Three Days in Thunder Bay

It was a time of celebration. It was a time of family fun. We had to get up reallllly early to drive to Toronto on Thursday morning to fly to TB. We arrived in TB at 9:45 a.m. So we had the day to visit with the kids. What fun! After lunch Kyle suggested we go for a walk. So, Wayford, Wilma, Sandra, Kyle and Bayleigh went across the road from Kyle's house to a trail through the woods. Since it was a really hot, sunny day we covered ourselves with sunscreen. Well, that probably wasn't necessary because most of the area we hiked was in heavy bush which kept us in the shade. Now, because there was shade, there was mud, because it had not dried out since the last rain (or snow). A few places there were rickety bridges which we crossed and one place there was a pile of small logs that were loose(maybe you think that was not a challenge for this great-grandma). Thankfully we were a bit early for mosquitoes and black flies. Now, if you know Kyle, he has been known to take people on hikes, convincing them he knew where he was going, when in fact he was going the wrong way and winding up miles away from their destination (right, Jeff and Jeremy?). In fact a pair of sandals are still imbedded in the mud somewhere in the Meaford area. We take comfort in the new technology that can track him now wherever he goes. We didn't have that tracking device with us on this trek. He kept telling us that we were only a few minutes from a look-out. By this time Bayleigh is upset because she thinks the mud on her shoes is dog dirt and Grandpa is complaining that his hip is hurting. We did eventually reach the look-out. Now, what to do? Do we walk back the way we came? Do we walk along the highway, which is only a few feet away? Do we call back to the house and ask someone to come get us? As it happens, there is only one vehicle available. It is a truck with three car seats and room for one adult besides the driver. OK, Bayleigh gets the car seat, Grandpa gets the passenger seat. Where does that leave, Kyle, Sandra and Grandma? You guessed it! We climb into the back of the truck. We laughed all the way down the hill to the house. Reminded us of going fishing, riding in the back of Grandpa Lawson Smith's old truck.

We had great times playing with the girls.

Breakfast together afforded the girls with an unusual situation. Four grandpas were all seated together. Two grandpas and two great-grandpas.

These were just serendipities of our reason for being there. After these things the celebrations began. Friday evening Kyle was hooded as an MD and then Saturday afternoon both Kyle and Jessica graduated from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Kyle will be a resident doctor at the hospital in Thunday Bay for two years. Jessica is presently working in a fitness center there in Thunder Bay.

The evening closed with a formal dinner honoring the new doctors and their families. Sunday morning began again with a very early schedule. Wayford and I left TB at 6:10 a.m. and arrived back in Toronto in time to get to church at Tintern by 9:45. It was a great time of celebration!

Fitting Room Mirrors

This may seem a bit petty, but I am so disappointed with the mirrors provided in the fitting rooms of Ladies dress shops. Wouldn't you think they would get rid of the mirrors that are used at carnivals that make one look much wider than they really are! Come to think of it, the lighting also makes ones face look like there are wrinkles on it. And, there seems to be streaks of grey in the hair. Great Day! Can't they do better than that with their mirrors? Why, I can remember when the mirrors were much better. No bulges around the abdomen, No wrinkles on the face, No grey streaks in the hair. But, they are all the same. Guess we'll just have to put up with it!!!

This has been a great Mother's Day. Mother's Day greetings from each of my daughters. These girls have been a wonderful blessing to my life. We don't have many occasions to all be together but when we do we thoroughly enjoy our time together. I thank God for each of them.

"Born 30 years too soon"

A comic strip that was published when I was a child had the title "Born 30 years too soon". That was just saying that I am too old to understand the newest trends and technology. Sometimes I feel that is what is happening to me. A visit to the hospital in Hamilton renewed that idea.

First, we turn into the parking garage and follow the sign for parking. However, we got into the exit lane and when there was no way to back out we had to exit the garage (hoping it would take our ticket without having paid, since we had only entered three minutes before and could not pay because we were in the exit lane) and then re-enter. We then get into the hospital which in under construction (however, the huge HOSPITAL ENTRANCE sign was a dead giveaway as to where to enter). Once inside we go to information to find where we are to go to meet the Dr. No one in the information booth, but a phone to pick up to ask for info. After a short wait a voice responds, which hospital are you wanting information for???? Thankfully I did know which hospital I was in. She instructed me as to where to go, however, when she said go around the elevators and down the looooong hall, we went around the elevators the wrong way. Got to the end of the long hall and had to ask for more information from hospital employees. Finally reached the correct office. (by this time we aren't sure we will ever need to know where we parked our car because we would never find our way out!) Oh, yeah and there is a Tim Hortons just a few feet way. Yea!!! Wayford gives his information to the office staff. We have 30 minutes to spare so, you guessed it, we head for a coffee. It was at that time that Wayford discovers that he has lost the paper on which he had listed all his meds. We had only walked a few feet since he had produced it. Had the lady at the desk kept it? Did I put it in my purse? Did he put it in his pocket? Did he lay it down at Tim's? I nearly wore out my purse looking for it. Alas, he had laid it down on a table in the Dr's office when he put his health card back into his wallet. So, all is well. Visit with Dr. is over. Got good report!

Even bathrooms can be a challenge. I never know when to push - when to wave - when to flush. About the time I get one gadget figured out they change the system.

Now to figure out how to pay for our parking at the parking garage. OK, we put our ticket in that slot. And yes, we can use our credit card. But where do we insert card? It says put ticket in this slot. I don't want to put my card in there. I may never see it again. Meanwhile, Wayford puts card in pocket. After looking at the pictures on machine it shows that in fact the card does go in that same slot. But, where is the card? No, I didn't put it in my purse. Finally, Wayford discovers that he does, in fact, have the card. No problem finding the car and getting home. We were "Born 30 years too soon!"

Curiosity!!!

We had one baptism and seven who wanted to see what it was all about. Or, was it the draw of putting their hands into the water? Devon Walker was baptized last Tuesday night. Devon is 12 years old. His brother who is 10 was really happy. He is sure Devon will be nicer to him now.

An event to forget!

With all the medical technology that has been invented, surely there is another way to check for breast cancer other than a mammogram. Today was THE day! When I was 40 I could persuade my body to get into all the contortions needed but at 74? Lean into the machine - relax your shoulders - turn your head about 45 degree angle - hold your arm around this machine - hold your other breast back!!! Then the squeezing begins. You think it is clamped as tightly as possible and then you hear bzzzzz , bzzzzz, bzzzz and feel the pressure being applied even harder. So you hold your breath, partly because of the pain and partly because you sure don't want to have to do a re-take.

In all seriousness, we are truly blessed to have such medical technology. These new machines are digital and will show up any possible problems. More women are being called back for retakes because of the detailed pictures. The pain is minimal compared to the things people endure when they do have breast cancer. Be sure to get your mammogram when it is due.

The stages of a tree

My neighbor has a beautiful flowering crab tree. I have been photographing it throughout the year. It is beautiful in the winter when it is covered with snow.

Then when there is no snow and no leaves it is quite drab. But the birds still find a place to rest.

Then, spring comes and the magic begins. Absolutely covered with beautiful blossoms.

Then fall comes. The leaves are all gone but the crab apples hang on.

Then, back to the drab tree. But now the crab apples become a feast for the birds. Hundreds of birds ascend upon that tree and literally strip it.

I hope my neighbor enjoys it as much as I do. It is so neat to watch the various stages of that tree.