Free pancakes, live entertainment, pony rides and more for adults and kids.
When: 9 to 11 am Where: Douglas Square — 11540 24th Street SE Price: Free
This event was so much fun! YAHOO! A great one for children! Lots of activities going on, including pony rides, Butterfield Acres petting zoo, rope making, sheep roping, the walk through of the Marine and Navy bus and so much more. We were entertained by live music, marching band and Indigenous dancers including explanations for the grand entry, male fancy, female jingle and female fancy. Excellent times and a great breakfast. I didn’t get a snap of our food plates today because my eyes were on Steven who had his mouth dropping open most of the time, for all of the excitement. Such an excellent morning!
No touch piggy.
Sitting in the driver’s seat…Marine and Navy recruitment bus.
Watching the big screen…navy ice breaker!
What a great morning. The food, again, was excellent, this time including those lovely circular shaped sausages, juice boxes and yummy pancakes. Scrambled eggs were also served.
Departing the site, Steven spotted a forklift, so we spent some time also perusing that. Great times with the Grandson!
I’m sitting down to my keyboard this morning, the Ides of March, writing about March 14, 2018, 3/14…3.14…3.1415926535897932384626433... pi day!
I woke up yesterday morning to, my friend, Michael’s phone call. The plan was to book off and get some of my chores done, pick up a few groceries and, likely, head to Foothills Hospital to see Wendy. All of that changed with Michael’s suggestion that we might head for the mountains and make some pie!
Well…throw caution to the wind, I did, and with no regrets. Today, it turns out that we are under yet another snow advisory, with accumulations mounting to another possible 20 cms. Exhausting! I’m so happy that we got out there, for delicious food and beautiful sights!
The following video is credited to Michael Collett. Michael is a talented artist, photographer and designer and he has a wonderful collection of art. He is an inventive and passionate cook and a connoisseur of good food. He appreciates nature as much as I do. Over the past few years he has walked the circle of ‘my pond’, with me, more than anyone and I will always appreciate that. Sometimes the person who is forever carrying the camera is left undocumented. I am grateful to Michael for placing me into the event that was the magic of yesterday.
All is Holy! Kath captured by Michael Collett
The shape of Elbow Falls changed with the flood. Celebrating water and views. Photo Credit: Michael Collett
Selfie with one of my dear friends. Photo Credit: Michael Collett
Pot Roast Pie in the makings. Photo Credit and Filling: Michael Collett
Photo Credit: Michael Collett
Pie from the fire to the picnic table. Beat that! Photo Credit: Michael Collett
Contemplation captured by Michael Collett
Michael systematically packed up ‘the stuff’ and we stopped along the way for butter and for ‘ends’ that had been thrown in a bin for firewood at a local timber place. Off we headed out 22X. After exploring Elbow Falls, we settled on Allan Bill as our picnic spot. The butane was out in the lighting torch, so I ventured down to a picnic spot at the other end of the park, to borrow matches or something. English was not this family’s first language, so after a bit of mime, I was graciously given a lighter for our campfire. YES!
First I’ll post a few of the scenes that we enjoyed. Unfortunately, as I look at these, I notice that there was a spot of something on my camera lens. :0(
Next, I’ll post a few of the photos I captured of Michael, enthusiastically forging ahead with the process of making unbelievable pies in the outdoors. What a great time!
In 2007 I met one of the most gracious and fun-loving women of my life. There was a huge context there and quite a history, but as of today, we jokingly share that we met in rehabilitation.
My readers will know that I lost my beautiful cat, Peanut Meister, this past year…well, I had to go and visit with Kirsten to get my fill of cat loving and at the same time, eat my belly full of beautiful white chocolate and berry scone!
We shared updates and laughs and took photos of Zebbie and Mitz from every angle, while sipping a home brewed latte flavoured with just a wee bit of vanilla. YUM! It was an awesome start to my day. Thanks, dear Ya Ya!
I am now going to wade through the kazillion photographs of these precious siblings and post a small selection here. I also want you to notice what I was willing to do in order to capture these photo moments. Zebbie is the one who looks somewhat like a zebra because of the markings down her back. Mitz (not to be confused with Mitts) is a chill sort of guy…totally different demeanor as compared to his sister. My purple winter coat became a fascination to both cats, but especially Zebbie.
First… one of the crazy cat ladies. (Because the other one doesn’t like her photograph taken. I am true to my word with people like this.)
(Anything for a picture of Mitz)
Here’s the cat lady who shall remain out of photographs (for the most part).
And here just a couple of the little sweethearts. It’s easy to see why cat videos and cat books are the norm these days. They just put a smile on your face.
Mitz…and in the case that you didn’t get a good look at that black marking under his chin, he will give you a better look.
Can you see it now?
Zebbie just loved the purple coat.
I see you.
Oh, Go Away!
Intensity.
You’re annoying me!
We were thinking you might leave this coat behind.
I had a great morning. Filled up with friendship, good food, good conversation and two beautiful cats, I headed home to my adoring canine, Max. The weather was so beautiful…it was time to play!
It’s a beautiful thing to have friends who journey the years with you…while not WITH you exactly, they are in your heart. Everything I’m about to write comes from the rewriting of memory. It’s interesting that when Randy Bogner sits down and recalls a story or two, it seems to me, that those stories can be completely different from the ones that I recall. But, such is life and its richness. In telling stories, people can create something new each time…you know what I mean? If you don’t share a zillion years then you don’t get to discover how this works. One must laugh and enjoy these experiences. They are the blessings of lives well-lived.
I met Randy what seems THAT zillion years ago. It was through those years when I had a beautiful and young circle of friends early 70s, in Lethbridge, Alberta. I was blessed to be able to meet and live with my dear friend, to this day, Gloria. These were the years of EOF projects, Employment Opportunities For Youth and several of our group were employed teaching drawing, clay and painting in tucked away places, like the Civic Skating Rink. I remember listening to one teacher-friend reciting poetry while sitting on a table and at the same time, braiding a bracelet. I remember riding my bike every where.
Given that my family had moved east again, as was my father’s military obligation, I found myself plunked into a world that was strange and unfamiliar to me. So, along with the new, that same bike would regularly be parked up against the outside wall of a variety of churches, finally resting up against the brick wall of St. Patrick’s parish and so began my journey toward becoming a Catholic.
These were the days of hippie earth children, long hair and the White Album. Randy’s hair was admired by everyone, given that it extended the full length of his back. And he was/is a tall drink of water, so that’s saying something. Cabarets were also big and while I didn’t drink, I enjoyed the lively music and dancing late into the night. Hmmm….a good time to inject some music. S’alright…you needn’t listen to the entire album, but you might set it to play while you’re reading this nostalgia.
These were the years of back yard visiting, Yukka Flux and communal foot washing/rubbing rituals. It was a different time.
I remember, as well, that Randy played classical guitar so beautifully and during gatherings there would be this amazing sound going on while our friends talked over it. These were the days when we had it ALL FIGURED OUT and we were going to change the world.
Glo was/is the one who I must give credit to making sure that, over the years, we all stuck together…stayed in touch…were informed on births, deaths, marriages and she is a blessing to us all! For example, she created this collage of photographs, some distant past and others from 2000. Her card…I save them all…is dated August 25, 2001.
I lost touch with Randy for a chunk of years as he disappeared into the Slocan Valley…lived with a family of wonderful brothers and sisters and created pottery. This, from the outside, appeared to be a spiritual quest for Randy and contributed to his forever-formation as a Christian, I’m certain. We joke about the only visit I made out to Slocan, along with my daughter and a then-boyfriend. The ‘Shack’ seemed to be so tucked away in the trees of the valley, that from the bottom of a dirt road, I started calling out to the trees…”Randy! Randy! Are you there, Randy?” It turned out to be a beautiful visit, however other-worldly.
A few photographs, snappled up without permission, to illustrate Randy of those days…late 70s-early 80s.
What happened after that…I don’t know. Years passed. Gloria, again, became the reason I reunited with Randy and his beautiful wife, Jane, and their girls. A lot had transpired for the Bogners before this meeting. But…not my story to share. It was such a blessing to meet Jane and now to know her as a true Ya Ya. Wonderfully warm and generous of spirit, I can now say that I’ve had opportunity, along with Glo, to share much home made bread, soup and pastries with Jane’s family. Another family that loves dogs as much as I do! Jane is a wealth of knowledge, especially around book recommendations and always has the right question to ask to inspire and to provoke thought. I admire Jane’s ability to cook, and especially delight in her baked goods, but I’ve also had opportunity to look at her art portfolio and I still look forward to a paint-out opportunity. We share many laughs when we are visiting the Bogners and I’m so grateful for these times.
The last huge body of work I painted was an exhibit titled The Places I Have Been, hosted by the Wallace Art Galleries and the Bogner family, Glo and several of her friends came out to support me. I don’t know what I’d do without friends like these. That collection of landscapes somehow represented, also, the landscape of these friendships and what they have come to mean over time.
2010 Visiting the Bogners
There’s That Warm Bread!
There’s That Home Made Soup!
2013 Visit With the Bogners and Meeting Juno
House Concerts
Room for Dessert? YOU BET!
Quiche, Home Made Bread, Salad and the Glo’s Gift of an Orchid
2014 Visit With the Bogners
I could go on and on with photographs and anecdotes, but suffice it to say today, Sunday, I’m grateful to the friends in my life. I’ve appreciated your support, your humour and your genuine love all of these years. Let’s remember always what these years have meant.
It is a day to look forward to…a gathering of my Dad’s side of the family, south to Raymond, Alberta. Today we decided that it has been 26 years of July 1st reunions…and they have all been ‘magical’! We meet for the Rotary Parade downtown Raymond at 10:00 a.m. We take up the same corner each year, a short walk from the Fast Gas, where we can take the little ones to the washroom or purchase an ‘alright’ coffee.
Then we head for the Witbeck property and a BIG mingle, lots of laughs, candy-throws, good food and family! I am so grateful! I appreciate the generosity and love that goes into throwing this event each and every year and feel such love and happiness this evening, at home…tired and sunburned, but oh so content!
Karen, Erin, Mark and Maya: Parade Watching!
Apart from tossing candies, this was the next best thing to be thrown from a float!
Welcome to 'The Campgrounds'
Red and White Geraniums Always Greet Us!
Standard Camp Kitchen Meal
Water Melons! YUMMERS!
Fireworks!
North From Arizona
Great Women
Clayton: Our Masters of Ceremonies
They Come From New Zealand!
Jo Plays a Tune
Gramma Canada
Tender Moment
Thank You, Elenore!
The Tall and Short of It!
Cows With Guns
Cecile Plays Us Some Dylan
Visiting From Utah
2 / 19
I felt very emotional, as I thought about my immediate family members who were not with me today, but very much with me in spirit. I also remembered years gone by, times with Linda, my Grandparents, Merle and Margaret and their kids…I remember us listening to Grampa singing Froggie Went A Courtin’ and the family being silent and spellbound as he slapped his thigh and sang every verse, like a grand story.
We have added to our repetoire over the years; Cows With Guns, being one! There are many many laughs when ever so many of our family members gather together! I really treasure our Family Reunions!
