Monthly Archives: May 2006

We were just going for an hour or so.

As we headed out around 4:00 we discussed whether we should stay for supper if invited.  Then, after having hamburgers we settled into chairs on the outdoor deck.  Soon we were watching kids play.  A water fight was in progress.  The 8:30 hour approached and we began to make noises that we were leaving.  At 9:00 we made it to the door.  I knew we were in trouble when a stool came out and the talk kept on.  At 9:35 we were in the car heading out their farm lane!

No need to talk church, or plan strategies or even mark down another “visit”.  These were friends from 30 years ago whose home we had not visited in probably the last 25.  Their daugther was in our youth group, and she now has youth of her own.  Their son farms just down the road.  They now attend a different church in town so an opportunity like this is truly that — an opportunity to renew, refresh and remember.

Thanks Art, Sylvia, Cheryl, Robin, Brenda and the “kids”.  Loved the visit!!

For some people their e-scape has been land-scape.

My father loved the soil.  A friend I talked to yesterday relished having three hours to just play in the dirt.  Countless books have been written on rearranging loam and planting flowers, shrubs and trees.

How many of those books have I read?  All the way through?

Let me think . . .

OK, so I’m not a garden fan but I do enjoy the esthetics of a yard well kept. 

This spring we are moving to Phase 2 in our property renovation plan.  The strategy is to build up the grade around the house so no water seeps into the basement.  We also hope to get rid of dandelions, plant some flowers and generally make our neighbours happy!

By 8:00 this morning I was out taking up sod, shovelling in dirt and raising the grade around the house.  Don’t let anyone know, but there actually is pleasure in seeing a job come together! 

I guess there is a place for escape in landscape!

Someone has said that old age gets old!

Well, I’m not really old aged.  Of course, I remember hanging around 85 year olds who didn’t like to go out with those “old ladies” who were 90!  So, I’m just over the hill a bit, and as I’ve started running down the other side some of my parts are wearing out.

So, today and the last few days, I’ve had slight back spasms.  Probably due to compensating for bad knees.

I know people who live in constant pain move in a different realm.  If you ask how they are doing, they will often say “fine”.  In relation to yesterday they are!  In relation to me or you, they have problems with concentration.  They live in pain that distracts them from happy times. 

When I experience just a bit of that pain in my back, I feel debillitated.  Maybe I’m just a wimp!

My kingdom for a back!

So, Grandma had the camera.  And here is the result. 

Our daughter, Allison, and her son, Christopher.