I live in cowboy/ranching country in a town with a strong Western heritage. At any parade you are likely to see lots of these four legged creatures. And doesn't every smaller prairie town have a Saan store?
16 June, 2007
Giddy-Up
I live in cowboy/ranching country in a town with a strong Western heritage. At any parade you are likely to see lots of these four legged creatures. And doesn't every smaller prairie town have a Saan store?
Nostalgia
Sometimes I would give anything to be HERE or anywhere similar to HERE in Saskatchewan.
This is a picture of the perfect end to a perfect day on the lake. I would be sitting on the end of the dock with my feet in the water, enjoying the sunset. This particular picture was taken at Madge Lake, near Kamsack. SK.
Photo by W.C.
13 June, 2007
Wedding Pic
After seven years together, our daughter and her daughter married this wonderful man on April 7th. They were married in our livingroom, converted into The Little Chapel On The Prairies. A wonderful day.
05 June, 2007
When moving to Alberta ...
Recently our Minister of Employment and Immigration, Iris Evans, issued an edict urging people without jobs or homes to avoid moving to Oil-berta. If you should choose to come anyway, Calgarians have a list of guidelines for you:
1. Bring your own house.
2. If moving to the oilsands, bring your own house, school and hospital, and avoid initiating conversations involving the word "Greenpeace" at all cost.
3. If going to Edmonton, also known as the murder capital of Canada, don't forget to bring your own down-filled bulletproof vest.
4. Minimum wage in Alberta is $7. Parking in downtown Calgary costs $10 an hour. Do the math before you arrive.
5. Forget about breaking in the new Porsche. The average speed on McLeod Trail is 12 km/h for most of the day.
6. Frustration from hours of sitting in traffic can be eased by a trip to the mountains - but only if your travel plans are not interrupted by transit strikes, roadwork, and, of course, traffic.
7. Calgary boasts a convenient network of fast-food joints and coffee houses, but don't expect to be let in for a seat -- it seems we can't seem to staff them.
8. If you're bent on sending your kid to Catholic school, look out. The school boards are considering merging facilities and most of us are too busy trying to find a parking spot to care.
9. Since somewhere along the way we lost track of the population and forgot to build new schools, hospitals and highways, don't come here expecting to get any smarter, healthier, or quicker behind the wheel.
10. If you're from Ontario, Quebec or the Federal government, you should either be deaf or plan to arrive with very thick skin.
1. Bring your own house.
2. If moving to the oilsands, bring your own house, school and hospital, and avoid initiating conversations involving the word "Greenpeace" at all cost.
3. If going to Edmonton, also known as the murder capital of Canada, don't forget to bring your own down-filled bulletproof vest.
4. Minimum wage in Alberta is $7. Parking in downtown Calgary costs $10 an hour. Do the math before you arrive.
5. Forget about breaking in the new Porsche. The average speed on McLeod Trail is 12 km/h for most of the day.
6. Frustration from hours of sitting in traffic can be eased by a trip to the mountains - but only if your travel plans are not interrupted by transit strikes, roadwork, and, of course, traffic.
7. Calgary boasts a convenient network of fast-food joints and coffee houses, but don't expect to be let in for a seat -- it seems we can't seem to staff them.
8. If you're bent on sending your kid to Catholic school, look out. The school boards are considering merging facilities and most of us are too busy trying to find a parking spot to care.
9. Since somewhere along the way we lost track of the population and forgot to build new schools, hospitals and highways, don't come here expecting to get any smarter, healthier, or quicker behind the wheel.
10. If you're from Ontario, Quebec or the Federal government, you should either be deaf or plan to arrive with very thick skin.
04 June, 2007
Top 10 Signs You've Hired The Wrong Kid To Cut Your Lawn
10. He shows up with a pair of manicure scissors and a Ziploc.
9. Turns a goat loose and says he'll be back in three weeks.
8. His nickname: The Unamower
7. On the side of his mower you notice stencilled silhouettes of 13 cats.
6. Stops every 15 minutes to smoke some clippings.
5. Using your riding mower, leads R.C.M.P. on a three-hour, low-speed chase.
4. He's always trying to impress you by stopping the mower blades with his head.
3. He somehow manages to mow the hood ornament off your Lexus.
2. Every week he tries to match your lawn to Dennis Rodman's hair.
1. No toes.
9. Turns a goat loose and says he'll be back in three weeks.
8. His nickname: The Unamower
7. On the side of his mower you notice stencilled silhouettes of 13 cats.
6. Stops every 15 minutes to smoke some clippings.
5. Using your riding mower, leads R.C.M.P. on a three-hour, low-speed chase.
4. He's always trying to impress you by stopping the mower blades with his head.
3. He somehow manages to mow the hood ornament off your Lexus.
2. Every week he tries to match your lawn to Dennis Rodman's hair.
1. No toes.
My Youngest Baby "Grand"
Our Baby Grand Mackenzie ready for the beach. Gotta love that knit binkini! 9 months and standing on her own -- will soon be walking!28 May, 2007
Best Winter Picture Ever
This is a real picture of a real dog in a real yard in Saskatchewan this past winter. Her name is Maggi, she belongs to Jordon and Wendy Cooper in Saskatoon and she is trying to get through the yard. 
24 May, 2007
29 April, 2007
Those Pesky Chain Letters
CHAIN LETTERS - it is time for my Soap Box. They have started again and I hope I do not offend anyone with my point of view. Last week I received 7 chain style emails and although I do appreciate that others are thinking of me, just for info I do not READ or FORWARD chain style email. I don't like being threatened that the sky will fall on my head if I do not send it on to many others. I believe that the Internet and sending email on will not change the course of our lives. The Good Lord and our Guardian Angels have that in hand. I am aware that some of these are 'moving stories', and without the chain part I do enjoy the ones I accidentally read. If you must send something out to 5 or 10 people, rest assured that the one I receive will go no further. Please do not waste one of your 5 or 10 on me. Yes I do forward cute stories that move me, but not the ones that threaten I MUST send it on. Occasionally??? if I inadvertently read a good one and I can somehow remove the chain part I may forward it, only because it is cute.
On another front, our friends know we care about others, so I also do not usually return the new type of 'friend email' back to the person who sent it to me either - just to reinforce that they are a friend. I do love to hear from everyone and I love cute stories, but please do not include me in the chain style ones. OK I am off my soapbox - life is good again.
On another front, our friends know we care about others, so I also do not usually return the new type of 'friend email' back to the person who sent it to me either - just to reinforce that they are a friend. I do love to hear from everyone and I love cute stories, but please do not include me in the chain style ones. OK I am off my soapbox - life is good again.
16 March, 2007
Spanish Word Of The Day
Spanish word of the day: 'comer' [coh-MEHR]
English translation: to eat
Comà como una lima.
I ate like a horse.
English translation: to eat
Comà como una lima.
I ate like a horse.
13 March, 2007
Cat Problems? Check Your Music Dial.
Musical Cats
It appears that feline taste in music is as varied as it is in humans. Some cats show no interest in it, while others seem to dislike it, and still others clearly adore it. One champion of classical music claimed that his kittens preferred early Baroque selections; while a Country Western fan, naturally asserted that Hank Williams Jr. puts his cats in ecstasy. A senior citizen who routinely sets the radio station for easy-listening music before she leaves the house reports that her Siamese cat, Sam, invariably changes it to a hard rock station while she is gone. In the 1930's Drs. Morin and Bachrach discovered to their surprise that the note E of the fourth octave had the effect of making young cats defecate and adult cats become sexually excited. It was also noted that extremely high notes could cause agitation in many cats. Apparently these varied reactions to music are related to the special sound signals that are used in feline language. Some of the high notes, for example, may approximate the pitch of the mews of a distressed kitten and may be disturbing to an adult cat, especially a female. The more erotic responses may be due to the similarity of the musical tones to the sounds elicited during feline courtship ritual. As with all things feline, nature and experience determine the cat's reactions--in this case to music.
It appears that feline taste in music is as varied as it is in humans. Some cats show no interest in it, while others seem to dislike it, and still others clearly adore it. One champion of classical music claimed that his kittens preferred early Baroque selections; while a Country Western fan, naturally asserted that Hank Williams Jr. puts his cats in ecstasy. A senior citizen who routinely sets the radio station for easy-listening music before she leaves the house reports that her Siamese cat, Sam, invariably changes it to a hard rock station while she is gone. In the 1930's Drs. Morin and Bachrach discovered to their surprise that the note E of the fourth octave had the effect of making young cats defecate and adult cats become sexually excited. It was also noted that extremely high notes could cause agitation in many cats. Apparently these varied reactions to music are related to the special sound signals that are used in feline language. Some of the high notes, for example, may approximate the pitch of the mews of a distressed kitten and may be disturbing to an adult cat, especially a female. The more erotic responses may be due to the similarity of the musical tones to the sounds elicited during feline courtship ritual. As with all things feline, nature and experience determine the cat's reactions--in this case to music.
11 March, 2007
Daylight Savings Time
Daylight Savings Time - thanks to Jordon Cooper
Sigh. Tomorrow at 2:00 a.m. I am hit with the sad reminder of how out of sync Saskatchewan is with the rest of the world. Literally. While the rest of the world changes to Daylight Savings Time, Saskatchewan does not. Sure the extra hour of sunlight would be nice all summer but the 5 minutes twice a year to change all of the clocks in our homes is too difficult so we remain out of sync with the rest of the world. Sadly on most of the call in radio shoes, the main argument is that it is too stressful on the cattle to change their feeding time twice a year. In other words Saskatchewan cattle are too stupid to adjust while cattle in Alberta and Manitoba can. The other argument is that there is a slight increase in traffic accidents as people rush to church. I assure you that despite living in the Bible belt, there isn't much congestion on Saskatchewan roads for people rushing to church. I think we would be okay.Either way, politicians are confident that it would lead to their defeat if they came out in favor of Daylight Savings Time. I am not sure which is sadder, that they think that way or that they may be correct.
Sigh. Tomorrow at 2:00 a.m. I am hit with the sad reminder of how out of sync Saskatchewan is with the rest of the world. Literally. While the rest of the world changes to Daylight Savings Time, Saskatchewan does not. Sure the extra hour of sunlight would be nice all summer but the 5 minutes twice a year to change all of the clocks in our homes is too difficult so we remain out of sync with the rest of the world. Sadly on most of the call in radio shoes, the main argument is that it is too stressful on the cattle to change their feeding time twice a year. In other words Saskatchewan cattle are too stupid to adjust while cattle in Alberta and Manitoba can. The other argument is that there is a slight increase in traffic accidents as people rush to church. I assure you that despite living in the Bible belt, there isn't much congestion on Saskatchewan roads for people rushing to church. I think we would be okay.Either way, politicians are confident that it would lead to their defeat if they came out in favor of Daylight Savings Time. I am not sure which is sadder, that they think that way or that they may be correct.
31 January, 2007
11 January, 2007
You Must Be From Saskatchewan!
If "vacation" to you means going shopping for the weekend in Minot, ND while the kids swim at the Comfort Inn, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If parking your car for the night involves an extension cord, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 8 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you're proud that your province makes the national news primarily because it houses the coldest spot in the nation, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work there, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you know how to correctly pronounce Forget, Bienfait and Roche Percee, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you measure driving distance in hours, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you know several people who have hit deer more than once, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day and back again, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you can drive 110 kph through 2 meters of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you see people wearing hunting clothes at social events, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If the largest traffic jam in your town centers around an amateur hockey game, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend knows how to use them, You might live in Saskatchewan
If your town's Christmas lights parade is actually called the 'Christmas Lights Parade' rather than the 'Holiday Lights Parade', and everyone in the parade actually greets you with 'Merry Christmas!' You might live in Saskatchewan.
If there are 7 empty cars running in the parking lot at Wal-Mart at any given time, You might live in Saskatchewan
If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you find minus 20 degrees a little chilly, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you actually understand these observations, and you forward them to all your Saskatchewan friends, you must be from Saskatchewan.
If parking your car for the night involves an extension cord, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 8 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you're proud that your province makes the national news primarily because it houses the coldest spot in the nation, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work there, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you know how to correctly pronounce Forget, Bienfait and Roche Percee, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you measure driving distance in hours, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you know several people who have hit deer more than once, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day and back again, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you can drive 110 kph through 2 meters of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you see people wearing hunting clothes at social events, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If the largest traffic jam in your town centers around an amateur hockey game, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend knows how to use them, You might live in Saskatchewan
If your town's Christmas lights parade is actually called the 'Christmas Lights Parade' rather than the 'Holiday Lights Parade', and everyone in the parade actually greets you with 'Merry Christmas!' You might live in Saskatchewan.
If there are 7 empty cars running in the parking lot at Wal-Mart at any given time, You might live in Saskatchewan
If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you find minus 20 degrees a little chilly, You might live in Saskatchewan.
If you actually understand these observations, and you forward them to all your Saskatchewan friends, you must be from Saskatchewan.
20 December, 2006
05 December, 2006
Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?
I don't know how many dinner parties you have planned according to the instructions of Jesus, but I haven't had any. Handicapped and homeless people are not part of my circle. I have given this verse a lot of thought lately, with the homeless crisis in Calgary in our news nearly every day. People are freezing to death in the streets.
One of our town Counsellors hosts a meal each year on Christmas day to which she invites anyone of any sex or age who does not have a dinner to go to. She started out in her living room and now rents a hall in town. I think she is living out her faith, don't you?
Mark. 14:12-14 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbours; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
One of our town Counsellors hosts a meal each year on Christmas day to which she invites anyone of any sex or age who does not have a dinner to go to. She started out in her living room and now rents a hall in town. I think she is living out her faith, don't you?
Mark. 14:12-14 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbours; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
30 November, 2006
A Warm Memory
As we broke a 110-year old record for cold weather in Calgary, Alberta, this week, I was reminded of walking into this Raleigh, North Carolina, lake at about 83 degrees F. Yes, the water always looked this dirty, but who cared.I thought this little African American girl was adorable, don't you?
18 November, 2006
HOW TO BATHE A CAT
"Put both lids of the toilet up and add one-eighth cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him toward the bathroom. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids. (You may need to stand on the lid.) The cat will self-agitate and make ample suds. Don't be concerned with the noises that come from the toilet. The cat is actually enjoying this.
"Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a power wash and rinse. Have the front door of your home open. Be sure that there are no people or other pets between the bathroom and the front door. Stand as far behind the toilet as possible and quickly lift both lids. The cat will rocket out of the toilet and streak through the house and out the front door, initiating the self-dry cycle. Both the toilet and the cat will be sparkling clean."
It seems the directions were compiled by someone known simply as "Rover." Hmmm......
"Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a power wash and rinse. Have the front door of your home open. Be sure that there are no people or other pets between the bathroom and the front door. Stand as far behind the toilet as possible and quickly lift both lids. The cat will rocket out of the toilet and streak through the house and out the front door, initiating the self-dry cycle. Both the toilet and the cat will be sparkling clean."
It seems the directions were compiled by someone known simply as "Rover." Hmmm......
15 November, 2006
MACKENZIE ROCKS!
The Devil's Horns hand gesture is one that has come to signify every thing rock. However, these days it has become less and less so by it's overuse and misuse. In today's music market it appears that no band that claims to even be the tiniest bit 'rock' can be photographed without at least one of them making this symbol.
How It's Done: Put your middle and ring fingers down into your palm whilst keeping the others straight, place your thumb on top, then either hold aloft, point at someone, or hold across the chest.
Do not place your thumb underneath or hold out to the side; also never hold the thumb out. Always keep it on the middle two fingers, or it will become the sign language for I love you. Unless you're a hippie or in love with a deaf person, it's not really appropriate is it?
Do not place your thumb underneath or hold out to the side; also never hold the thumb out. Always keep it on the middle two fingers, or it will become the sign language for I love you. Unless you're a hippie or in love with a deaf person, it's not really appropriate is it?
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