Prairie Dog Blog

Hello everyone. Only 13 more sleeps until I arrive in Vancouver. But who's counting? I have been very busy this week. It's a good thing - helps keep the sadness at bay.

I subbed for the third day in a row in a grade 6 class at "the Island," my last school before I retired. It is wonderful to walk into a school and be greeted by dozens of smiling faces. And those are just the teachers - must have been hundreds of little smiling student faces! It warms the cockles of my heart. I wonder exactly what are the "cockles" of one's heart. Sounds a bit risque.

Well, I have one more half day tomorrow (afternoon, so I can sleep in) at the other school where they are glad to see me come in through the door. It might have something to do with the bribery, the cookies and banana bread I bake for the staff, but hey, whatever works, huh?

Went to what was an extra hip-hop dance class last night. Our instructor liked working with us so much, she volunteered to give us an extra class. Boy, was I sore today. But our instructor was so pleased with what we are doing that she volunteered to give us ANOTHER extra class! I'm going to try to get someone with a video camera to take some footage next Tuesday. Give everyone a laugh.

Tomorrow night I also have an executive meeting with the Humanists.

Friday I'm going to see the Rodin exhibit at the Winnipeg Art Gallery with my friend, S. She is a seventy-something retired pathologist who emigrated from Russia in the nineteen sixties. What a neat lady.

Then Saturday I go to another Manitoba Theatre Centre play, Orpheus Descending, by Tennesee Williams. We will go to Inferno's for dinner and back here for games and drinks. So that means I will have to clean the house on Saturday morning.

Sunday I am hosting the family that wants to be introduced to Suzie, to see whether they are compatible. Sometime during the very busy next four days I have to put out the December issue of the Humanist newsletter. Wow, it makes me tired just writing about it. I guess I should get down to work, huh? Stop procrastinating.

I did read lots of blogs lately - Gary's, Jack's, Charlene's, Helen Kirkwood's. It's so great to read any and all news. I love it, even if people say they have nothing to write about. The ordinary everyday events of people's lives is more interesting than they know.

Love to all and keep your stick on the ice.

Energy and persistence conquer all things.
Benjamin Franklin
Cockles, Rodin, Orpheus, Procrastination

Well, here it is Nov. 26th, very early in the morning. It's one of those insomniac nights, so I am doing a blog entry.

Gary and Carolyn are in Oklahoma and are enjoying Jack, Jamie and Andrew. I send them my love with an extra hug and kiss for Jamie and Andrew. AND A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JACK. How old are you now, Jack? Over the hill, yet? You'll never catch up to me, though. Sending all kinds of good wishes to you on this special day. An extra hug and kiss for the birthday boy. I was watching the 1965/66 footage from Gary's 8 mm camera. What a hoot! Jack looks so young. We all look so young. Thanks so much, Gary for taking that footage. It is so precious now.

Nice to see the news from Charlene and family. Hey, Mike got himself some things at Canadian Tire that he would never have bought for himself. Good on you, Mike. Love and kisses to you, too. Hope your birthday was great.

Today I sold gourd bird houses at a craft sale. I also bought some Christmas gifts - a few stocking stuffers - it was the perfect opportunity. Then I went to my friend W.'s house for supper. A good time was had by both.

It looks as if I will be able to find a good home for the canine princess. My friend D.'s daughter is looking for a dog, but doesn't want to get a puppy because she doesn't want to have to train it. So, that may be a good solution for me. They are coming over on Sunday, Dec. 3 to have preliminary look at Suzie and see how she will interact with their daughter.

Carolyn will laugh out loud when she hears that my doctor says I am allergic to dogs. How perfectly ironic is that? I am hoping to find her a good home when I return from BC in January. Maybe my friend's daughter will be the solution.

Nana was very pleased to get a phone call from Margot. Sixteen more sleeps until I arrive in BC. Love, hugs and kisses to everyone.

One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why. ~Author Unknown
Jack's birthday, Canadian Tire and A Canine Princess

It's been 8 days since I last blogged. Doesn't seem that long. Time flies when you're having fun. Hello to all the American friends. Happy Thanksgiving.

On Monday we celebrated Nana's 88th birthday with dinner at a restaurant and a birthday cake. Jeanne's, naturally. Then I sent two pieces of Jeanne's cake home for Val and Ron. They couldn't make it as Val was recovering from knee surgery and couldn't bend her leg, yet. But Kim and Kevin were there and we were glad to see them. Marlene and Jeanette rounded out the table. I tried to put two pics in this entry. I don't know why they didn't appear. Will try to figure it out later.

On Tuesday I went to see Casino Royale. Well, Daniel Craig. Need I say more. If you like James Bond movies, I think you will like this one.

On Wednesday I subbed all day. Today I was at the University of Manitoba at an information table all day for the Humanist Association of Manitoba. We were making people aware of our group and its concerns. We are people who think our purpose here on Earth is to help other human beings. We believe humans can solve their problems without a need for a supernatural being. We believe in reason and science. There are some weird people out there. One man stopped by to ask us what will happen when aliens come to Earth and show us that humans are not the superior species we think they are! He wasn't joking! Do, do, do, do...The Twilight Zone!

Another man said, "If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?" Har dee har har. How original. Do all the loonies hang out at the U of M?

I see that Gary and Carolyn have arrived at Jack's and are probably enjoying a Thanksgiving dinner as I write. Jack, thanks for the pics of the boys. I laughed out loud to see Andrew in his Captain Underpants costume. Charlene, it's good to get all the news about the kids and how they are doing in school. Thanks so much for keeping up the blog. I wonder what Mike got for himself at Canadian Tire?

Well, big plans for the rest of the week. Tomorrow Mother and I go shopping for a new lamp for her apartment. Hers gave up the ghost last weekend. Then on Saturday it's off to another community club to sell gourd birdhouses for the Afrique 2007 project.

Take care, now, especially you, Jim and Debbie. Hugs and kisses to you.

Turkey: A large bird whose flesh, when eaten on certain religious anniversaries has the peculiar property of attesting piety and gratitude. ~Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary
Thanks, Daniel Craig, Humanists and Turkeys

New blog posting from Charlene. Laughed out loud at the plumbing story. You go, girl. Jack, I'm still waiting for pictures of Jamie and Andrew in their Halloween costumes. Good thing I'm not holding my breath.

Subbed for a half day on each of Monday, Tuesday and today. Tomorrow I'm taking the day off to get my flu shot and have lunch with my friend J. Still haven't seen The Queen and this week Casino Royale will be out, another good movie to see.

I guess Gary and Carolyn left for points south today. Bon Voyage! Have a great time, you two travellers. On Tuesday afternoon I took Mother for her every-sixth-month pacemaker appointment. Everything is fine. Her pacemaker is working well.

A couple of nights ago my across-the-back-yard neighbour, George, a sweet old guy in his late 70s, had his fence kicked in in three places. When I took the canine princess for a walk I noticed the pickets were hanging. It was sad, really. It must have been a gang of kids with not enough to do. George's next door neighbour, Dale, helped him fix it and it looks as good as new. That kind of neighbourliness is a pleasure to see. If I had those scofflaw kids here, I'd shake 'em until their teeth rattled. Dozy buggers.

Only 27 more sleeps until I arrive in BC. Take care, now.

I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
Ettiene De Grellet
Plumbing, Points South, Scofflaws

There certainly has been a plethora of blog postings lately. (Take note, Helen K.) Gary's was full of all the news about Carolyn's birthday celebrations. So glad they are doing all that celebrating. Jack posted his usual monthly post. Sounds like Jamie and Andrew had a great Halloween. Any pictures to post on the blog, Jack? Hugs and kisses all around from me. And love the new look of the blog, Charlene. One of these nights soon I will call and talk to you again. Miss all of you. I'm sorry you won't be in Victoria when I am there. But once I move to BC, anything is possible, maybe even a visit from Aunt Catherine. Thanks to all the bloggers. I love to read all your news.

Lately Helen K. has taken to showing off her vocabulary. Florilegium, indeed. I had to look that one up in my Concise Oxford. I guess I'll have to raise the tone of my blog. Show my sesquipedalian tendencies. Take that, Helen.

I went to see the movie "Stranger Than Fiction." It got good reviews, with which I heartily concur. Will Ferrell was good, the perfect everyman. A literary professor in the movie says that a story is "a tragedy if the hero dies, and a comedy if everyone lives happily ever after." I won't spoil the ending for anybody, but I must say the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. I wasn't really sure if it would turn out to be a comedy or tragedy. I also loved the performance by Emma Thompson as the cigarette-puffing author. It's five stars from me! I intend to see "The Queen" one of these days. It got a good review from Gary.

I met the across-the-street neighbour's new grandchild. A baby girl named Claire, daughter of Hilary. A real cutie. Hilary sends her regards, Margot.

30 more sleeps till my trip to BC. Gotta go to my jazz dancing class. Take care, all.


Here is some advice for parents everywhere.

Getting down on all fours and imitating a rhinoceros stops babies from crying. (Put an empty cigarette pack on your nose for a horn and make loud "snort" noises.) I don't know why parents don't do this more often. Usually it makes the kid laugh. Sometimes it sends him into shock. Either way it quiets him down. If you're a parent, acting like a rhino has another advantage. Keep it up until the kid is a teenager and he definitely won't have his friends hanging around your house all the time. ~P.J. O'Rourke
Sesquipedalian Stranger, New Baby

Well, the good news is the Democrats have won a majority of seats in the US House of Representatives. I am happy to see that. Bush won't be able to have things all his own way now. I guess Americans are getting tired of the sinkhole known as Iraq. Shades of Vietnam! I know it's not an original metaphor, but an apt one.

What that means for Canada is not clear at the moment. One thing that may happen if the Democrats bring in a law allowing Americans to import prescription drugs from Canada, we may find ourselves short of Rx drugs. Living next to the US is like a mouse living next to an elephant. If the elephant turns over in its sleep, it could crush the mouse. Other little tidbits from down south: Minnesota (one of our next-door neighbours) elected the first Muslim representative and South Dakota defeated a bill banning abortion. Two postitive steps - but in five other states voters approved laws banning gay marriage. Kudos to Minnesota and South Dakota. Boooooooo to the anti-gay states.

The front page news concerning Winnipeg today: Winnipegger conquers Mount Everest! Rah, rah, rah to Dr. Bryce Brown, first Winnipegger to ascend the tallest mountain in the world. Also, this just in: Canola, commodities, and construction are expected to push provincial economic growth above the national average. I never thought I'd see the day when Manitoba would achieve an economic record. Even though I wasn't born here, I've lived all of my adult life in Manitoba and I am now a prairie girl at heart. I'm moving to BC next summer, but I will miss many things about Manitoba.

I had a nice, long lunch with my friend R. yesterday. We ate at a cute little organic restaurant called "Dandelions." It really is great to be able to spend two hours at lunch and catch up. I will miss all my very good friends.

My Hip Hop dance class continues to be fun. Our teacher is trying to make us dance with attitude - a difficult proposition with older women. We were taught not to be aggressive. Now we have to put on a snarl and strut with arrogance. It's funny to watch it in the mirror.

Nice to see new postings from Gary and Charlene. Happy Birthday to Carolyn. Tata and take care, all.

Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason. ~Author Unknown
Democrats, Elephant and Mouse, Mount Everest and Hip Hop

I only subbed two days, Monday and Friday. So far I don't have any jobs this coming week. I hope I get some. Not keeping busy brings more sadness.

I went to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet last night. They performed A Cinderella Story. It was set to the music of Richard Rogers, rearranged by Ron Paley, a musician and band leader well-known here in Winnipeg. At the beginning, a young girl is watching TV. The audience can only see the back of the TV, but we heard the commercials. All those ads from 1957 - You'll wonder where the yellow went, when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent! - They had quite a few others - a real trip down memory lane.

I really enjoyed the dancing, of course. We used to have season tickets many moons ago. The concert hall is as I remember it, beautiful. With those three huge chandeliers in the lobby. Before the performance they had a jazz trio playing on the mezzanine, and something new they didn't have when we used to go. They have a "chat" with a dancer. One of the dancers was injured and couldn't perform, so he was interviewed about his role and the life of a dancer in general.

The dancing itself was magical - how could it be anything else with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company. They are a world class company. It was a nineteen fifties version of the Cinderella story. "Cinderella" was called Nancy and the "prince" was Bob. The ultimate in 1950s names. It was romantic and funny and touching. The costumes were gorgeous. There was one part with animals: cat, rabbit, cow, penguin, frog, swan, flamingo, peacock, beaver (there had to be a beaver - Canadian choreographer). It really was lovely.

On the way home I couldn't help but think how he would have enjoyed seeing the performance and how much more I would have enjoyed it with him.

Today I took some groceries to Mother. She got a letter from the Lion's Manor administration urging her to lay up some extra supplies in case there is ever a power outage. So I stocked her up on canned goods and frozen veggies.

On her birthday we are taking her out to dinner at the CanadInn. She likes it there because they have an all-you-can-eat buffet. Marlene and Jeanette have agreed to come and the surprise for Mother is that I have invited Val and Ron and Kim and Kevin, so I hope she will enjoy herself. Of course, there will be Jeanne's cake! When I move to Vancouver I will have to have it couriered in for special occasions. What's a birthday without a Jeanne's cake? Unthinkable!

For those who have never tasted it, I will describe it. The bottom is a layer of rich shortbread. The cake itself is so light it melts in your mouth. My favourite flavour is white, but others like chocolate or banana. The frosting is creamy and sweet and it is topped with dark semi-sweet chocolate curls. It is so good that it must be bad for almost every diet. And it has been a tradition here in Winnipeg probably since the dawn of time, or at least as long as I've lived here. Especially at Ousey celebrations. There, now I hope those who have never tasted it wish they could and those who have tasted it are craving it!

A week ago we had 15 centimetres(about 6 inches)of snow. The temperature has been on the rise. Yesterday and today, about plus 3 or 4. The main streets are clear and the side streets are slushy. The forecast is for 10 degrees by the middle of the week.(Note to American friends: zero degrees celsius is equal to 32 degrees fahrenheit) I think we might be seeing some grass again soon. The snow might even be gone by the end of the week! Go figure! I read that the Farmer's Almanac predicts a colder than normal winter with lots of snow and ice - but, hey, I also read they have been wrong 60% of the time, so I'm not giving much credence to that.

Gotta go. Take care now.

Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.
Mark Twain
Lovely Ballet, Delicious Jeanne's Cake and Melting Snow