Anticipation...

That picture is what greeted us the first morning we were at The Quest last year at our Women's Retreat. It was the first sunrise picture I took, I think, on my trusty little Olympus. She's been good to me...little Ms. "O". She's well over 3 GB already....and going strong.

I'll see how much she can capture up at Christopher Lake. People, activities, scenery, perhaps even an animal or two.

I'm off to pack but I shall return on Sunday to give you a sample of what took place.

Dixie is the co-ordinator and she has worked so very hard. May God bless her for her faithfulness and willingness to make it a useful, and thought-provoking weekend. Between she and her sister-in-law, Maureen (our guest speaker), it is shaping up to be one terrific time.

I'm still not sure why we call it a retreat.....we surely don't retreat from much...just our men.

hee..hee..hee...ha...ha...ha...ha..ha......

I said to husband I didn't know how he would get along without me for meals and such.....and we both had a good laugh over that one.

Ta ta for now then.

I hopefully will be a "new" person when I return.....on the inside, at least.

Fingers....

In the frigidness of winter my body desires to thaw

Slowly and gently by a ray of sun or two

To change those icicles in my veins

To blood

Again.

The longing in my soul for warmth of mind and body

Does not come near quick enough for

these numb and useless digits

Hanging on hands

All ten.

Wedding Shower....

Last evening we had some fun with Patrick and Amanda Kongawi. Patrick, originally from Africa (living with our friends now for many years), and Amanda from Saskatchewan met at the U of S while attending classes. They were married last December 20 and by the picture, seem quite in love and very fond of one another. They respect one another too. They make a wonderful married couple!

We played a few games....nothing too girly, as the men attended this event too! It was a lot of fun and with the "games" we played, we all got to know the newly married twosome a little bit more intimately.;-)

It's great to have another young couple in the church too. Following their graduations, both have found employment in Prince Albert. Usually, with our church, we raise up our kids, they leave to get more education and very seldom return to P.A. to roost.

So Patrick and Amanda are one of our success stories of returning to the Gateway fold.

Perhaps one day others will return. We just never know exactly what God has up his mighty sleeve. Something good, I'm sure.

Sometimes...

In the busyness of life, we sometimes simply need to sit and think carefully about things.

There are some things in life worth keeping.

Like people.

Relationships....and even those things need work at being kept in good condition. No. Relationships don't just happen. They need polishing and even refurbishing at times.

Some things in life though, are not worth keeping.

Negativity.

Being critical.

Pointing out others faults.

Ya. We need to rid ourselves of those things.

Just a thought for the day.

Enjoy your evening. We're off to a wedding shower for Patrick and Amanda.

Tweet...tweet....

Saturday.... in the park, you'd think it was the 4th of July....

(are you singing??)

Well maybe not 4th of July...how about

two snow-shoers - one with a walking stick in the park??

The only bird we saw that came within camera
distance yesterday....was in our back yard!!!

I keep thinking about the stillness of yesterday at Waskesiu.

No furnace kicking in.

No T.V. going.

No computer humming.

No traffic out front.

No phones ringing.

No washer whirring.

No dryer thumping.

No beep...beep....beep....of the microwave.

Nothing.

Silence. Deafening silence.

But I'd still rather hear at least a bird or two. The rest of the noises I can do without.

Winter on the beach....

The Otter Dock

Narrow's Road

Waskesiu Off-season

White Tail with the run of the Town.

I'm waiting patiently for the store to open.

The only person on the beach!

No picnic-ers....

and no bathing beauties!

It was a grand day for Waskesiu Lake. Six people (including us) in the Hawood Inn for breakfast. Not another soul.

When I stood outside to take these pictures....and several others.....I was deafened by the silence. I could hear ringing in my ears. I wanted to shout or something. There wasn't a bird in sight. The only animal we saw was the white tailed deer walking about the cabin roads.

When we arrived at the Narrows, I went to the dock to see if any otters were about. Walking on top of the dock I could see their entrances to the waters beneath. I could hear them splashing about, making their funny little otter noises and by the sounds of it, may have been getting on mothers nerves! They were probably sent to their rooms and couldn't come out to play.

But the snow was glorious. The sky was as blue as you can imagine. Every now and then you could hear the cluck...cluck...cluck...of various ravens across the lake. Other than that, nothing. Just white and beautiful.

A day to remember.....and thank God for.

Next weekend I'll have my camera on the ready too, at our Retreat.

Art...as in gallery...

A friend and I went to the Art Gallery this afternoon to enjoy the many talents of various artists, most of whom reside in Prince Albert.



I knew several of the folks who had artwork there. Perhaps I am in that "artsy-fartsy" crowd who enjoy galleries and ancient ruins and old churches and poetry. I'm okay with that.



So, to change the subject, my throat hurts like glass slivers are making their way from my sinuses to my little hanging thing down there (in my throat) and it's all swollen and sore. Doctor gave me some wretched stuff to gargle with and I should be right as rain very soon.



Tomorrow.....Waskesiu.....with camera!



In a little over four months it will be Waskesiu....with trailer!

Trying to get ready...

SPRING
SUMMER

FALL

WINTER

I've been asked to give a few thoughts after our breakfasts next weekend. The Women Ministries will be holding their annual retreat at The Quest on Christopher Lake and the theme will be "Seasons".

I don't have any great picture of "spring" but the old neighbor's crab tree in blossom will have to suffice. Photography is still very new to me and so I'm learning as I go.....by chance and by experiment. When I retire in 3 years, 9 months and 22 days, it should be a terrific hobby.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this retreat. It's a wonderful time to get to know others, to see various sides of those we don't see very often and for them to see us in a different setting too. It's good.

Using a visual identity for each season was a good idea that a friend had given me. Not sure how the words will come out but at least they'll have a couple of pictures to look at, if nothing else.

Time for bed.....yawwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnn...

On your mark...get set....bark!!!

(Click on pics)

Just like people. There are all kinds.

Subdued ones.

Anxious ones.

Yappy ones.

Quiet ones.

Those that like flying.:-)

Those that don't.

Today at noon on Central Avenue, all you could hear were the yowling, howling and barking of dogs, anxious to get in the race, anxious to get going and moving.

They were up for it. And a perfect -22C. No sweat.

Dogs are pretty intriguing creatures.

I remember our "Lady" German Shepherd, growing up.

Looked similar to some of those dogs. She was a beauty.

May God watch over these lovely animals as they race their hearts out to win the Canadian Challenge Cup for their owners. Oh, and you can watch over the mushers too, God.

Like the dogs, we all need someone to steer us in the right direction.

Thanks.

He turned his back on me...

I've been trying over the winter months to get a close-up of Mr. Raven...even Mrs. Raven but alas, I'm either too slow at getting my camera out or husband is too slow to stop the vehicle.

I probably should walk more.

Anyway, as I mentioned yesterday, we came upon three of them fighting over some edible (to their way of thinking) item and I figured it would be now or never.

Camera was already in hand. Down with the power windows. That kind of spooked them a bit and two flew off. This fellow stayed.

He was gazing at me with those lovely black eyes, and I was focusing my camera to catch his georgeous face when a car honked and up he jumped and gave a 180 when my camera snapped. Blast.

Oh well. It's better getting the hind end of a raven going north than no raven at all.

Just look at those feathers. They look warm enough to snuggle into...if you dodn't mind mites and lice.

I'll be watching for a face-on pose this coming weekend when we may venture up to Waskesiu, if it ever warms up.

Ta ta for now....

A rose...is a rose...is a rose.....

Yep, no matter how you look at it..........a rose still is a rose.

Hope your "Family Day" was grand.

We went picture taking in the great outdoors for a time.

Too cold to get out of the car for very long.

Too cold for fingers to be out of mitts.

When stopped to take pic of raven and hear his song,

People behind us honked to get us moving and had fits.

When I went to take a pic of waxwings, they flew the coop

and I couldn't stand directly under them for fear they'd poop.

I fled inside where I could take some pics of roses

And read an exciting chapter or two regarding Moses.

Enjoy your evening.....

Expressions....

As followers of Christ, we try to create structures that would express our particular thoughts on praising and worshipping God.

Some chuches have round roof lines, others tall spires and still others have no specific type of roof at all.

Some churches are in the shape of a regular building, others have grand entrances with pillars.

Some have colorful stained glass windows, others have plain panes to let the light shine inward.

Some sanctuaries have pews (some padded, some not). Others are outfitted with chairs.

Some have lower auditoriums while others are all on one floor.

Kind of like an ice cream shop. Which flavor of structure do we like?

But, like everythng else, these structures will one day disappear. They will be gone. People will still be around though, perhaps in new and differently shaped houses of worship.

I just must remember that:

"The church is NOT a building.

The church is not a steeple.

The church is not a resting place.

The church IS a people.

I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together.

All who follow Jesus, all around the world.

Yes, we're the church together."

I remember Dan and Dawn Fullerton teaching us that song in church many years ago. It stuck with me and the older I get, the more I realize those very facts continue to remain true.

Yes, we're the church, together.

May God annoint his people in the coming days and years as we move into a time of becoming more of a people who follow Christ, in thought, in Word and in deed!

La Grande Finaleeee....d'amour.....

And thus ends a week expressing words of love.....of what love is and is not.

Husband and I did many things together today. It began with a breakfast out, then a bit of shopping followed by tea at Shananigans Dessert and Coffee Shop, then washing clothes, a chicken sandwich supper and some TV watching. I call that a pretty decent day with the one I love.

Before I got up for the day, husband had already put my bouquet of roses on the kitchen table, complete with a love card (with a coupon attached enabling me to redeem various love-themed experiences!!) and a box of chocolates....all ready to greet me when I entered the room.

I, on the other hand, had made him a home-made Valentine. Sometimes my family "likes" my creativity??!!:-) I think he liked it.

He's saving our Love Supper for tomorrow - steak and lobster!!

This past week I've thought about and written about the verses from I Corinthians 13, the Love chapter (The Message). Here's how The New Living Translation talks about the same chapter (being Valentines Day, it may be worth a read through to the end):

"1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;[a] but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
8 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages[b] and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 9 Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! 10 But when full understanding comes, these partial things will become useless.
11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.[c] All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love."

May the truth of the last sentence give you hope, hope to continue loving, hope to see love in others where it doesn't seem possible, hope to keep reaching out to a God who loves you....even when it doesn't seem he even exists.

Blessings on you this night.....

'da luuuuuuv week....Part V

Being Valentine's Eve and all, it's kind of exciting to think on love, and BE love to someone, and for them to reciprocate in turn, out of love.

I Corinthians 13 is a great source of inspiration for the right kind of love.

And on we go with these verses:

"Puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end."

Sure as shootin' these words sound like an admonition to people who are married!!!! Doesn't it?

There are things in marriage (ask anyone who's married) where we "put up with" stuff....the stuff that marriage is made of.....regular, ordinary, day-to-day things of life....crying babies, unruly toddlers, insolent teens, rude spouses...but when we find we're in those things of life, we put up with those things because there is an element of real, solid love that runs through the whole scenario. Love that looks for the best in each situation and in each person and doesn't dwell on past mistakes, because we know about our own imperfections. Like the"Energizer Bunny"....it just keeps on going....right to the end....whenever that may be.

But you notice in the middle of those verses it says "trusts God always"? I guess that's the crux of the matter. In all of these things that love portrays, we are called to trust.

Trust. To depend on God that he actually knows best and knows how we should live our lives.

Trust. That means having a relationship too...with God. When our relationship with God is good and we realize that we can trust him, it reflects how we live our own lives. It reflects his love. It reflects all the things that a good relationship can bring to one another.

Anyway, I'll give you the last few verses tomorrow.

It's good to be reminded about love, I think, especially through God's Word.

I'm going now to make husband a special Valentine that will show how much I love him. Hope he likes it.

'Nite.

'da luuuuuuv week....Part IV

So, on we go about love....real love, that is, love that is 'different' from the mush and gush stuff.

I Corinthians 13 from The Message:
"Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, doesn't revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth".

Love doesn't make a list and check it twice.....and remember everything bad you've ever done. NO!!! It forgives and even forgets...because love has taken the place of the sin. It's a great substitution. When you're busy always remembering everyone else's sins, you're missing out on life, life that could be lived out positively and with encouragement instead of negativity and finger-pointing at others.

And when you find someone who has fallen down into the mud and mire of life, love doesn't keep sticking it's foot out to trip the fallen one back into the grime, oh no. Love walks right into the mud and holds out a hand to lead them out, back to a nice hot bath, some warm milk and cookies.

It's not happy to see injustices taking place either, but love cheers truth on, to win. Love, God's love, wants truth to win.

And it doesn't gossip about the misfortunes of others either, but it instead wants the best for the other.

There have been people, during my lifetime, who have helped me out of the muddy pit of life. I saw Jesus's love in those moments, in those people. They got muddied too, but you know what....they didn't even ask me to pay the cleaning bill. Now, THAT'S love.

'da luuuuuuv week....Part III

So, we're talking about love this week....from I Corinthians 13.

Here are the next few verses regarding Love:

"Doesn't force itself on others, isn't always "me first," doesn't fly off the handle"

Children want what they want when they want it and it usually involves getting it before anyone else. As we mature and grow up we begin to learn about letting others play with our toys and how it's okay to let someone else be first or to at least get a turn.

Then we grow up.

Am I any different than when I was a child? I think I'm quite a bit better....but there are times when I want to be first, I want to express my thoughts first, I want people to hear what I have to say....first. I'm learning as I go that expressing oneself first, usually isn't the route to go. I'm learning that I need to hear what others have to say before I spout off my thoughts. I'm learning that it really is more important to let someone else be heard first (because, actually when you hear others first, you can form a more honest opinion). And forcing itself on others, well, I've seen that happen....and I may have done it a time or ten myself. We want ourselves to be noticed, forcefully or otherwise. We may do it by strolling into a group of people and totally changing the subject to fit ourselves, and become totally rude and obnoxious to everyone else in the process.

NO!!! None of that is real Love.

And the "flying off the handle" thingy. There are some things that really tick me off, you know? When I, or others are insensitive to someone else. That really gets me goin'. Sometimes it's rude drivers. Other times it's husband. Telemarketers who think they know you. All these silly little things get me flying off to some distant planet.

THAT'S not love either.

I need to learn to act out God's love daily......I just need to remember my childhood lessons:
To let my friends play first in the sand box and;
to not hit them over the head with my shovel when they tick me off.

'da Luuuuuv Week.....Part II

OK Here's the next part to the love section of I Corinthians 13.

It says this about love:
"Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head"...

Looks like love is content with what it DOES have. It's not always wanting (and whining and complaining about what it doesn't have). It's appears love is happy to just be. There's a commandment too, one of the TEN, that goes along with this I think, and it talks about not "coveting" or wanting something that doesn't belong to me. "“You must not covet your neighbor’s wife. You must not covet your neighbor’s house or land, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor."

Ya. But how many times have I wanted things I don't have. How many times I've seen something that someone else has acquired and I end up saying things like, "Oh ya, I'd sure like to have one of those.......(fill in the blank)". I haven't seen my neighbor carting around an ox or a donkey, but my, oh my, I've seen neighbors sitting behind the wheel of a fancy vehicle, with a lovely big fishing boat with a honkin' 200 hp motor trailing along behind. Or a co-worker gets a new computer with a super big screen and I'm thinkin' to myself, "I'd be able to really type up a storm and see so much better with a computer and monitor like that one!!"

See what I mean. There are times when I'm just not a satisfied customer. I want. I wish. I desire. I need. I dream.........

And the "strutting" and "swelled head" business? There are times when I become a peacock. I get up and get my groove on. I act like I own the world. I get my chin(s) up, my shoulders back, my chest puffs up (although all that is good for posture), and I believe I am the answer to everyone's problems, or that I have it all together, or I am so much better than the person(s) standing next to me. What a pile of "crap"...which I keep trying to make higher. Yes, my head can swell up almost to the point of me toppling over because of the huge amounts of pride, and arrogance and conceit that has overtaken my thick skull.

What on earth am I attempting to do here????? Why do I feel I need to appear so important to others. Why do many of my actions take on one underlying desire.....for me to look better than I really am! NO. NO. NO. THAT is NOT what Love is.

Love is simply happy with the way it is. Love, God's love, keeps my head from exploding. His love keeps me content with who I am....it keeps me not always looking to others for approval, for acceptance. That love keeps me grounded, and content, knowing that my desire for approval needs to be from my Creator and no one else.

I'm going to bed soon and I shall attempt to keep my eyes from wondering to that lovely grey donkey next door. I need to learn to be happy with my own ass.:-)

'da luuuuuuuuv week......

Thought this week I'd remind myself what love really is, being St. Valentine's Day on Saturday and all.

I think the best revelation of what love is, comes from the Bible in I Corinthians 13....the love chapter. I'll be posting a few verses every day this week.

It starts off by the Apostle Paul saying this:

"Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self."

Heh!!! NEVER gives up, eh? I can't count how many times I've given up....on others. I suppose even on myself and should I dare say....on God???? But it says real love never gives up. It keeps on. It perseveres. It finds enough good in the other to keep on. It just doesn't quit. It's relentless. It does not give up.

And then it says it cares more for others than for self. I don't know about you, but I've had a problem with that one. Seems like I'm always looking out for #1 more than I aught. That's me, by the way.....#1. But it says love doesn't do that. I had better pull myself to the back of the line. I had better make way for others. I must get my caring papers updated and perhaps even redone. I sometimes care for others more than myself, but there are more times I think, when I care for me more than others.

As I read these verses again, I am constantly reminded of what the Apostle Paul was reminding the people in Corinth. DON'T GIVE UP ON PEOPLE...CARE FOR THEM MORE THAN YOU DO FOR YOURSELF. He's reminding them that this is what Jesus did and since I am a"Christ follower", like the Christ-followers in Corinth, should I not be doing the same?

Yes.

I think Paul was trying to get the Body of Christ....those Christians in Corinth, to re-evaluate what love really was and how it should be....within that Body, that group of believers. They needed a bit of a reminder what the love of Christ really looked like.....and so, as I read this passage, I too, am reminded of Christ's selfless and relentless love for me.

So, today I shall remind myself to keep on with people....to not leave them behind, because that is what Jesus wants us to do....to not give up....on others, on ourselves, on life, on God. I must keep on. And also to care more....care more.....care more....care more.....care more....for others before I care for myself.

I think if I type it a few more times, it may sink in.....care more....care more....care more...for others..........BEFORE myself.

It's what love does.

But hey, I'm a slow learner, so have patience with me.

From beginning to end....

The trip to Regina began with scenery.....old barns....
old towns.......
new grain terminals......

the varying whites of a vast prairie landscape....

little shops in a big city.....

the shopping bags.....;-)

Brittney lunching at Perkins.....

along with her mom....Shannon

Two beautiful women at the end of a beautiful weekend.

Yes. From beginning to end the weekend was relaxing, fun and an opportunity to be together.

These gals are fun to be around. We had some laughs, some serious discussions and everything in between.

I took the pictures above while flying down the highway at 120 kms./hr. so they aren't really clear. I just wanted to remind you of the vastness of our prairie, the beauty of it.

White and grand. Stunning and glorious. Spectacular and enormous.

God gave us a good weekend and I am grateful. I am a very fortuante person, indeed.

Day's end...

Yes, there was eating and looking and going to candy shops, more eating and a movie.

We saw Slumdog Millionaire. Excellent movie! It's great these days to see all ethnicities in the running for good solid movies. The only thing I was disappointed in was that it only showed the main character dancing.....during the credits.....and he's got some pretty good moves, I must say. But the movie itself showed the great poverty within large cities of India...the survival of the fittest, the slave market and many other degenerate forms of human behavior. A bit of a "pie-in-the-sky" kind of movie but good nonetheless.

Now it's bed time....after a slice of flapper pie, or banana cream pie or tea with cookies.....

It's been a good weekend.

'Nite all.....

Another day...

So, today we're off to have lunch at the mall and do a bit of "looking" around. We're planning for an early supper of waffles and various berries and whipped cream!!! (Last night she had homemade chicken pie with mashed spuds, yams and banana cream or flapper pie. I just sit and wonder why I'm gaining weight)............Oh, back to today......and then we gals will go to the show while husband watches his hockey game.

Perhaps we'll get a chance to have another game of Yahtzee.

How one gets 5 Yahtzees in one game is beyond me......just ask Shannon.

One nice thing about Shannon and Todd's place....we open the bedroom window at night in February! Otherwise....she's hotter than Hades.....

It's good to once again hear the strains of popular music blaring from Brittney's room as she gets ready for the day......and hear Shannon's voice while I'm typing......it is good to be with ones children, if even for a short time. It rejuvenates me!

I hope the Lord's blessings will fall on you today as you go about your "weekend stuff".

We're off to see the lions...

Yes. IMAX theatre it will be in 10 minutes. They're showing The Lions of the Kalahari.

AAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Thinking of it makes me miss my cats.....

And it's just as windy in Regina as it was the last time we were here!! Hang on to your undies!

Have a good nite...

29th Street West...

Enjoying a handful of dirt in the cabbage patch - 2yrs.
Mom and I at the front door....4 yrs.

Standing by dad's new Hilman....3 yrs.

Showing off new doll....4 1/2 yrs.

Same house today......nearly 60 years later....

The 100 block of 29th Street West was a good place to live. My dear "Auntie" lived next door with my Uncle Jock and cousin Eddie. He was their only child.....making ME their "next door daughter". With the pictures above, my Aunt was the designated photographer most of the time.

I remember more things at their house than my own I think, because I was spoiled, and there, I could do whatever I wanted. It was nothing to find me out in the garden with a handful of dirt, eating away. I can still feel the grit in my mouth when I think of it now and I remember thinking how good it tasted.

Mornings would find me entering their back door where Uncle Jock was making toast over the open wood stove. I would sit and have wonderful burnt toast with him....which I love to this day.... and maybe a dish of Auntie's canned peaches/pears/cherries, etc. Then off he would go to his work at the P.A. Jail as a guard just a half a block away

Uncle Jock smoked a pipe! Off I'd go to the living room where I'd check out all the ash trays for burned match sticks....which I would gobble whenever possible.....the blackened ends...not the whole stick. I'd try and get them into my mouth before Auntie would come and take them from me and wash my face!!

I'd make my way to my cousin's bedroom (if he wasn't there at the moment) and I'd look for the "View Master" in the bottom drawer and gaze into the wonderful three dimensional pictures of animals and flowers and "Mickey Mouse" and "Pluto". There was one picture though, that scared me to death....a huge Grizzly Bear standing on his hind legs with his teeth bared. I wanted to look at it, but every time I did, I remember screaming and dropping the whole viewing gadget and running like mad....every time. I was deathly afraid of that picture and yet, I was drawn to it like a moth to the flame....with the same consequences. Strange.

Auntie had a porcelain cat with a huge red bow sitting on the floor by the front window. It would get my full attention every visit. When I finished with the cat, I'd sit on the piano stool and call for Auntie to come and play and we'd both sing. She enjoyed playing Nat King Cole songs the most and we would sit and sing together........ "Mona Lisa", "Unforgettable", "Answer Me, My Love", "Stardust", good songs.........Both she and my mom sang all the time, all day long. Guess that's how I got to know all the old songs and learned to love singing.

One night in late fall we had a huge bonfire out back....those were the days when you could! Like the desire to view the bear in the View Master, I saw all those beautiful red coals and was drawn to them. They glowed so beautifully. I grabbed one. All I remember is my throbbing fingers and crying while mother attempted to put something on them....can't remember what but I can still feel the pain of that too. Strange.

Sundays I was taken (dragged) by cousin Eddie and brother Garry down the back alley to the Free Methodist Church where I was met by the pastor who helped me with my coat and mitts and boots. I recall telling him that I couldn't open my hand because my pennies for the offering were in there and I didn't want to drop them. Into the sanctuary we'd go, where people would be singing and clapping. I remember standing on the pew between cousin and brother and when we started clapping, I got so wrapped up in the rhythm that I forgot my pennies were still clamped shut by my fingers. So, while we sang, marched and clapped to "Onward Christian Soldiers". my several pennies rolled to the floor in time to the music. Such fun.

When I was 5 we moved again. This time to 25th Street West, same block. I was about to have a younger brother and we needed more room.

Maybe tomorrow I'll talk about "The Shack"....and I don't mean the book I've been reading either!!!

These tales are most likely boring you to tears...but I've never really written anything down about my childhood. Perhaps this will be the place to do that.....for a time, at least.

Have a good night.