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The
Squamidian Report – June 10 / 23
Online
Versions
Of This And Past Issues Issue
#1098 Wayne & Sylvia Russ Nova Scotia Sus Lauren The Ontarion
Hey There, We’re getting closer to our summer break. This is #1098, next week will be 1099, and then the big 1100th on June 24. After that, we kick off our shoes, lay back and enjoy the summer. So, if you’d like to be involved in these last 2 issues, consider yourself informed. * I have received my copy of Russ’s book. It came by a rather convoluted way but did eventually get here. My personalized copy had been mailed to a second cousin (I think) named Linda. And her copy ended up in my hands. So, we hooked up thanks to good old Email and were able to snail mail each other’s copy on to it’s correct destination. We each received our proper copy on the same day as we’d received and re-mailed them at the same time. Now all is well and I have a new Facebook friend. Cool. I’m taking my time reading Russ’s book, savoring every word. Russ, your talent and literary skills are beyond description. I don’t know how you do it, but you do. Being a member of this Brubacher clan, you book means more to us than anyone can possibly express. There are no words to thank you, but, thank you oh so much. * A
couple of decades ago my cousin Warren taught me a
Jonathan Edwards song called ‘Blind Man’. We used to do
it at our jam sessions back then. Warren always did a
pretty nice version of this song and could ad a very
fine harmonica accompaniment to it. I don’t have a
harmonica and if I did you’d probably hope that I
wouldn’t try to play it. What I do have is as many of my
voices as I want, all laid out nicely in their own
separate music tracts, thanks to the wonders of
recording technology. I’ve got 9 of my voices embedded
into this song, building from a solo first verse and
adding on as I, or the we that is me, go. I did this
recording very much like a folk song and perhaps because
of that I simply could not made the base guitar sound
right for it so I ended up leaving it out, resulting in
a totally acoustic project. So, here is my arrangement
and version of ‘Blind Man’, in the key of C, enjoy. Blind
Man doug ****
From Wayne and Sylvia
We have been in New Brunswick for almost two years. What a change! Quietness, clean air, normally great weather except for May and the beginning of June. Sure makes things grow. Look at our 4 year old granddaughter at dance school, winning the "potential Plus" award, ( I think that is something like the 'most honest golpher award') and the tallest one in her soccer team, the "Team Bits". Have a great summer everyone. Wayne & Sylvia. I guess I should mention that Friday, June 2nd is our 50th wedding anniversary for those who are counting.
****
From Russ
What if ? (continued) What if rabbits could communicate with us? Last week we interviewed Peter Cottontail, and today he agreed to answer more of my, what he called - "dumb questions"! Good afternoon my intelligent friend! And a good afternoon to you, whitey! You seem to be in a good mood, Peter. Can't complain. Last week we talked about sounds you rabbits make - I must admit I have never heard you make a sound ! I can't help but notice you wear 'hearing aids' - so I assume you don't hear all that well? You're very observant. I permanently damaged my hearing while shooting a revolver in the 'Shooting Range' at the police building. Back then, nobody realized we needed to protect our hearing. Let's get back to 'sounds' we rabbits make: purring means we're happy; smacking our lips means we're loving our food; we bucks hum to woo the does, and honk while mating; we grind our teeth if in pain; we growl as a warning; we scream like a human baby when we are frightened, or hurting, and we stomp our hind feet as a warning of danger. WOW! You sure have quite a selection of sounds - I've heard rabbits scream when they are being hurt, but admit, I never knew your species could communicate so fully! I've heard you're kind cannot be 'tamed'? You got that right, whitey! We're "wild animals" and proud of it!! Try taming us, and somebody's going to get hurt! Peter, this is not another question - I'm about to tell you a true story about an "aggressive bunny". My son, Mac had a small rabbit for a house-pet -named Rudy, it had freedom of the whole house, and was 'protective' of his territory ! It was friendly with Mac, but hated his wife, Marie. When Mac came home from work or from being away, Rudy would 'greet' Mac at the door, and follow him around until Mac decided to lounge on the sofa. Rudy would snuggle-up to him like a kitten, and if Mac fell asleep, Rudy would sleep on Mac's large stomach! My son also took Rudy for car-rides. He would jump onto Mac's shoulder where he had a good view of the scenery. That bunny really enjoyed car-rides! Get to the point! You were about to tell me a story about an "aggressive bunny". And, I am. Rudy's burrow was in the laundry room - here's where he ate, pooped, and slept. Here's where Marie did her weekly laundry. There was also a bathroom at the far end of the laundry. Anyone using the laundry or bathroom, had to get past Ruby. This was "risky business"! Ruby would attack Marie every time! Marie was frightened of him, and he knew it! Ruby would chase her all over the house - she screaming HELP!! Don't leave us there - what finally happened? Ruby dominated the whole house, and finally Marie said to Mac, "Either that damned rabbit goes, or I go!!" she cried. Mac, who is quite the 'kidder", remained silent, then, spoke calmly, "You give me no choice........You'll have to find some other place to live". Tune in again next week when we learn who.
Uncle Russ ****
From Nova Scotia Sus
It's been quite a week. The temps are quite cool and lots of rain. I'm not complaining though we need the rain to reduce the fires that are happening in our province. It as been quite devastating for some. My brother Warren is visiting from B.C. He came prepared to help out with our blown down trees from Fiona. Now that the ban has lifted we can get back to cleaning up our woods. He is staying for a month so we should get quite a lot of work done. Yesterday we had a surprised visitor...a big black bear was enjoying our compost bin. I was on my way to the chicken coop when I saw a scuffle happening in the outside pen. That's when I saw the bear's head pop up. It must have scared the chickens as they ran for the hatch door to their coop. It also stopped me from going further. We tried throwing rocks to scare the bear...that did nothing. I ran inside to get my air horn I like to carry when hiking through the woods. Now I know bears do not mind the sound of an air horn and that's not good. The last thing we need is a bear hanging around. Finally we decided to use the pellet gun on it and that worked. It ran for the woods. Hopefully for good.
Sus **** From Lauren
The girls had a very exciting adventure last week, it started out as a joke when I told Ryan he should take Kyra to dance class on his bike because it was rush hour traffic, so he asked her & she said yes! I was surprised because a few years ago she had sat on grandpa’s bike to go for a ride, but was too afraid. So after dance class, Ryan took each girl for a ride around the neighborhood a few times on his new bike the Himalayan. They both loved it & didn’t want to stop! This past weekend, we went to Whistler & had to stop in Squamish on the way back to pick up our dog who had spent the weekend with the grandparents (the dog never wants to come home after that much fun)! Once we got there, the girls insisted on going for a ride with grandpa on his Harley! Again, they loved it, but said they preferred dad’s quieter bike. I guess riding is in their blood, bring on the grey hairs on me! Here are some pictures!
Lauren ****
The Ontarion
Hello everyone! Our weather here in Ontario has cooled off finally after a month or more of extremely hot temps and sunshine that would have allowed me to fry an egg on the driveway for sure! It was hot to say the least but much more enjoyable than the winter that we finally got rid of in late spring! We still don’t have the MG on the road but once Adam and I get the few items that are required fixed, we’ll get the car back on the road and see if we can enjoy the rest of the summer! I finally managed to get the copy of Uncle Russ’ book delivered to the lady that runs the local museum. I had to wait for Carol and Al to come home from their place in Wiarton to bring me the copy of his book for myself and the one for the museum lady so I could enjoy reading it and also get it delivered to the museum! I’m half way done reading Russ’ book and it is indeed an interesting read! I came across a section that pointed out where Russ’ mother lived as a teen ager and I’ll be darned if his mother didn’t live on the very street in Kitchener that my mother’s family and her lived on when she was born and grew up on! It was called Pinke St but it is now known as Blucher St. They lived about two blocks apart but apparently their families didn’t know each other at the time. I guess two blocks was a fair distance at the time so, they might not have ever gotten to know each other as neighbours! Interesting though that they were only that little distance apart! Russ’ mum was about 18 years old when my mother was born so that is another reason they likely didn’t know each other or their families! Oh well, at least there was a close call! Russ’ mother’s family name was Hausfield I believe and my mother’s maiden name was Hoy. Russ’ mother was a neighbour and she could have been at the age she could have been my mother’s baby sitter if they did such a thing at the time. I don’t think people hired baby sitters at that time! People watched their own children at that time in history! I guess if they needed someone to watch their babies, they would have another family member look after them for short periods of time! My my how time’s have changed! That’s about it for this week folks! Thanks for tuning in and I’ll look forward to talking to you all again next week in The Ontarion Report!
Bye for now…..Greg ****
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