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The
Squamidian Report – May 28 / 22
Online Versions Of This And Past Issues (Choose the year and then the date for the online issue you want) Issue
#1044 From Beth From Karl From Rosemary From Russ From Carol From Nova Scotia Sus The Ontarion
Hey There,
Years ago, when we lived out on Hidden Valley Rd in Kitchener, I subscribed to a little weekly newspaper from Courtenay BC called the Courteney Free Press. Courtenay is a town on Vancouver Island and was one of the areas I was looking at as a place to escape to. One day as I was collecting our mail out at the mailbox, my neighbor from across the road was also getting his mail and we struck up a conversation. He was always interesting to talk to, very much a gentleman, well into his 80’s, and probably the smartest person I’d ever met and he knew a lot about pretty well everything. He was an engineer by trade and was currently working on his PHD in environmental studies simply because he wanted the challenge. One of the items in my mail that day was my copy of the Courtenay Free Press and as we stood there chatting he noticed it in my hand, and, he noticed that all that was printed on the front page was a very big number 30. He looked a bit surprised and asked me about the newspaper to which I replied that I subscribed to it and this was my current copy. He asked if he could take a closer look and I handed him the paper. He held up the front page and asked me if I knew what the ‘30’ meant to which I said no, I hadn’t even noticed it. At that point he informed me that it was traditional ‘in the old days’ to simply print ‘30’ on the front cover of a newspaper that was shutting down or otherwise going out of business. I still have that copy of that paper. With that story in mind I had thought about simply putting a big ‘30’ in my column here and leave it at that. But, as Russ and Greg and I discussed, we truly hope that at the end of our summer break there will be enough interest to entice us to return to publishing this news letter. It would be a shame for it to end but on the other hand, if there is not sufficient interest in it’s revival, well, then there would be no point in reviving it. We shall have to see when that time comes as we approach September. This newsletter has been going on now for 20 years. Some of you have been reading it for the last 20 years. We’ve lost some of our readership over the years. Some of our readers have been taken from us over the years. The first early versions started going out in May of 2002. You wouldn’t really recognize it as there was no structure and just me writing. It wasn’t until October of that year that the letter got it’s name, The Squamidian Report. Greg’s first entry was in the February 22, 2003 issue and he’s been going strong ever since. By April of that first year we were enjoying submissions from Nova Scotia Sus, Karin in Australia, and Ewan. The next few years saw a lot of participation from more writers including Clyde, who we sadly lost, and Lorne, who stuck it out as long as he could, and so on. May 1st of 2004 was our 100th addition and it included a whole bunch of regular and guest writers. I could go on but there is no need. We all had a lot of fun with it and it kind of tied the extended family, spread all over the world, together. Now we have reached our 1044th addition and as stated last week, this will be the last for now. Greg and Russ and I have talked it over and agree we need a break as there didn’t seem to be much interest to keep us interested anymore. We’ve all tried various things over the past year or so to get some involvement going but with little results. So, we are taking the next 3 months off. I’ll ‘pole’ the Squamidian Email list in mid August to test the waters, so to speak and we’ll go from there. By the way, as Karin pointed out, all of those issues are still available on-line just by following the link at the top of this page. And as a last note, I must admit the responses this past week going back and forth and the ones being sent in to be included have taken me totally by surprise. I had no idea there was anyone still ‘out there’. Have a great summer, stay safe, and feel free to keep in touch. doug **** From Beth I totally understand about needing a break. Even things you love can seem a burden when it just never ends. At the beginning of the pandemic my workplace announced they would close for 2 weeks. Knowing that the people we support would really miss the people and activities at their day program I offered to lead a sing-along 3 times/week. It wouldn't be hard. In fact I used to do that when I was an instructor at the Vibe, a large recreational program that supported adults with developmental disabilities. It would be fun to see the people I used to work with on line, sing some songs, and help fill a gap for those folks until we could reopen again. Well, over two years later this program is STILL going on three days/week. After the first month or so one of my colleagues offered to take on some of this, and then another. So there were three of us, plus a couple people to fill in when needed. It went well, and kept going well. It went so well that it became the best attended virtual program that KW Habilitation has offered. I ended up making schedules, scrambling to fill last minute cancellations, dealing with irate folks who missed sing-along if we took a break over Christmas, or not being able to sing due to contracting Covid. It became a bit of a job, instead of a fun break in the middle of my day. This week one of my core song leaders reached out to say she has to quit, as she is too busy with her actual job, and can't juggle her schedule to include the sing-along anymore. It's down to me and one talented young man who works rotating shifts at one of our group homes, and can only help out two weeks out of four. He'd do more, but the agency won't allow him to accrue comp time for this during his off time. So now I have to figure out how to make this work so that everyone is happy, and no one is doing more than they can or should. I feel a break will be the best thing for ME, but not for the 15-30 regulars that tune in. In unrelated news, here's an update on what we've been doing at the homestead. As you know, we had a brutal storm here on the weekend. Several beautiful trees in the woods and neighbourhood went down. While we escaped damage to our property, there is a big maple next to the old shed that is leaning a lot more than it should now. We have a tree guy (Shirly Halme's nephew Brent) coming to take a look at it this week. We've been working on the garden. Jamie built two raised beds for me, and put a fence together. We planted sunflowers (the chipmunks promptly dug up the seeds), corn (the chipmunks dug those up too), tomatoes, peas, carrots, beans, potatoes, broccoli, brussels sprouts, an herb garden, cucumbers, lettuce and a bunch of herbs. We have some space left, so I will plant a few more potatoes, zucchini and whatever seedlings look interesting at the garden centre. Earlier in the spring we added 15 asparagus crowns to the patch behind the greenhouse. Hopefully in a couple of years we'll have a great crop. One of the apple trees Jamie planted last year didn't make it through the winter, likely due to bunnies chewing the bark off of it. The peach trees he planted has lots of blossoms this year, though, so hopefully we'll see some fruit. The red currants are heavy laden with berries. Hopefully we'll get to them before the birds do. Next month new windows will be installed in the kitchen and bedrooms. A new sectional should arrive some time in there as well. Maybe we'll finally be ready for a real housewarming! The pictures are of the garden, the leaning tree, and Viv and Maisie. Thats all for now. Thank you, guys, all for your contributions. Enjoy your break. It's well deserved.
**** From Karl Hi everyone greetings from Melbourne ,Thank you for your many years of contributing to the Squid Doug and Russ and Greg we love to hear what is going on in Canada I know its hard to come up with something new each week and we are grateful for that ,So again thank you all ,Here in Melbourne we are just going into Fall and getting the Southey winds from Antarctica which makes it pretty cold at times but its great to be out at this time of year especial for Sunrises and Sunsets ,I hope everyone is keeping safe and hope we can still get the Squid after a little break ??,I will end with a few photos from my walk in Melbourne this past Wednesday so stay safe and have a GREAT summer everyone..Karl..
**** From Rosemary While I shall miss my weekly read of the Squamidian, I am not surprised that you three gents are taking at least the summer off. And I think you should take it off. You would think that two years of a pandemic, with all it’s restrictions, would energize us into a flurry of activity as those restrictions slowly lift. But on the contrary, we seem very, very tired. Living with the threat of Covid has zapped us. Some of us have been on high anxiety alert the whole two years. Some of us have a greater risk tolerance but always have that cloud of anxiety hanging over our heads, possibly without even being consciously aware of it. All that, coupled with doing our jobs and carrying out our other responsibilities in totally different ways, is exhausting, to say nothing about health issues that may have cropped up, or those of us in Ontario experiencing the mother of all storms this week. So Doug, Russell and Greg, take a well-earned rest. Karin suggested a monthly Squamidian if a weekly one is too much. I think that is an excellent idea. Less pressure to come up with something every week and more time to fine tune it. I like it! Relax and have a great summer, everyone. Rosemary ****
From Russ "Drop-em" A note about my trip West: Security at Waterloo International - Departure; picture this.....I'm in a wheelchair, luggage piled on my lap - my son Greg assisting - everything removed (that can be), pockets emptied, walking canes yielded. I'm ordered to surrender my wheelchair, "I can't stand without my canes" I plead - they hand me one wooden cane and begin scanning. "Raise both arms" orders the security guy. "If I raise both arms, I'll fall on my ass" says I. He points to a metal table beside me, "Hang on here - both arms up" he repeats. "I'll fall on my ass" I repeat. Now, I'm without a cane. The scanner "beeps"- because I'm still wearing a leather belt with a metal buckle. Greg removes the buckle (violently) as I'm ordered to take a few steps forward with both arms raised - my pants fall down! Someone tackles me around my thighs, thus preventing me and my pants from dropping all the way! I look down to see who's laughing profusely - it's the cute, blonde, security lady who'd helped us earlier. I joined her in laughter. She apologized for laughing and for tackling me - she'd grabbed my pants from falling to the floor thus preventing "indecent exposure". I much thanked HER! We are 'pre-boarded'. I'm assigned to the centre seat. I've never seen so many over-size people! Some so tall, they hit the ceiling! Others so wide, they can't sit down. Who will try to occupy the window seat? Greg is on the aisle because (you know). A sweet, young 'thing' comes down the aisle, which, by the way, is so narrow, people have to walk sideways! She looks up - yes, this is her seat. We let her in beside me. She is lovely! With 'streaked blond hair' down to her shoulders, nice limbs, and 'perky' boobies. I introduce myself (trying not to drool), she immediately 'opens-up' and tells me her name is Michelle, she's married, and the mother of a seven-year-old, and five-year-old boy. She lives in Pennsylvania, and used to live in Calgary, she's on her way to attend her High school Graduation Reunion. It was a 'thrill' to sit beside such a pretty girl. I actually felt my heart beating ( or was that just my recently diagnosed high blood pressure?) Now, her soft, warm leg is against mine - I'm flipping-out! Should an old man like me have such feelings? As you know, we must all wear masks at all times while in an aircraft - hers was 'sexy-black'. Now, she's reading. I have excellent peripheral vision - without turning my head I can see everything she's doing. She slowly slips an Index finger under her mask. OH NO! She's picking her nose!! How do I know? you ask. "While up in the attic, she brings down a suitcase!" I saw it! I immediately thought differently about her - the long, blond hair was streaky and messy; she had talked too much! She no longer had the nice figure I had imagined; it was no longer a thrill to sit beside her; my 'Daydream had crashed". Now, I'm thinking; there's no fool like an old fool. In Calgary at my other son's home, the greeting was "sweet-sorrow" - I hadn't seen my Daughter-in-law for seven years - but she had aged seventeen! Because of osteoporosis she had lost seven inches in height, her back was 'crouched', she'd lost a bunch of weight, was 'skinny' and emaciated. I was shocked - I hardly recognized her! On a more cheerful note, Mac and Marie's children gave us a good time as we were invited to dinner at both their beautiful homes. Sorry, we didn't get to see my Great-grand children this time. Nearly forgot to mention, I had a "hard landing" upon their toilet seat, and broke it! Why? you ask - not deliberately, but I'm used to a taller 'throne' and my 'Rolator'. Had another hard landing when we arrived back in Kitchener - the plane came down 'heavily' as had I. I probably will never make that trip again, so I'm glad we did so at this time in our lives. No matter how far or wide I roam, the best place yet is still my home. Uncle Russ. **** From Carol The big story in south eastern Ontario is the storm last Saturday. Power is still out in some areas for the province. Beth’s gang had joined us in Wiarton for the long weekend, except Nick who worked Saturday. Nick was sent home from work as the power was out. No damage was done to the Homestead buildings but Beth’s crew went home early to assess tree damage. As you can see from the one picture, it looks like they will have to remove a big maple tree that is now leaning dangerously. River Road had 6 hydro poles down between Kenora and Old Chicopee. It was also blocked by several downed trees. They have cleared the trees off the road and hydro crews are working at putting new poles up. The storm bypassed us in Wiarton and Al and I stayed up until Tuesday. Our plan is to spend a couple of weeks in Wiarton near Canada Day and at least a couple when we go up for Summerfolk. I’m hoping Greg will bring uncle Russell up to see us there sometime. I wish everyone a safe and happy summer. Hopefully we will touch base with all of you through the Squimedian in the fall. Carol
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From Nova Scotia Sus To Doug, Greg, Russel and everyone who has contributed to the Squamidian I want to thank you so much for all your efforts to keep us informed and entertained over so many years. Especially Doug, for creating such a wonderful way to keep us in touch in a world where we live so far apart. I realize it is not easy to come up every week with something interesting to write about but you have succeeded in that by far. I hope after a few months rest you will come back with new zest and more of us will be right there with you. Today we are getting a much needed rain for our gardens. After all that work planting we are anxious to see some growth. We have been pumping water from our pond to keep things alive. Our meat birds are doing well, only lost 3 so far, which is not unusual. They grow so fast and are quite demanding for food and water. As they get bigger and fatter they become very lazy. In another 4 weeks they will be off to the butcher. Our laying hens are more like our pets and they give us all the eggs we want and sell. I have a good clientele in my hairdressing business that look for eggs weekly. So let's all get prepared to support the Squamidian in the fall. Have a great summer! Sus **** THE ONTARION REPORT
Hello everyone! Well it’s time we all had a summer break after 20 years of continuous writing as Doug and I have decided to take a few months off this year starting the first week of June! With Russ being out west for the week, Doug and I had to take charge with Russ’s input, and have made the decision to take a three month break this year! With this in mind, we are all looking forward to hearing as much input come Sept as possible from the Squid members in support of starting up the Squamidian weekly once again! If we receive enough of a positive response, we will have lots of info to discuss the continuation of our little news letter at that point! Doug will poll the group in August and ask for a response. This will not only tell us who is still here but who is not. We will be looking for ideas and options and interest. Sincerely… Greg. * This weeks inspiration of course is the outcome of the disastrous and dangerous thunder storm that struck southern Ontario this past week! I was personally affected by this sudden storm! I was just finished mowing the lawn and as usual, had my lawn mower turned up on it’s side at the curb beside our house to pressure wash the clogged grass clippings that collect under the mower body each time I cut the lawn! Lately the grass has been begging me to cut it every two to three days! It’s been growing like a field of weeds this year with all the rain we’ve been having so it’s been keeping me very busy with the mower. At that point I had just finished cleaning the mower with the pressure washer when the sky looked threatening! Carole called out to me that I’d better hurry up and put the mower and pressure washer away due to the impending storm! I replied to her that there had only been a few drops of rain at that point and I was sure I had a few minutes yet before any significant rain would fall! /Boy was I wrong and of course Carole was right! LOL! I was almost wrapped up with the hose of the pressure washer when the sky opened up and the storm hit! Suddenly I was instantly soaked to the skin and I couldn’t see across the street! There was so much rain blasting me that could barely see what I was doing! At that point, I decided I was already soaked so I might as well finish the job! When in reality, I should have left the mower and washer on the sidewalk and headed for shelter and safety of the house! However without giving the thought of getting electrocuted by either lightening or touching the extension cord powering the pressure washer a common sense moment, I kept on wrapping things up. I walked to the porch and pulled the soaking wet power cord out of the receptacle! Luckily, I didn’t get even a tingle of a shock and was able to finish packing the mower and washer away in the shed! Thinking later how foolish I was to ignore Carole’s warning of the impending storm, it sent shudders and chills up my spine! Considering how lucky our area of Kitchener was to avoid being devastated by the power of that sudden storm, I shuddered to think what could have happened to my scrawny old self! LOL! WOW! So, I’ve since invested in a set of tickets for this weeks lottery! Hoping that not only can Lightening strike but hopefully that the Lotto will strike our home instead! Hopefully I’ll be as lucky in the Lotto as I was during that storm! I had to undress from my drenched clothing, shoes and all in the garage and wrap the towel that Carole had brought to me around my naked person to trot upstairs to dry off and dress in some clean and dry clothes while the storm continued to rage outside! My comments while the storm raged were directed at how much rain was falling not at how much damage the storm might be doing to structures and large trees in the area. Only after the storm had passed and we were watching the news did we realize how damaging the storm had actually been right across the province! Locally in Waterloo there were a dozen concrete hydro poles that were snapped like twigs not to mention the hundreds of large old trees that were totally uprooted by the strong winds of the storm across the Region! Only in the following couple of days while driving to a couple of locations that we had to go to did we see the damage that the storm caused so close by our neighbourhood! We were indeed very lucky to have escaped any major damage or injury from the storm! Further to our taking a summer break from writing the Squid/Ontarion/Russ write up, I’d like to say, that I have indeed appreciated being part of the weekly report for an unbelievable 20 years and hope we have enough support to continue writing it come September! However, Doug/ Russ and I have commented in the past to each other that it’s hard to know if anyone is actually reading what we’ve written! Since only a very few members have sent in a submission for the week or even let us know via a reply to the week’s content that they have actually read the columns that week. So, it has lead to our decision to take a three month break and see where to go from there come September! Hoping to hear from a substantial amount of Squid members by then so we can be confident that we are reaching our audience and making a difference in most of your lives so it’ll be worth while starting the weekly back up! Thanks for being there all these years!
Sincerely…. Greg ****
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