HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007!

We're back at Wistful Vista enjoying New Years Eve. A roaring fire, with firewood from our own trees. (We are officially quarantined by the city) No vegetation of any sort, including brush or leaves may be removed from our property due to a province wide infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer, which has recently advanced to London working it's way from Michigan USA. Anyhow, we cut lots of wood in the last few years and "the fire is so delightful" as the song goes. We just finished an excellent roast beef dinner. Earlier we toasted Sarah Jane (around 5pm) since it was midnight in Zambia according to our Africa Clock on the kitchen fridge. We await midnight with bated breath. Happy New Year Everybody!

Off to Windsor, then US, then Condo

Wendy really wants to see Erin's apartment so we're driving Erin's Saturn down. Then we'll take the Rendezvous up the US side of the river to check the mail in Port Huron MI then back to Canada and our condo in Sarnia. We may linger there for a day or so. There's no internet hooked up, so TTFN.

Moving to Downtown Windsor

The action never stops around here at Wistful Vista. When people ask me what I’ve been doing in my retirement, I’m never quite sure what to say because many of my days are filled with basically non-memorable events. Any one particular date would seem to be insignificant however when added to all the other “insignificant” days of my life, the time flies by at an amazing speed.

Today we packed Erin’s belongings into the Rendezvous. Jake and Erin will drive it to Windsor. She has moved out of the residence in the University and rented an apartment downtown. The goal appears to be two pronged. One - is to move away from the “cruise ship buffet style" eating trough at the residence that is adding too many pounds. Two - is to be closer to her MBA co-op job where she can walk to work for convenience and free exercise. It all seems a little futile though, since the co-op job only runs 'til the end of April when we'll move everything back. At least we didn't have to drive down with them and carry everything up to the apartment. I don't think you could have fit one more thing in that SUV!


View of Detroit from Erin's office at her new job in Windsor Canada at the International Joint Commission, Canada and USA (Federal Environment)

Boxing Day Feast - What Again?

Patricia and Grandma Gene

In Canada, as in the U.K. we have Boxing Day on the 26th. Wendy’s friend Patricia dropped in at noon to have some Christmas pudding that we forgot to take to Thorndale on Christmas Day.
(Oh Oh!)

Since Wendy didn’t feel like doing a turkey on Christmas Eve, and since it had been thawing for the past few days in the basement “beer fridge” we thought we better cook it for Boxing Day. Erin and Jake thought they would come over. Another party! But this time the party was a little subdued. Everyone was quite tired from all the previous days activities. However, the bird was great and I love leftover turkey.

To Thorndale and the Relatives

Christmas Day, we went to Wendy’s brother Doug’s (and Daphne, young Doug, and his friend Dane) beautiful home in Thorndale. The whole family made it out with Wendy’s other brother Brad from Toronto (and Denise, Colton and Mitch) except for Sarah Jane who is working in Zambia. (See Sarah’s Safari blog) Much food and drink and a fine time was had by all.

A Green Christmas Indeed

It’s the greenest Christmas we’ve had in years. The view from our window out toward the Highland golf course looks more like spring than December. We had a very relaxing Christmas Eve. Wendy says the most relaxing in years since she didn’t have to cook a huge meal and entertain a crowd. In attendance here at Wistful Vista were Wendy and I, Timmy, Grandma Gene, Erin, Jake and Andrew. We grazed away on hors d’oeuvres and had a game of Monopoly. Jake usually wins but this time; by good luck, I won. Everyone was stuffed but Andrew and I did manage to share a nice Costco steak on the BBQ.


Looks like I won (click on picture for close up)

MERRY CHRISTMAS....

Christmas has become so "politically correct" that no mention of Christmas is made by many retailers. We now wish people "Happy Holidays."

Don't you miss the Old Fashioned Christmas when everyone wished each other "Merry Christmas"? I mean, I can still wish "Happy Hanukkah" where it is appropriate can't I?

I'm not particularly religious, but Christmas as we used to know it, has been around for a long time. It is for some, one of the few times of the year when one is reminded of the principles of Jesus Christ: Peace and Goodwill towards men. The world can use a little peace and goodwill! If for no other reason than that, we need to keep the tradition going.

This year I will be making a conscious effort to wish everyone Merry Christmas...my way of saying that I am celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

In my own small way, maybe I can help prevent one more tradition from being lost in the sea of "Political Correctness."

"Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukkah," or "Happy Kwanzaa" All these seasonal greetings express a wish of goodness and happiness. How could any of them be wrong? I respect the right of every person, regardless of religious affiliation to celebrate in their own way.

So there! That’s enough of my rambling.

Have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR! And please accept it in the spirit of Goodwill in which it was intended.

Tim

Searching for the Perfect Home

Splendid 19th century Victorian dining room located in Waverley Mansion.

Well, this is all new to me! Since I was a designer/manufacturer of hospital beds for most of my working life, I used to only look at nursing homes and long-term care facilities as potential customers. Nearly 11 years ago I sold my company and now it's part of Invacare. I certainly view these places in a different light now.

For the past few days Wendy and I have been touring local long term care facilities. We are trying to determine which ones (up to 3 are allowed) to place on our wish list waiting list application with CCAC (Community Care Access Centre) to place Wendy’s Mom Gene in a new home. She would initially thrust everyone into “great stress” every time long term care was mentioned, but I think that the realization that staying at Wistful Vista is not sustainable has finally sunk in. We have been looking after Grandma Gene here ever since Grandpa Howard died September 25. As you might imagine, things have been a little tense to say the least. Living for three months with a mourning 80 year old with onset dementia in a fairly small one floor ranch bungalow would be difficult for a spouse, but for the daughter and son in law (me) and our son Tim jr. has become almost intolerable. Our family doctor worries that the stress could impact our health. We boomers are sometimes referred to as the “sandwich generation” as we find ourselves dealing with children who stay home much longer and our parents who look to us for support.

Gene met Howard when she was 17, married at age 20. They lived for 61 years, in their riverside home, so you can understand, they depended on each other completely. Being separated and forced to live in a new environment after all those years would test the emotions of anyone but when you add the confusion of dementia, you have the makings of an interesting time indeed.

We took Gene over to Waverley Mansion and as best we could tell, she seemed impressed. We are hoping she'll get along here at this retirement home until a bed becomes available at a nursing home.

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The Tree is Finally Decorated

Well, it took a week, but we Wendy did get the tree decorated. Erin (who promised to help) hasn’t been seen here at Wistful Vista since Wednesday. There is nothing like the fragrance of a real tree to put one in the spirit.

We’ve been to a few parties in the past week or so:

1) Wendy’s childhood friend Tricia had a few people over for dinner on the 9^th (Ron and Chris G, Dianne and Wayne M, Trish and Greg and Wendy and I) We enjoyed a lovely ham and scalloped potato meal complete with a chocolate fondue. An excellent start to the festive season.

Archie and family's beautiful home

2) On the 15^th we were fortunate to have been again invited to Archie’s giant annual party at his fabulous home on the banks of the Thames River on the outskirts of town. Archie was one of the two partners that purchased my hospital bed factory nearly eleven years ago. We stayed friends over the years and I only lament that I don't see him and his family very often. This wonderful party certainly makes up for that! He’s thought of everything and even has valets to park your car for you. I’m sure there were 500+ in attendance. Food and snacks were scattered at various stations throughout his enormous historic home. There were two full serve bars plus a separate martini bar in the theater room. I heard there was even a cigar room where you could get a handcrafted cigar and go “al fresco” with gas heaters to enjoy a smoke outside. Artificial water falls cascaded outside the windows (even though this is December and freezing temperatures would seem to prevent this display outside of nature) Invited guests were like the “who’s who” of London. This party gets bigger, better and more elaborate every year!
The "Circle of Friends" at Patricia's. L to R Tim, Hazel, Joan and Peter, Wendy, Tricia and Greg, Tom, Joyce, Barb, Barry, Murray.
3) Finally, last night (Dec. 17th) we were back at Tricia’s at a party of the “Circle of Friends” (a group of Wendy’s dearest lady friends) all of whom used to work for London Life Insurance at some time in their life. I still don’t know how Wendy assimilated herself into this group since neither of us ever worked there. Many years ago Tricia, who did, apparently schmoozed Wendy in. Anyway, over the years these 9 ladies (and their husbands) have become very close friends. Present were Anne R, Hazel R (and Tom), Barbara H (and Barry) Joyce T (and Murray) Joan C (and Peter) Tricia and Greg and Wendy and me. We missed Mary-Helen and Bud (in Florida) and Pat and Ron (a flu bug)

Mexican Food at Wistful Vista

Our son Tim said we shouldn't put our real address on the net since crooks could use it for bad purposes. With that in mind, I shall henceforth refer to our house as "Wistful Vista" In ancient days (from its 1935 premiere until its end in 1959) there was a superb weekly radio comedy in which the Fibber McGee and Molly lived on Wistful Vista. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibber_McGee_and_Molly

Last night we had a (seems fairly rare) visit from daughter Erin, (who is home at Wistful Vista from university and her MBA studies) her boyfriend Jake and friend Andrew . Erin came to help decorate the tree. Jake likes Mexican so Wendy whipped up some killer tacos and enchiladas with all the trimmings including fresh, home made guacamole and salsa. Wendy’s Mom (Gene) is living with us now since Wendy’s Dad died in September. So with Wendy and I, that made 7 of us. As the saying goes - a good time was had by all. Especially Andrew!
Still no decorations on the tree, the snow is nearly melted, all was very Mexican.


Andrew truly enjoys food!

The Perfect Christmas Tree

On Sunday most of the city streets were ploughed out from Thursday and Friday’s snowstorm. We were wondering how we’d get on to the field where we usually cut our Christmas tree. I hitched up our little trailer and we ventured out. Fortunately the heaviest snow accumulation was concentrated in the city. Amazingly there was not much snow outside of town.

As the picture shows Wendy takes this job very seriously as she carefully assesses each and every tree in the 50 acre field!

Armed with her trusty bow saw that she bought at a summer garage sale, she plods on undauntedly on her quest for the perfect tree.

I of course; being more accustomed to a supervisory role, assisted with appraisals of the many candidates. Co-incidentally, my standing reach is 8 feet so by holding up my arm along side the prospective tree, she was able to judge where our ceiling would be in relation to the overall height..

Finally, Wendy found it. Eureka! The farthest one from the trailer. She lay on the ground in the snow and began to saw through the tree trunk. I helped by leaning the tree slightly so the saw blade would not bind (a job requiring great skill and an artisans touch) while I consumed a bar of dark chocolate to fend off hypothermia.

All of our effort was rewarded by a fine fir tree that will make a dandy Christmas tree. Later, tired out from dragging the heavy tree back to the car, Wendy exclaimed that decorating it must wait for another day. Here’s a picture of our pinecone loaded perfect tree standing proudly in our living room.

Heavy Snowfall Shuts City

Londoners will spend days shovelling and plowing huge piles of the white stuff.
By PATRICK MALONEY, FREE PRESS REPORTER

Friday December 8

Amity Brown digs out a car from her driveway on Emery Street in London yesterday after the snowstorm. (Morris Lamont, LFP)

London will be digging out today after one of the biggest snowstorms in its history crippled traffic, shut down businesses and left thousands stuck at home yesterday.

Buses are expected back on the roads today, but it could take until tomorrow morning for plows to clear all city streets, following the jaw- dropping blast that blanketed London with 47 centimetres of snow -- even more in some areas -- in 17 hours and caught many people off guard.

"We haven't seen a snowstorm like this since 1978," said Jeff Fielding, London's chief administrative officer.

A vast range of businesses and public services were smothered by the snow, the fallout measured in closings that cascaded through the day:

- All elementary and high schools in London and the region were closed. For city kids, it was the first snow day off school in more than 25 years and the first time the entire Thames Valley district school board -- one of Ontario's largest -- and the London District Catholic school board had shut down in more than a decade.

- The University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College also closed, cancelling exams.

- City bus service was completely cancelled for the first time since 1978. The storm began Thursday night and one bus, slated to finish its run at 1 a.m. yesterday, made it back to the garage seven hours later. With only eight of its 33 bus routes fully cleared yesterday afternoon, the London Transit Commission suspended service for the first time since '78.

- Some vehicles stuck in snow were simply abandoned in the middle of roads around the city, making an already difficult drive worse, police said.

- Mail delivery was halted in what Canada Post said may be a first for the city. "It's pretty obvious, if you're residing in the city of London, how tough it is to get around," spokesperson Tom Creech said.

The OPP, which patrols regional roads, took the unusual step of asking drivers to stay home early yesterday.

By the time the snowfall stopped, officers had responded to a whopping 226 calls, Sgt. Dave Rektor said, including at least two that left drivers in critical condition.

Rektor added drivers going too fast contributed to several crashes.

"It's unbelievable that people can't get their heads around the fact that we live in Ontario -- and it snows."

Sun Princess 10 Day Caribbean Oct 31 to Nov 10 2006

Halloween this year was very special as this was the day we embarked on our Carribean cruise.
As relative newbies to cruising (this was only our 4th trip) Wendy and I found the Sun Princess was a very nice ship as are, I'm sure all four + star ships. My first impression was that it was a little crowded compared to HAL ships. They crammed in a couple thousand people where 1200 to 1400 would have been better. I rated the food an easy 8 but they did charge extra for ice cream! And the ship we were on was physically very poorly laid out. For example, the buffet was "one way" so if you wanted to go back for a second coffee, you were supposed to line up again. Of course most people ignored the "DO NOT ENTER" sign and this added to the commotion. I heard more than one person comment on the inefficiency of the entire layout of the ship. Our table of 10, like our former HAL cruises did have Asian wait staff and my cabin stewardess, Mila was from the Philippines so I felt very much at home. They worked hard to please and I could certainly find no fault with them. IMHO the food selection was just one small notch down compared to HAL.

Before we left , I called down to Barbados and reserved a city bus. The price for the bus and driver worked out to around $350.00 or $25.00 each. among the fourteen people. I printed out some extra tickets which the original fourteen sold to fifteen other people on the ship, so we ended up with 29 people with the original fourteen recovering their money and a tip for the driver. The only stipulation was that whomever you sold the ticket to (they should be of similar lunacy)--- you had to bring them on the bus and introduce them to the rest. It worked. We ended up meeting some of the nicest people on the whole ship!

What a riot! The first stop was the grocery store for rum, ice and beer. Our driver with 22 years experience, I think Curtis Miller knew every person and every place on the island. As he told me about each island feature, I would relay it to the rest of the people on the bus. My throat gave out after the first hour or so but Curtis took us to all the island hot spots. Enough beer and rum and no one cared about the commentary anyway! Co-incidentally, the international surfing championships were taking place that very day in Bathsheba. Curtis doubted if the police would allow us to bring the bus near the beach. Sure enough the police had barricaded the road. Our fine driver explained that we only wanted a minute to take a few pictures. We proceeded right to the beach! After a few hours, it was time to leave. The narrow road that we had entered on was now lined with parked cars. Curtis honked the horn to no avail. I rallied the men in the group outside and we physically lifted the cars out of the way so that the bus could progress back to the ship.
At the end of the day, we had met another 15 wonderful people who I hope we can stay in touch with in the coming months and years. Some of the emails I’ve received indicated “the Bus Tour and Beach Crawl” was a highlight of the trip. That is very gratifying. God bless!

It seems like every time we fly in an airplane, a week later we come down with some sort of cold. This trip was no exception. Wendy and I were both barking like dogs and had no taste! As Curley of the three stooges said "I don't smell so good".

Wendy and I are very much looking forward to seeing all of you again someday.

Best Friends Old and New

Welcome To Our New Blog!

I figured this would be a great way for Wendy and I to share some of our events, news, pictures and travels with our closest friends. Rather than email that clogs up your mailbox, this blog allows you to visit, post replies, or do nothing. I still plan to use email to send specific notes or more private communications where applicable. I have elected not to make this blog public, but available to those who have the address. I hope this mild exclusivity will encourage more personally interesting interaction since the content and your responses are not broadcast to a worldwide audience. Stay tuned for updates.