The Squamidian Report – Dec. 30 / 17
Online Version
Including:
From Lorne
A Response From Brian
A Response From Russ
The Ontarion
Hi All,
Seems to be inevitable, but things tend to go wrong at the least
opportune time. A week before Christmas, as the temperatures out side
started to fall, the heating system in 'The Wife's' car quit working. A
car with no heat and therefore no defrosting capabilities is a problem
this time of year. I couldn't figure out what was wrong so we phoned
the local Toyota dealer to see if we could get it in and checked out.
Her car is now 10 years old and issues are to be expected but its been
pretty dependable all these years. Anyway, the Toyota dealer was happy
to make an appointment to diagnose the problem, but it couldn't be
until the end of the last week of the month, as in Dec 29. That just
wouldn't do. Winter was here, we needed it fixed. So, we called the
local none-dealer repair shop that we have used many times before and
that does good work. They are very popular and it can take a while to
be fit in there so I was pleasantly surprises when they said to bring
it in the next day so they could figure out what was wrong, then go
from there. Turned out the water pump was leaking and the coolant level
had therefore dropped to a level too low for the coolant to flow
through the heat exchanger. Not good at all. The repair shop would have
to order a new pump. They filled the cooling system so the engine was
no longer be in any danger and the heater and defroster would work, and
made an appointment for the next week, that being the 28th. The car ran
fine during the interim but we were advised not to go too far with it,
no major highway trips etc.
The morning of the 28th, when we were scheduled to bring the car in,
dawned dark under a very heavy overcast that was dumping rather
generous amounts of snow. I cleared the driveway with the blower, first
use of the season by the way, and 'The Wife' headed down (literally and
figuratively) to the repair shop to drop the car off. I had to clear
off the truck as it had been parked out on our parking spot by the road
because Ryan was here (he and the girls were here for Christmas) and we
let him park in my side of the garage so he wouldn't have to carry kids
and stuff up the drive. I then drove down to bring 'The Wife' back.
Driving was treacherous, deep snow and very icy roads, drivers without
a clue and so on. I picked her up and we went back home. It took 4
wheel drive to get back up the hill.
After that 'The Wife' bundled the kids up and they played in the deep
new snow in the back yard. We had had a green Christmas but now that
was being made up for as the snow kept on falling. I had blown a good 8
inches off the driveway and by mid morning there was another 6 on it.
Everyone was busy so I climbed back into the truck and did a rather
slow drive out to the gondola and went up to meet some friends and have
a coffee. That trip up was my 900th. I think when I hit 1000 sometime
in the spring I'll take a week off. After lunch I blew another 6 inches
of snow off the driveway and then cleaned out a neighbors drive as he
was a bit under the weather, seems to be some strain of the phew going
around these days. And it was still snowing.
As stated, Ryan was here and had intended to head for the airport on
Friday as he had to head for New Zealand but with the weather and
the state this highway was in (mostly at a standstill) he decided to go
back to Maple Ridge because from there he can get to the airport more
easily, so he did. The repair shop had called to say the car was ready
so when he headed out I went with him so he could drop me off. The car
is now repaired, a day sooner than the dealer would have even looked at
it, and Ryan made it home just fine. Lots of tractor trailer type
trucks stopped along the way as while they are supposed to use tire
chains on this highway during snow storms, most of the commercial
drivers these days fall way short of being the skilled professionals
that drivers used to be, and most of the current drivers wouldn't know
how to put chains on even if they had them which they should because
the signs along the highway state they must carry them. Lots of spun
out cars as well. Typical and par for the course. Anyway, we had put
new ice tires on the car this fall and so I had no problem getting back
up the hills and it helped that a plow had gone through for about the
6th time.
So we have the kids for several more days or perhaps another week. I'm not in the loop so I really don't know.
Friday morning we decided to go up the gondola for a while. I had to
blow out our drive again as well as help that neighbor. The kids mom
called to say she was coming up for the weekend as she had an extra day
off work. There was a small window between the last storm and the one
expected to blow in by noon of that day. Timing worked out in that she
met us at the gondola. By then is was just starting to snow again and
was very blustery at the top. Kyra played out in the snow and Olivia
played inside the lodge at the little kid play center. We headed down
as the weather was closing in and by the time we got home it was
snowing pretty good again. The gondola ended up closing just after
lunch time due to the weather. As of writing this, it is still snowing.
However, its supposed to clear out sometime on Saturday and stay clear
till next weekend. Now if we could just do something about all the
idiots that insist on parking on the street instead of in their own
driveways.
doug
****
From Lorne
Very cold continuing for at least another week. I have blown snow 5
times as of Boxing Day. Some winters only 5 times the whole
season. As some of you know, my Massey is open, no cab. Not bad
around the back but out in the open at the road, in the wind, it's
unbearable.
The wayward clock on the kitchen wall has done it again. As I mentioned
last week it stopped then run backward. Christmas eve I drew this to
the attention of several of my descendants and as they watched,
the clock came to a sudden stop, then ran forward like most other time
pieces and has been since. no bull.
May the readers of the Squid enjoy a healthy, happy and prosperous 2018.
Lorne
****
A Response From Brian
Greetings and Merry Christmas from the shores of Lake Huron. I have a
little tidbit I would like to share that I think is pretty amazing. One
of our local radio people on the local station , has been fostering
children for a lot of years. I have been redoing their kitchen over the
past several weeks and now is pretty much complete except for a few
odds and ends, but that is not the story. Four years ago they started
to foster 2 little sisters now 5 and 4 years of age. I
found out about a week ago that they had a court hearing to finalize
the official adoption of these beautiful sweet little angles that came
from an abusive environment i assume didn’t get the whole part of that
just little bits. Well since I have a pretty good connection with
a fat guy with a white beard and red suit ( aka me) I offered to
show up at their place last Thursday evening after the existing day
they had becoming a larger family earlier in the day. got there around
6: 30 pm and came to the patio door in the kitchen area and
looked in through the glass. What a feeling they gave me when they
spotted me the look on their faces was priceless. Spent a little time
there and when I left found out the family was going to be on the radio
show their father does in the morning. He ask them if there was
something special happened the day before they said we have a mom and
dad now and that Santa had visited with them in the same day. Makes one
feel pretty great to bring cheer to these little ones. These are the
third children they have adopted to add to their own 4 kids. What
amazing people.
Brian and Kitty
****
A Response From Russ
Hey Doug, it didn’t go unnoticed that the Christmas Edition was titled Christmas “Addition”
And, that what followed(the list of contributors)
was shaped like a Christmas tree! (very clever)
and that you have at least seven Readers of the Great Squamidian! I
would guess there are more.....maybe even eight....counting the
Non-Subscriber! LOL
What a rare treat to read all the Christmas memory-type inclusions.
And to all of us faithful Readers I say;
Let’s keep it up! Let’s hear from you once in a while
And I don’t mean just at Christmas.
But we DO appreciate your very nice Christmas 2017 stories.
Uncle Russ
(the middle brother)
****
THE ONTARION REPORT
Well, we’re nearing the end of the year 2017 and it’s been a heavy
year. With 10 weeks passed since my heart surgery, I’m finally feeling
more like a recovered person than a recovering one.
They say it’ll take 6 months to feel fully myself again but such is and
was the experience, I doubt I’ll ever shake the incredible feelings
I’ve had from this life lesson! It’s both shocking and amazing at the
same time and one can only understand how it feels by going though such
an ordeal oneself. I’m so grateful and in shock at the same time it’s
hard to describe. However, I’m almost at the half waypoint in the
recovery aspect and feeling better each day. I still have my moments
and of course they affect those around me as well. I get times when for
some unknown reason I get cantankerous and out of sorts but those times
too do pass. I’m just thankful that I have an understanding family to
help me through those times! I like to think that I’ll be a better
person when this is all over and that I’ll appreciate my health and my
family and friends even more than I have in the past. I’m sure I’d
never have been able to handle the pressure without the help of my wife
and son and also a few friends that have shown care and compassion.
Thanks to those mentioned above things are looking up and the future is
bright and possible once again! Also my gratitude goes out to the
Surgeon and the Nurses at St Mary’s Hospital for their skill and kind
treatment while I was in their care! I hope to have many healthy years
ahead of me yet!
*
With Christmas in the history books for 2017 it was a
time for love and gratitude and if there were nothing but air in my
stocking I’d have considered myself a very rich man. I’ve talked about
winning the Lottery for the past 40 years and with that in mind at this
very moment, I know now that with the success of my surgery I’ve
already won the Lotto! Between that and having the love and support of
my immediate family how could anyone ask for a better Christmas?
Speaking of Christmas presents, I still received a whole list of gifts from Mrs. Santa and her Son. Ho Ho Ho!
As most of you know, Carole and I own a 1979 MGB British sports car and
I’ve been working to get it into original shape for the past 28 years.
It’s always been drivable but right from the start it’s needed some TLC
to get it to where it is today. We love and enjoy driving it in the
summer time and of course it’s stored in the garage every winter. I’ve
pretty much rebuilt the entire car over the years but the one thing
I’ve yet to do is finish the carpet lining that should be in the trunk
(or boot as they say in Britain). This year I received a complete set
of trunk lining carpets as well as a matching cover for the spare tire
and wheel that adorns the center floor space in the trunk. Once the
weather turns warm again in the spring I’m going to enjoy completing
the finishing touches by installing the new lining set in the boot of
the MG and of course showing it off to anyone who shows an interest in
such classic cars! The lining will not only make the trunk complete,
it’ll also make for sound proofing in that area and of course a quieter
riding car as well. Along with the vehicle trunk set I also received a
few other items that will make my life more enjoyable. Many years ago I
bought a set of, at the time, high quality headphones to listen to my
record collection with! You do remember what a “record” is don’t you?
Well, that set of headphones lasted me up until about 10 years ago and
finally quit working. This Christmas I received a new set of headphones
that can be used with all of today’s modern electronic devices. I’ve
been listening to my favourite music since Christmas Day on one of
Adam’s iPhones and the sound is amazing! I’ve been walking on my
treadmill three times a day for 30 minutes each time for a couple of
weeks now and it’s been building my strength and stamina. I was
listening to the radio while walking but when you do that, you have
little choice in what you listen to. I like country music but most of
what I found on today’s radio is not to my liking. With the new
headphones I can choose to listen to my own collection of music. Some
of which dates back to my teenage years and the time when my original
headphones were new. I’ve found that walking on the treadmill with the
headphones on affords me not only the choice of music and artists I
like but it also allows me to walk in seclusion.
What a difference it makes in how quickly the 30 minutes pass when I
can close my eyes and imagine I’m actually at a live concert being
performed by whatever artist I’m listening to! If you’ve never heard a
quality recording through professional headphones you really should
give it a try! Today I felt what it must actually be like to be present
in a real recording studio when an artist is working on recording a
song. I have a set of Roy Orbison recordings that were actually
produced live in a sound studio and I could imagine myself sitting on a
chair in the corner of that studio witnessing the process of making a
record! It was not only great sound quality but also a most interesting
experience. With the headphones on there is no outside sound or noise
to interrupt what you are listening to and you actually feel like
you’re at a live performance. I’m sure I’ll have many years of great
listening with my new set of headphones and look forward to my daily
sessions on the treadmill. I get a good workout on the treadmill and
also enjoy my own private concert by my favourite recording artists at
the same time. It’s a great experience!
Well, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that Santa was good
to each and every one of you! That’s about it for this week folks!
Thanks for tuning in and I’ll look forward to talking to you all again
first week in the New Year!
Bye for now … Greg
PS: Something To Think About>
If ignorance is bliss, why aren’t more people jumping up and down for joy?
PPS: HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SQUAMIDIAN GROUP!
I look forward to keeping things interesting for our readers in 2018!
****
Have a good one..
the doug
The Fine Print!
The articles in these issues are the sole property of the persons writing them and should be respected as such.
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