No More Tummy Aches

We just spent the last three days at Bobby's bedside in the hospital.
On Tuesday we had to rush Bob to Cranbrook for an emergency appendectomy.
The operation went smoothly and they removed his appendix before it ruptured - any later and it may have been more serious.
Bob is home now, resting and doing fine.

The patent's biggest complaint...he can no longer use appendicitis as an excuse to stay home from school!

Excuses...

I must apologise for my absence on these pages.

Alas, it is tax time and my days are taken up with getting others', as well as my own, taxes in order. I am working full-time during the day at my regular work and during the evening I have to get all my other business done. Not to mention those little things about the house that would rather pile up than disappear.
So, until things slow down a bit, I'll keeping swimming through this sea of paper work and I look forward to seeing you all on the opposite shore!

...hell hath no fury like the tax man scorned.

"Take the Lake"

Approximately ten metres wide and five kilometres long, it knocks a good twenty minutes from the time it takes to drive to town and back. No, it's not rapid public transit, nor is it the result of expensive bridge engineering. And yet, it could very well be both - minus the cost.
It's our seasonal highway across the frozen lake.
Not only a quick, as-the-crow-flies route to town, the byway is also peppered with a variety of quaint (and not-so-quaint) ice fishing shacks. As well, it is not uncommon to see entire families out picnicking, young ones in tow - literally. There are always toboggans loaded with laughter being pulled behind all terrain vehicles and snow mobiles. Barbeques, bonfires and woodstoves abound - it's cold out there! On the weekends the ice surface becomes a veritable midwinter playground.
Organised events are also numerous. January hails the annual Curling Bonspeil on the Ice and, in February, there are the Ice Fishing Derby and Snow Golf Tournament. Try finding a golf ball in the snow...
Then there's the unexpected. One evening, as I was heading home and preparing to launch onto the ice road, I waited at an intersection as a snowboarder, roped to a half-ton truck, crossed the intersection. Apparently, the fun continues beyond the shoreline.
That all being said, the ice highway does have its follies.
Springs and open water have taken their share of victims over past winters. Therefore, it's a good idea to stick to the road, rather than strying to far from its track.
The local hockey team does a fund-raiser each year by doing an "Ice-Out" lottery. Everyone who purchases a ticket has a chance to make a guess as to when the ice will be gone off the lake. Every year it happens in a varying ways and on a different date - all dependent upon the weather.
My guess is that we will be able to take the lake for at least another three weeks.

What I Did on my Winter Birthday...

Yes, this is me skiing - not some young hotshot racer...

Here I am, working on some turns on a run called Schober's Dream. It was a lovely, not-too-cold, but snowy day at the hill.

I have dreams, too...

"Don't Mess With Mum"

My kids came home from school one day
with a smirk upon their face.
They decided they were smart enough
To put me in my place.

Guess what we learned in a class today
that's taught by Mr. White?
It's all about the laws today-
The Children's Bill of Rights.

It says we need not clean our room,
don't have to cut our hair.
No one can tell us what to think or speak,
or what we have to wear.

We have freedom from religion
and, regardless what you say,
we don't ever have to bow our head,
and sure don't have to pray.

We can wear earrings if we want
and pierce our tongue and nose.
We can read and watch just what we like
and get tattoos head to toes.

And, if you ever spank us,
we'll charge you with a crime.
We'll back up all our charges
with the marks on our behind.

Don't you ever touch us-
our body's for our own use.
Not for your hugs and kisses-
thats just more child abuse.

Don't preach about your morals
like your Mum did to you.
That's nothing more than mind control
and that's illegal, too.

Mum, we have these children's rights,
so you can't influence us.
Or we'll call local Family Services
and we'll make a great big fuss...


I mulled it over carefully-
I couldn't let this go.
A smile crept upon my face-
they're messing with a pro.

The next day I took them shopping
at the local goodwill store.
I told them pick out all you want,
there's shirts and pants galore.

I checked with Family Services,
and they said they didn't care
if I bought you K-Mart shoes
instead of those Nike Air.

I've cancelled that appointment
to take your driver's test.
Family Services is unconcerned,
so I'll decide what's best.

I said, no time to stop and eat
or pick up stuff to munch.
Tomorrow you can start to learn
to make your own sack lunch.

Just save the raging appetite
and wait till dinner time.
We're having liver and fried onions-
a favourite dish of mine.

The asked if they can rent a movie
to watch on their VCR.
Sorry, but I sold your TV
for new tires on my car.

I also rented out your rooms
to paying folk instead.
All that Family Services requires
is a roof above your head.

Your clothing won't be trendy now
and I'll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get
will buy me something neat.

I'm selling off your fancy toys-
your imagination will help you play.
And check out The Parents' Bill of Rights.
It's in effect today!


*Author unknown.

Delphine

Delphine is indeed a figment of my imagination.

She is a direct result of my being bothered by stress and bad dreams. One night, after awaking from a disturbing nightmare, I was fearful of closing my eyes again.

The monsters lurked, all too real, beneath my eyelids.
I then made the conscious decision to have a good dream once I fell back to sleep...

Hence, Delphine was born - my most definitely grey baby elephant. She was so delightfully bursting with silly antics, that I fell into an uncontrollable fit of laughter in my sleep, vowing to write about her on my blog...

I will no longer be able to leave the dishes on the countertops.
My baby elephant, Delphine, insists upon trying to snort the crockery up her nose...

I have gone to reclaim my soul...

I promise to return.

Soul intact.

Catch Up Tag

I'm so far behind that I think I'm ahead...
And, I might add, it's been quite nice being out of computer range over the past few weeks.
I've just now ventured back for a quick peak, and it's also quite nice reading everyones' Holiday Greetings and Wishes.
Thank You all very much!

So, I reach back and Tag...

1. My favourite gift as a child - a brand, new pair of leather lace-up ski boots (with an inner boot, no less) at the age of seven. I spent the entire day wearing them, all the while tromping and clomping about the house...go figure.

2. My best gift as an adult - being able to enjoy the Christmas Season with the same zest and zeal as I did as a youngster!

3. The gift I always wished for was a horse. Every year I would ask Santa Claus for an equine friend, even in my adult years. But then, maybe I did get that wish vicariously. After all, Red will be twenty-nine this spring!

4. My favourite part about Christmas dinner is the great company, wonderful food and warmth by the fire - I know that's three things, but together they make for a magical meal!

5. As far as movies go, it's The Nightmare Before Christmas - hands down! The music is superb.

6. Shameful indulgence? Hot Monte Christo's before noon!

The Heights and Depths One Will Go to Find a Christmas Tree...

Love to You All!

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays

and

All the Best for the Year 2008!

Love Dale

I don't have time
My cat's in heat
The kids are gone for now
Most gifts are wrapped
The boy cats are too young
My van is out of gas

i still love christmas...
i still love christmas..
i still love christmas....

I Still Love
Christmas!!

I am midnight...

You are more than a little eccentric, and you're apt to keep very unusual habits.

Whether you're a nightowl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence - you like to experiment with your lifestyle.

Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it.

You enjoy staying home, but that doesn't mean you're a hermit.

You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends.

Very apt, I'd say, except for the fact that, in life, I am a morning person.

I am an early riser and I am the most productive during the first half of any given day.

...but, I do enjoy the darkness of the nighttime hours.

What Time Of Day Are You?

The Battle

The above video is of Sunday afternoon's Slalom race. This shot took several tries - as the skiers flew by so fast, it was difficult to capture them. I am not sure what country this skier is from. She had a decent time, but did not make the podium. These girls are the best in the world!

Denise Karbon from Italy won the Giant Slalom and Marlies Schild of Austria took home the gold in the Slalom event. No Canadians made the podium and homegirl, Christina, took a fall at the top of the GS course and did not finish.

None-the-less, it was a great weekend!

The World at War (post 1)

This weekend our home ski resort is hosting the Women's Alpine World Cup event, where the best women skiers in the world will be battling it out for ultimate supremacy on the snow.
Olympian competitor, Christina Lustenberger, who was born and raised here in the valley, is fighting under the Canadian banner along with several of her teammates.
The Giant Slalom race will be held on Saturday, followed by the medal ceremony that evening in town, coinciding with our yearly Christmas Light-Up.

The next day's Slalom competition should be quite exciting, as the course is set up on a very tricky descent.
(Interestingly enough, we have skied those very slopes many times over the years and we are familiar with every curve, dip, pitch and roll along the way!)

Jenny and her Grade 5 class will be singing our National Anthem at the opening ceremonies early Saturday morning and we will be there to join in the song and cheer!
We had previously volunteered to help out with the race, but apparently they had enough regular help, therefore our resources were not needed.
Now we can observe the skirmish of skill and speed first hand from alongside the course!

If any of you want to see the race, I believe it will be televised world-wide over several networks.
You might just see us cheering our girls through the gates from behind front lines...

Preparation for Battle (post 2)

On the march.

The battlefield.

The above photo was originally taken upside down, as the placard was on the seat in front of me on the bleachers. A bit of computer photo magic, et Voila!

The Front Lines (post 3)

I was thrilled that my camera was able to capture these moments so well!

When the helicopter was at its zenith over the ceremony, I nearly fell over from vertigo! I am terribly afraid of heights and we were standing on the top seat of the bleachers. I could not believe I was able to catch the fireworks, as well. They came as a complete surprise.

Jenny is in the group of children singing in the front. At this point, the National Anthem was being sung in French.

I'll be back...

My Favourite Poem

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

McCrae's "In Flanders Fields" remains to this day one of the most memorable war poems ever written. It is a lasting legacy of the terrible battle in the Ypres salient in the spring of 1915. Here is the story of the making of that poem:
Although he had been a doctor for years and had served in the South African War, it was impossible to get used to the suffering, the screams, and the blood here, and Major John McCrae had seen and heard enough in his dressing station to last him a lifetime.

As a surgeon attached to the 1st Field Artillery Brigade, Major McCrae, who had joined the McGill faculty in 1900 after graduating from the University of Toronto, had spent seventeen days treating injured men -- Canadians, British, Indians, French, and Germans -- in the Ypres salient.

It had been an ordeal that he had hardly thought possible. McCrae later wrote of it:

"I wish I could embody on paper some of the varied sensations of that seventeen days... Seventeen days of Hades! At the end of the first day if anyone had told us we had to spend seventeen days there, we would have folded our hands and said it could not have been done."

One death particularly affected McCrae. A young friend and former student, Lieut. Alexis Helmer of Ottawa, had been killed by a shell burst on 2 May 1915. Lieutenant Helmer was buried later that day in the little cemetery outside McCrae's dressing station, and McCrae had performed the funeral ceremony in the absence of the chaplain.

The next day, sitting on the back of an ambulance parked near the dressing station beside the Canal de l'Yser, just a few hundred yards north of Ypres, McCrae vented his anguish by composing a poem. The major was no stranger to writing, having authored several medical texts besides dabbling in poetry.

In the nearby cemetery, McCrae could see the wild poppies that sprang up in the ditches in that part of Europe, and he spent twenty minutes of precious rest time scribbling fifteen lines of verse in a notebook.

A young soldier watched him write it. Cyril Allinson, a twenty-two year old sergeant-major, was delivering mail that day when he spotted McCrae. The major looked up as Allinson approached, then went on writing while the sergeant-major stood there quietly. "His face was very tired but calm as we wrote," Allinson recalled. "He looked around from time to time, his eyes straying to Helmer's grave."

When McCrae finished five minutes later, he took his mail from Allinson and, without saying a word, handed his pad to the young NCO. Allinson was moved by what he read:

"The poem was exactly an exact description of the scene in front of us both. He used the word blow in that line because the poppies actually were being blown that morning by a gentle east wind. It never occurred to me at that time that it would ever be published. It seemed to me just an exact description of the scene."

In fact, it was very nearly not published. Dissatisfied with it, McCrae tossed the poem away, but a fellow officer retrieved it and sent it to newspapers in England. The Spectator, in London, rejected it, but Punch published it on 8 December 1915.

Skiing for the Holy Grail

If there is anything as elusive as the Holy Grail, it's the alpine ski racer's dream to be at the top of the podium while proudly sporting a gold medal.

If not that, at least the dream of being draped with a silver or a bronze...

This year's Women's World Cup Slalom and Giant Slalom is being hosted by Panorama Mountain Village - my home ski resort.

I am a course crew volunteer and, in preparation for the races, I will be on my skis next weekend, and again the following weekend for the actual World Cup race event itself.

WoooHooo!

Look up, way up...