study group. Jill's little sister (as in Big Sister organization) dropped by with a bottle of wine. Jennifer, 23, manages her life while dealing with FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder). The next day Jill had a job interview and I made an eResume for her (hopefully she will not need it). Stayed till 11:30, and then headed for Hamilton to pickup John for a dental appointment with Uncle Kim.

Hamilton
I arrived early for our 1:30 rendezvous and accidentally found myself driving on the sidewalks on University grounds. A friendly campus policeman gave me directions. John came out to the van (directly from class) and I asked where his bag (of clothes) was. He said he didn't need any because he was coming back (to Hamilton from Brampton) later that afternoon. I said that was silly, just stay overnight. It was not possible because of a midterm around 6:00! I called Kim and cancelled the appointment (a cleaning) and suggested John relax and study. I drove back to Mary's.

Markham
I spent the weekend preparing Mum and Dad's Christmas card. They often send out a letter recounting their adventures of the past 12 months. This year they decided to let 16 pictures tell the story. I continued work on my gift, and helped Sarah with hers - Sarah's Super Seven Sumptuous Suppers - for Gillan (Klass) Stechschulte (see wedding post for reference).

Brampton
On Tuesday (24th) I headed over to Brampton and stayed with the Waters for a few days as I worked on the next digital issue of Sweep! I also had the opportunity to edit another of Daniel's (1st year Landscape Architecture - Guelph - see a pattern here?) essays. I got 85% on the last one, let you know how I do this time. Worked on Sweep! till Friday (27th) then headed over to my x's (Anthea) to meet up with the boys.

Port Credit - Mississauga
On my way over I stopped for a haircut. A very nice Chinese lady, who didn't speak English well (at all), gave me the haircut of a 17 year-old, one that requires "product" which makes the top part stick straight up. Oh ya. That night I supped with the boys and worked on the Christmas gifts. It is no secret that many of the gifts get their final touches the night before, even some on the drive to Windsor (where the party is held).

The Gift Exchange - Windsor
To list the party goers, I shall do according to their sleeping locations. Kim and Holly in the front bedroom with the bath. Dan and Gillian on the pullout bed in the library. Mum and Dad in Peter's room. Andrea, Erica and Lauren in Mum and Dad's room. Devon and Jack on the living room couches, John on the couch in the family room. Norm and Cathy on a blowup queen in the card room. Peter on a cot in the furnace room. James on a cot in the rec room, and me on a couch in same. This truly was a "Night John-Boy" moment. Mary and the girls stayed with her in-laws and Peggy with a friend. Missing: Daniel Waters who was competing in a national championship race (running) in Guelph, and Jon, Katelyn and Grant Leopold - as Katelyn was a maid of honour. Turns out was just as well as Jon threw up 9 times before the wedding. Not sure if he went. John and Alice Braithwaite arrived and around 4:00 we started opening. I'm not going to list the gifts here, but here is a link to them. It was great fun. One gift came in handy when around 10:30, as we all were playing a game, we received a crank call. We handed the phone to Jack Klass (it was Brittany) and he began reading her some of the 100 or so pick-up lines supplied to him by Erica (his gift). One of my favourites was "Tell me, does this rag smell like chloroform to you?" The older adults hit the hay just after midnight and the younger ones had a few more beers. Next morning the Americans left early and the Metro Torontonians did a clean up and headed out after some tourtiere. A special thanks to Mum, Dad and Peter (the BBQ prime rib was delicious) for all the preparation work.

* Ms Boyd recently announced she would no longer be performing with her guitar, as she constrained by task specific focal dystonia.

You Can Steal My Accordian....

2009-11-18T19:09:00.008-05:00

...........but you can’t steal my music. (This is a copy of an email I (recently - Dec 8/09) received from Tom and the crew of Karaka - the boat I sailed on last winter. It's long, but Tom weaves an interesting - if not scary - tale)

Sometimes life is dull, routine, slow; nothing much happens and one morning you wake up and a month is gone and you wonder where it went...

Well, last month wasn’t like that for us, last month was the kind of month that you don’t know how to explain to others. I guess some might be interested to read about it but I don’t really if I should even try to tell the stories by fear of not being believed. We had ocean crossings, desert islands, jungle treks, interaction with indigenous people, a hurricane, the acquisition of a dugout canoe, mechanical failures, encounter with narcotrafficants, good success at fishing, epic parties, and new friends and finally to top it all, the most dreaded of all the things that could have happened, an attack by pirates...

So I’ll reassure everybody, all on board are fine, Karaka is in good shape and the trip continues. We are now back in Colombia in the city of Cartagena after a month of adventures in the islands of Kuna Yala, a semi autonomous region of Panama. We left the island of Porvenir where the formalities in and out of the country are done and set sail for Cartagena, 200 nautical miles to the northeast. A few days before the trade wind had set, blowing a strong force 5 from the north, norht east, a few weeks ahead of the expected time. We sailed out of the anchorage in the late afternoon and endeavored to sail out of the outlying reefs while the sun set. The further out we were going the stronger the wind was felt and small squalls were blowing through the whole area. We got a first inkling at what was awaiting us when it took us 3 hours and a blown jib to cover the 10 miles to the open water. The next 3 days were a succession of long tacks, trying to make our way against the wind in 12 ft seas. We finally managed to get close enough to the Colombian coast to benefit from a northerly wind and make a better course. 80 hours after leaving Porvenir the wind died on us and we decided to power our way up the coast for the 50 remaining miles. I’ll pass on the various fights with the engine to keep it from overheating in the middle of this very hot windless day and get to the pirate stories. Yes, there are two of them...

We were motoring about 20 south west of the Rosario islands, in dead calm waters when Kway at the wheel called to my attention a flotilla of small crafts scattered in front of us. They looked like fishermen but were very far out and way beyond the continental shelf, in approximately 600 meters of water. As we got closer they started moving and 4 of them got in a half circle formation in front of us. We could see them gesticulating slowly in what seemed like hand line fishing. There were about 6 or 7 men per boat and as we got closer we found out through the binoculars that they all were wearing some kind of mask, handkerchief or balaclava over their face. We got seriously worried and I got the crew to hide all their valuable away in case we got boarded. We kept motoring and they let us pass, pretending to fish but not actually landing anything... we figured they were drug runners waiting for a load of cocaine to take to Panama or something like that and that they didn’t have time for us...

So we kept on going and eventually the wind picked up again, so we sailed for a few hours and arrived near sunset at the south entrance of the bay of Cartagena. There are two entrances, Boca Grande in the north and Boca Chica in the south. Boca Chica is the big ship entrance as Boca Grande is very shallow. At the mouth there are two forts, remains of the Spanish times and a little fishing village. As we were coming in front of the village, the sun sank below the horizon and in front of us the lights of the city started to show, 4 or 5 miles away. Many little boats were zooming around, fishermen coming home and water taxi ferrying tourists. We had dropped the sails and Kway was inside cooking a little skipjack we had caught while the rest of the crew was on the aft deck, already dreaming about the cold beers and the cheese and bread we were going to get at the nearest supermarket, when a little dugout powered by an outboard showed up just beside us with four men on board, banging into the hull. I was unsuspicious as we were inside the bay and in view of the city which harbors the Columbian navy fleet, so I naively asked them what they wanted. They asked for some water. That was odd and I got a bit baffled at that but turned around to ask somebody to bring up some water for them. We were just in front of their village but the last time we came to Cartagena there had been a major water shortage for a few days so I figured it might have happened again. Actually it is one of the oldest trick in the book, but I didn’t have much time to consider this since as soon as I had turned around, two of the guys scrambled on board. I tried to push the closest one back but he had a loaded gun in his hand and was quick to shove it into my belly button. I backed away while the other one rushed in with an old rusty machete. The 2 men left in the dugout were holding on to the side holding machetes and knives. The one with the gun push me to the back of the boat with the others while the other one went to attach the three girls who were sitting there. Kim got the quickness of mind to get him to attach them all together, reasoning that once they were all attached with the same line they were unlikely to single one out later. Gun guy was fairly relax but the others were very edgy for the first few minutes, as it was still daylight. The boat was still motoring away with nobody at the wheel and we were coming right against a channel buoy, so I rushed to the wheel to avoid a collision. They didn’t like that too much and in my adrenaline rush I didn’t notice but apparently one of the pirates hit me with the flat of his rusty machete as he though I was trying to fight back. After some confusion I managed to get to take the wheel and avoid the buoy and the guy with the gun stayed beside me while the machete guy started to get inside the boat, where Kway was wondering what to do. He’d heard the yelling and seen the guys, but we don’t carry weapons on board and there was nothing he could do. I yelled to him to come out without fighting and informed the pirates that he was there, not wanting them to be surprised by him and get violent. The machete guy dragged Kway out and bound him next to the girls on the back of the boat. All the while night was falling very fast. Soon we were in complete darkness, the moon being full but not risen yet. They ordered me to turn of all lights and to motor toward the dark side of the bay, which I did but reluctantly, claiming that the engine couldn’t go fast because it was overheating. By then 3 of the pirates were on board and the fourth had taken off with their boat. We were in the middle of the bay, a few miles from town but all by ourselves. There had been no time to call for help, the boarding took minutes and now another boat could pass by 50 meters away and not notice there was anything wrong. They had chosen the perfect time to attack us.

The guy with the gun was relatively calm considered the conditions and seemed relatively intelligent so I tried to engage a conversation with him, asking him what was going on, what they wanted and such, calling him “amigo” and trying to establish a contact. I figured it would be less likely they got violent if he considered us as persons, not uniquely as wallets. Fighting was out of the question so I figured our best chance was to give them what they wanted and get them off the boat as soon as possible. So we started talking and one thing he told me stuck in my mind, he asked me, while his gun was pointed at me head: “why did you try to push me back? Don’t you trust Colombians?” I think he was joking...

As we were motoring slowly and thing were calming down a little I asked again the gun guy what they wanted. No water this time, now it was money and cell phones. I have a fair bunch of cash as an emergency fund on board but I didn’t wanted to get anywhere near it as it was well hidden after the morning scare, so I started by telling him we were poor gypsy travelers, that we didn’t have much money, etc, but obviously he insisted so I asked the crew if anybody had any money handy. Kway had 300 dollars easily accessible so he told me where it was and I got that out for them. While that was happening the guy noticed my laptop on the navigation table. I had hidden it earlier but was using it to navigate inside the bay and it was in full view. That is the laptop I have all my personal stuff on, including writings and photos and music and whatnot, not counting the nav programs, so I told him straight that this computer was worthless for him but that what was inside was very valuable for me. He seemed receptive but wanted the thing anyway, so I told him I had another one he could have instead. I had two old laptops that were out of order, so I got one out and gave it to him and he was very pleased with that, we put my computer back and came out. I though that was it, as they started to try to locate their boat and call their friend, all the while asking me where were the cell phones. I explained to him we don’t have cell phones as we travel in various countries and bla bla bla and he seemed to believe me. They asked for a lamp to make signal to their friend so we got one out and soon the dugout was alongside. That is when things started to get worse, as machete guy went inside with the torch and started to rip apart at backpacks and opening lockers, gathering anything that looked remotely valuable. He was going fast over Kway’s stuff in the deck cabin, but since Kway had hidden everything, he only took an empty camera bag and 3 bottles of rum, then came back to get me as he wanted to go inside but seemed worried there was somebody else waiting for him. He had found Kway’s pocket knife, a little thing that was razor sharp and shove it on the back of my neck, pushing me inside. I went along and when he saw there wasn’t anybody he send me back to gun guy in the cockpit and started to rummage through the boat. He found Kim’s hard drive that I had taken out of hiding at the same time as my laptop and another broken laptop and an old VHF radio that were under my bunk, then he found Jody’s Colombian money, about 60 dollars worth but missed her stash of American money, then moved on to Tara’s cabin and found her digital camera, then hit the jackpot in opening the sail locker in the front where I was storing my stock of rope. I had bough about 2 km of yacht braid for halyards and sheet in a factory in South Africa and had been selling it around to make some money. I still had 4 rolls of 200 meters each with a resale value of approximately 3000 dollars. Of course they took that but while they were at it they also randomly took two of Tara’s bags, one containing nothing but books and the second containing her collection of shells. Go figure what goes through the mind of a crazed pirate...

Then they started loading their boat and it seemed they were about to go, but machete guy, high on something beside adrenaline and a bit hyperactive, was still back inside looking for more stuff. They sent me to sit next to the rest of the crew in the back, and I noticed that my small accordion was already on deck. I got much distressed by that but then he passed out a small backpack which looked very much like the one I had stored all the passports and the boat papers in. I tried desperately to explain to gun guy that this bag was not valuable but that it would save us a lot of trouble if we could keep it, I proposed to him to open it and look inside but before I could even move the bag was in their boat. As it turned out later, it was not the boat paper bag but a bag full of sewing gear. That was very lucky, as in his haste to get at my valuables he had pushed the bag away and it had fallen in one of the bottomless holes karaka storage seem so fond of developing. We were all pretty shaken by then but they gave me a final blow by taking out my big accordion. He almost threw it out of the hatch, the thing going bloing bloing in the night and my heart stopped... I have to admit that it was really hard for me then to keep cool... after that they seemed happy with their loot and started to board their boat, machete guy last. I tried one last time to ask him to leave us the passports but he didn’t respond. He looked pretty happy with his evening. A big red full moon had come out by then and in the dim glow we saw him giving us a little goodbye wave as he turned around to jump in his boat. They motored quickly away and while Kway was undoing the knot on his wrists and freeing the girls using the rusty machete that they left behind, I put the engine in gear and headed for the closest lights. They had been on board no more than half an hour.

We called the coast guards on the emergency channel on the VHF, but got no answer so we kept motoring toward the city. We all went under chock from the stress, actually laughing and joking about it all, yelling and wondering what had hit us. There was nothing else to do so we ate Kway’s tuna as we were motoring away. About half an hour later a patrol boat finally showed up, we signaled to them and they came alongside. We told them our story and they took off in the direction the pirates had gone to while we kept on going. After a while the police came back, boarded us and asked us many questions, before escorting us to safety.

So nobody got hurt, although both Kway and I got hit by machete guy, the girls got bruises on their wrists from their ties and I got minor cuts on my neck. They took a fair amount of stuff, which is a big financial loss for us, especially the rope, but the biggest loss for me is that they took my accordions... fortunately they missed most of the money, Kway’s and Kim’s cameras and Kim’s laptop, a back up hard drive and Tara’s iPod, they missed the dive gear, the fishing gear, the spear guns, Kim’s violin and mandolin and they didn’t take any of the ship equipment, GPS, radio, sounder, binoculars, etc... we did pretty well all considered, it could have been much worse. It was a stroke of luck we had hidden everything the very morning...

The area used to be very dangerous 10 years ago, but in recent years there had been very few problems and most yachts entering the harbor would use the same route we did. Everybody around know it is risky to anchor in front of the fishing village, but nobody warned us not to sail through there. We figure those guys were not doing this for the first time though, as they were well organized and even had gloves on to avoid leaving fingerprints. The other cruisers in the harbor told us there have been a recrudescence of theft lately, partly due to Christmas and the need to offer present and all that. Several dinghies were stolen in the anchorage and the rumor goes that muggings in town have been more frequent as well... there was not much we could have done to avoid the attack, apart from not being there at this time of the day. There was no way we could have defended ourselves even if we had had guns as they were on us fast and took us completely by surprise.

The whole crew is dealing well with the situation and after anchoring in front of the yacht club we all went to shore get ourselves some decent food and some booze. None of us could really sleep that night and we sat on the back of the boat drinking and talking about this hell of a trip and about the boldness of those guys.

So a bit of a scare, some loss, but nothing that is going to stop us. We are now enjoying the town, there is a bit of a music festival going on, 3 of Kim’s friends from Australia are in town backpacking and we are doing our best to laugh about the whole adventure around drinks, fresh food and some good music.

As for further adventures, we’re waiting for Chris and Lauren to come back to Cartagena, Chris was with us on the last trip in panama in July August and is now coming back with his girlfriend Lauren. They arrived while we were at sea and have gone inland exploring.

Today is Tara’s birthday, we’re having a pizza party on Karaka, along with Kim’s friend Steve, John and Benoit, and also a few Colombians we met recently.

While I’m running around trying to find a new accordion, we are also doing some maintenance on the boat and sometime in a little bit over a week we’ll take off for Haiti. I still haven’t installed the navigation programs on my new laptop so I am not sure exactly which route we’ll take. I was thinking of sailing north to the Tayrona national park and then sail straight to Haiti from there but everybody who has been sailing around the area for a while tells me the trip is a very rough one, and that the round trip via the island of Providencia and Jamaica, while longer, is much easier sailing. So we might do that instead. I wouldn’t mind spending some more time in Providencia, as it is a wonderful spot. It is one of those hidden gem anybody thinking of the Caribbean dreams about. The whole crew seems set on staying with us till February or March, and we got people listed for joining us then.

We have received an incredible amount of applications during the past month, due apparently to an article mentioning us in the New York Times travel magazine. For those who want to join, even if we can’t take you right now it doesn’t hurt to get in touch, but make sure you read the whole of the website before contacting us, we won’t consider seriously the people who waste our time by asking us questions that are already answered on the website. Otherwise we also have a few friends sailing in the area who are looking for crew, so we can redirect you to them if you write to us.

Nov 1 - Nov 16

2009-11-05T15:44:00.034-05:00

I write this on the 16th, it's 9C and sunny. On Wednesday (4th) I got a day's work on the set of a movie called "Clark Rockefeller"; the lead is Eric McCormick (pictured here - from Will & Grace). Unlike most background work, I did a one-on-one with Eric (He's not gay, married, 1 daughter - not that it matters). He was playing a con man, running for elected office (is that redundant?), and was handing out flyers. I had to walk up to him, he would hand me a flyer and asked me to vote for him. No big deal, but we had to do it five times. Background (that's what I'm called) doesn't (usually) get too close to the "talent" (that's what they call main actors). I got to do another scene, no dialogue - was standing as the manager of a TV station. A nice day, small set and great food - real turkey, prime rib and salmon, plus, plus, plus. Thursday was my recoup day - always takes a day to recover from the waiting (was 12hrs).

Mary takes the Cake

Saturday (7th) was Mary's 45th birthday. The girls said happy birthday to her every day that week, but they forgot on Saturday - well not really. I was up early, baked a cake, and then drove out to Mississauga to pickup a ping pong table (used for $25) returned and set it up. Mary and girls had a ringette tournament in Oshawa, and in between games, came home. We BBQ'd steak for Mary's birthday dinner, had the cake and opened gifts: girls gave her two Pandora's Box charms, friend Patricia gave her 6 trivets, I gave her a milk frother. Then it was back to Oshawa for more ringette. The Waters were going to come over (after repeatedly being told 8:00 on Saturday after two days of games was too late) but Holly called and said they were just too tired.

On Sunday I headed over to Anthea's (my x) to visit with my youngest son, John who was home from McMaster University for the weekend. Weather continued spectacular, that afternoon reaching 17. We raked leaves and took them to the curb, watched some football, while Nana Radford had her hair done. After dinner I took John to the GO Bus and returned to Mary's.

On Friday 13th I visited with Haynes Darlington (an uncle of a friend of Mary's). I've agreed to accompany Haynes to his place in Barbados for January and help out with what needs doin'. I guess there will be more to tell when the time comes and pictures too.

Books Read
Ecstacy is a new Frequency, Christine Griscom 1987: "That we might transcend the limitations of our present lives is a probable reality we are fast approaching. If we are going to alter our genes, extend our physical horizons, seek and embrace the secrets of the universe, we must give ourselves permission to be who we truly are… The “adventure” is staring us in the face. Let us step forward as fearless beings. There is nothing unknown, unwhispered, unforeseen. We can never lose life; we can only be foolish enough to deny it."

The New Age Initiate - First Revelation of the Seals of ELAM, 1987 - recorded, compiled and edited by W. Marentette, W Reger and M. Reimer. This book was prepared by the International Brotherhood of the Gnostic Humanitarians out of Winnipeg. Is enlightening and consistent with others in this area of thought. There is no internet presence of the person known as Elam, or the Brotherhood.

Found both these books at a local used book store on two different occasions - just noticed the publishing dates are the same.

The Search for the Girl with the Blue Eyes, Jess Stearn (Appears) to be a true story about a young girl - Joanne MacIver - who remembers a previous lifetime in great detail. I tried to find her on the net, but no luck. In the book it says she married Roger Watson, brother of Patrick Watson, the CBC commentator. Is more interesting in that she is from Orillia, born 1943, and her previous life (1820s-1880s) was in the Meaford area. A poem by Wordsworth found in the book, as I mark the passing (October 30, 09) of Lorna Irwin (also of Orillia), a friend of my parents, whom we visited in August.

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The soul that rises with us, our life's star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home:
Heaven lies about us in our infancy!

By The Numbers
As noted in the Toronto Star, (week of November 1). "Four out of every five dollars spent in the province of Ontario goes to pay the salaries" of the 1,000,000 public service employees.
So......with a budget (including 24B deficit) of 135,000,000,000 - 80% or 108,000,000,000 goes to pay salaries, which leaves only 27,000,000,000 for "the stuff". Interestingly, the deficit is about equal to that. The average salary for the 1,000,000 civil servants would be (108B/1M) = $108,000.

It has been reported that there are 18,000,000 vacant homes in the US.
The value of Fanny Mae's non performing loans went from 120 billion on Jan 1/09 to 170 billion by June 30/09. That's just one institution - albeit a large one. There are now concerns with respect to commercial real estate loans.

Oct 16 - Oct 31

2009-10-22T08:41:00.025-04:00

Hi to all,

Last post found me celebrating Thanksgiving with family. The following week was quiet. Still staying with Mary and the girls, I cooked, cleaned, did yard work, worked on resume and continue to paint. I'm beginning to enjoy the painting - acrylics. Em has joined me, doing one of her own, and we watch Bob Ross paint - on the TV everyday at 4:30. Janice (Paul's sister) arrived from Chatham Wednesday evening and she and I watched the Tudors - both of us are big fans. I think (my) James looks a lot like Jonathyn Rhys Meyers, who plays King Henry VIII.

Thursday afternoon I was off to Waters. Holly had left for London, as Friday was Devon's graduation - Masters of Environment and Sustainability (see his resume here). Kim was fasting in celebration of a colonoscopy (the next day) so it was just Erica and me for dinner. The next day I dropped her off for a 6:30 am swim practice and then headed down to the Hershey Centre in Mississauga where the W orld Cup of Curling was being held. I had a media pass and would be taking pictures for the magazine. Jim Henderson (partner at Sweep) would be there too. Interestingly enough, though I curled as a teenager, in the 11 years I'd done Sweep!, I never attended an event. This was a first. I stayed only for the first set of games on Friday, as I had to pickup and wait for Kim at the clinic. Holly arrived later and described the graduation. Saturday found me back at the curling competition. I managed to move onto the ice surface to take pictures, though it was a little intimidation being so close the the action. This was a premier event with games televized nationally both Saturday and Sunday. It include most of the teams who will be at the Olympics in February. I met George Karrys, editor of our competition and silver medalist at the 1998 Winter Olympics, Nagano - curling, lead for Mike Harris. Also met Brian McAndrew who covers curling for the Toronto Star and writes our Ontario column. It was a long day, but very interesting - especially having the media pass and being on ice with the world's best curlers, in front of 4,000 fans. The curling pictures linked to this post were taken with my camera. I used Jim's extra larger format camera, for most of my other shots - but it's much harder than I thought. More practice is needed.

Sunday I took a pass as there was only the final game left, and joined the Waters to cheer for Emily as she lost to the Mississauga ringette team. On entering the rink Holly saw a boy she knew and said to him "Do you know who I am?" "Yep", he answered smiling, "Your Emily's grandmother" We had a good howl over that one, later went out for a bite.

Monday I was downtown - it took 75 minutes to get from Brampton to downtown and that was using the expensive - but fast, 407. Without that it would have been at least 2 hours. I was on the set of "Resident Evil - Afterlife". I was a zombie for the day. There were 150 zombies, and I don't know if it was a movie or video game. One scene and it took from 9:00 till 9:00. Most of us where just painted but a dozen or so had the full monty - plastic enhancements. Nice set, good food, met some interesting folks. (Karen)

The rest of the week was spent preparing Sweep for it's first digital issue. I will post a link as soon as it goes up. Stay well.

The Interview

2009-10-19T09:00:00.003-04:00

This is a short story I've submitted to the 2009 CBC Writing Contest. Not being a writer, I found the re-reading and editing difficult, to the point that I lost interest in my own story! However, it was more for the effort and discipline.

The Interview
I arrived at the address, a mid 90’s upscale townhouse in suburban Toronto, and parked in the visitor’s area. Two weeks had passed since the magazine had received the invitation. It didn’t make much sense, me, a fashion reporter fresh out of j-school, getting an exclusive, albeit short, interview with probably the most mysterious person on the planet, and why was she in Toronto? The rules of engagement were explicit, the interview would not proceed unless I followed the instructions to the letter. They arrived as promised, 5 minutes before departure. I drove to the address specified and exchanged my blackberry for a cell, and another set of directions. The second stop was a greasy spoon, and what turned out to be the final set of instructions. It was very cloak and dagger, which only added to my apprehension. The grounds of the development were well maintained. I found 23 and pressed the buzzer. A striking blond, whom I guessed might have been in her late 40's, opened the door. She looked at me and then over my shoulder, scanning the courtyard.
Hello I said, I’m Megan Cartier from Blatant. I’m here to interview Fatimah Al-Fulan. I’d never seen a picture of Fatimah Al-Fulan, no one had.
That would be me, please come in, she said. She stood aside holding the door open. I drew past picking up the scent of her perfume. She showed me to a small but bright living room. Four tall windows allowed in the sun. Two love seats sitting on a beige carpet faced each other in front of a modern gas fireplace. It was decorated tastefully and simply.
May I take your coat, she asked.Thank you I said. She motioned me to sit. As if reading my mind she said, there will be no pictures; would you care for something to drink, coffee, water, wine?
I blushed; some wine would be nice, thank you. It was unprofessional, but I needed to settle quickly
White or red?
Red thanks you.
I prefer red too. She said as she left the room.
She returned, entering with the perfected grace of a ballerina, placed the wine on the table between us and unwound to take a seat. As she positioned her foot to place in the lotus position, I noticed her right foot only had four toes.
A birth defect, she said, catching my glance. Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience getting here, but I have to protect my identity. Your blackberry will be returned to you after the interview, it would be traceable and so would I. The phone given you was monitored to see if you made any calls. You didn’t.
If I had?
The interview would have been cancelled. A mischievous smile spread across her face.
This of course is not my home, raising her arms and looking around. It’s been rented through a third party for the interview. It’s been swept for bugs. No one, accept for a trusted assistant, knows where I am, and I plan to keep it that way. So Ms Cartier, is it Ms?
Yes
So Ms Cartier, where would you like to start?
Let me first thank you for giving me, and Blatant, this interview. You must realize what this will do for sales? Ever since this started, the mystery of who you are and what this is, has gripped, dare I say, all of mankind. When you contacted my office and asked for me personally, I was stunned, and honestly, a little scared. Of course I started doing the background work, and…
You couldn’t find anything of consequence about Fatimah Al-Fulan
Correct
That’s because Fatimah bint Tariq bin Khalid Al-Fulan of Enterview doesn’t exist. I realized early on, that if I wanted a normal life someday, I needed a false identity. So please, this part of the interview is off the record, but I think you need it to fully understand what happened. My real name is Denise Crowe. I’m a Canadian citizen. This adventure, if I can call it that, began two years ago, on the set of Dear Mad’m, where I was second AD.
Lucky you, I love that movie, it’s definitely one of my new favorites.
Yes, a great film, nominated for 14 Academy Awards, won 9.
And Jane Fonda was fantastic.
Well, one day on a break, I noticed a copy of Insider, that’s an industry magazine, open to the classified section and an ad was circled. Of course I was curious. Reading it gave me a chill, it was if whoever was looking, knew me right down to my toes. I answered and that’s when my world began to change, if you pardon the pun. First they told me…..
Excuse me, could you clarify , who are they?
I’d love to, but to this day I don’t know who they are. I’ve tried everything, but all avenues were blocked. It was a valuable learning experience, because I started using some of their techniques, that’s why you couldn’t find anything in your background search. Right from the beginning they said there would be no face-to-face contact, they would deal only by email, cell, and courier. Thinking they might be terrorists I terminated contact. Two days later a FedEx arrived with a contract. It was more money than I could ever spend. They also included cash with a note explaining that I should use it to have a lawyer, of my choice, check it out. I kept half the cash and used the rest for just that. The lawyer said it looked ok, he couldn't find out much apart from a numbered company in Dubai. He said that if I followed the contract to the letter I was protected. Then he added if I wasn’t interested, he was. With that I found myself employed by a company that I didn’t know what they did, where they were located and what they wanted me to do. I found out soon enough. The instructions starting flooding in and I realized I was at the center of something very technical. Before I was involved, they must have been others, because I immediately began receiving invoices from manufacturing companies in every country you could image. Money was put into a working account and I paid the bills. I watched as items moved from place to place, each accompanied with sets of instructions, detailed engineering files, till after 8 months I could see the final pieces all heading to one location.
And that was Parnamirim, Brazil.
Yes. Then it was done, whatever it was – I didn’t know at the time. Then it got weird; I was now in charge of a rocket payload and had to get this thing into space. I was instructed to employ the Brazilian space agency at The Barreira do Inferno Launch Center. It was exciting. I was treated like visiting royalty, which was not as strange as it might seem as I was spending $65 million US dollars.
You had access to that much?
Not really, it was a simple funds transfer. My job was to represent the corporation and to confirm tasks were completed as requested. This was my first public appearance, so I arrived at the Launch center as a Muslim princess named Fatimah bint Tariq bin Khalid Al-Fulan, wearing a burka, which I continue to do. It protects my real identity. By this time I’d also hired a personal assistant, and he accompanied me, providing the illusion of importance, expected of a princess. This also had the desired effect of deflecting speculation toward a wealthy mid-eastern oil family. The launch, as you know was successful and the payload entered orbit. For the next task I had carte blanche. I had to find an old movie house that was out of business, refurbish it and install what turned out to be a receiver.
And that of course was Ottawa Ohio.
Yes, I got stuck trying to find a place, so I threw a dart and it landed on Ottawa. A perfect slice of middle class America. This town was going to get a surprise. Two years ago, on June 28, we turned it on. I didn’t move a muscle for probably 45 minutes, I could hardly breathe. There it was. In all it’s heavenly beauty, the earth. The payload as you know was some kind of space camera vehicle. It just hung there, not on the screen, or at least it didn’t seem like the screen. It was more like some super 3d. I know it’s different for everyone, no one has figured out why. Tell me Denise, how you feel when you first saw it?
It seemed to hang in the middle of the theater, almost like if I got up and walked forward, I could see the other side, and people tried that. I completely lost my sense of time I think I was permanently changed, for the better.
It does change you. Most are calmed, but some drift off to never-never land. But I’m getting a little ahead of myself.
The choice of Ottawa was interesting. Because I didn’t know what was going to happen, I did not anticipate the reaction. Within 24 hrs of the first images, private jets from around the world started landing at the local airport. The two small hotels were immediately booked months in advance, B&B’s opened overnight, a trailer park sprung up, even a tent city. At first it was not a large number coming, but then it began to grow exponentially. Then phase three. I was instructed to lease the feed to a number of independent theater owners worldwide, and they needed receivers. Unbeknownst to me, they had been manufactured by a man in Australia. I met him, he’d gone through the same procedure, no contact. Four opened in London, 5 in New York, and several more in various cities – it was broad but limited. A brilliant marketing plan, people couldn’t get enough. Millions quit their jobs and spend all day in the theaters. For many it’s spiritual. And then the fourth stage, I was instructed to open it up to anyone who wanted the feed.
Why not just put it on TV or the web?
I asked that question, and was told that they wanted people to experience this together, not at home, alone. The receivers shipped, and the feeds came online all at the same time, and then of course, within a day it happened.
The turn?
Yes the turn. Did you see it?
No.
I was in Ottawa, the theater was still quite busy with locals and a many that have been there since the beginning. Slowly the camera began to turn away, and as the earth moved out of frame, in came the moon. It was chilling. Instantly you knew what was going to happen, it was like the minds of all those watching were one. We all knew it, we where going to the moon. It took two days. And of course speculation as to what was carrying the camera was rampant. When it reached the moon, the world came to a stop. Every theater on the planet was hooked up. Images where projected on the sides of buildings, old ships, any place that could take an image. Normal commerce had come to a halt, only essential services continued, and then the feed hit television.
I know, I was glued.
It was quite a ride.
The structures?
You saw structures? I didn’t, or couldn’t convince myself that’s what they were. We’d seen tighter shots of the earth, why wouldn’t they zoom in on those things?
Well in hindsight we know.
Yes, because four days later, the camera turned again. It took only minutes for astronomers to identify what was at the center of the feed; Mars.
They calculated that at the speed of the enlarging view, and assuming whatever it was would continue at current velocity, it would reach the planet in 11 days. Some stayed glued the time, enjoying the flight through empty space. It was very calming. Others went back to work, but then everything stopped again as we approached.
And that’s when the world changed forever.
Yes, I guess that’s true. Without a doubt those were some kind of structures. How did you feel when you saw them?
I think subconsciously I knew the moon images were not natural, and was not surprised to see them on Mars. I felt I’d been prepared.
The discussion is still going on.
Yes I know, and then we took the solar system tour.
The sun……
Breathtaking….
I like Saturn.
Yes, it was spiritually expanding.
And now…..
Well we know, or think we know, it’s headed to the Pleiades star system, and should arrive in about 14 weeks. I’m sorry to cut you off so soon, but I have another appointment. I suspect you’ll have a few more questions. Please send them to here.
She handed me a card with an email address
I can’t thank you enough, I said as she helped me with my coat, and I will send some follow-ups.
Then she added, you’ll probably find this out sooner or later. On September 19, 1961, my mother claimed to have been abducted by aliens. Regardless of what happened that night, I was born nine months later. I just thought you should know.