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The
Squamidian Report – July 24 / 21
Online
Versions
Of This And Past Issues ==>Issue #1000<== Including: Hi All, ==>1000!<== One thousand weekly issues of the world famous Squamidian Report represents a lot of writing, a lot of story telling, of adventure recounting. It’s been fun, it’s been a drag at times as well. It’s pretty well a habit by now. It could not have been done without Greg who has been here almost from the beginning. It couldn’t have been done without some past regular contributors who are no longer with us. It couldn’t have been done without Uncle Russ who has become so very involved and such an important part of it. I do know that without the regulars, I’d have packed it in years ago. It’s they who have kept this thing going. It couldn’t have been done without all the guest contributors over the years. I just wish they’d become regulars, or at least more regular. As I’ve said many times before, everyone has something of interest to say, everyone has their own ‘take’ on the world as they see it. Thanks you to everyone who has participated in this ‘once in a lifetime’ issue. Its great. And if you’ve ever wondered how I decide what order to put each article in, well, its easy. They go in, in the order that they arrived, and I always use Greg’s column as the anchor. So, assuming your Email program is big enough to hold this whoppingly incredible thousandths issue, enjoy. * As promised, I’ve got a very Canadian folk song for this week’s music, and it’s a double header again, audio and video versions. Ian Tyson’s Four Strong Winds is considered to be THE Canadian folk Song. We all know it, everyone knows it. I don’t usually put much thought into which song goes in which issue of this letter but I did for this, the 1000th issue. I just figured this song would be fitting. And here’s an interesting coincidence, this is the 52nd week in a row that I’ve been including a regular musical interlude. Yup, one full year of videos and / or audio performances all in the name of entertaining the readers. Please give the audio version a listen to, and give the video version a look-see. And, sing along, put in some harmony if you are so inclined. Do it loud enough that the rest of us can hear you cause thats what its all about. Audio
Version Video
Version doug **** My Summer Vacation (sigh) by Rosemary Gibb After 1 1/2 years of pandemic isolation, we decided the time was right to rent a cottage and bunkie with my daughter’s family for a week this July. The cottage was only a half hour drive from where my son’s family would be cottaging. There would be lots of opportunity for the 6 adults and 5 little grandchildren to be together and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the lake. It will be great! So here’s how it went: We arrive. Weather is glorious. Seven yr old Granddaughter stakes claim to best bedroom. That’s fine. Spouse and I are sleeping in bunkie. Help Daughter unload her food. Will feed 50. That’s OK. Extra fridge in bunkie. Meanwhile, 4 yr old Grandson is running. Does not stop until vacation is over. That night spouse and I retreat to bunkie while Daughter and Son-in-law make impressive efforts to settle children into bed. Next morning children are standing at door to bunkie, requesting breakfast. Parents still sleeping. 4 yr old Grandson wants Mini Wheats with milk. Bunkie fridge only has Silk. But he wants milk. I head to main cottage to get milk. Carefully open screen door so it doesn’t squeak. It squeaks loudly. “Sorry, sorry.” I grab milk and return to bunkie. Grandson eats 2 Mini Wheats. Sees sister eating toast and jam. “I want toast and jam”. “Sure, after you eat your Mini Wheats”. Grandson just sits there. Mini Wheats get bloated and soggy. “I want toast and jam”. I ignore him. He gets up and leaves. (Note: Next morning when they come over, Grandson eats all his Mini Wheats and gets toast and jam. Score 1 for Gramma.) Daughter-in-law comes over in afternoon to drop off 8 and 5 yr old Grandsons – they’re staying for a sleepover. All 4 children excited to be together. Seem to be playing “Who can be silliest”. Spouse and I thank the lord for the bunkie. Family BBQ later that week. Son’s whole family arrive. Total now is 6 adults, 5 children (aged 3 to 8). Son plays card game with 3 eldest children. Tranquillity is shattered when suddenly 5 yr old Grandson bursts into uncontrollable sobs. Did a bee sting him? Did his dog die? No. He lost the card game. Meanwhile, Son’s 3 yr old Daughter clings to him like he’s her lifeline. She finally determines no one will steal him from her. Releases him. During 5th night, mother of all storms hits. Bunkie has metal roof. Hundreds of drummers are hammering on it. Temperature plunges. Forecast for rest of week – cold and wet. Decision made to leave for home two days early. While packing up, Daughter says, “Let’s start looking now for next year’s cottage. Our 3 families can pool our money and get a really big cottage so we can all stay together!” Hmmm. Ya know, by that time, my memories of this year’s cottage vacation will be the peaceful beauty of the lake; the eerily beautiful call of the loons; swimming with the grandchildren & watching them shriek with joy; their laughter and their hugs; how they snuggle up for a story... Next year at the cottage? It will be great! Rosemary **** From Gale Hi Everyone, Doug says even the smallest of topics can strike a note for someone. In that case, I will share my observations of the tiny beetles called Fireflies and/or Lightening Bugs. This summer, my hedge and flower gardens are in "full twinkle". It has been years since there has been such a brilliant showing. It reminds me of growing up at the homestead and summers at the Hockridge farm. Both places had an abundance of fireflies. I never collected them but I wouldn't be surprised if a sibling or 2 or 3 or an uncle or 2 or 3 had a jar of them. I am glad they are making a come back. Thank you one and all for sharing your stories. At times entertaining, informative, interesting and insightful. Sometimes sad, sometimes happy, sometimes nostalgic. Always a treat to look forward to every Saturday. Here'to the next 1000 issues !!! Gale **** From Nova Scotia Sus On September 2nd one of my oldest clients is turning 100 years old. I've been doing her hair since 1988 every Friday at 9:30 am.to present day. She is amazingly on track with worldly goings on even though her eyesight and hearing is limited. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, she came here as a young woman to teach in a one room schoolhouse, married a local farmer and became a prominent member of the community of Scotsburn. Last year on her 99th birthday she wondered why so much fuss was being made and said why not wait until next year. She knew she would be around. Way back in 1963 when my family moved to Nova Scotia she taught me sewing at West Pictou High school. What a great teacher she was, patient and caring. I didn't like the cooking teacher at all. She was just the opposite. After two years our family moved again, and again and again but that's another story. In 1984 I made the move myself back to Nova Scotia where my parents and family had also come back many years earlier. My story is really about such a wonderful lady named Zena who I admire so much. Happy #1000 to all the Squamidians and thanks for all your efforts. Sus **** From Karin G’day from Melbourne ! First of all, congratulations to Doug, Greg, Russ, and all who have contributed to the Squamidian over the past 20 years. It’s quite an achievement to keep this thing going, even during times when I’m sure you didn’t feel like writing. Just wanted to let you all know that Karl and I really appreciate and enjoy your efforts. Not sure if you heard that we are in lockdown again, here in Melbourne, VIC and NSW. This is our 5th time for Melbourne. We have some restrictions, but to be honest it isn’t really a big deal for me and Karl. We are used to wearing masks, now, and we know the drill. Only go out for exercise, shopping, etc and stay within 5 km radius from home. I don’t like wearing a mask when I go for my daily walks, but I do it anyway. Since it’s winter I tend to want to stay home anyway, and yes, I don’t have to clean the house if nobody is going to visit us. I have a lot of Pyjama days, LOL. I indulge in reading and Netflix a bit more than usual. In other words, we are having a relaxing holiday at home. I am currently doing some online art classes, just for fun, and have plenty to keep me busy and happy. My backyard studio is cold in winter, so I set up a temporary art studio in the house. And yes it does get cold here in winter. Anyway, this 5th lockdown was only supposed to last 5 days, but they have extended it another week. I do hope for the sake of businesses, teachers, kids, and parents, and anyone else who is having a hard time during lockdown, that we will be easing restrictions again by next Wednesday. Let’s hope you will soon get rain, to put out all those fires. Stay safe and well. Karin ❤️
**** From Karl Hi everyone I hope you are all having a great Summer ,WOW 1000 th Issue now that is a milestone ,I will keep it short because I know a lot of you will be writing a short notification this week I wont bore you with the covid 19 so I will talk about photography instead I still get out for my walks with my camera my favourite is night photography but at the moment I cant go more than 5k from home which is a bummer but I cope with that lol ,I also like Macro photography I will post a few photos this week to inspire Greg to post more photos too,Well have a great weekend all and stay safe BIG hugs from Australia.. Karl
**** From Russ
Congratulations to Doug, Greg, and all of you who have contributed your true stories to the success of the Great Squamidian over the past years!! We particularly praise Doug for his undying commitment over the last 19+ years. (19.23 to be exact). That's one quarter of the average man's lifetime. Of course, Doug is 'way above' average when it comes to supporting our little 'family' news letter; his music has added a "new dimension", and now that he makes his own videos, we can all watch him play, sing, smile and turn on his 'charm'. I'm serious, Doug - you ARE charming on 'the small screen'. When I'm in the mood for 'my kind of music', I don't turn on the radio, and certainly not the TV - I turn to some of your "down-home" musical CD's and sit back, relax and enjoy. And to my very good friend Greg, who has been Doug's 'right-hand- man' for almost all those many years, we say THANK YOU. It is a weekly 'treat' to read well- written remembrances of your youth growing up in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. You certainly were an outstanding young person with the "work ethic"; delivering suits and clothing in downtown Kitchener for a tailor during the 60's, when you were a young teen; delivering ice for people who had not yet purchased refrigerators; working as a refrigerator mechanic at Zehr's food markets; becoming a 'smoke-eater' with the City of Waterloo Fire Department, and earning a "well-deserved Rank". We, the readers congratulate you, and look forward to many more of your 'life' adventures. PS Maybe you could convince Adam to send us more of his very professional photos? Thanks, Adam. Finally, we appreciate hearing from you who occasionally contribute your interesting articles. You give the sometimes "tired-old Squamidian" fresh blood - a 'kick-start', a breath-of-fresh air, new life! We especially like to 'hear your side' of the stories we write if you take exception to our side! Please don't be backward about coming forward - if you like our stories - say so - if you don't like what we write, say so! But, please don't "hide your light under a bushel". Uncle Russ. **** From Carol & Al We don’t want to just congratulate Doug on his 1,000th issue, we want to thank him from the bottom of our hearts. Mom was so saddened when you all moved to B.C. that this weekly news letter, along with the weekly phone calls, helped her. Before Dad had a computer we used to print out a copy for them, and they kept every one. Somewhere in those early years Clyde started doing “reply alls” and the chatter started so we became more then passive readers. Greg jumped in as an early contributor and has stayed there for us ever since. Reading the 2 of you plus uncle Russel is the highlight of our week. Dad, Brian from the shores of Lake Huron, Sus from Nova Scotia, Karl & Karen from Melbourne, uncle Wayne, Rosemary, Sue, Lauren & her girls, Beth and sorry if we missed anyone but you have all added dimension and interest to the weekly saga. The addition of Doug’s musical contribution has been a wonderful bonus. Thank you everyone. As a side note we want to tell you about something strange we have noticed on our drives to and from Wiarton. When we were younger the small towns an villages had higher gas prices then the cities. We were told that was the result of the cost of extra trucking to service those areas. For years now Harriston was always a few cents cheaper then Kitchener. It is still cheaper then Kitchener but Hanover has become the town with the best gas prices now that they have 2 stations. Even Wiarton has been a cent or 2 below Waterloo Region. On our last trip back we filled up at the Hanover Esso for $124.99 a liter. When we drove by our local Esso the sign said $136.99! In between the prices ran from 127 to 135. Does anyone have an explanation for this? Once again than you Doug for starting your Squamidian and for continuing all these years. We are hoping that you and your 2 trusty sidekicks continue for many more years. Carol & Al **** From Beth First off, congratulations to Doug and all the regular contributors on the 1000th edition of the Squamidian. It's always interesting to hear what's happening with everyone, and your unique perspectives on life. Things continue to change here at the homestead. Duncan has moved into what used to be Lorne's workshop, the kitchen is functional now - it just needs the finishing touches, the garden is chock-a-block full of potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, kale, leaf lettuce, ground cherries and herbs. The critters have taken out the bean and dill, and the peas are a bit scraggly, but we're still pleased with how things are going. Nothing like fresh tomatoes! As I type, we have workers taking down the catalpa tree that was damaged during a storm a few weeks ago. We've taken down the old deck, and have a new one well on it's way. The biggest change, though, is the addition of our new puppy Maisie! She is a 10 week old Bernedoodle - she's 3/4 Bernese Mountain Dog and 1/4 Poodle. She is getting used to us, and we to her. For me it was love at first sight. It's been SO long since I had my own dog, so it's a bit like being a new parent with all the lack of sleep, messes to clean up, and worries about keeping her safe. This year we've had a remarkable amount of pollen of all sorts. For the past couple of weeks there have been pea-sized balls coming off the maples. I take the blower to the driveway once or twice (and even thrice) every day, as if these little balls get wet they may a gooey red paste that gets tramped into the house. All day and night these things fall. It sounds like rain on the porch. Our family are all now fully vaccinated, so we are looking forward to seeing more people in real life. Jamie's son Cam is coming to visit at the end of August. We haven't seen him in 2 years, so we are really excited about this. He will be bringing his girlfriend Claire, who we have only met via Zoom. Hopefully we will soon get to see some of the Squamidian readers in person as well! Beth
**** Wayne & Sylvia
Hi fellow Squas and Mids: My contribution to the Squamidian is of a terminal nature, a closing, so to say while for Doug, it is just the beginning of his next 1000 editions. Our internet connection will terminate on Tuesday, July 27th when the movers take my computer away from me in mid-sentence. As many of you know, Sylvia and I and her mother Eva, are following Sonja, Kenny and Gabi to live in New Brunswick, so our termination as residents of Ontario coincides with Doug's 1000th Squamidian. Our land telephone number and email addresses will change because we will have a new ISP. Once we have a connection to the internet we will still be able to read our incoming mail on the internet provider's website using our old email address but I don't think that we can send anything. Our postal address will be 65 Boyd Loop Road, Coles Island, Queen's County, NB. E4C 2W7. Many of you have indicated a desire to take a trip to the east and stop by at our new 'digs' and we have extended our welcome accordingly. Congratulations on the 100th edition of the 'Squa'. Keep up the good work. Wayne
& Sylvia
**** THE ONTARION REPORT FOR OUR 1000TH ISSUE
Hello everyone! Welcome to our special edition of the Squamidian news letter! When I think back on how this all started I have many good memories of how it all came about and I thank Doug for befriending me and inviting me into the Brubacher family fold! It was 1998 and Carole, Adam and I had just moved into our new home in Forest Heights. We needed a 4’ expansion on the side of our driveway and it just so happened that a firefighter that worked for me on my shift was a concrete worker. I asked if he would pour the new section of the drive for me and he agreed to look after all the necessary deeds that needed to be cared for to do the job. It just so happened that he had a connection with a young excavation contractor by the name of Doug Brubacher who had small enough equipment to fit into my lot to do the prep work for the expansion. At the time I was waiting to have an angioplasty performed on a blocked artery and couldn’t do much in the way of strenuous work. When Doug showed up to start the digging, we immediately connected. We chatted about my work history and also about his and since they both involved heavy equipment, we had something in common from the start. When he had to take a run in his small dump truck to get rid of the excess from the diggings I asked if he’d mind if I road along with him and he kindly allowed me to do so. From that day on we became friends and soon after the job was finished at my place, he invited me to attend a family gathering at the Brubacher homestead. Carole and I happily accepted his invitation and attend the gathering the following weekend. I must say, for being two strangers in a private family get together, we were very nicely welcomed into the fold. Although we were not immediately acquainted with every member of the Brubacher clan, we most certainly enjoyed the evening and were happy to have been made honorary guests if not immediately members of your warm and friendly family! It was heart warming to find that the Brubacher family was a musical one and that you all participated in the sing along that was a large part of that evening. Lorne and Vivian were the host and hostess and were very gracious about our attendance. Over the years that followed, we became more and more acquainted with the happy gatherings of the family and shortly after that event, Doug and Sue moved out west and Doug began writing to all family members about what was happening in their new surroundings out in BC. Carole and I were included in the first couple of mailings by Doug and found it interesting to read each week. Eventually after a couple of weeks Doug asked if I’d be interested in writing each week about what was happening around the KW area and I was happy to accept his invitation to do so. Since I had retired early from the Fire Department, the weekly report gave me something to look forward to each time the report was due. As you all know, it has turned into a multi year event of which I am very proud to have been a part of for sure! The Brubacher family is something to be admired for sure. I’m impressed with the way you have all stayed in touch and remained a loving family. One of the really impressive factors involved is the fact that Beth and her own family has taken ownership of the Brubacher Homestead which has kept the property in the family! I’m particularly impressed with the large garden that they have maintained on the property and am sure that Lorne would be so happy with that fact. I’m sure he’s watching Beth’s progress with her green thumb aspect of the Homestead and garden! Now I know that what I write about each week may not be of great interest to all of you readers but I hope you all understand that I’ve tried my best to make what I write as interesting as possible. I hope that my writings have also piqued your interest enough most times to entice you to read the Squamidian to the very end each week! I also hope I haven’t offended any one in any way through the years with the odd political comment or choice of topic! Sometimes I’ve purposely “Poked the bear” just to illicit a reaction and possibly stimulate some of you to write in a response to the following Squid! This was done to gain interest in writing to Doug to get a larger volume of stories for the Squamidian! Only fun intended each time to give Doug something to include in the weekly report. With members of the family spread across the globe, even the members living in Australia can keep abreast of the family goings on and I’m sure that Karl and Karen appreciate being kept up to date! * With this big event coming along, I’ve tried to think of a topic that would suit the occasion so, looking back on a bit of the history I have with your family seemed to me to be the way to go. One of my thoughts came to me when reviewing the content of each week’s Squamidian. Most impressive was Doug’s musical contribution each week. Having been in a band as their singer many years ago I’ve always enjoyed anything to do with music so Doug got me thinking of a special project for this 1000th issue! With Adam being a musical member of our own family, he suggested that we put together a recording in his home studio to send along as part of this special Ontarion/Squamidian. So, with his recording expertise and musical talent with both 6 string guitar and bass, he provided the musical part of what you are about to hear. Even Carole got involved and provided the rhythm section along with background vocals with Adam for our first ever recording! Adam also provided the percussion as well as the other instrumentation. I sincerely hope you enjoy what we have produced. I of course having been a singer many years ago got my voice box out of mothballs and warmed up enough to do the singing on the enclosed number. The song we have chosen to send in this week is one of Roy Orbison’s last recordings. It’s become a favourite of mine and it’s entitled “California Blue”! Please give it a listen and we hope it will live up to the high standards of your musical family! Thanks to all of the Brubacher family members for allowing me to continue to submit the Ontarion along with Doug’s Squamidian for so many years. I will continue to do so for as many years as possible in the future! Thanks indeed….. Sincerely… Greg PS: Many thanks to all who submitted a write up for inclusion on this momentous occasion of #1000! I’ll look forward to talking to you all again next week in number 1001! PPS: Please excuse any crackles in my voice since there is some change in my vocal qualities now that I’m 56 years older than my prime singing days! LOL! **** Take
Care
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