Canadianized

If, like Ralph and Debbie, you've traveled to Nanaimo and spent a few days with us, you'll likely have met our friends Cécile and Richard, whom Bruce affectionately calls "the Dutch Kids," despite the fact that Richard wears an Old Dutch cap given to him for his birthday a few years past. 

While both are incredibly nice people, Cécile represents all those things that you want to be when you make up your resolutions at New Year.  Active, a good cook, a thrifty person, and quite beautiful, she is a 'granola,' sworn to making us all conscious of the small things we can do to safeguard our planet for the future.
 
Richard himself is quick to laugh at himself or at you, and his grin lights up the room.  He's bent on becoming a redneck and so we encourage him in these endeavors, because .. as former Albertans .. we have familiarity with the subject, and can offer opinions with some authority.  As of this writing, Richard is still attempting to bag his first bear.   An environmental engineer dedicated to cleaning up the planet, he shares Cécile's tendency to granolaness.

This year marked their third in their new country, so they tossed a party on the property they've been lucky enough to rent.  It's a sunny beach home that is a bit worn at the edges and the large sunroom lets in rain during the winter months, but it has charm. Dutch doors!!  Very appropriate for these two.  And the scenery is always interesting.

Wooden clogs or small boats?  Richard's shoes are well worn, either way.

Our invitation arrived via email with this bit of fun attached

Bruce and I both attended the party Saturday evening and were fortunate enough to be invited again the next day to kick back and help them clean up the leftovers from party night.  It was certainly our pleasure.  I took lots of pictures to show you that, with enough money or luck, you might also be able to live like this.

This rooster was given to Bruce by Doug for a Stampede party we threw;
it made its way back for some other occasion, and now -- regifted again --
sits as a welcoming sentinel in the front of Richard and Cécile's house.

Foxglove to the side of the house brighten up a concrete retaining wall

Roses bask in the sun and heat at the front of the house.

The transition from side yard to back yard takes you across a footbridge that crosses a small
pond home to an impressive collection of water lilies.

There is nothing quite like a relaxing glass of wine
while watching the water

The shoreline immediately below the yard is partially theirs, partially public access to the ocean. These bushes hide a
family tossing a stick for their dog and enjoying a picnic on the beach.  You can pick up loud chatter from below when the
wind is right, although normal conversational levels cannot be overheard

On a clear day, you can see the mainland quite clearly.  There are so many shades of blue here, its hard to name
or even count them all!

The sun brings out the boaters and Sunday afternoon was exceptionally nice .. sailboats, pleasure craft, speed boats,
fishing boats .. we saw them all.

Although the fawn that ran through the partiers on Saturday
evening was on his own business, these little guy was hoping
that we'd take our eye off the table for just a few minutes.

Paddlefest 2011

The last couple of weeks have seen me out on the water working with my team to get them ready for racing weekends.  Saturday was Paddlefest 2011, which is a fundraiser for breast cancer, and also a warmup for the big festival on July 10th weekend.

The KVL team was terrifically undercrewed with only 16 paddlers, but we looked upon the day as an opportunity to get in racing practices and by the end of the event, we had a much more seasoned crew who are eagerly anticipating the two-day festival.

PFDs and club paddles are provided for racing crews.

 

This is the crew that will be using the boat after we dock.
Switching in and out of the boats quickly is an art form in itself.

The boat in the forefront is one of the many cancer survivor teams .. flagrant use of wild pink is encouraged!

We bring our own tents for small festivals like this and get chummy with our neighbors

KVL Kruisers (the team I coach) marshalling for races.

The view from the seat behind the drum.
This was taken on our way out to the last race of the day

Ferdi

We received some sad news last week upon our return home from Alberta ... Ferdi had a stroke on Tuesday and passed away on Thursday.

When talking to my friends about my mother in law, I'd sometimes describe her as the original militant feminist, which was not true, but she was the first woman I actually recognized as a feminist .. and she changed my life in that regard.  My own parents taught me to stand up for things I believe in and to stand up for others .. Ferdi taught me to stand up for myself simply because I was a woman.  She'd had a rough time growing up as the daughter of an poor immigrant farmer and she painted some rather vivid pictures of growing up in the cold and wintry Peace Country. 

I first met her when I was sixteen and she was a mother worried about what kind of situation her son and I might get into.  That was Ferdi .. there was concern for him, but also for me.   She was not an interfering woman in our marriage .. she left us to work things out for ourselves.

She taught me the delight of a Scrabble game hard fought and won ... and how to lose graciously at the hands of a much wilier woman.  Oh, I got my own back, many times .. but the thing was, she was always proud of me for beating her.  I loved that game because of her.   Lol .. "medical terminology" .. I still think she cheated.

She made me welcome in her family and we spent wonderful holidays .. the Christmas jigsaw puzzle that the whole family worked on, the relaxed atmosphere, the afternoon nap or quiet time with a book.  Her fried chicken was wonderful .. well, except for the time she tried to kill us with glass in the gravy.  *wink*

She loved to play cards and I recall her exact vocal pitch with the word "gimme" when she finally nailed down her winning rummy hand and wanted a card off the top of the pile.  She was fiercely competitive in a fun way.

I remember the time I first heard her use the f-bomb and I almost fell off my chair laughing.  I'd probably known her for a dozen years at that point.  She really didn't like that paperboy.

Oh, how proud we all were when she graduated from the University of Alberta .. she'd taken up womens studies after she retired from nursing at the age of 65.  We shared a love of books, although our reading material often differed.  She could always recommend something topical and current.

There are lots of things that I recall including the soft grey hair that always seemed to have a willful style of its own, the motherly concern, driving skills that truly made you want to hide in the back seat and her sense of style when it came to dressing.

We'll miss you, Ferdi.  I hope, wherever you are .. there's a Scrabble game going and you get to lay "quizzes" across a triple word score.

Edit:  today, her obituary was posted in papers and I think it was beautifully written, so I'm sharing it here as well.  If you click on it, it will open larger for easier reading.

Elaine

While I was in Northern Alberta, I bid farewell to my mother.   All of us kids and grandkids in the area, along with Dad and the rest of us who'd come along for Samantha's wedding, got together on the rambling deck of their house and shared our memories and photographs.  There is one of Ian I'm dying to share .. preferably on a 6 ft poster frame when it would be most embarrassing.


I spent weeks avoiding the actual writing of her eulogy ... I'd sit down to do it .. then get drawn aside by something .. anything, reallly .. that caught my attention.  Writing a eulogy is fraught with scores of memory bogholes - both the good times and bad scenes are there to drawn you in as you wander the meandering path from childhood to where you are today.

It was easier in that I've had a year to sort through my emotions and come to terms with threads that were left to dangle, things unsaid, things undone .. as well as things that were said or done.   It was a tad harder in that I didn't want to gloss over all the hard parts either, because they do paint the full picture of the individual. 

I thought that going to my brothers and Dad, and her sister with whom she shared a special connection, would  help the process, and it did.  Thank you all for your contributions and the time you spent with me on the phone. 
The writing came easy after that as I went through the individual recollections and popped in bits that their thoughts brought back for me.  The process was cathartic for me .. and I hope some of that came across as we sat on Dad's deck and remembered her.

Rest in peace, Mom.

Brothers

When DeeWynn's mother turned to make small talk with my father before the wedding ceremony started, she knew he was part of Samantha's family, but wasn't sure quite where he fit in, so innocently asked, "Are you Ralph's brother?"

The snickers and choked laughter from the two rows behind him (where the rest of the family sat) were probably audible.  Dad grinned from ear to ear and said "you just made my day."

However, she gave the rest of us a family treasure to be cherished, time and time again.  As a matter of fact, we got into the habit of taking out and polishing that treasure right off the bat, noting everytime he went past us on some father-of-the-bride errand or host duty, "hey look, there goes Keith's brother."   Ralph took things well in stride and even posed for this picture for us.  I'm thinking he doesn't look too upset ... Dad sure looks pleased.

Ralph's other brother

Thank you Sandy, for a truly terrific picture.

Sisters

Let's hope that Elina and Elsa always have this sort of awestruck relationship with each other.  Amazing photo, Kent .. thank you for sharing it.  And thanks, Ilana, for having the technology to get it here!

Samantha and DeeWynn

It was a beautiful, sunny day in Northern Alberta ... a bit breezy from time to time, but overall, you couldn't have asked for anything more of the day.  Unless it was less mosquitos.  The beer was cold, the company was terrific, Ralph let us poke some gentle fun at him, there were aunts and uncles and cousins and in-laws and outlaws, the food was cooked well and even the strangers were huggable.

I've got more pictures to put up, but I've got a few things to work on still ... I'll start with these:

Blowing all the seeds from a dandelion is purported to make wishes come true.

The thing I love about weddings is that you meet people with whom you're immediately comfortable - like you've known them a long time.  Without a doubt the most fun new person I met this weekend is  Charmain, one of the bridesmaids.  She has an infectious laugh that can be heard clear across a large yard.  Gotta love that!

Charmain

Something simple, but tells the fairytale well.

Here's a shot that the groom was wanting .. I'm working on some more to bring out the evening sunset, so we'll have to see how they turn out.  While we're all holding our breath waiting for that, we can look at this one.

DeeWynn and Samantha at day'send

A Candy Bar stuffed with everyone's favorite candies made up part of the reception tent .. guests were invited to
create their own little bag of take home treats.

Mason jars, gerber daisies and candies found a home in the table centrepieces too

Gotta love a man who can throw himself -- with gusto -- into a theme.

Jessica, of the sultry gaze and cherubic smile

If the family is this good looking so far .. imagine the future kids!

If the occasion calls for bling .. this dirt bike rider knows how to dress it up!

Sam and DeeWynn love that old Jeep .. I did a bit of a play on old and new for this photo treatment.

And that's it for now .. the doorbell has just rung .. I'll see you with some more pictures soon.


But before I do .. I just want to thank you for your hospitality again, Ralph and Debbie. Well done!  /ovation

I ♥ HBO

I don't get  much of a chance to watch TV, nor even really have much of an inclination to do so, but this season finds me watching three HBO shows back to back on Sunday nights ...

Game of Thrones:  I loved those books and am actually trying to find friends with the collection on their e-readers to share with me so I can re-read it.  Sean Bean's Ned Stark is not less dour than his Boromir, but is much more endearing.  The story was so truly epic in its breadth, I wonder how they'll bring it all to the screen, and will be there for the seasons it will take to tell the tale.

True Blood:  Oh god, so campy and so much fun.  Well, as much fun as you can have on a hot Louisiana night with the fetid stench of vampires, werewolves, voodoo and drugs competing with true love and the glittery light of fairiedom.
 
Treme.  Life in New Orleans after Katrina with an exceptional ensemble cast ... as indeed, all HBO shows have.  Through the hardships and hard stories, music pervades the scenes, connects the people .. and is even giving me an appreciation (of sorts) for jazz music.  In particular, the theme song by John Boutte has been rumbling around my head quite often.   I invite you to sing along ... a song shared is a smile shared.

Hangin' in the Treme
Watchin' people sashay
Past my steps
By my porch
In front of my door

Church bells are ringin'
Choirs are singing
While the preachers groan
And the sisters moan
In a blessed tone

Down in the Treme
Just me and my baby
We're all going crazy
Buck jumping and having fun

Down in the Treme
It's me and my baby
We're all going crazy
Buck jumping and having fun

Trumpet bells ringing
Bass drum is swinging
As the trombone groans
And the big horn moans
there's a saxophone

Down in the Treme
It's me and my baby
We're all going crazy
Buck jumping and having fun

Hangin' in the Treme
Watchin' people sashay
Past my steps
By my porch
In front of my door

Church bells are ringin'
Choirs are singing
While the preacher groans
And the sisters moan
In a blessed tone

Down in the Treme
It's and my baby
We're all going crazy
Buck jumping and having fun

Down in the Treme
It's and my baby
We're all going crazy
Buck jumping and having fun

Trumpet bells ringing
Bass drum is swinging
As the trombone groans
And the big horn moans
there's a saxophone

Down in the Treme
Just me and my baby
We're all going crazy
Buck jumping and having fun

Down in the Treme
Just me and my baby
We're all going crazy
Buck jumping and having fun

Down in the Treme
Just me and my baby
We're all going crazy
Buck jumping and having fun

Oooh!

The littlest Neuman

On May 19th at 3:20 in the afternoon, Elina Ferdinanda joined the Neuman family, weighing in at 7lbs, 4 oz.  Everyone is healthy and happy!

Here's baby's first pic with mom ...

Ilana and Elina

Congrats Kent, Ilana and Elsa ... welcome Elina!