A New Start

Well it seems like I have dallied long enough. With that in mind, I thought it would be a good idea to make a new start, including the banner. As you can see I have reverted back to my other banner which depicts where we now live, and along with that a few pictures to share.

This park which is adjacent to Fairy lake, is right across the street from where we now live. We now have a place to go for walks and beautiful scenery right on the doorstep, what more could one ask. (clickable thumbnails)



A nice variation on tree colors on our street.



A shot of Fairy lake.



A very nice memorial park setting.



A similar memorial setting.



Now where would we be without some Canada geese!

C'ya

Quietly Sad

Today I am a little sad, and I think it’s time to slow the train down a little.

This month has been a whale of a time with so many things going on. The pace has been enough to take ones breath away, that’s quite a mouthful coming from someone with COPD.

For us personally, we had our move to our new place to live, a move that wasn’t lacking in it’s pressures. It has however also brought already so many pleasures.

Last week though, Elizabeth had to go in and do some nuclear stress tests for the heart, which was not easy. We are still hard at it getting sorted out, meantime real life carries on.

Today the weather decided to add to the burden, we reached temperatures of 28c with the humidex taking us up to a balmy 34c, a very uncomfortable setting when trying to get some sleep.

Tonight I paid a visit to “The Shameless writing circle“, of which I am a member. I was dumbfounded to read that Seamus is closing his blog down and moving on to other things in life. This is such a terrible loss and is already felt by many who have enjoyed all that has transpired within the circle. I for one always found it such an excellent blog to visit and always came away having learned something new.
I know a number of you go to the writing circle, so will be able to read for yourselves.

I am going to miss Seamus and his presentations and sincerely hope he will at least leave everything in place for others to go along and enjoy. I will keep my Lion and think of Seamus each time I log in here.

C'ya

Rip Van Winkle

Well it’s been a long time since I was able to get in here and post anything. I never thought that the simple task of moving would upset the applecart this much.

Having not put pen to paper in so long is much like being lost in a maze. I now know what it feels like to have done a Rip van winkle, for it sure seems almost that long.

When I first thought about what to write on coming back, all kinds of stuff came to mind about the move, amongst which were a couple of funny items. Then real life things started to snowball and ideas vanished into the mist of time before I had the energy to make notes on anything. As a consequence things don’t always seem quite as funny the second time around.

This last month has been such a full slate but hopefully, things are on the up from here on. ~ This is not much of a new post back, but it is a start and I will leave you with the thoughts of better things to come shortly. I thank all who have kept an eye out for me, I will try and be here more frequently from now on. I just hope the pen will wake up.

C’ya

Good Moves

Just got back online though I’m still waiting for my head to catch up. Sure missed you all and many thanks to those who kept checking in and offering encouragement through the turmoil. It will take a few days however, to get the old pen warmed up and ready to roll, bear with me.

Moving on

When we leave ~ this place
we once called home,
It will be with a bitter taste.
Even though, a long time ago,
some times were good.

Good memories though, we will retain,
Those of the birds, the wildlife,
The folks, no longer with us.
Pleasant thoughts and dreams. ~
Yet, ~ even those will fade in time.

Eric Valentine Mar 25/08

Update

Just a quickie. The move is almost on us with just eleven days to go ~ so far so good, things are looking very bright from where we sit right now.

A couple of weeks ago it was Moms birthday, 82 years young, she's still man hunting! ~ I penned a few words to celebrate the occasion.
**
Mom!

Some say their Mom is the worlds best,
Even better than all the rest.
But that’s not true for as you see
You’re the tops in our house,
Shush! don’t tell, ~ you’re privy
For that‘s between, just you and me.

Eric Valentine Mar 27/08 ©

Overload

Recently my health has taken a bit of a plunge as I went through a rough period. When things like this happen it always makes things more difficult for Elizabeth. With so much ongoing with neighbors, at times our patience wears a bit thin. It’s easy to get down in the dumps over minor setbacks.

As if things weren’t tough enough, a week ago Elizabeth, who has an existing heart condition, had an attack of arrhythmia which put her into the hospital. I even had to get a friend to drive her in for I was having trouble breathing, and couldn’t get ready fast enough. The last time this happened I was in better shape and able to get her to the hospital in a hurry.


After a while I got the call that they would be keeping her in at least overnight.

That’s when I blew it and I got angry at God! I doubt what I had to say would qualify as a prayer, but who knows.

I guess when we are struggling with a full plate, inevitably it will overflow and that overload is what set me off. I can’t recall whether I was more upset or just plain angry, probably both. I sat by the phone after the call feeling very alone and really scared. First I was scared for I was worried sick about Elizabeth. I also didn’t know yet how serious this attack would work out to be.

I think that for the first time, the reality of how precarious and vulnerable our position is, really struck home. Here we were, Elizabeth having an attack and I was too incapacitated to help her! The enormity of the dangerous possibilities washed over me like a tidal wave and I wanted to be sick.

I sat there with my head in my hands, tears rolling down my cheeks. Then I spoke out loud, to God I guess. I accused him of not being fair, “Don’t you think we have enough to deal with, with my having COPD! It’s very unfair that you do this to Elizabeth. We did nothing to deserve this kind of treatment! She works very hard to stay in good health, especially because of my health problem and then you strike her with this low blow, it’s just not right! Do you even listen when someone calls for your help? We need your help and your blessing, not be driven into the ground.”

I guess at some point I sat upright and realized what I had done and I was ashamed of myself. “I am sorry God for talking this way, I know there is so much work for you to do, but I never asked you for anything before until now, please help us.”

The next morning after much pleading on her part, the heart specialist let Elizabeth come home. It was such a relief to be together again.

Later on that day, we received a phone call. We have a new apartment to go to, our moving date is May 1st! We have been on a waiting list for two years! ~

I sat there very silent as I recalled my ranting of the previous night. I thought of God, and suddenly I felt quite humble. Whether it is just coincidence or not, we will never know. Right now I’m not saying too much.

Footnote: To say we are very busy right now would be an understatement. My absence in posting makes this obvious. Things are afoot. We are moving!

Over the next little while I won’t be around very much, too much packing and dismantling everything, too little time for a while. Will try to make it when able, meanwhile see you on a bright sunny day in May.


C’ya folks! ;)

A Golden Glow

One should never go shopping on a Saturday. Regardless, we went. To make matters worse, the wife was looking for specific items, has been now for weeks. After three hours of dragging our butt from pillar to post, the stomach starts to complain. It’s been a real zoo out here today so where to eat? Not being too proud by nature, we pulled into the nearest McDonalds.

We stumbled in through the door. Boy, I’ve never seen a McDonalds this small before, or so busy. I’m using my walker because of the oxygen tank, so with the crowd it was difficult to maneuver a path to a booth. Finally I am able to settle down. On looking up I see a baby one booth over in a high chair, staring at me. Babies always seem to do that, don’t they. I guess he was about nine months old.

Elizabeth checked to make sure I was seated ok and then went to line up for our food. The baby meanwhile, continued to eyeball me. Each time he screwed up his face to squawk, this mechanical hand reached out of the booth and fed him. I found it quite comical to watch this less than a year old child, already giving his parents the gears to get what he wanted. I shook my head, there’s just no hope.

While all this had been going on with the baby performance, I couldn’t help but notice a group sat at the tables in the corner to my right. The group consisted of a mother, two boys and a girl. The woman looked to be Asian. The boys looked about five and eight, the girl would be around nine or ten. The mothers face with large almond eyes was time worn. Grey pallor skin reflected a hard led life, to this point at least. She was probably no older than her late twenties, maybe thirty, judging by the ages of the kids. She was dressed most modestly as were the children, quite clean in appearance, yet nevertheless poor by most standards.

I tried not to appear too nosey while I waited for the wife to get back, but I couldn’t help casting a glance unobtrusively first at the baby, then over to the mother and three young kids in corner.

Meanwhile, up at the counter around the corner, where Elizabeth was waiting to get served, you could imagine the noise with all the other kids, the place being so busy. Loud kids, yelling and demanding, “I want this” and “I am going to get that. No that isn’t the toy I want, I want this one!”

All the time the kids at my end of McDonalds were so well mannered and quiet for their mother. They sat there silently, each of them holding just a McFlurry dessert and a plastic spoon.

For herself the mother had an ice cream sundae and a small package of French fries. I watched discreetly, somewhat amazed as the woman doled out two fries to each of the kids, then one to herself. Again she made the rounds with the fries, then she took a taste of her sundae, watching each child in turn and giving them all such a warm sweet smile. Once again she made the rounds with the fries. I never saw so many fries come out of such a small package before. Five fish and two loaves of bread crossed my mind. After the fries were finished she then took her spoon and fed some of her sundae to each child in turn. Not once was there a sound of protest or argument over what was going on.

It was a treat just to sit and see this little miracle taking place. When I looked at the woman she sat there looking as proud as any mother should look, and be dammed to the world looking on.

Once in a while during my life I have seen that proud look before, someone obviously in need but too proud to seek a handout. I sat and watched all this taking place and felt a little guilty when my big Mac and medium fries arrived complete with a chocolate milk drink. I would have willingly put a twenty dollar bill in her hand to help out, but I didn’t want her to think the wrong thing or get my face slapped.

We finished our meal and left to head home. Earlier I had been thinking what a wasted day out, milling around in the zoo of people and coming home empty handed.

One stop in McDonalds changed all that very quickly. What a treat we had been given. What a lesson in human dignity, where being poor didn’t make one hell of a difference to the woman and three kids.

My faith in the future of humanity had just been given a much needed shot in the arm, two fries at a time.

C’ya