Tuesday

Hi Mom.

Valleyview was good. Dominic's brother, Kale, doesn't say, "Erher!" anymore. He's starting to say things now. For example, I brought my video games there and he always wanted to play them but he knew they were mine so when he asked if he could play them he would say, "You papa?" Dominic has long hair now and Samantha, his sister, has short hair now. By the way, You forgot to capitalize Valleyview in your last letter. Also you should check your web page that your link sent me to. It's messed up at the bottom.

Everett

Hi Everett,

I checked my webpage, and it seems fine. Dunno what's going on. Thanks for letting me know though, just in case.
Guess what -- the wild raspberries are starting to come out around the yard.
Grandma and I went to Neil and Rose's today. Leanne has left her three kids there for the week and Jolene came out from Yorkton for the day with her little one; Carl and Reta were there having cake and ice cream when Grandma and I arrived, and Uncle Bruce too. I just got home at 7:30 and watched Coronation Street, then went for a walk. It's gorgeous out tonight; unusually calm. Had to set up the new fan in your bedroom in order to sit here at the desk, because it's so warm in the house. I am sitting here in my underwear!
Grandma came out Sunday afternoon and was glad to see her cat.

Love,
Mom

Haha! You have to sit around in underpants! It's nice to hear that grandma and the cat have been reunited. We had progies and hotdogs and Kraft Dinner and lemonade for supper. Now that's what I call a good supper. Emil finally played a video game with me after half a year, then Poppa played Crash Team Racing with me and then quit after two races. We watched Scary Movie 2 after that. Now I'm writing this letter. I gotta go Family Guy is on.

Everett

Wednesday

Oh my, what an exciting life you lead.
It's hot as Hades here today. I have the new fan blowing directly on me.
I guess I should go check the strawberries. Might be some nice ones ready.

xoxo
Mom

Hi Mom!

So, your into Hades eh? Well mabe you should meet him and you two could date.
Good luck.

Everett

Thursday

Yeah, I really need another man to put up with. I don't think so!

Watched the news last night, they had a story about two sisters who as a joke mailed a wiener back and forth to each other for 54 years. 54 years and the thing had dried up a bit but still wasn't rotten! It brought up the question, What do they put in wieners, that they don't decompose for 54 years? Are they plastic? Is it really safe to eat them? Naturally I thought of you, wienerboy.

A loud clap of thunder woke us up in the wee hours of the morning and it is still raining, which I am glad to see. My flowers will be happy. As waterlogged as the ground was in June, it had dried up pretty fast in the heat of the past few weeks. Maybe this will kick the strawberry patch into gear again. I've only been getting about a cupful, if that, every two days.

What plans have you guys got for this week? I hate to admit it, but you've only been gone 12 days and I'm already starting to miss you. Been thinking about what we should do when we go to Manitou Beach this year. Don't want to stay at the place we rented last time -- remember, the bedroom in the basement? -- or a little room on the main road, like that other little hotel we looked at -- but would like to maybe rent a cabin for the night or something. Any ideas? Or maybe you and me should come back here and put up our new tent (and screen tent) at the lake for the whole week, just spend lazy days wading in the water and eating sunflower seeds and reading. What do you think? I could get into that, if there were any decent camping spots left at our flooded lake.

x's and o's, Shorty.
Love,
Mom

p.s. Forgot to tell you, Julie said Andrew and his friend thought you reminded them exactly of a friend of theirs who had moved away -- you talked and acted just like him.

On the weekend I went with Toolbelt to the lake, where he was doing some sanding to finish up a gyprocking job.

~Rhonda dancing with the kids~

Dear Joan,

I took two pictures at Rhonda and Curtis's wedding dance on Saturday. Brenda had her camera out and promised to take lots and send you more.

And here's the other one I got of the blushing bride with our lovely sister:

It was wonderful to see Rhonda having such a good time and fun to see all her sisters again, as it had been many years. Lynn and Cheryl emceed, Rena toasted the bride, Tim and Marlyn welcomed Curtis to the clan, I am probably forgetting plenty but they all made it clear how much this young couple is loved. There were a lot of teary eyes in the hall during the after-supper speeches, let me tell you.

Kathy

 
~ a musical hour at the seniors’ lodge ~


~Grandma cutting a rug ~

Before the boys left, I gave Everett strict orders (I can still make Royal Proclamations with my kids, thank goodness) that he is to write to me every day, whether in an email or in the comments box below my entries on this webpage. It turns out that the comments box doesn't work for him, so I have been receiving daily missives:

Monday

Dear Mom,

I never did bring my Industrial Arts project home. I told you it would cost $3 to bring it home and you said you'd pay for it but I never saw the money. I asked you for it many times.
Today we aren't really doing anything. Emil and I still need to adapt to our surroundings, haha. I'll right you again tomorrow, OK.

Love Everett

Tuesday

Dear Mom,

My IA project is a wooden car. Maybe you could talk to my IA teacher and see if he still has it. Or maybe it will still be at the school next year and I could still get it. Poppa works a little and then comes home to scratch and fart with us. I wish you could fart like us because it is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fun but of course, girls don't fart! My hair is just fine... for me.

Love Everett

Hello my little boot-scootin' booger,

Guess what I found out yesterday. We went for supper in Kelvington last night with Faye and Rick, who live near NUT MOUNTAIN. They told me there used to be a hill with lots of hazelnuts on it, and that's how Nut Mountain got its name. In Saskatchewan, it's not unusual to call a hill a mountain as kind of a joke.

Who is your IA teacher?
I bet they throw everything out at the end of the school year.

Poppa works a little and then comes home to scratch and
fart with us. I wish you could fart like us because it is
sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fun but of course, girls don't fart!

Alas, it is just a dream for me. And of course, with Scott out of the house all day, not only is it quiet in here, but not stinky with you guys gone.

My hair is just fine... for me.

Yes, well ... you don't have to look at yourself!
Start thinking about hairstyles you'd like so that you can choose one rather than have someone else choose for you. Look in magazines or something. There must be some cool cuts around.

What are you doing today? This afternoon I'll go to Margo to help Auntie Reta go through some papers and things. Yesterday I picked strawberries, got half a pail. I think from now on I might just keep the big ones and give the tiny ones to the chickens.

~ came home with “loot” for my china cabinet! ~

Well I'd better get working here, gotta make some money so I can afford the next trip at the end of the month.

Give Emil a kiss and a hug for me (and keep one of each for yourself).

Love,
Mom

Hi Mom!

I don't see how people think a hill is a mountain. I'd call it a hill. I suppose some people in Saskatchwan have never seen a mountain before. I don't know how to spell my IA teacher's name but it's Mr. Jenough. His name will probably be on my report card.I understand that it's not fun around the house without me and Emil but if you want sound and stink then spray mosquito spray all over the house and watch Terminater. We're doing the same thing as yesterday.

Love Everett

Wednesday

Hello again, Babycakes,

I was watching the news last night and saw that there was a hotdog-eating contest. The winner ate 54! How disgusting. Do not try that yourself, mister. I don't know why a person's stomach doesn't explode.

Scott and I cannot see Jack, the Siamese fighting fish, in the tank. He seems to have disappeared. Scott even poked at the castle to roust him out if he was in there.

Is the bird happy to see you? How is Uncle Bum's cat after its operation? How is Uncle Bum? I tried phoning you guys last night but got a wrong number and was too lazy to get off the couch and look in the address book after.

Love,
Mom

Wow! 54 hotdogs! When I grow up I'm going to be just like thet guy! Just kidding, although that is pretty amazing. Jack might be at the heater. He usually goes there and people don't seem to ever see him. Poppa’s bird likes me enough I suppose. She doesn't like my hands though but she likes my shoulder. She's Emil's best friend now. Brownie [the cat] is fine. Uncle Bum is working right now and I have to feed Brownie. He's fury.

Everett

Thursday

Hi Schnevy,

Guess it's my turn to write. I lost track already.

I don't see Jack at the heater. He has either escaped, or been eaten, or is a pretty good hider.

She's Emil's best friend now.

Good, Emil needs a best friend!

and I have to feed Brownie. He's fury.

You mean, he's mad?

Uncle Bum is not supposed to open his present till his birthday.

Well, you've been there since Saturday and I have yet to hear of you guys going anywhere. What y'all doin' with yerselfs?

It's another hot day here. I went for a walk this morning without Sara so no waterfowl babies were abused. I plan to go to town later today, will visit Grandma, buy some drinking water, and maybe even wash the van since Scott is still nagging about it (perhaps rightly so, but ... it's not high on my priority list). The flowers are getting pretty; I should take a picture of the delphiniums for you I guess. They are impressive spikes.

~ the tall ones are 8 feet high ~

Mom

Hi Mom!

You must have a bad memory if you've already forgetten who's turn it is to write. I think Jack is probably a good hider. I don't think the bird is Emil's friend anymore because it pooped on him once. Sorry for the typing error in the last letter. I meant to say Brownie's furry. By the way, you said that people would know what I mean when I make a silly mistake. I guess you made a mistake. And I did not make this up! When is Uncle Bum's birthday? We're doing the same old thing. It's hot here too. Sara needs to be trained to know that those birds are good guys, not like crows and magpies. Scott's weird.

Everett

Friday

Good Morning my sweetheart,

Sorry for the typing error in the last letter. I meant to say Brownie's furry. By the way, you said that people would know what I mean when I make a silly mistake. I guess you made a mistake. And I did not make this up!

Sometimes you are a little bit like Emil ... you don't know when someone is teasing you.

When is Uncle Bum's birthday?

Sept. 10. He will be 41. I hope he plans to come up to the Engdahl reunion on the 28th, 29th and 30th. Joan said he is to be in Kelowna this weekend. That will make Grandpa happy.

We're doing the same old thing. It's hot here too.

Emil must be bored then. What does he do while you're playing games? Is it hot in the condo too or have you got some fans or something going?

It hasn't been too bad here for the past couple days, but today it's only 8 a.m. and already too hot for me to sit on the deck with my morning coffee.

Sara needs to be trained to know that those birds are good guys, not like crows and magpies.

I don't think she means to hurt them, but to play. How would you train her?

Scott's weird.

It seems that way, doesn't it. However, he tells me that if you don't wash your vehicle for a long time and there is a layer of mud and dirt on it, it the paint underneath breaks down after a while. Anyway, I met him in town yesterday and he washed it.

We went to Kelvington last night because Grandma Lowndes had a "spell" yesterday, went to the hospital for an hour with very high blood pressure and then was at home and feeling fine. But Pat went to stay with her overnight and Scott wanted to visit her too. When you're 97 years old, a little "spell" can be a dangerous thing and all the family was worried. She was her usual lovely self though, and so thankful we'd gone to see her. What a sweetie she is.

I went to Weneeda Park Lodge yesterday to see Grandma but she was busy playing bingo (and winning too; she is pretty lucky at that, they tell me, and quite often wins). Reta and Carl are putting her house up for sale and gave me the key so I can show it to prospective buyers after they've gone back to Phoenix.

~ asking price $25,000 ~

If it doesn't sell, Gord can rent it when he comes out and that will help them pay some of the costs of upkeep. I told them he might come out every long weekend and they thought that would be okay.

We also went to see Cara and Chris and baby Kade, who has grown so much in the past two weeks since I last saw him. But he fussed every time I held him and was only happy with his mama. We didn't stay long, not even half an hour, then stopped at the service station on the corner for Rolo ice cream cones to eat on the way home. Yummy! Too yummy. I asked for one scoop and Scott thought he'd be generous and get two -- which meant the top scoop had to be licked off real quick otherwise it was meltily messy, and I hate messy food!

Have you guys called Auntie Helen yet? She probably needs a visit soon; I bet she gets lonely now, living alone. She had a big operation just a while ago, too, and perhaps can't move around as easily while she recuperates from it.

I didn't get out to pick strawberries yesterday; should go now. I left the big ones to ripen and maybe I'll be lucky and get them before the birds or rabbits or deer or whatever it is that leaves big toothmarks on the berries out there. I better go now, before it gets too hot out to stand.

xoxo
Momski

We're off to Saskatoon this morning, where we'll stop for two nights before meeting up with the kids' dad on Saturday so they can spend the month of July with him.

Everett wonders how I'll manage for an entire four weeks without my slaveboys.

Back Sunday.

After a walk with Everett and the dog last night, wherein the latter flushed out a pair of ducks and caught one of their ducklings in the long grass beside the road, I managed to sneak out this morning for a walk without the hound.

Some of the wildflowers in bloom in the ditches:
Blue flax
Blanket flower
Prairie (western red) lily
Northern anemone
Harebell
Prickly rose
Yarrow

And the air is sweet!

Waterfowl spotted:
Mallard ducks
American coot pair with four large babies
Blue-winged teal with 10 tiny babies on the water
Killdeer with one baby

Outside our bathroom window, the closest poplar tree is filled with European starling fledglings and their parents. It seems yesterday was their first out of the nest and today they are quite proud of their new wings and doing a lot of bragging and showing off.

Everett and I also saw a young partridge running in the ditch last night, but after the duckling was carried in the dog's mouth to the side of the road and left twitching and flapping its wings, he was in no mood to go with me again this morning. We had walked away quickly, both to distract the dog and to avoid seeing the duckling in its death throes. However, the little bird was no longer there, nor was there blood or feathers on the ground, so I like to think the dog didn't do much damage and after we left the parents returned, found it, and it got safely back to the nest.

************************************

I may act like this is all quite normal and such, but I'll admit, when I look at this picture, I think "How can this BE?"

****************************

Hard to believe, but my little sweetheart is 18 today. He's been reminding us for weeks, and I'm sure he didn't sleep a wink last night.

The plan (Emil's idea) is to have chocolate cake at Grandma's with the family tonight after we have pizza, one of his two favourites, for supper at home. His teacher was taking him for lunch today; his last day of school for the year. He's been looking forward to these events.

***

One of my gifts for him is a harmonica. He's a big Neil Young fan, and Neil plays it, so while Emil's fine motor control may not allow him to excel at guitar or piano, maybe this instrument will be one he can easily handle.

***

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Little Kade and his new grandma

***

We lucked out for the interments on Saturday, missing heavy downpours both before and after, and thankful for enough wind to keep the mosquito hordes from chasing us out of the cemetery. Afterwards we gathered for a cold lunch at Margo's seniors' club, appropriately called the Silver Threads, and later on, those of us who hadn't left for the city went out to Karen's for a few hours and to finish off the leftovers for supper.

I had been thinking that once we got through the first year of Mom's absence, it would become easier to accept. But it hasn't. Not one bit. As a matter of fact, I have been missing her more than ever in the weeks leading up to this third event on her behalf. As soon as I stop my voracious reading, thoughts of her are there. Maybe I've been trying to avoid them, with all this reading of murder mysteries lately. Anyway, no. I still feel SICK about it all.

Finally, after waiting a year, I did a meditation last week wherein I went to "the beach" where I'd always set healing visualizations for Mom while she was ill. For those of you who haven't done this kind of thing — it's like imagining — while Mom was sick I would imagine she and I together on my favourite beach, and warm rain washing all worry, fear, and poor health off of us. Then I'd wrap her in a fluffy blue blanket afterward.

About two weeks before she died, while I was doing this same meditation, a chariot pulled by a white horse had come out of the sky. Grandpa Benson, who has been dead for nine years, was in it, and I wrapped Mom in that blue blanket, helped her into the chariot, and away they went on a lovely ride through the sky.

This time, I imagined myself sat on that blue blanket on the beach alone, wondering if Mom would appear. Suddenly there she was beside me, looking young, healthy and happy. She was smiling, and I threw my arms around her joyfully and said "Do you have any idea how much I miss you?" Her answer was, "You shouldn't, you know, because I am with you very often."

And then we were joined on that beach by Aunt Jean, Aunt Margaret, Great-Grandma Bartley, and a whole bunch of people I assume must be relatives and ancestors.

As lovely as this "message" from Mom was, I came out of that meditation in tears and quickly pulled myself together for the imminent arrival of a friend for a tarot reading.

***

I'm off to Margo to pick up Reta and Grandma, drive to Kelvington for Grandma's dentist appointment (she doesn't think her false teeth are loose, but the rest of us can see that they are), then a visit to my great-nephew and his momma.

Life goes on and changes.

***