MY BEST VALENTINES GIFT

       I think I've told this story before but I like it so I'll tell it again.

      My youngest brother was born on Feb. 14! I Remember when Mom brought him home and showed him to us. As 11, 14 and 15 year old farm boys we were surprisingly excited about this new brother. In no time we held him, fed him, changed diapers and rocked him to sleep. There was a competition as to who would look after him

     He was born in a small local hospital about 20 miles from home. Dave grew up with big brothers and cousins as there was no one his age in our community.

    Later on in life Dave became a nurse. You guessed it. He went back to nurse in the hospital he was born in. He looked up the records of his birth. There was nothing surprising. Everything was normal. Dave happened to be the head nurse in that little hospital. Dave spent the remainder of his career in health administration.

    I am sorry that I never got to spend much of my life with him. I left home at age 17 when Dave was only 2 and a half years old.

   So Happy birthday Dave.

   No pictures here as I'm still working on getting my photos on to a memory stick,

ON TURNING 85

      Recently I had my 85th birthday. So as usual for my birthday some reflection happens. I'm not sure if to laugh or cry! It's a time of some mixed emotions.

     I look back at some old photos and one would not get that the two photos are of the same person!

    Well, the good thing is that I'm still here. Not only am I still here but in reasonably good health. I don't have any medications that are crucial to keep me going except the seizure medication. When I went to emergency with my nose bleed, I was asked over and over if I was in blood thinners. I'm fortunate to have a blood pressure of 120 over something!

     I am also fortunate to be very physically active. I look after my own yard. But I do not do the handyman thing anymore. I'm not allowed to climb ladders anymore. Yesterday I walked 6 kilometers. 

    I still enjoy natural history activities. 

    I'm fortunate to have three wonderful younger brothers. I'm fortunate to have a Micro Manager who looks after things. I also have a son and daughter who I care about. It's very pleasant to look back at life with my family.

    So all in all, it's not bad being 85. Everybody should have the chance to be 85. 

A BRIGHT, SUNNY, WARM DAY

      84 years ago today was a very pleasant warm day on the Saskatchewan prairie when a baby boy was born in a small wooden shack to a young couple. Yes, That was me!

     Since I was the oldest the birth must have impressed them and Dad told this story many times to anyone who would listen. He never told me the story. I just remember listening to it many times.

    The country doctor attended and sat and smoked and read the Reader's Digest. Mom's two friends Linda Kabernik and Margaret Mehaffey attended to the serious business of the event. The doctor probably tied my cord and left. For all that work, or lack of work, the Doctor got $10.00. 

    Meanwhile on that warm day Dad stayed busy on the yard. His help was to stay out of the way. 

    I always think that I've been fortunate to have the story of my birth. I don't remember my siblings having much of a story about their births. 

93 AND COUNTING

    A few days ago we celebrated a 93rd birthday for the fellow in the chair. 

    He's always been special to us as we all came to the same school about the same time. We were in our 20's and he was early 40's. He took us under his wing in many ways. He knew that most of us were young, lost and struggling. He made us welcome in the school and community. He showed us a lot of ropes. He could teach and he insisted that everyone else do their best and he was always willing to show you. 

    I team taught with him in science. We set up a lab approach to teaching science. We spent a few late nights and weekends developing the program which others borrowed. We had our own definition of team teaching. We had a few other things that were unorthodox. We had our kettle on a Bunsen burner. We always had hot water for instant coffee unless the kettle boiled dry. 

   Seven of us usually gather for a celebration. We are all in our 70's and the birthday boy was 93.

   He lives in a nursing home and is battling with Parkinson's but still enjoys a good visit.

    He was a very good mentor to us but never wants to take credit for what he did,.

ELVIS PRESLEY'S BIRTHDAY TOMORROW

        Tomorrow would have been Elvis's 83rd birthday! It's hard to believe that he died in 1977 ...50 years ago.

      There are certain events which happen and you remember the exact place and time you heard the news. I remember hearing about Elvis. I had a recreation property that I was developing the hard way...by hand. As I was working cutting brush and trees , I always listened to my favorite talk radio.  The two hosts announced Elvis's death. I always remember my 8 year old son being shocked by Elvis's death. It was some unbelievable news. Of course, Elvis dominated the rest of the day's news.

      Elvis was at the peak of his game from the mid 50's to mid 60's. There aren't many people left who remember Elvis when he was king.

     I was a fan of Elvis but not outrageously so. I liked his music. We didn't have TV so I didn't see him. I didn't even see the Ed Sullivan show with Elvis.

    Elvis's career ended long before his death.

    So tonight I'm going to listen to a little Elvis Presley music to remember the King.

Something to Really Celebrate: A Ninetieth Birthday.

     Today I had the pleasure to attend a ninetieth birthday celebration. Ninety is an amazing age to reach. When body and mind are in good health it's a bonus.

     I first met Fred in 1969 when I came to teach at a school he taught in. Fred was forty five. I remember when I first met him, and in my 28 year old ignorance, I thought, "This guy's a real old fart." Little did I know  that it could get worse. Fred would have another forty five years and still going.

    Fred was one of those energetic gung ho kind of guys. Fred was forceful and expressive. He worked hard for kids attention and demanded that they work to their potential. He was always humorous and full of mischief.

   I guess Fred liked variety as he went from farm boy to teaching ,to business and back to teaching. Retirement was another thing. He was always active and spent many winters in the south.

    Many community organizations benefited from Fred's efforts and expertise.

   Fred never saw a party he couldn't like. One of Fred's specialties was to recite "the Cremation of Sam Magee." He was good at it. Today he still recited "The Cremation of Sam Magee" He was always humorous and full of mischief. In the days of smoking, he would rush to the staff room for a few puffs during class changes. One day he came back and stood beside me. I noticed smoke rising from some place. It was coming from his pocket where he had put the butt. His language was colorful and I can still remember an outburst. The only damage was a hole in the pocket.

    So today was something to really celebrate. Many more , Fred.



   

I wore the School hoody for old times sake.