The laundry is all done, we have slept for two nights in our bed, there weren't any new doctor appointments or calls so we are off---just the two of us. This time we are heading east out of the mountains and trees and into the flat prairie land of Saskatchewan. We are going to Saskatoon to see our son and daughter-in-law and their two babies--Maksim and Nicolai (Maks and Nic). Taylor, our granddaughter, was away visiting her nanna and family.
It was most breath taking seeing the yellow canola fields against the endless blue prairie sky. Hadn't see the crazy gophers playing chicken on the highway for a long time. Here in Calgary we see their city cousins on our cul de sac hurrying from under one porch to the next. Our area smells like my grandmothers' attic closets--lots of moth balls. We seem to think that will keep them away, haven't seen a gopher lately but my sweaters will be safe.
Our kids have just rented a new place where they are hoping to stay for a loooong time. We needed to see this place they call home. The house is lovely with lots of room for everyone and very unique floor plan. The yard is lots of work. The last occupants let everything outside go back to nature!!!!!! We helped cut grass and pull weeds. It was fun to work outside and help get this place on the road to being ship shape. The biggest gift and delight of this visit is the fact that God is doing a work in Mike and Cori's lives. They are working hard at staying on track and finding how the Lord wants them to live their lives. Lots of baggage and consequences to deal with,- yep---like forever, but loved the determination they have as a couple to make things right and honor the Lord. We are trusting that they will not get waylaid in any way. In the book of Lamentations in the Bible there are verses that say we have hope "Because of God's great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning:; great is your faithfulness." We are choosing to trust the Lord for Mike and Cori.
Each day we were in Saskatoon we watched the clouds build as the heat of the day became intense. The wind would pick up and then the driving rain along with the thunder and lightening--usually right after dark. Loved those thunder storms--don't see that here at home. But Bob and I both were thinking the same thing--what is the damage to the crops? the hay will have another rain on it, the quality will be so poor, will the hay ever dry. The cows will be walking in so much mud---they'll all get infections....
We saw several farm yards where folks were re shingling their roofs, painting and lots of cutting grass on the big ride on lawn mowers. Waiting for the hay to dry and the crop to ripen you gotta do the fixing and repairing. We could feel the tension (a wee bit) that we had felt for all those years farming and that is when we decided we should only go east before seeding or after harvest!!!!
All these thoughts also made us realize how important it is for these retired farmers to go to the "office" regularly whether it be Tim Hortons or McDs. The times change so much from one generation to another that you need to be able to share with others who "get it"--how the weather affects so much of a farmers life, what the changing seasons mean, how new rules and regulations change what you are doing and how they affect your operation. We talked to Uncle Henry about milk quota and how that is changing because he shared our passed experiences in the dairy industry. So each new generation of farmers or whatever occupation we choose needs to have that connection to those who "get them"....Light bulb moment.
We saw, what we are assuming is, a huge farm. A very large shop with a number of grain bins were situated in a yard--kinda --the grass all around was cut. There were three big travel trailers with all the pull and push outs all set up in a semi permanent setting. The big trucks were parked closer to the shop. Our deduction: this was a new generation of farmers. They were here to do the summer work, take the crop off and then load up and head south for the winter. We thought it would be great if it worked--so many variables----they gotta start getting to the office!! and check out prices and when the grain can be moved...sheesh--oh, this generation probably has a lot of that covered by computer, maybe they will only text their cohorts.
Home again, Home again----------------test week for Bob and the journey continues.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Vacation Part III
Bob is having a really great journey this summer. He continues to feel well and have enough energy for all that we do. Well!!!!!!, maybe not the parasailing----he he. Good thing that wasn't part of the adventure.
Leaving Nanimo we start out to, at least on the map,to what seems to be the wilderness. Highway 4 traverses the island taking us to the Pacific Rim National Park which on some info is known as a rainforest.
We thought that Coombs was the last of civilization so we stopped to walk through all the tourist shops. Fleetingly saw the goats that live on the roofs. The goats must think humans a rather strange group as we are all standing in the rain and the goats are in their little shelters--the odd goat peeking out to have his picture taken.
Onward ho in the rain and all the very lush green forest along the road. Out of the rain appears Port Alberni-- a very definite town--home to lots of people plus a McDs and Timmies. Yikes the edge of civilization--for real??? On we go up and down, in and out, even an18% grade yikers. It always seemed wet but not always raining--the growth is amazing. We see so many different plants, I was thinking some must have been the ancestors to what we grow in our gardens such as lupins, ferns and foxglove--the ones I could recognize. The road often became a canopy totally covered over with the tree branches. Would trucks really drive here in the winter? We are on the Pacific Ocean--in Ucluelet. Not sure if anyone ever wondered what happened to a large number of the old VW hippie vans or love buggies. I think a large number are in BC and for sure in Ucluelet and Tofino. We have never seen such a large number of those vans in one place------new hippies are thriving out west. We found a motel--actually cabins in Ucluelet----thinking that it would be less expensive to stay in "Ukkie" than in Tofino. The cost was on par with every where else we had been. Those who live in Ucluelet are actually called Ukkies!!!!! This cabin was great and great lady who ran the place. We were right across the street from the Little Beach and found out smack in the centre of the tsunami area. Made us think of the waves that could actually come in from the ocean and then ask for protection from the Lord. We enjoyed it here---wet the whole time but not a real rain more of a mist. Tofino is a neat place. Oh and the best fish and chips ever was at Jiggers in Ucluelet--honestly. The kids thot that the name came from--getting the bill and saying Holy Jiggers!!!!! Jiggers is run out of a truck--van-- so it is all take out. Oh and Tofino is really geared to tourists. Neat to walk the beaches and just be where we've never been before. From what we could see unless one wanted to do ocean fishing or some water sports like kayaking---which one would have to be very good at out there, or parasailing---just enjoy the scenery. We passed on the whale watching as we had two possibly 3 folks apprehensive about going out plus our budget didn't fit with what was required.
Leaving the coast we began our trek to Victoria. Spent some great time there. Did you know that the wax museum was closed? We did some of the harbor stuff and no rain. Crossed over on the ferry early and went all the way to Hope BC so as to avoid the traffic the next day. Great pool--inside, as it was still raining. We cancelled our Hell's Gate trip as the rain was really coming down hard---one of us for sure was not sorry. I think we hooked on one of those clouds when we were up high and it kept us company all day. Last night on the road a great game of Dutch Blitz and fun. Last day---homeward bound and the only day the kids started to get short and snappy with each other. A. got wound up--must be glad to be getting home.
What a special time. We would take the kids again in a heartbeat. Thanks for being great travellers and companions. Next time perhaps a destination holiday and do everything there is to do at that place. All of us got a look at different parts of our great land and perhaps it will help to see new possibilities and opportunities.
NOW time for laundry and a sleep in my own bed.
Leaving Nanimo we start out to, at least on the map,to what seems to be the wilderness. Highway 4 traverses the island taking us to the Pacific Rim National Park which on some info is known as a rainforest.
We thought that Coombs was the last of civilization so we stopped to walk through all the tourist shops. Fleetingly saw the goats that live on the roofs. The goats must think humans a rather strange group as we are all standing in the rain and the goats are in their little shelters--the odd goat peeking out to have his picture taken.
Onward ho in the rain and all the very lush green forest along the road. Out of the rain appears Port Alberni-- a very definite town--home to lots of people plus a McDs and Timmies. Yikes the edge of civilization--for real??? On we go up and down, in and out, even an18% grade yikers. It always seemed wet but not always raining--the growth is amazing. We see so many different plants, I was thinking some must have been the ancestors to what we grow in our gardens such as lupins, ferns and foxglove--the ones I could recognize. The road often became a canopy totally covered over with the tree branches. Would trucks really drive here in the winter? We are on the Pacific Ocean--in Ucluelet. Not sure if anyone ever wondered what happened to a large number of the old VW hippie vans or love buggies. I think a large number are in BC and for sure in Ucluelet and Tofino. We have never seen such a large number of those vans in one place------new hippies are thriving out west. We found a motel--actually cabins in Ucluelet----thinking that it would be less expensive to stay in "Ukkie" than in Tofino. The cost was on par with every where else we had been. Those who live in Ucluelet are actually called Ukkies!!!!! This cabin was great and great lady who ran the place. We were right across the street from the Little Beach and found out smack in the centre of the tsunami area. Made us think of the waves that could actually come in from the ocean and then ask for protection from the Lord. We enjoyed it here---wet the whole time but not a real rain more of a mist. Tofino is a neat place. Oh and the best fish and chips ever was at Jiggers in Ucluelet--honestly. The kids thot that the name came from--getting the bill and saying Holy Jiggers!!!!! Jiggers is run out of a truck--van-- so it is all take out. Oh and Tofino is really geared to tourists. Neat to walk the beaches and just be where we've never been before. From what we could see unless one wanted to do ocean fishing or some water sports like kayaking---which one would have to be very good at out there, or parasailing---just enjoy the scenery. We passed on the whale watching as we had two possibly 3 folks apprehensive about going out plus our budget didn't fit with what was required.
Leaving the coast we began our trek to Victoria. Spent some great time there. Did you know that the wax museum was closed? We did some of the harbor stuff and no rain. Crossed over on the ferry early and went all the way to Hope BC so as to avoid the traffic the next day. Great pool--inside, as it was still raining. We cancelled our Hell's Gate trip as the rain was really coming down hard---one of us for sure was not sorry. I think we hooked on one of those clouds when we were up high and it kept us company all day. Last night on the road a great game of Dutch Blitz and fun. Last day---homeward bound and the only day the kids started to get short and snappy with each other. A. got wound up--must be glad to be getting home.
What a special time. We would take the kids again in a heartbeat. Thanks for being great travellers and companions. Next time perhaps a destination holiday and do everything there is to do at that place. All of us got a look at different parts of our great land and perhaps it will help to see new possibilities and opportunities.
NOW time for laundry and a sleep in my own bed.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Vacation Part II
Kelowna turned out to be a great place. Our hotel had been redone and had lots of room for all of us. We were right in the downtown area, across from the city park and beach. We were right close to the harbor as well........win win. The part that made this stay so very nice were the amazing people who worked at the hotel and willingly helped us out in many ways. The kids pretty much had the pool to themselves probably because of the beach, but our kids are pool people!!!!!
Our friends from MB who we shared life and parenting info with from toddlers to married adults now live on a mountain at Penticton.We had a super visit with them at their mountain top home.
This country of ours has so many climates and land forms in short distances from each other. We experienced the desert from roughly the Penticton area to Kelowna that I thought looked very much like the area in Arizona where we had visited. Since returning home I read somewhere that this area was Canada's only desert. That could very well be, but, I do know that there is also a desert in the Carberry MB area altho very much smaller.
The tom tom that the kids named Mordecai??? got us right to Aunt Margaret's door in White Rock. What a neat place with the boardwalk and pierdown by the water. Makes me think back to 50s movies and Down on the boardwalk sung by Bett Middler. Had a lovely visit with our lovely relatives---aunt and cousins renewing and learning about each others lives. We stayed at what folks call The Pink Palace actually the Pacific Inn. It is very grand and the rooms were very large. Once again the kids had the pool and lovely surrounding area to themselves. They went in early in the am and after a few hours discovered that the seniors from the area come in and have water exercises. The kids were amazed to see how hard some of the seniors worked in the water. Not sure why A looked at Bob and I-----was he suggesting that perhaps we should be more vigorous in our exercise!!!! Time to move on again.
We took the ferry to Nanimo and the kids had total freedom---just meet at the van when the warning is given to return to the vehicles. It was fun for all and a little extra space for everyone.
Nanimo was very special. We stayed 2 nights with Bob's uncle Henry Rempel and aunt Kathleen. They were very generous with their hospitality and time. We had lots of fish to eat and very fresh crab legs that naturally had yummy melted butter and spices to dip them in. Bob helped get the legs out of the shells.The guys all went fishing. We roamed the shore looking for whatever. The house H&K live in overlooks the Strait of Georgia. We planted some flowers for aunt Kathleen. That was the craziest soil ever. I dug the holes and put water into the holes before planting and the water just sat there didn't soak in. This soil is rock--fine rock mind you!!! Anyhow we put the flowers in and I am hoping that they are growing. These flowers are suppose to be ones that the deer won't eat but my oh my sure are a lot of deer roaming those streets. We learned a little about tides and the effects of tides. What affects the tides. We went to Parksville and enjoyed the amazing beach area. The sand sculpture competition was on and the sculptures were totally amazing. It sure wasn't the family spending a day together building a sand castle. Sculptors came from all over to compete. The sculptures will be there until mid Aug. The sculptures are sprayed with a mixture of white glue and water to try and keep them nice. Fortunately we were there right after the judging etc. so they were pristine.
Well once again it is time to move on and see where this road trip takes us to next.
Our friends from MB who we shared life and parenting info with from toddlers to married adults now live on a mountain at Penticton.We had a super visit with them at their mountain top home.
This country of ours has so many climates and land forms in short distances from each other. We experienced the desert from roughly the Penticton area to Kelowna that I thought looked very much like the area in Arizona where we had visited. Since returning home I read somewhere that this area was Canada's only desert. That could very well be, but, I do know that there is also a desert in the Carberry MB area altho very much smaller.
The tom tom that the kids named Mordecai??? got us right to Aunt Margaret's door in White Rock. What a neat place with the boardwalk and pierdown by the water. Makes me think back to 50s movies and Down on the boardwalk sung by Bett Middler. Had a lovely visit with our lovely relatives---aunt and cousins renewing and learning about each others lives. We stayed at what folks call The Pink Palace actually the Pacific Inn. It is very grand and the rooms were very large. Once again the kids had the pool and lovely surrounding area to themselves. They went in early in the am and after a few hours discovered that the seniors from the area come in and have water exercises. The kids were amazed to see how hard some of the seniors worked in the water. Not sure why A looked at Bob and I-----was he suggesting that perhaps we should be more vigorous in our exercise!!!! Time to move on again.
We took the ferry to Nanimo and the kids had total freedom---just meet at the van when the warning is given to return to the vehicles. It was fun for all and a little extra space for everyone.
Nanimo was very special. We stayed 2 nights with Bob's uncle Henry Rempel and aunt Kathleen. They were very generous with their hospitality and time. We had lots of fish to eat and very fresh crab legs that naturally had yummy melted butter and spices to dip them in. Bob helped get the legs out of the shells.The guys all went fishing. We roamed the shore looking for whatever. The house H&K live in overlooks the Strait of Georgia. We planted some flowers for aunt Kathleen. That was the craziest soil ever. I dug the holes and put water into the holes before planting and the water just sat there didn't soak in. This soil is rock--fine rock mind you!!! Anyhow we put the flowers in and I am hoping that they are growing. These flowers are suppose to be ones that the deer won't eat but my oh my sure are a lot of deer roaming those streets. We learned a little about tides and the effects of tides. What affects the tides. We went to Parksville and enjoyed the amazing beach area. The sand sculpture competition was on and the sculptures were totally amazing. It sure wasn't the family spending a day together building a sand castle. Sculptors came from all over to compete. The sculptures will be there until mid Aug. The sculptures are sprayed with a mixture of white glue and water to try and keep them nice. Fortunately we were there right after the judging etc. so they were pristine.
Well once again it is time to move on and see where this road trip takes us to next.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Vacation
Well our journey this month, July, is somewhat different from the regular journey Bob takes each month dealing with cancer------oh, of course I am along for the trip as well!!! This month we took a vacation. We left the city and went on a road trip. What made this journey so very special was the travelling companions that came along. Our three AB grandkids came with us: Colton, Ashton and Emily chose to "hang" with us and go along with the plans that we made---no complaints that we were made aware of either!!!!
Choosing a cheap hotel, online, in a small town, can be well------cheap!!! In the end the continental breakfast with only the two chairs and the mouldy bread moved us out to a restaurant that proved to have a great breakfast.
Fortunately, we could all chuckle and make jokes as we drove away from what had once been a great hotel.
The drive through the mountains that have the valleys and meadows among them always remind me of the story of Heidi. I always really liked the story and can imagine grandpa an Heidi heading up the slope with the goats. Does anyone's kids still read Heidi? I suppose today kids read more "modern" stories but I love to get lost in the stories that I read and Heidi did that for me as a child.
Having been raised in a different time and a different economic situation than what we see looking at all these recreational properties makes Bob and I wonder. My goodness such amazing beautiful places but so far from any major centers. How do folks use these homes? I am sure you can't come out just for weekends!!! So high up in the mountains. Much different from Clear Lake and Oak Lake where our friends had cottages.
Loved coming into the Osoyoos area and seeing the acres and acres of fruit trees. Yum fresh peaches right from the tree-----we followed the tractor that brought them to the fruit stand. I haven't bought a peach back here at home yet, they just seem so hard and have lost the "blush". So exciting to see all the fresh fruit and veggies and oh my so "cheap"!!!! An amazing place to do weight watchers. ;-}. The rain really came down in Osoyoos and the rivers and streams were really high. This is where the area had flooded earlier in spring. We also saw signs that said gleaners were welcome. We thought that was very neat. Made me think of the book of Ruth in the Bible. One never knows what may happen when we are generous like these farmers.
Also lots of history!!!! The kids didn't groan so you can't either. Greenwood BC is where a large number of Japanese-Canadians were moved to when Canada went to war with Japan in 1941. Surprised to see a Sihk temple in Oliver BC--such a small community, but as we travelled north we realized that the signs on many of the farms had changed and I am sure reflect why the temple in Oliver.
Onward to our next hotel in Kelowna--also one of the more affordable places. What will it be like? Will it have wi fi? Will the breakfast be good? Wait for the next installment.
Choosing a cheap hotel, online, in a small town, can be well------cheap!!! In the end the continental breakfast with only the two chairs and the mouldy bread moved us out to a restaurant that proved to have a great breakfast.
Fortunately, we could all chuckle and make jokes as we drove away from what had once been a great hotel.
The drive through the mountains that have the valleys and meadows among them always remind me of the story of Heidi. I always really liked the story and can imagine grandpa an Heidi heading up the slope with the goats. Does anyone's kids still read Heidi? I suppose today kids read more "modern" stories but I love to get lost in the stories that I read and Heidi did that for me as a child.
Having been raised in a different time and a different economic situation than what we see looking at all these recreational properties makes Bob and I wonder. My goodness such amazing beautiful places but so far from any major centers. How do folks use these homes? I am sure you can't come out just for weekends!!! So high up in the mountains. Much different from Clear Lake and Oak Lake where our friends had cottages.
Loved coming into the Osoyoos area and seeing the acres and acres of fruit trees. Yum fresh peaches right from the tree-----we followed the tractor that brought them to the fruit stand. I haven't bought a peach back here at home yet, they just seem so hard and have lost the "blush". So exciting to see all the fresh fruit and veggies and oh my so "cheap"!!!! An amazing place to do weight watchers. ;-}. The rain really came down in Osoyoos and the rivers and streams were really high. This is where the area had flooded earlier in spring. We also saw signs that said gleaners were welcome. We thought that was very neat. Made me think of the book of Ruth in the Bible. One never knows what may happen when we are generous like these farmers.
Also lots of history!!!! The kids didn't groan so you can't either. Greenwood BC is where a large number of Japanese-Canadians were moved to when Canada went to war with Japan in 1941. Surprised to see a Sihk temple in Oliver BC--such a small community, but as we travelled north we realized that the signs on many of the farms had changed and I am sure reflect why the temple in Oliver.
Onward to our next hotel in Kelowna--also one of the more affordable places. What will it be like? Will it have wi fi? Will the breakfast be good? Wait for the next installment.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Harbinger
This word, harbinger, has played around in my head for the last little while. It is a neat word and rolls off of the tongue rather smartly. I had heard it said that the robin is the harbinger of spring. When you think about it there are lots of harbingers in our lives. The other day I saw one and it made me laugh out loud. From the kitchen sink I am able to see Bob come out of the garage when he gets home. On this particular day, he was carrying an orange gallon container. This container had been placed in a majorly translucent bag so the container is very obvious. That is when the word harbinger popped into my head. This orange container is the harbinger of all the upcoming lab tests that Bob needs to have done....again. I am so thankful that the doc keeps him on such a close cancer watch even tho the numbers are low and point to really---no active cancer---those tests come around with such regularity. This is the last week of chemo for this cycle, next week---is test week-- which is the harbinger of the visit to Tom Baker for the test results.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Check up
Today Bob was back at Tom Baker Cancer Center. This was his monthly check up--mostly so he is able to get the chemo drugs for another three weeks. We are so thankful that all the lab work that is done before these appointments--keeps the docs up on what the cancer is doing. Glad to have that watched so closely. All this means that he is almost done the week of being chemo free. We don't miss some of the side affects but the drugs do keep some of the aches and pains in check. This very wet, cold weather could also be the reason that extra pains are showing up. Either way today was positive, some of the markers have dropped a wee bit---so much better than going up!!!!!! He has the appointment for the next PET scan which will be Aug.2. Looks like it could be a calm summer for Bob health wise.
Ta Da---the numbers HGB--145
Monoclonal #1--1.7
Kappa/Lambda Free Ratio--1.14
Ta Da---the numbers HGB--145
Monoclonal #1--1.7
Kappa/Lambda Free Ratio--1.14
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Student Bob
One of the definitions of student, in my old dictionary, is "an attentive and systematic observer". Bob spent last week studying and observing at Mount Royal University. These were full days--8:30-5:00 which is a real stretch to sit for that long each day (stretch-sit??? he he). By Thursday Bob was tired and sore but persevered and finished the course. Bob was in school with nine other people who came from various employment backgrounds. Engineers, a city planner from Ft. St. John who had a dairy farm in western MB???, a couple of building managers, builder reps, and Bob's designation-- operations manager. The course that these folks took was called LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). " The course presents green building concepts and strategies and introduces the ideas and practices that serve as the foundation for more detailed study of green building, particularly as it relates to the green building rating systems of the LEED program and to individual market segments, such as homes, commercial new construction, and neighborhood developments."
Now Bob is studying in order to take a two hour exam that will attest to his knowledge of good environmental practice and skill and reflects his understanding and support of green design, construction, and operations. Passing this exam would give Bob the designation LEED Green Associate. Firstly, this is to help Bob with his job as the buildings, that he is involved with, are slated to undergo testing and research as to how they can become more sustainable. Secondly--it is good for Bob's grey matter. Thirdly--he loves this kind of learning.
Looks like win , win.
Those snickers that I hear from Bob's "old" friends---well I can only say: "Times Change."
Plus Bob was able to get in all of his lab work---works well going to school closer to the hospital!!!!
Now Bob is studying in order to take a two hour exam that will attest to his knowledge of good environmental practice and skill and reflects his understanding and support of green design, construction, and operations. Passing this exam would give Bob the designation LEED Green Associate. Firstly, this is to help Bob with his job as the buildings, that he is involved with, are slated to undergo testing and research as to how they can become more sustainable. Secondly--it is good for Bob's grey matter. Thirdly--he loves this kind of learning.
Looks like win , win.
Those snickers that I hear from Bob's "old" friends---well I can only say: "Times Change."
Plus Bob was able to get in all of his lab work---works well going to school closer to the hospital!!!!
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