This week time just blew by and so it’s another Saturday morning. I woke up around 2:30 this morning (unusual for me) and then slept in till six. Now, just about 6:30 and I’ve already had a Blueberry muffin (made with wild Blueberries) and am enjoying a full White Castle mug of coffee. Let’s see what transpired this week.

So, a bit of a problem connecting to my hotspot; and now that’s been resolved let’s get started. Which does remind me that I have reset my website so that, once again, a simple click on any picture will open it to full size — enjoy.

”Be master of your petty annoyances and conserve your energies for the big, worthwhile things. It isn’t the mountain ahead that wears you out; it’s the grain of sand in your shoe.” ~ Robert W. Service

LCBO – a very quick update from last week’s LCBO saga. Order cancelled.

Horseshoes – My friend André and I finished building a set of brand new Horseshoe pits at the nearby Wharncliffe Community Hall. André was the expert, I was the labor – nevertheless we got the job done. Not bad for someone who’s really never played Horseshoes.

Call of the Wild – Tuesday evening and we were experiencing the first rain in several weeks. But, much like the stated goal of the Post Office we proceeded to the Round Barn in Sowerby – along with about 300 other folk (didn’t realize there were that many people in these parts).

It was to be an evening of music and Poetry readings from “The Bard of the Yukon” Robert W. Service (1874 – 1958) read by and enacted by Vernon Bailey.

Vern is a local character born and raised in these parts; farmer, auctioneer, and as we discovered, actor. In fact, Marcia bought our amazing dining area table (with live top) at one of his auctions. But I digress as I do so often. Back to Vern, he enjoys doing these types of events for charitable causes and we were told that over the years he’s raised over $2-million. The “Call of the Wild” evening was to generate funds for the local hospital to purchase a new digital X-ray machine.

And was he good! As was the music, as was the lighting, as was the whole evening. It was by far the best entertainment evening we’ve experienced in these parts (and that includes a music night in Kynoch Hall nine years ago).

Robert W. Service – was born in England in 1874, raised in Scotland and in his early twenties went off to the northern wilds of Canada. We’re told that he died a wealthy man living in France in 1958 having penned over 800 poems and traveling extensively through Canada, America, and Mexico. Maybe you’ve heard his; The Shooting of Dan McGrew, Songs of a Sourdough, or maybe The Cremation of Sam McGee? Haven’t? Then enjoy a couple of verses from his:

The Spell of the Yukon
BY ROBERT W. SERVICE

I wanted the gold, and I sought it;
I scrabbled and mucked like a slave.
Was it famine or scurvy—I fought it;
I hurled my youth into a grave.
I wanted the gold, and I got it—
Came out with a fortune last fall,—
Yet somehow life’s not what I thought it,
And somehow the gold isn’t all.

No! There’s the land. (Have you seen it?)
It’s the cussedest land that I know,
From the big, dizzy mountains that screen it
To the deep, deathlike valleys below.
Some say God was tired when He made it;
Some say it’s a fine land to shun;
Maybe; but there’s some as would trade it
For no land on earth—and I’m one.

Finis – Happy Birthday to Adrianne (yesterday), Sandy(today) as she turns the corner onto a brand new decade, and next week Vai (our amazing preemie) as she ‘double’digits.

Even with gasoline over $5.00 per gallon in these parts we can’t resist shopping for farm-fresh veggies from our Amish friends – this week was no exception.

Make it a great week everyone and to the ladies named above, a great year.

Cheers.
Dirk